We were supposed to be home in Connecticut visiting friends and family this week. Most of us haven’t been back in a year and a half and we were hugely looking forward to it. We were going to spend the first half of the week with family and then the end of the week we were going to stay with one of my closest friends. But then my son got sick so we had to cancel. Then my husband got sick. Then my daughter got sick. I am the last one standing and I am probably doomed. This is not a good week. So what do you (I) do when…

I believe I mentioned at some point that my husband and I are going to Germany for two weeks. We are flying into Frankfurt and staying nearby. If you are familiar with Germany I would love suggestions of things we absolutely should do. We are looking for a few day trips by train. We love wandering around pretty towns, sitting in coffee shops, touring historic houses, and going on pretty walks. I also would love to visit a yarn shop or two. I usually do tons of book shopping on vacation but since I don’t read German beyond the basic words to get by I don’t think that is going…

Yesterday was one of those days. You know the days; the ones where every simple thing you try to do turns into an hour-long series of phone calls. One of those days when you consider running away from home. One of those days when going to bed early just so the day will end faster seems like a reasonable coping mechanism. One of those days when nothing particularly terrible happens but lots of annoying things happen. Since it was one of those days I am going to share the misery and complain a little. Who ever thought health insurance was a good idea? It is expensive, annoying, and convoluted. Health…

Yes, one of them is a book. We will start with that and get it out of the way. Every spring I read The Secret Garden. I pulled my copy off the shelf a few weeks ago and it fell apart in my hands. Obviously, that would never do so I immediately went online and found a lovely secondhand copy of the annotated edition to buy. It is hardcover and has illustrations from different editions. Now, for years to come, I can continue to happily dream of having my own walled garden. The next few things are all gifts from my husband. He has been in an exceptionally generous mood…

Ten hours of driving. Nine separate groups of people visited. Eight (million) texts sent to my husband to keep him updated with all we were doing. Seven different delicious dinners cooked for us. Six nights spent in a hotel. (And at least as many people were slightly offended that we didn’t ask to stay with them.) Five hours spent chatting with one of my oldest friends. Who needs therapy when you have friends like that? Four pottery pieces painted with my sister, niece, and daughter. Three people delighted to be back in Connecticut. Two (too) many people we didn’t have time to see. One visit home.