Our baby celebrated her 17th birthday a couple of weeks ago.

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It’s an interesting age. I think Billy Collins captures it precisely in “To My Favorite 17-Year-Old High School Girl.”

It’s hard to accept that in just over a year she’ll be off to college. And that after more than 30 years with children, our nest will at last be empty.

But before that happens, we have colleges to visit, exams and applications to agonize over, and (as usual) lots of clothes to buy. So tomorrow we take off for spring break in the UK.  Alekka is in charge of the itinerary. We’ll just do the driving (on the lefthand side.)

I’ll keep you posted.