My second bouquet came together this morning; I gave it to Maria, who put it on the dining room table.

I love the mix and color; we will have fresh flowers in the house all summer, and so will everyone I know well. This is great fun and, more importantly, deeply satisfying and engaging.

Today, we return to the first-rate theater for the first time in nearly three years. The Williamstown Theater Festival, one of the most respected theater programs in the country,  reopens this afternoon, and we have tickets for three different shows. The first is a play called Man Of God, described as a feminist comedic thriller with some horror.

I can’t wait to see what that means.

(Gladiolas reaching for the sky.)

We both miss the theater; it’s the one thing I miss most about living in or near New York City. I love the theater and go as often as I can. We have several theaters near us, Williamstown, Dorset, and the rapidly ascending Old Castle Theater in Bennington.

They are all reopening. Hubbard Hall, our excellent old Opera House, is being restored to physical and financial health and is focusing on education and youth programs.

I haven’t been to a play at Hubbard Hall in a couple of years; it’s a beautiful place to see the theater. I miss it.

I did a bunch of book readings there; reading there was a wonderful experience.

We go to Williamstown, Mass. often. It is just 45 minutes away (next door in country terms), and there are good Asian, Indian, and Mexican restaurants. College towns draw good food. Williams College is right next to the theater. We often bring it home.

Williamstown was a godsend for us during the worst of the pandemic.

The raised bed garden continues to inspire and surprise. The Gladiola flowers are reaching for the sky, and the Zinnias are open in growing numbers.

I put together the second bouquet this morning (see above, with bee) and added this gorgeous new, blood-red flower. I hope to get back in time to do some more reading; I’m feasting on some good books.