Yesterday was cloudy with on and off showers, today more of the same. I love grey, overcast, rainy days!! Yesterday I played tennis for the first time in probably 30 years and it was fun!!! Of course, today my body is complaining, but it really felt good so I think I'll continue. Sort of fell off the exercise wagon for a few years, so I'm thinking any exercise is a good thing. Next time I will wear sneakers though, instead of work boots.
In one way, it was a first time experience, as I had never played doubles in the past. After turning 60 last month, it was encouraging to find I could somewhat hold my own, playing against my two sons, and partnering with the younger son's girlfriend. We were technically there to oversee my 2 eldest grandsons, who were at a local street fair to be picked up later, so with no grandchildren and their cadre of cousins and friends within earshot, I was able to say at one point to my sons, "You have all the balls." I know, bad tennis pun but also the truth and it was my turn to serve. I had watched the girlfriend, who said she only played tennis up until college but had metal racquets with her name on them, in carrying cases, plus a slow, deliberate killer serve. When I was young, I played basketball, volleyball, and softball as a pitcher. So, with all that in mind, I nervously tried to serve when a refrain from a Bob Dylan song came wafting through my brain and out of my mouth, ..."Now it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you're gonna have to serve somebody..."
In other news, I had an invitation to submit artwork for a three month show. I decided to use one of my write-ups and a photo I took during daylight of my rust garden. There was no size limitation, so I went for 27x40 inches, and with the help of my son and the local print center, I pulled it off. Looks like a page from a large book. The opening was this past Friday night and I was accompanied by my mother, my husband, my sons and the girlfriend. The classical guitarist Giovanni DeChiaro, who performed, turned out to be incredibly good in addition to giving a story or some history prior to playing each piece. He had a talent for that as well, with a quirky sense of humor. His story regarding how he got to play for Pope John Paul II was hilarious. To give you an idea of his versatility, these are the musical selections he transcribed and played:
Cancion de Lladre by John Duarte
Ave Maria by Franz Schubert
Leyenda de Asturias by Isaac Albeniz
Minuet (Le Tombeau de Couperin) by Maurice Ravel
Crush Collision March by Scott Joplin
Non-Pareil by Scott Joplin
Rhosymedre by Ralph Vaughn-Williams
Gran Jota de Aragoneza by Francisco Tarrega
Ending on the garden front, despite the wacky weather, I managed to get the vegetable garden that stood last year waist-high with weeds, rototilled by my son. I planted whatever seed packets I bought last year and didn't have time to plant, then hoped for the best. I now have yellow beans, yellow squash, leaf lettuce, radishes and parsley growing. I also have window boxes and various containers with flowers, but I bought those in flats, started in a greenhouse somewhere in Canada. Next week, my mother and I will go on our yearly Veterans Hospital greenhouse shopping trip for tomato and perennials and lunch in the Foxhole Cafe.
If this seems like all is well, for now I'm self-censoring and trying to be careful, grateful, even mildly at peace, despite the down times and drama. You know, the times when living it is so draining that even the thought of writing and/or ranting about it, tires you out. Thanks to those of you who listened in the past few months and encouraged me; I hope you know who you are.