As I stepped into the shower today, I realized I had not shaved my legs in a while. It is winter, my legs are covered, and I see few people during the pandemic anyway. And then the possibility of contracting the virus occurred to me. What if I end up in a hospital?

I shaved.

Walked, as I do every day now, on one of my four paths. Something was different. I realized that finally, everyone had removed their holiday lights and decorations. The inflatables were down. The trees were in the street for garbage pickup.

Another holiday season over.

All of us will have this problem at some time in our lives. There is a good chance we will have it a few or many times. What do we do when we receive a gift we do not like? Dare we tell anyone and seem ungrateful? If we are in front of the gift giver, do we smile and verbalize our appreciation and feel fraudulent? Do we pass the gift forward? Do we return it?

I still have not mastered this.

Isaac has developed an interest in investing, particularly in stocks. He asked me about my investments. First, he sent me his recommendations. Then I told him what I have. He then sent me a message commenting on my portfolio and offering alternatives, though he liked my portfolio except for one stock which he has a moral problem with. So do I. And so, I trust his opinion and will schedule a conversation with my financial advisor.

Time to take a different risk.

Julie now has Harold, her rescue puppy. He has acclimated to life with her as though he has been there his whole life. He will be two soon, based on her estimate. He goes for walks and loves the other dogs and cats that he sees on his ventures. But he is very attracted to the squirrels in the trees. He has decided he wants to climb the tree and play. There is a video of him trying to jump as high as he can.

Ongoing frustration.

I miss fall in the Midwest. I loved the change of color with the trees. As I walked this morning, I was aware of the amount of leaves on the sidewalk. At that time of morning, the sound of stepping on dry leaves was very noticeable. As the sun rose, I became very aware of the colors of the leaves. There was brown, red, yellow and orange. Until I started walking, I was less aware of the color change.

I felt closer to home.

I am referring to the stock market type. There is someone I am very invested in who has started investing himself. Isaac decided to study the market and has begun buying stock. I have not been investing for a while, waiting for the anticipated drop. But listening to Isaac describe his study, I am changing my mind. My financial advisor will be happy.

Trust.

I have been seeing clients in my backyard during the Pandemic. Some are still by phone, but others prefer to be seen. It has gotten chillier and we are entering rain season, a welcome time in California. And so, we are now meeting in the garage with the garage door open. I have a space heater when needed. No, I am not wallpapering the garage. And yes, the car is in the driveway.

Flexibility.

We have a new family member. Julie and Harold found each other through a rescue. He is adorable and loving and smart. Julie decided to name him after my father, a man she adored. The fact that they came together is based on spontaneous behaviors of everyone involved. Erik, Ellen, Isaac, and Ari will meet him first as they join Julie for Thanksgiving. We will, no doubt, Zoom.

We are a dog family.

I was invited to have lunch with Ari and Isaac at their home while Mommy and Daddy were away. Isaac sent me an email that morning suggesting a time and checking out the menu. I said both were fine. When I arrived, Isaac said he was prepping. He was cutting vegetables to mix with scrambled eggs. Ari took the bread I had brought and sliced it. He placed it in the toaster oven and, once toasted, added butter and warmed it a bit more. We took 45 minutes to eat and we talked. Then we went to clean up and Ari told me he would do the dishes and I did not need to help. I did clean the stove. Isaac emptied the dishwasher. Trash was collected from around the house and taken to the bins outside. Ari played piano for me. Isaac shared some school projects, and then we played Boggle. I was there for 2½ hours.

Yes, this is a record for me to stay somewhere. Can you guess why?