My dear friend died at the end of May after a long bout with cancer. During her life, she organized trips around the world from Antarctica to Nova Scotia to Russia to China and many places between. This lady loved to research and plan trips. She held a master’s degree in History and as a long time teacher of high school and college students, she also taught her fellow travelers about the history of every place she visited.
I was privileged to travel with her to seven countries, seven states, and two Caribbean islands over a fifteen year period. She also shared many trips with her sister and her nieces.
June was lost time vacillating between tears of loss and celebrating our many adventures. Other friends ask me, “where’s your next trip?” It feels odd to think about traveling without her, but her sister wants to plant a “memorial” trip in her honor. There will be more about that trip as it unfolds.
Today, I’m celebrating the flowers of early summer, like the pink rose above and the yellow rose below. Yellow roses grew in my parents’ yard. I snagged a clipping before they moved to town in 1982. This tough rose keeps coming back every June, regardless of how cold the winter.
The California poppies bloomed with gusto this year as well.
The peonies in the featured image above bloomed just in time for my friend’s memorial service. I took peonies to decorate my parents’ graves on Memorial Day, as well.
July begins hot with temperatures in the mid-nineties but promises to be a good month.
LLZ Ranch 