Edging Into Summer

Jack was out of town for the weekend at his brother Mark’s estate sale in southern Illinois.  There was a  lot of work to get ready for the auction so it was not the restful family time that he really craved, but he was be glad that he went.  He took the trip by train with his son Zachary, and enjoyed the extra time with Zack but it was a short trip and they were both exhausted by the end of it.  Here at home I was surprised at how big and empty the house felt as soon as he was gone.  I lived alone for years and have no problem with a singular life, and since we are both in and out most days, being home alone for a few hours is certainly not unusual for either of us now.  So it was interesting how alone I suddenly was even in the first hours while he was on his way to the station.  But of course I adjusted and have to admit, I sort of enjoyed the miracle of a house that remained clean even if I averted my gaze.  Even so, we were both glad to have him  home again.

My grandson’s high school graduation party was this past weekend, too, which is the reason I did not go with Jack.  I know I have a slight bias, but I thought it was a wonderful party.   The weather was perhaps just a bit too hot and sunny, but gorgeous.  The guests were a diverse combination of people — relatives, work colleagues of his parents, neighbors, former teachers, friends, even my older brother! — just a nice mix of people coming together to celebrate him.  And the food, from a Middle Eastern restaurant I had not yet visited, was fantastic.  I had such a nice time.  I am finding that time with my family provides more healing and comfort than anything else.

I have managed a bit of sewing, although it is still slow going.    I finished a quilt top today and am sewing some napkins with random fat quarters that I will put away  to include with gifts.  It has been a very slow sewing year but I am hoping to start getting more done.  My list of unfinished and undone projects seems endless.  Instead of sewing - or cleaning, or cooking - I am spending way too much time sitting in my chair with a book or my laptop, but as a result I have really been able to enjoy the orioles that feed at the window grape jelly station.  The undergrowth out back makes it nearly impossible to see deer or other critters, but the birds are regular visitors and we do enjoy them.  We are enjoying the chipmunks a little less -- I have only one cherry tomato plant and the little rascally rodents delight in taking a single bite out of every tomato they can reach.  

I have been lazy about meal planning lately but the local Farmers’ Markets are starting to get good and I hope that will give me some inspiration!  Today I found strawberries, cherries, zucchini, tomatoes, radishes and snap peas!  It’s starting to be the best, however brief, time of year here.  Jack will, I predict, be a very happy fella if I start cooking more regularly again!

Life Goes On

It is still chilly here most days, but there has been a bit more sunshine, which I appreciate.  My sister and I spent a day at a spa about half-way between our two homes, and I think she enjoyed it.  I discovered (again) that my  muscles are so tight that massage hurts more than it helps, but I did have a lovely facial.  And I have sparkly polish on my toe nails.  It was good to do something different, very self indulgent, and with absolutely no pressure.

My grandson is finished with high school and has had a hectic month or so.  Since mid-May, he played a concerto solo at his last performance with the Saginaw Bay Youth Orchestra, he traveled to Dallas as a finalist in the International Science Fair, he graduated (with honors) from high school, and he went on vacation to Washington (the State) for a week.  There he hiked Mt. Rainier, spent a day on a beach. and visited the Hoh rainforest, but the thing I was most envious of was an incredibly close encounter with orcas, which swam right up to and under the boat!  As soon as he returned home he had his college orientation, and in another week he will have his graduation party and then be off to cello camp.  I  have not seen him since graduation day, so I am really looking forward to hearing all about his adventures the next time we get together!  We have been looking at photos lately of when he and his sister were young, and it makes my brain spin at how quickly those years seemed to pass.  I miss the babies that they were, but I am so incredibly proud of him now.  He is a genuinely kind person, in addition to being smart and talented and handsome and interesting to talk to.  I never have enough time with him and I know that time together will be even more constrained from here on out as he goes away to school and on to a whole new life.  

My granddaughter finished her junior year of high school and is already looking ahead to next year when she will graduate.  So she is giving thought to colleges and majors, but also to senior pictures and prom dresses.  She is preparing for a violin recital next week and I am really looking forward to that.  She played at an outdoor festival this week on very short notice and handled it like a professional.  I went with her to the festival and then she came back to our house to have dinner with us and play for a bit with little George.  She is a bright light, charming and smart and skilled, and spending time with her is always a delight for me.  She and her brother are different in many ways but they complement each other perfectly and it makes my heart happy to be with the two of them when they are together.

The good parts of life go by so quickly.   I can't slow time down, and I can't bring back the past.  But I will take every opportunity this summer to see my Grands and their parents as often as possible and be grateful for as much time as we have.