Yesterday was, to put it simply, the most beautiful Memorial Day I can remember. The skies were brilliantly sunny, the temps were in the mid-seventies with no humidity, and the gentlest of breezes was accompanied by the faint sounds of the wind chimes.
It was so, so lovely.
We sat out on the porch much of the day, trying our best to be in the present moment, relaxing together, reading, Don occasionally playing his guitar. We felt tremendous gratitude for our house (a seemingly impossible goal for many, many years,) our gardens, our porch, our relationship and marriage, for the bird song which was unceasing all day long – for everything.
And we blessed those who were lost to the unspeakable tragedy of war.
We took a walk on the rail trail later in the day.
I suppose I need not say that we stop and stare at our new sofa countless times each day. Because we do. More gratitude.
Don had expected to spend the afternoon taking portraits, just as he did on Sunday. But at the last minute, he decided he needed to rest. We’ve been awfully busy this past week and, on top of that, Don has spent several hours in the sun over the course of a few days, camped out with his table display, hoping to get some customers. And he has. But the hours spent waiting are tedious and he was just plain exhausted yesterday. I’m glad he took the day off.
I hope you had a lovely day yesterday.
From the Memorial Garden, this teeny tiny little bee on a geranium. These flowers are about an inch wide, so you can imagine how tiny the bee was. I cropped the original photo.
It’s my favorite time of the year. Speaking of that, I’ve noticed the peony buds are getting larger, which means they’ll bloom – like clockwork, it never fails – during the first week of June.
Happy Tuesday.
Donnamae says
That sounded like an idyllic day indeed. You have to grab those while you can.
We worked on our last garden bed for about an 1 1/2 hrs. Until the rains came. Too much rain….cold and rainy later today as well….only reaching 62. My early blooming clematis is just now blooming…three weeks late. And my neighbors peonies? We can barely see the buds. Iβm so hoping the βidyllicβ weather will come to us eventually. I feel so badly for all those people affected by the tornadoes and flooding. They just keep getting hit day after day after day. Mother Nature…please give them a break!
Your porch does look inviting…great place to catch a couple of zβs. Enjoy your day! ;)
Claudia says
Lots and lots of rain here today and temps in the 60s as well. What a difference a day makes!
KarenL says
It is also my favorite time of the year. Yesterday was a lovely day to be out relaxing on the deck, among the plants and flowers we’ve planted and also listening to wind chimes gently tingling in the wind. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Claudia says
It sure doesn’t, Karen!
Janet in Rochester says
Yesterday WAS a gorgeous day, wasn’t it? Glad you had such a lovely time – you deserved it after all your hard work lately. You deserve it, regardless – both of you. I wish I lived nearer, I’d just love to have a professional photographic portrait. Especially a casual outdoor one. Here’s to a long line of waiting customers for Don. Today’s a perfect day to stay in on the new sofa & read – enjoy! π
#Resist
#ImpeachTrump
#PaperBallots
Claudia says
I will. I hope you have a lovely day, Janet.
Linda Enneking says
We had a beautiful Memorial Day here in west central Ohio. I spent most of it outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather. Unfortunately last night was not so wonderful, as several severe thunderstorms and multiple tornadoes passed through beginning about 9:30 and continuing until well after 1:00 a.m. There is serious damage at Celina, which has had to deal with floods twice this spring. There was widespread damage in the Dayton area, with multiple tornadoes touching down at the same time. One town was hit by two tornadoes 30 minutes apart. The Nations Weather Service at Wilmington issued over 30 tornado warnings last night and into early morning. Several people were injured, but so far only one fatality has been reported. We were fortunate that none of the tornadoes hit our immediate area, but they were quite close to where two of my children live. This is one Memorial Day we will not forget.
Claudia says
I just heard about the tornadoes late this morning. A woman I follow on IG had one hit right in her town in Indiana. Then I read about other areas of the Midwest where tornadoes left terrible damage. I’m so sorry! I know how terrifying they can be. Glad you’re safe, Linda.
Wendy says
Claudia, you and Don blissed out yesterday! Many happy days ahead!
I was happy to have my chicks back in my nest. I spent some of yesterday finishing the handsewing on the bag I sewed my graduate. Lots of laundry and repacking her boxes. She’s moving back to college in two weeks to start grad school.
Claudia says
What is she going to study in Grad School, Wendy?
Wendy T says
Claudia, sorry for late reply! Most of your replies go to my inbox but every once in a while they end up in my junk folder, which I don’t check often. My daughter is studying for a master’s in education and will earn a teaching credential for K-8th, as well. She’s aiming to be a 3rd grade teacher, something to which she’s aspired since elementary school. She has a learning disability and I’m proud of how hard she’s worked to achieve academical success despite having it.
annette says
Lovely post,Claudia.And your porch is adorable. I’d camp out there for days on end. xo
Claudia says
Thank you, Annette. Today is a no porch day, alas! The rainfall is too heavy!
.Melanie says
Sounds like you had a perfect Memorial Day. After non-stop activity on Saturday and Sunday, we stayed home yesterday. And good thing ~ because it rained all day. We got caught up on some housework and laundry.
Claudia says
We’re getting your rain today, Melanie – all day long!
Tana says
Hope you are not in the area where all the weather is happening! Just heard NYC was in a tornado warning, but now it looks like the weather calmed down. How crazy is that?
Claudia says
Well, I am in the area, but I don’t think we had a tornado warning, just severe thunderstorms. NYC has had tornado warnings before, but it’s always a surprise when it happens!
Kay says
So happy you both had a wonderful day together. What a great memory it will be. Our weather did not cooperate but our youngest son and his long-time girlfriend visited and we prepared a meal together for the last time in the “old” kitchen since demo is scheduled in about 3 weeks.
I always feel closer to my dad on Memorial Day. While he never spoke about the war (Air Force, WWII) when we were growing up, I know his experiences flying in B-17’s on bombing missions over Europe were quite harrowing. I’m so glad he’s not around now to see how the Nazis are experiencing a resurgence these days.
Claudia says
My dad flew in bombers as well. He rarely talked about the war. Like your father and every other soldier, he saw things he could never erase from his memory. Only when he was in his nineties did he start to share stories. He also had nightmares about the war in last years.
Olivia says
The adirondack chairs are aging perfectly. Glad you had such a nice day.
Claudia says
Yes, they are. I see hints of the gray that they will become. Thanks Olivia!
jeanie says
I’m behind on all posts and will never catch up but I’m so delighted to hear you had a lovely holiday. We did as well, though not your glorious weather, but adequate and sometimes this year, adequate has been the best we can hope for!
Claudia says
We’ll take adequate for sure!