May 31, 2021. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Quiet House.

At 10:30, the first 2 young people left for home. They organixed their belongings and left quickly, one back to Austin and the other for a flight to Denver where he works as an satelight engineer. By noon they were all gone except Sarah and Liz who were driving to Houston, each in their own vehicle. Sarah starts her internship at the law firm tomorrow while Liz returns to her job working in he softwear business. They left just after 1:00. Samantha went to work this afternoon so for our late lunch we were down to a small group of Allison and boyfriend Simon, Abigail, David, Suzanne and me. The house was quiet. But not as quiet as it is now. We ate our dinner at 2:00 so they would not be in the midst of Memorial Day traffic. After doing the last time organizing, they all left at 3:30 and I was by myself. The house felt as if was a ghost house. Now I am used to the quiet. And tonight I watched hockey. David gave me a sesson with thir fancy TV so I was able to minulate the remote and find the games. Much to my surprise, Toronto lost the game and lost the series. Everyone said they were the better team but Montreal won the series. Now this week I will be by myself where I will again get used to living in a quiet house. Friday they will return because on Saturday Suzanne and David will host a graduation party for Abigail. Once again I will enjoy seeing new people. I am looking forward.

May 30, 2021. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Boat.

This afternoon the young people rented a wake boat, complete with driver. David's boat was out of commission so they pooled their resources and hired the wake boat. And they had a wonderful time. Everyone got to try the wake boarding, some better than others. These wake boats are big, holding 16 people. The boat was certainly new to me. The young people organized their lunch and beverages quickly after a leisurely breakfast. Sarah and Jenny went to sign the paperwork along with Suzanne. Every person was required to sign a waiver which was done on line. All very high tech. While the rest of the folks were waiting to be picked up in the boat at the boat ramp just down the street, they played a card game. These young folks play games at the drop of a hat. They left for the ramp at 12:30 and returned home after 6:00, tired and happy. Late in the afternoon the heavens opened and it poured rain, but for only 30 minutes. The boat driver kept them out an extra 30 minutes because of the rain. These young adults are used to be incharge and are not afraid to make a plan. Showering for 11 takes time as we have only 3 showers at the lake house. We dined on the deck late because the evening had cooled and the two inside tables were in the midst of board games. David had smoked chickens and lamb chops while Suzanne prepared baked vegetables plus french fries so once again we enjoyed our delicious dinner for 14, organized by Suzanne. The young folks always clean up the kitchen. From dinner until now, they have been playing different games. Right now they are playing I have never heard of, but they are having lots of fun. Tomorrow they all return to their own worlds some to begin graduate school and others to return to work. I have been impressed with these young folks. Hard working, energetic and kind to each other. I feel so fortunate to have been a part of their Covid Reunion.

May 29, 2021. Canyon Lake, Texas. The Lake House.

We all are enjoying the lake house, all 14 of us. The beauty of the lake house is that a house accomodates lots of activities all at the same time. Very soon after David, Suzanne and I arrived the preparations for dinner were underway, all being done by the girls. The did the whole dinner themselves, including the clean up. Immediately after dinner they started to play card games, all together. I left for bed while they were still playing and having a wonderful time. I got to know these wonderful young people from the other side of the room. It was like watching a movie. As they talked and had fun, I could not be a part of the game but I could get to know all the people. It was such fun. So by this morning I knew them all. These young adults have all graduated from college so are either working or at graduate school. As you would expect from Sarah's friends, they are all energetic and competent as well as inteesting. After a leisurely breakfast they young people all headed to the water, where they spent the whole afternoon, floating in the water and having a good time. Unfortunately, the boat overheated when Sarah was bringing it back to the house so they were not able to boat today. This evening we gathered on the deck and we talked which was when I got to know them. These 6 girls spent the Spring semester at the lake and they appreciated being here. So this Covid reunion is a special event. They have gathered from New Jersey, Dallas, Houston, Denver and Austin. The U. of Texas girls were already here for the week of Spring Break, Then the break was extended and finally school was all taught on line so they decided to stay, joined with Abigail. And they al agreed that they had a blast. Now we are having a good time too. Right now, a group is talking on the deck while another group is playing a game in the living room They are playing Scatatories and having a noisy time. I am enjoying these young people. They are all hard working intelligent folks. I t is a pleasure being a part of their group.

May 28, 2021. San Antonio, Texas. Memorial Weekend.

Bit by bit we are gathering at the Lake. After Covid hit in March of 2020, the Universities quickly told the students to vacate the dorms and go home to continue their eduction on line. Sarah and four of her friends went to Canyon Lake to our beach house where they stayed. Abigail joined them so the 6 girls worked hard with their work but also had a blast. Every afternoon when work was finished they headed out on the boat which they kept in our little cove. Water skiing and tubing was the order of every day. After consulting with David and Suzanne, Sarah invited the girls for a weekend Covid reunion, so we will be a full house. Sarah was the first to head to the lake last evening to make things ready. This morning Abigail, Samantha and Allison along with the dogs loaded up Samantha's truck with groceries and coolers and left fo the lake. Later this afternoon, I will join David and Suzanne and drive in Suzannes car along with lots more groceries. During the afternoon, the reunion girls with 2 boyfriends in tow will get themselves to the lake. One of the parents of one of the girls is bringing dinner tonight. We will be a total of 14 for the whole weekend with a few others present for a day at a time. So we will have a happy time. My role is to sit back and watch the action and listen to their conversations. I will enjoy every minute. Then I will remain at the lake when everyone returns home. Sarah starts her paid internship Tuesday at a law firm in Houston so I will not see her again this summer. But we are gathering at the lake house this weekend. And we will have a good time.

May 27, 2021. San Antonio, Texas. Moose and Lincoln.

I have been here in the home of David and Suzanne for ten days, living with Moose and Lincoln, the family dogs. Because men were working in the backyard, the dogs must stay inside most of the time so I have been really living right beside them. They are big dogs, Weimereiners, and sweet. Also living in the house are the four girls so all day, as the girls pass through the room where I am reading I get to talk with them, one by one. It has been delightful. Moose is my favorite dog. Even as a puppy, he would come and place his head on your knee and wait to be petted. He has never poked me with his paws demanding attention. He just keeps his head on your leg looking hopeful. He still does the same thing. But now he is old and so spends much of the day asleep in his bed. But he still comes to be loved. He is a very smart dog but at this point, not very energetic. At this point in his life, he is not a bit interested in fetching. When Davis is working with Lincoln, which he does every day, Moose just stands beside David to be petted. Lincoln is a working dog. He will retrieve until David finally quits. He is a wonderful hunting dog and very energetic. The girls have been taking the dogs for a walk every day which is good. David says that if Lincoln does not get a good long walk every day the dog becomes impossible to live with. He loves to be with the people so when he is ready to rest in th day, he comes to lie down right by my feet, as close as possible. If you let him, he would sit on your lap. Moose sleeps in his bed but Lincoln wants to stay as close to you as possible. It is endearing. I have enjoyed living with these two well behaved dogs, Moose and Lincoln. The girls take the dogs outside the front when the dogs need to do their business and when the men are working in the back yard. I just call for one of the girls because I am afraid the dogs will not follow my instructions. But I let the dogs out the back when the men are gone. They are used to being inside so when they come to the door,I let them in. And I love on them.

May 26, 2021. San Antonio, Texas. Aurora, the Housekeeper.

Aurora has worker for David and Suzanne for over ten years. I have always been impressed with her diligence. Her task is crucial to the family and she knows how important she is with them all. Today she told me that she works for six different people, two on one day and the ohers a full day each. So she works full time. And she likes her job. Today when I complimented her on her good work, she told me that she loves her job. She loved to help people she told me, and the people she works for appreciate her work. And work hard she does. Years ago she worked all one day cleaning the house, as well as starting the laundry. Then she came back a the end of another day to finish the laundry. Now that the girls are all at school, she gets her tasks done in one day. Today she will come back later in the week to finish up the laundry and to clean Abby's Place. Aurora is energetic and competent. I always enjoy people accomplish their task with enthusiasm and joy even though the task may be dull. David and Suzanne treat her as an important person in their life and a valued employee. When she was ill with covid they paid her sick leave. And she gets paid two vacation days a year along with her social security. For several months David and Suzanne lived in The Tiny House but they paid her the same amount as when she was cleaning the big house. She cried when Suzanne told her what they were doing. Aurora told Suzanne that they were the only person who paid her sick leave and for that she was grateful. She and her husband work very hard and have one son at University in San Antonio. Aurora knows that she could get other jobs but she actually enjoys cleaning people's houses. And she appreciated being treated as an employee. Many years ago, an old German gentleman told me the any task he does brings dignity to his work because he brings his own dignity to the task. When I met him he was old and working cleaning a real estate office from 5 to 8 every morning. He speaks several languages and worked as a translater for the government. When he retired he took this cleaning job and he likes it. "I bring my dignity to the task," he said. I always think of that old man when I see Aurora work. She brings joy and enthusiasm to her task. The house is left spotless. The whole family appreciates her work.

May 25, 2021. San Antonio, Texas. The Backyard.

Right now the whole backyard looks like a war zone. Every part of the back yard has been torn up. David and Suzanne are ready to have the mud gone. The dogs too. Tomorrow there will be a big concrete pour. The retaining wall and paths will be installed. Next week the patios and remaining paths will receive the concrete pour. Of course, this all is dependant on the rain. Mostly San Antonio is dry. But this year it has rained day after day. The men can not work when it rains and the concrete can not b poured during a rain. So the project has dragged on...and on...and on. The plan looks wonderful. There will be paths all around the yard with an outside kitchen complete with water and electricity. A pergola will be build on the area of the outside kitchen. The contractor assured David today that once the concrete is poured and the pergola built, the bringing the top soil and the plantings will go quickly. They hope so because they have always enjoyed their back yard. Unfortunately, rain is forecasted for tomorrow so the pouring of the concrete may be delayed. Everything with this project has been delayed due to the rain. When it is finished, the backyard will be beautiful and as they expect to live here in this lovely house for many years, a few extra months will not matter. Suzanne and David are ready for it to be done. I feel sure that all will not be completed by the time I leave on June 30. Progress has been made since my arrival last Wednesday and by the time I leave I hope to be able to walk the paths. Right now walking around is impossible for me but I am hoping to explore after the concrete has been poured. I do love projects so am happy to see it before everything is pretty and plantings in place. But I will also enjoy the finished product. I have faith!!