Wow. Now that was a long day. Having the entire afternoon yesterday to wait around ended up being a real challenge. Memama had laid down, which was understandable, because her hand was extremely tender after the dressing was removed and replaced. Pepa snoozed in one of the recliners most of the afternoon.

I had opportunity to go with Erica and Holt to pick up Reid from school. I got to meet Ms. B, his teacher this past year. Reid had received a golden horseshoe award for the day. That was in stark contrast to Wednesday when he was written up four times for mis-behaving. In my books the four write ups would have been the equivalent of the golden horse apple.

As a reward for the golden horseshoe, Erica decided to take Reid for a treat. Reid selected Sonic as a destination, wanting to play miniature golf while we were there. You can imagine his disappointment when he learned they did not furnish clubs (he had brought his own golf balls). So we returned to the house and the two older boys made plans for a bike ride with the Mother. Dandy was going to stay and watch Drew in the back yard.

I sat on the deck in a big rocker, as the little man busied himself. It seemed as though there was too much to do and not enough time to do it all. He loved to gather up accessories and then get in the little tyke car. For the life of me I cannot figure out what a badminton birdie and racket have to do with driving the car, but this was what he attempted to do most of the afternoon. He would have his hands and arms full and begin to get in the car. If his luck was good, he didn't drop anything when he opened the door, but more times than not when he stepped into the car he was backward, requiring a do-over. Then it seemed as though the racket handle was always in the way of closing the door, which necessitated putting it through the right hand window. With remarkable frequency, he usually dropped the racket out the window accidentally, or inadvertently dropped the birdie through the bottom, any of which required an exit and re-start of the entire process.

It made me tired just watching.

Drew has to be one of the happiest babies I have ever seen. But I did see his temper when he heard his Mother return and he wanted into the garage. I kept trying to get him away from the garage door which enters the house, hoping to prevent the door pinching his toes or one of his brothers blasting through the door and knocking him to the ground after giving him a face full of door.

I spent some time in the back yard, playing catch, and generally playing play ground monitor. It was a good time for a while.

Holt is extremely mischievous, and is always pushing the limits. So he requires a lot of supervision.

Reid is not as affectionate as Holt, and he is very smart. Maybe too smart for his own good. But, Reid can only behave for a while. After that he becomes very defiant.

Towards the end of our time in the back yard he launched lots of small toys and yard tools to the roof of the house, even though his Dandy chided him each time. The final straw was when he found a Super Soaker water gun and threatened to shoot Dandy. He stood there after I warned him, pumped the gun up and proceeded to spray me with soured water.

That was enough visit for me.

If I had been alone, it would have been highway time right then and there. BUT, Memama wanted to go to the kindergarten graduation. At one time I actually pondered the possibility of leaving and just telling Memama we went. Heh.

Probably the most offending thing about Reid's episode was he went on the offensive, telling anyone who would listen only the things that would exonerate him of fault or blame.

In a lame reaction to my observation, Reid's dad simply said, "Welcome to our world."

I think I have my visit "fix" for the next twenty or twenty-five years.

For those of you wondering how I ended up taking Memama instead of Pat, she was in Austin taking Robyn to the oral surgeon. I think Robyn had five teeth pulled, after having two pulled a few weeks ago. Pat seems to be having to fill a role left vacant by Tj's death, and Robyn's dad's apparent decision not to fill it.

I have observed this situation from near and far. (Last year I was down there during gin season). I have about come to some observations.

It seems that Edwin's interaction with his and Tj's children depends on how well they have gotten along with Stephanie (his new wife and their new step Mom). If the kids have behaved to his or Stephanie's satisfaction they are rewarded, if they have not, they are penalized.

I know this sounds extremely blunt, and I haven't talked with Edwin to hear his side, and there is always two sides to any story.

I will be one of the first to admit that TJ was not a conventional Mom. Sometimes she seemed off the wall. Yet no matter what. Those kids knew come hell of high water, she loved them enormously.

Playing the part of child psychologist or grief counselor, I think it is very evident none of the kids was "ready" for someone to replace their Mom. Along this line, I also believe that anything that questions their Mom's mothering is taken as an insult to their Mother.

I can understand Edwin, not wanting to be alone, and missing his "best friend, mate and partner". I am not evaluating that question or the void he felt.

It seems in the present situation not only did TJ's kids lose their Mom, but they are threatened with losing their Dad.

I wish I had an answer that would satisfy everyone. But only time will tell if the scars being inflicted are temporary or permanent.

By the way, my Thursday ended about ten forty in the evening, after the return from Lubbock and dropping Memama and Pepa off at Roscoe.

Today I may do nothing!

Have a day! (I had one yesterday so I may have a day off).

FATHER, we know I am not the most patient person in the world. Forgive me. Thank YOU for the safe travel and for the good report for Memama.