This has been a year with lots of changes, and I’ve decided that this is just how I roll now. For instance, the waking up around 3:00 a.m. no matter what I do. Apparently this is my new wake-up time. Well, okay, then. A chance to hear myself think when everybody else is asleep can’t be all bad. And due to my intake of vitamins and vegetables, my energy’s staying pretty level, so, you know. Seize the day. Seize the vegetable. Speaking of which, I think there may be rebellion if I don’t get the zucchini cake made soon.

Yes, the zucchini of summer’s end is here. How we love it. This zucchini lasagna is fantastic, and I really am going to try the zucchini fritters. But the kids are demanding chocolate zucchini cake, so that’s next. Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. You’d never guess you were eating something good for you.

The great virtual school experiment has turned out to be fascinating and full of interesting bonuses. I’m really enjoying it. I didn’t expect it to shift our family dynamic in such an interesting, positive way, but the ripple effect goes in all directions, from more cooperative small people to the muse bouncing around playing with words and ideas. The most important thing, though, is that the love of learning is alive in my kids, and they love school. And they’re both picking up new skills so fast I can’t believe it. I thought it was going to be a huge effort, but it just isn’t. It’s something we all look forward to.

Weight lifting is another good change. Goodbye, back pain. I don’t miss you. Seriously, I think it’s the first time in my life my back doesn’t hurt.

So, this is the new normal. Weights twice a week, virtual school, books in progress, getting up at 3:00 a.m. plotting new ways to utilize zucchini. It’s how I roll.