Monday Musings

 

Some calendars say yesterday was the first day of Summer. 

Some say today.

Either way:  it's now officially SUMMER SEASON!  I love June-mid-November and I'm thrilled that June, here in eastern NYS, has been glorious.   This is the last week of school for our elementary students here in New York, and the week of the state exams for the high school kids.  Graduation is either Friday evening or Saturday depending on what district you live in.  Then the public schools will be on break until after Labor Day (unless the child needs special ed services).  I do not miss teaching summer school! 

How is your Monday so far? Here's my musings for the day.....I took many of these prompts from The Simple Woman Daybook. she no longer does this but I enjoy the writing meme. 

Monday 22 June 2026
8:45 AM

OUTSIDE MY WINDOW:  it is partly sunny and is supposed to rain this afternoon. Lots of clover in our front and backyards now that it's the end of June. We don't treat with chemicals so we allow our yard to be more "meadow" like and a natural gathering for the family of bunnies that seem to live under our shed.  We have chipmunks, squirrels and so many birds. In fact, our suet feeder was emptied in just 2 days this weekend!  Our free standing birdfeeder, back by the shed is seeing a lot of action this morning to from bluejays, cardinals, nuthatches, a downy woodpecker and many red winged blackbirds and wrens. Robins are flitting to and fro and finding worms in the ground over by the kayaks. 

I am thankful for:  my two daughters Courtney and Claire for blessing Dave yesterday on father's day.  they wrote beautiful tributes to him in very nice cards. 

From the kitchen:  I think today will be vegan "steak" (plant based beef tips by Beyond Meat) with stir fry veggies and pita bread.  For lunch, Dave is having leftover Chicken Curry I made Friday evening and my lunch is usually just fruit and a protein bar. 

I am creating: the August hiking list for my group SoulSteps 

I am going: to the grocery store this morning and later to my youngest daughter's apartment (I think).  I might go on an outdoor walk if it doesn't rain.  

I am wearing:  Dark denim capri jeans; a floral bohemian style shirt with dark blue background, white edging on the bottom of the 3/4 sleeves and dark purple/ dark pinkish red/yellow flowers; my wedding rings; a dark blue gemstone ring, dark red drop earrings, and magenta toe nail polish. My foot wear for the grocery store will be my white leather Toms sneakers. 

I am hoping:  my daughter Claire will be home this afternoon so I can go have a cup of tea with her and see how she's newly arranged her apartment. 

I am hearing: the thwack of a ball against my neighbor's fence as he takes a break from work and plays with his dog; some cardinals and robins in the yard, the hum of the dryer through the vent (I'm on my deck). I can also hear traffic on the interstate this morning. 

Around the house: Dave works from home on Mon/Fri's so he's upstairs on a conference call; I have grocery shopping to do; I need to vaccum and mop the dining room; I have to collect all the trash from around the house and set out the garbage and recycling bins; and I have to start packing for our vacation trip! 

One of my favorite things: the smell of summer rain 

I am reading: The Lying Game by Ruth Ware; Beyond the High Peaks by Walt McLaughlin and Im still making my way through the Chronological Bible. I'm currently. 

A few plans for the rest of the week: a trip to the library to return a book; the post office to mail a bill and put a stop on the mail for the week we are gone; a hike in Vermont on Wed; a coffee date with my friends Maggie and Jill so we can choose an Air BnB for our Autumn Girls Retreat on Cape Cod! I also have to stick around the house all day Thursday as the gas range installer is coming sometime that day with our new stove and Friday will be a day to pick up last minute items needed for our ocean vacation. 

Here's a picture thought I'm sharing with you: 

HAPPY MONDAY!

Saturday Nine Meme: Father's Day!

I'm joining in with other bloggers to answer the random Nine questions found at this blog site. 

Join us!! I liked the questions this week.  Thanks Sam for another awesome meme! 

Saturday 9: The Men in My Little Girl's Life (1965)

 

 Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. Chosen for Father's Day.

1) In this song, a father shares the story of his daughter's life through first the boys, then the men, she brought home. The first is Rod, a little kid who wants to play in the backyard. Who were your playmates when you were young? Did you find it more fun to have them over to your home, or to go to theirs?

When I was in kindergarten and 1st grade I had 3 "best friends":  Bobby C, a little boy whose mom was friends with my mom and they lived on the hill behind the school which housed the kindergarten and 1st grade for my end of the village; Donna (we continue to be friends today) who lived behind the woods which was behind my childhood home; Jean (aka Leora Jean) who was the youngest of 5 girls and their dad was my childhood pastor. Bobby and Donna and I walked to school together often until he died suddenly from some kind of rare disease when we were in 7th grade. I was very sad. Jean moved away to another NYS town when I was in 4th grade but we got together every summer at church camp and often for sleepovers at each other's homes or when I was up to my family camp. We continue to be online friends as she now lives in NC. 

From 2nd grade-12th grade my best friends were Donna, Cheryl, Lori, Gail, David P( we are still in touch and he lives in VA) , David D (the first boy who kissed me and who now lives with his husband  in Florida,  Dan B (now passed), Frances (we've lost touch), Ann (we are still in touch and she now lives in Ohio), Eddie Jr ("bummy" who now lives in WA and we are no longer in touch), Jonathan (we were scripture memory rivals in SS and we are no longer in touch; he is a prof at Houghton College).  Those were my childhood pals. 

We were rarely home....we took turns playing in each others' backyards but usually you'd find us on our bikes up to Brookwood Park (about 2 miles from my house) or down at the West Canada Creek. We were always outdoors exploring. 

2) Then his daughter asked if Lee could carry her books on the walk to/from school. During your junior high years, how did you travel to school (bus, bicycle, car pool, shoe leather)?

From K-12th I had to walk to school unless the temps were below 15 degrees F and then sometimes Mom would give us rides to school. that was rare. We had to learn to suck it up and walk. My high school was 1 mile one way from my house. The Junior High was about half-way between my home and the high school.  I think it was about 6 blocks. 

 

3) Throughout this song, the father recalls that his daughter alternately called him "Daddy," "Dad," "Popsie," "Pop" and "Father." How did/do you address your father?

Daddy or Dad. He was also Grandpa M to my daughters. 

 

4) The song ends with the daughter asking her father to babysit. When did you last look after someone else's child?

Oh it's been awhile!  Probably the last time I babysat for someone's child (not  counting the numerous sleepovers my daughters had from ages 6-17) would be my friend Cheryl's son Michael when he and my oldest daughter were friends and were about 6 yrs old. The year would have been about 1999. She had some kind of appt and  dropped off Michael at my house. They are both 32 yrs old now and no longer in touch, although Cheryl and I still get together every couple of years. 

 

5) This record was a Top 10 hit in the US and it made the Top 20 in Canada. Much of its success was attributed to Mike Douglas' TV popularity. From 1965 to 1981, he hosted a daytime talk show. Do you watch much daytime TV?

No way. There are way too many other things to do that don't involve sitting mindlessly. I'm on the go alot during the day! 

 

6) Mike Douglas was a father himself. He had three daughters, including twins. Are there twins in your family? 

Not that I know of! but if I remember correctly, I think my brother in law is/was a twin.  (my youngest sister's husband). I think the twin died young or at birth. I honestly can't remember. 

 

Now about Father's Day ... 

 

7) Retail chains like O'Reilly Auto Parts, Auto Zone and Jiffy Lube are all promoting gift cards and car-related gifts for Father's Day. If you got a gift card from one of those stores, how would you upgrade your ride?

I wouldn't. I have a brand new 2025 Kia Soul so I'd give the gift card to Dave or one of my daughters. 

 

8) Dick's Sporting Goods also enjoys a spike in gift card sales around Father's Day. Have you more recently given or received a gift card?

I just bought a gift card for my oldest daughter's boyfriend for his birthday this past week and I received a gift card 2 weeks ago from my small group ladies as a thank you for hosting. 

9) In days gone by, ties were the #1 Father's Day gift. But as today's workplace has become more casual, fragrance has taken over the top spot. Dove Men+Care offers gift sets with shampoo/conditioner, body wash and antiperspirant. Think about your shower routine. Are your shampoo, body wash and antiperspirant all the same brand or the same scent?

Typically they are: I use purple shampoo by Kristen Ess which is a light barely there floral scent.  I use that twice a week for my silver. And once a week I use Coconut shampoo by Raw Sugar.  My body wash this spring and summer is Peach by Bath and Body Shop or Coconut Vanilla by Native which matches my deodorant by Native. After a hike, I shower with Dial antibacterial soap, regular  scent. In the winter months, I tend to use a body moisturizer shower gel like Skin So Soft regular scent or the aloe scent. I also like citrus scents.  Most floral scents I am allergic to. 

Thanks for visiting!  Have a wonderful weekend!  And Happy Father's Day to the dads in your life. 

2026 Book Review #22:The Memory Thief

 

I had never heard of this author until I was browsing our library bookshelves and came across this novel.  The title is what drew me.  The photo art has nothing to do with the story, however. It's rather odd since it's set in Boulder, CO in the mountains. At any rate, it was a very different kind of story..... very original and very  creative.  

STORY SUMMARY

Aiden James (A.J.) is a mountaineer.  He rock climbs, ice climbs, and is a huge risk taker. He's married to Madeleine (Maddie)  Kimble and they have a 4 year old little boy named Gabriel (Gabe). Maddie is a writer. They live in Boulder, CO. 

Aiden and his best friend J.C and a couple of other friends are planning on climbing Mount McKinley's south face.  (the highest mountain in North America and located in Alaska).  Before Aiden leaves, he makes a vow to Maddie: "I will come back to you".  Maddie does not feel good about him going. 

And sure enough....late one night..she gets the dreaded phone call that Aiden has died in an avalanche.  She is left alone to care for Gabe.....and Gabe has a very big secret.   The phone call is from J.C and he is feeling survivor's guilt......he also feels something more.  He has loved Maddie for years.  But he resigned himself to the fact that Maddie belongs to Aiden. And now, J.C. feels guilty that he couldn't save Aiden.  He always wanted a chance with Maddie but certainly not at the cost of his best friend's life! 

Meanwhile, across the country, Nicholas Sullivan wakes up from a coma from a motorcycle crash and he has absolutely no memory of his life before the crash.  The crash happened on the same day as the avalanche:  June 7th.  Nicholas has dreams and they are very haunting.  They are about a mysterious woman and her little boy....but Nicholas has never met them! He feels like he knows them however, and he is determined to figure out who they are and leave everything to go and find them. 

What Nicholas discovers will demand a leap of faith that will change off of their lives forever. 

MY THOUGHTS

This was a really different book from what I typically read.  It's a drama with a bit of mystique and a kind of "super-natural" bent but not in a Satanic kind of way.  More like an other wordly, angels among us kind of way. 

It's definitely very original and very creative! It's a bit haunting but not spooky. It's also very emotional. 

The character development is quite rich and the setting is so well described. I felt like I was on the mountain! I loved all of the characters except Grace who was so utterly annoying.  But maybe that was the point! (Grace was Nicholas'  girlfriend). 

This book is about memory, friendship, love, loss/grief, forgiveness. 

I had to keep turning page after page to find out what exactly was going to happen!

The ending is beautiful.  Sad...but beautiful. and yet happy.  All of those emotions that make for an excellent read. 

The one thing that was a turn off for me, was the very explicit s*x descriptions.  I understand why the author chose to write this explicitly but I find it to be a turn off. That part read like a cheesy, steamy  romance novel. 

I found only a couple of editing errors in this book. 

In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older (due to some explicit descriptions of s*xual encounters).  

On a scale of 1-10, I rate  this an 8. 

From the descriptions of the author's other novels, I probably won't read any more of her books. They're not my type of genre. 

Mid-June Faves

 

Can you believe we are on the last Friday/Saturday of Spring?

Summer begins on Sunday! 

June has been just glorious here in eastern New York State, other than those few very hot and humid days. This past week was much more the way I personally like it: zero humidity, temps in the 50s at night so no need for central air and daytime temps have been in upper 60s and 70s. So again, all windows have been open and fresh air flowing through the house. Makes for nicer days to do housework, gardening and outdoor activities. 

The weather has been a true blessing but I also have FIVE other things to share that top my list of FAVE things/events. 

Join in with us at Susanne's blog.  Leave a comment and I'll come by and read your list as well!

Keystone Arch Bridge
Berkshires, MA
13 June, Saturday

• HISTORIC HIKE:  I had a SoulSteps hike scheduled for Saturday the 13th.  Originally there were 9 members signed up.  One woman had to opt out due to her  elderly mom needing her and my daughter opted out as she wanted to get stuff done around her apartment. My husband also opted out as he had a work thing in the morning and wanted to get the yard work done before dinner. That left 6 of us.  I drove, and our new members, a married couple from Indonesia, met us at the trailhead.  It's located in the Berkshire Mts of MA and took about 1.5 hours to get there. My friend Anita brought her son Dylann who had just graduated from college.  The other passenger in my car was our good friend Dave D, who has been a SoulSteps member since I started the group in 2024. The trail we were hiking is this one.  You can read about the history of this famous railroad and arches by heading here.  None of us had hiked here in the past. It was a wonderful 5 miles!  We actually ended up hiking 5.4 miles because we took a couple of extra side trails to see all the old arches.  Our destination, or so we thought, was the photo above.  However, at the end of the trail, there was a sign stating that to see the very high arch, we had to drive to another town, go down a very narrow mountain road for 4 miles, go under the bridge, park about a half mile from the arch and hike back to take pics.  We did just that! I'm thankful this hike turned out to be a gem!  Here are a couple of my fave photos from the day: 

my fave part of the trail..
this is after hiking the first .9 miles

on top of the first arch/trestle that the trail goes over
this is after about a 1.5 miles in
l-r: Lisi, her husband Ridwan, and Dave D 

End of the trail
this is one of the original arches/trestles
 that the CSX railroad went over....this was built in the mid 1800s
that blue is the water below with the sky reflection 
this was as close as we could get to this arch
there were 3 other ones along the trail as well
and sadly, none of the others came out in my photos!

After hiking back the 2.5 miles, we drove to the other arch
l-r: me, Dylann, his mom Anita, Dave D. 
photo by Dave D and used with permission
Missing from photo: Ridwan and Lisi

• SUNDAY EVENING MOVIE DATE: Dave really wanted me to sit with him Sunday evening in the family room and have a movie date. He chose Song Sung Blue which was awesome because Neil Diamond has been one of my  all time fave singers since I was a teenager. I LOVE his music and the greatest hits are actually on my phone's playlist. The movie isn't about Neil Diamond though.  It's about the real couple (stage names are Thunder and Lightning)  who became a tribute band with a large following.  We loved this movie. Hugh Jackman was amazing as was Kate Hudson. If you like Neil Diamond's music, watch this movie and make sure you have tissues on hand. It's a tearjerker towards the end. HIGHLY recommend! (not for ages under 17 in my opinion, though). I'm thankful that my husband wanted a relaxing Sabbath day and that he bought yummy spiked limeade  as a treat. I had the cherry one and it was so refreshing! 

•  GARDEN DELIGHTS!  I'm so very thankful my rosebushes and the day lilies are blooming and thriving this year. Last year, I had some major issues with the roses.  I trimmed them way back in November and Dave took out two dead branches from the center of the bush and voila....this year, after applying the Neem oil, the roses are thriving! In the photo, they look almost white but they are actually a pale pink tea rose.  Also, for the first time ever, I decided to start from seeds, some buttercrunch lettuce back in April in a large deck pot. My sister warned me it probably wouldn't grow as she's never had luck with them from seeds. Well....this past week, I was finally able to pick some of the bigger leaves and add them to a  salad (shredded broccoli, green and red cabbage, scallions, carrots, radishes, sesame sticks, pecans, dried cranberries)  I was making.  The lettuce was perfectly "crisp" and I hope it continues to do well as summer  approaches. I'm thankful for fresh homegrown produce and pretty flowers! 

• REDUCING/RECYCLING: Yesterday, there was a tornado  watch for our area and points northwest. We had rain over night which was needed, and then partly sunny skies most of the day with very high winds so I stayed home and got stuff done around the house. One of those things was going through 2 old bins in our basement of some of my old books from childhood/old music from college. I also went through our living room bookcase and was able to donate 6 books altogether to a local thrift store. Besides the bag of books, I also had two other bags of outdated, not worn or just not used in more than a year clothing, tote bags,  towels, and decorative winter or holiday items. I drove them over before lunch and the woman there welcomed all three bags. I'm thankful I could reduce what has become "clutter" and also recycle some of the older music and the books that were falling apart.  

• DOWN TIME:  This week was my first week since early March where I had nothing on the calendar! Most unusual.  No appointments of any kind, no SoulSteps hikes to lead, no Bible study to lead, no class to attend, no coffee or lunch dates.  Monday evening, after we had sandwiches, we went over to Lowe's to buy/order a new gas range. I wrote about  my appliance anxiety here. (the reasons we had sandwiches for dinner? my oven completely died about a half hour before dinner and I had planned a dish that required  the oven!) Thankfully for Wed  I was  able to grill and Dave surprised me by taking me out to my fave diner last evening,  and for Tuesday's dinner,  I used the slow cooker.  At any rate, Dave wanted me to stick close to home this week and just relax but also to be available in case the installer calls with our new stove all ready to be hooked up. I'm thankful for extra time to focus on some different types of cleaning chores, to read at various times throughout the day, and to soak up the sunshine. I've also gone on lots of walks and have noticed that many places are beginning to decorate for our nations birthday.  I particularly liked this display at our town park. I'm thankful our town is displaying patriotic things, planning an Independence Day parade and also paying tribute to our many vets and the various Armed Forces in our nation. 

Flowers at the park in the south part of town 

Tribute to Veterans of the Armed Forces. 
Each unit has its own plaque: Coast Guard, Army, Navy,
Marines,  Air Force, and Marines Special Forces

New wreaths at the Veterans Memorial 

That wraps up my week of things to be grateful for!

What about you? What are you most thankful for this week?? 

ENJOY the last day of Spring/first day of Summer this weekend!