Forging ahead.
I cook.
I eat.
It’s chile season…fresh Anaheims…roasted.
Added to tortilla dough.
Yes, it is still hot and mostly I’ve been cooking early morning, but I needed to cook this afternoon…
…so, I did.
The Bear-boy was in attendance.
*** Homesick Texan’s Hatch Chile Flour Tortilla recipe
****** Wild Thing has GREAT exhaust fans and the humidity is barely double digits and our spot is shaded so it IS possible to “heat up the kitchen” and keep it cool as well!
I have received such wonderful words… by email and phone.
Thank you, dear friends.
But, some very special and oh, so helpful words and thoughts came today from dear Margaret in Greece.
She wrote:
Today I couldn’t help thinking of Mr Bob and the image in my mind was of a big, orange sun. His warmth spread across oceans to another continent and stole into my heart. His life was full, his company, the best. You made all the right decisions – his quality of life was the important thing.
Those words, the mind’s eye image, came just when I needed it.
I was ready for my work meeting with half an hour to go and suddenly the grief hit and I just wanted to crawl into bed.
But, these words, the image, the love and the goodness of Bob…
This evening, the universe agreed and as Bear and I had our evening walk…
A big Orange Sun: Mr. Bob’s LOVE…. across the world.
Bear and I are staying put…
Funny to show a photo of a teepee, the ultimate nomad home, with a “staying put” title???
Well, we are on the road but for the moment, staying put.
I do NOT move Wild Thing if I am less than 100% and I am less than 100% and know that it is best to just stay put.
And I do not want to go back to the house.
I spoke to my neighbors. It is smoky. The yellow jackets are still around in abundance. I would have to face that house without Bob and I am not ready for that.
We, Bear and I, are comfortable in this spot. We have wonderful places to walk and good facilities.
I am paid until Sunday.
Tentatively, we will move to Helena for next week and I’m considering the following month in Dillon, Montana.
I have a work deadline tomorrow. I am in pretty good shape to meet the deadline. Work is a good distraction.
Meanwhile, Bear and I will stay put and start the process of learning to live our current existence without Bob.
RATS!
I hate this! I really hate this.
Bob developed sepsis. The bacteria thought to have been irradicated by the surgery got into his blood. I was with him this morning as the euthanasia drugs were administered and he passed quietly as I told him I loved him, prayed for a peaceful passing and gave thanks for Bob’s good life.
Bob: A good cat and wonderful companion. Although I hoped we would have more, I am grateful for the years we had together.
In His Hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12: 7-10
Two is not three.
We should be three.
Bob is 5 minutes away but it seems like more sometimes.
Sometimes, I would like to just go and GET HIM HOME.
But.
All is going well, under the circumstances, for Bob.
And this challenging time for all of us will hopefully be just a memory soon.
Meanwhile.
Bear and me.
We have to live and work and walk and have treats.
We do.
This photo is from 8/17…last Saturday evening, from Bear’s and my evening walk.
Last weekend, there were people around the teepee and I didn’t realize that it was part of the campground until yesterday.
Last evening, after a very difficult day of worry over Bob (SILLY/STUPID…but there it is) and a full day of work and it was hot, etc., etc. – Bear and I went for our walk and I took the camera and hoped to see the rising moon and also to explore what this campground calls “the Nature Trail”.
Bear and I discovered that the “Nature Trail”, included the teepee and also that since there was no one else around…off leash it was, quiet and peaceful and watching the moon, enjoying the big sky and open views.
Bear and Me.
Just a quick update…this morning’s report at 36 hours post-op: Bob was wanting to eat some of the gruel they made him – they are happy about that! Yesterday, they tube fed him as he was too sore to do much with his mouth**. They let him be a bit more awake today and say he does not seem too uncomfortable and is being Mr. Sociable with the head butting, purring, etc. The surgical sites are good and all is progressing normally.
There is a slight chance they will release him to me on Friday – one day at a time. I should be able to visit him tomorrow.
**The surgery Bob had is T.E.C.A.: total ear canal ablation.