Saturday did not work out the way we planned it. The idea was that mia_mcdavid would leave early, to join a work party for colgaffneyisat 10 AM, then go to another colgaffneyis event in the afternoon. I was to follow at 11:30 AM, when our aide for Tom would arrive.

Half the plan worked. Mia was indeed able to do her part at both Clann Tartan activities. Unfortunately, the aide did not show on time. Inquiries revealed that he had been rescheduled for 3-11 PM, in the expectation that we would be going out in the evening. We had no such plans. We have them for next Saturday night, and it would have been nice to have some coverage for last Saturday night (Easter Eve). But there was nothing planned for last night. So I was stuck on Tom duty until 3 PM, rather than 11:30 AM as planned. I would not have minded if there was some good reason, but this was just a screw-up and I was left holding the bag again. 3½ precious weekend hours I had counted on were just gone.

By 3 PM all of the colgaffneyis activities were done–nothing I could do there. To get some good out of my belated freedom I rode my bike to the Roseville library, getting a bit of exercise. I stayed there until closing time, studying my Irish language books and notes. I then rode home, ran a couple errands, then went home to my office space in the basement. I cleaned my desk and finally put away the “Tax 2005” file folder. I think I have written twice before that I was done with taxes. Let’s get real: We are never done with taxes. Also did a bit of computer work for my job.

We sent the aide home about 8 PM, after Tom went to bed. Since we were around the house there was no point in having him stay. It was all an exercise in futility.

Sunday was better. We got a good night’s sleep, and everybody was up and about in time for breakfast and then to go to church. That was OK, although I missed the hymn O filii et filiae, which we alway sang at St. Luke’s on the this day of the liturgical year (and, incidentally, is period for colgaffneyis).

The clergy were an interesting contrast. Michael, the Rector, was wearing a very modern stole, where spread out into butterfly wings behind his neck. Very spring, and so OK for Easter, but very modern. Gayle, the Associate, was wearing her usual alb, which has a lot of wonderful lacework. It is however quite traditional–the lace is used for repeating the Chi-Rho/Alpha-Omega symbol.

After church we went home. We did have an aide for Tom, so I was able to take some time to do the homework for my Irish class. It was an absolutely gorgeous day, so I did this sitting outside on the deck. Lovely.

I discovered, alas, that my Nokia 770‘s display is really not adequate in bright sunlight. That is really OK–it is really great under most circumstances when I use it.

Afterwards I ran a couple errands, then did a little work in the shop. I was cutting out a form for making period shoes for colgaffneyies–calling it a last would be excessive. It has been a while since I did any woodwork–the smell of fresh-sawn pine was really great. I also used a block plane and a couple spokeshaves. A good time.