Monday August 24 2015

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Waking up at 9:30 a.m.

Ana and I drive out to Portsmouth to help my mom move into the old house she grew up in and where her uncle Kenny lives. Eating breakfast on the drive there: Pistachio Power Clusters, Peach, and Guayusa Tea.

There, my mom and I embrace. She's very sweaty as her and Myra already unloaded most of the boxes out of the truck leaving only the heavy stuff for Ana and I to help move. We get right to it, moving the furniture to the room in the back of the old house. Transferring the piano wasn't as difficult as predicted. By laying down two thick plywood boards on the grass one at a time we manage to roll the piano into the back room. I mention to Ana how funny it is that the piano used to reside in this same room when my mom was a little girl – she played it – my granddad played it – I played it in the Ocean Lakes house growing up. Then it was in Florida. And now it's right back where it started.

During all the hustling and moving things around my mom has a little break down moment and starts crying. This whole move from Florida back to the house she grew up in is overwhelming. Her worrisome eyes tell all too much. Along with the fond and pleasant memories from her childhood embedded in the walls of this old house there are also dark memories. Coming back here and having to face all this is tough. But she's a strong woman – she always has been. This perseverance was passed onto me.

"It grows in the sun and sleeps in the stillness of the night; and it is not dreamless."

– Kahlil Gibran

Settling down inside. I brought lunch to share with everyone. Egg Salad Sandwiches with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Fruit, and Honey Green Tea. Everyone is grateful. Afterwards, dropping off the rental truck with my mom.

Dotty, the six-toed cat warms our hearts with his cat pawing...

I get my mom to describe the time when she was indirectly struck by lightning as a little girl...

Back on the other side of the city after getting through some mild traffic. Teaching lessons at Music Makers.

Chanticleer is having some serious roof work done on our side of the neighborhood tomorrow. They placed orange cones everywhere that say "DROP ZONE". We're officially an amusement park now with a drop zone ride.

It's a Pizza from Whole Foods night for Ana and I. Stuffing our faces with Spinach Bianca slices and Kale Greens. Then, Cotton Candy Grapes.

In the theater room at the music space working out DEJA songs on the keyboards.

Back home. Eating more Cotton Candy Grapes.

Sleep 3:30 a.m.

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[i] Images by me.