Yeah, as much as I wanted to – I mentally and physically could not blog since my last post. Rather than make myself feel bad about it, I embraced it as a time to live in my feelings (which was a slight depression; my summertime sadness) and put pen to paper and journal through it. I did meet with my therapist a couple of times, and her suggestion was for me to really try journaling. So, that is what I did and each day or couple of days that I would journal I could feel some sense of control (not sure that is the right word, but for now that is what I’ll go with) of myself. “Myself” is Dianne but a wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt, manager, co-worker, friend… Today as I put a post on Instagram of Amelia’s plants surrounding a peaceful buddha statue, I clicked on the link to my blog and read the last installment. That’s who I am, all of those pictures and words, that’s me. Reading it reminded me of why I wanted this, to see my family reflected in the posts, moments with my dad and I decided to ‘snap out of it’! So here I am with a bunch of photos and memories from this stressful summer that reminded me “we are living the good life” and that includes the ups and downs. How else would life be as sweet as it can be without having to struggle a little (or a lot, as I know people do).
JUNE
One of the last days of May to kick off my summer blog was a lunch at our favorite Richmond spot, Union Market. Super thankful for these three people.
I was really proud of my youngest nephew (and he is the youngest cousin as well!) and his best friend for driving alllllll the way from Long Island to Virginia for a visit. I can remember the first time I drove from Virginia to Long Island, it was the summer between high school and college and I drove the Pinto following my dad in his Dodge Ram Charger. Once we got to the Southern State Parkways twists and hills I was ready to be DONE! But Colin and Carleigh did amazing, they came right to Opa’s house and into the pool! Even though they didn’t have jet lag LOL being outside in the sun is the best way to wake up, especially after a 6 hour dark drive in the car.
We had a great “Aunt Dianne’s Wellness Retreat” that was custom designed for my visitors, music, coffee, shopping, sight seeing, cousins – they got to do it all.
We took the history trolley around Fredericksburg one drizzly afternoon, down to Richmond for a day of cousin hugs, shopping at Ashby, all the Carytown shops, me trying out the camping cot (wow was it comfortable!!!) and early dinner (JB got off work in time to join us!).
Once back in Fredericksburg we had a day of shopping downtown at all of the antiques stores – looking through records (Carleigh got lots of great stuff) eating lunch at Sammy T’s and then it was time for them to head back north in time for Colin to start his summer job as a camp counselor to the youngest group, a group that inspired him to change his major and study to become an early grades teacher, following in the steps of his mom and many of our Gordon clan. Once again, I am so flattered that young people chose to visit me for their little vacation, I love having them here.
Iris ready for Jersey Mike’s night. So funny, the very first photo I have of Iris is similar to this one. (and today as I write is Thursday so once again, it is JERSEY MIKE’S NIGHT in real time WOOHOO!)
JULY
July started out right, it is a celebratory month for our family because both Amelia and Jillian were born in July! I worked at Dragonfly on the 4th and wore my Blue Ridge Wildlife Center shirt and one of the students brought me some peaches from his property (HOW SWEET!) The next day Mike and I had a fantastic friend visit at Caroline’s for a brunch where I wore a cute jumper/Ashby find from my personal shopper, Jillian and of course the artist Caroline set a gorgeous table with the most nutritious, delicious food and drink.
My dad has been hanging in there, he is strong and SD takes amazing care of everything – so when the cardiologist recommended a procedure, we went for it! Denise came down to be here for it and I am so glad that she did. We had a great daddy/daughters day the day before, he got his haircut, we went for a drive to the Gardening Gays Farm and got some flowers and t-shirts and readied ourselves for the next day at the hospital.
The procedure went very well, they took care of his ticker and he was discharged a couple of hours later, we got him home, got his medicine and SD took it from there. She said he had a great night and when we went back to visit him the next day, it was like NOTHING EVER HAPPENED! He was in perfect shape, in a great mood and we were so relieved.
We got to decompress in the treehouse on Amelia’s cute chairs that I’m babysitting, hang out with Uli and then down to Richmond for birthday breakfast with Jillian, JB and Amelia before Denise caught a flight out of Richmond directly to Islip. Quick trip with a purpose, she’d be back in no time.
Uli had his annual exam in July as he does since it was July 2022 that we adopted this good boy!! As much as we have worked with him about his separation anxiety there are a couple of known stressors that we’ve tried to tackle and one of them is going to the vet. Last year his vet suggested that THIS year we give him some medicine for his nerves so for the first time, he got some chill pills the night before and the morning of his visit. He was aware but a little out of it, he still was able to get his muzzle off, poor guy, but after his appointment he slept ALL DAY and NIGHT and the next day he was back to normal.
AUGUST
Here we are, now today is 8/20 (JB’s birthday!!) and looking back over the summer of stress I can see so much more than what I was freaking out over. It is a good practice for me that I intend to take to next summer (if my summertime sadness comes back, which it might but I’ll be better able to deal with it). The other stressor for Uli is when Mike goes on tour, I had forgotten that Uli had stress colitis the last time Mike was away and it hit him again this time. Mike and his band were in Europe, I was working (which meant Uli was off schedule completely even with the help of his favorite neighbors) so next tour I’ll have a plan in place so that my poor boy isn’t sick to his stomach worried that his dad is gone for good.
Sister time with Denise in August was all about restoration! Lots of time in the morning sun, in the treehouse, going to Kilmarnock and then Belle Isle State Park where Denise and I kayaked and saw two HUGE Great Blue Herons and even heard their call, which neither of us could remember ever hearing before. Lots of little crabbies in the marsh that stuck up a claw like it was their middle finger as we paddled by. Back to visit our dad, with a bonus of her friend from middle school joining us for pool time. Downtown coffee, walks and just having some quiet was something that both of us needed. By the time Mike got back from tour, it was time for Denise to get back on the train where she headed north to Philly to meet up with her girls to see the Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age. I know that she had a fabulous vacation, she even said “going to Virginia is my vacation”
Deceased did a weeklong tour in northern Europe – three festivals and a club date – where they got to be treated like kings, eat well, sight see, play to HUGE and appreciative crowds AND PLAY ALONGSIDE SOME LEGENDS!!
And here is a mish mash of some photos from the summer, from the treehouse, and around the yard.
I was pretty crushed hearing the news of Glen Hansard‘s passing. In 2006, Mike read about a movie called “Once” and bought it for me because he said “it sounded like a movie you would love” and boy was he right. I loved it, Jillian loved it – it is such a sweet/bittersweet story with songs that gave me chills on first listen. The power and quiet between these two artists was really something spectacular. I cried reading each and every post from his family, friends, artists he’d worked with, artists that were inspired by him – his funeral service was stunning and sad, his last performance at a local pub the night before – all of it. Terribly sad, his partner and son will carry them in their hearts I know and the world will continue to love and honor him by sharing his music and recommending this movie. I cannot thank Mike enough for thinking of me when he hears, reads or sees something I will enjoy. He is always right and I am always thankful.
I think that has me all caught up. Be peaceful, deal with stress in healthy ways, love your people and animals and be an awesome person. Bye for now!
DiForYou 