A mother’s day to remember. Early, my swim, my laps. Then a quick drive to Farm Pond to meet my friends Karin & Po for our grandmother swim, a plunge into Farm Pond on a cool morning. So fun! Then I drove to pick up Wave and we went and bought his mom presents and the day accelerated from there––a visit from my Ukrainian friend staying in the next town, her dog, and we all went out after lunch for a hike to King Philip’s Overlook, at Wave’s insistence, because our plan had been to walk in the woods to Lady Slipper Way (our self-named trail) to see the slippers. So, we joyfully reached the overlook after our negotiations, and we sat on the granite outcropping, appreciating the view of the sky and meadow, the river and trees––and we noticed smoke from a fire over near our own property rising. It was very faint at first, and Frank said he had recently seen our neighbor doing a little burning. We weren’t concerned. Until the smoke blackened and thickened! It was a real fire! And then we heard the sirens heading there. So, I put Wave on my back and my daughter ran ahead and I trotted behind and as it turned out it truly was a serious fire that burned down our neighbor’s garage, and they are very dear to us. My daughters ran over, grabbed their three kids, and everyone was safe, but scared, and we all gathered at our house eventually: four kids, five dogs. Ordered pizza and comforted and entertained and fed our friends through this mother’s day afternoon. So grateful they are safe. A garage can be rebuilt. I am grateful for the many Mother’s Day wishes sent my way today; and I send wishes for a happy mother’s day to all my readers who are mothers!