We’ve reached the time of year where people are always at camp. The other day I was walking Zorro and down at the beach there were people swimming. They had two unleashed dogs. I thought, well, here goes nothing. So we walked past the people and Zorro and another dog stood nose to nose. The other dog’s owner said the collar had just died. Nobody barked. She took the other dog’s collar and gently moved him/her back and Zorro and I eventually kept walking over to the beach step path.

I knew who the people were. Sometimes I get jealous of the people who get to swim here. Is that not just the most nonsensical thing? I have to readjust to sharing. And I wonder if they ever feel a tad bit guilty, like, oh yeah, we just show up where this person lives and use their space. One of the kids tried to come into our house at 7:11 in the morning. I opened the door and he literally was trying to come in by walking in. I said the boys are getting ready for school. I didn’t want him coming in then.

The boys have broken their gaming habit. I’ve not observed for myself, but I have gotten reports that the oldest one has, if not completely given it up, then has at least significantly cut back. I’m not about to let that back into my house again. They are still in their chess phase and Laura also knows how to play now. I gave the boys a talk and said that is not what my house is for and that I don’t want to be a bad person. We had a good supper with everyone and it was fun to have the whole table.