Rust ~ Post No. 36

 

I haven't kept up with my rust posts. I should have shared this one and a few more since Vince and Jane went to Death Valley, some time ago now, and were so kind to stop and take pictures of some rusty wrecks they found along the way. For my blog.

I'm sorry!

So this is Rust Post number 36 and I have several more in drafts.

 

Snow And A Gift

Yesterday, we woke up to a cold morning with snow. 

Faith and I went out early. She played, I walked and took some pictures.

Trying for an artistic shot, here and there. 

I have a friend here in the canyon, Lisa. I don't see her often, but when I do there's a strong connection, lots of love and caring on both our parts. Lisa gave me the scarf I'm wearing here, a long time ago, when she was in her office in town and I came in to get warmed up, because the weather had suddenly turned very cold. Lisa rushed out to her car and came in with the scarf, gave it to me, and wouldn't take no for an answer. 

It's made in Peru of alpaca yarn and I feel like an idiot to have accepted it. But what can you do? You can't very well give it back, and it's really like the advice you, my blogger friends, recently gave me about accepting help. 

It made Lisa happy to give it to me. It made me happy to receive it. 

I texted this picture to her yesterday morning and I think that made her happy all over again. 

Faith And Her Shadow

Look, Faith found a new friend! Just kidding, it's only her shadow.

I think she's fine without another dog friend, which is good since I'm happy with just her to take care of. 

February 21st ~ How Could I Forget?

 

It was the 21st of February and my life was a bit of a temporary mess because my toilet was clogged. 

It was supposed to snow today, the 22nd, and one has to prepare.

So off I went to the grocery store because I was almost out of coffee and trashbags. I bought many good things in the store, but came home without coffee and trashbags. Oh, well.

The 21st of February was also a Federal holiday and the local plumber I called, didn't return my call. So I called Roto Rooter in Bakersfield and within an hour a very nice young plumber guy was here to help. 

The day went on, I still had that feeling there was something special about this day, but I just couldn't think of it. 

One of my sisters-in-law called. We seldom talk, so it was really nice.

Then in the evening, Riley calls. Riley and Errol's aunt Dorothy were married with us, on the same day, in our house in Pasadena. 

A double wedding on February 21, 1987.

Riley always calls me on this day.

How could I forget?

I asked, how many years ago?

Riley said, 35. 

I have sort of, if not cried, felt teary-eyed ever since. 

But Riley said, think of the good times you had together. And I'm pretty good at that. 

But still, how could I forget?

I will not worry about why, but I just find it interesting. 

Old age is very interesting to me. 

And a sense of humor is definitely required. 

Sunday Morning Reflections

 

For my best friend, Annette, upon the loss of your beloved dog, Lilli.  

For you, dear Carole, for the loss of your much loved cat, Yumi.

And for me as well, with the loss of Glenn.

How lucky am I to have something

  that makes saying goodbye so hard.

Winnie The Pooh

Thank You

 

Thank you for your kind comments on my post about the loss of Glenn. 

I still can't believe it. He was 71, I think, ten years younger than I am. 

Have a nice day, my dear friends and thank you again. 

A Loss

 

My brother-in-law, Glenn, succumbed to the corona virus this past week.

Glenn and Errol were partners in a construction business in Los Angeles. While both could build a house from scratch, they had different but complimentary areas of expertise. 

As well as emotional makeups, Glenn being the calmer one with a more patient demeanor. 

Glenn and I became closer friends after Errol died. He helped me fix up my home here. He painted my house, took his time and made it beautiful. A paint job that will last a very long time. Glenn built a roof over a part of my patio, fixed many things, and monitored workers that came to install my floors and windows. 

Making sure I wouldn't be taken advantage of. 

Since the pandemic began, I haven't seen much of Glenn, but it felt safe to know that he was here, living in our town and would be there for me if I needed him. 

We talked on the phone, not often, just checking in. 

It's very difficult to know that we will never do that again. That I will never see him again. 

Dearest Glenn, you were such a good man, calm, considerate, and patient. 

I love you, you were the brother I no longer had, and I will miss you so very much. 

My thoughts are with my sister-in-law and their grownup children.

Conversations With Faith

 

Me: So did you hear what happened at the White House?

Faith: Lots of things happen at the White House, I think that pretty lady who talks to the press caused a ruckus. 

Me: I don't think that was her fault and that's not what I was thinking about. I was thinking you may have something to say about this new arrival at the WH. 

Faith: I hadn't heard. Has the German shepherd dog been rehabbed and allowed to come back?

Me: No, he's still in Delaware.

Faith: I bet he's missing his parents a lot.

Me: Yes, and they're missing him, but it's all for the best and I'm sure they see each other in Delaware. 

Faith: So what's the big news? 

Me: Guess!

Faith: Ah, I know, it's a cat!

Me: You're right, the much talked about and anticipated Biden cat has finally arrived at the White House. 

Faith: Cats are small and up to no good. Will it be allowed to roam freely in there?

Me: What do you mean, up to no good?

Faith: Well, for example, it could jump up on something and overturn some precious porcelain object, like a vase or a statue even. It could break and cost a lot of taxpayer money to repair or replace. 

Me: What do you know about taxpayer money?

Faith: Not much, all I know is that humans always complain about how it's spent. Spending on a WH cat, hmmm, you see what I'm saying?

Me: I don't think it would cause a revolution, exactly.

Faith: No, but maybe a small uprising. Anyhow, what's the name of this critter?

Me: The cat's name is Willow.

Faith: That's a very pretty name. How many dogs are there in the WH now?

Me: Only one, the young one, his name is Commander, I think.

Faith: That's a clever name. Calling him, you wouldn't have to say come here. Just Commander and he would think you said come here. It sounds so much alike. 

Me: It does, indeed. What a clever girl you are.

Faith: I know, that's why you can rest assured that no cat will ever set a paw in this house as long as I'm in charge of it. 

Worldless Wednesday ~ Nature

 

Walking

The pulmonary nurse practitioner said I must use my inhaler and also walk to avoid progressive disease, ending up with COPD. 
 

I've always loved my walks and thought I still always walked. But once I really focused on it, I found I did not. Not really, just very short walks. 

I know this is due to issues with my lungs. Damn cigarettes, I haven't smoked since 1993, and now I can't walk. My legs are fine, I skated all my young life, on hockey skates, I rode horses, I walked and hiked.

Because my land is hilly and at 4100 feet, my lungs get more of a workout than if I were to walk on the beach. So I don't walk very far when I walk. 

I decided to get serious, put my pedometer in my pocket and walk every day. I'm now focusig on building up my endurance. 

The other day, I walked in a snowstorm, not one of soft large snowflakeds, but of small and stingy ones, with a cold, strong wind lashing at my face, my cheeks bright red. 

This was the best, most invigorating walk I've had in years. 

And this is how the coyotes walk. It's hard to imagine how they are able to control their four paws to hit the ground like this. 

Circle Of Life

 

Surrounded by mountains, our town looked so pretty the other day. I took out my phone for some pictures.

Then the phone, inexplicably, slipped out of my hand and disappeared. 

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Nothing to do, but to drive home, find the phone and just keep the few pictures I had taken. 

Easier said than done, as it turned out. A quick search of the front and rear areas, under the seats, as far as I could see proved fruitless. I needed another phone to call my phone, so I would at least know its approximate location.

I knew Joyce was away, so I looked for Bob. He wasn't home either and no one else was around. 

 

Imagining being here alone, for even a few hours without a phone, stressed me out. 

So I did something I find very difficult. I emailed Jeanne and asked if she could come and help. 

Before long, there she was, an angel at my gate. 

After calling my phone and searching for some time, she found it.

I've never in my life been so thrilled to see my phone again. 

I thanked Jeanne and said, "You know, I really hate to ask a friend for help. I don't mind if it's a helper I can pay, but a friend, no. I have such a difficult time with it because I can no longer reciprocate, the way I could when I was younger." 

Jeanne said, "this is how I see the circle of life. When you were younger, you helped when it was needed. And now that you need help, I'm here to help you."

Of course these were the words, the exact words I needed to hear at this exact time of my life. 

They make so much sense. 

I can let go of that feeling of absolute helplessness, that fear of having to ask for help, and perhaps not being able to help in return. 

Physically help in return. 

I know I can help friends in other ways. Talking about things, sharing what I've learned throughout a long life. 

Letting go of that last discomfort, has been pretty huge for me. 

Thank you, Jeanne. 

Kitty Puzzle Finished

 

As I was working on the puzzle, I could just see this happen to some poor person who momentarily forgot to keep an eye on her kittens. 

And how it reminded me of those who shared my life, so many years ago now. The tortoiseshell kitty stepping on the spoon and getting it's face dusted, looks just like my Samantha W. 

Vemod, is what I feel right now. The Swedish word for melancholy. I just miss living with a cat so very much. 

But I will recover and will soon have a conversation with Faith about the latest arrival at White House, the Biden cat. 

I'm sure she'll have a few things to say about that.

How Our Dogs Love Us

After Samson died, Faith has become super protective of me. She rarely leaves my side.

If she wanders off when we are outside and I call her, this is the response I get. 

It feels truly wonderful to be so loved.