Ode to May

Wherein the cub turned 18 and then graduated HS.  We dined al fresco at one of his dad's fave cafes and returned home for his requested Dirt Cake.  Gorgeous George, the African Violet, bloomed on his birthday.  We found two mantis oothecae in the garden and the blooming has begun.  A fox trotted right past me as I sipped my morning latte on the porch. We discovered that the kitties have been peeing in the ficus, and nearly killed it so the cub and I dragged it to the deck to flush the soil. We have been trying a variety of deterrents (rocks, pine cones, prickly mat, cinnamon, fencing, seranwrap, tin foil...)  We made some new recipes.  We drove back to Reston to see friends in the HS musical.  Went to Garden-Fest with my friend Kathi and on the way home spotted some creepy dolls sticking out of an old barn near the train tracks beside a country lane. 

Covid is still ongoing, though many act like it's over.  We are continuing to follow correct guidance. Hospital admissions and deaths have declined, but new XBB subvariants are gaining ground, sparking spikes.  Health officials meet 6/15 to select the strains to be used in Fall vaccine.  (I keep hoping it's almost over so we can have house guests, and do all the things.)  Also, Russia is still bombing Ukraine.

 

 

National Honor Socie

Sunset from my window.

Such a great performance!

Sunrise and Spider Silk

One of two oothecae

New stepping stones on the LF trail.

Morning latte with hummingbirds and fox.

I thought this was a snake on the basement floor.

Lucky to live near a lake and mountains.

We drove back to photograph this.

Plotting duo

Prickly mat no match for Charlee yoga.

3 way deterrent breached by Cinder.

The lady said, "who pulled the curtains down!"

 

 

Dear Satchel,

Happy 18th ride around the sun!  Happy 10, 512, 000, 000 (ten billion five hundred twelve million) miles!

You have grown so much over the last year, so many milestones.  You stepped out of your comfort zone and went to prom and actually had fun.  Your hard work and determination did not go unnoticed...you were awarded a scholarship for trade school.  You will be donning the NHS stole at graduation on Wednesday.   You will soon be taking your driving test, landing your first job, buying a car, and starting trade school.  You are beginning your journey into adulthood.  I could not be more proud of you and I know that your dad is proud of too.  "Good job, keep at it", he would say.

Today we will keep our tradition of going out to eat on your special day and I made the dirt cake that you requested. We will be dining per requested on the porch at Tacqueria Guadalajara which was your dad's fave and he'll join us there is spirit.  I am reminded of the paintings of Frida Kahlo that hang on the walls of the restaurant.  Frida (one of my favorite arstists) went through extreme hardship in her life.  She wrote these words in her diary..."we can endure much more than we think we can".  I think of all we've endured, and I believe that good things are on the horizon. 

Eighteen years ago today you entered this world in time for brunch.  The window to our room faced Little Italy, which we snarkily called micro Italy because it was so small in comparison to NYC.  The sun was shining and there was a bird on the window ledge looking in at us.  I could hear the nurses talking about how "what a cutie" you were and one of them said, "OMG he knows his name".  I told her that we talked to you by name during the entire pregnancy.  You were so calm, so aware, taking in all the new sights and sounds.  It was an extraordinarily beautiful day because you were in the world.

As always, on this anniversary of your birth, may you always know how deeply loved and admired you are....and that I celebrate you...today and every day!  You have filled my life with laughter, creativity, adventure and joy! 

Thank you for being my son.
Thank you for the reciprocal gift of unconditional love and all the ways you show it.  



(for beautiful you are my world, my true)



Happy 18th ride around the sun, dear Satchel!

All my love,
Mama
(Posted at the time of your birth)