Memorial Day

#1 Lesson of the Day: Remy and small children do not mix.

Remy and I woke up really early again this morning. I haven't set an alarm since May 1, the day I left Grand Rapids. Most of the time, my body requires 8 hours (almost to the minute) of sleep. Last night, I went to bed at 10:30. I woke up at 5:40 this morning. I didn't feel like going back to sleep, but I did end up having a short nap later in the day.

I got the bike off the car, put the dog basket on the front and rode to Starbucks. Remy and I hung out there for a while, and I read my latest Harry Dresden and sipped some decaf. We rode back about  7:30, and Dick prepared an amazing veggie omelette with goat cheese for us for breakfast. I will probably need to replace Remy's basket soon if we're going to keep using it. It's really saggy on one side.

At some point, Evie (short for Evanie) and William showed up. I had forgotten how much energy young children can produce. I introduced Remy to both children separately, and talked to them about how frightened he can be and how he reacts by attacking the perceived source of the fear. I kept him on a short leash all day, and for the most part the kids gave him a wide berth -- except when they didn't. William ended up with a scratch on his arm from the time when I was sitting at the kitchen counter, and William crawled around behind me and took Remy by surprise. Fortunately, it wasn't too bad. But after that Remy was banished to the bedroom. He seemed to understand, actually. He was very good about it; and I spent some time in there with him.

Remy and I took off for a while and drove to Barnes & Noble at Kitsap Mall to get a couple more installments of Harry Dresden. It gave the kids a chance to be able to move around freely without worrying about Remy, and Remy a chance to be with me without worrying about them. As the younger kids (Evie has an older sister who totally gets Remy and who doesn't run and scream like the little ones, but she'll be in school tomorrow) will be here again tomorrow, Remy and I are going to return to Port Townsend, perhaps do a little biking, and have lunch with Bruce and Flossie Bode.

With William came his dad, Sam, and Sam and Dick spent a good part of the day working on making the chicken coop secure from all directions. That will continue tomorrow.

A marvelous evening meal was prepared by Dick (barbecuing the chicken), Nancy, making the salad, the homemade barbecue sauce, other veggies, and relish tray, and Katie, who brought the tofu chocolate mousse for dessert.

I feel a little bit as though I might be coming down with something. A slight sore throat comes and goes, and I've been really exhausted. I think I'll get to bed early tonight.

Sometime soon -- maybe Wednesday -- Dick and I will go kayaking. I'm not sure where, but everything is so beautiful around here that I know it will be wonderful. Nancy has a concert tomorrow night, and I'm looking forward to being able to attend. The weather is finally moderating. Today, temperature were in the mid to upper 60s, and the sun shone all day. Looks like the rest of the week is going to be at least this nice. I look forward to spending more time outdoors in this beautiful place.