Spring, Graduations, Concerts, Travels, etc.

So much stuff to catch up on - what an incredibly busy time of year this is!

Kim's lilacs in full bloom

This evening was the first of our Symphony Pro Musica concerts "Spanish Serenade".  And since I wrote that, not only have we had the second concert, but the review of the second concert and the remainder of a week.  One of composers ("The Happy Slaves" overture) was the then 13-yr-old Arriaga from Bilbao, who died when he was still only 19.  I found an excellent book  on the web, which helped me to understand why the eponymous slaves of his opera were happy.  Unfortunately, the book online doesn't allow us to see some critical pages.  All in all, it was a fantastic concert and I personally had a great write-up in the review.

A branch of our dogwood

Now, we are getting ready for Miranda's graduation party and then graduation itself.  We are looking forward to a fine weekend (but I don't think we're going to get it).  The mosquitoes are out in force these days but that's only to be expected.  But what I think has really been different this years is that everything has happened at once.  Magnolias, redbuds, dogwoods, lilacs, apples, cherries, everything out at pretty much the same time.  The toll on us hay-fever sufferers has been heavy.

Redbuds outside the office in Waltham

Meanwhile, we've been doing some hiking, including a hike up Mts. Percival and Morgan just new Squam lake in New Hampshire.  The views were breathtaking.

Did I mention that Jimmy got adopted?  He seems very happy -- we've heard quite a bit from his family.

More on other vernal observations, including my trip to England at a later time.