Date: 2003-07-04
From: Hoquiam, WA

To: Hoquiam, WA
Miles today: 0.0

I've taken my place in this ordeal as the "chief cook and bottle washer," as my dad put it. I cooked dinner last night, I've cleaned some, done laundry, washed dishes, and today after everyone left I cranked up the radio and made a chocolate cake from scratch. I don't think I've ever made a cake from scratch! I've also never taken so much liberty at Grandma's. It's fun to be an adult at Grandma's house! Although that's a relative term...yesterday my mom was calculating sleeping arrangements based on "three girls and four adults." I said, "Don't you mean seven adults?" My sister is 30, married, and pregnant, and still isn't an adult!? =) Oh well, even my grandma calls my mom, aunt, and uncle "the kids."It's certainly not as though I've done everything around the house, by any means. We're all taking turns so my grandma doesn't have to worry about it. It pleases me to help out this way. I guess domestication is in my genes. A part of me would relish being a housewife - BUT I want to experience life "out there" first. Besides, I have to find a man who deserves to be as happy as I can make him, as Erney put it.My uncle and cousin arrived last night, so I moved from the bed to the floor and my Thermarest and sleeping bag. I woke up this morning and thought it was raining. Told my sister I thought it must have been the sleeping bag - doesn't it always rain when I'm in it?Actually the weather is absolutely beautiful. I set up my tent in the backyard to air out, and my backpack and sleeping bag and various other items have been hanging on the clothesline almost since I got here.We've walked several times yesterday and today for about an hour. Still it doesn't feel like enough! I've taken a couple of rounds around the block myself. My feet are still stiff in the mornings, and in fact during the day, too, if I sit too long. Legs are still stiff - I feel very tight when I stretch. Both shins still hurt a little with speedwalking - a muscle soreness, like I've had in the past; nothing like the sharp pain I've had on the Trail.I've also been disappointed to discover the clothes my dad brought me to wear fit no differently than before I started the Trail..how does that work?!It's been inspiring to watch my Grandma's dedication and devotion to my Grandpa. She goes and sits by his side every day nearly all day long. One morning I drove her over first thing; she leaned over his sleeping form, took his hand, kissed him on the mouth (which was gaping open rather unattractively, frankly), stroked his forehead, and stared lovingly into his unknowing, half-open eyes before she took her customary seat at his side. They've been married 62 years; I can hardly imagine the aching loneliness she will face when he is really gone, has faced since he's been away from home and is now unaware of his surroundings.We had a 4th of July "picnic" in my aunt and uncle's backyard. I walked the three or so miles from my grandma's over to their house - that felt great. Then after dinner my sister and cousin and I walked another mile or so up to the rest home to see my grandpa again, then drove back to my grandma's.No fireworks this year! This is a small town that doesn't put on any formal display, although I hear lots of people setting off their own as I'm getting ready and climbing into bed...