Got up together, meditated/read together, talked/walked. Nice way to start the day. It's damned dark at 6am though. I though solstice already came and went. I thought the shortest sunlight hours were behind us. But that seems not to be the case, or at least, seems not to be the case at 6am. Or even 7am, frankly. I scheduled covid tests for Lauren, Tommy and myself Friday at 14:30. Prior to her surgery next week, in time to get the results well beforehand. So far I'm pretty confident nobody has it but the continued rise, the hospitalizations etc, are concerning. As are the contradictions from Fauci (GBS + Vaccine is not advised) vs CDC 9 days later (it's ok to get it). Crap. 1st priority is my mom, I'll wait for my slot to open and check again for any updates or revisions. Listened to 2 more chapters of Antkind and I'm really enjoying it. It sparked a desire to revisit some Wes Anderson so tonight I may do just that. Along with my efforts to maintain connections with friends and family, habits and routines, goals and accomplishments… I need to allow a day that's just a vegetation day. Gave scottie a bath, nice to have him clean again, needs some 'manscaping' too but not tonight. On a more sobering note I had a conversation w/a friend today that indicated further struggles with addition. Hard seeing somebody you care about struggle and not be able to really effect any more than encouragement, support and a reminder that they're capable of whatever they set their mind too, including regaining control. Which they've done before. I have never been in that specific place but I do understand the trappings of having the mindset that something is never going to change. I've been in that mindset myself, it's a struggle to always strive for just maintaining a positive perspective and confidence that progress comes in small ways. I'm hoping he manages to climb out of the funk of the moment. Talked to my mom for awhile, too, just to check in. She challenged the idea that David calls her 3x a week for hours at a time. Something's not right.