In May the weather became unseasonably cool.  It was wonderful for getting projects done but seemed to stunt the growing garden a bit.

In addition to the numbered list below I,

• Repaired the side wall of the porch where Charlie had saved us from a snake.
• Enjoyed cut flowers from the garden all month: azaleas, lilies of the valley, rhododendron, peonies, and roses, not to mention all my orchids are reblooming.
• Bought a new paper shredder.
• Completed the Yale Online Course Introduction to the New Testament History and Literature with Professor Dale B. Martin.

Here’s the goal list from the beginning of the month:

1. Make plans for a fall trip.
   

   Reynisfjara black sand beach is on our agenda.

   I have worked out all most of the details for a trip to Iceland this fall including purchasing plane tickets and booking accommodations.

2.  Remove one box from attic.  Another box is totally emptied and removed from the house.  It was a fun box to root through — letters and cards from me and my son to my mother and my grandmother when the boy was little.  Some were so funny and charming.
3. Repair dining room chair.  The sturdy repair of this chair was highly unlikely but I think we have achieved success.
   

   The chair is very sturdy now is set at my place at the dining room table lest it break again.

4.  Work on a shore house project.  This space should be a cozy alcove when it’s all finished furnishing some additional storage in the large under-bed drawers.
   

   A view from the far bedroom gives a good impression of the nook.

5.  See a movie:  Sleepless in Seattle. After seeing An Affair to Remember last month I was excited to watch S in S which have something in common.  I suggest you watch them in the order I did.  I had forgotten that S in S had such a great musical score.
6.  Read a book:  A Long Day’s Journey Into Night by Eugene O’Neill.  I read the disturbing but brilliant play in a few sittings.  I also watched the (almost 3-hour) movie starring Katharine Hepburn. It was intense. I would love to see this in the theatre with really good actors.
7.  NASCAR overnight trip with Charlie.  I booked an AirBnB the night before Charlie’s ride so we only needed to drive for about half an hour to Dover International Speedway.
   

   Charlie in the race car was a happy fellow.

   He enjoyed the short (6 laps) but thrilling ride.

8. Consolidate papers from house renovation.  I have been meaning to do this ever since the reno in 2013.  However, I was more inclined to throw certain papers away now which I would have held onto then. I have only a small pile of important papers remaining.  Charlie burned everything else since I jammed my overburdened shredder for the last time.
9. Pick a word to focus on for the month. My word: GROW.
10. Write a goal list for June, 2021.

Jo