The Summer Adventures of Two Christmas Mice

Some of you may remember the adorable and colorful mice I purchased at the cool little gift shop at the Palmer Museum on campus just before Christmas. Their names are Esperanza (in the pink tutu) and Fidelis (wearing the yellow scarf and stripey, say-something hat).

Esperanza and Fidelis went on a grand adventure at the Arboretum last December to celebrate the winter solstice. I took many pictures that day but posted just one here: a photo of the pair of them sitting on the (very much frozen) lily pond.

Well, they have been clamoring for a summer adventure, and on this day, I finally obliged. As a bonus, I brought a pair of Dancing Girls along too. PLUS their llama steeds. What fun times we had!

It was quite warm out already, even in the morning, but I couldn't get Fidelis to remove his hat! It was a fashion statement, he said. And fashion is worth suffering for, but only just a bit.

They enjoyed the flowers very much, and took turns playing among the allium (see photo in the extras). We met a beautiful yellow butterfly flying around near the bright pink bougainvillea; honestly, they had no idea such creatures existed! They figured it must be some kind of angel!

A very friendly bumblebee came by and asked shyly if it might have a first dance with one of the Dancing Girls, as she sat atop a bright red poppy bloom looking at the blue sky. Everyone rode on a raccoon along the creek and took turns stroking the ears of the fox that lives near the cave.

We found some new yellow boats along the little creek, and so the mice went on a sailing adventure, and they got just a teensie bit wet. And finally, they become abstract art in the garden kaleidoscope.

In this particular photo, Fidelis (Faith) and Esperanza (Hope) took a few minutes to enjoy the lily pond, which had been frozen during their last visit. They oohed and aahed over the pretty water lilies and the reflections. They marveled at the orange fish. Who knew such creatures live beneath the water's surface?

And so it was that the mice became reflections themselves. You see, with the magic of the lily pond, once you are reflected upon its waters, you become part of it forever, and some very important - possibly essential - part of your self NEVER, EVER leaves!

The soundtrack for this summer day's adventures is Neil Diamond, with Summer Love.