criplomats

Spent Monday getting packed and the house ready to leave, taking a break for a gin and tonic with David and Alison. A wonderful storm came through Monday night and I sat on the porch listening to the rain and enjoying the cool wind.

Tuesday was a travel day and I arrived back in Guyana in the wee hours of Wednesday morning, happy to see John (who was sweet enough to wait up for me).

I spent the rest of the week just getting settled back in and watching French Open tennis. I enjoyed watching Brazil’s Fonseca beat Djokavic – we saw Fonseca win the Argentine Open last year. I finished “The Mad Wife” by Meagan Church and “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy. John and I are still enjoying “Better Call Saul” and are almost finished with the series.

Pam drove down Friday evening for a Scrabble weekend. We had a lot of fun and did more talking and birdwatching than playing Scrabble.

The rest of the week was filled with appointments, including going to a hair appointment in Maumelle – it rained most of the way there and back. Sadly our A/C is on the blink, so I’ve been sweating it out at home – hopefully the part they need will come in soon. I went out on a fun boat ride/picnic with David and Alison earlier in the week, then helped Alison clean the boat.

Pam and I watched the delightful movie, “Remarkably Bright Creatures.” I had listened to the audio book a while back and liked the book, but I really enjoyed the movie more.

Here’s a photo from last weekend’s wedding:

I met John in Fayetteville on Friday to attend his nephew’s wedding. It was a quick trip for John – in on Friday and out on Monday. We had a fun weekend: out for a nice dinner with his mom on Friday; an afternoon BBQ at his brother’s house on Saturday; and the wedding on Sunday afternoon at a very pretty venue in Bentonville (just down the street from Sam Walton’s original store). We really enjoyed visiting with Phillip’s friends over the weekend; I had met them briefly years and years ago. We also liked getting to know the bride’s parents who made the trip from Germany.

Earlier in the week I visited more with James and Marybeth, did some shopping, went to a doctor’s appointment in Little Rock, and took care of some things around the house. I went out Wednesday night running around and to dinner with Alison and Peewee which is always fun.

I finished reading “A Far-Flung Life” by M.L. Stedman.

When I got home Monday afternoon, I found this amazing summer tanager at the suet feeder.

I flew back to Hot Springs Tuesday night, arriving Wednesday mid-day. Cousins James and Marybeth arrived later in the day and are staying with me while they attend his 60th high school reunion activities. We took BBQ to David and Alison’s Wednesday night, then we all crashed after a long travel day. . The weather here is gorgeous – not too hot, everything’s in bloom, and there’s a nice breeze off the lake.

I’ve done some clothes shopping and am taking care of some appointments, so I haven’t had a lot of downtime. Scott and Julie came for happy hour Thursday night. I enjoyed sitting outside at David and Alison’s last evening, eating grilled salmon and feeling the breeze. I’ve gone to yoga twice at the new studio and it’s great, although I miss Karen, who has retired to Fayetteville.

I re-read “Vladimir” and started “A Far-Flung Life” by M.L. Stedman (set in Australia). I’ve been watching “Imperfect Women.”

I helped this little guy across the road this morning while I was out for a walk. He was small! Probably a young one. I thought at first that he was dead because he was slow to pull his head in when I picked him up. As I looped back home, he was still sitting in the same spot where I left him, so I went back to check on him a couple of hours later, armed with water and apples, but he was gone! I hope he’s ok!

I finally managed to get over my cold in time to celebrate the Europe Day reception this week. The EU Ambassador is one of my favorite people and he put on a great party to celebrate the founding of the EU in 1950.

Tuesday was a local holiday, so Mellisa and Joe, two of the officers who work with John, came over for breakfast. Mellisa and I did a quick walk around the neighborhood first to get in a little birding. We all sat at the table and yakked for over three hours – I really like both of them a lot and it was fun to have a leisurely, casual morning with them. Later in the day, a fellow from the vet’s office stopped by to pick up all of Flavia’s food we had left. He volunteers with a local rescue group and was happy to see cases and cases of food that can help cats in need here.

Friday was my birthday! I had a nice, quiet day, and we celebrated by ordering pizza and watching “Better Call Saul” (my request). We were going to go out for lunch today at my favorite steak restaurant, but we ended up canceling the reservation after we saw their Mother’s Day ads for “Live Music!” & “Kids Eat Free!” (My good friends will understand!). I was happy to get birthday wishes from friends and family near and far. I had a good call with cousin James, and I especially enjoyed a catch-up email from Lynn, a long-time friend from my Nuvell and golfing days.