Late night thoughts on elephants...

I've been remembering scenes with my sister Esther when we were teens:

The code words, said in a deeply despairing tone, "Today I feel like such a toad...,"

brought on the invariable answering response, "It could be worse..."

And so began the oneupmanship of slowly contriving progressively worse things that could have been or might have happened on such a "toady" day.

But it wasn't a guilt-laden experience of wallowing through all of the world's woes and trying to feel grateful that you are carrying your bucket of them rather than someone else's. It usually began that way, but it ended more like a lark -- a hilarious promenade down a doomsday road that only could be traveled by Murphy.

And the crowning statement that always sent us into gales of laughter: "It could be worse...you could have an elephant sitting on your head!"
(This MUST be said in all seriousness, with very matter-of-fact foreboding, for the desired effect.)

Somehow, once we got to the elephant, the game was up.

Who wouldn't feel better, knowing that she, once again, had escaped that blasted elephant? :)

[photo by Michael Graham Richard]

Sea World, San Antonio

One of our summer jaunts was to check out Sea World, San Antonio (2.5 hrs drive from our house). Ben took off a Friday from work...and we liked it so well that we went back the next Friday! We fed sea lions...

lorikeets...

and Dan even bought himself a sword.

Hope you enjoy the next few posts of our two trips to Sea World! (7/11 & 7/18)

Shamu (and friends)

Such an innocent looking tail...

Such an amazing amount of water coming at us!


They meant what they said about the first fifteen rows being a SERIOUS splash zone! You should have seen the people wringing themselves out, toweling off, and sloshing up to higher seating. They looked like they'd been blasted!! When three whale tails poised themselves in front of you simultaneously, you'd better look out! Here's a shot of a single-tail splash from the side:

Talk about muscle--what a leap!

She disappeared under the water for the longest time and then suddenly they both sprang out, with her on his nose--WOW!!

Hot, but happy at Sea World

Here's how we got around--their large stroller could hold three tired stow-aways, as well as a fair amount of other paraphernalia.

Happy smiles peeking out of the stroller shade!

Mom and the boys...and Emma!

Any guesses where the children get their great smiles?

Anticipation before the "Texas Splashdown" -- one of the few rides we were each tall enough to enjoy together.


Daniel and Isaac absolutely loved it and wanted to get right back in line and do it again. Emma thought it was terrifying and was glad she sat in the back. Josh and Matthew were thrilled with the ride but then talked themselves into a state of fear long after we were back on dry ground. Silly!

Viva!

We absolutely loved watching the Viva! show with the pacific white-sided dolphins and the beluga whales. With a cast of 15 or so, they made it part comedy and part fantasy (or so it seemed), and it was all performed to music. Delightful!




Aren't belugas one of the craziest, lumpiest looking things you have ever seen? Ahh, but they seemed amazingly graceful and almost cuddly as they swam with the trainers. What a way to instill amazement and appreciation in hundreds of people every day!