This, That and the Other

I had a visitor this morning before 9 o'clock, munching her way around the yard. I haven't seen her for awhile, I'm wondering if she has some little ones tucked away that will come visit as the summer progresses.

It's a bummer that it has been raining off and on all day for the Ski to Sea Race. At least there were no downpours, so most folks don't let it dampen their spirit too much.

I finished my sewing project three weeks ago, and forgot to take a picture of it until today. Being sick has completely side lined all of my projects and taking care of the yard as well. Hopefully when it gets drier at the end of the week, my energy will be better as well.

I started on a few infinity scarves and need to create the pattern to make two Bear Paw Print quilted pillow covers for the square pillows on my bed. I want to refinish the drawing table Susan sent me as well this summer. Wish me luck!

May Flowers

The first Day Lily bloomed a few days ago,  in a week or so the front and south side of the house will be awash in orange. I love the color,  I wish the season for them lasted longer.

The snow ball bush is waning - it got a big push this morning when it absolutely poured and I came home to a blanket of white on the sidewalk out front.

I'm slowly starting to feel better each day in terms of my energy level.  It's been kind of frustrating having some beautiful weather this month that I was too sick to get out and enjoy it. Hopefully we will get the El Nino they are predicting and it will stay nice late into September.

The Verdict Came In - Walking Pneumonia

It has been a long hard week,  most of which seems like ages ago already. I'll be picking up Woody's ashes tomorrow which may be an emotional time, although for the most part I have made peace with his passing.

I finally went to the doctor on Friday morning and got the diagnosis;  walking pneumonia. It was just in time because my lungs were so heavy I could barely breath. I'd been sleeping almost all the time that I wasn't working.

I have to give a shout out to the friends and colleagues who helped me along the way. Kelly for bringing me home from work Wednesday with a stop at Haggen for some groceries.  And Cathy bringing me home from work Thursday.

Naomi taking 2 & 1/2 hours out of her day Friday to bring me to the doctors office, pharmacy and back home.

And to end my week with something positive,  Karen chauffeured me to potluck dinner at Denise's with Barb rounding out The Gang of Four.  As usual we had a long interweaving conversation and good food to fill the evening.

Woody

Woody

My beloved and loyal buddy Woody passed away last night. His health took a very sudden downturn mid week last week.

I had 15 great years with him. He slept with me every night and even though he often had this melancholy look on his face, he was a contented cat. He was so mellow, that everyone else got along with him without any problems.

Woody

When I got Munchkin back in August of 2010, Woody was the first one to make him feel at home, and didn't hiss and swipe at him like Boo & Tom Cat did. He could be kind of goofy too, and I ended up nick-naming him Monkey Boy a few summers after I got him. I eventually called him Monkey more than I called him Woody, and he adjusted just fine.

He was angelic when he slept, and had the softest long hair I'd ever experienced in a cat. I am thankful that his suffering is over, but I will always miss waking up with him by my side. People that think only dogs are loyal, never had a cat like him.

Woody and Munchkin in 2010

Look Up by Gary Turk

I saw this online yesterday and wanted to share, enjoy

Today's Post is Brought to You by My Lilacs

Yesterday when I was online I read a piece by L.A. Times columnist Sandy Banks about the long term affect of losing your mother at an early age. She talks about her own experience of losing her mother to cancer when she was 17 and her mother was 52.

She references a book called "Motherless Daughters" by Hope Edelman that I had never heard of, but know I need to read. I broke down crying at one point when I could see myself in several of the things she described. It hit me like a ton of bricks, because I all of a sudden didn't feel so crazy.

Edelman noted several character traits that were common including a sense of isolation, and a deep sense of our own mortality.  A tendency to be very independent, yet expecting rejection, and unlikely to ask for help. She quotes a therapist named Irene Rubaum-Keller who lost her mother at the age of 7; "Lonely, sort of needy, but not wanting to need anyone because that's too scary."

Mom & me 1962

Banks also talks about reading a piece from columnist Anna Quindlen who lost her mother at 19, and how it defined her for a long time; I could see myself in that too. I was 2 months shy of my 23rd birthday when my mother died at the age of 51 from a heart attack. It pulled the rug out from under me. Reading the article made me realize it had affected me in ways I never understood.

When I was reading "The Magic Room" I thought about the fact that without my mother around, I never really had any guidance when it came to dating and men. I didn't date much before she died to be able to learn from her, and I have probably confused every man I've ever met with my honesty, but it's the only way I know how to be. I have difficulty expressing my feelings, but when I do, I'm direct about them. The saying about still waters running deep fits me to a T.

Summer 1980

I also unfortunately developed quite a fatalistic attitude after mom's death that in some ways has made me very apathetic about my own life. I feel like I've spent the last 29 years on the outside looking in, and it's tiring.