This time last year I was in the throes of packing for my month in Australia.I went. I saw. I loved it. Then I spent nearly a year telling you about it, but I promise other things happened in the meantime.

For one thing, I discovered my camera was failing to focus properly, so once I got back to the states, a friend and I made a jaunt to Boulder in search of a new camera. We made time for a stroll through the shops on Pearl Street Mall. This place was gorgeous.

Once I had a camera capable of focusing, I had to practice.

Then in July the family gathered at the lake to celebrate the long and storied life of Helen, whom we had lost in April, still largely independent at 96. I think she won duplicate bridge the day before she died. She just kept going and going until, suddenly, she was done. Impressive and inspiring. I’m grateful to have known her.

Bailey and Felicity couldn’t join us–I’d see them in August–but the rest of my crew was there, even Brittany and Andy from Australia.

In true Helen style, celebrating her life involved lots of stories and the alcohol flowed freely–maybe a little too freely occasionally, but that’s lake life. The boys managed to have a great time without alcohol. 😉

There were even moments of supreme calm and my camera caught a few of them.

I hope these pix offered you a moment of calm or a smile at the cute littles or even inspired your next adventure. Next month, I’ll tell you about our family weekend in Colorado Springs for Felicity’s soccer tournament. I am so grateful for my people, and if you read these posts, that includes you. I am grateful for you.

Wishing you rich moments with those you love and glowing moments of tranquility. Grace and peace to you, as always.