Last Thursday we rented a pontoon on a nearby lake so we could practice for when one of my numerous families-in-law come down for a visit. We drove it great! The 16-year-old who rented us the boat said I dock like a pro! We jumped in and paddled about and lo, it was so fun!

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Sunday we took the little angel and one of her friends down to a sailing club. The two of them hauled it onto a 10-foot sailboat with me and proceeded to fret alternately about how hot it was and losing their sunglasses if I tipped the boat over. (Of course I did not tip the boat over. But the other two boats with kids piloting them were permanently laid out, so I understand their concern.) I accidentally slammed into some rocks due to a random luff-and-blow. But I got us out of it! And the boat guy did not have to come save me! And then, at the very end when we were not far from shore, I finally gave in and let them jump in the water, because a half-hour of trying to sail any boat by yourself with two tweeners is enough to test the patience of even a saint.

Monday I went to an event for my wonderful friend the artist who did not know he was an artist until he was 47 but managed to somehow get himself a movie premiere, and then I rushed home to get the little angel from the neighbor's house. My neighbor had invited her two nieces over and God Bless America, they were actually braiding each other's hair when I showed up. (I AM SO NOT KIDDING.) The little angel mentioned her ear hurt where it was pierced.

As in, bright red and swollen.

As in totally infected and needs a run of antibiotics and no lake or pool until it subsides.

As in all that practicing and we had to cancel the pontoon for Friday.

And here, Diane, is a time in which catastrophize practicing did not pay off. Now it's 1:1.