Happy 2023!

Sarah was still in town for the first week of the new year so we did some sight-seeing with her.  Temperatures were very mild at the first of the week so, on Monday, she and Beckie and Steve went to the zoo.  I really didn't have a desire to go so I stayed home to work on finances.  They were supposed to have lunch at a place called The Foundry but it was very busy so they went to an Italian restaurant on The Hill instead.  

Tuesday was a "down" day for visiting places as Steve and I had dentist appointments in the morning.  And, I had orchestra in the evening.

Wednesday, temperatures dropped significantly and the wind made it even colder but we braved two outdoor venues:  Cahokia Mounds just across the river in Illinois and the Missouri/Mississippi River confluence.  Brrrrr, it was COLD! (but fun to be with Sarah).

Above is the view of Saint Louis from atop Monks Mound at Cahokia.

Thursday was when Sarah had lunch with Erin, a friend from high school who teaches music here in the city and she had dinner with Emily and family.  I had music students throughout the day.

Friday morning, Beckie came over for one last visit and then Steve and I showed Sarah two Catholic churches - first St. Frances de Sales and then the Basilica - plus the Jewel Box which is an art deco styled greenhouse in Forest Park.  Both cathedrals were still decorated for Christmas.  So beautiful...

One could definitely tell the difference in parish budget between the two churches.  St. Francis is in a poor neighborhood and the basilica is in an affluent one.  Mostly intricately carved wood and paint in St. Francis and marble and mosaics in the Basilica.

The Jewel Box required masks...I have noticed that the settings on my phone camera have been tinkered with so the images are more narrow.  I think I have fixed the problem going forward....

Sarah left for Utah yesterday (Saturday) morning and she made it safely to Colorado last night.  Steve and I had the temple baptistry yesterday morning and then we went to Emily's so I could give the kids piano lessons.  Then home for an amazing nap followed by cleaning and getting ready for the new week.  It was so nice to have Sarah all last week.  Having four dogs in the house was not a big deal.  In fact, our two seemed to be confused as to where everyone was once Sarah left.  Silly dogs.  

Not much more to write about.  Steve and I started a lovely little movie called "Ethel and Ernest" last night.  We will finish it next week and I will give a review next blog.  It is by the same fellow who did "The Snowman".  Speaking of, Sarah and Steve and I watched that movie last week as well as "Up".