Henry and I are back from the vets. Neither one of us, including Mr. Henry, is any worse for wear. A tech came to the car, took Henry and brought him inside while I waited outside. The vet came out later and gave me a run down of Henry’s health. He is wonderfully healthy. He lost 4 pounds which pleased the vet as the last time she saw him he was at his top weight. Henry got a rabies shot, a flu shot, Bordetella oral vaccine, a heartworm test and a complimentary nail trim. On the bill, under breed, Henry is listed as retriever, Labrador mix, good to know. Henry is a handsome boy.

Today is warm, a bit of summer. The sunlight is slanted in the way it always is in fall. It’s sharpness is highlighted through the leaves and branches. My street is so quiet I can hear only the birds. I filled the feeders Yesterday, and the birds noticed.

When I was a kid, I remember trips to Boston. I remember sitting in the Public Garden by the pond. I held peanuts my mother had bought for us to feed to the spawns. I was an innocent. The spawns surrounded me in a well-coordinated attack. One even put out his paw, a sort of Oliver Twist I want more moment. I gave him a peanut. I swear the rest looked frenzied and right at me. I stood up. They ran away.

Yesterday a rabbit was munching on the grass out front. I think it was a different rabbit than the one we usually see. It was bigger. Henry didn’t even notice.

Yesterday I roasted a chicken and some carrots. I felt quite accomplished. It has been a while since I’ve last cooked a real meal, one defined by my father as meat and potatoes, veggies optional.

My dance card is quite empty. I even checked two weeks ahead. Nothing is scheduled. My life has come down to this, nothing scheduled!! Sigh!!