It Been a Good Day

It's been a good day, a productive one—a cool mid-summer day carrying hints of far-off September. No humidity. No bugs. A low traffic day. It almost felt sleepy here in the upper valley.

It's now been three weeks since Emily's surgery. She's recovered nicely, in every way. She is wonderful about letting me put her through her range of motion exercises three times daily. And her spirited nature has returned to the point that I need to watch her.

This morning was the first in a month where Samwise and I walked five miles. We'd cut our distance with the surgery approaching, and haven't been enthusiastic about walking now that we leave Emily behind. It still doesn't feel right being only two on the trail when we're meant to be three.

Two things to note about Samwise: in the house, he's indifferent to Emily and her recovering limb, leaving her behind, though, he moves in a moribund fashion down the stairs, looking every bit the sad sack. Once we're out on a trail, Sam's pace picks up.

On t…