It’s an exquisite day: 64, stiff breeze out of the north, 33% humidity, blue, blue skies. After a morning run to Hobby Lobby (they were COVERED UP) I’m spending the forenoon on the back patio, still knitting the sweater for Mittens and watching the children play. And the timer on the stove has just gone off: the minestrone is done.

This is also the fifth anniversary of our baby Andrew’s death. He was born 12 days later. Memory eternal!