What went before: I’m in Maine. Should be home before 2.
What went before: Aaand home. Lunch ordered and et. Cats all gathered ’round for hugs and pets. Trooper is telling me All The Things, as I wander around the house, putting things away.
There is no place like home.
Sorted through the mail that accumulated in my absence. I have some phone calls to make on Monday, including to the proposed new practice associated with my PCP, which appears … not to take Medicare? There’s a deal breaker right there.
The day’s driving was rather unnerving; it was Raining Like Hell(tm) in Vermont, three times hard enough that the Eyesight function in my car shut itself off. Also? Here in Maine, we have deer crossing, moose crossing, golfer crossing. Vermont is hardcore — there are bear crossings. All of whom were sensible enough today to stay home and out of the rain.
Once I hit Maine, all I had to contend with was fog, and the fact that I was starting to flag. Got off at Saco, took on a large half hot chocolate/half coffee and went down to Pine Point to drink it. Stared at the boats in the fog for a bit, then got back on the road.
Rook and Tali demonstrated that they remembered the routine by lining up at my side at the dining room table, then jumping into my lap when I finished eating and pushed the chair back.
That would be all the news at the moment, except that it’s gonna take me a week to get unpacked and caught up.
How’s Saturday been treating you?
Sunday. Rainy and cool.
Breakfast was oatmeal with cranberries and walnuts, tea. Lunch may be leftovers or something from the freezer, but! There Will Be lunch.
All of the cats slept with me last night, which is — unprecedented — with this particular crew, and I slept late because of it.
I am still COVID-free. I do have a sniffle, she says, as she looks out at the carpeting of pollen on the surface of the deck.
I have Things to sort out. The most important of which is my desk, so I can do the other things. I also have Laundry. What a surprise.
Door-to-door mileage is One Thousand Six Hundred and Two Miles (which looks So! Impressive! written out).
The trip was not without its moments, or even hours, of terror, nicely balanced, so I believe, with many hours of pleasure.
Ten days was — a lot to be away, especially doing It All Myself, and the convention was a challenge of its own sort. I did not get to any panels, though there were way too many interesting things going on. I felt — and I’m sure my instincts were correct — that I needed to husband my energy, so that I could credibly dispatch those duties that I did have. I did hit the art show a couples times, and the dealers rooms, naturally. And, despite my lack of General Visibility, connected with a lot of friends, old and new.
I note that, if you were a member of BaltiCon — in-person or virtual — it looks like all the panels that were recorded, including Opening Ceremonies, the interviews with the Guests of Honor, and the symphony (I think I saw that; if I’m wrong, someone please correct me), may now be viewed online. I’m told we’re to thank Dr. Gandalf for this expeditious work.
So! First up on my day, after I start the kettle for another cup of tea, is to throw in a load of laundry, and start clearing my desk so I have room to work. I may not actually get to, yanno, writing until the weekend, which should be plenty of distance from what’s been written so far, and let me see if it’s any good.
What’s the weather where you are, today?
Cat census:
