PHEW!

I spent the day at my delightful neice's graduation. The lil darling never told us she was "Summa Cum Laude" What a girl!

The University of Maine at Orono graduated the largest graduating class in their 200+ year history. There were over 1000 graduates and the ceremonies were split into two separate ceremonies, morning and afternoon. so they could accomodate everyone.

I got there before noon, hiked a mile to the arena where the graduation was held from where they made us park, the ceremonies started at 2:30 pm and lasted until 5:30. Had dinner with the family afterwards and then drove home ( 1 hr +). The delightful niece got me a VIP seat on the floor, so no bleachers for me TYVM!

Long lonnnnng day but worth every spastic minute!

This kid's parents left her on her own at 13 and she has done it ALL on her own. She lived with me for a time and with my younger brother, but her whole high school and college experience was self directed and she is still at it! Her parents did show up today. I was expecting them to take credit for all her hard work and was ready to sock them both, but they behaved