Well before lunchtime Maddie and I went to story hour at the O'wock Library, and the theme was grumpiness. But, since we didn't arrive feeling grumpy, in spite of the intense cold, we didn't leave feeling grumpy. After story time we got our hands stamped, and then browsed the stacks, from which Mads selected Syd Hoff's classic "Sammy the Seal."

From the library we drove to Ellie's school, where, after a short wait, we were able to pick her up quickly and, before hypothermia set in, bundle her into the van.

From there it was off to lunch at Amelia Bedelia's, a fine restaurant in a large renovated building in downtown O'wock that has been turned into a kind of indoor mall.

Lunch was excellent, and a truly astonishing amount of food was consumed, not counting my hamburger. And, of course, as per usual, books between bites, so Sammy The Seal showed up. Once, most of the way through the book, we thought we saw him go by right outide our restaurant window. But it turned out to be only a very cold dog.

Once the empty plates were cleared and everyone had helped herself to a second mint from the mint bowl by the register, we were off into the indoor "mall."

Anyone who knows anythig about indoor malls knows that they are extraordinarily attractive places for wandering seals. Our mini-mall was no exception. The signs were everywhere. Sammy had been here, very recently, and almost certainly, still was—hiding somewhere on the premises!

It did't take long for me to realize what a bright creature Sammy the Seal was. He had chosen the perfect environment—multiple stariways, twisting hallways, blind corrridors, and even an elevator!

I can't reveal, at this time, the outcome of our hunt, but I will say that that the temperature while hunting was better than what might have been found other places.

And,

It really is quite amazing the amount of fun a bunch of pals can have when there is no adult supervision.

No reason to be grumpy, at all.

And Mimi had a great day playing with Becca.