Spice of life...

 They say variety is the spice of life. This weekend, we went to two parties, one to celebrate the life of a friend who just turned 90. She sat rather regally on her deck and happily greeted her guests as they came to honor her. 

Born and raised in Maine, she taught music at the University of Maine until she retired. She has had Scottish Terriers for something like seventy-five years, and that is how I met her fifteen or more years ago when she brought a dog to me to be groomed. She's a delightful person and has joined us around our Thanksgiving table for the past several years. 

Her cousin cooked up a storm for her and her guests, and we had perfect weather to sit in her lovely yard and enjoy a fabulous lake view. At one point, she took the Owlet and me into her living room, where a grand piano sits in front of a wall of windows. She sat down and began to play. As if drawn by a giant, unseen magnet, people started to wander in from outside, settling into the comfortable pink upholstered furniture and enjoying the impromptu concert. It was magical. 

The next day, we attended a party for a little girl who bounced up to our car wearing a lavender tutu and an enormous smile when we arrived: "Hi, I'm Daphne. It's my birthday—I'm 5!" The neat yard had multiple wading pools, a slip-and-slide (with bubbles!), a splash pad, a bounce house, a ball pit, and a trampoline. The Owlet made a beeline for the ball pit but also tried a trampoline for the first time. The Cygnet giggled delightedly as she observed the goings on. 

I enjoyed sitting quietly and holding the Cygnet as her big sister explored and played. The yard was filled with shrieks and giggles as well-behaved children enjoyed the smorgasbord of fun things to play with and explore. 

The two events could not have been more different, but the joy was similar. There was admiration for a long, well-lived life and excitement for a new life filled with potential. There was love, singing, and cake. We were so pleased to be part of the celebrations.