Tonight was an incredibly lovely dinner with Susan, Belle, and our reunion with Val and Valerie 2. The V’s had just returned from 9 days away, although their absence felt longer, both from missing them and given the pace of all that’s happening.
We explored new territory tonight –– the restaurant we wanted was fully reserved –– and I ordered the vegetarian entree that was literally called “Where’s the Beef?” at the steakhouse around the corner.
It’s a funny name for a dish in a steakhouse, but you also felt that they were definitely trying to slap your wrist a bit for not ordering meat by giving you a truly comically small –– though very pretty–– selection of six baby carrots, a tablespoon of lentils, a small potato in cubes, and a few baby zucchini as well. [The above is NOT my dish, but in all seriousness it wasn’t that much more in terms of content … Truly hilarious.]
Belle was perfectly behaved (of course) but I sensed her restlessness, not just because we were in a steakhouse, but also because it’s been a few days since her last beach walk (Tuesday … I think?) given all the business stuff I’m trying to tackle before heading off to Alaska next Saturday morning.
And so I’ve decided to set my alarm for 6 am for tomorrow, Sunday morning, so I can give her a beach excursion since I must depart by 8:30 for 9 am Bikram, followed by 11 am and 4pm clients, and lots in between. Thus –– soon to bed!
P.S. If you see Belle, don’t tell her too much about Alaska. I’m actually planning on pre-packing a few days in advance and removing the suitcases from the cottage. I’m more or less hoping to discretely sneak out for the ride to the airport, pretending I’m just heading to a Bikram class, prolonging that awkward and painful goodbye moment I’m dreading.
So just keep the whole trip between you and me. Thanks.
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