My heart is heavy this morning with the mass shooting in Virginia Beach. I will never understand what makes someone so angry that they plan something so devastating.
The week went well. The weather was typical of spring in New England...warm one day, chilly the next. Lady and I enjoyed a couple of good walks and enjoyed spending time on the sun porch. She looks like a ragamuffin as she needs to be groomed. I know how busy the groomer is and forgot to schedule the appointment sooner. I trimmed her eyebrows once (I do not like to do this), but they grow a lot faster than I thought; may have to trim them later today.
I went to the Memorial Day gathering here in the Park/Community on Monday. It was held outside (long story about why not inside), but our angels were watching over us as it was a bright sunny morning. A little windy, but the flag was beautiful flapping in the breeze. There is a professional photographer living across the street from where the ceremony was and she took a lot of pictures (from her house) and posted them on FB. I was able to help with the setup/cleanup and passed out flags. As they have not had a ceremony in three years, they read the names of all people in the park that have passed since the last ceremony (50). Now that the "Friendship Club" has officially stopped functioning (the entire board resigned), these folks are after me again to become more involved in bringing something to life. They want me at the upcoming meetings about a bigger ceremony in November for Veterans Day. I mentioned that I will be going back and forth and will help when I can, but I can't guarantee that I'll be here in November. I'll keep you posted.
A few months ago I mentioned that I reached out on FB to the old principal of my high school...Sr. Louise. Well, she responded and provided her email address. I have not written her yet, probably this week. From what I can find she is retired and living in New Jersey at the Salesian Mother House. If any of you following are JB girls and would like her email, just send me a PM message.
I am blessed to have several very long time friends in my life. I was thinking about this over the past few days. I am focused today on just one. Donna and I have been friends since 1972 (freshman year of high school). We had most of our classes together, hung with basically the same crowd, double-dated for our prom, etc. After our graduation we would meet in downtown Boston weekly for lunch and shopping. We took our first plane trip together (oh boy what a trip to California we had). She has worked for the same company since high school. As the company was bought out, merged, etc. she has been the history and memory from the administrative/HR side. Of course, as you all know a few years after high school I moved away and had a 30+ year career in the government. We never lost touch for long; each time I came home, we tried to see each other even if only for a short time. We have been there for each other over the years through many of life's ups and downs; tears and laughter; whether via phone call or in-person. I spent many years compartmentalizing my life between work and home so Donna was never really sure what I did or where I was, but she hung in there. My parents adored her and always looked forward to seeing her visit. I know she reads the blog and is surprised to see this paragraph. I wrote this for a few reasons: 1. to say Thank You to Donna specifically for being part of my journey...love you girlfriend; 2. My hope for you reading this is that you have someone in your life as I do and let them know; and 3. I wish for those reading this is to realize how blessed you are to have people in your life who care. Reach out to that person(s) while you can. I think about the younger generation and how they value the "number" of friends and likes on social media and may not understand the true value of friendship. How do we pass on that lesson?
You'll be happy to know that I finished two books this past week. Both James Patterson and I have a couple more to catch up on. I also caught up on a few shows I had DVR'd while gone...still have a few to go.
A huge shout out to my youngest nephew Brian...he graduates from Stoughton High School this coming week. I'll be there to cheer him on as he crosses the stage. I'm so proud of him.
The daily and wacky holidays for the week...provides something lighthearted to think about:
JUNE Month:
- Aquarium Month
- Candy Month
- Dairy Month
- Fight the Filthy Fly Month
- National Gardening Week - First full week of month
- Gay Pride Month
- National Accordion Awareness Month
- National Adopt a Cat Month
- National Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Month
- Rose Month
- Turkey Lovers Month
Weekly Events:
- Fishing Week, Week 1
- Email Week, Week 2
- Lightning Safety Week - Last full week of Month
1 Dare Day
1 Flip a Coin Day
1 National Trails Day First Saturday in June
2 National Bubba Day
2 National Rocky Road Day
3 Repeat Day (I said "Repeat Day")
4 Applesauce Cake Day
4 Hug Your Cat Day
4 National Cheese Day
4 Old Maid's Day
5 Hot Air Balloon Day
5 World Environment Day
6 D-Day, WWII
6 National Gardening Exercise Day- Get out and exercise with your plants.
6 National Yo-Yo Day
7 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
7 National Doughnut Day always the first Friday in June
7 VCR Day
8 Best Friends Day
8 Name Your Poison Day
8 World Ocean Day
I am going to leave it here for today. I hope you have a good week. The quotes below today are related to graduations, but can apply to almost anything. Take care. Chat soon. Marie
"As you start your journey, the first thing you should do is throw away that store-bought map and begin to draw your own." - MICHAEL DELL
"The great and curious truth of the human experience is that selflessness is the best thing you can do for yourself." - DAVID MCCULLOUGH JR
"You will have failures in your life, but it is what you do during those valleys that will determine the heights of your peaks." - RAHM EMANUEL