Annual Trip Ender

You never know when it will happen...and today was the day: our annual trip-ending event! Rather, our annual event that, if not resolved swiftly, would be a trip ender. This year's event was, as usual, a plumbing emergency. Also as usual, it was on a weekend. There is only one plumber serving this area. Andrew called and left a message. An hour or so went by. I perused hotel options. Lo and behold, the plumber did call Andrew back and came over around 6pm. Every couple of years, roots (or something?) grow into the piping of the septic system, creating a blockage. With a lot of loud grinding and shrieking of metal, the plumber cleared the blockage. Not a trip-ender after all. Not this time.

It rained all day. We were kind of glad for the break in our active, active week of running, tennis, rafting, and more running. I, for one, am uncharactistically in pain--I've pulled some kind of muscle. I am not usually this active. I mean, I'm an active person, but INTELLECTUALLY--reading, crafting, enjoying some prestige TV. Not...running. Not...river rafting. Joking aside, I can barely walk. This better improve ASAP.

The girls read all day. No exaggeration. They sat on their beds and red. I also read, and made two new amigurumi: a strawberry and an ice-cream cone. Andrew, engaging in his version of relaxing, took a chain saw out to the woods to break down a fallen tree.

For dinner I made a new recipe Andrew found from the NYT--one-pot basil and zucchini pasta. Delish.

Wildlife report: 

1. The porcupine, who we've named Odette, made its slow circuit around the back and side of the house again today. I did a little research and learned that porcupines cannot actually "shoot" their quills. Instead, to attack, they charge their quarry backwards or sideways to spear them.

2. The baby birds continue to be adorable and very, very loud. The mama bird flies back and forth to the nest frantically, trying to keep up with their voracious appetites. We've stopped using the front door, since the nest is so close to it--we're afraid of spooking the mama. They are so, so, so cute.

3. After dinner, we took a walk along the road with Farrah and spotted the first few red efts of the season. Always so tiny and cute. That's an approved wildlife.

What We're Reading:

Margo: The Ferryman

Andrew: Swann's Way

Lucia: Finished The 100 series book #2; started #3

Greta: Finished The Warrior Heir; started The Infinite Son