valeria out loud

Hey WordPress! How have you been? We are so close to Summer I can almost feel the tan coming on!

Things have been kind of hectic with work and life that I took the pause between pottery class sessions as a break for myself. Which is why I didn’t write last week. Lots happened so let’s get into it.

On May 23, it was my twenty-third anniversary of when I quit smoking. I just like sharing this because it was hard to do and if I could do this so can any of my smoker reading pals who want to quit.

Believe me, we are way stronger than our addictions if there is desire to thrive and survive.

Then that following Friday it was our youngest daughter’s last day of rowing where they finished up her crew rowing season with a bang, and I couldn’t be prouder. It’s incredible to see how much she has grown and improved over the year. To celebrate the end of the season, her team organized an end-of-year BBQ at the boathouse. It is such a pretty setting along the Merrimack River. The atmosphere was filled with joy, laughter, and camaraderie as the rowers reminisced about their experiences. And played a lot of games of stealing their crew-mates shoes and hiding them. Idk. Haha. It’s always heartwarming to witness such strong bonds forged through shared passions. This is actually one of the reasons I love this sport for her, the community is like no other.

But the end of year festivities didn’t end there. The next Tuesday, there was a grand banquet to honor the crew team’s accomplishments. The pride and admiration I felt watching my daughter and her teammates (and their coaches) receive their well-deserved awards were indescribable. It’s moments like these that remind me of the importance of perseverance and dedication. (It’s an almost seven day a week sport, my friends). This whole year has been heavy with all of the adjustments to this sport in our lives but it was an absolute pleasure to help her and her friends every day to make it to practices, scrimmages and regattas. I will secretly miss all the hubbub but I wont miss all the driving hahahah. Anyways, she will be hitting the Summer sessions between our vacations.

Meanwhile, between the row BBQ and the banquet, my oldest daughter and her boyfriend joined us at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). I thought it would be a fun way to spend a day together.

The MFA never fails to captivate us with its breathtaking exhibits and thought-provoking pieces. We immersed ourselves in the Kokusai exhibit they had featured (and the reason for our visit). He was a master artist in Japan at the turn of the 19th C. He ended up being one of the most revered artists and most influential. Internationally. The beauty and depth of his artworks was breathtaking. The accuracy and precision. We had lively discussions and shared our interpretations, which was the whole exhibition’s topic.

After a delightful time at the museum, we decided to indulge in dinner across town at State St Provisions. Yeas, I have been going here a lot lately..I think three times in May!😬we sat outside since it was a hot day, the ambiance was lively, the sun was shining and the food was a lot of goodness. We had such a nice time talking with the kids about their summers and upcoming college visits.

Then my favorite boy cat turned five on the 31st. He is such a special boy!

Then this Sunday was a big day, our first nephew in the family graduated from High School! Such a big deal.

As for my own endeavors, I started my fifth pottery session yesterday. I think fifth. Lol But it was pure bliss. I spent the class meticulously trimming three bowls and throwing two new ones. Our instructor was in such a great mind-place and the whole class felt like home. I missed going in. The joy of doing something for myself- like this. Shaping and molding the clay with my hands is an experience like no other, guys. Additionally, I experimented with some slab work within the last fifteen minutes of class. I was lit! 🔥 Created a test run of a garden decoration- a rooster, that I plan to place in my veggie garden. I can’t wait to finish it next week. I left it in a bag to keep damp… so cross ya fingers it stays damp so I can finish it!

What made the pottery class even more special was all of my friends. I missed these ladies. We have been on FB talking so it was fun to meet back up for class last night. A few new faces were in our class too which was nice. I am so looking forward to this session. My plan is to throw throw throw! I need as much practice as possible. I want to be proficient and relaxed anytime I throw. I want to make vases and bowls and plates and mugs and everything!! 😆

Anyways…

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So much great stuff went on in my absence from posting and more is on the horizon.

1-My sister comes home from Sicily tomorrow. She will be here for two months, but I will only see her for one.

2-My family is going away for most of July to London and France. We are planning two and a half weeks there and then a few days in Maine, so that’s is most of my July. I will def try to write about my trip when I get back but I may also try story posts to share any beautiful sites along the way. Don’t hold me to that but I had thought to try that.

3- Also, after Maine, I’ll be back as the crew rowing taxi but in Summer so ill be in shorts. So yay. 😂

Well that’s my update for today, guys! As always, I appreciate all of you reading along! That support is very much welcome and love it. There are some days when I log onto this app and see how so many views, I just don’t understand it..it’s baffling! ❤️ but appreciated.

Have a wonderful week ahead. Don’t forget your sunscreen!

till next post xo