Rose

Dodging stop/start rain, 
sheltered under an oak tree.
Good start with new Doc.

Last day of the school week for Mr Ben.  He's done incredibly well overall, he went off with another new member of staff today, really confidently too.  Mr KCNQ2Haiku and I stole some time to go for a walk together at lunch time, it was going to be a lunch date but we ran out of time as I was offered a last minute appointment with the new psychiatrist.  I have been awaiting the appointment with some trepidation but I was pleasantly surprised, she really listened to me and also to Ben plus she had read a psychology report about Ben that I had only just sent over.  Empathy and efficiency - she's a keeper! We ended it that she said she trusted us to manage the two meds he takes 'as needed' and we're going to tweak the anti-anxiety med upwards just a little, since he's grown so much and see if we can help him feel more settled.  Ben was really calm and patient throughout the session but he was very grumpy once we got home.  He asked to play in the car for a few mins and then he decided I should let him drive the car onto the drive.  He was not happy that I wasn't letting him behind the wheel.  I can't think of a worse combination than Ben and a vehicle.  Think: Bull. China Shop. But multiplied :-/   He settled in the end and is now busy reading through all his backdated medical files.  Riveting.  It is keeping him quiet though, so I'm calling it a win.
The photo is a rose that grows on our drive, we installed the drive some time after we moved in it was one of those slightly boring but big jobs that you initially don't get excited about but then it totally changes your life.. being able to get Ben and all his gear into the car easily and not worrying about the road and (often) the rain is brilliant.  But in adding the driveway we lost a little bit of garden, I was loath to do it and I was really clear that I didn't want to lose the rose bush or the lilac tree at front of the house.  This was all very noble but it does mean that accessing the car provides an unwanted opportunity for one to get attacked by thorns or worse, spiders gently relaxing on webs amongst the greenery.  It's particularly delightful when it's been raining and you get a good old rain drop shaken down the neck.  Oh well, I love the rose and would do the same again, it's a very Happy Chappy, it seems to flower all year around :-)