Don’t get me wrong. May is a great month and the weather has gotten warmer as we get closer to summer. But I for one am happy to see this May come to an end. As I alluded to in a previous blog, the last few Mays have brought with it sickness as well as depression and discouragement. I was happy to get a few great days to kick off the month, enjoy my first Spring Conference in five years, and see that Benny has come home from Children’s. He graduates high school tonight, so congratulations to him and my aunt. It’s been a tough road for both of them. We’ll celebrate him on June 23.
With the usual depression and discouragement that May has brought, mixed in with tornadoes and the usual joy, it’s been a whirlwind month. More to come in my recap next week. For now, let’s look ahead to June and what it brings to the table. Like me, it’ll have a lot to offer.
Coming to the blog in June will be my restaurant reviews, which usually draw a lot of interest. Next Wednesday before my meeting, I’ll make a stop at Tastyland on PA 66 as they just had their grand reopening. I’ll find my inspiration through social media, mostly keeping it local but I will make a few stops around Pittsburgh during my upcoming vacation at the end of the month. Maybe I can make up for that failed coffee tour that I wanted to take last Fall at some point as well.
Early this week marks five years since my Grandma (Gurksnis) passed away, so I’ll be writing a tribute blog. I spent a lot of my kid years at my grandparents’ just like Annabelle does at our house. I lived with my Grandma for several years after Annabelle was born and then my sister and I switched addresses. Thus, I moved back home that Fall.
June means more time for the pool, for podcasts (I’m loving Pod Meets World), and for passing on the presidency in my home Toastmasters club. I’ll be celebrating my birthday as well as a milestone for the blog when I publish my 600th post sometime around the middle of the month. Another milestone will come about a week after when I hit 800 days on Duolingo. So far I’ve only missed three days but the “streak freeze” comes in handy. I’ll devote my time to learning French on the app for the entire month of June.
At the end of the month, I’ll take my first of two vacations from work. It’s so nice to have paid time off and good benefits, in addition to the commute. I have plenty of day trips planned, including one of my Cranberry High Noon visits which I will parlay into a trip up to Slippery Rock University. It’s been 20 years since I’ve been there and I know I’ve made many visits but it’s always nice to see the old alma mater. I feel better about myself now than I did for many years after graduating from there. I also plan to shop at Tanger and even Market District (Robinson or South Hills) and do some serious shopping. I also hope to visit a few friends in Johnstown and attend the Greensburg Night Market. A great time to celebrate food and fashion.
Happy Father’s Day June 16 and Happy TLI Saturday June 22. Dinner series on June 20 at the Olive Garden.
Stylish 🍒 