Follow this logic....

I am a little blue today and this is why...it may sound strange. My neighbours are moving which means Morph won't be stopping by anymore.

Here is Fishbone looking out the window at a cat named Morph. She can't figure out why I run to fetch him a little snack when he comes calling. He's not even nice to her...at all. I mean, how rude of me to be so nice to someone that is so nasty to her... But once upon a time, I had a orange Tom, too. And Crook and Morph were best friends. Every single morning, Morph would come to my front door and "knock" to see if Crook could come out and play. I kid you not.

He'd place his little orange feet on the front door and rattle it in its frame until I would answer it. He'd wait on the front porch for Crook to come out and off they would go to rule their universe together.

And when I had Crook(and the ugly-old-not-sexy pellet stove), I also had a very old, dear and treasured friend. We brought Crook home from the SPCA so that Maggie would have company during the day while we gone from the house.
They did seem to like each other very much. It might have even been love... a very understated love...with glancing blows of affection.

And very soon after Maggie left me...left us, Crook crossed over, too. I like to think of them together, sleeping by a warm fire while they wait for me.

I miss them like crazy.

So Morph is leaving...a frequent visitor and reminder of fallen leaves, time passing, loves lost, friends grieved and memories to warm your hands by. He is a good little orange soul and I am happy that he will be off this street, though I will miss his appearances at my window, as if he is still here to pick up Crook for a good romp through the backyards...as if these things were not already gone forever.

And then we begin again.

Remember

You remember when Duke found her dumped in the woods by the river during the only really long, hot, dry spell of the summer? Her eyes were still blue, she couldn't really see yet? Wasn't fully weaned and I thought she was a boy and was going to name her Arlo or Woody? You remember how she was so tiny she slept in Maggie's old dog dish, which I (as of then) did not have the heart to let Eem-er use? Remember? How I didn't think we'd really keep her because I KNEW how devastated Michael had been(as was I) when we lost Crook and he didn't want the possibility of going through that again?

Remember how Eemer and "Kitten" both fit on one bed?

Well, things change. Arlo became Fishbone and grew up. Her eyes are green. Eemer has Maggie's old dish now, instead of a plastic butter tub. They still share the bed, but someone is always shoving someone else to the very edge.

Yesterday, in the final act of acceptance that we are, indeed, owned by this cat, I delivered her into the hands of the Island Vet Clinic (and promptly fell on my face in the icy parking lot) for her spay, tattoo and vaccinations. It has been a long time since I had to do that...Eemer and Crook both came to us "fixed" and Maggie was a puppy when I was 23.

I guess I forgot how shocking it can be to a person with such a fragile temperament as myself. When I got Little Fish back yesterday, all shaved and caved-in looking, stitched up and upset, I cried. She is so miserable and there is no comfort for her...and as far as she is concerned, I did this to her. And she's right. I did.

I just hope she'll remember who brought her out of those woods...soon. Poor kitten.

so sorry, Crook

Dear Mister Crook
We are so sorry we couldn't teach you to stay off the street, you were so determined to escape us. We are sorry we couldn't love you as much as your SPCA heart craved, but we tried. You were a total monster at times, but you were our monster. We love you. I will miss playing tag and smouse with you, will miss chattering with you, will miss you purring against me at night. I will miss you and Michael reading the paper together. Michael will miss you more than he will admit, but I know...and you do, too. Be good to Maggie over there. Play nice. We'll see you when we get there. loveloveloveyou, mister.

Happy Birthday, Maggie.

I can still feel you curled up at my feet at night...so can Eem-er, apparently. She won't lay in your spot.

I still miss you so very much.....how can I still miss you this much?!?

I hope you are feeling better there....hope you are chasing rabbits like a whirlwind.... I hope you and Crook are still together.

Before you know it, we'll be talking again(cuz that's just how it's gotta work wherever you are, right?)...I have so much to tell you.

and you can finally tell me about all those things you read in the wind....and I will finally be able to hear you again.

I love you, my bestest. Be so very good.

Sleep well and sound, Mr. Solzhenitsyn. "One word of truth outweighs the whole world."

Friday the 13th(whatever)

I got presents this week and it wasn't even my birthday...one came from an island on the other side of the country all the way to my island...from a crafty missus and a good friend, to boot, Cara. A vintage Snoopy book(that I didn't already have, that's pretty amazing!) and TWO handmade keychains...Eemer and Crook. How cool is that?!? Isn't she fantastic?
Thank you so much. I love it all! And? A lovely treat from Barb wrapped in lime green paper with a lime green ribbon came on a float plane from Sechelt, tucked into Aethan's bag when he came home from Nanny's yesterday. This little book is an absolute treasure. Thank you so very much, too.

Today the rains are back with a vengeance. It already looks like it's been raining for weeks out there. But the little break we had was enough to make things look better out in my little garden space...I even had to mow the lawn!!!

My asparagus patch that I planted last year looks like it seeded itself. Can't harvest anything this year, but it worked! I did that!!! Little asparuguses, asparagi, asparageese?

Out back, the evergreen clematis is thriving. It smells like candy. Sadly, we are not sure the passionflower survived this winter. It would be a shame if it didn't, it's so glorious. It may come back. I recall it didn't really take off last year until the weather got really warm. Cross your fingers. The raspberry bushes, the blueberry bushes, the gooseberry bush and the hops are all sending out new growth...the kiwi vines look great.

Up front, no tulips this year. I don't know what happened. The bulbs were only two years old. They should have some life left, shouldn't they? These little beauties are up now, though. Simple, sweet, breathtaking.

And this mass of yellow somethings...someone once called them Lion's Mane, but I don't think that's right. We didn't plant these, they were here when we bought the house. We almost pulled them out because at the time, it just looked like some old, tired weeds. What a happy accident.

And the daffies...what is spring without the daffies?

Such happy little faces.

Unlike Emma....she is not happy that it is raining again. Not happy at all.

Harumph.

Sometime this weekend, I will try to update you on the whole neighbourhood/house/move/not move situation. We are finally wrapping our heads around some things...I think. I hope.

hello, goodbye

Home repairs and renovations continue. It was so much easier to rent, really. So we have embarked on the tedious job of repainting the basement before our new appliances(gasp) arrive...fancy, schmancy washing machine and a not so fancy, schmancy dryer. I don't spend too much time in the basement...basements, in general, tend to creep me out a bit. But, all the same, there I was, painting away when I found this........... See that? Those are the last remnant of our kitty cat, Crook. I found these dirty little footprints where he scaled the bookshelves to investigate the top of this cupboard. He was always dirty. Last week, I think I found the last of his little schmouses under the entertainment center. Sadly, we are painting and I did have a little difficulty covering these prints...but, I do know they are there, forever, beneath two fresh coats of blue because I did not have the heart to wash them away before painting over them.

the barometric pressure

I am still here...just in an awkward space for writing just now. I have some stories to tell, though I just need to take some time with them, I guess. The weather can't make up it's mind and all the fluctuations in temperature, barometric pressure and humidity makes me ache and I am grouchy. Even napping this morning didn't really help. I am going to wrap up against a cold wind that just came up and take Emma out to look for salmon coming in. That should raise my spirits...and then to the garden center to get some damn netting as the neighbours' countless felines are crapping all over our gardens now that Crook is no longer here to kick their crapping asses! They have dug out my asparagus, my nameless, but well adored, fuzzy red flowers...I have tried everything I can think of to keep them out, but to no avail. Now, don't tell me about Cayenne Pepper sprinkled there...it may work, but buying Cayenne Pepper is a little like buying gold and with the rainy season upon us, I will have to reapply every day. Once we get our outside taps run, I am investing in a motion detector sprinkler...but those taps are not installed yet. Too many projects!!!! Too many cats...too much poo. Grrrrrr.

Off to watch the fishies!!!!

Cinderella

This is the real reason Cinderella was always scrubbing....not the evil stepmother. Want to know how I know?!? Guess what I am doing today? ick ick ick. Yes, I am preoccupied. Sorry...the dog is useless in this situation. I miss Crook that much more now. Well, better go finish so that I can go to the ball tonight in my fabulous new gown and glass shoes...well, actually, we are going out Saturday night cuz our friend's band is playing, but it requires sensible dancing shoes!!!! Later, then!

things I will miss

Though I have travelled a bunch in my life, it usually entailed moving my whole home with me. I don't travel well...though I will be gone less than two weeks, there are things I will miss tremendously, like Michael, my touchstone. To a lesser extent, Crook, my antagonist.
Impromptu expeditions with friends and neighbours. Today a last minute phone call and we were off to the farmer's market where I bought the last two basil plants. It's all about timing...I am bound and determined to make some delicious organic pesto this season...with goat parmesan, if I can find it here on the island.
I will miss dog walkies....after walking to the farmer's market, we loaded my car with dogs and neighbours and headed to Harewood Mines for some much needed doggie-energy-expenditure....
I will miss Faxe...I know I am heading to the land of micro-brews at reasonable prices but still....there is something about a strong Dane that I like very much.
I will miss my house. Lots. I miss the feeling of home when I am away. And though I am heading to the place where I was born, I do not think I have ever felt at home there. I have fun. I like seeing everyone, friends and family(mostly), but I am, and always have been, so relieved to see Olympia in my rearview mirror on the way to somewhere else. I don't know if that is sad...it just IS. So, anyhoo, good folks who are reading, I don't know how much blogging I may get to. Surely not lots...I will miss this, also, I think.
Talk at you later....G'nite. then.

a smile on a cat

This was Crook today at his most glorious...sleeping on the front porch in the afternoon sun. See his smile? He caught a snake in the garden today but dropped it when he heard the sound of the spray bottle. Guess he's trained to that. My own batch of Rude Barb's Alycksar...or rhubarb nectar. Mmmmmm.
And one more shot of this fantastic pink iris...can you see the angry face in the middle? Kind of creepy, eh? This flower actually, really, truly glitters. I don't know if it comes across in the photo, but maybe if you click on it so that you can look at the bigger size. It GLITTERS!!!!
Today in the hood, we called 911 twice. Big day, eh? One of the guys in the house across the street got into a huge arguement with someone walking down the street. Yelling and swearing loudly....really loudly. Then the guy from the house went inside and came out with a big stick. The other guy took off before anything violent happened. Gosh, we love our new neighbours so much...so much!!!!
Later, there was a fight between a guy and his wife(both looking mighty strung out). I doubt their wedded bliss will last. I think they both went to jail tonight. After a long drawn out screaming match down Victoria Road, they went at each other. Crack can make you cranky, that's for sure. They had quite an audience too, considering it was a nice sunny day out. It's funny how quickly the police actually CAN arrive when called for a domestic. Of course, they probably got ten calls at the same time! Call them for a drug deal going on in front of your house, it takes them an hour or more, if they bother at all.
That's about the extent of it all today.