The past fortnight has felt fairly routine, but we have made great progress in the garden I wrote about last time, and on our other garden on the side of the house. In the latter, Crystal has set up many magical lanterns and a small fountain, since we so enjoy the sound of the water in our big garden in back. There, under the covered side porch, we have a hanging porch swing and wicker furniture in which to have afternoon tea.

This period saw the rather lightning-fast sale of Crystal’s long-time Honda Civic, “Ruby”, once we announced her availability on Facebook. Here she is (first photo), passing off the keys to the new proud owner. In this new week, her new (gently used) blue Subaru Forester (second photo) will be delivered, already named “Bernadette” (Bernadette Subaru, for those who get the pun). It will be nice for Crystal driving to work when her teaching starts again and when she drives to audition at various theaters.

We will give Bernadette a chance to show her stuff as we travel to the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and stay in the Biltmore Inn on the Estate property this week, hoping that the famed Downtown Abbey Exhibition will be open again to the public there. They only say it could be “any day now”. Regardless, we will enjoy visiting there, as we always do, and get to visit with nearby friends, as well, NOT TO MENTION celebrating our tenth wedding anniversary at the Biltmore on Friday, June 19th!

I have mostly focused on my novel these two weeks and made good progress. It’s coming down the home stretch.

As I write this, I have the window open next to my desk on this beautiful, sunny day and feel the cool breeze and hear the many birds and the fountain outside. Wishing you moments of beauty and beautiful weather, wherever you are.