Charlie and I have been having the best walks the past few days. Long and energetic. At the boat landing he dives for rocks. First red leaf on the ground sighting. And, in the yard, butterflies. Yellow, white, and a monarch. I did a little bit of watering. And tomorrow’s forecast is happily: rain! Labor Day rain! Family all here this weekend, and tons of time outdoors in the yard. After my walk I swam, a good 40-minute swim in the pond. In the afternoon my youngest and I dug the bikes out of the garage, pumped tires, and tried out the new bike trail in the town next door, the rail trail, brand new. I was hot and my legs burned, but being on the bike made me fantasize about registering for the annual local sprint triathlon. Hmmmm. It’s a long shot that I’ll do it. But I’ll take it a day at a time. Haven’t run or biked this summer. A lovely family dinner on the deck––all of us, and then we all went up the stairs together to see the progress on the master bedroom construction that we hadn’t looked at yet. Amazing! Wonderful! New windows and more views and the bathroom is exceptional and Frank had them add a vaulted ceiling in my office! It was fun to imagine moving back in when it’s ready. I started a new poem this morning, and worked at it here and there today. Quite a ways to go. I’m cautiously hopeful.