The rain continues. And it doesn't matter. I'm in Chicago and the plan is to stay indoors. Juniper's Sunday soccer is called off. And that's fine too: I'm heading out to their place to eat their fantastic granola for breakfast.
And then I watch them bake a cake -- a project they had planned for this day because... well, the girls wanted to bake a chocolate cake!
I cannot leave without playing the timed-released selfie game.
I always end my visit with the younger family with a Sunday brunch, whether it be at the farmette (or these days at the Edge), or at a favorite neighborhood place in Chicago. Today, we decide to stick with the Mediterranean theme and go to Andros Taverna, a Greek eatery not yet brunch-tested by any of them.
It is... fabulously good and filling!
When I had first looked at the menu, my enthusiasm targeted their wonderful pastries. I lit up at the sight of a Baklava Bear Claw, and Olive Oil Lemon Cake. And French Toast with Tahini Honey! But today I hesitate. You cannot do too many days chasing the sweet stuff in life. Should I hit pause button?
I opt for both: the healthy and the pastries. Which are... huge!
It's always sad to leave my daughter and her family.
It will never stop being sad. But, I also know that she will plunge into the next rich adventure and the next one and the one after, and I'm okay with just knowing that she is happy, that her girls, her husband are happy.
* * *
I arrive in Madison in the late afternoon and I am on full speed ahead: I have to unpack all the stuff I had ordered for Henry. I have to get dog food. And then I have to go pick up this great big mutt (they call him a Retriever/Lab mix) and bring him home. (I asked them to weigh him: 51 pounds, so far.) His new home -- perhaps a concept totally unfamiliar to him as in Dallas Texas he was a street boy, picked up by the Rescue people and eventually sent to Wisconsin's shelter ("Shelter From the Storm").
(last moment at the shelter)
The ride to the Edge is about 20 minutes.They told me he's good in the car. Well sort of! He basically moved from one side of the back seat to the other. And yes, I know it's not safe for dogs to ride without being crated, but I cannot fit in a crate big enough to hold him in it, so there you have it.
I realize as I drive back that I am now a dog person. And it's either the best decision ever made or... not. I'm going to push it toward the first!
At home, he is puzzled, disoriented, but not unhappy. He loves his toys -- the duckie that squeaks is his favorite. The retriever in him, for sure
He has the same chill in him as Goose, but he is in all other ways different: more youthful. Exuberant. Shy initially with a stranger, but not for long. Voracious eater. We will see if he has the same separation anxiety. I'll know tomorrow!
I worried about potty training, but so far he hasn't messed up anything. Maybe this wont be too hard?
The kids come over to meet him. Joyfully. And then Ed comes with pizzas. This is another milestone. Will he be a food thief? Nope, not tonight anyway.
(not sure I'm going to let you do this going forward...)
Henry needs a lot of petting and reassurance. Of course he does. Everything is new for him. Has he even seen the inside of a home? A refrigerator? A table where dinner is served? Most likely not. A life of streets and pens.
I'd say for the first day he did splendidly. We will see how the night goes!
With so much love...
