Dear Liza,
During the shutdown, we are having to find new ways to keep busy and make the days fun. We are reading, painting, and learning. And sometimes, we go on a picnic!
Friday was National Teddy Bear Picnic Day, believe it or not. It was also the first really warm day here in Portland. So we celebrated.
Auntie Bridgett and I packed up easy picnic food like hard boiled eggs, tomatoes and celery, goat cheese and blueberries, and a few cookies. We also packed blankets and my guitar, and tiny dishes. And of course, the bears. Not ALL the bears, for sure, but four wonderful friends.
We carried our provisions and our friends up to Laurelhurst Park. We have seen the park be very busy, and we wanted a quiet spot where we could be distanced. We found a high bank above the main walkway, where we could see but not be too close to anyone. We set up a big blanket and real food for us, and a tiny blanket and pretend food (well, mostly drink) for the bears.
As we enjoyed our shady supper, a few folks came by and took notice. It was fun to make people smile at our silliness.
When we had eaten, Auntie Bridgett and I tried singing The Teddy Bears Picnic song, written in 1907 by Irish Songwriter Jimmy Flannigan. It was the first time we’ve played and sung together in over a year, and we were rusty. But the bears didn’t complain and we got better before we quit, so that’s something.
“If you go down in the woods today,
You’re sure of a big surprise,
If you go down in the woods today,
You’d better go in disguise…”
We even had a bee visiter who enjoyed the clovers right by our feet!
It was actually starting to get a little cool by then, and the sun was thinking about going down, so we packed up and headed home.
Happy Teddy Bear Picnic Day!
Love,
Grandma Judy
Dear Liza 