This is what the sky looks like tonight. It was another cool day, a sweatshirt morning. The sun came out for a while this afternoon, but the clouds returned for the evening.

After a whirlwind day–baking blueberry cakes at 7 AM, loading the crockpot with pork ribs, watching a recorded episode of The Bachelorette at Janou’s, driving up the mountain with Dancing Mandolin Player and rehearsing with the band, then going to town to Walmart and the Peach Man stand—I came home to sad news.

First, a dear friend’s mother is very, very ill. I first met her in 1975, when two of her daughters babysat for my toddler. She and her sweet husband lived in California then, but would come to Montana in the summers to visit some of their grown children. They eventually moved to Montana, which thrilled their kids and gave us more bridge partners. Glen and I were always grateful to be included in the family gatherings. I am so sad for her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And for all of the in-laws, who love her so very much, too.

It was an honor to have known her.

Second, a very special friend of ours in RI collapsed this afternoon.***** We were in high school together, but our friendship really started about 8 years ago. He especially enjoys my karaoke machine (he does all the Frank Sinatra tunes) and loves to laugh at Glen’s eccentricities (of which there are many). He’s the one who insisted we go to the Corn Palace in South Dakota, which we did, and I sent him the promised postcard to prove it.

*****update*****Diagnosed with extreme heat exhaustion, he is home now and doing well!!!!!!!!  It was 104 in Rhode Island yesterday, which is very unusual.

So…it’s a sad night.  I am going to skip fiddle practice, ignore the exercise bike and just go to bed.

And I will say some prayers and hope that the morning brings good news all around.

Good night.