Monday

Important moments from this day will include (I'm sure of it!): an appreciation for the incredibly beautiful weather (slated to be with us today, tomorrow and the next day), an ambitious bike ride (before Covid, it would have been routine, but for the post Covid weeks -- ambitious!), and a happy anticipation because -- wouldn't you know it -- targeting this beautiful set of days! -- my last batch of daffodil bulbs is due to arrive! 

But first, the usual, done with the bounce that comes with unexpectedly superb weather...

Well, breakfast isn't bouncy. it's serene and reflective. We talk about sailing (Ed is still considering a saling trip this year, but I think he'll talk himself out of it). About the kids and their rapidly exploding vocabulary (he is surprised that Snowdrop is no longer, well, little in her behaviors). About the cats. The everyday stuff that keeps us grounded and happy.

Now comes the ambitious bike ride: I'd picked up some cookies at the bakery last Saturday. Sparrow loves these so much, that he will do practically anything you ask of him, really anything, just for an extra sliver (think one sixth, shaped in a pie wedge) of Madison Sourdough's chocolate chip cookie. And lo! I opened the bag and found that they inserted, by mistake of course, three espresso cookies. With a very pronounced taste of, guess what, espresso! Neither Ed nor I could eat these and so the chickens got a weekend lift as they bounced around the farmette lands, spirited by shots of caffeine from the cookies. Madison Sourdough promised to replace the mistake and so off we go, biking across town in the search of the Sparrow-pleasing treats. 

I had the feeling that I was pedaling at a slower pace than before Covid, but, we got to the bakery in 45 minutes and took only 40, with the wind, coming back. Same as before.

(take in that blue sky! ... and the hawk keeping tabs on Ed's whereabouts...)

School is closed for the kids (one of those days where working parents are left to fend for themselves -- something that is easier for those who can work from home, but still a drag), so I pick up Snowdrop at her home (Monday is Snowdrop solo day) and bring her to the place of the twinkling lights! Well, not so visible in the day time and not so twinkling, I suppose, but you get the idea. 

(Do note the fall colors though -- they're with us still!)

We read. A lot! I'm thinking that this girl will someday fall in love with audio books. She is a terrific reader herself, but she just loves the drama of someone reading the story out loud, especially when the plot is fast paced and with unanticipated twists and turns. Today, we plunged into full white-knuckle mode for chapters on end. It was exhilarating! For both of us. 

And evening came...

And I drop her off and return for that quiet evening with Ed -- especially wonderful after such a full day.

To think that tomorrow will be just as sunny, just as warm (we hit 60f, or 15c today). Remarkable.