Saturday Slight

 

Two Percheons in a Pasture

It's the first full day of summer and also a date my older brother Mike has been remembering for 53 years. 

You can read why in the newspaper clipping below, which he posted on his Facebook page. 

Fifty-three years later, we all glad that he's had more than half a century of life to look back on that day when he was serving in the Vietnam War. 

It's the first full day of summer and it's cold outside. 

The rain they have been promising us all week has not fallen.  Maybe a shower this afternoon.  My phone weather forecast says 90 percent chance today. 

If that happens, we'll all be shouting "Glory Hallelujah," cuz we really need some rain for farms and for forest-fire prevention. 

Fingers crossed that we hear some pitter patter soon. 

My neighbor Janice has a new way to escape the house and the outdoor elements. 

Her sweet husband Mark built this for her with intentions that it could be a gardening work shed. 

Once the structure went up, several meaningful items of Janice's went inside, including some comfy chairs. 

She invited me to come and see how it turned out.

  Again, like Mark, I thought it was going to be a work shed, so was I ever surprised upon walking inside and wasting no time plopping down in one of the chairs. 

Janice has successfully gone through a bout with cancer over the past couple of years, so Mark told her that the structure was a gift for all that she had endured. 

Nice hubby.  

And, he doesn't seem to mind one bit that it serves a different purpose than what he had intended. 

It's a lovely addition to their beautiful place just up the road from us. 

Friday-night dinner was great fun last night, as our friend Marcia (who knows some of the same folks we know in Ireland) joined Bill, Willie, Debbie and me. 

The visit was great as were the neat surprises, seeing former students who were also out for their Friday dinners.  

The man in the middle is Josh Delucchi, one of my publications students from the 1990s.  Josh's wife Ashley teaches at Sagle School, and Josh is pursuing an opportunity to enter the teaching profession. 

Makes me proud, and it was great seeing him for the first time in more than 20 years. 

              --Photo from The New York Times Morning Newsletter

I saw this great photo this morning and figured all ZAGS fans would appreciate seeing it too. 

Two ZAGS alums, Andrew Nembhard and Chet Holmgren,  giving it their best in the NBA Finals. 

Tomorrow's seventh game determines this year's NBA champion, and there will be a ZAG on the team.  

Above:  Helen's rose.

Below:  another rose Annie gave me this spring, with its first bloom. 

The Lovestead is currently alive with hundreds of beautiful roses, and I'm loving it.  

Happy Saturday.