Story Time

It was sunny and warm.

It was a Monday...

which meant that most of the "sights to see" were closed.

Most things, that is, except the chocolate shop!

So, stop for chocolate we did.

Yum.

And while shopping for one thing,

as is often the case,

something else entirely caught our attention!

Right near the register we found a little booklet.

Inside the booklet was a treasure map.

What for you ask?

Why, for all the story book statues scattered through out the down town area of Abilene!

So...

go on a treasure hunt we did.

Two fifty-somethings.

No kids {or grandkids} in tow.

Just two friends,

quickly devouring their melting chocolate covered strawberries,

and 

thoroughly enjoying each whimsical creation.

There were many characters from The Guardians of Childhood book series by William Joyce.
{made me want to read all the books...which I confess I'd never heard of!}

And these young fellows in the boat were pointing the way to my favorite spot...

A Dr. Seuss Garden!!!

I'd say this afternoon jaunt was the definition of

Good, Random FUN!!

Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Morning Walk

The Country Club Plaza is an American upscale shopping district and residential neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was the first shopping center in the world designed to accommodate shoppers arriving by automobile. The Kansas state line is one mile to the west. Established in 1922 by J. C. Nichols and designed architecturally after Seville, Spain, the Plaza comprises high-end retail establishments, restaurants, and entertainment venues, as well as offices.The neighborhoods surrounding the Plaza consist of upscale apartment buildings and mansions, especially those of the Country Club District,  built along Ward Parkway on the Plaza's southern and southwestern side. The Country Club Plaza is named in the Project for Public Spaces' list 60 of the World's Great Places. {Wikipedia}

 Early on the fourth, I snuck out of our hotel, and set off for a long walk in this lovely area of Kansas City! The day dawned as one of those temperate, lovely summer days....and this area of the city was absolutely enchanting. The original architecture housed fun, modern stores and restaurants. There were statues and fountains....and plenty of red, white and blue!

This statue caught my eye and melted my heart. Having watched my dear friend talk to her son as he navigated the emotion-filled days that lead up to his wedding reminded me that the special connection we build with our children throughout their childhood may change form as they mature, but it's so very powerful....and continues to mean the world to them!

I just loved the look of this street all decked out for the fourth, and this towering building that seemed to be calling to me as I made my way down the street to it!

This statue was my favorite find. Along a small canal next to the town center, it caught my eye towards the end of my walk. "New Friends" was the title of the statue, and the faces of the children seemed full of pure delight! I just loved it!

Joining Kim for

Little Things Thursday

and sharing this visit to KC with

Mama Kat