dreams

i keep having dreams about tucker.

now, most folks might not understand how comforting and heart-breaking this is.

it's an odd, odd thing to be comforted and smacked with reality at the same time.

in most of my dreams, tucker just shows up, quite randomly, and allows me to

pet him, pick him up, rubs on my legs, swishes his tail and purrs at me.

is he wishing me well?

does he know i'm still grieving his loss?

is he helping me heal?

i think so, yes.

tucker

tucker

1 may 2003-19 july 2011

you will be very missed

two cats in the basket are worth one bird at the feeder

happy new year to all

meet daisy mae clemmentine...the newest furry resident

mr t

i didn't do it. the other four furry beasts did but not me. ever.

this morning...

this is t, our large black cat, napping in the sunshine.

...it was biscuits, sliced fresh strawberries and a cool cup of herbal tea to start the day. still the sky threatens rain; we've had so much more rain this year than last and i think we're on the verge of being out of 'drought' status! the flowers, herbs and veggie plants (and the abundant, verdant grass) are all so very thankful---so are we, the people. this means an end to water restrictions; not that i mean to just haphazardly use water in whatever amounts i feel like, but we can actually water the garden adequately and not worry about everyone else having enough water, too.

memorial day was spent with friends having a cookout at their house. we were introduced to their five-year-old's new pet, a rat named cinco. very cute, for a rat! we spent mother's day seeing my sister married and then driving to my in-law's house, so both mothers were visited and loved and hugged.

now our time is filled with some deep spring cleaning, gardening, a bit of landscaping and enjoying the transition from Spring into Summer. relaxing into a routine not ruled by a school schedule is very, very nice.

saturday-preparation day

it's been a while since i've posted here and there have been some changes. the garden has been having a tough time due to the lack of rain and water restrictions (and, to be honest, the lack of attention from the resident gardeners). however, we are still getting some eggplants, peppers, squash and okra; there are also some baby pumpkins! i've been trying to weed and water when i can, in between sorting through possessions to sell, take to the thrift store or throw away (a never-ending task, it seems).

the weaving is going much, much better than it was earlier in the summer. i think that's in part due to a shift in my attitude; as Autumn approaches, i can feel a quickening inside me. i think Autumn is my favorite time of year, with Winter a close second (then Spring and then Summer). i do have to say that i missed having at least one good, solid snow-fall this past Winter and i'm already hoping and praying for such for this one! but back to the weaving; i finished an order for the gallery where i have some of my things and took it over. they're a nonprofit organization and August plus the financial situation 'round the country wasn't too nice to them. so the director let me know that payment may be a bit later than normal. so that got me thinking...

i do enjoy having my handwovens in a local gallery and i'm committed to supporting this gallery as a nonprofit and its role in the regional arts community; so i'm not going to stop taking orders from them! however, another venue through which to sell would be wonderful. so i'm taking another look at using etsy. i still haven't made a decision, but if i do open up a store, i'll post a link to it from here (and vice-versa). i've got to take some decent pictures of my items, to start with. my camera isn't top-of-the-line, but it was free and i'm very thankful to have it and to be able to take digital images. i just need to figure out how to maximze its capabilities.

we are also being blessed with 'free' free-range eggs from our neighbor's chickens. they have decided to hang out in our yard and lay eggs on our front and back porches; never very many but still, free eggs! i think we've collected six in a week. they're funny animals and the cats enjoy watching them through the windows. yesterday i actually heard one of them sneeze; how many people can say they've heard a chicken sneeze?

today i've been busy with cleaning the house and then trying to plan an afternoon activity, or rather pick an activity from the many on my list that need to be done or started or advanced. an order of yarn came in the mail today for some placemats that one of my mom's coworkers ordered; so i need to dress the loom for them soon. i'm looking forward to tomorrow as a day of resting, relaxing, renewing and contemplation.