All alone in the big bed, I luxuriate and stretch, turning over. Although I would rather have Ray here with me, I am enjoying the brief taste of decadence--clean sheets and a queen size bed with soft pillows, just for me.

For a moment, I return to my dream/thoughts of laying out a newsletter or directory, related to the work I was doing this week, but I realize it is beginning to be light. I open my eyes, facing the window. I have deliberately left the shade open a few inches, just in case I slept long enough for the sun's light to wake me. I look at the clock and I marvel, because it is so rare for me to sleep past seven in the morning. I have been waking up at 5 or at the latest 6, for months and years. Yesterday, it was before 4, but that was perhaps partly due to the excitement of coming on this trip.

Ray has been working so long and hard, he gets up before me most days and creeps to the other end of the house so his light and his quiet tapping on the keyboard won't disturb me. I think his stress and unhappiness radiate onto my side of the bed. I think of him and wonder how long he has already been working this morning. Is he luxuriating in the quiet and peace? Or rushing around taking care of things without me?

I give my friend a big hug. She owns this beach house with her sister and has invited us for the weekend. Ray and her husband will arrive tonight--the breadwinners that allow us this luxury and space--time away from the bustle and routine.

I have slept so long that I don't have much time to dally. I am so sleepy and in a strange place that it seems to take a long time to do everything--find a glass...oh, no, I forgot to bring orange juice. I will have water instead with my morning pills (sign of old age?)--vitamins, calcium, baby aspirin.

Yesterday I met with the very helpful man at the Cycle Shop about the bike ride for ALT. He gave me lots of good information (and work to do) and I started getting excited. When I got to ALT, Nancy had some thoughts about the grant proposal I was working on and I did some more on that. A little after 2, I headed over to Lowe's to try to exchange the curtains I bought for them a while ago. I returned the ones I had gotten and they gave me a gift card for the amount. But the Roman shades I was supposed to get are special order only. So, still no curtains.

Becky was supposed to meet me there and pick me up to drive to Fripp--originally 2:00, then 2:30, then 3:00--it was after 3 and Ray had to take the car and go, so we unloaded everything (food, suitcases) into the Lowe's parking lot! About 15 minutes later, they showed up and loaded everything in the van with plenty of room to spare. Kent generously sat in back and let me ride up front with Becky so I wouldn't feel sick. I talked to Shaye at the Fellowship about the directory until I lost phone service. The drive was pleasant and smooth and we were in Fripp about 8:30. Becky had taken some vegetable soup out of the freezer and we had my bread with it. We made some salad too and it was great. I resisted falling asleep until about 11.