Season Change

29 September 2025 Sunny Bridge 2 Comments

BTW, I still hate how these posts appear in email, whether on your phone or laptop, so be sure to read this on my actual site. Otherwise the photos’ aspect is distorted and it’s just not as good. Clicking on the title will do it.

Okay, it doesn’t really feel like the season has changed, except for the one rainy cool day we had last week, but the calendar insists it is now officially fall. I can still get away with flip-flops and sleeveless tops, but I bring along an extra layer these days. Fall classes have started for everyone. Still, I was able to spend the bulk of a Saturday with the little guys, including a trolley ride to get ice cream at Walrus.

Then back to the Museum of Discovery for ALL the fun things there, including LOTS of very loud drumming in The Garage, where they practiced their rock ‘n’ roll faces and shook the place to its foundations.

Then a bit of zip-lining.

Be sure to note the handful of woodchips and the look on Brooks’ face. Yeah, those woodchips came straight at me. Little imp.

Tonight the sky was outdoing itself.

I wasn’t sure whether I should enjoy the show or run for home, but I wanted to check out my favorite pond. Remember this?Here’s the milkweed now.Definitely different, but not necessary something to lament, just a new season. If you can’t quite make up your mind if you’re ready for the change, you’re not alone. This tree is right there with you.

Of course, the adventures aren’t over just because summer is. Here’s wishing you a season of glowing beauty and many challenges to capture your imagination.

As always, grace and peace to you and yours!

Soul Feeding

Sweet Summertime

31 August 2025 Sunny Bridge 2 Comments

Sweet as the nectar I make for the hummingbirds that visit my deck.In fact, this summer has been so sweet that I spent all my time enjoying it and completely missed posting in July. Sorry about that! It’s high time to share some of it.

I’ve had lots of family time, including adventures with Beckett and Brooks.

Plus loads of water fun at Lake Sunapee and at the Rain Dance pool. Soak up some joy from all these smiling faces.

Chelsea, Sammy (Felicity’s friend) and Felicity

Clockwise from top left: Brittany, Andy, Chelsea, Felicity, Jeremiah and Courtney

I even managed a few decent loon shots this year.

August brought its own sweetness. A few weeks after we got back from the lake, Beckett had one of his Taekwondo levels testing days, and I was invited. Of course, I took my camera!

Then Beckett’s birthday…

Beckett’s 6th birthday party at the pool

I got a little something for Brooks, too.

Memento of the blue damselflies at Sunapee

The very first thing Brooks said when he arrived at the lake was, “It’s just so beautiful!” in a hushed, awestruck voice. Adorable. And true.

This year I noticed a patch of long, bright-green grass growing up out of the lake near our cousins’ dock, with little flashes of iridescent blue along each blade. When I paddled closer, I found that dozens, maybe hundreds, of electric-blue damselflies had landed and were sticking out exactly the same direction like little flags in the breeze. I wasn’t brave (or reckless) enough to take my camera on the paddleboard to snap a shot of them, but I did take Brooks to see them. His verdict? “Beautiful!”

There’s something so inspiring and, well, sweet about a small child’s appreciation for joy and beauty. I’d like to learn from that. I recently happened across a book, “Don’t Forget to Sing in the Lifeboats,” containing fabulous quotes collected by Kathryn & Ross Petras. The title is paraphrased from a quote by Voltaire. Love it.

So here’s my plan: I’m taking breaks from the grim news every now and then. I’m appreciating the beautiful (and the adorable, whenever possible). I’m singing. Join me?

Celebrations

June Joys

30 June 2025 Sunny Bridge 2 Comments

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

Bailey – June 2025 – Love her little grin!

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.

Excelsior, Minnesota – on Lake Minnetonka

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.

Celebrations

Merry May

31 May 2025 Sunny Bridge 2 Comments

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.

Tom, Lexi, David, Sunny, Jacky and Pascale – May 2017

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.

Les 4 Sergents birthday lunch with David in 2014

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:

Brooks at Beckett’s kindergarten graduation

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

Beckett Singing at kindergarten graduation

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.

Movable Assets

Season Change

Sweet Summertime

June Joys

Merry May

Adventures in Wanderlust