'Tot Lot' lives on (only in different venue)

These beautiful summer days go slamming by too fast for me. The kids are out of school for the summer now. And it is true that the days which, when we were young, seemed to stretch out endlessly ahead, do feel much shorter as we age.

Hearing children's voices outdoors on a summer day often brings to mind those days when I had my idea for a "Tot Lot" daycare and 'camp' for the little ones, including my own. I asked a state senator to allow me to set up a plan on a large, unused property in the area, which included a pine-shaded lot suitable for playing.

I canvassed the neighborhood for interested mothers of kids from 2 to 6 years and asked each mother to agree to be on duty from three to four sessions per season from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. That allowed every participating parent much more free time without having to keep an eye on the kids. I donated a swing set and other large outdoor toys my older boys had outgrown, and others contributed in the same manner - trikes, wagons, etc.

Tot Lot was a popular spot in the neighborhood. We didn't think of it or refer to it as a 'day care,' and we surely didn't consider it a 'cooperative,' but I guess that's what it really was. (Day care collective - ugh! "Tot Lot" sounds much better, don't you think? What's in a name? If we had called it a 'collective,' I bet not one mother would have joined in.)

The mothers became a cohesive group of friends, even though they had not known each other before, and the senator received many plaudits for his good deed. I'm sure it was remembered when we mothers went to the polls.

I am happy to say that after many years in that spot, it moved to a nearby arts center, where it continues to this day.

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Speaking of the arts, a cool place to retreat and to learn is the Pensacola Museum of Art, where until July 11 you can view the 'Made in America' exhibit. Every Tuesday, admission to the art museum is absolutely free!

The museum is conveniently located for Breezers, just a short hop over the Three Mile Bridge, right next to the Pensacola Little Theater on Main Street.

Still hungry to explore? Step across the street to the T.T. Wentworth Museum, open Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m., and, believe it or not, it's also totally free. Take the grandkids and let them roam.There's a great display of handmade dollhouses this month - and for the boys, an exhibit of Pensacola's role in history.

And, you can plan to enjoy lunch al fresco (in the fresh air) at Portabello Restaurant's new patio. Erica and Ryan are always serving something fresh and delicious, and they have great daily specials from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m. Portabello is located at the Cultural Center, in the lobby of the Little Theatre.

There's a lot to see and do in a very small area, isn't there?

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Here are some questions the
grandkids will all want the
answers to.

Q: Where do cows go on a date? A: To the moooovies. Q: How many birthdays does the average person have? A: One per year. Q: Why can't you send a telegram to Washington? A: Because he's dead. See you next week!