Porcupines, Postcards, Providence, and Ponies

So today I got a postcard with a porcupine on it:

Don't you just love Canadians even more for this postage stamp?

Before it arrived, it had been a fairly mundane Monday. Lots of laundry. Blurry eyed emails. A nap that just started when hers ended. Just get out of the house, came a whisper as I dragged myself from under the covers to go get Elisa.

We changed the laundry, walked to the mailbox and found challenge number two from this book  sent by this lovely lady.

Challenge number one had been to cover up something I didn't like with a postcard. "Best and Worst Beach Bodies" in the check-out line at Kroger? Done.

Today's was just what our Monday needed: an adventure.

Call to daddy to figure out which way is Northeast? Check.

Full belly to avoid possible meltdowns.

Check.

Sock-monkey hat from Auntie Amber.

Check. 

We made our own rules. Roll the die at every stop sign or light. Fifteen minutes and then we'd stop. Go toward EMU whenever it said north because mommy has no internal sense of direction and zoned out when daddy tried to explain. We were off! 

Yes our check engine light's on. It's been "fixed." Don't worry. 

We drove through a section eight housing development I never knew was there. I saw the same toy Elisa walks with on a front porch. A fake cherry tree. A rain barrel.

We took a hill so steep I felt like we were in San Francisco. About half way through I realized I was so caught up in where we might end up that I was missing the journey. I slowed my seeing. 

I saw a rock that looked like a polar bear statue. A dancing crossing guard. A house emblazoned with "The Barbie Mansion." Have I been living asleep before now? 

At four o'clock we took our last "Turn Right" and parked outside of this building: 

The Arts Council of the Valley

I'd seen it many times but never been inside. It seemed to fit Kathleen's bill for a new place to explore and "breathe it in." The tile outside told me I was on the right track:

It was like they were expecting me.

As soon as we were inside, I knew Providence exists. There was a gallery of art by local students. Guess which school was first in the hall? 

There were names I recognized. Ones I had forgotten until now. 

I never knew he could make such beautiful things when he struggled over spelling in sixth grade. 

There were other pieces from other schools. 

Intriguing: 

Serendipitously similar: 

Of course he'd be here. I forget sometimes to keep my eyes open. 

I couldn't resist signing the guest book: 

And taking a candy from the front table full of brochures: 

Because who doesn't love a yard long cherry Pull N Peel?

My adventure partner! 

We finished our adventure by visiting a few favorite haunts, but not before seeing a dachshund riding in a driver's lap and a man walking with what I thought was a baby wearing a My Little Pony hat but what turned out to be a stuffed My Little Pony strapped to his back (I had heard of Bronies but hadn't known that they really existed until now! We live in a weird world!)

Our favorite place to get free coffee samples and talk with friendly volunteers.

Outside our library: I've thought this is lovely since I moved here, but have never captured it before.

The irony. I still want to go listen...

Because what adventure is complete without a little germ roulette? 

I even managed to get a shot of a license plate that makes me laugh whenever I see it parked on the street:

We live in a wonderful world. Broken yes. But still full of surprises for those who still see. Thanks for the new lens, Kathleen. I had gotten a bit myopic. 

Maybe you are in the same boat. Look around. Try a new road/store/building/food/book/friend. Really listen. Document it. Tell your children. Tell me! 

He's still good and still giving. May your wanderings evoke lost wonder this week.