Boys Week in CHS - POSTPONED

 Today was supposed to be Day One of boys week in Charleston.  It was over before it began.  I was just logging into work, when Caz came down to the kitchen.  I thought he was up earlier than normal.  He said he didn't feel great and his ear hurt.  Being prone to ear infections, he decided, on his own, to go to Urgent Care to be checked out.

About an hour and a half after Caz left, he called.  He called from the parking lot.  He tested negative for strep. His ear didn't appear infected.  The other shoe dropped.  He tested positive for COVID.

That information took a moment to process in my brain.  That process felt longer, than it lasted.  Caz is smart.  He called from the parking lot on purpose.  We made a plan.  I clean and disinfected the house.  He came in wearing a mask.  He went to a dedicated bedroom.  I had created a dedicated bathroom for him.  I informed Coco what was going on.  We all hunkered down for the long haul of isolation and quarrantine.

Juneteenth

 For the first time, Juneteenth is a national holiday.  It took too long for that to happen, didn't it?  But let's celebrate that it finally did happen.  Let's just celebrate.  Period.

We have had quite a few family discussions around this day.  I enjoy each and everyone one of them.  I feel like we all educate each other.  This is an important topic on which to be educated.  It is continuous, as education should be.  As we should try to improve each day.  I work at being an ally every day.  I want to be an ally.  But I can't call myself an ally.  I can't say whether I am an ally or not.  That is for someone else to determine.  I figure when I measure up, maybe that will happen.  But whether or not that every happens, I will keep working at at.  We are all in this together.  We need inclusivity.  

Storm Season 2018

The first major storm of the season hit today.  What is odd is that there is no snow.  The storm has hurricane force winds and a lot of rain.  If it was cold, we we would be buried in snow.   The lunar cycle is not in our town's favor.  The tide are exceptionally high, so flooding is inevitable.  The pictures I have seen are unreal.  I have never seen the water so high, in all my years living in this town.  We are talking 4 decades worth of calling Duxbury home. 
     Despite it all, the girls are trying to rally for Demi's birthday.  Two of the out of town guests can't make it.  One was flying.  The next flight would be Monday.  The trip to Cape Cod is canceled.  Now the local girls are just trying to get out to dinner.  Seems like a bad idea, but these grown a** women can make their own decisions.  Little does my sister in-law know but my brother is grabbing his chainsaw, just so she can drive into the neighborhood and come home.  A large tree is blocking their street. 
     Dinner is finally called.  We lost power just around 5 pm.  Demi is still trying to accomplish something, so she went for take out.  She struck out at 4 restaurants, since their power is flickering and no longer doing take out.  She grabbed Wendy's for Coco.  I am glad she is finally home, safe and sound.  We can all settle in for a movie.  The generator is running, so it will have to be a DVD.  Which is just fine.

Drive to School

Today Coco drove to school solo for the first time.  Demi caught it all on video.  Then he drove himself to work.  Banner day today. A great day of firsts for the kid.

License To Drive Part Deux

Another milestone reached by Coco!  He passed his road test and is now a new Masshole driver.  It’s a new measure of independence.  And better yet he can drive himself to and from both work and school.  We all win!
     He is actually a very good driver for his age.  He has a good balance of confidence and caution.  Truth be told he is probably better at his age than his older brother.
     I am very happy for him.  He has accomplished a lot this year.  It’s nice to see his work pay off.

Drive Time

Demi is organizing a carpool for the start of the school year.  Coco hasn't finished his required drive time. We were warned.  This particular driving school in Kingston is really hard to get drive times.  The classroom part is excellent.  The testing is great.  They have the RMV come to them for the drive test.  But now we are past when Coco is eligible to take his test.  We didn't request bus service for him.  So now?  Carpool time.

Driving with the King

Coco and I went for a drive.  Some more practice for the new wanna be driver.  He did well.  Sure there were a few wide turns.  There is the rookie hurky jerky revving of the gas pedal.  There was the hesitation, letting cars go in front.  But he drove safely.  He kept to the speed limit.  We drove over by the school for the first time.  It was a nice Saturday afternoon drive.  I think Coco is headed in the right direction.

BBQ Shower

Today was a Jack and Jill BBQ Shower for my sister in laws sister.  We are close, so the whole clan is actually invited.  What was really special about today was Caz drove his grandmother over to the party.  He played Uber driver Friday night, getting his Aunt and bringing her to our house for pick up to Pearl Jam.  Amah said he drove well.  Both Amah and Anut Polly said the car was clean.  They both lie.  Just about the cleanliness.  I have no doubt he drove well.  He is doing a good job.  He is getting a little too comfortable.  He needs to slow it down on the back roads a bit.  And he needs to give more space to the car in front.  That will all come with time.  But yes, I do remind him of it.  

Practice Makes Perfect

The family took me out to dinner for my birthday.  And this year, they really "took me out."  Caz drove.  Relunctantly, yes, but he drove.  He insisted he can drive on the highway.  He insisted he drive at night.  But he needs practice.  He is certainly not comfortable doing it.  It was good for him.  He did well.  One nervous moment, coming up to a busy stop light.  But overall, he did really well.  Of course, I drove home though....