My wife put two pictures of places by the ocean in front of me and asked which one I'd rather visit. I started asking about parking, driving time, what we'd do if it rained. She said we could simply be there. Trying to get my head around that. A week that isn't built around a job or seeing somebody or getting something picked up. The pictures both look good. I can imagine sitting with her watching the water, then I start calculating how many days before I'd be checking the weather back home. She didn't ask me to promise I'd enjoy every minute. Just asked which place. Still haven't answered properly.

B., my twin, came over with a part I needed and stayed for supper. Nothing arranged. The kids made room, my wife found another plate, and we sat there arguing about a fence neither of us has repaired yet. Easy evening. After he left I watched his lights go down the road and thought how different it would be if he lived a state away, like some brothers do. Don't generally think about him being close. We spend half our time borrowing equipment off one another and the other half pretending to complain. Glad he's four miles away. Far enough that I don't have to look at his yard, close enough for another plate.

Walked out to the gate after supper with my youngest riding along on a bike. He kept going ahead and circling back, wanting me to race. Ran maybe twenty yards, enough to make him happy and make me aware I'd just eaten two helpings. No trouble, just breathing harder than I expected. The air had cooled and it felt good on my face after the house. Stopped to check the latch while he drew circles in the dirt with his tires. On the way back he wanted to know why grown men walk so slow. Told him we already know where the gate is. Legs felt better for the walk than they had getting up from the table.