A Beautiful Summer

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Good day to you, my lovely friends. I hope you are all well. I had been coming here quite regularly but then, in my usual style, suddenly forgot its existence for a while. I've been doing a few things. I'm still working on my book that has, so far, taken about 3 years longer than intended and is likely to take many more. I've done quite a bit of research, though, and not gone off on too many tangents. I've also been working on another article for Vocal Media - the next in my 'saints days' series. Other than that, I've been studying some free courses online while considering going back to college or university. I've decided I definitely want to do that but now to find the course I want, work out if we can afford for me to do it, and juggle anything that needs to be juggled. That won't be for at least another year, though, so I can start as my children finish! Speaking of children, the youngest boy (Mini) is 17 and will start his second year of college soon. He is studying a Diploma in Acting as he wants to be an actor. He's also writing a stand-up comedy script that he hopes to be ready in time for next year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is working on some animation projects. Midi (that's my older son) is 22. He's just graduated with a 2:1 in Maths with Education BSc, and is going on to do a Master's in Adolescent Mental Health. As I'm sure you can imagine, I am extremely proud of my two boys. I'm also proud of my two step-daughters. The younger one of them (she's 25) has various health issues, has been relying on a wheelchair for 3 years but has begun to walk following physiotherapy. The older one (who is 28) is currently focused on being a wonderful mum to my three beautiful granddaughters. My husband, D, has decided to get back into the graphics business, doing mods and things for games. His first contract fell through due to the client being ill and losing his wife. However, D has since picked up another small contract and is getting there slowly. My big sister (DoryPanda) has recently opened a shop/salon where she does massage, reflexology, etc. and sells bits and bobs such as bags, incense, candles, etc. She's breaking even so far, I think, and hopefully she'll make a success of that. My little sister (Rie) is still working at a local shop. Her children (my little nephew and niece) are getting big with her son going to secondary school next month. I asked my nephew if he wanted to do something with us while I had a few days off over summer, but he declined. My niece, however, jumped at the chance to visit a butterfly farm with us. I took a total of 6 days out of my annual leave so I could spend time with people over the summer. I'd normally only take time off if we were going away or for a specific reason. It was nice to not have to get up early or to commit to anything! The boys and I went to a local music museum. Dory came with us and kindly drove us there. We all enjoyed that before having lunch at the cafe in the 2Tone Village where the music museum is. There is also a restaurant and two shops. We went to the Stratford Butterfly Farm (we went on the train, which took about an hour and a half) - that was me, my dad, my husband, my two boys, and my little niece. It was a very hot day but it did make for a lovely day to have a drink by the riverside after we'd seen the butterflies. I really enjoyed the butterflies - I'd been before but not for 12 years. My niece absolutely loved it, and my husband seemed to enjoy talking to her about the different butterflies and other minibeasts. On another day, my boys and I went for a day out to a different local town - Leamington - which is about half an hour on the train. We visited their beautiful park/gardens, and their museum housed in former pump rooms. The photos here are of the entrance to the sensory garden and one of the many lovely views from the park across the river Leam. We have done other things but nothing particularly exciting. Today, I have studied some of a Forensic Psychology taster course, and I will be working a little more on an article before I make dinner. We've got pie with mashed potato, roast potato, green beans, and gravy. What have you all been up to while I've been away? Anything nice for dinner? Days out done or planned?