For some reason I am glad for the rain and want to be out in it. Charlie and Brittany, not so much. But I go into the wetlands. The brooks is lower, much lower. I do not have to wade. I go for a long wander and Charlie hangs in with me because I want to be in the meadow slapping through puddles. Then I took my swim and felt very good. My body is so glad to not be in the car, driving. I have been listening to a book I’ve read more than once and found available free on Audible: the first book of short stories I discovered by my favorite Irish short fiction writer, Claire Keegan, Walk the Blue Fields. Just taking a short break from the Istanbul book to get lost in her lovely fiction. The Istanbul book is great yard work listening and also driving listening. Today, I listened to Claire Keegan in the rain on my walk and also while making a vegetable lasagna. In the late afternoon in the empty, quiet house I did some chores, went to the market, and then made the lasagna, a favorite for my daughter who needed a little TLC. And it came out terrific. Everyone loved it and I was grateful I went to the effort. I started a new poem today but I just didn’t have the psychic energy to think or feel myself into creativity. I did have the energy for lasagne.