“In June, tis good to lie beneath a tree
While the blithe season comforts every sense,
Steeps all the brain in rest, and heals the heart
Brimming it o’er with sweetness unaware.”
By James Russell Lowell

Hubby and I still have not been out in the yard to plant our whiskey barrels. It has been too hectic. The geraniums and impatiens sit in their little containers waiting for us. The flowerpots still sit in tubs of water, with a brush next to the pots, waiting to be cleaned and then filled with plants. Perhaps next week, with the holiday, we’ll find time.

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I want to thank friend Eileen Burke for calling DoctorFinder to reserve our seats for the Carney Hospital Senior Supper on June 10. I had no idea what the topic of discussion would be. Bill Helman came to the microphone and told us that the evening’s speaker would be Dr. Bryan McGuirk, a primary care physician at Carney Hospital who would speak on osteoporosis. Dr. McGuirk handed out an outline, which helped us to understand the subject. He first tackled the uncontrollable risk factors/traits: being over the age of 50, being female, menopause, family history of osteoporosis, low body weight/being small and thin, broken bones, and height loss. There are, however, controllable factors: not getting enough calcium and Vitamin D; not eating enough fruits and vegetables; getting too much protein, sodium, and caffeine; having an inactive lifestyle; smoking; drinking too much alcohol; and losing weight.

Finally, the outline told us how to protect our bones: get enough calcium and Vitamin D; eat a well-balanced diet; engage in regular exercise; eat foods that are good for bone health, like fruits and vegetables; avoid smoking; and limit alcohol to 2-3 drinks per day. Dr. McGuirk also suggested that we stay out of the sun. Those taking steroids should also watch for osteoporosis. The disease now affects about 54 million people. He kept stressing that there are many treatments for osteoporosis. Osteopenia, a prelude to osteoporosis, is very treatable, too.

By the way, I asked the question that many people there probably wanted to ask: “Are you Dr. Robert McGuirk’s son?” “No relation, but I have worked with Dr. McGuirk.” (Dr. Robert McGuirk is the orthopedic surgeon who replaced one of my knees.) Next, there was a drawing for five certificates to the next Senior Supper. Hubby won the first one chosen. Coincidentally, the next Senior Supper is on his birthday, Sept. 9. Finally, Berthia McCroey entertained us with three great songs. It was an enjoyable and informative evening.
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Last Friday evening, Hubby, daughter Sue, and I were at the Common Market to see one of their exceptional shows. Pal Eileen Collins almost had to move mountains to get the scarce tickets. We had to go to the second show on Friday evening, which began at 9 p.m. I am sure that an article in the Patriot Ledger, praising the show, had much to do with its popularity on both Friday and Saturday, which had the odd name “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree.” We knew that our friend Sheila Fahey was one of the performers, and we love seeing and hearing her.

We heard the people coming out of the 7 p.m. show rave about it. This week, our group consisted of Eileen Collins, Norma Conley, her daughter-in-law Johanna, Marilyn Ferrara, Evie Dunne, and the three McDonoughs.

The show began shortly after we were seated. During the introduction, the emcee explained that there were ten singers – five moms who would perform with their daughters. All of the moms had beautiful voices. When the daughters sang, the younger gals were equally as good. The gals sang such songs as “Child of Mine”, “Because You Loved Me”, “You’ve Got a Friend”, “You’re Just in Love”, “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miz, “Bosom Buddies”, “In My Daughter’s Eyes”, “Like My Mother Does”, “By My Side” from Godspell, and even “Ragdoll”.

I must mention the names of the 10 singers, who were positively wonderful: Cheryl Jost and her daughter Rebecca, Marybeth Kelly and her daughter Sarah, Sheila Fahey and her daughter Jennifer, Ann Ryan and her daughter Meghan, and Maryjo Welch and her daughter Katie.
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How delighted I was to hear from daughter Sue that our family friend Steve Tankle is one of the ten City of Boston employees chosen to receive the Shattuck Award this year. The award will be given to the ten “unsung hero” employees for their extraordinary service to the city. I am sure that Steve’s wife Carla; his kids William, Ben, Alannah, and Ava; and his Dad Ben, are thrilled with the honor. Several years ago, my cousin Janet, a BPS principal, won the award. Janet invited Hubby and me to the ceremony. It was positively elegant. Our friend and neighbor Joan Pierce was also chosen to receive this award a few years ago. Congratulations, Steve. We are so happy for you! The award will be given out in October.

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A little bit more from the Irish Village: One evening, we had Dennis O’Gorman as our excellent entertainment. The following day, we decided we’d go to back to Hyannis to the “new” Christmas Tree Shop. We reminisced about how we would time our visit to that store when our kids were younger. Outside of the store stood a large clock tower. On the hour, small figurines would come out of little doors and would pirouette to music. Everyone would stop to look at the display. Our kids loved it. After the Christmas Tree Shop, we went into Trader Joe’s. I love that store because it has unique products. Daughter Sue likes one of their cereals, so we bought her three boxes to thank her for minding our outdoor cat Louie.

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Did you happen to see the yellow sunsets in Boston two days last week? Daughter Sue had called to alert us to them. On the first day, the yellow color was so strong that Hubby was able to get a gorgeous photo of it. I thought that photo was wonderful, but on the following day, the Patriot Ledger published an even better photo, with stripes of color. The sky on that following day was also yellow, but not as vivid as the previous day.

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I loved this Father’s Day blessing that was printed in the St. Ambrose bulletin this past Sunday: “On this Father’s Day, may our Heavenly Father and St. Joseph, Patron Saint of Fathers, bless you abundantly for all the good things you have done for your children.”