the morning after

I wake a bit depressed. This too is something to celebrate. Life's sufferings a counterpoint to its joys.
The quiet I always crave in the midst of the whirlwind that is my usual daily life is bittersweet this morning. Larry left early this morning for his San Jose soujourn. The house is a wreck, strewn with remants of our mad dashes back and forth between our home here in the country and our working weeks in the city. Winter clothes destined for upstairs storage haven't quite made it to their summer destination. But, it's a good day for the packing up I need to do. Overcast, with promise of rain, I don't feel pulled outdoors to weed and watch the grass grow.
Having left everything to this last minute, the idea of pulling together everything I need for my residency at Omega--art supplies, clothes, music, drums and more --is an overwhelming task. But I've got all day. Morning coffee is one more moment of procrastination before I begin.

june 2 no. 2

Alright. Maybe slightly pathetic that at 10:42 pm on the night of my actual birthday I am blogging. But Larry has to catch a plane to San Jose in the morning. Early. And I'm headed for Omega for 3 weeks tomorrow evening.
We spent the day doing not much of anything. Got the hammock up, which we never got to last year. So major accomplishment, and more so because I actually spent some time in it before it started raining.
2nd year in a row that birthday dinner was marked by torrential rains. Which I actually love. Cleansing. Intense. And full of memories. When we were kids, we'd stand beneath the gutters, showering in the downpour. I spent a few minutes earlier in the day, sitting in the tent listening to the rain. Nothing like it.
Dinner at Serevan in Amenia was gorgeous. I was a bit depressed on the way. Partly because I'd been drinking white wine all day and my buzz was wearing off. But also just the reality of the moment.
But once there, a smoker martini in my hand, I felt a bit better. And the food was just delicious. I had salmon; Larry had black bass. The presentation was lovely. And the mix of flavors a nice surprise.
We drove across Bangall Amenia Road, a lovely drive, just as it was getting dark. On the way back, lightening lit up the sky.
Now, as I sit here blogging, Larry is packing.
I'd meant to have a little bon fire and burn a ball of herbs from South America meant to help one cast off all that no longer serves. A shamanic medicine ball of sorts. But the rain has left everything too wet. And it's too hot to start a fire indoors in the fireplace. So maybe tomorrow.

no. 1 full moon dinner at little giant

An amazing dinner with dear friends at Little Giant. I wish I'd taken more photos, but alas I was drinking too much wine. I keep trying to remember that the joy of digital is taking as many as you can, and weeding out the rejects later. To be honest, the evening is a bit of a blur, owing to the fact that I was having such a great time. The best of nights are like that. You remember snippets of conversations, but the whole is a bit like a dream. I feel so blessed to have been surrounded by such wonderful friends. And a big smile washes over my face and my heart everytime I think of it.

actual day

Well it's officially June 2nd, the end of my 50th year, the beginning of my 51st. At least I think that's the way it works. So in some way it seems like I should have been celebrating for the last year, culminating on today. But never mind. This is what it is.
I am having a very normal day. Doing laundry, dishes, a little bit of puttering in the garden. But I did open a bottle of white wine at 11am, which I would normally not do. And started the day with a croissant-- another little treat.
The hammock is up and I've had my first swing of the summer, with wine glass in hand.
Pics to post of the fabulous bday dinner at Little Giant. And more to come.