June Joys

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).

Felicity’s turn next year!

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.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Guess what’s there?

Veiled Lady by Raffaelle Monti

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!

Felicity in action

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.

 

 

Merry May

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.

“Birthday” candles May 2014

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.

Beckett graduating from kindergarten

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

Beckett – May 2025

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:

Beckett – May 2025

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.

Singing in the Rain

I’m feeling the need for a little respite from All The Things. When better than now to savor joy wherever it can be found? So here we go:

This is generally a pretty sunny place, but it has rained–and snowed–just enough to make everything gloriously green. My spring bulbs, planted last fall, actually bloomed, as well as the usual flowering trees. Woo-hoo! Besides blooming and greening (and a little bit of raining), this spring has included a lot of music. I had the chance to attend an afternoon presentation by Joel Bacon at CSU about the Casavant organ. Although I’ve spent plenty of time in the performance hall with the organ in its previous location, especially while I was earning my degree in music there, somehow, I had never seen a demonstration of all it could do. Very cool.

Organist Joel Bacon and the Casavant organ
Casavant pipe organ, CSU

Also, I’m finally doing some songwriting after a years-long hiatus, this time mostly with others, which is a whole new and fascinating experience. I thought that was all in my past, but it turns out there’s not really an expiration date on creativity, so I’m not planning to stop anytime soon. Easter offered plenty of music, as always. Brittany and Andy came up from Denver for the day.

Brittany and Andy – Easter 2025

Chelsea, Brian and the boys came over from Windsor.

Brian, Chelsea, Beckett and Brooks – Easter 2025

Everyone joined me at church. Here’s one of my favorite moments (a little backstory first): This year we had a choir, open to anyone. It was all Easter joy and family love, nothing formal about it. We were singing with the worship team, so our leader was actually behind us during the service. The piece was a wonderful new song by Aaron Williams called “Resurrection Hope,” and we had been encouraged to have it memorized and to make eye contact with the congregation to project the appropriate energy. As instructed, partway through the song, I glanced at the boys and there was Brooks giving us a big thumbs up and kind of nodding with a serious critic’s face. Adorable.  I burst out laughing. Now however casual the choir, minimum expectation is to actually sing, so I had to look elsewhere. I did finally manage to pull it together for the big celebratory finish.

In the moment of silence at the end, a very familiar young voice yelled, “Good job, Gigi!” 😉

I hope your Easter was gloriously joyful, with or without a personal cheerleader.

He is risen! And he’s where the joy is.

Stateside 2024

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.

Lolo Rugs and Gifts, Boulder, Colorado (cell phone photo)

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.

Courtney
Brittany and Andy
Chelsea, Brian, Beckett and Brooks – July 2024

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. 😉

Beckett – July 2024
Brooks – July 2024

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.

Adventures in Wanderlust