Dropout – May 24

These long, cooler than usual May days are great for getting things done, but terrible for blogging. I am so exhausted at the end of each day that I just postpone writing, and the weight of the wait piles on. It is tempting to simply drop out, walk away, as I have been inclined to do about many things… But once again, I will try to pick up after almost a fortnight’s absence!

We love living here, and the sight of happy horses grazing always makes the expense and the work worthwhile. Recently, we have actually ridden those happy horses, which is even more fun than looking at them.

This week, high school classmates (some of whom were classmates since we were 6!) had a get together to celebrate our big birthdays as we turn 70. It doesn’t feel so long ago we were all excited about turning 16 and driving…

I have assiduously avoided reunions until recently, disgraced by being a dropout, amongst many reasons. Though I was conflicted about going, it was strangely delightful to see these women whose lives have followed different paths from that long ago high school, where we danced the Maypole. The girls we were are still evident to us. I took some pictures…

Last Friday (eight days ago), St. Louis was hit by a tornado. The devastation is shocking. Out here, the sky grew ominous, there was some wind, and a few raindrops. I was oblivious of storms nearby until I received some pictures from Louise, who lives in the Central West End of St. Louis. Earlier this Spring, her son’s house was damaged by a tornado in Arkansas. Now a tornado at her own home. One of the glories of St. Louis has always been the magnificent trees. Very many of them are down and we will not live to see their replacements achieve century size. North St. Louis, which is mired in poverty, received monstrous damage and five deaths. As if that part of the city didn’t have enough problems… And beautiful Forest Park has lost unimaginable numbers of trees. We, who were unaffected, and all who survived, are grateful, but very sad.

In better news, this has been a banner year for strawberries here.

Though I have not had the energy to blog, I have taken plenty of pictures.

And that is all I have time for this evening. I will aim for more tomorrow…

Be safe, be well, be grateful. Slava Ukraini! Peace…