by Judy Handley | Jun 2, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 154: A Walk About Town and a Cookout at the Goldstones
Date: Sunday, June 2, 2024
Weather: Another Beautiful Day; Temp 73, Low 61 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
It was another lovely day with family. In the early afternoon, JJZ&C went for a walk about town with me and my Shadow. We walked to the far end of town and then back home.
It was probably about a mile and a half, the longest walk I’ve been on since my knee surgery, and it was fine. I still get tired easily, but otherwise the healing process is moving along. I see my surgeon for my post-op check up on Wednesday. I’m anxious to find out how he thinks I am doing.
Mid-afternoon, Heather invited all of us to come over. We were going there for dinner, but she thought it would be nice to come early and just hang out together. I had planned a repeat of the marinated meat and veggie dinner we had on Memorial Day and started marinating the chicken and steak tips yesterday. So I sent the meat and lettuce from the garden with Justin and gang and I stayed home to prep the veggies. It takes a lot of food to feed the 10 of us! When I was ready, Justin came to pick me up. Jed did the grilling. Thank you, Jed!
And Heather made the salad and did all of the other preparation. It was a great dinner that all but Jonah enjoyed. He got braces on Friday and is having a hard time eating anything but mac and cheese and yogurt!
by Judy Handley | Jun 1, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 153: Happy First Day of June with Family
Date: Saturday, June 1, 2024
Weather: Beautiful, Sunny and Warm; Temp 73, Low 53 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Justin and family arrived late last night and this morning they tested to see if they still were positive for Covid. They all tested negative, so the first thing we did was to have a family hug. The weather could not have been better today, so we took time to enjoy sitting outside and just relaxed into a very laid-back day. Heather, Jonah, and Ollie came to visit during the morning, but Coco and Ziggy had already taken off for an explore down Main Street. Ollie and Jonah took off to find them and then Sam arrived. He took the SAT this morning and just stopped to say hello. He drove downtown and met up with the others. Later in the afternoon, after Heather and gang headed home for afternoon soccer games, JJZ&C and I went on a shopping expedition. They found out this morning that the dress Coco ordered to wear to the concert she is going to in Boston on Friday is not going to arrive in time. We first went to Hand in Hand, the thrift store, and then on to Mashpee. She did find a dress that will be a great substitute,
Ziggy found a pair of pants, and I did a little grocery shopping.
Then it was home for a wee nap and dinner. I had planned a big cook out, but Sam had a night soccer game in Boston and could not be here. So, we postponed that until tomorrow night and ordered out sushi tonight. Then we sat around the fire pit. This was a perfect first day of June with my family.
by Judy Handley | May 31, 2024 | Cape Cod, USA |
2024 Life Logs, Day 152: Waiting for Justin and Family to Arrive
Date: Friday, May 31, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Warm; Temp 71, Low 53 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Today was a day of getting ready for Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco to visit. With the help of Sam and Jonah, I am now moved into the studio apartment that is attached to the house. Until JJZ&C are Covid negative, I will stay here, and we will visit outside. Once they are Covid free, we can just open the panty doors and walk back and forth. It couldn’t be more convenient, and I am so grateful that Lynda is letting me stay here. Getting my things moved in was more of a hassle than it would have been normally as I had to move the ice machine for my knee, all of the containers of ice from the freezer that are used in the machine, ice packs, and my recumbent exercise bike. But Shadow and I are now all settled in.
Heather invited me over to dinner. We had poke bowls with salmon. Jed got home from his conference in Nantes, France last night, so I got to hear a little about Nantes. It was delicious and very much appreciated. And Justin just sent a text saying they are still an hour out. Can’t wait!
by Judy Handley | May 30, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 151: PT, Welcome Newcomers, and Guilty x 34
Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024
Weather: Overcast with Mist and Rain; Temp 63, Low 51 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty,
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty,
Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty. Yep. That is 34.
I was at a Welcome Newcomers event from 4 to 6 this afternoon, and near the end of that time an Encore friend came in showing everyone his phone. There were exclamations of joy, and then I heard the word “guilty.” I had a moment of disbelief and then I had to go look at that phone.
Sure enough, our former President had really been found guilty on all 34 counts. From my point of view, our justice system proved itself to be just. Who knows where this will lead, but finally there is some accountability. The evidence was all there. I guess I just didn’t believe a jury would ever be able to come to total agreement. Yes, to the rule of law.
The Welcome Newcomers event was hosted by Encore.
After seven years in Newcomers, you move on to Encore. Some opt to end their participation, but most move up. This was our opportunity to welcome those Newcomers and it was lovely event despite the nasty weather. In the hour leading up to the event, the wind started gusting and a steady, misty rain set in. I had my second PT session from 2:45 to 3:45 this afternoon. Karen Baranowski dropped me at the hospital rehab center, drove to the event to drop off my contributions, and then came back to get me. I did a quick change after my session and off we went. Everything was just perfect and I think everyone in attendance did feel truly welcome. Lovely event.
Tomorrow will be spent moving myself into the studio apartment in anticipation of Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco’s arrival tomorrow night. Since they are doing a show tonight, I don’t know how early they will get started tomorrow morning. It could be quite late when they arrive as Friday traffic up the I 95 corridor can be brutal. If so, there won’t be much visited until Saturday, but it will feel really good to just have then here.
by Judy Handley | May 29, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 150: Public Policy Meeting and Ollie’s Spring Band Concert
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Weather: Sunny; Temp 70, Low 57 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco did make it to Washington, DC, this morning, slept most of the day, and ventured down to the mall in the late afternoon. Evidently, they are all feeling good enough to be out and about. Hopefully by this time Friday night, they will be here.
This morning, I spent some time getting the house ready for the family visit. Then I had an Exploring Public Policy meeting this afternoon. The topic today was How to Talk About Climate Change. I led the discussion based on an article by Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist who says the most important thing you can do to fight climate change is to talk about. And I then went to Ollie’s spring 5th and 6th band concert.
I am always amazed at the quality of music performed by these upper elementary students. Their band teacher, Thomas Borning, does an incredible job. The 5th grade band plays, then the 6th grade band, and finally the jazz band. Ollie plays the saxophone in the jazz band and they were really good tonight.
They played three songs written by Mr. Borning, the titles all word plays on nearby towns: Plymouth Rocks, Mashed Peas (Mashpee), and Sand Witch (Sandwich). Afterwards, we made a trip to Smitty’s to celebrate with Ollie’s friend Simon and his dad.
It was probably about a mile and a half, the longest walk I’ve been on since my knee surgery, and it was fine. I still get tired easily, but otherwise the healing process is moving along. I see my surgeon for my post-op check up on Wednesday. I’m anxious to find out how he thinks I am doing.
And Heather made the salad and did all of the other preparation. It was a great dinner that all but Jonah enjoyed. He got braces on Friday and is having a hard time eating anything but mac and cheese and yogurt!
