Labor Day Weekend

So far this weekend has been very productive and thoughtful. I actually spent my first vacation day working - so much for a break. Ah, the pleasures of owning one's own business!

Aside from work, I'm focused on tomorrow's practice lake swim for the Reston Triathlon, which is next week (September 7th). I will wake up tomorrow at 5 am , eat, drink coffee, edit this blog post then drive over to Lake Thoreua for the 6:30 registration. Then I'll stand around after squeezing into my wetsuit and nervously chat with the other triathletes - the whole time my stomach churning. Then at 7:45 am, will join the 100's of other swimmers as we plunge into the lake for our mile swim. Usually I feel and hear the splashing near me, get totally unnerved and fear drowning by being pulled under, then notice the lifeguards aren't paying attention and that's it.

I hate the swim part of the triathlon. It's amazing I even make it to the bike leg because no matter how much I practice, no matter how many miles of swimming I do, I almost always end up doing some modified version of the doggie paddle.

This year I'm determined that the swim leg will be my best. Tomorrow will be the test of that so I'm very nervous.

Meanwhile, last night, my old friend Art Older called me. I've actually been looking for him for years and more recently when my - our - friend Chris died because I wanted some connection to that very super-charged time of my life. Art didn't disappoint. Sometimes when you connect with someone from your past it fades into nothing, but not so with Art. I think I could talk with him for days.

Art is from what I guess is my 30's era. Alot was going on in my life then. Anyway, this is way too complicated and tangled to explain in a blog so I'll just say that connecting with Art and the impending Lake Swim made for some very interesting dreams last night.

Now I'm off to bed.

Wednesday's Child

Look at this happy face! Gryff was such a good dog; I could never figure out why his parents couldn't see this. Not willing to let him go, but with no time for him, poor Gryff was relegated to the basement, his only time outside in the fenced backyard.

Except for Wednesdays!

Joy oh Joy for Wednesdays! Gryff's family nanny convinced his family to hire us for at least one day a week. I think Gryff had a calendar and marked off the days till we came. What a happy boy to see us! He loved his walks, loved the structure of us giving him an important job.

I remember my walks with Gryff on the pathways along Sugarland Run. Gryff was so happy to be outside, he'd take in everything like a new puppy. Toward the end of our walk, he'd plop down in Sugarland Run to cool off. I will miss him.

Cicada's In August

I love to listen to the bittersweet sound of Cicada's in August. Their singing resonates endings and beginnings; my 52 year old brain is still programmed to think school will start in a few weeks.

Usually the Cicada's cymbal-like vibrations highlight a hot summer day, but this year August has delivered much cooler weather.

I'm lucky to have a job and life that takes me out in the weather to enjoy each moment.