Community and Friendship and Family

Delivered my rocks to the other snake rock. I hope others start adding soon. People are leaving this one alone ... thankfully, finally, hopefully.

These are big rocks -- look tiny from the picture.

Our Friday friend was very surprised and we had a nice meeting and birthday celebration. The mayor joined us again and we got lots of scoop on our town.

People took the flowers home and the hit was the little basil jars. The coffee shop owner gave me some cut herbs from his basket. Everything felt like friendship and community. 

Found this little lovely in the garden. Thank you, friend-of-the-garden. Eat those pesky pests.

Our grandson's school had a spring hat parade. Usually the events are run like a well oil machine. Not yesterday. Oh boy. Lots of chaos and too much time standing in the sun. But he was adorable and to see his little face when he saw us -- just the best feeling. He came back to our house to play while his parents finished working.

We went to dinner and I ate way too much rich food. My stomach is a mess this morning. Fitful dreams about having a stomach ache. I hope things calm down. 

I have a big day today. 

First up, a new friend. She came over to rock paint with our friend who lost her husband. We've had a couple things canceled related to the death so I've only had that one day with her. She invited me to a Garden Faire and breakfast this morning. It'll feel good to talk to her. (And, of course, fun to go to the garden event.) We have gardening in common and we both have a young grandson (from a child with the same name). She's incredibly nice, quite soft spoken, and we have a number of friends in common. We've met over the years in larger group settings, but never spent much time together.

Then a quick turnaround to head to the official birthday party from the Friday friend. Also a new friend. She's turning 70. I like that my friend group is age expanding -- both directions. Japanese flower arranging and dumpling making, her treat. She even has GF options for a few of us -- so sweet. And, of course, I love that it starts at 2 o'clock. It'll be the rest of the day, but I should be home by early evening. She's had a horrible loss a little over a year ago -- her husband was piloting her family to a baseball game and the plane crashed. This is her first big birthday since the loss and it's a hard one. She's choosing this milestone birthday as a jumping off point to get back to loving life. She's grieved very hard and still does (of course), but she said she wants more joy again.

Today has a strange little back theme of loss amiss beautiful things. Yin and yang of living. 

Best get moving. Early breakfast with parking woes means I need a bunch of extra time. 

Have a good day. Later gators.