Lots of little stuff that needs working on: Black Oak Lodge, Harvest wrap-up, shredding of old files, putting together the new kitchen counter, and the ever-present and ever-popular writing. But we’re waiting for Ken’s family (Dad, Anita, Aunt Marilyn, and Grandma) to show up, so I’m unwilling to start anything. Ack.

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And very soon after I wrote that, they all arrived. Anita and Grandma got the house tour, then we went out for a late lunch at Roxsbury Deli. Ken and I split a matzo ball soup (with a gigantic matzo ball) and a pastrami Reuben.

After that, we went to Oxnard Beach Park, which has a path on which we could wheel Grandma’s chair (she walks fine, but not for long distances) pretty far out. Then Ken, Marilyn, and I walked to the water’s edge, because I saw something in the water.

Dolphins! Dolphins! I was so thrilled—everyone sees dolphins along this stretch of the coast except me. Dolphins! There were three reasonably close to shore, playing in the surf, and a pod farther out. Dolphins! I jumped up and down with excitement and Ken gazed at me and pronounced me gorgeous.

Eventually we came back here, and Dad helped Ken move dressers to the bedroom closet. Now we can get rid of boxes in there and clean things up finally.

The family has all since headed home, and we’re puttering; catching up on e-mail and the like. Soon we’ll put together the new kitchen counter and sofa. And at some point I need to start working on those minor things I mentioned earlier, and write an update about our weekend.