August 1 - Great Eastern Tour Day 16

Money spent: $8
Change of plans: 3
Visits: 2

9:26 a.m. - There will be no running today. It is not even contemplated. Three minutes outside is enough to wilt a person.

10:38 a.m. - Head downtown to purchase Mom and Dad's anniversary gift. Glad I waited to check directions; the course to my destination wasn't exactly what I'd thought.

12:20 p.m. - Visiting my Rochester grandma. She's starting to repeat herself, an indication that it's time to think about leaving. Despite the redundant conversation, I stay glued to my chair. Every movement towards leaving is suppressed by the nagging fear that this visit is the last. She is ready to go and join her husband. Finally, I feel at peace with that. I am selfish and still dread the knowledge that every hug could be the last, but the thought of my Rochester grandparents together again is comforting.

1:34 p.m. - Big Lots is full of hidden treasures. Kashi Go-Lean Crunch, hair dye, and bug spray for under $8. It is worth browsing through the junk for these awesome finds. There should be a Big Lots in every college town. Fairly certain it would be more successful than Wal-Mart.

4:04 p.m. - Part II of Oprah's schools in crisis. Not quite as depressing as yesterday. This edition is more about what's being done to solve the problem. Strong admiration for the people out there making amazing things happen.

5:25 p.m. - Panda calls to cancel our plans for the night. She has gotten seriously ill working outdoors all day at camp. Bed is in her immediate future. Half pay attention to dinner while trying to figure out what to do with my night.

7:34 p.m. - Swimming with accident boy. Panda's cancellation was the perfect opportunity to call him up to hang out, and there's nothing wrong with a swim when the temperature is still pushing 90. The water allows accident boy to move much more freely than on dry land. We float about chatting. Discussion of brain injury treatment and accessibility issues with finding his own apartment are a completely normal part of the conversation. Their German shepherd twice my size is anxious to jump in, but restrains itself. A dog that big deserves a manlier name than Scooter.

9:10 p.m. - Need to start a new book, but update blog instead.