#NewThisDay Writing From My Photo Stream

It’s good to be home. Frank is gone when I wake. It’s so much cooler than Paris, and so many clouds! I’m appreciating them this morning. I write my essay for my newsletter and send that off before doing anything. I want to swim, of course, and I do. There is a bit of sun on my back, and the air is cool, but the water is warm. My daughter walks Charlie so that we can go out to coffee after my swim. We go to Nirvana, her favorite tea shop and sit outside under an umbrella. We get to catch up on her life since I was gone. Frank joins us after his tennis, and it’s sweet, the three of us, relaxing in conversation. Tonight, just before dinner, Charlie has a Ukrainian guest to play with––Kuzma, the labradoodle of my Ukrainian friend who moved away but is back in town for a visit. They come to dinner. We walk to the river and the dogs play with sticks and balls. Charlie is very friendly. A nice dinner, catching up, and just before we sit down my daughter and her boyfriend and their friend come in the door. A quick adjustment of the menu, there is plenty for all and we have a lovely time at the dining room table, a spontaneous party. Charlie and I are sad to see our friends go back to D.C. At the brook, no sign of papa mallard; no sign of mama mallard. More rain, and everything is lush and healthy and thriving.