Just got back from Minnesota, where we celebrated Bailey’s high school graduation. Hard to believe I now have an adult granddaughter!

It was a steamy day, but we made the best of it (and sometimes took advantage of the AC inside).

So many memories captured on these walls.

Later, after recuperating, Courtney and Jeremiah took me on a drive along gorgeous green, winding roads with water views that reminded me of New England. Delightful! We stopped in Excelsior as the sun was beginning to set.

The daylilies were blooming near a repurposed trolley selling ice cream, where I couldn’t resist trying “Nicollet Avenue Pothole” –because of the name, of course–deep chocolate ice cream with chunks of fudge, caramel and Heath Bar in it. A bit rich for me, it turned out, but points for trying something new, right?

On Sunday Courtney took me to the Minneapolis Institute of Art.

Guess what’s there?

I know! It’s supposed to be at Pemberley with Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. 😉 In fact, it was sculpted around 1860 and Jane Austen published Pride and Prejudice in 1813, so slightly anachronistic, but who cares? This is the actual piece that Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennett (2005) admires as part of Mr. Darcy’s collection. It’s stunning. Hard to believe no fabric is involved, only different textures on the marble itself. What a treat to see it up close.

I planned an extra day to catch one of Felicity’s soccer games, but I was too busy watching to get pix of all her best moments . Sorry!

Four days went by fast, but I treasured every bit of it.

Wishing you also precious time with your dear ones! And if ever you can’t be with them, I hope you have lots of great photos to remind you of times shared.

I had adventures with Beckett and Brooks earlier in June, but this post is already long enough. Maybe I’ll write a June Joys – Part 2.

Grace and peace to you, whatever your summer has in store.

The rains have continued, but with plenty of sunny breaks, so everything is very lush and green. Not a bad month for celebrations, including the birthday of many friends and my own. I’ve spent a few Mays in France, a nice venue for an evening with dear ones.

David and I went to the same restaurant in 2014, but my French was so bad back then, I couldn’t even call for a reservation. We simply walked in and hoped for the best, which fortunately worked out, since we got there right at the beginning of lunch service.

Then back to the rental. Be sure to look closely to see David in the mirror on that wretchedly uncomfortable couch.

In 2019, Pascale and Jacky took me on a tour of the Golfe du Morbihan over the week of my birthday. What a treat that was! Click here for the birthday post during that adventure.

This year one of my favorite celebrations was when Beckett “graduated” from kindergarten.

All four (yes, FOUR) classes of kindergarteners walked in wearing shades. Adorable.

Here’s Brooks, ready to celebrate:

Then they recited the Pledge of Allegiance and Beckett had his big moment, saying into the mic: “You may now be seated.” Then songs:

Then the caps went on:

At some point there was a slide show that made me cry when the song “You’ll Be in My Heart” played. It got me thinking of how quickly time passes and of David, of course. What a poignant reminder to appreciate every day and every moment with those we love.

I’m praying for you many beautiful moments with your dear ones and many joyful celebrations together. Grace and peace to you, as always.

What a glorious day it was today, even if a bit bright without sunglasses!

I joined Chelsea, Brian, and the boys for some Easter festivities at a church in Johnstown. It was VERY popular, but everyone was cheerful and patient in all the long lines for the various activities, including a petting zoo.

The bunny was a big favorite.

The Easter egg hunt was genius. Everyone picked up empty plastic eggs, then dumped them in a bin and went and picked up a bag of candy that was the same for everyone. No hand-to-hand combat required to get the good stuff.

I love when I get to spend time with my people. I hope you have a chance to celebrate with those you love. Whether a holiday or not, time together is such a gift and I’m grateful for it.

Today I’m also remembering other Easter seasons in other places, like Santa Fe in 2013, in the Loretto Chapel with the miraculous staircase and this gorgeous statue.

Also Holy Week in La Rochelle in 2014.

Both spent with David, who is still very much missed. So today I am especially grateful for Jesus, who conquered death and paid the price for all of us. A very happy Easter to you and yours!

He is risen!

A number of things come to mind when I hear the word “bird”–a Thanksgiving turkey, maybe, or a rude hand gesture–but I’d like to offer you some better options. In this family, our favorite “bird” is Brittany.

I don’t remember when or why her sisters started calling Brittany “Bird,” but it stuck. Even these two cuties are in on it.

They call her Birdo, or maybe Bird-o, I’m not sure how it’s spelled. But I’m thinking of birds especially this week, because Brittany has recently taken some great photos of Australia’s gorgeous bird life. Enjoy!

And maybe not as beautiful, but impressive all the same is the rare Cassowary. This photo was taken with a long lens. You can’t get this close to a Cassowary without serious repercussions. There’s a sign in the area reminding people to be “Casso-wary.” It says to remember they are WILD and they HATE you (with all caps for the essential details). They have massive CLAWS and they’re always ANGRY.  Hence the zoom lens. Still, they were pretty excited to see this one in the wild.

And now we’re back to turkeys.

Brittany and Andy had an excellent trip celebrating their birthday week, the 12th (Brittany) and the 18th (Andy). The 18th was also Helen’s birthday, an impressive 96 now (but she always was impressive). Hope it was happy, Helen! The 18th also would have been David’s and my 45th wedding anniversary, which hit me a bit harder this year than I expected, but I was surrounded by dear ones throughout that week and weekend, then had a lovely Thanksgiving with other treasured friends. What a treat.

I’m thankful for all my memories of past festivities and even memories of hard times when others showed up in various ways. I hope you, too, have wonderful memories and people who show up when you need them most. I want to be that kind of person.

There will likely be more from Australia in the months to come, but if you can’t wait and this post didn’t give you enough birds, here are a few links to other posts with birds. Try here and here and here and here.

And now one last bird photo from days gone by in France.

I miss my La Rochelle friends. J’espère que vous allez très bien, Pascale et Jacky. I will forever be grateful for all our adventures.

Blessings on all of you this holiday season!