Rain and Sun

I think I did not post this photo, taken last week. These are Harvey's three daughters, Michelle and Rachael, the 25-year-old twins. And Laura, 22 months older! We are so proud of them all.


Dear friends and family,

Family, friends, music, work I love, nature burgeoning all around me—what more could anyone want? I want no more. I hear of other people's travels, and I do not envy them. I remember the travels we enjoyed over the years and am happy to say "Dianu," enough. We were iChatting with Michèle and Raymond this afternoon and recollecting our experiences in Greece, so many years ago, but quite fresh in our minds. They are going to be going there next Wednesday, for the first time. We went in February, when the weather was perfect and the almond trees were blooming—and we rarely came across a tourist.

Yesterday I have a lovely lunch at my favorite restaurant these days, Kiraku, a short walk from our house, with my oldest Long Island friend, Dottie. She doesn't drive anymore, so I picked her up, going to the old neighborhood about a mile away where we had lived from 1954-1959 and where she still lives. She had young children, we had young children (Arthur was born soon after we arrived), and our backyards had no barriers to keep the kids apart. It's wonderful to be with someone who knew my parents. And of course, I knew hers—and the rest of her family. I remember that her brother introduced us to watercress, which he would pick himself from local ponds. It was a great place for little children, with an enormous field a few steps away, and the beach very close too. Dottie and I reminisced and of course caught up on our children and grandchildren—and in her case great grandchildren.

Today was Sonia's day, and we did something different—beside the wash and the drying and bed making, plus the apple compote and the oatmeal, we went out shopping together. This saves Merwin from this chore; he is tired when he gets home from his radiation. He eats lunch and takes a nap, and today he does not have the shopping hanging over him. I got pasta, which Sonia made for me when we returned. Together we made eggplant, zucchini, onion, and garlic, all chopped in the Cuisinart and sauteed with peanut oil until tender and well blended. This will be a topping for the noodles for supper tonight. Tastes good. She does so much for me very efficiently: how will I do without her? I will have to manage, perhaps by adding another hour or two to Margaret's day if she can manage that. But that will hardly be the same.

Toby came to visit this afternoon, having taught her monthly autobiography course for seniors at NCC. We chatted and caught up with the news. After lots of rain and wind, by the time she left the sun was shining. I can see the first young leaves of the dogwood in my window, the tops of the forsythia which is still in bloom, and many green and red leaves all over. Maybe Merwin and I will go for a walk soon and see what else is blooming.

But right now I am ready for a rest.

Love to all,
Bernice