It’s been a while since I drove to Idaho to stay with my granddaughter while her mom made an out-of-town trip. 

I spent a great deal of pleasurable time alone with Annika, who instructed me whenever I came up short on the knowledge one needs to keep a family home going while the mom is away!

The first morning, Annika and I made our usual list of Things To Do.  She laboriously printed as she thought of things to add.

Here’s the list for one day:  Bake cookies, have lunch, silent reading, do a craft, relax, have dinner, go for walk, call Warren, do a game, have dessert--“disert”—and go to bed. 

I kept the penciled list; it’s on my bulletin board.  Annika has drawn a line through every item except “relax”—perhaps she thought we didn’t do that, or maybe she forgot to cross that one off.

On a day her dad was home, he suggested we three drive to Borders bookstore to purchase another volume in “The Little House on the Prairie” series. 

He and Annika, read the books aloud at bedtime and were ready for the third one.  Three book lovers in a bookstore! 

My granddaughter flitted around the children’s section, pointing out “chapter books” she had read. 

She especially wanted to show me one particular series. I’d never heard of the series but offered to buy her whatever volume came next.  She found the next volume:  #14!

We returned home, and Annika announced it was time for silent reading—excellent idea. 

My son sat in a leather chair in the living room, reading history.  I sat on the loveseat across from him, reading a novel. Annika curled up in the second leather chair, and soon was absorbed in her new volume #14. 

Occasionally, I looked up from my book.  I seldom feel any happier than I felt in those quiet moments with my son and his little girl.  Three of us, reading together. Rain on the roof. Simple shared pleasure.  Nothing electronic or plastic or noisy.  Memorable.

Of course, during my days in Idaho, I did other things I intended to write about—until I sidetracked myself into talking overmuch about books and reading.

Perhaps I’ll tell you those things next week.

The Edmonds Food Bank Benefit Vintage Car Show I’ve been talking about?  A resounding success. 

Proceeds exceeded $1600, plus 250 pounds of donated food.  The cars, over 50 of them, were gorgeous. 

Owners and attendees all had a great time in the sunshine. Thanks to generous local merchants who donated raffle prizes—we will remember you.

Thanks to countless volunteers. 

Thanks to food bank director Peggy Kennedy for her continual inspiration. 

Special gratitude to Jim Thayer, car buff and food bank volunteer, for dreaming up the event and steering the rest of us through it. (And thanks, Val!) 

I’m guessing this:  a Second Annual Vintage Car Show next summer to benefit our Edmonds Food Bank.  (Feel free to suggest this to Jim.)