I love this cool breeze blowing through the house at 5:30 AM. My alarms were set for 5:15 AM, 5:30 AM, and 5:45 AM but with Harrigan hovering over my face, Hoskins snuggling deeper into my side, and Colonel Deeds laying across my groin and nudging my bladder into urgency, I was bounding out of bed at 5 AM.

Saturday morning, I was downtown in time enough to grab some sugar-free sodas at the market and a tall coffee from Starbucks at Schuster Center. Tamra, my fellow house manager, had placed a Starbucks order, so I grabbed hers, as well.

I learned, but did not have time to investigate, that Dayton is the cradle for Funk!

The day was long but rather smooth. It was fun seeing the energy-filled dancers sign in with their parents as they prepared for their rehearsal shifts that ran from 10 AM to 3 PM, followed by the performance and awards ceremony that began at 5 PM. We were surprised to learn that we would complete our day by 8 PM instead of 11:15 PM. I was elated to be stepping into my Uber at 8:20 PM, out of my work clothes, and on the deck by 8:45 PM with the thrilled pooches. I received seven hours of sleep and not the anticipated five hours.

I do feel refreshed this morning and ready to meet this long day which will begin with a Lyft ride picking me up at 7:10 AM for my 7:30 AM shift at Victoria which will end at 8 PM when the dance concert concludes.

I did get to see three folks yesterday, two of whom I’ve known for many years. Josh Oxley, a former Kettering Middle School student, was there with his daughter, a fellow former marching band parent, Tina Wipperman-Hillard, and her daughter, Chloe, and one of our Dayton Live Volunteer Ushers, Heather Heritage who was with her son, Jax. The day before, I had a thoroughly enjoyable lunch with Carol Chatfield, and later that night at the Schuster concert, I got to chat with Mary Hutcheson Moenter.

My Uber driver was a 2012 Kettering Fairmont High School graduate and neighbor, Demetrius Summerville, also a National Parks Service Ranger. Demetrius possesses a deep love for local history, and we had a nice chat on the return to Kettering.

The dogs have been fed and pottied, waiting for their final yard venture before I leave. Today, Zac and Ian of the Canine Crew will be attending to the quintet throughout the day. Both are neighbor boys and musicians. Zac’s family has been attending the pooches, and cats, for over a decade now, beginning with his older sister, Gwen, who is now a National Parks Service Ranger out west.

I must be moving along with my morning as I have an hour before my driver arrives. I am grateful Mother raised me to be organized as I only need to pack things into my bags.

Make it a great day!