Looking West

Tomorrow I return to California. I'm not sure what I will find there. My son has been living in my bungalow since I went to Cyprus in January. I think he considers it "his" home now. What are the rules about squatters' rights?

I do know that my return to my busy life there will be without a car (disaster last December), without a working cell phone (it blew itself up this week), and without a verdant garden and yard (water-rationing and son-neglect have turned my green views brown.) That, plus a needed hair appointment, dentist visit, three weeks of mail, and four boxes shipped from Cyprus to unpack--my days will be full. Oh, yes. Did I mention the dogs? Charlotte and Brady will need to be loved. (And probably retrained!)

I am still trying to deal with "loss," the sadness of leaving the Mediterranean life and returning to "normalcy." Worse, I will now add the sense of loss from eager little grandson hugs and the pleasure I've had helping my daughter with the new baby.

But, I will be busy. As I face the coming week, I see a conference paper to finish for a July 28 deadline, motorcycle lessons to begin on Saturday, two syllabi for fall classes to construct, a reorganization of my office at CSULB, a restocking of the food and wine supplies at home, and a reunion with neighborhood friends. Life will be "normal," eventually. But that "normal" will never be the same.