It's Saturday morning. Everything is unfolding as it should. The puppies have been taken out (in the rain) to do their business, though they would rather have cuddled with mom while she sleeps in. Then fed, though Rusti won't eat her breakfast, probably, until toxicfur is up and around. And maybe not then. It's available, and she won't starve herself, so.

Second load of laundry is in the washer; the shirts and permanent press stuff is slowly drying in the drier. Typically that gets done at the same moment as the oatmeal, come breakfast time.

I can't really sleep past 7 or so, which is probably a good thing for the dogs, at least, since we get them up at 6:30 most weekdays, and 6 on Sundays. Routine makes their lives go round, and helps them understand what's expected of them.

The plants are watered. Except for the amaryllis, which I seem to have soaked a few weeks ago and it's still drying out. I dumped the excess water when toxicfur pointed out how soggy it was, and it has maybe started growing again. We also have an African violet that's new to the family. These have a reputation for being hard to keep alive. We'll see.

We had our dress rehearsal last night. And it went pretty well. The concerts might be worth the price of admission. Still, it's a struggle, and not in a good way. Dunno if I'll be back for the fall term. Meanwhile, two more trips to the end of the earth (Gloucester) this weekend.

And then, another trip to a different end of the earth (Provincetown), and a long-deferred vacation, just for the two of us. Generous friends have agreed to take in the dogs for a few days; another to refill the cat bowl. Yeah, it'll probably be chilly, and yeah, one of the items on the order was warm water and sand, but. Since it's before Memorial Day, we were able to get a room in a Bed and Breakfast on a week's notice, and tickets for the fast ferry across the bay.

I don't think we've ever gone on a trip together, just the two of us, not to visit friends or family. It'll be fun. And we kinda need the time away, off the grid. To read, and write, and just hang out and re-learn who this other person in each of our lives is. It's been 3 years; about time for a honeymoon, don'tcha think?

Anyway. Time to get the day started, unstack the puppy pile, make oatmeal, hang up shirts, etc. etc.