Chipmunks and Plov

This little one was staring us down at the front window for a few moments today.  We've got three chipmunks that scurry about, and many times of late we'll see them run across the driveway as we're parked there.  It's good to have them back.  We were considering going out through the garage door, but then it bolted off with its cheeks filled.   Given that we have three, of course their names should be Alvin, Simon, and Theodore, right?

 Today we got to try some Uzbekistan Plov.  This should be a rock band name, but in fact, it's a tasty treat a co-worker made for us this afternoon.  He's actually from Moldova, which is famous for castles, wine, and people wanting to leave.  Apparently those people don't like castles and/or wine.  Anyway, he was a refugee in 1998 or so, along with his family, but they are living happily here another continent away.  Fortunately, he brought with him some tasty recipes, including this plov, which sounds like a made-up word, but it's real, and it's really good.  At least the way it was prepared today.

It was rainy again today, but it should clear up by the weekend, or at least Saturday, and that's a big blessing for us, or at least for Maddie.  My morning walks are indoors anyway, so it wasn't a big deal.  I was on the treadmill walking a good part of Death Valley today.  I've been there once a long time ago, traveling through at about dusk.  I got a few good pictures at sunset.

Today was "twins day" at the high school, so kids could dress up in the same outfits as a friend and come as "twins" if they wanted to.  Maddie and a friend were dressing identically - each day this week had a different theme, and she's put out her clothing in advance for each day, really looking forward to it.

We were watching the last "What If...?" episode tonight, and it was actually really good, tying together all the episodes thus far in an unexpected way.  I didn't see trailers, so I didn't see it coming, and therefore enjoyed it quite a bit.  I was always a fan of Ultron, so obviously that swayed my opinion somewhat.  

We watched a few seasonal things after that, just some shorts, and soon were off to read from book six, and then there were prayers, and a good night of sound sleeping as the rain fell.