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.

Soul Feeding

Singing in the Rain

30 April 2025 Sunny Bridge 2 Comments

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

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.

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.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Stateside 2024

30 March 2025 Sunny Bridge 3 Comments

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.

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. 😉

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.

Australia

Fairy Tale Brisbane

28 February 2025 Sunny Bridge 4 Comments

Sunday, April 28, was my last full fun day in Australia. Monday afternoon I’d fly to Sydney, but stay in an airport hotel to be nearby for my Tuesday morning flight back to the states.

Midmorning, I headed to the botanic gardens, where these water lilies reminded me of Monet’s Japanese Garden in Giverny.

Then I explored. This sign reminded me of the cute pub David and I found in Wilmington, North Carolina.

I didn’t go in. I simply wandered, then walked across the huge bridge spanning the Brisbane River over to South Bank for the museums.

First, the Queensland Museum Kurilpa: dinosaurs–both real skeletons and life-sized Lego creations–plus all manner of Australian wildlife, including some I’d already seen up close and breathing. Also here and here and here.

And there were butterflies …

Next up, the Gallery of Modern Art. Turns out, there was a months-long exhibit called Fairy Tales ending THAT DAY at the 5 o’clock closing time. It was approaching 4 p.m. by the time I got there, so I didn’t have time to dither. I bought a ticket. If this had been all I saw, it would have been worth the ticket price.

So cool, and more followed, including a carriage made entirely of spun sugar:

Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are

I wasn’t being gowned by a fairy godmother, but it did feel like an amazing gift to be brought to that place at exactly that right time.

I lingered until nearly closing time, then back to the hotel for dinner. I never made it down to the beautiful main restaurant.

Izakaya Publico in Hotel Indigo Brisbane City Centre

I was happy in the 1603 Bar upstairs. Here’s dessert, night two:

Described as White Chocolate Namelaka / Matcha Parfait / Berry Mousse / Fresh Berries, some of which I didn’t even understand. Yet again out of my comfort zone and discovering good things there.

So that’s it. Goodbye, Australia! What a delight!

Obviously, I loved it. I’m not sure I ever would have gone if my daughter had not been living there and asked me to come, but I’m so glad I did. It took me forever to tell you about it–thanks for your patience–but the memories and the gratitude remain nearly a year later.

Here’s wishing you surprising delights wherever you go, and kindness along the way. We could certainly use a lot more kindness these days.

Not sure where I’ll head next. Any suggestions? Until then, as always, grace and peace to you!

Movable Assets

Merry May

Singing in the Rain

Stateside 2024

Fairy Tale Brisbane

Adventures in Wanderlust