Confessions of a Grandma

 In a summer that has been so wet, Sunday was a reprieve. The humidity dropped and the sun came out. It was a day that could have been special ordered by the family of a friend's husband. It was the day they had arranged his celebration of life ceremony set on the shore of Lake Champlain. I was not looking forward to the gathering, even couched as a celebration. This is a family fraught with relationship tensions. It turned out to be a beautiful day and a beautiful ceremony. A Catholic priest gave a brief but meaningful homily and two Air Force members played "Taps" and presented the American flag to my friend. I am not a Christian, but I do know about Christ Consciousness. That priest's word's filled me with such a sense of peace and love. I hope it did the same for the family members and neighbors who attended.

 Vermont has made the news -- a disaster area from flooding. Of course there are localized areas that are just devasted with rivers overflowing flood stage and dams threatening to fail. Hundreds have been evacuated to higher ground. The news might give the impression that the entire state is under water. It has been rainy and I wish we could share with the places that need it so much. Mother Nature does seem to be on a rampage lately but there are still lots of people who think global warming is just a hoax. Things seem scary lately.

Along a local walking path two weeks ago. It's rained almost every day since -- showers more than persistent downpour. I expect today's walk will pass lush green vistas.  We stopped here a week ago -- a spot of sun between a quick shower and a brief downpour. We used to camp here, a favorite spot. Red clover, VT state flower