Spring, A Goodbye, And A Missed Celebration

Spring has accelerated this week, with unseasonably warm weather. Overwhelmed with blossoms and birdsong, we have installed three new houses. There are two established bluebird houses, one near the barn, and one by the riding ring. Those, already occupied, are much appreciated. So, we put another traditional bluebird house in the septic drain field, a Peterson house in the field south of the house, and a bat house near the shed. Jane, too, has added two traditional bluebird houses and a downy woodpecker house! We have a Spring housing boom here. Alas, that is also happening with human housing nearby…

As we rode past Jane’s house, within just a few days of the installation, we saw a pair of bluebirds settling in! Here, the Peterson house has been appropriated by a pair of beautiful tree swallows! They may not be bluebirds, but they are a spectacular, iridescent blue themselves.

It has been a good week for riding, albeit sweaty. Winter coats have been rapidly shedding from humans and horses.

The horses have had plenty of Spring grass to balance the exercise (well, actually grass exceeds exercise these days).

Cats and dogs enjoy the Spring weather, too.

We have had a Full Pink Moon, accompanied by owl serenades, and we are blessed with beauty night and day.

Thursday was another glorious day, but it was a day of many tears. We bid adieu to Harry’s closest friend, Denny, who had been a high school pal at Country Day, then a roommate at Princeton, and had been in both of Harry’s weddings. Denny broke all the rules of healthy living and still made it to 80. His birthday celebration last October was a huge party, and his sendoff on Thursday was likewise, standing room only at Ladue Chapel, a beautiful church filled with light and countless friends from around the country. We were privileged to attend the burial of ashes prior to the service. Denny left us at a beautiful time year, with dogwood trees in blossom beneath a cloudless sky. We all placed tulips at his resting place. It was very moving.

The service was memorable, with two beautiful hymns sung by all the congregation, and the Lord’s Prayer sung by an astounding soloist. Denny loved opera, and her high notes were a credit to her and to Denny. There were three eulogies. Two of Denny’s children spoke, with Harry as the “closer”. I have seen Harry deliver several eulogies over the years, and this one was top tier. Knowing how much Harry loved and will miss Denny, made me appreciate his ability to put aside emotion, and perform. I do not have that talent, so I was weeping throughout.

After a long day, with sadness and gratitude well mixed, we returned to our animals and peace.

And then, the beautiful weather came to an end yesterday afternoon, with severe storms, including hail, and threats of tornadoes. We had planned to go north to Pike County for John’s surprise 80th birthday party, but we are too old to make such a drive in weather like that. We were sad to miss Karen and John, and other friends. The storms ushered in a miserable Sunday, but left an opportunity to catch up on blogging.

Be safe, be well. Slava Ukraini! Peace.