Friday, October 13th, 2023
Friday Five
TGIF! It’s time to share five random things about our week. I want to hear all of yours. Mine will be a little different, you’ll see why in a sec. Please don’t take this post as sad. This is my week (the last few weeks, we’ve been focused on this below)
- I’m sorry I didn’t answer Wednesday. I read them but…
- Wednesday evening we lost our beloved family member. It was a blessing that he went peacefully to God and is free of suffering now. Of course we’ll grieve, but we also got the gift of time with our family member. I’m not going to say too much more right now, except that I had the honor of helping where I could in this time and I cherished every second that I could. I love Wizard’s family for trusting me to do that. To be clear there are many heroes in this story and I’m not one of them, I’m just part of a backup crew who helped where I could.
- Maggie has been good as gold through all this. We have left her for such long blocks of time and she just accepts it, never has accidents and makes us feel welcomed and loved when we come home.
- Though all this I made a new friend named Bailey. She’s a beautiful small dog who is afraid of strangers and she needs to build trust in her friends. We quickly became fast friends
However I have been sternly warned that I cannot steal Bailey. That seems completely unreasonable to me, but whatever :-). - As weird as it sounds, this week has brought so many moments of deep joys, sweet family connections and I have witnessed and felt so very much love. Of course there will be sad moments, more tears and a few more hurdles to jump, but mostly, there will be love and that is everything.
Please know, I’m sharing, not looking for sympathy. Now I very much want to hear five random things about your week. I care about all of you too. I have thought of you this week, I just haven’t been home to answer — but I should be home today!
Everyone have a safe and wonderful weekend!
October 13th, 2023 at 7:38 am · Link
Sending much love to you and yours. Blessings were bestowed on all involved, obviously. This is good. And yes, the happy will cushion the sad. My five are so very random.
1. Do you remember me talking about T-shirt cat last winter? Well, he’s shown up again, this time wearing bat wings. I think he escapes and comes to my house to get away from his people because…who puts clothes on a cat?!?!
2. I got an email about ebook deals. One of them was SACKETT by Louis L’Amour. I LOVE the Sackett series (both the TV miniseries and the books). I went to check if it’s in audio from Hoopla or the library and I listened to the sample, in which Tell, the MC gets a letter but his boss has to read it to him. Long story. Anyway, later, in my newsfeed, I see a story with video about a head-on crash involving 3 cars. I normally don’t click but I did. The video is from a dashcam inside the 2nd car hit when the 1st car rolled after hitting the 2nd and hit #3. A voice in the background sounds familiar, as do the words. My brains sits up as the light bulb flashes. The driver IS LISTENING TO “SACKETT” AND IT IS THE EXACT SCENE I HEARD EARLIER! *cues the “Theme from Twilight Zone”*
3. I got a new purse some time ago, transferred from old to new, put old up in closet becuase I’ll use it again. I had a dream about it turning cold and the garage door not opening, which it sometimes wouldn’t do with the opener in the car when frigid temps. I started carrying a key to the backdoor so I could get in. Anyway, in the dream, this happened and I couldn’t find the key. It occurred to me that because it was in a secret pocket of the old purse, I hadn’t moved it to the. Yup. The key was still in the old one. It is now in the new one. And yes, Pete the Lord of Weird Dreams was sleeping up close to my head rather than down at my feet.
4. I forgot last Saturday was First Saturday so there was siren test and BBQ. No Stormy, though. Just adults. Well, and Jake. LOL A little girl–maybe 3–kept sneaking away from the next table to come lay down next/on him. Her parents were so embarrassed. Jake would just sigh. We told them to leave her be, she was fine. Yeah, except she was wearing a black T-shirt and Jake is blowing his coat so white dog hair EVERYWHERE!
5. The female characters in my WIP keep ganging up on me. They all want to get together and insist on detours that makes that happen. Two of them are now working for a 3rd and another has just arrived at the boutique to shop. What’s a writer to do?!?!
Okay, that last one was pretty lame but hey, TWO cat stories with a bonus Jake “tail” scattered amongst the crazysauce. Take care of yourself while you are taking care of your family, Jen, and I’m so happy that all were able to spend a few precious last moments together. Enjoy your weekend, all. We FINALLY have cooler temps that are staying so I plan on indulging in fuzzy slippers and snuggly hoodies. No soccor but college football and baseball playoffs. Yay! 🥰
October 13th, 2023 at 1:43 pm · Link
I am very sorry for your loss and am keeping you and Wizard in my prayers.
Being there and doing what you could to help is the greatest gift.
Maggie is a wonderful girl. Pets sense things going on within the family and tend to comfort us.
Your new friend is Bailey? A small dog named Bailey and you didn’t take her home to meet Maggie. I give you credit for the restraint.
Yes, memories will be flooding in for a little while. It’s a blessing to enjoy them.
1. It was 10 years ago today that C and I rescued Spunk. I can’t get over how fast the time has gone by.
2. The guys are going to try to do the wall oven tomorrow starting around noon. Praying all goes smooth.
3. It’s a very nice day here today but the rain is coming in tomorrow and should last on and off for the next 4 days. I will not complain, we need the rain.
4. I unloaded the cupboards above the wall oven and found all kinds of “stuff” I really don’t need. C and C will be taking some of the items and others will go to Easter Seals. I did find a jar vase that A made me when he was in grade school. I think I’ll hang on to it a little longer.
5. Hubs has been slowly doing children’s puzzles that I set up on the dining room table. Spunk has decided that at 2 am he should help. Every night he’s been pushing the towel I place over puzzle away and taking one pc. He is so funny.
I hope you have a nice weekend.
October 13th, 2023 at 3:58 pm · Link
Silver, thank you, it means a lot. We got more sleep last night which also helps
Now for you:
1) Bat wings???? I might have laughed, but I do feel for the poor cat!
2) That was too weird! Like really weird! I’d probably think twice before listening to that book in the car, that’s for sure. Or maybe that’s just where my mind went, I don’t know.
3) Um…does Pete also have access to your subconscious whiles he’s directing your dreams? Now I’m getting super curious just who and what Pete is, LOL!!! But yay for finding the key!
4) I got so many Awws from that story about the little girl going over to lay down by Jake! I understand her parents embarrassment but I also understand how that little girl felt! Jake, of course, knows every one including small children adore him.
5) You’re only job is to write the story the characters tell you! Oh, wait, did you think you were in control???? LOLOL. Yeah, I’ve made that mistake a few times too, but I was always swiftly corrected and made to run word-laps (AKA rewrites) to pay for my mistake. Keeping going and don’t over think it! The editor side of your brain can fix it all later.
We are, and thanks again, Silver, for listening. It helped. Enjoy the cool temps, fuzzy slippers and sports!
October 13th, 2023 at 4:09 pm · Link
Viki, thank you so much. Wizard has publicly announced it, so I can tell you it was Wizard’s younger brother. He and Wizard were so close, but we are truly grateful for all the time Wizard had, and how much they let both of us help when possible. Now we can be at ease (as much as possible) knowing he’s free of suffering and at peace.
Oh and I know on Bailey! This Bailey looks nothing like our other Bailey Dog (still miss him!), but she’s adorable and funny in her own right.
1) I’m shocked! 10 years already???? I didn’t realize so many years had passed since you got Spunk.
2) I’ll add my prayers that the retrofitting and installation go smoothly, and that the oven works as expected! This has been a major pain for you to locate and get done.
3) Hoping you enjoy the cool nice day today before the rains hit!
4) LOL isn’t it amazing what we find when we do that? Sounds like you found one treasure though in the jar vase that A made you.
5) Oh Spunk!! He’s so mischievous to just take one piece!
Fingers crossed on your wall oven! Hope it gets installed with no glitches on Saturday and you’re using it to cook or bake on Sunday!
October 13th, 2023 at 6:41 pm · Link
:hugs: I’m so sorry for your loss. I know you weren’t looking for sympathy, but you have mine anyway.
1) Work continues to be… :eyeroll: Eh, they pay me.
2) I’ve seen two bald eagles in the past week. Yay.
3) Sawyer has learned how to open the doors with the push-down type handles. We need to buy new doorknobs for those. LOL
4) I like to call Finn different names. Finn-da-loo, Finster, Finnegan Beginagain. The Finn-stigator. Sawyer’s name doesn’t lend itself to that. The best I can do there is Sawyer the Destroyer, which fits. LOL
5) I am so ready for the weekend. So. Ready.
October 14th, 2023 at 12:45 pm · Link
B.E., thank you, I appreciate it. And I’m so happy to see you! Okay now for your five:
1) Well getting paid is good
2) Awesome! They are majestic to see.
3) Sawyer is a smart and driven little fellow!
4) Finn-stigator is my favorite I think. And Sawyer the Destroy sounds pretty fierce. Your cats are a handful, I get that, but they must be so much fun too, and truly bring life and joy to your home.
5) I hope you’re getting plenty of downtime this weekend. Your job sounds like a lot to decompress from.
Enjoy your weekend and I hope next week the day job decides to surprise you and ease up a bit.