JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: June is busting out all over! My mother always sang that song from the musical Carousel on this day, and as a June baby, I always felt it was meant for me. (When the puberty fairy arrived with her bike pump, it took on a new meaning, sigh.)
June always feels like a month of infinite possibilities and celebrations. Weddings, graduations, school letting out, the start of summer vacation, everything in the garden bursting to life. (So much life, it becomes hard to keep up with the mowing!)
I know if you’re living in the southwest, like Jenn and Debs, it’s a bit different weather-wise. My high on Monday is predicted to be 64°/18° and Jenn’s is 103°/ 39° !!!!!! But the rhythms of the season remain the same no matter where you live.
The baseball season is in full swing. Your friends are talking
about where they’re going this summer (my prediction is a revival of the
staycation, as the price of gas reaches eleventy hundred per gallon.) The local
grocery store has a towering display of everything you need for a cookout, and
you buy hot dog and hamburger bund for the first time in nine months. (Don’t
forget to toss the two buns you put in the freezer last October, optimistically
thinking you would use them at some point.) It’s your last chance to find
bathing suits in the stores, so Debs, get moving!
Since my June includes two weeks with Youngest and the Very Tall Dutchman (whom I will now abbreviate VOC, and the commenter who tells my why gets a virtual guilder,) and a concurrent visit from The Sailor, it’s kicking off in grand style. We’re going to a Sea Dogs game, taking VOC hiking in a wilderness area, and, if the weather cooperates, swimming in Celia’s lake. (The lake does not actually belong to Celia.) VOC also wants to see a super Walmart, but I may not tag along for that glorious excursion. Toward the end of the month, it’s a five-day oceanside writing retreat. Do I plan to go down to the boardwalk and buy 5,000 calories of greasy, salty beach fries? Yes. Yes, I do.
How about you, Reds? What does June mean to you, and what are your plans for the month?
HALLIE EPHRON: Spring makes me think of that song too… With special meaning because my dad was the director of the movie Carousel and he used to talk about the changeable Maine spring weather… They began filming that number dancing on a pier in Bar Harbor and had to relocate to the sound stage in Los Angeles to finish the scene because of the weather. If you know it’s coming, you can see the difference. So yeah, changeable.
JULIA: Every once in a while we have a discussion and I'm suddenly reminded our Hallie's family were genuine Hollywood royalty!
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: And now I am singing! June used to mean freedom, and that whole long long long summer where we could do anything we wanted. Including slathering on iodine mixed into baby oil and sitting out in the sun with aluminum foil to get tan. I do NOT miss that! And still have the freckles to show for it.
Now it means three months until the book is due, and the whole
month will fly by. It’s all good, I’m delighted, but also here in Boston is it
FREEZING so it does not feel like summer yet.
I have actively scaled back on events this June–although I am interviewing some fabulous authors in person, and speaking at a big Girl Scout convention, adorably–but have to keep my days and nights open since I am gearing up for a fall book launch, and also, see above, my book is due. So June is a writing month. And you will find me at the computer for most of the time!
JENN McKINLAY: June is not the happy occasion in Arizona that
it is elsewhere. We’re checking the AC unit and making sure the pool is ready
for the dogs to shift from walking to swimming (with me, of course). It’s more
of a girding the loins until September month for us.
That being said, I’ll be in Colchester, CT on June 12th at 6 PM at the Cragin Memorial Library to give a talk and a signing. Click HERE for details. After time with the fam, I’ll be flying down to Myrtle Beach, SC to visit my college bestie and get in some beach time! Woo hoo!
RHYS BOWEN: I’m glad it’s June because May was not an easy month for me, as you can imagine. Planning a funeral, wading through endless paperwork, seeing bank, attorney etc etc. So I’m hopefully moving on to a time when I can enjoy summer. At this moment it’s cool and cloudy but it should warm up and then pool time.
My family has been so wonderful and
supportive that I’ve hardly been alone, and this month I have good things to
look forward to: granddaughter graduates from Santa Clara University and I’m
hosting a big party here. Clare and Tim will be here for a couple of weeks and
we’ll do fun things and then at the end of the month I’m flying to Canada with
Dominic and Meredith. We’ve an AirBandB on Vancouver Island, on a secluded
beach and then a few days in Victoria. They have been several times before and
know the best bakeries, oyster farms, blueberry farms etc. So that is
definitely something to look forward to.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: It is truly summer here. We’re easing into
the low nineties, but we’ve had a lot of rain and the garden is glorious. I’ll
be doing lots of grilling and hopefully a bit of lying in the hammock with a
book, before it gets too hot to stick a nose outside. Other than that, I
suspect it will be edits, edits, edits, and I’m looking forward to that.
Oh, and some birthday celebrating, too. Kayti and I are going to see Matt Haig (on tour for his new book, THE MIDNIGHT TRAIN) at the Dallas Museum of Art on Friday, with dinner at one of my fave restaurants beforehand. And I’m hoping that Rick will take me out for a movie date to see THE TUNER, as I’m a huge Leo Woodall fan. (And Hoffman fan, of course!)
LUCY BURDETTE: I’ll be in the writing cave with Hank–hoping to
finish the Paris book this month! John is going on a Grand Canyon adventure for
9 days so it will be quiet here, no need to cook big meals either. So I don’t
have a good excuse not to buckle down. I’ll also be playing golf, and some
pickleball, and taking another quick trip into New York to hear Sting’s opera
with two of my good pals.
JULIA: How about you, dear readers? What's on your calendar for June?
It sounds like exciting days for everyone! We have a high school graduation and a retirement [from the Army after thirty years of service] keeping our family busy . . . .
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your Army retiree, Joan! 30 years is quite a career.
DeleteI am helping at our church’s version of VBS called Explorers Camp. It is every Monday morning for six weeks beginning June 8.
ReplyDeleteAlso dodging the afternoon storms that have begun popping up out of nowhere and keeping an eye out for the hurricane forecasts. The season for those is June-November. We typically just get wind and rain here as we are not on a coast. Maybe we will get lucky and there won’t be any like last year.
Bless you, Brenda - VBS was my savior in June back when my first two were little. Getting them out from underfoot - for free! - for five mornings on week was what enabled me to get the garden in.
DeleteAs Hank said, it's freezing here in New England, and I still haven't planted my tomatoes. Today for sure. I have a first draft to keep moving along that I really need to have done by the end of the month. Otherwise the Newburyport Pride parade is Saturday, a big No Kings rally on the 14th, and a Quaker yard sale I'm helping organize on the 27th.
ReplyDeleteBut the biggest event is my older son turning 40 on the 12th (wha? how did that happen?!) and the party my younger son is hosting on the 13th. My sons' father and his wife will be there, alas, so I will stiff-upper-lip it and be civil as I always am, and just hope John doesn't flare up at me as he nearly always does sometime during an all-family gathering.
Also - is VOC's name perhaps Valentijn Otto Coevorden? Or some other moniker having those initials?
DeleteI should mention Edith and I were teaching at Maine Crime Wave this past Saturday and EVERYONE was complaining about the cold.
DeleteGood luck at the big family get-together, Edith. The parent who is the most civil ALWAYS wins, and the hot-head never seems to realize this...
Oh, and no, that's not what VOC stands for, but what a great Dutch name that would be!
Delete9 days in Spain with daughter, son inlaw and granddaughters. Looking forward with glee!
ReplyDeleteWonderful! are you staying in one place or traveling around?
DeleteI'm green with envy, Marcie!
DeleteWe're heading off (G-d willing) on Friday for 3+ weeks in the UK. A week on the Scottish coast near Edinburgh, a week in Swaledale, Yorkshire, and a week in Northumberland (where we've never been before), finishing up with two nights in Edinburgh before we fly home. We'll see what sort of mix hip arthritis and walking make for. My Kindle is loaded up with new books (and old favorites), and the same for my Audible library. We're hoping that the high temps will be in the low 60s, and that the rain won't be too horrible. I've spent the last weeks getting ready for the trip, so when we return it's back to the grind (paper into article, long-overdue opera edition's introductory essay, etc.), and the Kentucky heat.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a glorious trip Beth! happy travels.
DeleteLet's hope! Perhaps I'll provide some details along the way.
DeleteBeth, that does sound amazing (and very well planned!) Please do drop in and share how it's going with us.
DeleteWow, Beth, we'll want to hear all about it when you get back! Have a wonderful time!
DeleteAs the boring one of the blog, I'll be doing pretty much the same thing as I have been doing lately. Looking for work, since I haven't hit the lottery and the bills still have to be paid. Cancelled one concert plan already. Such is life for the guy in the wrong age bracket. But hey, I do mowing my lawn to look forward to. You know, when it isn't 52 degrees outside and looking like it is going to pour any second.
ReplyDeleteAnn's here for a few more days before she heads off on World Retirement Tour Leg 2.5. She's going back to Mexico for a week, then going to some Halloween Haunt stuff across the country (3 stops I believe). She's also going to be cat-sitting for a couple of friends in between that too. (At their places that is). But then she'll be back later this summer for a couple more weeks too.
Jay, may I offer as one ray of sunshine the fact the forecast for later this week has the temps climbing into the 70s and 80s at last?
DeleteJune better bust out all over. On Friday we had snow. Yes, that white stuff. About an inch. No, it was not welcome. I went into the greenhouse for something, and the poor geraniums were turning purple (they do that when they get cold – releasing an antifreeze product into their leaves to protect them. Snapdragons are also a plant where this is very obvious). Anyway – June is starting with sunshine rather than the last week of rain and wind, and today it might make it to a hopping 8 degrees Celsius which is 46 in F. Cold either way.
ReplyDeleteIn good news (I hope), our friend who is buying the sister’s house (more and more boxes and moving!) came over last night giggling. In spite of the cold and rain and aforementioned white stuff, the sign went up on their driveway, with the Real Estate cut to be presented today. Apparently in the bad weather yesterday, some people were driving around looking for waterfront property, got on the wrong road, and saw his sign. They came up, asked if they could visit the place (yes, yes, yeesss!), and toured and looked and loved it, the price and all! So, fingers crossed. Bids close on Wednesday.
Otherwise, construction will soon begin on the not needed garage extension (wood arrives today, someone else is giggling), I will continue to box, and shift and be frustrated, and just maybe June will bust out all over and bring some heat!
Rhys, if you are on Vancouver Island and want some peace and beauty, go for a walk in Cathedral Grove. It is a beautiful old grove forest, and so peaceful and quiet and awe-inspiring. It refreshes the soul.
We are playing with the idea of going on a road trip to Quebec in late September (see sale of house to have the friends look after the dog). It has been so long since we took any time off. In my head I would love to go to Boucheron as it is in Canada, but am sure that would not fly – so I will just dream…
Margo, there's still time to plan for Bouchercon. I'm just saying...
DeleteAnd yes, this spring has been miserably cold and rainy after a winter that was miserably cold and snowy. We are all owed a perfect summer, complete with bursting plants and balmy breezes!
Margo, I would LOVE it if you came to Bouchercon in Calgary!! — Pat S
DeleteMargo, please make the trip - I will also be there!
DeleteI'm still chuckling bout the puberty fairy!
ReplyDeleteIt's Rose Festival here on the left coast Portland. This year they moved the Junior Parade from the first Wednesday in June to a Saturday (last Saturday). This event is in my neighborhood, and I have been known to walk down to watch. It's a parade for kids, and anyone can decorate their wagon or bike and be in it. A couple of years ago a friend, who is a Rose Festival clown, was carrying one end of the leading banner, so I had to go get some pictures! This year, I managed to get to the Farmer's Market at 8 am for my Hood and Sweet Sunrise strawberries, but then hunkered down until it was over. June means Rose Festival and Oregon strawberries! And my son is visiting and so is Rosie the goofy golden retriever. Life is full.
Amen, Gillian. Do the kids use rose-themed decorations on their bikes, or is it anything goes?
DeleteIt's really anything goes! I pulled my son in a red wagon when he was 2, and I think we had some flowers from the garden, that were wilted by the end.
DeleteThe big event this summer is a trip to Scotland specifically Shetland and Orkney. Two years ago our British Explorer cruise hard to bypass Shetland due to gale force winds; we were so disappointed and decided to plan a trip of our own which happens next month. I still remember Roberta’s tales of not having enough layers of clothing for her research trip so I’m packing for all seasons happening in one day!
ReplyDeleteWe'll be in Scotland and northern England. We're only taking clothes for cool weather, although no coats (is that crazy?). Last time we were in the north I couldn't get warm even when hiking, so the next time we were in a "town" I bought a fleece vest, which helped tremendously. This time around we won't be anywhere near a hiking store, so if we need something we'll have to make a special trip. Of course we all know Shetland from the series - I can't wait to hear about it.
DeleteEmily, you're smart to plan for the cold! Ross and I honeymooned in the Highlands in August, and we brought coast-of-Maine clothing: some light things but also chunky cotton sweaters. Well, those were not NEARLY enough. We had purchased beautiful woolen sweaters for our family as Christmas gifts, and we got into the bags and used them ourselves!
DeleteBeth, having lived in Scotland in June, take a coat. Or at least some kind of wind and waterproof shell that will go over your layers.
DeleteEmily, so jealous of your trip!
DeleteVOC? Still trying to figure this one out!!
ReplyDeleteKeep working at it, Anon. It's something very Dutch.
DeleteVOC = Visage of Cuteness I am guessing!
ReplyDeleteSounds like most everyone will be doing some fabulous things. As for my summer plans, I'm sorry if I am making everyone green with envy but I am having the entire entire of my house repainted, ceilings included. Since my painter can only work two days a week and has no help, because the other one aged out, I imagine I will be living with perpetual chaos all summer long. No idea why I ever thought this was a good idea. I should have just kept the lights down low and got rid of the most offensive cobwebs. But if I do bite the bullet (or the dust, whichever comes first) it will be that much closer to selling condition.
We need to do that painting, whole house. Three rooms have stains from old leaks. We have so much stuff - we can't envision how it can be done. I'll start investigating when we're back from our trip.
DeleteNot Visage of Cuteness, Judi, although he does possess that!
DeleteAs I mentioned a few weeks ago, I've been deep cleaning in preparation for everyone visiting, and boy, am I noticing how very much everything needs a new coat of paint. Ross and I painted and papered a little when we moved in 32 years ago, but everything else is much older than that!
The big thing about June is that I am scheduled for cataract surgery, something I am not looking forward to. I am EXTREMELY PHOBIC about my eyes having come very close to losing my right eye three times in the past. The doctor is aware of this and will be knocking me out for the surgery; otherwise, he fears I will toss him across the room. But I am a brave little soldier and will be wearing my big boy panties, hoping I do not soil them.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side, it was in June that the Chinese first recorded a solar eclipse (Yay for science!), and there's Juneteenth (Yay for doing the right thing, although the current Administration would disagree). June also marked the first appearance of a Superman comic book (Yay for superheroes!) and the invention of Roquefort cheese (Yay for stinky food!). June 1933 saw the first drive-in movie theater opened (Yay for the memories of my teen-age years!), and a year later, Donald Duck entered the world (Yay for speech impediments!). June also brought us the ATM machine, the first clothes dryer, the penny postcard, the first rocket-powered airplane, Alcoholics Anonymous, the first roller coaster ride, sandpaper, Disney's CINDERELLA, a Papal decree saying that "God bless you" is the proper response to a sneeze, the Statue of Liberty arriving in New York, the O.J. Simpson Bronco chase, the War of 1812, the first American fly-casting tournament, the creation of an FCC without Brendon Carr, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the telegraph, the first Ferris wheel, the first doughnut, the first Public Enemy number One (Dillinger, of course), the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the 1908 Tunguska explosion.
Perhaps more important for many of us June marks the birthdays and anniversaries and life achievements for some of those we hold most dear. June gives us the summer solstice and the beginning of a new season of hope. And June 21st brings us to Father's Day, which reminds me of how much I owe him and how very much I miss him, even after more than four decades.
soltice and the beginning of a new season
Summer solstice, hope, and a celebration of fathers - yes to all. I still miss my father, also after four decades, and am so proud and touched at the fathers my sons have become.
DeleteJerry, I had cataract surgery Some years ago, and it is absolutely wonderfully magically fabulous. Life-changing! I agree about being eye phobic , and I was terrified, But well, it was the best thing that’s ever happened. Try not to worry, I know, that’s hard to do. And definitely do the drops religiously. It makes such a difference! And then let us know how wonderful it is!
DeleteWhat Hank said about cataract surgery! I have one more eye that doesn't need it yet, but I won't be at all terrified when it does.
DeleteI had cataract surgery too. It will be the easiest surgery you'll ever have. It takes about 15 min. And there was basically no recovery time. It was a miracle from seeing everything through a fog to seeing everything crystal clear.
DeleteJerry keep us posted after your surgery.
DeleteAnother cataract surgery recipient-both eyes. No sedation, none needed and probably one of the easiest medical procedures performed. No preparation needed and you will be able to walk out of the building and go home after it’s done.
DeleteJerry, I'm saving your list for topic ideas the next time I have a week on the blog in June!
DeleteI'm another cataract surgery recipient - the reason there are so many of us is that it's one of the three most common surgeries in the US. It's very scary going in to and ridiculously easy coming out. And you'll be so happy with the change in your vision!
Jerry,
DeleteCataracts surgery is easy-peasy. In the fall, it’ll be three years since I had mine done. It took less than five minutes and the eye surgeon talked to me throughout the entire time, explaining what he was doing each step of the way. I LOVE that sort of thing and I really appreciate it when a surgeon explains what he’s doing. As a result of the surgeries, I discovered that there are many more shades of green in nature, I can see individual leaves now in trees and shrubs, and dandelion flowers are three dimensional and contain different shades of yellow. I didn’t know that! There are other benefits, but these are the first ones that I noticed after the surgeries. I had to get used to backing in and out of parking spaces, because I see what’s immediately around my car differently now. (I backed into my neighbor’s car twice in the first month after the surgeries. He was very understanding.) Up until then, I never had any trouble with backing up. I’m retraining myself to back up! I’m a lot better now:-)
DebRo
Jerry, having been blessed by all my ophthalmologists from age 8 to now at 79 being in love with their subject and ever anxious to show off the interiors of their plastic eyeball models and explain exactly and clearly what WE were going to be doing and what these images show…never a day of eye phobia. But since every other medical provider gives me acute WHITE COAT SYNDROME (heart attack range) by just walking in the door…I understand what a being phobic is like. May you see beautifully and well. Elisabeth
DeleteThe part that takes the longest when I went in for cataract surgery was the nurse's ridiculously long interrogation (at least it felt that way). She had me walk thru my whole medical history of the last number of years and all my meds and why were they prescribed (you have all that in my chart!) It took about an hour. The surgery was 10 min and recovery less than 10 min.
DeleteYou'll be so happy to see clearly and well again. Good luck.
Jerry, just echoing everyone else. Cataract surgery is truly one of the miracles of modern medicine. You will be absolutely amazed.
DeletePS: I am not voting for Very Odiferous Creature.
ReplyDeleteI'm REALLY hoping that's not an appropriate abbreviation for him, Jerry!
DeletePPS: I see a phrase got repeated at the very end of my long post. Ignore it, or, if you would rather, ignore me.
ReplyDeleteThanks to a Memorial Day visit from my oldest friend, my butterfly garden is purchased and planted - and I saw a butterfly on Saturday! Hopefully the sign of more to come. We cleared out the weeds in the remainder of the garden so this is the month that The Hubby will actually get his greenhouse built. Whether plants go into it is another story. He didn't have to take out the last elevated bed, so I have to figure out what to put there.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, June is about finishing the book in progress (Homefront #7, THE PAST WE LEAVE) and getting a short story submission in shape for the anthology that the Pittsburgh SinC chapter is putting out.
Oh, and working. Natch.
Even working is nicer when you're not schlepping hat, gloves, heavy boots and parka to the office, Liz!
DeleteVisage of cuteness sounds good to me. So many wonderful plans from the Reds and commentators here. Currently reading Jenn’s THE SUMMER SHARE and Haig’s MIDNIGHT TRAIN.
ReplyDeleteSummer is when we slow down and enjoy the summer with our friends and family.
Spending time with friends and family is it, Diana. Those of us in northern areas hide in our holes all winter and then emerge for a riot of visits and getting-together!
DeleteMorning All ~ June is a time to make changes (rather than January which is a dreary month). June was High School graduation, graduation from Nursing School, and wedding. All life changes and I’m continuing in that vane. I’m chucking that which no longer works for me and inviting in some newness to my life. Not moving, darn it - way too spendy. Out with boring clothes that by habit will just do for now - see empty closet. I’m learning a new language, Italian - amazing how long it takes now that high school is in the decades past category. I’ll be visiting new places within a few miles, new stores including book stores, new restaurants. I think it would be lovely to find a new diner with friendly staff who remembers my name and I theirs. And all of that while dancing to new tunes. Today is June 1 - better get a move on. Lots of fun ahead. Hmm, wonder who I will be by July? Or autumn.
ReplyDeletePaula, what a wonderful start to the summer! It's a good reminder to all of us that every change of the season or turn of the calendar page invites us to become new again.
DeleteI have no travel plans for June this year, so it's staycation time for me. Yesterday, we visited the greenhouse and then planted tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, and onions in the veggie garden; basil and parsley in the herb garden; catnip for Kensi Kitty; and vibrant pink impatiens around my front porch, which Hubby power washed. So now it's time to break out the pillows for the porch swing. Bring on summer!
ReplyDeleteAnnette, let us know when it's harvest time; swinging on your front porch while munching on fresh salad and enjoying kitty antics sounds perfect to me!
DeleteNow I must watch Carousel again - for the song and to see if I can spot the location change on the pier. June 1st in my area of Massachusetts is chilly and grey. We have a high school graduation party in Scarborough, ME Saturday, a fun “Wine Wednesday” with a BFF at Book Ends Bookstore in Winchester, MA and a 3 night trip to Boothbay Harbor, ME with my best travel friends. And gardening (which includes chasing the rabbits and groundhog away from my beds. Plus, of course, summer reading - mostly same as the rest of the year reading but outdoors).
ReplyDeleteIt's sunny and cold here today, Suzette, but you should have glorious weather for the high school graduation party (don't we all love those?) You'll be greeted with great enthusiasm when you visit Boothbay Harbor - businesses relying on tourists have been crushed by the past three weekends (cold and rainy.) I can recommend the Boathouse Bistro (we eat there whenever we visit) and the fabulous Orne's Candy Store, which has home-made and old-fashioned candies.
DeleteI am chuckling at Hank's comment about how in our younger years we all used to achieve the perfect summer tan. We were like meat on a grille. The magic lotion combination ~ baby oil and iodine ~ and the sheet of aluminum foil to ramp everything up to another level. Our idea of spreading barbecue on the ribs...only we were the ribs. We were the same group of teenagers who also "ironed" our long hair to get it bone straight. We used Mom's iron and ironing board ~ the first flat iron tool. After we removed the juice cans we wore all day as hair rollers. Oh my...It's all "combing" back to me now...Haha! But back to reality ~ I am currently a mature woman who wonders why all the functions on my summer calendar have to involve weddings taking place on the beach and birthday parties on hot playgrounds. :-/ Now...I avoid the sun as much as possible for various reasons other than my daily dose of Vitamin D. :-)
ReplyDeleteEvelyn, every time I see another brown or red spot develop on my face like some deeply unwanted Polaroid, I wish I could go back in time and tell my teenage self to COVER UP. Alas, I must be content to serve as a warning to my own daughters, who wear sunscreen whenever they venture out of doors.
DeleteJulia ~ We had no idea we were leaping into a giant frying pan! Now, of course decades later the evidence shows up like an unwanted houseguest. Thankfully, your daughters are being smart and more careful and are aware of their own mother's experience of "baking" in the sun.
DeleteP.S. I laughed out loud at your puberty fairy and bike pump reference...too funny!
DeleteAwhile back you had Cara Black as a guest. I wasn't familiar with her work. Yesterday I finished reading Murder in the Marais. It was wonderful. I will be reading more of her works soon.
ReplyDeleteWe're delighted to hear you enjoyed Cara's work, Betty! Finding new books to try is half the reason we're here.
DeleteIt is the joy of our lives to introduce readers to new books! Hooray!
DeleteCara's books are wonderful!
DeleteHola! Also cracking up about the puberty fairy and her bicycle pump. Rhys, you did surely have a month in May.
ReplyDeleteStarting June with two more days after this to walk the Camino. My husband and the other dad have so far kept up with our extremely fit and active offspring. I have only walked a few miles over three days, taxiing to the next hotel, but hope to walk at least half of the remaining 16 miles to the Compastella de Santiago. The other mom has a disasterously bad knee, so I am keeping her company when the day's path is too challenging for me. She is a native Spanish speaker, so is very comfortable getting hotel staff to call taxis for us, and is very patient with my many mistakes.
When we get back I will probably have to take a machete to the garden because there were eight straight days of rain starting two days before we left.
And I will be SO glad to sleep in my own bed! Except for one three-night stay in Porto, and two nights in Seville, we have moved hotels every night. Packing and repacking every day is no fun. I see why cruises are so popular!
And maybe VOC = Virginia's Own Cutie.
DeleteKaren, I'm laughing at your name change! Walking the Camino is on my bucket list, I'm glad to hear it an be done with many different levels of fitness.
DeleteAnd yes, the older I get, the more cruising appeals to me. A good friend and her husband did a Rhine River cruise, and she said having the hotel traveling from town to town with them was the best part!
I'm sitting on the porch at my sister's place in Texas, visiting. We'll return to Virginia by the 12th. I'm hoping for some interesting detours on the way back. Our poor old dog Jack had to be put down a week or so ago, bless his heart. He was 19 and went downhill rapidly. As Hank said, June was freedom when we were all in school.
ReplyDeleteOh, Pat, I'm so sorry about your sweet dog. 19 is a mighty age for a pup; I'm sure he brought you much joy and happiness in all those years.
DeletePat, I am so very sorry about your sweet pup’s passing. People always say things like, “Well, at 19, he was very old. It couldn’t have been a surprise to you.” It doesn’t matter if it was to be expected or not, it’s still so hard on the loved ones left behind. We’re still grieving the loss of our dog last August. I’m sending you hugs and happy memories — Pat S
DeleteSo sorry about your dog, Pat. As Pat S said, no matter how expected, it's still hard.
DeleteAnother MA resident not enjoying our unseasonably cold and rainy weather. Although the rain did help alleviate some of our drought condition and the sun just came out.
ReplyDeleteI also think of June is busting out all over when the month comes around. Carousel is my favorite of the R and H musicals .
A few years ago I saw a stage version with Shirley Jones. A number of years ago I saw a summer theater version of it with John Raitt, the original Billy Bigelow. (Bonnie’s father)
June was also my mother’s birthday. I had an uncle whose birthday was July 1 another uncle’s was July 6 and my mother’s was June 30 so we would go out to dinner to celebrate all of them.
Anon, we New Englanders will be SO G-D (as my grandmother would say) happy when it finally gets warm and stays that way for a while!
DeleteIf you have Apple +, the comedy musical series SCHMIGADOON does a great send up of several aspects of CAROUSEL. Absolutely delightful for those of us who know it and other Golden Age musicals.
Oh I am in love with SCHMIGADOON And absolutely pushed it on everyone I know, relentlessly, and was personally so delighted when it went to Broadway so successfully! It is unbelievably clever. So agree!
DeleteMy June is a bit chilly, but sunny! Cautiously attempting to keep up with housework and do some outside grooming of the manorial grounds. (Thank heavens no photos included!). Discouraging to find that the deer have once again found the hostas tasty. Planning a visit to Nashville with older sister to visit youngest nephew. Enjoying his tiktoks--especially the one he posted for Memorial Day--a short cover of David Ball's song PRIVATE MALONE. Check him out if you'd like: Walker Church. Older nephew and my grandnephew are here for an extended stay, yay! --Flora
ReplyDeleteFlora, you'll laugh - the deer leave my hosta alone, but one of my Shih Tzus, Kingsley, has developed a taste for the stalks (which are very bad for dogs!) I had to walk around and spray every single plant with soapy water. The it rained the next day - I'm keeping my eye out to see if I need another preventative application!
DeleteJune means getting my hands in the dirt! Here in Minnesota, one is living on the edge to plant anything before Memorial Day, so the first weekend in June everyone, including me, is at the garden center!
ReplyDeleteAh, Julia and all others visited by the Puberty Fairy. At 79.5 could this finally be the summer of her visit to me? Amongst my Gloria Steinem cohort I was the only one others greeted after my bra burning with: “never realized you wore one”. Enjoy all kinds of summer fun and family time. Elisabeth
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, consider yourself lucky!
DeleteJune brings a family visit, the start of pool season, and never-ending yard chores. In the garden, the iris have finished and the daylilies will be next to bloom. I'm working on a short story before diving into book 3 for the month of July.
ReplyDeleteJune, for many of us in the South, means dreading the coming heat and humidity. Aside from the weather, it means a continuation of writing, deadlines, querying agents, w,riting (oh, did I already say writing?) - and more writing. We ended May with graduations, recitals, auctions, family activities taking us from SC to Atlanta, to NC and on to Chicago & Evanston, Shipshewana (Indiana) and more. Too much driving for such a short time but we enjoyed some beautiful scenery. Oh, yes, we also enjoyed some not-so-beautiful scenery: construction zones filled with orange barrels, orange cones, and lines of slowly to not-moving-at-all traffic.
ReplyDeleteOh, I can picture every bit of that, including the traffic cones!
DeleteI don’t have any regular June rituals. I’m just happy that it’s no longer winter. June brings with it memories of happy occasions, like graduations and weddings, and birthdays. My dad’s birthday was June 12th, and it’s my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding anniversary. This year they’re celebrating their fiftieth! My brother and sister-in-law’s anniversary is June 11. Sadly, my brother died suddenly in November of 2021. This would have been their 48th anniversary.
ReplyDeleteThe birthday of one of my nieces is coming up in a couple of weeks. On June 20th some friends and I are doing a one-day bus trip to Newport to visit a couple of the mansions and attend the Flower Show. I’ve never been TO Newport but have driven through it on several occasions.
I’m keeping my mind open to the possibility of other day trips throughout the summer. My regular (Chincoteague)vacation will be at the end of the summer. This gives me something to look forward to all summer.
DebRo
June means heading to our home away from home: East Boothbay, Maine! And of course Boothbay Harbor is related to Carousel, so that ties nicely to your article. 😁
ReplyDeleteVery Own….something?
ReplyDeleteOh, that was me Hank, above!
ReplyDeleteI have two retirement parties this week and a concert (Three Dog Night) this month. Even though I retired from working in a school, I still feel that sense of freedom when school lets out! Our next door neighbors of 39 years are moving this month so that’s going to take some getting used to when new, younger people with children move in! I’m hoping we get our backyard hill cleared of old vegetation and get our new pollinator plants put in this month. Fingers crossed we all have a wonderful summer. — Pat S
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'd should tell you folks in the northeast, but at this moment my themometer is sitting at 93 F. I allowed myself five whole minutes in the hammock after I finished the watering. And the tomatoes are going gangbusters! They'd better because in July and August they will fry.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be so late to the party today. We have some plans this June. First, we'll spend some time in Beverly, MA having early celebrations our son's birthday and father's day. Then I am flying to Michigan to help my wonderful cousins celebrate my aunt's 90th birthday. I'll be missing Jenn's visit to the Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester, sob, but tickets to fly already purchased. Jenn, there is a bookstore specializing in fantasy about 50' from that library! Be sure to let the owner know about your new series.
ReplyDeleteThen, Irwin and I are taking Rachel's family to a dude ranch for a few days. I hoisted my bulk up into the saddle yesterday for the first time in about 10 years and it went pretty well. I am nowhere near as toned and strong as I used to be, but my friend was impressed that I got up and also that I down. Huge horse.
Happy celebrating everyone.
This is Kathy Reel. I wasn't able to sign in where you have the choices as how to sign in. Very strange. It stopped letting me sign in under my Google choice with my picture several weeks ago. Oh well, crossing my fingers that my comments come through.
ReplyDeleteSince May was even more of a disaster than it usually is (since Kevin was killed on May 28th, May is my most dreaded month). Both Philip and I ended up in the ER on separate occasions, me with a very painful UTI and a future MRI scheduled, and Philip had a dizzy spell he almost fainted from (they are saying dehydration, but he sees his doctor this week). So, I'm glad to change over to a new month.
June is the month of the birthdays of two of the most important and influential people in my life, even though they're both gone now, Kevin on the 11th and my mother on the 28th. These are still joyful days for me, as what they brought into my life is immeasurable happiness and wisdom. I am glad that we will be getting out of town for a few days toward the end of June. Philip has a VFW conference in Lexington, KY, and since that's where Kevin lived, I'll be getting together with several of his friends. One night we'll go to a wine vineyard belonging to one of his friend's family and eat dinner there. So, we will finally have a trip to Lexington based on pleasure. June is also my daughter and son-in-law's wedding anniversary, which will bring great memories of them getting married at the beach in Key West. Now, weather-wise, I think I would make a satisfied resident of Maine and skip the hot humidity of Kentucky. Today looks to be a decent weather day, with a temp of 75 right now. I'll take that.
And, Hallie, how great to find out that your father was the director of Carousel, and both of your parents wrote it. It's one of my favorite musicals from way back when I was a pre-teen. By then, it was on television, and I remember watching it in black and white in our basement recreation room.
Julia, I'm not coming up with anything for VOC.
Kathy, just letting you know your post is here. Think it was nearly 3 years ago that my sign in did the same. Anon is good…just sign your name. Take care, Elisabeth
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