Yesterday I never left the compound . . . I dawdled with the young people in the morning, set up my zoom situation and tried to get my thoughts in order, and then taught all afternoon while J and H continued with their courtyard and sidewalk planting projects. By the time I finished, the temperature was nearly 80 degrees, and the soft air was reaching out to greet me. First summer skirt day, first sandals day, first idling till after dark in a sleeveless shirt day. The little courtyard now has hanging planters, some soil bags filled with vegetables and flowers, hanging lights, a small table . . . nothing fancy or unusual, but all charming. It's sweet to have a little oasis in the metropolis.

Today H has to go to work, so J and I will head out to the botanical gardens on our own. It's supposed to be another warm day but with rain coming in during the afternoon and then, tomorrow, a precipitous temperature drop into the 50s. But I will be on an early-morning plane, flying home.