Home from SONW

Each age has deemed the new-born year
The fittest time for festal cheer.
-- Sir Walter Scott

Monday, January 1, 2001
One year ago: New Year's Day
Two years ago: Home at Last
Three years ago: Family Matters

I woke up slowly after a few hours sleep, then dragged over to breakfast. The people who hadn't read my special issue last night were studying it today!

I packed up my car (so many trips up and down the stairs!) then moved it to Greg's dorm so he could get his stuff put up, also.

I went to the lounge to turn in my key, then hung around while other people turned in their keys. Greg and I couldn't leave until everyone in his dorm was checked out, since he was acting as a dorm parent.

Finally we were ready! And it was finally a sunny day, after being mostly overcast. We drove through the countryside, across the Hood Canal Bridge, and to the ferry dock. Greg was sacked out! So I let him sleep, and wandered to the little viewpoint while we waited for the next boat. There were a few other folks from camp there too. We chatted idly. The water was clear, so when I heard a young mom pointing out a starfish on the bottom, I asked her to show it to me, too.

I let Greg sleep until we were in the University District. I knew he was living on campus, but I didn't know which dorm. He guided me through the back alleys of campus to his dorm, then got his stuff out. I'd have helped him schlep it up to his room, but he insisted that he could handle it.

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I was amused that as soon as I logged on, I got email from Greg -- he said his wallet should still be in my car. He'd taken it out of his pocket and slipped it beside the seat for more comfortable snoozing, then forgotten it. No problem, I could drive back and hand it to him right away.

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As I walked back into the apartment, I heard Jack's voice on my answering machine. I ran to pick up, but I just missed him. So I called him back, but I guess he wasn't calling from home -- there was no answer.

In an hour or so, he called again: he was on his way south and was very nearby. Would I like to ride with him and his daughter H---- down to Olympia? Sure! So I waited in front of my building. At first he was wanting me to drive somewhere closer to the highway, but we couldn't think of a suitable place (and it doesn't take that long to reach my place from the highway, so there!).

It was so good to see Jack! He told me about his tough time over the holidays: he'd had a bad cold before heading to his parents' house, then everyone got the flu.

I had a fun time telling him all about my adventures at dance camp. But, when I started explaining something that I'd mentioned to him before, he said, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, you said that already." Well! I said that I don't react like that whenever he happens to repeat some story or incident. He said, "I don't mind if you do, if I'm getting tiresome." Tiresome! humph!

So Jack returned H---- to her home after she spent Christmas vacation with him. I know it was hard to let her go!

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We drove back north, but Jack couldn't spend the evening -- he wanted to get home because his older daughter A----- is out of juvenile detention and is living with him again. He really doesn't want to leave her alone there for long. So he dropped me off at my place, where I did some journal catch up and collapsed into bed.