September 3rd, 2013. It’s a little bit like after the circus rolled out of town.

Trampled grass where the big top was.

Cricket song replacing the exuberant noise of high wire farm activities and a packed house.

Dozing cats draped on the furniture instead of large bodies checking their iPhones.

Me cooking for a crowd of thousands then trying to convince myself that Jim is going to LOVE leftover meatloaf for dinner eight nights in a row.

Yup, I am suffering from ENS or Empty Nest Syndrome.

Ben has returned to his life in the classroom and in charge of a dormitory of fifty five teenage boys.

Emily has moved into her first apartment in Boston and today begins to teach in a fourth grade classroom.

Will is a freshman in college in Lewiston, Maine, 3 hours and 15 minutes or 3 hours and 23 minutes from here depending on who wins the fight about which route we take.

Will during the packing
Here are some the songs I am singing to comfort myself as I get used to our household census of two.

THE SONG I SING AT THE SINK
On Top of Old Smokey the dishes
All covered with snow For the first time in years
On Top of Old Smokey the dishes
‘Cause there’s nobody here.

THE SONG I SING WHEN LOOKING IN MY CLOSET
Where have all the Flowers wooden hangers gone
Long time passing.
Where have all the Flowers wooden hangers gone
Long time ago.
They’ve gone to Boston every one.
When will they ever learn return? When will they ever learn return?

THE SONG I SING IN THE SHOWER
I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair.
I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair.
I’m gonna wash that man right out of my hair.
Because I have inherited six zillion half empty bottles of hair product.

THE SONG I SING TO MY NEW IPHONE
Getting to know you, Getting to know all about you
Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me
Getting to know you, putting it my way, but nicely,
You are precisely, my cup of tea.

WHAT I WANTED TO SING TO EACH DEPARTING CHILD (BUT REFRAINED- TRYING TO BE CHIPPER AND UPBEAT INSTEAD)
From this valley they say you are going
We will miss your bright eyes & sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
Which has brightened our pathway a while.

All I can say is THANK GOD FOR GRACE (who still lives nearby with her mama and papa!)

Grace wearing a cheerio for decoration.