First I didn’t have time; later I was exhausted. Now, it’s 5:35 a.m.. I’ve had my orange and I’m waiting to swim.
I swam only twice last week, and then in the afternoon, once with Matt and once with Kate. I think. Maybe once, alone.
Kate was here! She flew from Boston and rented a car so we could see family.
I did the laundry and made soup and Amish bread before she came so I would have something to give the people we visited. I never get to a store and I fail at most online efforts, so I give food. I had food ready to cook for Kate, too , but we didn’t have a chance to eat it. Our visits involved food and we were guests. I cooked scallops (delivered with my grocery order) for dinner the day Kate arrived. We both love scallops. I have other food I ordered for her that I have to use now, alone. like smoked salmon and eggs Benedict and sourdough bread from Cobs and so on. I hope Matt will come and help me eat it.
The next morning we caught up a bit, at least I did, thanks to Kate. Talking is easy but I’m not used to having anything done for me and I was reluctant at first, I mean, I’m the mother, weak as I am now, and I felt guilty—but grateful. It got easier. I relaxed a bit and almost stopped apologizing.
I get cleaning help, a husband and wife team, available only every five or six weeks. They let me know what day is the day. I never say no. We waited until they arrived and then we went to see Matt at his apartment where Kate performed the miracles she does for me: tidying and sorting and touching everything with her magic wand. We took Matt home for a late lunch: soup, of course, and avocado toast. Did I have a nap? I think so. Or maybe we swam.
It’s 6:30 a.m. I have to swim now. I’ll be back but you don’t have to be. I’m reliving the week with pleasure but I’m sure you’ve had enough.
Till soon, or not….
I’m back, still relishing my week with Kate and family.
We had a non-family event Wednesday night—the Writers’ Trust Award Night. I used to be on the Board so I feel an obligation, a pleasant one, beginning with a party with wine and delicious, meaty hors d’oeuvres (like mini hamburgers) to make sure people coming straight from work will stay for the awards rather than go out for dinner. The awards were a revelation this year, with all but one of the publishers submitting their authors being small presses, not the giants. And the authors they sponsored were diverse with different stories to tell and attitudes to match.
It was an interesting night and very Canadian. My daughter agreed.
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November 9
That’s as far as I could go yesterday. I had letters and news and chores to catch up and I ran out of energy—mine and the laptop’s—before I went to bed at ten o’clock. I’m not sure I can finish this blog before I swim. We’ll see.
I’ve written this twice and lost it so I’ll be quick. The morning after the Awards, we were out early to catch my newest great granddaughter , born last December, before she had her morning nap. Her father, my grandson, welcomed us with fresh made bran muffins. I took Amish bread and soup and Kate took assorted scones from Cobs. My granddaughter-in-law was at work and my three-year-old great grandson was at daycare. So my grandson still on paternity leave (till January), took care of us.We talked, a greta pleasure. An even greater pleasure was watching my youngest little girl practicing standing with the aid of a sofa or coffee table or a friendly finger. She never sat down and she was ready for her nap. I was, too, after lunch. Did we have lunch? I did have a nap.
My older son and his wife brought dinner—Chinese take-out—such a treat? I provided champagne to toast our reunion, plus ale, white wine or red, according to our tastes. We fell into bed after we cleaned up, easy with no pots and pans.
Matt stayed the night becasseu we had to be i nthe car by 7;30 in the norning. Kate drove us to Orillia to visit my other two great grandchildren and their parents, one of whom is my granddaughter the doctor. She was not home when we arrived, just finishing her morning Clinic, and picking up cinnamon buns, fruit and croissant sandwiches. My grandson-in-law welcomed us with fresh coffee. He works at home but he was late because his four-and a-half-year-old daughter was at home ], missing Junior K because of the teacher’s strike, first day (and last—who knows??). Slo we missed her little brother who was at Daycare.
Oh, dear. It;s 6:43. I have to swim.
Well, Kate was flying home late that afternoon. I wanted her to drop Matt and me at the airport but she insisted on driving us back to my place and then she drove back to the airport. So I worried about her missing the plane and/or being too tired.
I was the one who was tired. So was Matt. He was going to stay for dinner but he wanted to go home. I didn’t argue. I wanted to go to bed.
So that was it, absolutely wonderful and absolutely exhausting.
And that’s why I haven’t written, until now.
I’m late for my swim.