Starting June

 

Roses from the Garden

On Sunday, I observed the first day of June with milkrice for brunch and fresh roses for the altar and mantelpiece.  It was a cloudy, overcast day as May Gray gave way to what the weather forecasters refer to asl June Gloom.  But, it wasn't cold and I was happy.

Cousin V called in the morning to invite me to a family get-together she is hosting as her niece and niece's boyfriend are visiting from Scotland (V said another cousin has offered to help with the cooking).  I offered to bring a dessert, so there might be some baking taking place in the next day or two.

I also spoke with neighbor E to see when he could paint the living room ceiling and he said he could have his painter do it on Tuesday.  I asked if he could paint the walls, too, and he said maybe.  At least, I hope that's what he said!  I did look up how to say, "Please paint the walls, too" in Spanish and hope I remember how to say it to the painter when he's here!

I also did a load of laundry and spent some time sewing.  

On Sunday, I was grateful for:

- Helpful neighbors
- Roses from the garden
- Rituals that keep me grounded
- My cousin inviting me to a family get-together
- The start of a new month and the opportunity for a new beginning

My joyful activities included picking roses, for, as the English poet Robert Herrick wrote, "Gather ye rosebuds while ye may". 

I stayed up until the wee hours last night and, even when I went to bed, I couldn't fall asleep because I kept thinking about all the things I needed to do to get the living room and dining area ready for painting - shelves to be emptied so the shelving units could be moved, pictures and decorations to be taken down, finding places to put the items that will be removed from the room, etc.  Finally, at 6:45 a.m., I told myself that, if I am still awake at 7:00 a.m., then, I will get up, have a cup of tea, and get started on what I have to do.  Then, of course, I fell asleep!  I woke up, once, at 9:00 a.m., but, went back to sleep and slept till 10:00 a.m.

Today was sunny with a high of 76F.  I watered the back garden, picked the first ripe tomato of the season, put away the laundry from yesterday, replied to blog comments, and called the radiology clinic to confirm my appointment on Wednesday, because I have been getting texts and emails from them stating that I have not scheduled an appointment, yet!  The person I spoke with checked their files and confirmed that I have an appointment for Wednesday.  Hopefully, they will update their files!

In the afternoon, I emptied the shelves in the living room and, after a break for brunch (eaten at 5:00 p.m.) and the evening news, I emptied the shelves in the dining area (china cabinet and another shelving unit where I had stored my cook books and some canning jars, etc.)  I left the altar in place and the plant stands; they will be moved in the morning, before the painter gets here.  

Later in the evening, I took the trash and recycling cans to the curb for pick up in the morning and watered the front garden.

The First Ripe Tomato of the Season

Today, I am grateful for:

- A lovely, sunny day
- The first ripe tomato of the season
- Water for the garden

- Fresh peaches 
- What I was able to accomplish

Today's joyful activity was enjoying a ripe peach picked fresh off the tree.

Plans for tomorrow (Tuesday) include waking up early to take down the altar and other last minute items before the painter arrives, doing some paperwork, bringing the trash cans in, and hopefully, having my living room and dining area painted!  

Plans for the rest of the month include two medical appointments for me, a medical appointment for Dancer, daughter's visit for another extended weekend, a family get-together at cousin's house, my daughter's friend's baby's baptism (the reason for her visit), and a couple of sewing projects.  It will be another busy (by my standards) month.

How was your day?  Do you have any plans made for June?