Hello again! It’s me, emerging from a day off, of sorts. A day in which my husband wrote an insightful post and all I had to do was hit ‘publish.’ By the way, he is taking his time with his responses to your comments, and very much enjoying the process. I think he’s about halfway through. He’ll finish up today.
Of course, in the midst of my day off, I looked out the window of my office/studio and did the proverbial double take. Then I shouted to Don to “Look out the window!!”
I used Instagram as my posting medium yesterday. After all, Don had the blog all tied up (thank you, Don.) Anyway, look at this! I had no idea it was coming so I was completely and utterly shocked.
We’ve certainly had surprise snow events in October before. I wasn’t ready for this one, though, especially since I had just taken these photos the day before:
Some phlox still blooming in the big garden bed.
Roses still in bloom.
And one lone coneflower, still hanging on to its petals.
Whether these little gems have remained in this state is yet to be determined. I’ll have to investigate later today. The snow eventually turned to sleet, which then turned to rain and it rained for the rest of the day and all night long. We need it, of course. But it was a messy, strange-weather day.
A couple of interesting bits of news:
• There is an article in this month’s AARP magazine written by Louise Penny; a first-person account of becoming the caregiver for her late husband Michael as he slowly succumbed to dementia. The title is “The Last Promise” and, as you might suspect, it’s beautifully written. I had tears in my eyes.
Thanks to my readers who tipped me off about the piece. We get the magazine but I never read it. (Maybe I’m in denial!) But as soon as it arrived in my mailbox on Wednesday, I searched for the article and I’ve since torn it out to save.
• When I wrote about Flea Market Style magazine the other day, Shanna said that she’d heard it was going to be published again. I was skeptical, as last year there was a reprint of an old issue that appeared on the stands, so I suspected the same thing might be happening.
But then I heard from both Olivia and Debbie that no, it wasn’t a reprint, the magazine is starting up again and the first issue will be on the stands on November 15th! Huzzah! I’m thrilled. I’ll most likely get it at my bookstore, but there are pre-orders available on this site, Margo’s Junkin Journal. It’s being spearheaded by Ki Nassauer and Celeste Shaw (who I got to meet in NYC a few years back.)
Sigh of happiness.
I knew it was going to go down to 29 degrees on Wednesday night, so I went outside to clip some more limelight hydrangeas. I brought them inside and walked around the house, looking for some sort of vessel to put them in other than a standard vase. Downstairs? Nothing. Upstairs? Wait a minute. What about Scoutie’s water dish? Yes. (I planted succulents in one of Riley’s dishes. It’s on the kitchen table.)
So here it is. It makes us happy, seeing beautiful flowers in Scout’s dish. I miss her a lot. Lately, I seem to be overwhelmed by how much I miss her. What I wouldn’t give to have her in my ‘tunnel’ again. She was the best company, the best girl ever. Add to that the fact that a year ago today I was making a last minute plane reservation to rush to my dad’s bedside, and I think you’ll understand some of my melancholy. I’ll write about Dad tomorrow, on the anniversary of his death.
One more night of freezing temps and I can take the porch plants back outside.
Happy Friday.
When I saw your Instagram with the snow, I yelped! Normally, if you have a storm or a certain temp, about 3 days after we will have it. I am not ready for snow, even just a dusting! The weathermen have said it will be in the 60’s for a few days. Now I am anxious to see if they are right!
Don did a wonderful job on that post of yesterday. All of the attributes that he talked about seem to be Don himself. Just looking at photos of him, you can see how kindhearted and gentle he is. The photos of the Woodstock trip, which looked like a blast, and his smile says it all. You both are so lucky to have each other.
Have you seen the letter that Louise Penny received from Hillary Clinton about the loss of Michael?Lovely and heartfelt letter it is.
Hope you and Don have a lovely weekend.
Yes, I saw that letter. Truly lovely. She took the time out of a campaign to write that letter – it shows what she’s made of. xo
Snow already!!
We saw comments yesterday, from neighbors at the lake…snowing there, too. Winter is coming. Oh nooooooooooo!
Ooops! Love Scout’s dish of hydrangeas, too.
Thank you, Shanna!
I am not read,y Shanna. I simply am not ready!
I plan to go back and read more comments and Don’s reply to yesterday’s post. I love his writing. The hydrangeas look so pretty in Scout’s water dish. I know how much you miss her and with the anniversary of your’s Dads passing, well it’s just a lot. I saw the snow pics on Instagram and said Yikes!! Sending hugs!
Thanks, Linda. It’s a very emotional time for me. But I’m hanging in there. I’m going to visit my favorite antique shop today to take my mind off sadness!
It is too early for snow! My BIL lives in Minot North Dakota and they had their first snow a couple weeks ago!
I love your hydrangeas; I plan to plant some next spring.
They are awfully pretty and they dry beautifully, Carolyn Marie.
Snow? Say it isn’t so! I’m hoping those hydrangeas in Scout’s bowl, will be the perfect antidote for inclement weather. I’m going to go back later tonight and read all of Don’s responses to yesterday’s post….loved how thought provoking it was. Glad to hear Flea Market Style is coming back. I always thought it was one of the more relevant magazines out there…how real people decorate! Enjoy your day! ;)
Exactly – the way real people decorate! I love seeing the way people use their finds in their homes. Always more interesting than a designer room, don’t you think?
Absolutely! And I think that real rooms by real people have more personality ! ;)
I am concerned about those sweet little rosebuds. Did they survive the snowfall?
I’m thinking they might like to come inside to decorate the piano, or your new table. That photograph is stunning. I love the reflected light on those green leaves, and the gorgeous pink of the petals and thorns.
This morning I woke up thinking about my beloved pets who have passed. I ache to see and hold and cherish them again. I think the shorter days and colder weather serve to remind us of the transience of life, for better or for worse. The hydrangeas look beautiful in Scout’s bowl. What an eye you have for color, Claudia. That is a lovely tribute to a lovely friend.
They look pretty faded, but I think it’s more likely due to the 29 degree low the night before the snow. I just looked at them. Darn it! I do love that little Lady Elsie May bush because it blooms throughout the summer and again in the fall.
snow?! yikes! be careful, especially with that sleet.
putting flowers in scout and riley’s water dishes is a clever and very sweet idea.
and maybe someday don will have his own blog?!
hope you both have a great weekend!
kathy in iowa
It’s all gone today, Kathy. It’s windy and cold but it should warm up tomorrow.
Don has tried blogging a few times, but he loses interest! Ah, well.
Oh, ugh. That is all I can say. We know it is coming, but denial is a nice address in which to dwell for a while yet.
Have to tell you…. our daughter is leaving for a trip to London, so she voted early. She called to tell me that as she stood there, she had tears coming down her face as she realized she was actually voting for a woman for President. And listening to her, I realized how sad I am that the history of this moment is being over-shadowed by all of the nonsense and hate. It is too bad.
I love that she had tears over the momentousness of this election – voting for a woman for President. I saw something on Facebook this morning – a woman had posted a very short video of her mom, who had just finished voting. She was crying because she had finally been able to vote for a woman for the highest office in the land. I have a feeling I’ll be crying too.
Yes, that’s exactly what they’re trying to do of course. But they won’t take away this moment, this moment in our history, from me. I won’t let them.
Thank you So much for sharing about Louise’s article. I have followed Louise and Michael’s journey through her Facebook page and newsletter. But I didn’t know about this article. I googled it and was able to read and print it. So poignant as is all her writing.
So poignant, Linda. She writes with such honesty and love.
I am going through blog posts I couldn’t read yesterday due to being in training for a new job. I missed Don’s post! Will go retrieve it and read it after I comment here. Snow?!?! Raining here, but still warm enough to keep my patio door open. The cats love sitting by the screen door and sniffing the smells and hearing the birds. The hummingbird is making its daily visit to my garden and unknowingly keeping the cats entertained,
What is your new job, Wendy? (If you don’t mind my asking!) Snow – yes – it’s unbelievable. But tomorrow it will reach 60 degrees. Welcome to Autumn in the Northeast!
Tell Don I read his thought-provoking post and all the comments and his replies, and agree with everyone! I couldn’t add more to the overwhelming positivity. Well done, Don.
My new job … takes so little time I’m almost laughing at my thought yesterday when I got home from training…aahhhh, tomorrow, no work, day all to myself! And I’m only going to work 2-4 hours a week when I get started. I’m co-running, with two other ladies, a before- and after-school supplemental reading program to help students in grades 3-5 who are not reading at grade level. I’ll only make enough $$ to pay for a few utility bills each month, but it’s not for the money. My daughter went through this program and I believe in giving students a boost whenever and wherever they need it. I’m contractually committed to two afternoons a week through the school year. It’s different being on this side of a contract, as most of my professional life, I wrote contracts.
Good for you! What a worthwhile thing to do, Wendy. xo
I totally understand the thing with Scout…and Riley. As I’ve said before, I think about all of my departed pets a lot. With the more recent ones, I think it’s even somehow more poignant because indeed in the more recent years, we were all home together all day long and I wasn’t away at work, so our routine was melded in a different way, inside and outside the house or taking them with me in the car here and there. I only have one dog left and we won’t be getting another now, at this stage in our lives, so I cherish every day with her and smother her in hugs and kisses so many times in a day that she begins to look at me with wariness. She is one very loved big shepherd girl. And she’s also the perfect dog for me in my life right now, in those mid years of hers when there are fewer health issues, she’s able to keep herself company when I’m otherwise occupied; she just never causes us a problem, ever, on anything. Soulful, sensitive and intelligent. Barks only for a reason; terrific protector/guard. I am so content to sit on the sofa and have her curl up against me, keeping me warm, while I read or watch TV or rest. She is our treasure. And to think she was dumped when barely weaned; someone else just tossed her out to what they thought was an abandoned house/weedy lot, as if she were trash.
You got snow in New York; we got rain in Southern California. I was totally ready for it.
Something odd has happened with me about both of my very-elderly parents’ deaths. It actually happened quite immediately. I can never remember the actual dates. As primary caregiver to both of them over nearly six years and with the very l.o.n.g. goodbyes…so much responsibility/worry and too many details wrapped around their declining health, passing and the aftermath of winding up all the complicated matters of probate…a lot has become blurred for me. What I instead vividly/always recall are their birth dates…the same holds true with my deceased sibling, who died ‘way too young, and my dear grandmother…and when those days happen, I make myself go back to memories of silly birthday hats, Mom’s cakes, parties, everyone’s happy faces and laughter. It’s a soothing balm over the wounds that never heal.
Scout was with us almost our whole married life. She lived in California, moved with us to NY, where she lived in two different homes. All of my dogs have been dear, completely wonderful and lovely children and each of them had a strong personality. No one was more favored than the other, but as I’ve said before, Scout was magical. That’s the only way I can describe her. Magical and wondrous and funny and loving. I miss her so much that my chest aches from it.
I remember it all with parents and grandparents and my brother. Birthdates and the date they died. All of it. Though, with my grandparents, I don’t remember the exact date anymore, just the month. My grandfather died in July, my grandmother in February. In both cases, I was away from home. In graduate school in Philadelphia when Grandma died and working as a camp counselor in Northern Michigan when my grandfather died.
I wish I could do or say anything to help ease your grief over Scout. I love that you shared her with us, beloved companion.
Difficult times. You’re in my thoughts for tomorrow. Remember, Claudia, that these are recent deaths for you. You have to let the feelings come. Talk it out; cry it out. Bundle up warmly and take a walk if you can although I imagine your temps are darn chilly. Cuddle with Don; wrap yourself in a cozy blanket; drink something hot. Be comforted.
I have found myself using the phrase, “Time heals.” Well, it does…to an extent. But do we ever ‘get over’ loss? I just feel that what we do is learn how to process and live with it in a different way. There’s no choice. We have to live like they can’t, and it’s what they want for us anyway; it’s all about love.
xoxo
meant to add earlier (but was in a hurry for doing this at work; sorry) …
I know that each day of missing someone is tough and that some days (like tomorrow for you) are extra-tough. hope you do something extra-nice for yourself.
with a hug and prayers …
kathy in iowa
Thank you, dear Kathy. xo
Flowers in the water bowl is a lovely tribute. :] Hugs!
Thank you, Brae.
Claudia
I need to know where you live in usa ? to find out where this snow is. It is very warm in Missouri today and up to 80 tomorrow !! which is very unusual
I love snow however everybody screams at me and says you probably don’t have to get out in it, however I do every day when I go to work 4 days a week
I am so sorry I didn’t mention your beloved pet. I cried so hard each time my little pugs died. I just was miserable for ever. My husband cried everyday for about 3 months . We loved our dogs so much.
Now my husband and my dogs are gone and I adopted a stray cat from my neighborhood and we love each other very much.
Dogs are very special being I think sometimes their is a angel spirit in them. They just know all about our moods and know when to kiss us cuddle.
Time will help however I look at my dogs pictures and can still cry after 6 years
No snow here for us yet….plenty of rain though…Warm weather tomorrow makes a good time to cook on the grill again…grilled veggies and grilled shrimp will do…Your hydrangeas look like they were made to match Scout’s water dish…
Snow? Just lots and lots of rain here. Love your hydrangeas, and the bowl they’re in makes them extra special. Hugs.
I am looking at them as I write this, Judy. Thank you!