Harvey

I was so proud of my husband last night. He played Judge Gaffney in our local community theater's production of "Harvey." Dave was called three weeks ago. The man who was originally cast for this part had to drop out because of illness. Charlie called Dave and asked if he'd step in. Three weeks isn't very long to learn a part, but Dave was willing to help out, and I was behind him all the way. Dave hadn't been involved in the theater for years because of his busy work schedule, but he got right back in there, learned that part, and did a great job. Everybody did a great job, making "Harvey" a success. I got to go with two of my sisters, and afterward, Dave and I met with Charlie (the director), his wife, and three members of the cast for a late dinner. It was fun to hear them all speak of thier memories of the theater and shows they'd all been involved with. Some of them I remembered, some I didn't, but I enjoyed thier stories just the same.

Dave's New Toy

It's here! Dave finally took the plunge and bought him a riding mower. It's a Gravely zero turn, with a 34inch cut deck. As you can see, he loves it!

Too bad we already mowed.

Accomplishment Photos

Just wanted to share...I have more, but I thought this would give you a good enough idea.

Accomplishments! (Finally)

Expecting rain for the rest of the week, Dave and I decided to get outside and mow. We did the same thing we usually do with me pushing the mower while he runs the weedeater (I'm still scared of the weedeater). After we finished, I started working in the house, and managed to not only do the dusting and vacuuming, I also got most of the house plants moved outside. As I'm doing this, I notice several other neighbors working on their yards (they must have seen, and believed, the weather report, too).
So far there's no rain, but we have the tidiest street on the block. :) Today, Dave helped me get the hanging plants outside, and for the first time in months, I wouldn't be ashamed for guests to see my house. I'm hoping this work mode will continue until I get the screened porch cleaned out. Maybe I'll even take another stab at digging that rose bed. I only wish Socks and Tigra were still here. They loved it when I worked outside.

Well, I Tried...

It was about 5:30 or so, when I had finished my walk. Dave was at a city council meeting, and planning to go straight to the theater afterward (he was called on to play the judge in our community theater's production of Harvy). I had decided to take advantage of the extra daylight time to start on the new rose bed I've been wanting to dig. I put on my leather garden gloves to protect my hands as I moved the huge rose pots and stepping stones. I wheeled the wheel barrow over so it would be handy for throwing in weeds, then got the shovel out of the shed. I was all ready and eager to accomplish something. You can imagine my disappointment when I dug into the soil, only to discover a mass of old roots. Well, that's ok, I'll just start in another area...Wrong! Try as I may, I could not get my shovel through the soil. Not even when I stepped on it with both feet and all my weight. I guess I'll just have to wait until Dave has a free Saturday to help me. Poor guy. There just doesn't seem to be anything I can do without bothering him.

Spiraling

I wish I could post a happy post. I wish I could come in here and say that I've gotten past my grief, and all is well. I would love it if that were true, but it's not.
I had such big plans for this year. I was going to work on my house, and in my garden. Dave and I were going to paint our utility room and our bedroom this year, plus the trim in most of the house. I was going to dig out the area in front of the shed, and plant my plotted roses in the ground. I was going to fill my pots with colorful annuals for added cheer. I was going to get an early start on knitting and crocheting projects for the fair's crafts exhibit. I have no desire to do any of that. I haven't even been back to church since Socks died. Losing him was the last straw in a long month's worth of straws. I just don't have energy to put on a fake smile and pretend I'm over it. I just can't do it right now.

More Loss- RIP Mr. Socks

In the Spring of 2009, a little tabby cat with white feet wondered into our yard, and our lives. Since he was wearing a collar at the time, I assumed he had a home, and would not stay with us for long. I realized I was wrong after a month with him refusing to leave. Then, one day, he showed up without his collar. I was already attached to him, but I still gave it a week or two before I began to try to win him over. When those weeks passed, and he was still missing his collar, I figured he was no longer owned, and free for me to befriend-and befriend I did. He was a little nervous of me at first, but not afraid, like a feral cat. I believe he was abandoned, and luckily found us quickly, never having to aquire the wildness feral cats need to survive on the streets. We named him Socks, because of his white feet, and took him into our flock. As I began to pet him more, and become his friend, I noticed little quirks that endeared him to me even more. His poor little tail was crooked, as if it had been broken, and rehealed on it's own. His left ear was crooked from having been scratched to hard, and too often (don't worry, we treated him for earmites, and the scratching stopped). He had a fearless energy, that unfortunately lead to several bouts of crankiness in my outdoor cat world- but he was ours, and I loved him. We began letting him indoors overnight during the cold months of winter. He did fine, and even enjoyed being inside. He spent many a prime time, sitting in my lap, me petting him as I watched TV, and was always ready to go outside each morning to resume his energetic antics. Recently, as the outdoor temperatures became more moderate and warm, he began to crave being outside at night again. I really wanted him to spend the nights inside, but he wasn't happy doing so, and when he tried to engage the other cats to play, they didn't like it. Abby and Morty would sometimes bully him if he got too hyper. Reluctantly, I began to let him in and out as he wanted. Sadly, this eventually lead to his loss. Thursday night, around bed time, he wanted outside so bad, I let him. That was the last time I saw him alive. Kim, my walking partner, and I found him laying lifeless in a neighbor's yard. I'll spare you the details, but we believe he was hit by a car sometime in the overnight hours.
Now I can only sat here, with a heavy heart, missing him. Wishing I can rewind the hands of time, and not let him outside. Please, God, give me peace. I feel you took him from me too soon...