BGP Portfolio

This was the tag end of our lovely family Christmas visit with three out of four children and their spouses, and all of the four grandchildren. The Diva and her family went home yesterday. They left between four and five in the morning to go to the airport. She told me not to get up, but I happened to be awake anyway, so I came downstairs and was able to say goodbye. Kansas is driving a Prius lent to him by a friend, and didn't think there would be room for himself, the Diva, and Muffinhead, and all their gear. So he took her to the airport first and let Muffinhead sleep a little longer. He reminded me not to lock the door! Then he came back and got Muffinhead, still before dawn. I've been sleeping rather badly.

The Philosopher and his family drove down to visit Tron and the Lumberjack yesterday, and to take care of some other business. We spent a relaxing and happy day with the Nipper, the Redhead, and Raptor. They had to get an oil change on their car, near the bookstore, so we hung out in the bookstore until their car was ready. They all found books they liked, and I got to carry out my little post-Christmas tradition of replenishing my stock of cards and wrapping paper at a slight discount. I made some ham with sweet potatoes, mushrooms with shallots and dill, broccoli, and mashed white potatoes. I texted the menu to the Philosopher, and told him when we'd probably eat, in case he might return by then. We ate about 6:30. He arrived around 8:45, looking very tired, with a very sleepy Aquinas in his arms. The Lovely Friend looked lovely, as always, but I'm sure she was exhausted too. They had picked up some takeout, which was probably sensible of them. I tried to sit with Aquinas so they could eat, but he quickly woke up and became lively again. Luckily his choice of activities included eating some rice, sweet potatoes, a box of raisins, and some sliced apples and pears. They all had to go back to the hotel pretty quickly, to get an early start in the morning.

The Nipper had not intended to stop on his way out, but as I was just getting up, he sent a text to say that he had to come by and drop off the key we had lent him. I'm glad he remembered! I bundled into my sweatshirt and staggered downstairs just in time to give him another quick hug and a wave. The Philosopher had tentatively planned that they would visit again in the morning, so we got dressed and awaited him. As it happened, they only came in to say goodbye. The weather wasn't promising. A rain and windstorm was on its way, and they wanted to get home. It seemed to me, as they were leaving, that the Philosopher was looking around as if to impress a memory, and I hope it was so and that it was a pleasant one.

I see I've only managed to describe the goodbyes, and none of the things that made the days so dear and their ending sad. But I'm so tired I can hardly move. Maybe tomorrow my heart and my old bones will have recovered a bit.