Well, this is the route for Leg One. Covered some ground, had some thoughts, saw some country side. All in all, it seems to be working so far. Enough so that I’ve mapped out and timed the Second Leg. More on that after Thanksgiving.

Brittany and/or I have been to the grocery store repeatedly. Each time avowing, “no more food”. That hasn’t stuck so far. Brittany made a phenomenal squash soup tonight and also served up some leftover carrot soup. And I had a piece of lavash given to me by Brittany’s friend Vahe, also tasty.

Speaking of Brittany’s friends, apparently yesterday was Take Your Father to Work Day. I was paraded around and introduced to a great many people. All of whom, I choose to believe, were smiling behind those masks.

I’m a little fragile tonight. I stumbled across a sonnet I once tried to write for Janelle. Not my best work, but I was taken off guard by how constant we were in negotiating our life together. This is from 2004.

When, too often, I think I know what’s what,
There’s only you so fast will evoke a laugh
And make it clear, it’s not that way by half.
I touch your arm, your neck, and see I’m caught.

Hamachi, tataki, and some miso?
John, Iris, Delbert, Johnny, and the Band.
Our joined tastes are hard to understand.
We try, we sample, and go with the flow

The gazetteer, a rack, my hat, who drives?
We share a road, somewhere we’ve never been.
Turn right, no left, and pop a top again.
To live a pair, the trip that makes our lives.

And so, from two distinct adults we form one
Couple merged in love and life’s experience.