It’s not too many times that family can gather to celebrate someone’s 99th birthday, but we were fortunate to have that opportunity tonight. With a full table of family from near and far, we toasted Ed on achieving his birthday milestone. Thanks to a fun “quiz,” we learned that a car cost $625 when Ed started driving, and we listed many things that have come into existence during his lifetime including TV, cell phones, space flights, and computers. 99 years is good reason to celebrate. Here’s to the upcoming year, Ed, and we’ll all look forward to gathering again next year to celebrate #100. Happy birthday!
Minnesota
White lilacs
We’re fortunate to have both purple and white lilacs surrounding our yard. With some recent rain and higher humidity levels the air has been heavy with the sweet smell of the lilacs. Knowing how short-lived their blossoms are, I cut some and brought into the house. This old pink hobnail glass pitcher that had been my mother’s seems the perfect vessel to hold them and let them release their fragrance throughout the house.
Participating in a Minnesota tradition
Yesterday was the Minnesota fishing opener – a tradition celebrated across the state. It’s the official opening of fishing for walleye and northern pike. The past few years we’ve joined in this celebration, and we had a grand time again this year. Here are my top five points about the fishing opener: (1) May is not summer yet in Minnesota; long underwear was required this year. (2) Prepare for lines at the boat landing; don’t fret, relax, and enjoy your fellow fishermen and women (everyone has stories to tell). (3) That new foraging minnow you bought the week before was a winner; the northern pike loved it! (4) Northern pike are fighters; you’ll know when they strike your line and that’s part of the fun of catching them. (5) A weekend of cabin-life, fishing, loons and eagles, and a campfire are a great cure for stress and the city life. (Plus, it was a good sign when we won the meat raffle at the bar where we had dinner on our drive up Friday night — we knew the weekend was going to be grand!)
Ladies weekend
A sure cure for stress is a weekend trip to a lake up north. Add in a group of wonderful friends and a cabin on a lake and everyone comes away in better spirits. It was ladies weekend on Lake Mary, south of Alexandria. We got out of our cars on Friday night, walked into the cabin and left our stress behind. From then on it was relaxing, laughing, resting, and sharing — it was decompression of the best kind. Throw in a beautiful sunset with the slightest of water ripple near the shore, a sky full of twinkling stars, a deck overlooking the lake with the warmth of the sun on our backs, and wonderful conversation; five friends found it hard to pull ourselves away today to return to the cities and our upcoming Monday.
The beauty and scent of magnolias
With the warmth of the sun, our magnolia tree burst into bloom this past week. The delicate white petals broke from the catkins that had kept them safe throughout the winter. I spent a delightful evening photographing amongst the blossoms. Not only was it a feast for my eyes, but I was treated to the wonderful sweet smell that they give off. A slight breeze would stir and my senses were filled with the light aroma and the brightness of white surrounding me. Perhaps what makes the magnolias so special to me is the brevity with which they are in full bloom. As the week has passed, the wind and rain have already tossed many of the blossoms to the ground, and those that remain are no longer at their peak. Soon the flowers will all be gone and the tree will be covered in green leaves.
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