Excellent!

Apple. Tree. May there be many more occasions.

Great story and typical ending for what has become an epidemic of out of control government. The political corruption apparent in DC starts at the city council level and moves upward as does floating scum.

Whenever I am in doubt, I consult the dictionary.

magnificent
adjective uk /mæɡˈnɪf.ɪ.sənt/ us /mæɡˈnɪf.ə.sənt/
very good, ​beautiful, or ​deserving to be ​admired

That about covers it.

Go get 'em, Mom!

Proud of her and kindles the civic fire.

Conservative: Keeping and maintaining that which has been built or decided upon previously, preventing change for the sake of change, causing thought to be taken before action.
A century of experience and wisdom is ignored in favor of a hired consultant who does not live in the community, has no experience, and will take the money and be gone, never having to live with the consequences of the decision.
I would let the council members know that their names will be remembered at the next election, and their opponents, no matter who they are, will get the votes of those who tried to Save the Esplanade.
Elected officials do not like to hear you will support their opponent. Really.

tom

Say hi to your mom. Mine is gone 25 years ago last week, and she would have been 98 this August.

Good for your mom.

The cap says it all. Feisty.

"Do NOT sass me, Sonny. Now go to your room."

"Hey, I don't even know you, Lady."

"A minor point. Now go to your room and think about your disgraceful behavior."

[aside. "Tough lady, but I bet her kid loves her a lot."]

No wonder you seem so young. It's genetic.

YOU GO, MOM!

Tell her that it wouldn't matter if it was on the ballot, even if they voted against it. All you have to do is lookup Columbia River Crossing

We need a new bridge to replace the I-5 bridge between Vancouver WA and Portland. The elected officials came up with an expensive project, complete with light rail (which we've voted against before). We voted against the bridge and light rail again. It still won't die. The only thing saving us is that the bridge is too low to allow for river boat traffic and the Corps of Engineers won't let it be built. (The consultants have made big dollars, including the current mayor. He ran on a "no tolls bridge" campaign to get elected. Then he started calling for tolls. )

The Dowager Dutchess, Lady Van der Leun.

Now buckle down and start playing tennis, we've got a long way to go. And by the way, today is my birthday, and I'm older than you. Again.

GVDL, you are so blessed. I know you thank God every day, and you should.

Ain't she a doozy! My love to her.

What a treasure! I smile each time you note her activities here on AD. She is a magnificent lady!

WE are all too damn civilized.

Bravo to your mother!!!

You must be so proud, Gerard.

Great story Gerard.

My grandmother was a teacher also. Her 100th birthday was a public event in her small town in Idaho. A man in his 70s, a former student, brought her an apple as a birthday gift.