Hi John…

A week ago this morning we talked for the last time.  Hope all is well with you.  We are doing just fine.

Gabe spent the day slumming with his friends at Austin’s.  He never even made it up the mountain today.  I think it was too much to get it together.  He went to Savanna’s birthday party tonight.  She is Garrett’s sister.  He said it was a good party….just hanging out (again).   

It was a sunny Spring-like day.  I took 3 walks.  The first in the early morning with the dogs.  Starting Monday it will not be pleasant to walk on our road with the extra traffic due to the bridge closure.  People will have to travel farther leading to a sense of urgency and with faster speeds.  I may have to drive the dogs to the start of the trail.  I’ll see.

My second walk was at 9:00 with Elizabeth.  It was good to reconnect again.  The last walk was at 2:00 with the dogs again on the trail down Duxbury.  It was a day to be outside and soak up some sun.

In between those times I visited with the Haddocks and made cookies for Chris C.  I wanted to thank him for his kind deed.  Just as I started to make the cookies I realized our town is being taken over with Girl Scout cookies.  I am sure his house had their fair share of sweets.  However, I had to continue since I started and I had to give some away because Gabe & I could not eat all of them.

Jen, Avery, Morgan and I went to the Liz Lerman Genome dance event at the Flynn.  Remember we got those tickets?  Well, I thought who would like to share them with me?  I thought of our dancer friend Jen.  She had already given Avery 2 tickets so we made it a foursome. 

It was interesting.  Saying that I know is not a compliment.  Modern dance is hard to figure out sometimes…like those foreign art films.  There was some cool video work and story telling.  Those aspects I really liked.
 
We went to Sakura’s for dinner beforehand..  It tasted so good.  I have not had sushi in a long time.

With more time to spare we stopped into Muddy Waters.  I saw Julia (mighty the lady) and she is mighty tall.  I think I fit under her arm.  She is beautiful and graceful.  Sorry I forgot a photo.  That would have been a nice comparison to Jen & I.

It is pouring rain right now and the mud is rising.  I have to go figure out how to close up the septic hatch.  The light is on for the first time since you have left and I know it is the rain seeping in.  I will take a look tomorrow.

I forgot to tell you that yesterday at the book sale I opened a box to put on the tables and it was full of unopened (clear wrap sealed) books on scientology.  Apparently there was another box just like that…all unopened.  I thought it was odd since we get used books.  They would not let me put them on the sci fi table (ha ha)…they had to go in the religious section.  I do beleive in aliens (given this vast universe they must exist)…its the trapings of the doctrine I have issue with.  People need structure I guess.

Good night John.  love…diane      

Hi John…

This morning was spent finishing budget, bills and other paperwork.  I also did a bunch of work on the computer.  It was a rainy day and a good time to complete some inside stuff. 

Normal school day for Gabe.  He and his posse are at The Watchman tonight.  Everyone is wondering how that comic will actually play out.  I for one have no clue about what it is…other than what I have seen with the media blitz.  He is spending the night at Austin’s.  We were talking about the horse farm.  Gabe remembered being there so often after school.  We talked about how this was the farthest he could ride his bike by himself.  Funny how you remember those mile stones.

We got the Voices Study Guide in the mail.  Bess did a great job on this, no surprise there.  That is a poor picture of Max in the center with the cast.  I have to talk to Gabe about my focus issues.

I worked the Richmond Free Library book sale tonight.  Talk about reminiscing.  The old gang was there.  You were missed.  Chris C. came in and sought me out to ask if he could go fix the license plate on the Prius.  He saw that it had been dangling since the deer encounter.  He has a screwdriver and screws just for that job.  What a sweetheart.  I feel taken care of.  I will have to bake him something to return the kind gesture. 

Here is Benjamin.  I met Benjamin at the first book sale I ever worked.  He was crawling up in the coat rafters.  I think he was bout 5 years old.  I knew then I would like this family.  Max and he became good friends, as did Tyler and Sam.
  

Okay, in the second box I opened to sort through I found the book you were looking for.  I had to buy it for you.  This was probably the same book I gave away years ago.  The Ginger Beer recipe is in it.  You will have to make some this Spring.  Rest assured I did not give away any of your books.  I did take in a small box from the hallway book shelf.  I brought home less…score.
 

This one is for Max.

I could not resist this 1966 classic. 

That wraps up my day.  I am off to watch some random dvd in the house.  I have not decided on one yet.

We love you and miss you.   love…d

Hi John…

I’m kind of liking this “dear diary” communication with you.  I know you will appreciate this history of our days without you.  That is the only reason I put up with waiting for this silly download of pictures.  I feel that if I breath funny I will lose the blog before I post it.

Back to yoga this morning.  It was great to have my 8:00 class.  That was followed by my toddler-mom class.  What fun!  It is hard not picking those cute bundles up.  I have to wait until they get to know me better.  I loved it.

After school I looked into the back freezer and found that Dan had dropped off some of his pizzas from his new business.  Everyone loves a good pizza and these are unique, tasty and full of Vermont products.  That boy.   

On a sad note, Kris The Green Grocer is going out of business.  Their loans did not come through for their expansion.  She will be missed however I’m sure she will find another adventure.  She has great energy.  

I took the dogs for a few walks today.  The sunshine was welcomed.  Everyone has been talking about the closing of the Richmond Bridge on Monday.  I guess the Governor will attend the closing.  I didn’t think that was a ceremony worth attending….let alone have the big guy stop by.  Here is a new sign at the Jonesville Bridge to help those know which way to take while the detour is underway.  The one problem I see is that it says I89 to the left toward Richmond.  That would be okay if you were going I89 North.  The poor person who takes that advice for I89 South will be traveling about 10 miles out of their way.  When I pointed that out to someone they said well most know which way to go.  I don’t think the sign is for those that know which way to go.  Maybe I should take out a sharpie tomorrow and change it for them.

The dogs and I went to the front field.  I took another picture of the Sam Stone you and Gabe put into the ice.  It is still there snug in a huge slate of ice. 

I snapped a shot of the Levison’s leaving Town Meeting day.  They are so cute.  They all went and attended together and voted.  It was great seeing them all.

I have enjoyed those few times when someone calls the house and is bewildered why your cell phone does not work.  It is a challenge trying to let them know you are gone through April and all is okay.  My favorite call was with Val K.  He has such a thick accent (Russion?)  and had a hard time comprehending what I was saying.  Gabe had just watched Borat the night before I truly felt like I was talking to Borat.  I had to repeat my simple story at least 3 times.  He would just say “I guess my English is not so good.  I do not understand”.  You must call him when you return.

Well, it is time for all good people to be in bed.  There was a snow ring around the moon tonight.  I thought of you and Sam knowing that you both are looking at the same moon.  Well, maybe yours does not have a snow ring around it.  Sleep well.   love…d   

Well, back to school went smoothly.  We made it there is plenty of time.  Not bad.

Hey I was reminded that yesterday was square root day (3/3/09).  How could I have forgotten that?

Morning was spent cleaning the toy closet looking for my kids yoga stuff.  I found our VCR.  I knew we had it be some where.  I also found numerous misplaced items.  Good deal.  I didn’t toss anything yet.  Springtime for that stuff.

I walked the dogs.  They just won’t let you get away without a walk.  I waited until it was 20 degrees.  It was -5 this morning!  I helped out at Gabe’s school.  I love talking with those kids.  I cleaned again…this time the yoga space.  Mason stopped by and we chatted.  That boy is doing well although recovering from a cold.  He helped me take down the movie screen down.  Nice to have tall people now and then.

I picked up Gabe from school.  We listened to the story about the hiker/climber who had to cut off his arm after 6 days of it being crushed in a rock.  As we cringed listening to him talk about trying to figure out how to cut the bone with his tiny blade he had an epiphany.  He could just break his arm with a rock..heck he could just snap it.  So while we were all listening in horror he reminded us that he had spent 5 days in death.  He had taped his good byes, he had wrote RIP and his name in the rock, he had written to people, he had made his goodbyes over and over again.  It was a joyful moment to just break his arm and walk away.  It made sense.  So many times our minds create what we think we would expect.  It is truly never how you imagine.  He died and was birthed at that rock.  An amazing tale.

Gabe went to Night Riders tonight.  Another cold one.  My picture taking is poor and my hands were cold.  He won a pair of Electric goggles in a raffle.  He is looking to sell them now.  We ate bean & cheese burritos and watched Gross Point Blank.  Well, almost watched it.  We fell asleep.  Satori snuggled up next to Gabe.  All the dishes are very clean leaving the TV/Sam’s room.  I think Chai and Satori do the prerinse.

I’m off to bed.  Love you…d