Noko Gets a Cracker! in Everyday Ramblings

The beloved great niece Miss E. turns 16 on Friday. Her mother, my niece, turns 50 in six months. They are planning a trip to New York to see a Broadway show around that time and are rolling the bulk of these celebrations into that trip.

Miss E has become much more interested in being back stage over the last year than in front of an audience. She goes to a school for the arts. And (as is the nature of exposing a child to many different things hoping that one will stick) she has become very interested in sailing, particularly crewing on bigger boats. She had a week on a restored sailing ship a few years back.

There may be a boy involved in all this. There probably is a boy. A membership was purchased on her behalf in the appropriate society.

I haven’t had much contact with them in the last year. I admit I am relieved that I am not hosting her again for a whirlwind weekend in Portland like I did last year. I was a nervous wreck, although it was wonderful to see her and spend time with her and her best friend. Even as only a pit stop while they explored the city.

Today is Saint Joe’s 28th birthday. He is, appropriately, taking the day off.

After four days of reading and puttering and taking naps and walking listening to audiobooks and podcasts you would have thought I’d be energetic and focused returning to work yesterday. Ha!

I hope today is a little better in that direction. And tonight I teach.

Although I practiced yoga over the weekend I did not do any class prep or study. I didn’t do any poetry either. I read murder mysteries.

It is astonishing what I did not do. No home projects, no trail club or birding or…

The cats had a great visit with Kes and Most Honorable who brought toys, yarn and taped together paper bags. I got to hear about their trip to Canada. We had a fun meal and I relaxed.

And now it is a headlong dash into the holidays! In seven weeks we will have our getaway at the beach for four days. I am looking forward to that. This time it will take a little extra planning as I will be taking the train both ways for part of the trip so what to send early and what to carry…

And also in late October early November I will have a couple more dental procedures. Nothing as difficult as what I have already been through but still expensive and uncomfortable. I am hoping to be fully through with this by March. It seems doable.

I did eat two crackers last night! First crackers since February. They tasted buttery and salty and crunchy and divine! Chips are still a dream some of us had…

Yes, fall in the Northern Hemisphere. We turn inward and look forward and get out the rain pants. :)