The air is already tugging the humidity down from the 90s to the 50s as the temperature prepares to climb toward 87-degrees by 2:00 PM, making this a nice day to retreat to the comfortable air-conditioned indoors.

Eight Mary Lincoln day lilies are with us, today, and it looks as though they may linger through the week’s end, possibly a few stragglers into the weekend. I truly enjoy this period of nature.

Today, I am rehearsing for my trip to Springfield with another trip to Columbus, sharing some of my favorite items in The Columbus Museum of Art.

When Joshua visited from London last Memorial Day, we went to Cincinnati and across The Ohio River into Covington, Kentucky, as well as Columbus. It was my first time to actually leave this area near my home since January 2020. I pushed myself because I was spending time with Joshua.

I’ve ventured to Lebanon with Jenny to dine at The Golden Lamb and to The Greene with Laura to celebrate her birthday. I’ve taken bus trips downtown, to The Dayton Mall, and to The Greene to dip my toe in the pool of getting out and getting around.

I will admit that I am a bit anxious with the impending visit to Springfield as it is my first big deal trip in a while and with my current body. Leaving the dogs in good hands with Jacob staying the night with them is comforting; however, I am still searching for day coverage. LOL! I am sure Mother must be haunting and taunting me as I continue to get all the ducks in a row. “The best planning sometimes needs adjusting,” she would say with a grin when I was always meticulous about things.

So, today, to prep myself, I am treating Jacob, as an additional dog-thank you, to a day in Columbus to visit The Columbus Museum of Art, Franklin Conservatory, and of course, two German boys dining at Schmidt’s Sausage House. This will be a fun time, but also mental and physical rehearsal for Springfield. Maggie is watching the dogs and they will be delighted to see her. She spent a good deal of her 2019 summer taking care of the dogs as I visited with Mother in Indiana before her passing.

It’s time to shower, dress, and leave at 10:00 AM for a day in Columbus. I am ready to make it a great day!