Oh, Charlie, I wanted to sleep! Frank let him out and he barked and barked. No use trying to sleep. I went out early, to the river, the trees black, and the reflection of the sun just beginning to bring light to the day. Twenty four years ago it was a school day; rush the kids off to the bus. Then, contractions! What a lovely day it was. Lovely warm weather, as it as today. Yard work for hours and hours, today, sleeveless, in shorts, getting so hot, raking, and pulling up invasive vines and carving my arms up with pricker cuts and it felt so good to be working hard, cleaning up the yard, cutting dead branches, taking wagon after wagon of leaves to the compost. The day she was born I was busy all day too. Happily busy with chores and errands spending the day with Frank and Landon, whom we picked up from school. I had a long hear to heart with my son today in the sun. My mother was alive, up the road, taking Perri finally when we headed to the hospital, almost evening. It was my easiest birth, third time, a charmed experience, how I loved every moment. I was exhausted, had a nap this afternoon, was sure I didn’t have an ounce of energy left, and then found myself raking again in the late afternoon, and feeling so glad for my progress. My daughter had her first shot today as well. How fun, tonight, to get cleaned up and to see friends outdoors for a social time. What a day! I love April 10. Every year, every year since she came into the world.