The day promises to be grey and chilly. With the clocks advanced one hour, it’s difficult to predict the day’s weather direction from the east.

I love waking up every morning to The Fab Five! Before swinging my legs out of bed, Bailey, Harrigan, and now, Col. Deeds, shower me with their wiggled love kisses. While this ritual commences, it allows Chief time to struggle to his feet and move over to the side of the bed, alongside Erma. Then, I give my Seniors a few minutes of love and hugs before closing all of them behind the gate so I can go to the kitchen to prepare my breakfast and theirs.

Once I let them outside for their first-morning potty and sniff expedition, I eat breakfast while checking email. Usually, the first to reenter the house is Erma so she can sit at my side until I have finished my Raisin Bran with strawberries. I set the bowl down so she can drink the remaining milk as the little colonel sits at attention, with surprising patience, to have the “nothing” that Erma has left for him. In his mind, he is getting something.

The past six days I have been chiefly bed-ridden and these pooches do add their own brand of medicine. Yesterday, seeing my students gave me a tremendous boost, so I am eager to see today’s crew, as well as tomorrow’s.

Three years ago, the world was shutting down for the lengthy quarantine. I watched sadness deflate so many of my private students as their winter guard and percussion contests, show choir contests, and musicals came to an abrupt halt. I watched former students and other professionals step through a threshold of the unknown. I began my fifteen month escape from the world until June 2021.

I had many wonderful friends who checked on me but I was always surrounded by The Quartet. Their company, plus my Zoom lessons with students and online events with colleagues and friends kept me going.

I have a few things I want to complete before my morning energy recedes. By that time, Deeds will be a bit more relaxed, too!

Make it a great day!