HappyDays – Week ThirtyThree
June feels like forever ago but there were some lovely days - smelling the linden flowers, meeting with friends, and family time.
Summer is blasting by - good thing I am taking photos because life keeps me occupied and finding time to write these days is like finding that elusive needle in that large haystack.
I saw a meme online yesterday and it was one of those where you see yourself too clearly and have to laugh “Don’t attack me like that”! 😆 Then there was a follow up and it also was me - totally depending on how things are going I guess. 🤷
AND then
June 23 – Day 226
I took this photo on the bike path by “Vleutensbaan” which is like one of the main bike ‘freeways’ in our neighborhood. I was so happy to see and smell these trees again because I first encountered these trees in Buenos Aires and wrote about them on my blog of the Trees of Buenos Aires in 2017. In English they are Linden trees, in Spanish they are Tilo and in Dutch they are Linde.
The smell is sweet and makes you think of perfume and carefree afternoons in the park. This smell is ephemeral and difficult to track down. But, if you look at the nearby trees as you pass you might notice tiny yellow-white flowers, hidden underneath the leaves. You have to look at the tree from underneath to get the full effect and to discover where this heady aroma is coming from.
June 24 – Day 227
I started my day getting a mammogram. Here in the NL they are done every two years once you turn 50. They probably stop around 65 or 70 or so - not sure about that. But, I was glad to have my checkup and get a letter in the mail saying I am all clear a week later.
June 25 – Day 228
This massive bush is in the nearby park - MaximaPark and is getting ready for its summer bounty. Not sure if the timing will work with our vacations, but these bushes always remind me of Bolinas - my hometown in California - as we spent every summer picking berries to make jams, pies and sometimes even ice cream.
June 26 – Day 229
Went to the lecture by Anne Applebaum for her book tour of Autocracy Inc with several women from the IWCU and it made me feel slightly better about the world. Yes Autocrats are rising but also people are resisting. Even though it wasn’t a protest, being amongst the large audience who held the same concerns made me feel part of a good community. Stay informed. I put that up on BlueSky and tagged Prof Applebaum and then she boosted that out to her followers. Always a bit of a thrill when people you respect interact with you online.
June 27 – Day 230
On the way back from morning school drop off the geese were all congregated at one spot. The babies are growing up into juveniles and soon everyone will fly away for the winter but for now the park is full with geese and their poop!
June 28 – Day 231
David and I got to hang out on Saturday night and we had a film-night of Wild Robot. We’d both seen it before it’s an instant classic and such a good story.
June 29 – Day 232
Santi made a delicious Asado on the back garden area and we had provoleta, choris and a lovely cut of meat. It was a delicious family Sunday lunch.
So many things are happening in the United States and it’s all overwhelming and runs together. But it’s very very worrying and I hope that everyone stays safe and healthy.
Lovely letter Bea. Always wondered about the Linden Trees. MXM