Day 2057

I just took care of the bare necessities today. It was too hot to do anything else. We always get up a little earlier on weekdays, since Janet has to get ready for work. This morning it was still kind of dark when we left the house on our morning walk. I'm always surprised at how transient sunrise is. It comes and goes in a matter of minutes. In less than 30 minutes we went from seeing a few pre-dawn stars in the sky to watching the sun poking above the Eastern horizon. There was a light breeze and a really nice sunrise. I've gotten to where I really enjoy this quiet and peaceful prelude to the day.

The rest of the day was just a normal Monday. The dogs barked at me while I fixed my breakfast banana and peach smoothie. The back yard needed to be watered again, even though I just watered it yesterday. When the mail arrived, I was pleased to see a check tucked among the pile of circulars and junk mail. When I used to get paid, I would always be thinking of new ways I could invest in the business. Now things are much more basic. "I wonder if this will pay for my crown the next time I go to the dentist," I think. Or more commonly, "Maybe this will cover another month of chemotherapy for Dot."

Also in today's mail was a small padded envelope with the replacement for the watch part I broke last week. This time I reassembled the watch slowly and methodically, taking extra care not to over tighten things. When I got everything put back together, I placed the watch back in a drawer where I won't be tempted to break it for another couple of years. There was really no need to fix this watch at all. If it weren't for the fact that I actually enjoy fixing things, I never would have missed it. If I had the money and the time, I could amuse myself for years fixing a huge variety of things that have quit working around the house.

Dot seemed tired today. I am still perplexed that her good days and bad days come at such random intervals. I am probably way too process oriented. It seems like I should be able to chart her condition and have a clear idea of how she's going to be feeling next week or next month. It doesn't work that way though. It doesn't even work that way with me. Some days I'm full of energy and ideas. Other days I can barely get out of bed in the morning. Why? I'm pretty consistent. So is Dot. Some people celebrate life's little surprises, but I'd rather know what is going to happen next.

I have a pretty good idea what is going to happen tomorrow. I have a feeling that it will be almost identical to today. We'll get up early and I'll wonder why I'm not getting enough sleep. The dogs will be energetic and excited for a while, and then as soon as their walks and breakfast are over, they'll sleep for the rest of the day. I'll linger over my own breakfast as long as I can and then reluctantly open my e-mail and see if there are any surprises that will ruin my day. If there is work to do, I will do it quickly and efficiently. If there isn't any work, I will sit around wondering when the mailman is going to come and then go to Home Depot and buy a light bulb or something. A day without any clear purpose can be really long.

Puppies are today's Dalmatians of the Day

Watch of the Day