A Day At the Zoo
September 2, 2008
Labor Day was too beautiful to spend cooped up in a hospital, so Mariah, her nurse, and I went to the Richmond zoo on a field trip. We all piled into Mariah’s Outback for the trek into the country where the zoo is nestled. Nice change from the usual urban concrete menagerie.
One cool feature was an overpass at the giraffe exhibit. We walked up to their head level and fed them right from our hands. A giraffe’s tongue is huge, long, blue, soft, and odd-feeling. They love being fed but they don’t much like being touched. Sort of like teenagers.
Lunch brought out all the animals. Roosters and a peacock strolled amongst us while Mariah wolfed a hot dog with mustard (hers and most of mine, actually), an order of fries, a fruit smoothie (more like a Slushee), and an ice cream cone.
The nurse suggested we stop for tattoos on the way home. I wanted a giraffe tongue snaking up my arm, but Mariah declined.
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- By the Aviary (Richmond Zoo, 9/1/08)
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- Feeding the Zebra (Richmond Zoo, 9/1/08)
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- Lunch Break (Richmond Zoo, 9/1/08)
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- Lunch Companion (Richmond Zoo, 9/1/08)
Lunch Chat (Richmond Zoo, 9/1/08)
We hope your holiday was as much fun as ours. See you at the monkey house!
– Mark
Mariah's Reemergence 
Hi Sweetie
You had a more exciting holiday than we did. Holly was at her dads, so that left Judy and I for supper.
I’ve never had the opportunity to hand feed a giraffe. Years and years ago you had a ride on an elephant at Busch Gardens. I never did that, either. You are so far ahead of me in doing interesting things.
That’s okay, I love you anyway.
Keep on getting better. You kow, when your dad said you were talking, I expected it to be garbled. What a dramatic recovery you are making.
Love and kisses,sweetie. Grandma
Hi Mariah,
What a wonderful way to spend a holiday. Ours was pretty uneventful. I got the OK from my GYN surgeon today to go back to work on Monday. I take that as good news and not so good news. I have found that I really like being home in the afternoon when Holly gets home from school. However, I have not felt good the whole time I’ve been home, so maybe getting back to work will be good for my lazy self. You on the other hand are doing so good. I love reading about your accomplishments and seeing your pictures & videos. You and your dad are in my prayers constantly. I love you very, very much.
Aunt Judy
Hi girl… Just wanted you to know that I miss you and cant wait to see you. Glad you are back around town again so now I can bug you again.. Miss you and hope to see you soon.
Emory