Eric left for work at 7:00. My work day got started at 8:00 with a conference call. About when the call ended, I heard the garage door opening. It was Eric. He popped in with a dozen eggs that someone had dropped off at the shop. I’m not sure why, whether it was from a restaurant that had to close, whether someone had hoarded the eggs and felt the need to share, or whether someone’s laying hens were on a roll. He didn’t wait around for me to question him. I’m embarrassed to admit my first thought was to wonder whether they were from free-range chickens. Two eggs were slightly cracked–due to a hard turn onto our bumpy driveway, Eric said.

It was a gray day again with a bit rain off and on. Lulu kept an eye on the weather from the comforts of the sofa.

There have been many times in my life that I’ve been thankful I married a plumber. For the obvious ones that he can fix all our plumbing issues as they arise, but also because one of the biggest lessons I learned about career choices came to light when we moved to Hawaii in 1999.

Within a week of moving here, Eric had job offers (plural)—even before he was ready to go back to work. Since then, I’ve been giving this advice to my friends’ children: Get a job every community needs, because then you’ll be able to go anywhere in the world and get a job. Policeman. Doctor. Fire fighter. Teacher. Nurse. Electrician. Plumber.

Now, I’m thankful once again that I married a plumber, and that’s because in a pandemic, these are the very careers that remain employed. As a plumber, Eric falls under the “essential trades” exemption, so he continues to go to work. At least, for now.

When Eric got off work today, we accompanied Lulu on her walk. By this time, skies were even darker than the morning. Angry clouds circled the mountain across the street. Things didn’t look much better in the other direction over the ocean, but we went walking anyway. Rain doesn’t stop Lulu, so it doesn’t stop us, either.

Right before we left, however, an email popped in my inbox. It was an alert for a flash flood watch. A text message reported the Hanalei River had topped five feet. Of course, we got wet on our walk. Not dripping wet but wet enough that I had to change clothes when we got home.

Now, Lulu’s in the kitchen watching Eric make her dinner.

Today’s statewide tally is 120 COVID-19 cases. Still five on Kauai.

Be well.