The heat and humidity continues. Yesterday brought two big old thunderstorms, with wind and thunder and lightning and sheets of rain. We need the rain, so I’m not complaining. In fact, as is often the case, the first storm rolled in right after I had finished watering all the young plants in the Memorial Garden by hand. Of course!
As I began to water the ‘Sentimental Balloon Flower’ – I use the vintage galvanized watering can I keep on the porch – I saw something jump out from under the plant, land on my foot, and quickly scurry to the other side of the fence.
It was this little guy. He graciously allowed me to take a picture or two. In fact, he stayed there, frozen, until I finished my chores and went inside.
We haven’t seen the bunnies or Henry since right before this unbelievably hot weather began. I miss them. The birds are using the birdbath like crazy…but no bunnies. This morning, after all that rain, I had hoped to see them outside chomping on the grass, but no. Maybe they’re hanging out up in the woods where it’s cooler?
The hollyhocks are still blooming, but they are definitely coming to the end of their bloom time. This weather hasn’t been easy on them. I find I’m getting sad at the thought of not seeing these beautiful blooms right outside the side door.
The other day, Don called me when he was out and about and said he picked up a package that was waiting for us at the post office. We have a post office box that we generally check once a week. It was addressed to both of us. Normally, I know if something is being sent our way, but I had no idea what this package was.
It was from Shanna. Shanna is the talented artist who sent us the pencil sketch of Scout and the beautiful machine embroidery that developed from that sketch. That sketch was also miniaturized and framed and is now part of the TSP/Studio.
What was inside?
This.
A watercolor of our girl, based on a photo of Scout that was on this blog. She’s on the porch. You can see the coneflowers and hostas through the porch railing in the background.
We were stunned. If this isn’t the perfect capture of our girl, her spirit, the look in her eyes, the joy that poured out of her each and every day, then my name isn’t Claudia.
Look at her ears! And her beautiful green eyes! The tufts of hair around her ears, her nose, her tongue, her pink collar.
The twinkle. The light in her eyes.
She loved going out on the porch. She loved to watch the traffic, the cyclists who would come down our road, the birds, the squirrels. God, I miss her.
But in the midst of the pain and sorrow we feel every day, the emptiness of a house without our girl, there is Shanna – also a dog lover – who understands our grief and sends us not one, but three different portraits of our beloved Scout. We are humbled in the face of your compassion and generosity, Shanna.
We are so, so grateful.
Writing this blog for over eight years has been an amazing experience for me. It has introduced me to hundreds and hundreds of readers – indeed, friends – from all over the world. I am reminded each and every day of the good people who are out there in our world, of the kindness and compassion and generous spirit that is the antithesis of the hatred and prejudice and fear mongering and mean-spiritedness that has erupted during this election cycle.
That’s what I cling to. That’s what I remind myself of when the world seems to be spinning out of control. That’s what gives me hope.
Thank you, Shanna.
Happy Tuesday.
