We took advantage of a gorgeous 80 degree day and took a ride north on the Taconic State Pkwy. Like most of the country, we've been suffering through somewhat of a drought, with high humidity days. Being someone who usually enjoys the heat during the summer months, it has been quite unbearable at times. Fortunately for us, there has been a break in the humidity and today was just glorious. 

We opted to visit the Taconic Sculpture Park. We've been passing the sculptures overlooking the parkway every time we drive up north to deliver our youngest son to school. So, it's been on my list of places to visit and explore. 

The park is actually the artist's residence. He has them scattered throughout his property and many of them are Greek mythology themed. Not surprising to me now since learning the artist's full name. His name is Roy "Hermes" Kanwit. 

When we arrived, we were greeted by the artist. He was sitting off to the side with other explorers who had made the trip. He welcomed us with two postcards of pictures of the park. He was sitting in a chair, his feet were bare, and he was sitting under an apple tree in the shade, very much the bohemian vibe that I expected. He is quite likable, very nice guy. Very talkative and outgoing, he makes you feel like he's known you for awhile, very inviting. He gives you a little history about himself and his family before you get started. He grew up in Washington DC, moved to Vermont where he met his wife and then moved south to the area with his wife and 2 year old daughter in tow 40 years ago. He likes talking baseball too, he spoke to my husband and son about the season for a bit. Many of his sculptures are made out of Vermont marble, but most are made of some sort of wiring and cement. He and his wife also built their house.

As we roamed amongst these beautiful sculptures, you become quite aware of the massive undertaking it must've taken to create these pieces. Sculptors have always really impressed me, the talent that they have, how they can create these grand pieces with their own hands. 

They were all amazing, but the piece "Mother Earth" really stood out. It was immense and we were able to go inside this massive head and climb to the top, peak out, and view the surrounding area from up above, looking down onto the same parkway where we noticed her looking down on us. I also couldn't help noticing how we had walked into Mother Earth's head and rummaged around amongst her thoughts. On our way out, we noticed that her earrings, also made of cement, were swinging in the wind, love how he kept them detached from the head. 

I have to remember to send him a thank you email for inviting us into his space. 

On our way home, we stopped in Rhinebeck, and had an early dinner. It is much nicer and quaint during the summer months. Many of the places that were closed in January were now open. We stopped in a couple of small shops and had some ice cream and then made our way home. What a great day! 

I miss my Dad. He had so much more to give, so much more to contribute, so much more to LIVE.

Mother's Day Weekend

 I've been a little behind on my posting. So much has happened within the last few weeks. 

This year for Mother's Day weekend, I flew out to Michigan to visit my baby girl and we spent the weekend enamored by the Tulip Festival in Holland, Michigan. I truly enjoyed every minute of it. It was a beautiful experience, I had no idea that there were so many different types of tulips, and when they are all in one place it is just spectacular. They really do an amazing job. 

After the festival, we took a short ride to Lake Michigan and I had no idea how beautiful the area was. The lake was so expansive, it felt like we were overlooking an ocean. There's sand surrounding the shore and the water gently hits the shore in waves but it also has more aggressive waves that hit the surrounding rocky path that stretches out further for a better view. If there wasn't still a chill in the air by the water, I wouldn't have minded spending the day on its shores. 

The month of June has been a busy one for us... me. I started the month of June with a fever, chills, and a headache. Because of the times we are living in now, I assumed I had Covid. I tested myself at home and received a negative result, waited until day 5 and then went for the real test. That also came back negative thankfully, especially since we were flying out to Punta Cana that Saturday to visit my son and his girlfriend who we hadn't met yet. 

We spent the week in Punta Cana and we had a very nice time, while I was still feeling sick. I did not feel well at all, my energy was very low, I broke out with a rash, the heat, that I love, was not helping at all. It was a struggle. When we got home, I developed severe joint pain. So, whatever I had was clearly escalating. I called my doctor's office and virtually described what I had been through the last few weeks and they sent me for some bloodwork. After all the testing, I was told that I have Lyme Disease. 

Feeling much better now, back to work, and starting to feel like myself again.