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.
