{{lisah and Bob}} It is so tragic. The past year has been particularly horrible for people with mental health issues.

As I look at all the adorable pictures of kids on their first day of school I both worry with the knowledge that this is going to get worse, and am relieved that mine aren't in school. And whoa are the school districts not all the same. Full range of virus cesspools to well-thought-out mandates and policies.

How awful for your cousin. I hope that something can be done to improve his care.

DH is headed back to Florida today when he gets up. He couldn't sleep all night thinking about this, that, and the other thing that needed to be done. The man just doesn't have a relaxed mode. That said, I am looking forward to clearing the debris field that surrounds him. Stuff everywhere that isn't where it should be!

Cool to watch the Robert E Lee monument go away, although I have fond memories of the beauty of Monument Avenue in Richmond when I lived there. Different times for sure, and a good thing. Still, it was sad to see all the graffiti on the monuments, which used to be quite grand. So mixed feelings, but weighted towards it is the only way.

Turkey post since I am here alone this morning. Tale of a very good boy. When we took the trip to Niagara Falls my sister watched the pets. She couldn't convince Skinner to go out after dinner so she left for a while then came back. While she was gone apparently he just couldn't hold it and he pooped in the LITTER BOX. He is a very large doggy so it clearly wasn't the cats. So we have declared him a very good dog.

Impressive!! Good boy.

So we have declared him a very good dog.

What a good boy! So thoughtful.

Dag, it's a mad scramble from the second I get up until I get Matilda out the door: make coffee, turn down bed and throw on back pillow so JZ can work there, get Matilda up, get her nose pill, second wake up with retainers in box and Claritin, make her lunch (today: turkey sandwich on baguette with cheddar and romaine lettuce, and Hawaiian chips, extra Glad bag of Cheezy Poofs for her friend Chloe), get her to-go breakfast together (English muffin with cream cheese, can of coffee from the fridge), gentle hectoring throughout while monitoring the bus arrival online, shooing her out the door. That's all in about 40 minutes. Then brief exhale and make the daily bolus for JZ and me (half mug of oat bran).

Then I put on my running gear, run the steps, buy second coffee (for myself and JZ). I shower and she generally takes her Second Coffee up to the UCSF library to work there for the day.

And that's my routine from 7am to 10:30. Aren't you glad you asked?

I’m at the Seattle airport waving at nearby Buffistas. My way stop on my way to the parents in Orange Co. I’ve acquired coffee which is the only important thing.

I’ve acquired coffee which is the only important thing.

Truly said.

Matilda now drinks coffee every morning and she gets a headache when she doesn't. I didn't drink coffee regularly until I was in San Francisco in my mid-twenties.

And that's my routine from 7am to 10:30. Aren't you glad you asked?

I'm picturing a whole Tasmanian Devil whirling dervish thing going on, for you AND Matilda.

I'm picturing a whole Tasmanian Devil whirling dervish thing going on, for you AND Matilda.

Especially since she's got a skin care regimen to do and it's not a school bus but a Muni bus. But it was especially whirly twirly this morning because I overslept to 7:15, so I didn't have time to sit and absorb my coffee first.

As you can imagine, assembling a sandwich just woken and pre-coffee involves several minutes of staring blankly at the ingredients trying to remember whether the bread goes on the outside or what.

Among the pleasant things that occurred in Michigan was the discovery that my once quasi-libertarian nephew has swung waaaaaaay left. As in, advocating for universal basic income and healthcare. And not because he’s struggling either—he’s made twice my income since graduation (robotics). He just thinks they’d be good for society. I’m so proud! (I say as I wipe away a socialist tear.)