Yesterday’s dive at the quarry was a pleasure for us. A nice hour-long drive there, then a leisurely pair of dives, practicing some skills, just being in the water–all felt great. Pack it all up, then head home. Generally a 4-5 hour day, and a very nice way to spend a date-day for us.

Today, Pattie heading up to Norfolk to spend a day with Christine, and to bring her some moving boxes. She and Stephen are moving to a new pad, so Pattie will spend a day or two visiting.

I returned the tanks, then headed down to Surf City before Joe, Cristin, and Jackson departed for return to NY. Got here about 11:30, finding Jackson enjoying his lunch. Soon we headed down to the beach, where for the first time he really enjoyed being in the water, experiencing the waves and the sand.

An...

Just care: https://digg.com/video/phil-vischer-veggie-tales-history-of-race?fbclid=IwAR2FQuAlWFeGKnGt9MfiKO39xNkhwrHIl8UX39Deg8i8CecY963igspRW5s

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And these pix–Jackson’s official 11-month photo shoot at the beach (Cristin is quite the photographer!)–just in!

And not the best video quality, but a milestone captured nonetheless:

Over this past weekend, I finally got to finish the piece for Jason Calloway (solo cello), naming it Witness Marks. From the program notes:

“Witness marks  [n.] A scratch or similar mark on each half of an assembly used to position of locate parts.

This music was written in a period of great disorientation, with a hope that focusing on a single line would help me put one step after another, to find a way forward in a time of so many different kinds.  I felt the writing of this to be a welcome and necessary diversion, a break from the darkness surrounding our days during the spring of 2020.”

Now sent off to Jason, and am curious to hear his thoughts, and to implement whatever suggestions/changes he comes up with.

I’ve never used this function in the notation software before, b...

Forwarded to me by a friend on Twitter:

The past week saw the release of ECU’s plan–“Return of Pirate Nation“–for the fall’s return to ‘normalcy.’ I appreciate how much we all want to get back to face-to-face classes, but it all really feels delusional to me.

The release of the plan, which is undergoing regular updating as new questions/concerns are raised by a variety of constituencies, was followed by an online ‘town hall’ with the Interim Chancellor. I like this guy, and think he’s doing as good a job as is possible through all of this...

Back in Greenville today, and sure did miss getting Jackson out of his crib this morning. Gosh, what a terrific treat this past week has been, seeing him every day, seeing the routine, getting to know what great parents Cristin and Joe are.

Cristin’s really done some great stuff, not the least of which is training him to get to sleep on his own. None of this “rocking him to sleep” I used to do with Joe. She just takes him into his crib, lies him down with a kiss and a back-pat, and he generally just goes to sleep. Perhaps a minute or two of crying, but that’s it. So, so nice. Also nice that they have a great baby monitor–these are video enabled now, which is so cool.

Now, though, back in Gvl and needing to take care of some business–lawn ...

Two highlights from yesterday on the deck in Surf City

A wonderfully relaxing day here yesterday. Each of these days sends me back 30+ years to a similar routine of getting the baby out of his crib, mellow wake-ups, and ramping up play sessions. Just such a magical way to start the day, and feel so lucky to have these moments again. For sure, Jackson is a happy and easy little guy, just as his dad was; and so lucky that he’s healthy, happy, and has a great disposition. He eats and sleeps well, has great energy and curiosity, and gets wonderful attention and love from his parents (and grandparents). The definition of privilege, and so nice to see him thrive. I wish every child, parent and grandparent had this.

Now to get Jo...

So very happy to spend a day attending to this little guy and putting the news on the back burner. From the portfolio of Jackson in Surf City, 2020:

Best Father’s Day ever soon to kick into gear, as I hear Jackson in the next room, making the first sounds of waking up. I got this.

A great day ahead.

One of the sweetest things about Jackson is the connection he clearly feels with Pattie. He and I spent two wonderful hours together this morning, then Pattie came down at 8:30, and within a few minutes, this (which went on for about 10 minutes, in complete silence:

and since we are unlikely to be with him for his first birthday (July 28), we decided to have a pre-11-month birthday party instead...

The best way to wake up, with Jackson here:

Up too early this morning, but getting some work done in the hours pre-dawn is always peaceful and relaxing. A little writing, then when dawn broke got to a few outside plumbing matters, and was delighted to see the sights above as the job finished.

Joe, Cristin, and Jackson will arrive very late tonight (more likely early tomorrow a.m.), and I think we’ve got the place ready for them. We’ll clean up the deck today, get cable service turned on, hang a few more pix…all easily accomplished with the full day ahead.

Yesterday’s drive here was surprisingly pleasant. Wanting to stop by a Home Depot in Jacksonville, the GPS led us on a very different, backroad route...