Day 1639: Ready for the tour!

It's 11:30 and we just finished the last of the preparations for tomorrow's tour.  Four busses will arrive for an hour tour each starting at 7:15 am!  We shopped for fruit and baked goods, washed all the fruit, and sliced cinnamon bread.   That was after a full day of weeding, trimming, pulling dead leaves, deadheading, live heading and setting up tables, tents, and trash cans.  We're ready to drop over and we've only been at it for a day. Nancy has worked nonstop for two years!  Many lilies are done because peak was last week, but it's still exquisite.

Day 1638: The wonders of Louisville

A glimpse of Nancy's spectacular gardens

Day 1637: Goal met!

Twenty miles in twenty days in June!  I tied last year's pace!  I'm still behind the four miles from May, but I think I can make those up over the next two and a half months even though I'll miss the next four days.  Am I obsessive?  Maybe.  I just can't see wasting perfectly good water and weather.   The pool was down to 87 and the temp was cooler today, so it felt fabulous.

I watered almost everything today because the likelihood of rain over the next week is very slim.   The lilies are coming along and so far the deer have not munched any more.

Tomorrow we'll see my sister's gardens. in Louisville.  For two years she has worked to prepare the gardens for the national day lily tour and finally the time has come to open the gardens to the public.  Six hundred people will tour in eight groups over two days.  On Thursday and Friday nights, we have to live head the lilies. That means we have to pinch off all of the flowers.  Since blossoms only last one day and new ones bloom each day, all spent blooms must be removed before the tours.  Plus, we must get food ready for all the visitors.  Nancy has plans for each of us.  One of my jobs will be photography.  Since she has a thousand different day lilies, I will have endless flowers to photograph.

I am so proud of her.  She accepted this challenge and responsibility just after her husband died and she has worked relentlessly to make the gardens as beautiful as possible.  She and Glenn established the gardens together and he would be very proud of all she's accomplished.

April, Mike, Amy and Colin

These four are going to be together forever!

A horrible new terror attack has taken place in the Istanbul Airport.  At least 36 are dead and 147 are injured. It's likely that it was perpetrated by ISIS, but so much is unknown so far.  More sadness, more pain, more fear for the world tonight.

Day 1636: Laughter in the pool

It was a joy to hear Colin and April laughing in the pool! 

We had to say goodbye this afternoon, but they'll be back on July 8 for another wedding.

Again, the water was 90 degrees and I could only swim 50 lengths in the heat of mid day.  Once evening came,  it was more bearable and I was able to reach 230.

Day 1635: Graduation 2016

Kate and Graciela singing at graduation today. It was a beautiful, moving performance.

I love this photo of them, but also because Darrin is so fully engaged in their performance.  

He was so warm, kind and compassionate today.  He started by building up the graduating seniors because he said that life would constantly knock them down.  Then he asked for an ovation for Sandy and Jane, the secretaries who take care of all the details so that graduation happens.  I was sitting next to Sandy when he announced their role and she gasped in surprise.  As we departed from the ceremony we walked out to the car with Jane and she said they had never been recognized for their contributions.  He got it right.  What an outstanding person to lead our high school!

Our sweet Clare.

This is the best shot I've ever gotten of her! 

Michael announcing that the Class of 2016 has completed all requirements for their diplomas.

I hit the pool as soon as we arrived home and swam till Colin and April arrived from Ithaca.  After dinner, I finished up 240 lengths.  That gives me exactly 18 miles for the month.  It was difficult because the water was up to 90 again, so I had to divide up the laps and cool off between sets.  Two more days to swim before we head to Kentucky.  Even though Nancy has found pools for me, it's unlikely there will be any time for laps.

Day 1634: Amy and Mike

Amy and Mike, husband and wife, at last!  

April and Colin, married 7.5 years, doing an amazing comedy routine as a wedding toast!.

Day 1633: Brexit disaster

The British people voted 52% to 48% to leave the European Union.  Prime Minister David Cameron has resigned and will depart from office by October.  The stock market fell over 600 points.  The Scots will now hold another vote on independence because they voted overwhelmingly to stay in the EU and must split with the UK in order to accomplish that goal.  The economic and political effects are cascading all over the world.

DT continues to make a fool of himself.  He announced that Brexit was great thing even though he didn't know what it was a few weeks ago and he only sees profit for himself.  He mixed up Scotland and England in his first tweet.

The possibilities of global recession, chaos in Europe, collapsing markets and the rise of more intense nationalism is terrifying to me.  I understand historical trends and know that fear and uncertainty play into DT's hands.

The news drove me into a funk and I chose to garden and swim out my anxiety and fear.  250 lengths gives me a total of 16.75 miles since we returned.  I also readied the memorial awards for Sunday's graduation ceremony, but not the speeches.

Tomorrow will be a joyful day as we witness the marriage of Amy and Mike.  Last night Colin and April worked for hours on their toast.  As an interesting anecdote, they left their birth certificates in Colorado, so they will proceed with the ceremony, but the license will not be officially completed till they get home.

April is ready to serve as her sister's matron of honor.

Day 1632: A beautiful day

Any day that our kids are home is perfect.  Since we picked them up at the airport at 5:45 am, we have enjoyed every minute of their company.  Picnic lunch, relaxing on the deck, wing supper, and games with Mary.   Tomorrow they head out to Ithaca for Amy's wedding and we'll join them on Saturday.  We are so happy to have this time together.

Day 1631: Quest party

Great party with wonderful people!  

Good food, swimming, frisbee playing, lots of laughter!

Part of the crew watching the Quest 2012 video.  Such fun!

Steve, Tim and Molly at the end of a long day!

Day 1630: Packed

The pool hit 90 degrees today.  I can't remember the last time that happened.  It was a struggle to swim, but I did a mile, again in chunks late in the day.  The storm that was supposed to give us some rain moved north and dumped it all on Orchard Park.  Over the next few days, temperatures will skyrocket, but not as bad as the southwest.  When Colin and April arrive, they will feel right at home. I can't wait to see them!

Every day is so packed full of things to do, places to go and events to prepare for that I hardly ever stop moving.   The book sits untouched, letters and speeches are unwritten.  But while I swim and garden, I am percolating.  We'll be back from Kentucky on July 3 and then I can get back to the book.  In the meantime, finish mulching, keep swimming,

Day 1629: Fried

My face looked like I was punched this morning.  This bee sting reaction was one of the worst I've ever had.   When some bug bit my elbow today, I was apprehensive, but it did not swell up as much fortunately.

Another new lily!

We were promised rain, but it never materialized.  So, of course, I overdid it again.  85 degrees, 87 in the pool.  Swam 300 more lengths, but in segments cause the water was just too warm.  We did two loads of mulch in the front, I watered the east side gardens and then mowed.  Too much for one day and I am fried.

Day 1628: Stung again!

Yesterday while watering the front garden, something stung or bit me on the thigh.  By evening, the reaction was the size of my hand.  No problem.  Benadryl and cold packs reduced the swelling.  It's much improved today.  This afternoon, I was determined to swim another 300 lengths. In the middle of the second set, I was stung on the top of my head! Really!  I sensed something buzzing around my head during the lap, then zap.  Now, half of my head and face are swollen down to the jawline.    I don't know whether my chemistry has changed so that I am now more sensitive or if the insects are more virulent.  Two reactions in two days has whacked me!  Not enough that I couldn't swim, though. Three hundred more lengths took the total to eleven miles!

It's Father's Day again.  My dad has been gone twenty years now and we all miss him.  He'd be ninety, if he had lived and I know he would have been very happy to know that four of us siblings traveled together to Scotland and are closer now than ever.

The herb garden. How about that sage! 

The stone wall garden

Day 1627: Another 300

I waited too long to start watering the day lilies and now they are short and stunted.  A few hostas and the hydrangeas are limp and drooping.  Rain forecasts have gone unfulfilled and we have a deficit of nearly six inches of precipitation.  So for the last few days, I've been pouring it on, hoping to save them.  

It may not be summer by the calendar, but the pool was 85 degrees today. What a treat to glide through the water, stroke by stroke, too many to count.  I added three hundred more lengths, so I'm up to 9.5 miles.  One tenth of my goal.  It's early.  There's lot's of time for swimming.

The beans are thriving!

Day 1626: Yard progress

The Deck Garden

Steve relaxing in our private refuge after we finished mulching two more gardens.

 Me? I'm between sets in the pool.  260 lengths today = 8 miles!

Puddles' Garden

Flown in remembrance of those killed in Orlando and in support of the LGBT community.

Day 1625: SWARM!

Thousands of bees!  Buzzing, flying, zipping, humming, hovering.  Late this morning a huge swarm chose the maple in our front yard for a temporary resting place.  They stayed about three hours and then mysteriously took off.  We didn't see them go and don't know where they finally landed.  I hope they found a safe place to build their new hive.  I'm glad it's not on our house, but I hope it's a place where the folks won't get an exterminator.   Bees are so endangered that I would not want them harmed.

The swarm extended approximately three feet along the branch, perhaps eighteen inches wide and deep.  There must have been thousands! 

Lily number 2.  Unidentified.

Two gardens weeded and mulched today!  We were surprised that it was possible to do yard work because a ferocious storm was predicted.  However, all the rain fell south and east of us and we did not get a single drop.  It's fortunate that we had a sprinkle yesterday.

Plus, I swam 250 lengths!  I'm tied with 2015 pace, but don't know if I can keep it up. Last year I swam at least a mile every day from this point forward.  

Day 1624: First lily of 2016

 Spacecoast Firestarter

Day 1623: What's a parent to do?

Evan's workplace has been very supportive and his friends are reaching out to help each other.
His friend Matt is struggling, because on top of the Orlando tragedy, a friend of his committed suicide today.  Absolutely devastating.  We worry so about them, but feel confident their circle of friends will take care of them.

It's so hard to know what to say and what to do to be supportive of all our LGBT family, friends and former students.  What we know for sure is not to deny that LBGT were directly targeted, like many people have.   It was horrifying to listen to the testimony of survivors and our hearts were breaking to hear the stories of final goodbyes, courage and loss.  Such beautiful young people, full of promise and dreams, all lost.

As Evan does, I swam and swam till my arms were ready to drop.  I surpassed my June pace from last year today, but must make up four miles missing from May.  The weather report is very promising,  eighties for the next week, so no obstacles there.  I have to amass the miles before the wedding in Ithaca and the trip to Kentucky.

Clematis

Snapdragons

Day 1622: Rules of Civility

Written by Amor Towles and set in NYC,  Rules of Civility  is the story of one pivotal year in the life of Katey Kontent,  the self-made daughter of a Russian immigrant.  The timing was right for a diversion and I let the book sweep me away.  The writing was so incisive, sophisticated and engaging that I couldn't put it down today.

The Rules refer to a set of guidelines for acceptable social behavior prepared by George Washington  that Tinker, one of the male characters, uses to worm his way into high society circles.  Tinker utilizes these rules in unscrupulous ways to ingratiate himself to others and gain favors.

The rules are innocuous and actually could benefit society if they are not twisted and corrupted.  Common courtesies are rare today and public behaviors are often gross and off-putting.  In the days following a tragedy, the callousness or caring of another human being can have a profound impact. I chose a quiet day for reflection.  My heart was so heavy, but gathering with friends this evening brought me joy.

"22d Shew not yourself glad at the misfortune of another though he were your enemy."  A lesson that could benefit Donald Trump and his minions.

"50th Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the disparagement of any."    Wait until all the facts are gathered.

"56th Associate yourself with Men of Good Quality if you esteem your own reputation; for tis better to be alone than in bad company."

Again, too tired to function any more.  I'll post the photos tomorrow.

Day 1621: Dear Mom and Dad

Dear Mom and Dad,

Something terrible happened today and I don't know where else to turn.  You always listened when I was troubled and now my heart is broken.  You see, a terrorist opened fire in a gay bar in Orlando early this morning.  Using an automatic weapon, he killed fifty people and  injured another 53.

This mass killing is hitting us harder than most.  Most? you ask.  Yes, there are far too many now.  I'm glad you've missed this terrible trend.  There is so much hatred, distrust and prejudice now that was once hidden.  Gay men were the primary targets of this attack by a man who had sworn allegiance to ISIS.

You never knew it, but our son Evan is gay.  He wept over this horror when we spoke earlier today and I can't find words to help him.  This is pride week and his community was targeted.  Invaded by a hate filled demon, the refuge of Orlando friends was destroyed.   I don't understand this act of violence, the hatred that has created this toxic environment or the intolerance of others.

So, if you could watch over my son this week as he marches in the NYC Pride Parade, I would be grateful.  Keep him and his friends safe.  Watch over them as they march and move through their daily lives.  Help me find a way to console and encourage him.  Let him know that we love him and will stand with him always.

Mom and Dad

Day 1620: Perfection

All I need is right here.  

Day 1619: Eilean Castle

Eilean Castle in Scotland

The view to the north from the castle grounds

My sisters at the Fairy Pools on Skye

It's supposed to rain tomorrow, so I should be able to do more photo editing and get them posted.  It seems that we are so busy during the day, that I am too tired to edit.

Had an appointment with Dr. Boscarino today and got a glowing report on my repaired retina.  Hooray!  He is delightful, as young as some of my kids and very competent.  I was incredibly lucky to land in his care in September and avoid surgery.

Because my eyes were so sensitive to light, I tackled the overgrown vegetable garden.  What a mess! I started with scissors, then Steve got the weed whacker out, then the rototiller.  We cleared enough to plant ten tomato plants of various types, four bell peppers and four banana pepper plants.   This garden did not have any attention until now, so it could have been worse.

By the time I was done, I was ready to cool down.  The pool water is filthy, too, but it was refreshing as always.  I swam only fifty lengths for a total of two miles this week.  My totals are way behind last year's tally, but I refuse to obsess.