Jupiter sends a post card to Popi.

The picture of course, is of her mama. Can't you see me with my glasses and pigtails? It was one of her first drawings from life.

James climbs the play structure in Stuart.

In his imagination, James is Alain Robert, and the play structure is the tower at Abu Dhabi.

Justice ran around in her underwear and sandals most of the days we were in Stuart. It was so cute, I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Grandma Helen Bauer fills in the gaps of old photo albums.

My Mom and Aunt Bunny make records as the video camera runs. Grandma tells a story of two brothers and a love triangle. I wish I was able to hear more of her stories, but I was watching kids.

Jupiter makes metaphors.

Grandma and Grandpa sitting on the back porch with Uncle Gary and Aunt Mo mo...

Every night we watched the sunset and the kids played on the swing set or with the hose. Little Ty ty was so cute. Uncle Gary started making Fuzzy Navels for me. It's my new cocktail.

Justice wanted to learn to swim too.

It's true there was some fear and tears when Justice was learning how to swim, but by the end of the trip she was doing furious little laps across the shallow end of the pool.

Good Times on the swing set

Guest comic by James Johnson: Grandpa teaches James to swim

Click on this one to see all of those details. I love it, especially James in his goggles, and Grandpa saying, "Good job, James." James mailed this as a postcard to Popi.

Jupiter and Justice help Grandma clean the porch furniture.

Grandpa teaches James about Gator football.

Grandpa teaches James and Jupiter how to swim in the Johnston's pool.

On our summer trip to Florida...

...Grandpa takes the kids to a swamp to look for gators and lizards.

Angela and Stephanie get lost in Rome...

...right where Brutus assassinated Caesar. The ruins were crawling with feral cats.

In a cafe in Rome, Mama misses some people.

Stephanie hangs out with the Italian literati!

Here we're talking to Martina, Angela's Italian-language editor and translator. Martina knows more about the American publishing industry than most Americans I know.

Angela Pneuman gets interviewed for her collection of short stories: Home Remedies

Angela Pneuman talks to a cafe full of Italians about her book: Home Remedies

Angela and I had gone 3 nights without sleep by the time she was asked to address an audience of 40 people. I think she did GREAT.

At the hotel

Even a water fountain in Rome is beautiful.

Guest comic by Justice Johnson. "Lizards."

Angela and Stephanie look up at the ceiling.

Angela and Stephanie at the Vatican

Angela and Mama, aka, Stephanie, in Rome

In Rome, I saw a parking lot with columns, statues, arches, wrought iron gates, and cobblestones.

Making comics at the airport, missing my sweeties...

4 a.m., waiting for the taxi.

Bye to my honey.

Before you go to Rome you have to say goodbye.

James is snuggling with Grandma Pat. Little Jupiter is asleep in her toddler bed. What am I doing?

It's hard to leave a warm bed with little Justice in it.

Even when you're going to Rome.

Guest comic by Jupiter Johnson. "Mama"

All of Jupiter's drawings are pictures of Mama. Sometimes with Jupiter in the picture, sometimes with dogs or cats in the picture. Oh, Jupiter, one day you won't want to draw your mama anymore, but I'll always make comics of you!

Mama gets up early. To go to Rome.

Alcatraz

Justice waits her turn.

Sugar rush

Justy on the swing

Mr. Reedy reads a book to James' class.

I forget the name of the book but it was about tolerance and celebrating difference. I love California.

Tess and the Johnson kids eat mac & cheese.

Tess had already discovered fairies and the color pink. There were a lot of costume options for her here.

Jupiter

James at Acrosports

What we see is a boy on a balance beam. What's going on in his imagination: a boy walking on a wire strung between the twin towers.

Mama at Acrosports

Eleanor watches Dora in the fun room.

The Lizard Chef

Lego Tower

Shwing, Part 1

Schwing part 2

A Belvedere artist (hand-colored by Justice)

Straws and caps for cups are very important.

At Grattan playground

Eleanor, like Justice, loves to be a kitty.

Jupiter rifles through Mama's old bins

Jupiter learns to ride a two-wheeler