Weekend Recap, June2

Row 1: graduation day | study break | sad saturday; Row 2: game night | sunday in the garden | cake; Row 3: supper club view | spring evening

Well all I have to show for our weekend of Latin exams (3 hours long, thank you very much), baseball losses and gorgeous scenery is a killer migraine this morning. And I didn't even take the Latin exam! Sometimes these crystal clear, low-humidity days are the worst for me. Cal is elbow deep in science as I write this, and I really hate exams. We came home from Supper Club last night, and he said, "I just can't bring myself to study any more." Oh honey. I get it. Trying to focus on these last, gloriously beautiful days of school is HARD.

Over the weekend our city lost one of its police officers in the line of duty. We're a small enough town that these things are keenly felt. Also killed in this rampage was a 17 year old boy, on his way home from watching his friends graduate from high school. He was just driving his car when the suspect, who was shooting randomly from his own car, shot and killed him. There's a definite pall over the city right now, and every one feels touched and humbled by the news. I was glad to see the flags at half-staff at Cal's ball game. Sad days, indeed.

We spent Sunday evening along the river at our supper club. It was glorious! Just a wonderful, fun evening with people who have become friends. And the theme? Well, I'll tell you all about it, but it was awesome! My American friends will get it immediately. Other than that, there might be some explaining to do!

five things, may 30

1. I think this last big push at the end of the school year is HARD. Kids are already worn out. Parents are already worn out. And then exams. Cal has history behind him, English today, and he's taking his Latin exam tomorrow. Yikes! After that, science and math and we're home free. Summer here we come.

2. I think what's nice about exam time is driving three smart boys home and listening them compare how hard their exams were and what they wrote their essays on. Which society had more influence and historical significance, the Greeks or Romans? (for the 8th graders) Analyze how immigration changed in the US after World War II using 12 selected speeches and photos as examples. (for the 10th grader) Color me impressed.

3. I think I actually haven't given much thought to summer, and that's bad. Somewhere I saw a hashtag about #92daysofsummer, and while intriguing, I can't remember what it's about. I always have such great, grand plans for us (and I've listed them here in the past), but this year I might just go with the flow. How has that worked out for anybody?

4. I think that many of us, aside from being united by so many other things (I mean, we read each other's blogs every day, right?), are united in our disdain of the humble green pepper. This was something I have always been hesitant to admit until I saw Nigella Lawson on the Today Show many years ago. She mentioned that she didn't like green pepper, and Katie Couric quickly concurred. She didn't like green peppers either. Nigella then said, "They're really just unripe peppers," and suddenly I was okay. Everything was okay.

5. I think this photo is one of the reasons I love this month's issue of MSL. Berry Biscuit Cobbler, or something like that. It was easy, it was tasty and it's pretty. Met all of my requirements.