Waking up in my bed, Loca bucking against the crate, Arlene skating around the hardwood floors, smile as I look at the photo of us that Marc took and gave us as a patch during separation. Sunshine on the bayou and giant brown pelican cruising over it – a crispness still in the air from the little cold snap we had while I was gone – tee shirt weather for sure (yesterday, a call home to mom where she said, “Roy’s outside in a tee shirt digging, so it must be nice out there.”) – a romp around the bayou and through the park – a large yellow-crowned night heron sitting on a log with a turtle and next a great egret casually hanging out on a little island in the middle of the lagoon. The sidewalks they have been ripping out are mostly poured. Here and there I see all my fellow dog walkers, runners, and sashayers – hello, good morning, nice day – and then back to tea and bagel with almond butter (a Tatjana touch) and the start of another day.