Birthday bouquet

Yes it's true today is my birthday.
Lots of celebrating with friends has been going on at different events all week.
Last night my son took me to the new Kevin Costner movie,'Swing Vote' and to dinner.
It was a pleasant surprise; parts of his alcoholic character weren't fun to watch, but overall I thought is was much better than anticipated.

Today will be breakfast with my parents at their retirement complex.
Then I will enjoy the day with my errands of farmer's market, library, bank and maybe another movie or a visit to B and N to buy a book I've been wanting.

So the day is starting out cooler and somewhat stormy with thunder, and the anticaption that we might get rain.
This means I might get to do some baking I've been wanting to do, but haven't wanted to turn on my oven for weeks due to the 90+ temps.
Some neighbors of mine are asking(begging) for my walnut chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, so today just might be the day to do that.
I am looking forward to a very good day.

One year later.. remembering Provence

One year later July 1,2007, the day we returned from our two week vacation in Provence, brings back such happy memories.
My husband had a work related conference in Lyon, then we took the train to Marseilles, and rented a car and drove to our friend's home in Provence.
They were getting married the next day, and that evening a party for all guests was held under the stars at their restored home.
Beautiful, too beautiful for words is Provence. The sights, sounds, food,wine, people all just so delightful.
The next day, the wedding day, we all walked in procession to the town hall where they were married, then by car caravan drove 45 minutes to the hotel amidst the lavender fields where the wedding reception was held and all guests were lodged for the night.
It was such a once in a lifetime event, that thinking about it a year later, it is as if it just happened.
We will cherish this memory forever.
The pictures speak for themselves of the sights as we drove along.

Dog days of summer

Dog days of summer says it about all for around our house.
Enjoying the heat, working out in the yard and garden, fixing our garden umbrella and teak dining sets. More work outside that is routine and mundane but still part of upkeep and care of patio and garden space.
Hanging out with friends and family; entertaining and grilling and picnicking at friends' houses.
Meeting up with friends for meals,cooking, baking, and grocery shopping.
Just thinking and planning about our upcoming family camping weekend in July and generally enjoying the hot summer days.
And spending time with Bailey indoors relaxing, reading good books, playing pool and ping pong and watching movies.
Summertime and all is good.

Lunch with an 'old' friend

There really is nothing like meeting up with friends who we've known for a long time.
Today I had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant,with an 'old' friend, someone I've known since 1976, and then not having lived in this community for 19 years, I'd only kept up with her sporadically.
We had such a great time, remembering the 70's and 80's and eating too much good food and laughing and just talking.
It is fun to reconnect with someone who I've always liked and respected and we vowed to stay in touch and do this more often.
It refreshed my spirit and I can't wait to see her again.

Flooding in Iowa City

Just a note about Iowa City.
I grew up in Iowa and lived near Iowa City all of the 50s and until I went to college in 1968. My oldest and dearest friend lives smack dab in IC and near and in all of the horrible flooding. Just a hello to you Ginny as you and your family and friends and everyone copes with the terrible devastation and flooding there in beautiful Iowa City and nearby Cedar Rapids.
Sending our good wishes your way

Five years ago

Five years ago yesterday a very close friend of mine died. We'd known each other since our freshman days in university in the 60's. Her cancer was not treatable and her last 12 days here she was in a coma. Her husband and two sons and numerous friends and relatives sat with her through the night in their home, so she could die at home around the people and things she loved. The picture is a garden everyone planted in her honour, designed by her landscape architect son.
She died before either of her sons were married or before seeing her first grandchild, a girl, born last year.
She suffered a lot because of all of the pain, but never complained.
She died much too young.