Getting used to the new normal without Alex around here. It still feels bizarre. But we're in the process of getting used to it. I have started some deep cleaning/purging of his room. There was a lot of dust all over everything, and junk/papers from years ago stuffed everywhere. I've gone through all his storage bins and thrown out (or recycled) a lot of old magazines, papers, and bits of plastic that he will never miss. Several very old and small pieces of clothing have also been donated (like, for example, the Batman costume from....2012?). I've vacuumed everything (including his collection of Pop figurines and Amiibos) including the walls, moved the furniture, got behind the computer, in the closets, on the molding, everything. Washed the bedding and curtains, cleaned the ceiling fan, disposed of the old decrepit and noisy desk chair. Recycled his old monitor and replaced with Dad's old TV. Scrubbed the computer desk. Everything is pretty clean now, and no funk. And then, I rearranged the furniture and moved my work desk and computer in there. That will be a much better working arrangement, since it seems I'm working from home even more indefinitely with the virus resurgence going on.

Beth and the girls and I went on an expedition to Plymouth on Friday, specifically to the Walmart because Beth heard there were some canning jars available there. There actually were! She got as many as they had, so now she has at least a good start on materials for soup. That is, if there are any craft shows this year. At this point I think they are planning to, but it might be kind of up in the air. And it is still hard to find those jars, just like last year. They are also more expensive. Anyway, we tried a new restaurant (Christo's) in Plymouth since we were there, and nobody was impressed. Really cool building, meh food.

Today we played hooky from church and went to South Haven. We figured that it was probably close to the last chance to go for the summer, and we haven't been in a long time. The weather was supposed to be good, and it was. Windy, though, so there were a lot of good sized waves (for Lake Michigan). The water was nice and the day was hot so swimming was great, and no rip current. We got to the beach by around noon or so, and stayed until 4 or so, at which time all the girls were pretty well burned and the clouds were starting to gather. We were all ready to leave anyway, so we tried to go get ice cream at Sherman's (a line out the door and down the sidewalk for miles....) but didn't want to wait that long. By the time we got outside of the town, the rain and thunder and lightning had seriously moved in, so it was good we left when we did. Better than to have tried to pack up and dry off in a downpour. Overall a good beach day.

I am signing up for something called Fight Club. Although, from what I hear, you’re not supposed to talk about Fight Club. But seriously, it is a 10-week, um, not exactly Bible study, I guess, so let’s say, spiritual growth program? for men, in which you have a series of challenges every week that range from being neighborly to exercising more to developing your prayer life. Matthew told me about it at the church on Sunday evening, and the kickoff was Saturday night, so I’ve missed it and there is a makeup assignment to do. Not sure what it is yet, though.