http://www.washhumane.org/HelpTrooper.asp

Some days feel like a lifetime, in a good way.

Today.

Up just past dawn with girls, cookies and lemonade made, signs painted and written, money box found, flowers readied, supplies loaded--stand a rousing success. Almost $87 earned for Trooper, the dog who is the subject of my heading. Listening to Lily explain to customers why she was raising money for Trooper some of the best moments of my life. Keeping Annika from inserting entire arm in lemonade pitcher or poking holes in cookies good reality check.

Library party for summer reading program. Girls dancing, singing, laughing--Annika in Lily's arms for half of performance. Lily and I exchanging proud and surprised looks when Annika followed dance instructions as well as the nine-year-olds who made up the bulk of the group. Ice cream sundaes.

Good phone call; book sold. Hard, joyful, life-affirming work to be done. Another one: Lily winner of mystery library prize, to be picked up tomorrow.

More lemonade/cookie stand action while Annika napping. Meet family up the street with two older girls who invite us over in the morning to meet their animals, including miniature ponies the father promises to "saddle up." Lily looks like it's Christmas times her birthday times another ice cream sundae.

Quesadillas and leftover lemonade for dinner: Lily's choice. An hour in the playroom at twilight. Lily says: "You worked really hard to make this for us, Mama. I am proud of you." I look up at the clean white ceiling imagining the birds and the butterflies. It looks just like I wanted it to, even without them.

Alone. The air is cool. Lie on the porch with an arm on each dog watching fireflies. Sadie gets up and brings me a pinecone.

Inside. More lemonade and The Wire.

Today.