I know, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, rather it is summer, real summer, following the very, very quiet year of isolation, so all heaven is breaking loose and I want to pay attention. The family was all here for my birthday week and the 4th ( well, almost– my son and his gang are in Australia and no one is coming and going from there yet). One of my grandchildren said he liked Haines more than Juneau because “there are no masks and no car seats.”
Then there’s Papa Bob, and Jeff, my daughter’s big dog recovering from leg surgery.
One of my sisters who lived in Manhattan and then moved to a farm in the Catskills for a while, always dressed very well in the country because she was determined not to become one of those women driving a dusty Suburu and wearing a fleece covered in dog hair. Which is me, mostly.
We did finally give up and roll up my husband’s grandmother’s antique rug in the living room, at least. Three wet golden retrievers soaking into the old wool was not a good scent. But I also have fresh flowers everywhere, and when a policeman came over after the neighbor’s dog terrorized one of my daughters on her morning run, he commented on my lovely garden, which made the kids laugh, since it’s really a testament to weed whacking and clipping. I think it’s perfect and am hoping the bad dog goes away, soon.
That’s how these days are, so up and down, with laughter and tears, and getting used to everyone again, and being so tired from hikes and meals, Little League games and cake, and playing and sunshine… and one more peanut butter sandwich but no more chocolate milk today or your mother will kill me. Just about the time the Juneau kids started packing up for home, I had finally gotten the hang of a crowded house again. We need more towels, that’s for sure, and magic markers, and a bigger picnic table.
The best idea anyone had was asking our friend Melissa Ganey (Mel G Photography) to come over and take some pictures. I can’t share the ones she took yet, but when I get them I will.
This is what I know: I just love this family of mine and I am kind of stunned by our good fortune. I still can’t quite believe it.
