What to do?

A day or two after I got back to Texas, I got a call from a family that lives in our subdivision. They were friends of our neighbors and had heard about Sally. Anyway, the call was about me considering selling our house. This was the last thing on my mind, and my first thought was that I was not up to the trauma that would incur. But, thinking about it, I began to see some upside to this. After Sally's death, I thought I would eventually sell this large house and move into someplace smaller, but I had no plans to pursue this at this time. Our house is very large and would be perfect for a large family with room for guests. With me, I am a little like a molecule in a large space bouncing around with Brownian movement. There are parts of the house I essentially never visit except to make sure that fox or bear or something hasn't moved in. So to have someone interested to buy it without having to market it or to get a realtor involved seemed like something I should take seriously. So I am thinking about it. I don't know, but with the swan appearing and now this spontaneous offer for the house--I''m almost wondering if this is meant to be. Keep tuned.

It's been busy

Lots of things going on here. The yard has been overgrown over the summer with lots of rain so everything was looking a little like some jungle in southeast Asia. So with Lorrie's guidance, I had Ken, our friend and major gardner here, do a major cutting back of the plants so that now after a couple days of intensive work, the yard is starting to have a much more tidy look. Sally always had many pots full of various plants. We are trying to simplify things and so many of the pots have now gone to new homes -- friends who wanted a little of Sally in their yard. I think she would approve. There are also some things about the house that need fixing and I am working on those. So I hope that in another week or so everything will be ship-shape.

Our swan has been here most days at least for part of the day. He (she?) must be flying around and exploring the area, but he has come back so that I see him early in the morning but not later in the day. Who knew that there were swans flying around looking for a home?? I hope he decides that this is a pretty good place to put down roots. It would be great if there was a mate so that we could have some "ugly ducklings" and then some more swans. It is interesting to see the swan interact with the ducks. He is always graceful but there is no doubt who is in charge. He will threaten the ducks a little and they will back off if they are both in the same area.

In addition to all the house stuff, I am keeping busy with some consulting--spent a few days in Boston and almost got stuck in a Nor'easter last week, but made it home ok. This week I went up to Lexicon, my favorite little pharmaceutical company here in the Houston area. I plan to spend more time with them helping them to be successful--hope it will help.

Have also been spending good time with Lorrie, John, Stephen and Andrew. The boys are in a great HS band program. We went to a regional

competition last week and they got first place against schools of all sizes. In a month they will go to a National competition in Indianapolis. It is exciting for them and for us as well. Here is a picture of all ten finalists at the regional competition. There are about 2000 kids on the field. It was exciting as they announced the winners of the competition.

I'm back in Richmond

Well, I am now back in Richmond and trying to get settled here. I spent a few days in Tucson with my good friends, Ray and Julie Woosley. Tucson is really an interesting and beautiful part of the country with the saguaro and other desert plants and animals. I am flying back this time so that I don't have to worry about driving alone on that long drive. I got back on Tuesday evening and tried to get oriented as to where I was and what time it was.

Coming back to this house has been sorta difficult. All of the things that Sally had done to the house and yard make me sad. Lorrie came over today and we are going to try and simplify things such as pots and plants etc. to try and make some changes. I'm sure that will help.

About a week ago a swan flew into our lake and has been here ever since. I didn't know that swans flew around looking for homes, but this one did and I hope he stays. He is so beautiful and calm, just swimming around. Yesterday morning, first thing I went outside and the swan raised up and flapped its wings in my direction as a greeting. I think Sally sent the swan as a welcome home.

Tomorrow would have been Sally's birthday. Lorrie and her friends are making plans to do some fun stuff with me to keep my mind off this significant day. One day at a time, they say and I think I have to go through all these anniversaries to get through this process.