Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Sometimes They Actually Send What You Ordered. Was Thrilled They Arrived to My Mother in Memory of her Cousin (& Best Friend), Jackie

When the GrubHub card didn't arrive to my mom, I contemplated how to best celebrate Mother's Day. It was obviously going to be late, and I grew frustrated that it never got to its destination. Then, knowing yesterday the cousins were going to host an event in Hamilton and my mom couldn't make it, I thought it'd be nice to have flowers sent to Amalfi Drive in memory of Jackie, their joy as cousins and friends, and for the stories they shared throughout a lifetime. I lived for mom and Jackie stories whenever they got together. They were always comedic and outrageous. I knew mom deserved a bright bundle of color as Jackie was memorialized in their home town.

The dining room table always looks better with a bloom of buds before my mom's work space. I figured she'd need something to brighten up the sadness that comes from such loss. I'm sad, too, that I couldn't make it to the celebration of life but with everything unwinding from the weekend and the conference next week, I knew I'd better sit still in Connecticut. I worked on journal reviews, sharing materials with colleagues, getting ready to hire for the summer, and contacting with bus companies (just kill me with the bus companies). 

The 70-degree day also turned into an 85 degree day. I wanted to get new patio furniture and went out to spend money, but both places I went to had such horrible customer service that I eventually just walked out. I was even holding my wallet in my hand ready to go. Screw that. If you come by and check on me, I ask a question, and you go to seek an answer, I expect you to come back. Nope. Their loss. Wish I could return with patio chairs in both arms to say, "Big mistake. Big, Big mistake."

I might set out to try again today but mid-90s temperatures makes me think I want to stay in doors to avoid the combination of heat and pollen. My throat and nostrils are already in a war zone.

Ah, but there's no classes and emails have dwindled to a minimal (which is such a tremendous joy). It's one of the reason I much prefer summer. 

Channeling Summers in the Outskirts of London and Time Spent in Roskilde on Lars Farm as We Head Towards June (My Favorite Month)

I remember the first time I was fortunate to spend time in an English garden. Amy Parton, leader singer of King Kong  and an extraordinary h...