Wednesday - 166th

A strange metal part came in the mail from Amazon today. What's it for? -- I asked, only mildly curious. Metal parts, that's Ed's domain.
He responds --  It's for the water heater. We may have a problem there.
A problem?
He explains the issues. I don't fully understand, but I get his closing statement: it may break any minute.
You mean you'll have to replace it?
It's nearly impossible to replace it without doing major construction. They don't make this model or this size anymore and... -- again, he explains why a replacement would not be easy and I only mildly understand the reason. Indeed, I can't get past this one claim: "we can't easily replace it."

My immediate question -- should I go take a shower now???
Ed is distracted. It appears there are already leaks. This is not going to be easy.

I want to say -- can't you deal with this next week, when I no longer have the kids for the day, no Sunday dinner, no weekend sleepover coming up? But then I'm thinking -- if we are to be without hot water, maybe now is a good time. At least I can get a shower at my daughter's house. I know I'm spoiled, but I am not a fan of very very cold showers.

This is how we find ourselves, no, let me rephrase that -- how Ed finds himself in the thick of two projects: the front entrance and now the ailing water heater.


It is so hot today. So very hot.

Morning work in the garden has to include watering the flower tubs. In this drought and heat, it's amazing that the flower fields still support some blooms, but they do.
















I love them all, for their fortitude and late season singular beauty.











Breakfast. Relaxed. I haven't yet heard about the failing water heater.






The kids come and they have completely flipped today on outside time. They graciously let me take a picture...






... and then they scoot inside.

Nor do we start the day with our usual book reading. Snowdrop is full of play ideas. She has been really enthusiastic about incorporating her baby dolls (well, one is allegedly ten years old) into her story line.






Sparrow is content to play with his little family in the doll house.






It strikes Snowdrop that some of her babes could stand a visit to a hair salon. That's a standard set up for her and I have to smile at how she always uses tea cups and toy macaron pieces for pretend hair dyes. Today, she offers her salon services to us bystanders. I get some paint and ribbons in my hair. Sparrow -- the same.






Ed -- the same. (Can you see the gold ribbon in his hair?)






These are old games that Snowdrop has been playing for years. But of course, they have new twists that come with her older age. Still, the joy that spills out is the same. And Sparrow? If he is included -- he is happy. And if he can make you laugh, too -- well now, his cup runneth over.






I've fallen into the habit of reading picture books with them at lunch time. Today's selections were on the longer side and everyone was quite done with eating, even as I was still droning on. (Okay, I don't think I drone!) Sparrow was on the loose, but Snowdrop climbed onto my lap for the last bits of reading. Not an easy thing to do -- juggle a kid on a high stool and read a book...






Of course, Sparrow takes note. He wants to be included. He is included.






I'll end with that photo. My afternoon doesn't warrant more text. Ed rode his bike, I took a brief walk, we watched the Brit crime drama Unforgotten (unfortunately, we're streaming the last season). I had time to think and imagine.

It was time well spent.