I picked rowan and elder berries and made a jelly to have with meats in winter. The tomatoes are plentiful finally and the raspberries and blackberries have been a delight. Late but appreciated.
My cousin Maria, aka Mishka, visited last month with two of her daughters and one son-in-law. We had just been to the youngest daughter's wedding in Florida in November. Mishka and I were closest in age among the cousins growing up in Philly and we were pretty close. She was my favourite cousin and her daughters became my favourite second cousins: the 'Mishky', Ara, Lesia and Talia, but Lesia couldn't come. It was great fun showing them around, but at only two nights and one full day, a whirlwind!
Mishka was born en route, the daughter of my father's brother. She spent her early years in Australia before they joined us in the US. She worked at the UN translating Spanish to English in her early career. She married a Ukrainian-Venezuelan doctor and move south where the girls were born. They escaped there when the dictatorship took over, leaving everything behind and starting over in Florida.
It was really lovely having them stay with us. A Ukrainian multinational family. Lots of love!
And our first (and probably only) picnic on Inishoo in 2024. We caught two mackerel and no lobster, but the burgers and potatoes were a treat.
So much change this week. Biden is out, Kamala Harris is in. We have a more normal weather pattern, with sunshine alternating with showers. We've gotten out on the Bay again. The earth is breathing a sigh of relief. The grapes are growing. The donkeys are settling in. The Olympics are on in gay Paris. Life is good. And no one believes that I am 70.
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| 29 June 2024, 70 years on earth! |
When I was a young woman in the 1970s, we lived by the mantra "better to burn out than to rust". Consequently, I never imagined I could live to 70, but here I am. Yesterday was my 70th birthday. A 70th birthday is traditionally associated with platinum. Platinum symbolizes endurance, strength, and the precious nature of reaching this significant milestone in life. Honestly, I like being 70 better than I liked being 30.
At 30 you stress about everything: personal achievement, family, fulfillment, bucket lists, and money. At 70, I am so past all of that. I have nothing to prove, I've done interesting things, I've made enough money to live on, and I've built a fulfilling life with someone I really love. I am enjoying freedom.
I'm hoping for at least 20 more healthy years which would mean a few more than I've already spent in Ireland. That would ensure that I could spend many years enjoying what we've built here, and it's a lovely home that I am very proud to be the caretaker of for a while.
When Alex asked me if I wanted to go out to dinner for my birthday, I said, "Yes, in Endinburgh." I thought a small adventure would be in order and I've had the desire to book short trips from Knock Airport which tend to be easy. I booked two nights in a hotel with a view of Edinburgh Castle, dinner at French and Thai restaurants and a visit to the castle before flying back home. We got to the airport and settled in. But no announcements were forthcoming. Then they announced a delay but not how long. Then they announced in the app a delay of about an hour. That would be okay. But an hour passed and there was still no plane. When it looked like we'd be delayed as long as 3 hours, we decided to bail out as there was no way we'd make it in time for any dinner anywhere. We cancelled as much as we could and drove home.
On the way home, I managed to make a reservation for dinner at An Port Mor as they'd had a last-minute cancellation. Success! We had a wonderful three-course dinner (the only menu they now have -- no more a la carte). Back home to watch a movie with the kitties and an aperitif of Grey Goose. Slept in our own bed, the best place on earth.
So at 70, I am still learning lessons. Do not trust an air bus service with your big events. And don't be disappointed if you try and fail. Things fall into place. I tried to make my 70th memorable, and indeed it was.
Time for another reinvention. What do I want to do with the next decade?
The Anthropocene is sometimes used to describe the time during which humans have had a substantial impact on our planet. Whether or not we are in a new geological age, we are part of a complex, global system and the evidence of our impact on it has become clear.
