The House passes a bill which gives 1 million migrant farm workers a path to citizenship. Is the legislature finally taking on this issue instead of kicking the can down the road? There are 4 million Dreamers waiting confirmation of their existence and their right to citizenship.

When I arrived home last night, Craig said “I didn’t have a minute to myself. It’s like being with a baby all day.” There were several accidents due to a laissez-faire approach to puppy raising. Craig vowed to create more structure and consistency today. I cannot wait to hear about it tonight.

I missed a day. I was sleep deprived from our first night with German Shepherd puppy Toby. He cried all the way from Johnson to St. Johnsbury. I thought “what if he doesn’t like us?” It turns out he loves us. Loves the house, loves the outside, loves his toy. Notes to self: Toby needs more toys. He sleeps in a box lined with a towel dried off on his mom Ava. Last night, I said “Toby it’s time to go to sleep.” He curled up in the box and stayed there. Craig reports that he needed to go outside to do his business twice during the night. It’s good to have a dog in our home again. So far, he sits on command and comes when we call him. He looks humbled when you tell him no. You know, when he is pulling on the blanket or nipping on your fingers. He rang the bells this morning, so I took him outside to do his business. He hasn’t been trained to associate the two events but it was fun anyways. Toby is exactly what we need right now.

Mama Laurie passed away this morning at the age of 94. She was battling dementia and in the last few weeks did not recognize family members although she was found talking to her husband Tom and mother Olga. I am relieved that she is no longer living in this world but feel the bitter sweetness of years sweeping by in a rainstorm of memories.

Mama Laurie was not thrilled about Craig and me getting married. I am sure that she wished arranged marriages were still in vogue at the time. Her son the doctor was marrying a woman who was too short, too politically liberal and dressed like a hippie. And yet, she welcomed me into the family because that is what she did. I learned about the generosity of spirit that takes care of family even if they could be cast in a Coen Brothers movie. One of my favorite Laurie quotes “it was a room full of crap and corruption”. What else did I learn?

Live life with style. Laurie did not walk into a room. She made an entrance with arms outstretched, beautiful smile, calling out “Hello my darlings.’

Any time of day can call for a song. Preferably a song with several harmony parts. I can hear her singing Bye Bye Blackbird.

Anything and anybody can inspire a party. You can never have enough food or champagne at the party. Dress up.

Every recipe can be improved with butter. Butter is a basic staple in the fridge and if you run out, it is considered a household emergency.

Food is love. You can never have enough food and everyone should eat at least three meals a day. That does not include brunch or snacks.

Champagne should be offered and poured at a moment’s notice for any reason. I was given champagne and M&M’s while in labor for Erica.

I learned about cooking and gardening from Mama Laurie. She had a huge garden at the big house and loved to talk about gardening strategies. There would be baskets filled with the bounty from her garden. I did not know food could taste so good until I ate meals at the big house. She was a gourmet cook who made quantities to feed a village.

Laurie was a cinematic story-teller. I heard her childhood stories many times over and she was consistent in the details. Again, the relatives from her childhood could be cast in Coen Brothers movies.

Laurie could out clean anyone. She saw dirt where no one else would think to even check. She scrubbed a roof in preparation for a party. She knew.

Laurie loved, loved, loved her family. She wanted everyone to be a star. She would have been a movie star herself if circumstances had been different. I am certain she is a movie star in heaven. Hello my darlings.