Photo365 Spring 2016

I spent my birthday at Larry's. I had to work late and then had a migration at 10, but in between he made me a nice dinner of chicken and rice. I made a birthday cake--I am not against making and eating my own cake! I took Friday off, and we planned to go to a state park for some hiking but then we procrastinated choosing which park (let's be honest--there are only three or four worth going to in Indiana), and wound staying up pretty local--Mounds. This was good for me, to be happy with just doing something--anything. Not feeling like I'm not living if I'm not seeing something new every day. The point is to be happy with what you do have!

We have been consciously choosing to eat only at home to save money and to give me a chance to widen my culinary skills. We tried to go out to dinner a number of times for my birthday, and we couldn't get in. We finally wound up at an Ethiopian place in Geist, and it was pretty good.

It was a nice weekend. Nice and quiet and fun and reflective.

I went to MI for Mother's Day. I took my mom to the Frederik Meijer Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. Right before my Aunt Gini died two years ago (diagnosed with late stage cancer on Mother's Day; died six weeks later) she lamented that she had always wanted to see botanical gardens. I decided to take my mom for Mother's Day, and it was really nice! It's a great place full of flowers, trees, sculptures, greenhouses, terrariums, waterfalls, and landscaping, as well as one of the finest assortments of works of sculpture in the world.

Later that night, she had a birthday party for me at the house. Earl, Lori, and all four kids came for a barbecue. When everyone sang Happy Birthday, I suddenly felt full of and surrounded by love, and realized that "Happy Birthday to You," is the best song in the world. My mom, as per usual, did not disappoint with her inglorious gag gifts.

Over Easter weekend, I accompanied my mom and dad to look at lake properties--both of which were depressing in my opinion. I suggested he get a nice boat instead, one with a boat slip and that would be easy to use. I figured he would spend the rest of his life *looking* at boats (as he has done with lake houses), but he actually bought one while I was there for Mother's Day. It was really incredible that I was able to share with him some of the thought processes I use to make decisions--and even moreso that he finally pulled the trigger. I am really happy that he has taken this step to further enjoy his retirement.

Here's some pics from this spring:

Abby joins me for a conference call

I made my cake, and I ate it too! This strawberry cake with coconut icing!

Flowers from Larry for my birthday. I know. I take too many photos of flowers he brings me.

Flowers from Larry for my birthday.

Tree face at Mounds state park

Frederik Meijer Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park

Horny Frogs!

Granite boulders. Cool!

Watched a papa swan get food for mama and baby swan, who waited patiently back in the nest!

Nice sundowner with my Lare

Eagle Creek

Lost waterfall at Shades!

Welcome to my colorful forest!

Flag on Memorial Day at Larry's house

Cut my hair.

Short season for alliums, but how I love them!

Pitcher plants at the botanical gardens. 

Cap'n and his new boat!

One of my mom's insane gag gifts to me! I have it on my wine wrack for good measure.

Trump pinata at David's birthday/dance party!

Raccoon kept us entertained one night at Eagle Creek.

Shades

Why not?

Tree Frog!

Farewell dinner for Duke and Kinga at my house. Fun night of talking, listening to Duke's music, and eating delicious Italian food.

Welcoming my guests!

Early morning swim with Larry

I love the trails in Larry's neighborhood

Cabbage is pretty! What? It is!

I set the table with stuff I found around Larry's house--China, silver, old goblets, candles. Lovely!

Took a walk through Forest Park. This captures Indiana perfectly!

Larry's clematis.

I know! Enough with the flowers already!

Weekly Inventory 5/29/2016

Fri 5/20: Cook nice dinner for Larry--chicken and noodles. Nice long dinner. Nice long walk. Watched the 60s documentary.

Sat. 5/21: Worked in my yard. Planted cherry trees! Went running with Larry. Went to Eagle Creek at sunset for a hike and some "mesmerization." I like my new word. Coming home from sunset, it was a blue moon--second full moon of the month--and it was CORAL! It was a coral moon! We sat in a field to behold! Drove by the old train station in New Augusta--someone put a scary ass mannequin woman in the window who leers out from behind the curtains, and it's scary man!

Sun. 5/22: Packed a cooler and went hiking at Shades with Larry. Hiked a trail that was "closed," and was offered a marvelous waterfall in return!

Mon. 5/23: New running shoes arrived! Went running. Tree frog on my front porch! Tried on pants from 2006--my skinniest pants ever. Got them on and zipped and buttoned. Looked in mirror! Looked like a "People of Wal-Mart" person! hahaha!. Planted yellow tomatoes, jalepenos, and eggplant. The full moon was GREEN! Watched a good movie: "Infinitely Polar Bear." 

Tue. 5/24: New shoes. Went running. Andre came over for a visit.

Wed. 5/25: Went running. Planted herb container garden.

Thur. 5/26: Plumbing finally fixed!

Fri. 5/27: Began welcoming guests to my hostel--six guests for the 100th running of the Indy 500! Went to Larry's for the weekend. Larry made lovely meal--salmon grilled on cedar planks, rice, and broccoli. Nice evening walk through nature trails of his neighborhood. Late shopping trip for upcoming dinner party.

Sat. 5/28: Up early to go swimming with Larry. Running.

Sun. 5/29: Hosted Ralf & Jim at Larry's house. Found his mother's china and silver and set a beautiful table. Larry cut roses from his garden to dress the table. Fabulous meal, too! I did all the cooking--Cab Sauv with cheese and fruit; peppered pork loin braised in molasses on sweet potato biscuits with apple mustard gravy; four cheese gourmet macaroni and cheese with capatavi, smoked gruyere, smoked white cheddar, gouda, Parmesan; sauteed red cabbage with onions and apples; dessert homemade vanilla red rasperry swirl ice cream with First Kiss chocolate/raspberry wine from Founders Winery in Baroda, MI--a bottle we picked up a few years ago on our infamous winery bike ride.

Identity Crisis

I was Journey in Place for over three years, then Peregrine/Vagabondage for a few weeks. I'm trying out a new one again:

Fluer Sauvage / CariBlue.

Same mission. New look.

Mission: find something new every day--and Bloom where you're planted!

Here I am! Watch me grow!

Weekly Inventory 5/20

Some people find that writing down "one good thing" per day a useful tool to keep them open, mindful, grateful, and present.

At some point, I'd like to come up with a better title for this soon-to-be weekly column.

So for week ending 5/20, here it goes:

Saturday--attended a big birthday bash/dance party for my friend David at the Woodruff Place Town Hall. Larry danced the night away with me. Everyone so casual and open.

Sunday--Our sixth anniversary! I had made Larry's favorites all weekend, and he kept surprising with printed snapshots of various moments of our six years together.
               created an intimate meal with a whole cooked chicken in lemon, garlic, and orange au jus; carmelized cauliflower, rosemary roasted fingerling potatoes.

Monday--beautiful rain making gardens and trees seem a Victorian terrarium

Tuesday--Spied a man "tailgating" in the parking lot before work. He was parked in last row, had this hatch open and some good old fashioned 70s soul music playing, while drinking from his old school thermos. He made me think about enjoying the quiet little moments every chance we get.

Wednesday--Up early for a morning walk. Later that day took a nice run. Spent time in flower beds and garden, rearranging, re-propagating, saying little prayers about growth and potential. 

Thursday--Out checking on my new spring flowers and wondering if it will ever get warm enough for the hummingbirds to return, a hummingbird flies up to me--more specifically, the giant begonia hanging planter that Larry gifted me for our anniversary!
 ---Started reading a book by Oprah Winfrey called "This I Know for Sure."
---Tentatively reached out to a friend with whom I have been losing touch the last few years. Resulted in an invitation on friend's part to spend some time together next week.

Friday--bought two cherry trees! I have been wanting to add fruit to my backyard suburban farm for years, and I decided now is the time!

Primaries

I got up early on a green, rainy Tuesday in May and went to my polling place and voted for a Socialist.

I have voted Republican (Bush, Sr.), Independent (Perot), Chosen Not to Vote, Democrat (Obama), and now Socialist Democrat (Bernie).

I am all voters!

I am everyone!

And I'm fairly certain that none of my votes have ever counted for shit.