Yesterday I saw one of my best friends in person for the first time in almost twenty years. Her family invited me to attend a memorial service for her dad. I was surprised they had the service in Maryland as the family lives in Colorado and Florida. But I understood when they told me how much her dad loved the Chesapeake Bay and the tributaries. I met the family at a parking lot just outside of town. It was so hot and humid that while we were standing around visiting, waiting for her Uncles, the soles of my shoes fell off as they melted on the pavement. They were old shoes and I was not bothered.

After the family all arrived we drove to the boat that was going to take us out to a spot on the river. My friend rode with me and we caught up more. It was like we had seen each other every day rather than it being twenty years. We arrived at the dock and I helped carry some items to the boat. Originally we were going to go out of Tilghman Maryland but ended up going out of St Michaels MD. Everyone got on board. The captain explained how he would start the service once we were at the spot. He also said he would take us on a scenic ride out. We went around the harbor in St Michaels then headed out onto the river. The river was calm and lots of people were on pleasure boats-some were obscenely large. While heading out to the spot for the service my friend’s family started preparing a biodegradable wreath. They placed pretty flowers on it and it was tied onto a bamboo raft.

I was initially afraid I would get motion sick as I am prone to that but following the advice of a Navy friend they said eat crackers and drink a little water before heading out. I ate crackers the hour it took me to drive to the original meeting spot. I drank some water. My friends family also had ginger ale so I was set. As I sat on the boat while it was in the dock I reminded myself I have been on a few lobster boats on the Maine coastline. I settled down and started to enjoy the boat ride. I loved seeing the ospreys, cormorants and herons. I also felt my ancestors as we chugged past the Maritime Museum in St Michaels. My great great grandfather built boats indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay. The museum has one of the last surviving bugeye boats. I enjoyed sitting at the rear of the boat and watching the water come up from the propellers.

After about twenty minutes we arrived at the site where the ceremony would take place. The captain turned off the engines and all was quiet. The captain said some opening words and asked the family to speak. My friend’s brother started and spoke from the heart. My friend read a poem she had written and finally her mom spoke. It was really beautiful and touching. They asked if anyone else wanted to share any memories and a cousin spoke. We said a few prayers together. Then my friend and her mom prepared the wreath to go out on the water. It was one of the most beautiful things I have seen. After his ashes were out and dispersed and the wreath floated away we toasted him with a whiskey shot and a hearty send off. Music was playing all the while. Selections that were his favorite. The captain and first mate said they had never seen a more unique and beautiful memorial.

We headed back to the dock and again I enjoyed the water views. Once at the dock and disembarked we sat around talking and then went to a local park for a picnic. I loved seeing my friend and her family. Her mom and dad as well as brother were always wonderful to me and my family.

Driving home I was treated to a gorgeous sunset, almost full moon and a sky full of stars. A blissful way to end my day.

For the last two days we have had many honeybees at our bird bath drinking water. There must be a hive somewhere within a mile or so. I love watching them. They do not bother me at all and are not upset when I observe them. I made sure the bees and our chickens had fresh water in this heat. I also fed the chickens some squash and cucumbers as well as cracked corn. The hummingbirds have been busy. My tomatoes are ripening and I have a red pepper almost ready to be harvested. The wildflowers from my mom’s memorial service are getting taller each day.

Have a safe weekend. I will be getting up early tomorrow to take care of the chickens and gardens before the heat dials up tomorrow.