Mother Nature was very very very good to us New Englanders this past Memorial Day Weekend. For the first time in years we weren’t bundled up, dodging raindrops, sulking because we couldn’t go out on the boat (not ours), forced inside playing crazy games and singing like a bunch of teenagers at a slumber party. This year was like a dream. Golf on Friday, boat on Saturday, Celtics big win Saturday night (Monday night’s implosion though…don’t even), boat on Sunday…sprinkled with good music lots of drinks and lots and lots of laughter…and more drinks. 😂
Summer is a marathon, not a sprint…I know…but still…they call it Summer Fun for an reason…and it’s not even Summer yet. I’m thinking of everything in front of me, things already planned and things yet to be seen, and I’m committing to being in the moment. That means not worrying about how fast time is or isn’t going, not over-scheduling myself (but also not fretting if I do—it happens!), and making time to do the things I love to do with the people I love doing them with. And sometimes that means you have to screw the marathon, have a sprint, and then build in some recovery time. I went hard this weekend, and pumped the brakes this week. I’m sleeping well, feeling good, and I am ready. Which is a good thing because I see another sprint in my future.
The yard is Summer-ready. Pool is looking great and is up to the mid-ups. I got all the planting done and (hopefully!) the veggie beds are critter-proofed. I went with a new fencing technique that definitely was harder and more dangerous (good thing I have a big box of Band Aids)…so they better work, or all they’ll be are overpriced “ornamentation.” The fencing is 3-feet high so I am unsure how to address the not-so-small matter of how I am going to weed, prune, and pick…but that is a tomorrow problem. My gardens are a labor of love…as I first did raised beds with my dad. After he died, I just couldn’t. Didn’t pick a thing. Let it go to hell. Out of sight out of mind.
The next Summer the two beds sat…full of weeds, untouched. I managed it by ignoring it; grief is like that at the beginning. Anyway, one day, something caught my eye. A bright red tomato, amid the ruins…a ghost tomato. I had to sit with that for a while, and then after another few years, I finally could. More like I had to. The years without him were going too fast, with so much happening…I needed to connect with him. And I’m so glad I started up again…because there’s something about it, like I feel him with me. He was so measured and patient, so I try to channel those good qualities in him to increase my enjoyment and make me a little more zen and a little less frustrated. It works, kind of. And it doesn’t really matter anyway because it does leave me feeling closer to him.
Hopefully this year I get enough yield for at least one batch of salsa. Last year was a fiasco. The year before was no prize either.
Nevertheless…she persisted.
I also planted my stoop pots in memory of Uncle Bob, who started planting them when he was the house gardener some 20+ years ago. I think of him every year when I do, and send a pic to his wife, my aunt…I think she likes knowing he’s remembered, and I love the rhythm of the routine.
I do the patio planters too. Nothing sentimental about those. But the color jazzes up the sitting area.
I went to a new local garden place this year…and I have to say the help there were just as big of assholes as at the other place. Why do you work at a garden center if you won’t help people with garden questions? I asked one guy what he’d recommend for something in the lower level, almost fully shaded. He told me “anything you see in here.” I asked a different guy what would be good for full sun, small surface area, that would fill in nice. His answer, “Uh, anything out here in the sun.” Look, I’m not a garden pro (calling me a hack would be a compliment, actually) but don’t tell me impatiens would look good in there. Come on.
I got caught up on Somebody Somewhere and I’m feeling good not only about how good it continues to be but also the news that it was renewed for a third season. I’ve heard several reports from some of you who’ve watched on my recommendation…and I’m very glad to hear you’re liking it. (If you haven’t watched…check…it…out.)
Last thing I’ll report on feeling good about is dinner last night with my mom. I hadn’t seen her in a while, and I felt a compulsion to see her. I wasn’t fueled by guilt like I sometimes am; for whatever reason, I simply wanted to spend a little time. Since Kerri had hockey last night, I figured I’d see if she wanted to do something, just the two of us…and she did. I gave her three choices of where we could go and told her to decide by the time I got to her house. She chose the local dive bar and it was perfect. We were there for two hours, chit-chatting, eating pizza, drinking (beer for me and G&T for her), and it was amazing. Honest to God, in two hours she didn’t say a single thing that annoyed me, and we covered a wide range of topics. It was one of those sheer-joy evenings…comes out of nowhere and reminds me what it’s all about. (Since I am talking about food and today is National Donut Day, well, I’m not sure I’m going to be able to resist a trip to Donut King…and here’s what I have to say to you—get a donut if it makes you feel good.)
Oh, and before I go I want to mention Pride Month. I feel good about all of the progress we’ve made as a society, but when I really think about it it’s more of a sadgress situation…it’s really sad that we celebrate incremental inclusion, particularly because we have so far to go. Even so, progress is progress…we may not like the pace but with enough voice and enough visibility the sadgress will evolve into nothingness because we will have arrived at true liberty and justice for all. Here’s the thing about Pride Month as I see it—no matter who you are, what you do, or who you love, try every day to be a kind, loving, compassionate, accepting, and self-accepting human who you can unapologetically be proud of. Then we won’t need these special weeks or months. I mean, can’t we all just get along?
Typically, the Friday-Monday posts stress me out a little…I rarely know what the weekend will bring, so as soon as I finish the Friday post I start hoping inspiration hits. I mention it because that’s not the case today. There’s something else I feel good about today but I am not going to report it now. I am pretty certain it will be the focus of what I talk about on Monday. So this week I am actually kind of looking forward to my Monday Maiku. (Not being cryptic, just don’t want to jinx anything.)
Thanks for being here with me. Have a great weekend, and…
…love you too!!!
Thanks Nicky. My morning tomorrow has been set aside to get outside and plant. Considering I haven’t pulled one weed yet I’ve got my work cut out for me. Again thanks for the inspiration. Xoxo
Just what I needed today. Thanks for your comments about your dad and the raised beds you planted together and the grief that kept you from them for awhile. So great that you're back at it. I try to channel my grandfather when doing things that I just want to get done because he was so even and measured and he really didn't care how long any task took him. I also LOVE Somebody, Somewhere. As always, thanks for sharing. XO