June was a month of contradictions. Church or strip club? (More about this later) My nerves got the best of me, by now I act like a snapping turtle. Mostly calm on the outside but boy, if you come too close I will bite your head off if I get a chance.
The waiting for my husband’s colonoscopy is getting to me. The hospital postponed the appointment, and now it’s set to take place at the end of July. Three more weeks until we know if the result of the colon test was a false positive or else. May the universe give me patience -and the universe snickers!
June came along and our neighbors set their pool up and Screetchy, that’s how we nicknamed the little girl next door, didn’t disappoint. During the winter months she hasn’t lost her voice, now approximately nine years old, she still screams, screeches, yells, and shouts when in the water -or out of the water- just like last year.
As a child, I loved being in the water just as much as she does. The difference between now and then? I would have been killed if I had been that loud all day long, she however doesn’t get even scolded -other than by me, who mumbles quietly in the yard next door, sighs, and rolls her eyes quite a lot. This year I have help. Mr. Vader, our wonderful Doberman-Houndmix isn’t too keen about her screeching either, he goes to the fence and barks at her and her parents when they have another one of their neverending parties. I have instructions from the other neighbors, “Don’t you dare and make him stop,” and so I let him be, go inside, close the sliding glass door, and listen to angelic classic music or AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” whichever might come first to my mind. Sooner or later (rather later) we all will confront the neighbors we don’t even talk to, but now is not the time.
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My Alexa in my workroom has a new voice and sounds now like Crocodile Dundee, which amuses me. What can I say, I need distraction I suppose.
TV
I watched a Netflix series “One Day.” It was obvious that I had chosen just another Chickflick, something quiet and calming after my husband went to bed. A Girl at a college party somewhere in Scotland, I think it was Edinburgh, meets a boy, he walks her home, they end up in bed — and then everything changes. No sex! WTH? Instead, they talk and get to know each other. They spent the next day together, going hiking, and over a few episodes, and TV years, we the viewers follow their developing friendship and their life with great interest. The chemistry between the Indian girl and the blonde young man is very believable. The actors are great, and the storyline kept me engaged and entertained. I thought about my best friend Juergen, the gayest gay man I have ever met. He was in my life for about ten years and we had similar honest dialogues. Sadly he passed away too soon, before there was a cure for HIV.
Only best friends are allowed to be that brutal and set your head straight when it somehow gets twisted. “One Day” is enjoyable TV. I cried, I laughed, I felt sorry when it ended. The actors are wonderful. Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall, who I didn’t know, are brilliant -and may I ask for Amber Grappy’s phone number. I would like to invite her to our next BBQ or my birthday. What a fresh wind of air and what a bundle of pure joy.
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Movies
We had two movie nights in June, and both times we chose films that we liked a lot. “Arthur the King?” That’s an easy task. Do you have cats, dogs, or pets that you love? Good, go watch the movie!
The next film “Mr. Knox goes away.” When a contract killer has a rapidly evolving form of dementia, he is offered an opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son. Michael Keaton gives one of his best performances. The other actors Al Pacino, James Marsden, and Ray McKinnon, to name a few, are superb.
The storyline seems predictable at first, nevertheless, not all is as it seems. Is it ever? Well worth watching!
New Recipe
I found a recipe for a Loaded baked sweet potato with plant-based bacon crumbles and LIME-COCONUT CREAM. Goodness, what a treat.
It’s yummy, easy to make, filling, healthy, and vegan (or not).
Music
The soundtrack in the series “One Day” is great and one of the songs at the end of an episode sounded very familiar. Hello, ’80s! What was the title, and who sang it? It took me two days to find the song because Netflix in his infinite wisdom gives you the end credits -only if you click on it- but doesn’t bother with the songs and artists. WTH?
We found it and my husband, my partner in crime, my lover, and my best friend, was clueless. And so he got to know the Cranberries and now, forty years later (not too late) he is a fan too.
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Work
It was a very busy month, the last outdoor cushions were delivered and the customer was happy.
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Of course, there were wingback chairs and some unusual woodwork/restoration, which was fun. Work life is good!
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Good News in June 2024:
Denmark and China: Both Denmark and China are resolutely breaking new ground to achieve their climate goals. While Denmark will introduce a groundbreaking climate tax for meat and dairy farms in 2030, China has taken a significant step towards climate neutrality by 2060 with the construction of what it claims to be the world’s largest solar power plant in the Urumqi desert. These measures underline the global movement towards sustainable energy production and the protection of the environment.
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Researchers from England have developed a test for prostate cancer that can be easily carried out from home using a saliva sample.
The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) has corrected and lifted its long-refuted health warning against an exclusively vegan diet.
There are two major breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment. On the one hand, a new vaccine that has halved the risk of death from breast cancer in studies in the long term, and a blood test that can detect the risk of a new tumor in the breast up to three years earlier, which makes early therapy possible.
A study by Stanford University in California has identified six different types of depression using MRI images of the brain and AI diagnostics. This could make the treatment of depression more targeted and effective in the future.
European Union: Since the last European elections, the EU’s capacity for wind and solar power has grown by almost two-thirds, replacing a huge amount of fossil energy. Against the odds and resistance, the EU passed the Renaturation Act. It provides for planting more trees, rewetting peatlands, restoring rivers, and restoring 20 percent of the damaged land and sea areas by 2030. This is because around 80 percent of habitats in the EU are considered damaged.
Researchers from the Netherlands have discovered a new fungal species in the North Pacific that is able to digest polyethylene plastic.
Scientists from China and the Czech Republic have developed microrobots that can be used to remove microplastics from water.
Thailand is the first Southeast Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage.
Despite the ban on this year’s Pride parade by the Istanbul governor, numerous people gathered on Sunday for the demonstration of the rights of the LGBTQ community. LGBTQ & Trans Rights are Human Rights!!
The Danish national football team has refused to increase bonuses so that the association can pay women the same amount. This means that after the European Championship, the gender pay gap in Danish football is history.
The millionaire heiress and activist Marlene Engelhorn had announced that she would give away her inherited fortune, for which she never had to work herself, for good causes. Now a citizens’ assembly convened by it has distributed the 25 million to 77 organizations, the highest share from the inheritance goes to the Nature Conservation Association.
What else:
I read a book – I listened to two audiobooks in my workroom – I watched the birds from far away because I placed the finch feeder too far away (can you see the goldfinches in the far distance?) –
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I went for walks and hiked a bit – I ordered too much on Amazon – I had a few drinks, which is unusual – I gave up on our yard this year, due to the heat and concentrated on hanging plants – I get bitchy every chance I get – I didn’t paint – I didn’t craft (other than in my workroom) – I didn’t dance – I didn’t work out as often. I was a bad blogging friend.
OK July, I promise to do better!
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That potato recipe looks amazing!
Ugh, screeching is the worst… maybe some earplugs? I do like the idea of music too. That depression study sounds encouraging… targeted care would have to be better than a one size fits all approach. I hope your July goes well!
The senseless screeching is too much for my ears, even the dogs hate it 🙂
What a month! I hope all will turn out to be fine for you and your husband!
I love your work, the wingback chairs look great.
Thank you, Rupali.
A well packed month. I like the idea of One Day, the Cranberries, and your upholstery; but I don’t like Screetchy or, most importantly, the uncertainty of colonoscopy delays
Nobody in our neighborhood loves Screetchy or her parents. They moved in five years ago and our quiet subdivision got loud. It’s not the kids fault, its the parents who set such a bad example.
Indeed
Very informative post. Hope things will turn ok for your husband.
Thank you, Jo. I hope so too.
If you’ve given up on the yard perhaps you could find an alternative use and bury the Screetcher! You put me to shame in all that you’ve achieved in June. We did very little as we finally succumbed to Covid and the effects seem to be dragging on!
I am biting by tongue and haven’t walked over to the neighbor’s house yet. One day I might.
Probably when they have one of their loud parties that go on until early in the morning. It’s the parents not showing their kids any boundaries. They bought their first house and now they think they can do what they want -and they do it.
Those are yummy looking sweet potatoes and your reupholstering is simply amazing! I hope your July is more peaceful, Bridget. 🙂
Thank you, Nancy. So far so good! 🙂
My grandmother told me once that screeching is what gets her mad, tense, upset. Laugh, giggle, show expression any which way as long as there is no screeching.
You’ve been busy. I enjoy these summing up posts. I know a few bloggers who do them. Will tune in again at the end of July. 🙂
I love to hear kid’s laughter and giggles, it makes me smile. The screeching and shouting is simply annoying. Your grandma was a wise women.
You had a busy time of it. So sorry that your hubby is kept waiting for an important test – wouldn’t happen in France. Nor frankly would your neighbour’s noisy kid be tolerated.
I have a friend in Paris who complaints about the waiting times to see a specialist as much as we do. I suppose it might depend on the health coverage or the network, perhaps even the city?
That is a lot going on in June Bridget. I hate noisy neighbours and the ongoing seemingly senseless screams of kids having fun. The neighbour behind us either has a day home or a daughter’s child with her and the child cries incessantly, for any or no reason. Then there is their music that is played a low volume that overwhelms our afternoon reading. Sigh. Looks like you have accomplished a lot of upholstery. Hope your hubby’s procedure is not bumped again. I know how hard waiting can be. Happy Thursday. Allan
Don’t get me started at the music. It was bad at first when they moved in. Tom, the neighbor on the other side cured them. I remember when he called and asked me to stay inside and close the windows, his radio played polka music for hours, right at the fence line. It was terrible 🙂 Somehow they got the message, the music is not so loud anymore but the kids…sigh!
I enjoyed this post on your June 💐💐💐
Thanks for sharing your experiences
Thank you, Luisa.
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I enjoyed this post on your June 💐💐💐
Thanks for sharing your experiences