It's Monday morning, it's my back-to-work week, and I am starting it off right, with a pile of dirty sheets and towels and a washing machine that does not leak water all over the basement. Yesterday Tom discovered pinholes in the drain hose, made a quick trip to the hardware store, and voila: I am back in the laundry business. So today--a walk, a zoom meeting, housework, groceries, prepping for school, getting the guest room set up, and this evening P will arrive from Brooklyn, ready to trek north with me tomorrow.

I did end up watching the Bills-Jaguars game yesterday--a game so stressful that I had to keep walking out of the room. Midway through, P texted, "This is a rock fight," and he was right. I never like to watch anyone get hurt, but I especially hate to watch the Bills' quarterback get beat up. I think that's because I've been on his side since he was an awkward, full-of-talent, often-ridiculed, dingbat rookie, and that history has somehow triggered my motherliness. Even though he's now the reigning league MVP, seeing him get hit on the football field feels as upsetting as seeing my kids' friends get mashed during a high school soccer game.

In the end, the Bills did pull off a victory, though I wonder why I was happy because now I have to go through all that stress again next Sunday.

Otherwise, what is new? Mostly an awareness of transition. This week I'll pivot away from my private life, back into the world. I haven't been exactly housebound over the past couple of weeks, but the house and my own mind have certainly been my frame. I'm looking forward to what's next.