I love my children very much. They fill my heart with joy and make my life remarkable. I also enjoy Robbi’s company. Together, we get to share ideas, make books, and eat the occasional meal. My life is full of people that I love, and I’m lucky to spend so much time with them.

But.

Yesterday Robbi and all three kids piled into the car and drove away for points distant. And I was left in a state of blissful silence.

Yes, Robbi is that special kind of person who is willing to take on the challenge of tending to three kids by herself for a week to give me a bit of psychic relief. Thank you Robbi. I’ll see you on Sunday.

For now, I am off to enjoy these open hours, this quiet studio, this lack of obligation. I have work to do and stories to write and pets to feed and a visiting mother to have dinner with each night.

I must admit to missing the children some, in an abstract sort of way. I’m glad to get photos of their progress of their whereabouts.

They spent last night in Brooklyn, the boys sharing a couch cushion…

…and Alden on a sleeper sofa.

When I talked to her this morning, Alden gave me the full report. “It was a COUCH that turned into a BED!!! And I slept there ALL NIGHT LONG, all by MYSELF, without KATO!!!”

Incredible things happen in Brooklyn. Or so I hear. As previously mentioned, I am here in Chestertown.

Just now I learned, via Facebook, that my family is in upstate NY, where they are spending a few hours with some friends.

Their destination, Lake George, NY, a place I love dearly. The choice to stay behind was not easy, but every once in a while, a person needs a little time to decompress, to sleep soundly, to let the heart grow fonder.

If that’s even possible.