Ten.Two Thousand, Two Hundred & Three

1. Monday, Monday, Monday.

2. I don’t think there will be a problem.

3. Not enough time to make him bacon, so we settle for smoothies with a little bit of protein powder.

4. It’s the little things.

5. Progress.

6. I can’t get over the bridge. I can, I can.

7. We all have hard things going on. We can feel like the only ones in the world.

8. Second at bat. Thwack. All the way to the top of the fence. Inches away from a home run. He’s not gonna believe it’s because I made him hit off the tee.

9. It’s official.

10. Wild-fire-sunsets.

Ten.Two Thousand, Two Hundred & Two

1. Wanna stay here a little longer. I don’t think I really need to get out of this bed.

2. “Weekly meal plan without nuts for a football player that needs to gain two pounds per week.”

3. Grocery lists.

4. Buster’s BBQ. Charles is sitting outside like always. Three-rib plate with a double side of baked beans. Shaded picnic table.

5. A little bit of wine with an ice cube. I lean against the railing and look through the trees

6. She seems to be really stuck on the fact that she called her “elitist.” “It’s not like I ordered a steak dinner.”

7. This summer is going to be different.

8. The sound of the wind through the trees.

9. It will be okay.

10. This persisting feeling that something else needs to change.

Ten.Two Thousand, Two Hundred & One

1. Four missed calls at 5:30 a.m.

2. I cancel our practice—again. I could have really used it.

3. It could have been worse.

4. I will get those webs down somehow, at some point.

5. It only took me until the last two weeks of the session to be ahead on my reading.

6. If he were home, I would have called him for coffee and a chat.

7. A block of maple walnut fudge. Slice by slice. That kind of day.

8. Is this the bottom?

9. The gladiolas are starting to wither, but they are still beautiful.

10. Thank goodness it’s only Saturday.

Ten.Two Thousand, Two Hundred

1. Not enough sleep.

2. Another cool, gray morning. A sweater over the tank top.

3. Some of these plants are, dare I say, thriving.

4. 85%. But what about the other 15%?

5. I gotta stop watching this.

6. Forks up.

7. Life’s problems don’t change, but sometimes they are easier to deal with in 80 degrees, sunshine, and an hour’s drive from the beach.

8. She asks us if we work together. We say we used to. We’re not far, but no longer as close. Picpoul, tartare, salmon, grilled bundt cake.

9. The back deck is shaded. I am tired. I try to read but I can’t keep my eyes open. I close them. The birds are chatty this afternoon. There is a gentle breeze. I had forgotten how much I love these kind of summer afternoons.

10. She comes back tonight.

Ten.Two Thousand, One Hundred & Ninety-Nine

1. The gray skies are comforting.

2. No more peanut butter and chocolate protein shakes. No more avocados. I settle for oatmeal with dried cherries.

3. She says they’re at the capital today. That Trump is supposed to be there.

4. If I don’t dance at my desk, I will fall asleep.

5. “Just bored,” I say. “Just bored.”

6. Something about all of this feels kind of silly to me. But it’s beeter than what I dealt with before.

7. Parking lot conversations. It’s cooler than I thought it would be. Sour Cream and Onion chips.

8. A kick of wind and a broken glass.

9. Glowing gladiolas.

10. How seriously should I take this?