HappyDays – Week ThirtyTwo
This week, we had end-of year picnics, continued to celebrate Pride while enjoying some relaxing pleasures like the nearby lake in early-summer.
Back to the routine of life at home and trying not to exclaim “What now?” when looking at my phone. We are working on an experiment of looking at the news only on odd days. It’s difficult, but does seem to help a bit with the noise of external life which buzzes louder and louder.
June 16 – Day 219
My brother asked me a question which led me to reminisce about rescuing Pica which then led me to take this photo of him almost 13 years after we found and rescued each other in Buenos Aires. He has taken to sitting in this chair next to me as I work from home. He likes to be close by but not right next to me.
That afternoon there was a Spanish student family picnic for the end of the school year. I had organized to give a gift card and some local beer to the teacher to thank him for leading our children through Monday afternoons in Spanish this past year. It was nice to hang out with other parents of kids who were learning Spanish. Most were from Spain, but some were Dutchies married to Spaniards and there was one other Argentine - Spanish descendent like our family.
June 17 – Day 220

Mum & Dad were in Paris last week as my father gave a lecture at the Cinemetheque. They were supposed to go back home on Monday but had to leave the next day due to “security issues”, so was super glad to see this photo of them enjoying a beautiful picnic on their back balcony safe and sound in London.
June 18 – Day 221
I was busy doing “busy work” for work but did get outside a bit. The lavender in the garden isn’t straight but sure is pretty.
June 19 – Day 222
June is Pride month and this is the third year in a row I have put up a pride flag at our house and I’m happy to report that this year our house was not alone on the street. Always feels better when you’re not the only one making a statement.
June 20 – Day 223
Santi made this glorious gluten-free sourdough bread on Friday evening. I came home from an evening out to the wonderful smell of freshly made bread.
Friday started and ended with me in the water. I went swimming in the pool before work and ended the evening in the spa. I was supposed to go with a friend, but she cancelled and so I ended up going myself. I took some books and just read, relaxed, and had a G&T with nachos while laying on a sun chair reading as the summer solstice sun slowly set before heading into the saunas and the water where I floated aimlessly around. It wasn’t exactly this photo but it was pretty darned good.

June 21 – Day 224
Saturday was a pretty lazy day at home. We had a lovely breakfast of Santi’s bread and scrambled eggs and later I went to the neighbor’s to take care of their cat. I caught a beautiful image of the cat in the lavender garden out back.
A simple 4 part story. DH made a gorgeous loaf of gluten free sourdough bread and used his father’s day gift to perfectly cut up the loaf for a delicious morning breakfast. Thank you to a friend for the indirect recommendation! Such a great slicer - from Germany.
— Beatrice Murch ❌👑 (@murchstudio.com) 2025-06-21T12:12:24.339Z
Taking care of the neighbors’ cat and their garden is full of lavender. I wanted to get a shot of the bees but got a shot of the cat instead. What a beautiful start to the day.
— Beatrice Murch ❌👑 (@murchstudio.com) 2025-06-21T09:08:33.937Z
June 22 – Day 225
Sunday morning I went to the nearby lake and swam 1,14km to the end of the lake and back in 46 mins. Saturday was a really hot day and it didn’t really cool down overnight, so the water was just lovely to swim in during the morning. The clouds were coming in and it cooled off considerably throughout the day, so was super glad to have made the effort to leave the house by 8:30 on Sunday morning for a gorgeous morning’s exercise.
Friday night when I came home from the spa all relaxed and happy, Santi played and sung the song “Nada fue un error” for me. He’s been learning for four months - he bought a used guitar from a friend in February - and I am so impressed. I look forward to when we play and sing together.
What a lovely week Bea. Loving the bread, the flowers and the swimming and teh cats too. Thanks for the photos and the letter mxm