Summer Juggling

Summer Juggling
8/4/2009 6:47:17 PM
The now annual summer travel schedule is in full swing and taken on new twists. Minus Jamie, we all drove to Castle Park on July 24. I left them to come back to VA for a few days of work - and to keep an eye on Jamie - on the 28th. A fascinating journey; leaving Holland via Amtrak at 6:30 am to Chicago, taking the CTA to O'Hare, flying to National, taking Metro to Roslyn, the Loudoun County bus back to Purcellville and walking home - arriving about 6:00 - almost 12 hours. But really quite easy. Walking through the Loop from Union Station to the Blue Line - with some detours - brought back a flood of memories and nostalgia. The offices, restaurants, streetcorners, smells and sounds came back like some distant dream. There were so many people on the street that I swear I knew or had met in a previous life. Hard to believe we'd spent nine years here - and have now been in VA for almost ten. I only reserved a couple days of actual work - and that was to hold meetings with my staff on planning for the coming year. Otherwise I was around the house doing chores and keeping an eye on Jamie. He's working maybe 20 hours at Subway - but mostly just hanging out with his friends. He continues to perplex and frustrate us. Unfocused, delusional and immature; he is still costing us - in money and anxiety. Now on my way back to Castle Park, Jamie is staying with a friend so he can get to work - and we will worry about him. Usually my stay at home was a time to relish my solitude and and do a few chores (painting bedrooms!). And while I got few chores done, the solitude was not quite as sweet. Maybe it was Jamie, or evolving maturity, or work anxiety, or missing Marth and the boys - but it's become much less exilarating than it used to be. Anyway - the schedule now is to spend a couple days at CP, then drive to Chi for the "picnic" practice over the weekend, spend a few more days back in CP, then drive everyone back to VA on the 14 - in time for Chris and Patrick to be in shows on the 22nd.