Journal of a Sabbatical

August 20, 2000

mi familia loca

Today's Reading: Coming Home Crazy by Bill Holm

Today's Starting Pitcher: Jeff Fassero

Andrea is digging a hole to China, a popular destination from Salisbury Beach these days. Periodically, I ask her if she's found my Chinese visa yet. Hmm, maybe I don't need a visa if I dig my way there.

La Madre and Elizabeth take off for a walk to the jetty. They return with balloon fragments. Elizabeth proudly hands them to me as a "present". I am always amazed that what I say about environmental hazards gets through to the kids. They know balloons are bad for the birds and they know it makes me happy to get them off the beach. I stuff the balloon fragments in my pocket.

Nancy and I stroll toward the jetty. Well, she strolls and I limp. My knee is killing me today. It's been like this since Friday. I would be happier walking on a completely flat surface, but hey this is the beach and you've gotta walk. I find yet another balloon complete with curly ribbon - another hazard to wildlife. For that matter, I've had to ban curly ribbon from my house because Wilbur eats it and the results are not pretty. I stuff balloon and curly ribbon into my pocket.

Elizabeth discusses bait with BiB.

Donald and Michael do an excellent job with dinner - and they grill portobella mushrooms for me because I don't eat meat. Delicious.

La Madre blows out the candles on her birthday cake and ages gracefully.

Andrea resumes digging after dinner. She still hasn't found my visa.