Life goes on...

Sometimes life seems a bit.... grey.

Lately, the days here seem to be more cool and grey than the hot and sunny we usually enjoy in these parts. It does not feel like summer is a week away!

In addition to that, I'm spending a lot of time on the computer, working to finish up the year. That's not always too much fun, especially when I feel I have better things to do!

And then,  sometimes I just get in my head too much and that can be a downer. So,  I decided it's time for a little work break, to focus on happy things for a bit. And why not blog about it?

It's the little things! And sometimes those are BIG things, too!

• This one deserves a drum roll... I'm a GRANDMA! Well, specifically I'm an "Oma", in keeping with my Dutch roots and coming from a long, long line of Omas :) 

Meet Clark Nicholas, born May 12th. Is he not PRECIOUS!!!??? He's a month old already. Wow, babies change fast! I don't know how many times I've been told, "Just wait till you have grandkids! ". I don't have to wait anymore! :) And yes, it's as wonderful as I was told..over and over and over again ;) He brings such joy to my heart. Love. love. love.

 Anything I write after this pales in comparison, you do understand. Grandchildren and coffee  somehow don't really belong on the same list.  They are in separate leagues.

•   I enjoyed a misto this aft.. that is,  hot brewed coffee with steamed, frothy milk added... homemade, of course. I don't know why but lattes and mistos are comforting, especially on cool days. No sweetener needed.

• Spotify - whatever the mood, there's something old or new to listen to! I'm enjoying Discover Weekly, listening to music I haven't heard before. Joy. I've enjoyed happy music that causes me to bop around in my office chair, and scare the dog! Then I listen to instrumental music to help me focus. Then back to something that will keep me alert!

• Enzo. Little E.  Prince.  Unseated from his throne since May 12th. But he has given up his status willingly. Such a good little dog. 

• Pickleball. Yes, Pickleball is a sport, apparently popular with 'older' people. I don't know why it has that distinction because it's just plain FUN! For any age, really. If you enjoy badminton or tennis, you'll enjoy pickleball. My girlfriend and I are taking lessons. I never really want to head out at the end of the day, but each time I go, I'm glad I did. It's a pretty good workout. You may want to try it.  I'm not sure why it's called PickleBall. It uses a Wiffleball. I think someone hard of hearing was confused about the name. 

Hey, June, want to play Wiffle Ball?

What's that? What's Pickleball?

No, Wiffle ball! 

Sure, I'll play PickleBall! I'll let the whole gang know about it! 

It's WIFFLE BALL! 

Hey, guys! Come play Pickleball!

Pickleball? Sounds interesting! Yes, let's play!    

       

Yay for the little things! 

         

Oh Joy!

The day has come and gone. Is it Monday night already?!! I now have another wonderful daughter in law! 

In a nutshell, the day was everything I had hoped it would be. Not that there weren't little glitches (there always are), but the joy that was felt, the words of love expressed between my firstborn and his lovely wife, the ceremony, the weather, the venue, the meal,

the laughter, the tears, the in laws, family & friends... well, all of it was spectacular. Simple, lovely, and elegant.

the outdoor chapel in the distance, viewed from our balcony

follow the flower petals... 

just married!!

the first dance

This picture is blurry but I LOVE it!! pure joy! 

Mending Walls, Building Fences

Have you ever read Mending Wall by Robert Frost? It's a great poem to read at this time of year -- when we have just done that - built a fence and a tall one (6 ft) at that! And I wonder if this fence will make us better neighbours? Will we still chat with the little girls next door and get to know the family a little better? 

In the poem, the author wonders if it's true that 'good fences make good neighbours' and why people put up fences when there's really nothing to keep in or out. His neighbour obviously wants to keep the fence up between their properties. Here's an excerpt from the poem..

He only says, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'
Spring is the mischief in me, and I wonder
If I could put a notion in his head:
'Why do they make good neighbors? Isn’t it 
Where there are cows? But here there are no cows.
Before I built a wall I’d ask to know
What I was walling in or walling out,
And to whom I was like to give offense.

Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,
That wants it down.'  I could say ‘Elves’ to him,
But it’s not elves exactly, and I’d rather
He said it for himself.  I see him there
Bringing a stone grasped firmly by the top
In each hand, like an old-stone savage armed.
He moves in darkness as it seems to me,
Not of woods only and the shade of trees.
He will not go behind his father’s saying,
And he likes having thought of it so well
He says again, ‘Good fences make good neighbors.'

Well, one good reason for putting up a good solid fence between our yards is keeping a good separation between the neighbour's bull mastiff (who is not friendly towards us at all, although we've made effort) and this:

Little Enzo will be staying with us for a week, and maybe longer. He is the cutest little thing and I might have the option to adopt him from my sister. Small chance, because I'm pretty sure he is growing on her more each day!. When I visited my sis a few weeks ago, Enzo and I became fast friends. We shall see what transpires. 

Do you have a (substantial) fence between you and your neighbours? Has that been a good thing?