Linnea

Linnea is far right.

The parents of Linnea set out this morning driving across country to Providence, Rhode Island.  Linnea, our granddaughter, is graduating from Johnson & Wales University with a degree in culinary  arts and food science.

Big brother holding Linnea

For me it is impossible not to look back!

We, the photographer and I, will do our best to care for the dogs, the horse and the homestead in their  absence.  Wishing the entire time that we too could be there to witness the event.  However, we will follow the trip, and the special day in pictures and stories, texts and phone conversations.

Now contemplating, remembering and reflecting on a bright young life that seemingly just started "yesterday!"

For us, the old guard, time seems to pass with lightening speed.  A feeling most likely not shared with our third generation.

From the very moment this child was born there was a special sensibility about her.  A light!  A joy! A frilliness!  She revelled in pinks and purples from the get go, much to her a bit "tomboyish"  Mother's consternation!  She loved animals from the start!  Liking nothing more than horseback riding from the age of one!  Dogs, cats, calfs and goats, not forgetting feathered friends and of course people.

Now she is all grown up!

Ready to take on the world!

She is a "cowgirl", a mixologist, a barista, a world traveller, a great friend, a sister,  a cousin, a "foodie", an agility competitor,  she is talented,  beautiful, a girlfriend and a delight!

The world is her oyster!

Keep spreading that infectious smile! The world needs it!

Go get 'em Linnea!! Congratulations!

Thank God for flush toilettes!

Yes, as I go through my days the silliest, the most poignant and the most ridiculous thoughts pop into my head.
There is so much to be grateful for and often, quite often, I stop and think about how truly lucky we are.

Is it because I have lived a long life and have seen so many changes?  Having lived in situations where there was no in house WC, washing machine, dishwasher, or refrigerator?  No tumble dryer or automatic garage door openers.  Who knows?  The point is, I am thankful every day.

With family near by, friends in our neighbourhood, incredible weather, Garbo to love, Mister Cat to smile at, plants and herbs to tend to, food to cook, guests to entertain, the Photographer to share a life with, well; life is good!  So, these are some of the thoughts that flutter in and out of my head as I move through our day.

This morning when I got out of bed Garbo and the Photographer were out for a morning walk. While  I got to sleep late.   Fixed breakfast so it was ready when the two of them returned home.  Yes, Garbo ate an egg too!

The latest updates from Casa Palos include Garbo "graduating" from the Beginner Class in Rally. Where Tiffanie Moyano of "Dog Logic U" has so patiently guided both Garbo and her rather untrainable owner through the first segments of behaviour in the sport. Our instructor cheering us on with never ending praise and encouragement!  Garbo now owns a certificate to prove it!  We will soon start the next session of classes.  Garbo and her "Mom" really like the challenge, no matter how silly we might look out there!  Garbo is a Pyr not an Aussie.  Garbo's  owner is not Laura Pryse.  :-)

Last weekend I had the pleasure of hosting a Ladies Lunch for a few of the "girls" on our street.  What a fun group of women!  We ate, drank, and were merry!  Talked about everything from soup to nuts, our  world and politics.  Imagine that!

Looking forward we have the "future Chef's" graduation coming up in the end of May.  Her parents are presenting her with a car as a graduation present.  She will need it, as she will be working as an intern at the FDA in Baltimore for the next three months.  Let us see where life takes her after that?

Linnea is bottom center

We, who have watched her grow, all wonder where the time went?  How can it have gone by so fast?

In June we look forward to having guests from Getinge, Sweden for a few days.  Photographer Maria Berg of Allt Kan Grönska is bringing her family to the US on a discovery tour!  They plan to visit  various parts of the country with San Francisco as one of the cities of interest.  What a thrill it will be to have them here.  We hope they can squeeze in a lot of memories.

Tomorrow we celebrate Cinco de Mayo!  Time for some Margaritas and a Mexican fiesta!