It's gumshoe week. Can I make this another holiday in the family pantheon? The gumshoe is a riddle puzzle hunt fundraiser that takes you on a 5K walk up and down the neighborhood hills. We did it last week-end in what passes for heat in Seattle. When I told the kids they should bring popsicles, it went much smoother.

I can't say I love the gumshoe. Puzzles mess with more than your mind--when you figure them out, you get that lovely aha moment and feel righteously brilliant and when you don't, it's a downer.

But, I love how quixotic my neighborhood is. We saw Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs on a garage, license plates nailed into a tree--many license plates, little free book kiosks, giant glass statues, and tiny black metal rabbits. There was much whimsy and flowers.

P.S. Hey neighbors, where is the bear? I'm happy to hand over any of our finds.