I kissed my boy good-bye this morning and sent him off to camp for two weeks. Then I drove home with tears in my eyes because, really, he is literally the life force in our family. Oliver is difficult in a myriad of ways, but his difficulties are fantastic, really. I honestly don't know who I'd be without these kids of mine -- each of them in their own unique way -- but I'm certain I wouldn't be better.

Everybody is home, now

I picked Oliver up from paradise this morning where he had been drinking ambrosia:

They're home. We're home. All is right with the world.

Hen and Chicks

I put Oliver on the bus today that will take him up to camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains. He was very excited -- this is his second year at this particular camp -- and while I am happy (and grateful) to be able to give him this experience and more than happy to have a little breathing room away from his 24/7 intensity, there's a melancholy that accompanies saying good-bye. It doesn't help that it's Sunday, that tomorrow Henry, too, will be going away for ten days and that I will be finally on my way to my respite trip to Canada. The hen feels a bit unmoored at the prospect of pecking along without her chicks. I know that once I'm away, it will feel different, but right now, today, well -- yikes, I'm blue.

My Big O

The Big O is back from camp, and I'm so very, very happy!

Road Trip

I'm leaving this morning to go pick up that boy of mine from camp. I'm traveling alone, driving up north for hours and hours. If you see me, honk!

It's really quiet around here

Oliver went to camp for two weeks on Sunday. I can't say I like the quiet.

Weekend Roundup and a Sophie/Patti Smith Series

Oliver on his bunk at camp

Retro camp

I'm going to be fine

Brotherly love

Henry at lacrosse camp

Henry's dorm room at camp

The photographer

messing around with Picnik again

Sophie as Patti Smith Series

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