Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

My country. Yep, I'm going to say it because while it's not fashionable, it's true and whether you admit it or not...you know it, or most the world wouldn't want to come here. I've never shied away from acknowledging our flaws, but the people are not the problem. The politicians are. Red and blue and now commie red too. I'll save that narrative for another time. This weekend is for celebrating and that is what I intend to do.

 

My first morning view and a houseful of cats. All 4 are accounted for.

 

Crossing paths with a doe on our walk this morning and that we made it home just as the rain started.

 

 

A book that makes me excited to get up and to go to bed. Anne Patchett's characters are so full of grace.

 

Whipping up steak fajitas for dinner at 10 o'clock because that's when they come. Impromptu, but fresh and delicious and together.

 

Finally getting rid of the ridiculous chair and a half, which was always too big for our cozy family room and usually always empty because it's not practical for a gathering. We replaced it with two low profile chairs that make much more sense and are a better use of the space.

 

Room for two.

 

 Knowing who is boss. The cozy basket is the most coveted spot. The cave is second.

 

Summer things. Icy Arnold Palmer's, crisp grapes that pop when you bite into them, pop-up storms, hydrangeas as big as my head, Kopp's custard even for dinner, beer gardens for happy hour, farmer's markets, outdoor concerts, butterflies by day and fireflies after dark, pretty toes, no shoes, and freedom. 

 

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for... 

A short week of work and a beautiful week of windows open weather.

 

Lily made it through her first week...only 4 days...of work. She already got a holiday, a bonus and a paycheck. 

A full house of girls getting ready for Don Toliver tonight.

A Tuesday night date for pizza and a movie with my guys. Obsession did not disappoint. 

Lily planned, shopped for and made dinner for us this week just because she wanted to. She made a mean chimichurri sauce for her steak and potatoes. 

A girl's day last Saturday. We saw And Juliet and then had an early tapas dinner. The performance had amazing energy. I literally smiled through the show. Meryl and I loved. The grandmas liked it. 

 

Dinner on the patio, cold sangria, hot potatas bravas, juicy barbacoa tacos and churros y choocolate.

 

Project Hail Mary. We rented and very much enjoyed this sweet little movie last night. Not to mention Ryan Gossling is a class act. Eva Mendes too. They are committed to raising their daughters out of the media spotlight. 

A couple new skirts. This is going to be the summer of the skirt for me.

 

A new cat tree from our neighbor. Her furbaby was not a fan. Hazel and Gus are loving it never mind that our living room looks like a cat cafe. Anything for the kit kats.

  

 

My very own patio cranes. 

 

Grateful Friday

Today I give thanks for...

Lily is home and...drum roll please...she's unpacked! She's happy to be home after a month on the move. She's been spending lots of time with Michael, but they hung out with us old folks last Saturday night. We made homemade pizzas at her request followed by Wizard and wine. That's my favorite kind of night.

 

The cranes have been hanging in our yard all week. If they stay much longer, I'm getting them a kiddie pool. We all love watching them.

 

 

 

Buds.

 

Blooms.

 

Reading with my book buddies after work and before bed.

 

 

The first juicy watermelon of the season.

Our Arizona trip is booked for November.

When crossword puzzles are a family affair.

A friend is on the road to recovery after major surgery.

A delivery of July 4th swag. Seems like a good year to go a little overboard with red, white and blue.

Gus fancies himself an outdoor cat. Except now he's a relentless beggar when we leave him in the house.

 

 

 

  

New patio furniture and happy hour with Brashley.

  

Eric Church's commencement address to the UNC class of 2026.

This sweet little lady taking her afternoon snooze.

 

 

Thankful Lately

Today I give thanks for...

Check-ins with Lils as she travels across Europe. I'd be a wreck if I couldn't text with her daily, and chat with...literally see her face...often. Today they're on the train to Prague. Last stop was Poland. Yesterday they toured Auschwitz. She said it was heavy and draining, but she was glad she chose to go.

 

 

The travel the kids are doing has my dad waxing on about seeing his roots. I don't see them taking on a trip like this on their own and I said as much to Mike. My sweet man suggested we take them. We pitched it to them on Sunday. By Monday night, they informed me that their passports are good until 2030. I've already been researching and hope to make it happen before year-end.

The brevity of life has been slapping me in the face lately. Instead of curling up in the fetal position, I want to do and say all the things that matter. The things that matter to me. Not so much lofty or worldly. Closer to home. And things are really people...the people in my orbit.

James Patterson. He was the 2026 keynote speaker. He delivered. His speech was funny, self-deprecating, honest and insightful. It wasn't hawkish, preachy or full of too many cliches, but let's be honest - cliches are cliches for a reason. He told a story of five balls...one rubber, the others glass. Work you can drop, but family, friends, health and spirit are more fragile and require the most care. I'm keeping this one.

 

Elizabeth Strout's Oh William! I finally picked it up and am reminded how I love the way she gets into the nitty gritty of her characters. I know them. They are me...flawed, but mostly good, surrounded by people, yet often marooned.

 

The girls hired a photographer to follow them around campus one afternoon. It was a brilliant idea to get the iconic shots. It certainly took the pressure off me on the day off. In fact, I didn't take many photos over the weekend. I was in the moment instead of capturing it for later, and as much as I cherish pictures, it was the right place to be.

 

 

I wanted one decent family photo of the four of us. Lily was kind enough to put her dress back on since she changed the minute she got home. We're all a little weathered from the wind and the thirty minute walk from Camp Randall to West Washington, but this is us. And the rest of us too.

Cin, Cin! The Friday before we had dinner at Lily's favorite restaurant just off State Street. Three courses, all delicious, in three hours. I'm going back for that octopus deliciousness. My rack of lamb was just as good. As is tradition, we went next door to the piano bar to sing until our hearts content.

 

Badger spirit, red and white, Go Bucky, Jump Around, Lake Mendota and Lake Monona...the isthmus, Memorial Union, Bascom Hill, State Street Brats, and so many other things that make Madison special, as well as the shared pride we have in being a family of UW-WI alumni. 

The birds are back. We have a couple bluebirds nesting in the yard. Daily sightings remind me of my mom in the best way. We also have a pair of sand hill cranes who are visiting often. We all love to watch them including Hazel and Gus.

 

This goofy, lovable little guy.

 

 

This sweet, sassy little girl.