Passports. And Felix.

C, B, and E waited two and a half hours in the passport office this morning, and they finally got a verdict: they will get passports! But not until noon tomorrow, at which time they take a number and wait however long it takes, but they will get the children’s passports. Another night in the hotel in Seattle for them. No chance they can get home in time to put Felix in the kennel, so I will take him (tomorrow) in their massive truck SUV. When they eventually get home, they’ll have a few hours to pack for Greece before leaving here around 4 a.m. for a 6 a.m. flight. 

Note to Blip friends in all countries: renew your passport a year in advance if you ever want to go out of the country. Think WAY ahead. (They applied in April and paid an extra $250 for “expedited service.”) Thanks to those who sent thoughts, prayers, recommendations, and encouraging comments. Speaking of Blippers: Tookie is going to pick me up in Beaverton tomorrow and spend the afternoon with me. I foresee warm-hearted listening and storytelling, as tomorrow is the anniversary of Palesa’s death. I’ve already done the memorial, so it will just be a good day for stories.

Margie has been sent home, and Margie’s three “kids” are all with her, no doubt trying to figure out what kind of care and support she needs, vs. what she wants, and what to do. I had hoped to see her today, but that won’t happen. Sue and I leave (Wednesday morning) for the coast, so I hope to see Margie on our return. I'm going to turn off comments till Sue and I return from the coast, as we don't have wifi or cell phone connectivity there, and I need a little time of silence.

My only job for today is to entertain Felix. He’s a noble animal but smarter than is good for a dog in the humble position of family pet. His qualities—

Alert: she’s got the frisbee in her hand. She’s going to throw it. Attentive: any minute now, she’ll throw it. Vigilant: when she throws the frisbee, I’m going to catch it in the air.  Wired and ready: throw it already, throw it! 
Persistent: I can wait, I can wait, I’m waiting. THROW THE FRISBEE! 
Intelligent: I could do agility, dancing, rescues, missing persons—hell, I can do advanced mathematics—but I’m stuck with this one’s limitations. Apparently Frisbee is the only language she speaks. Pathetic. Thank God I’m going to the kennel tomorrow. At least they have a variety of things to piss on and a great many interesting smells.