Waiting, perhaps less than patiently, for the vet. My hand rested on Stella’s throat as Dr. Landry examined used her scope on Stella’s eyes. I felt a very gentle tremble in Stella’s throat as she expressed her discomfort. All three were quite good, I’m pleased with how they tolerated the poking and prodding. It was good to hear Dr. Landry pronounce all of them in good shape considering their ages.
Cabinets done, and in time for Christmas. Faye is thoroughly cleaning the sink and counter (if you want a job done thoroughly you can count on Faye.). The counter is tile which we’d like to replace; it will have to wait until the next refresh.
The next stage will be painting and installing the ceiling and base trim. We’re taking a break from kitchen work so we can prepare our Christmas dinner at enjoy it.
I may or may not post during the next few days. If I don’t, I want to wish each and every one of you, my readers, followers, and commenters, a very merry Christmas, a happy New Year celebration, safe travels, a prosperous 2015. I am deeply appreciative and grateful that you find my photos and comments worth seeing and commenting on, here and on Facebook. Thank you very much.
Cheers and best regards, Andrew
As I hurry home a thin blanket of cirrus draws a cover over the day. The sky and sun have been largely obscured for much of the past few weeks. I was grateful for this subtly colourful tapestry.
Another sign that the season is turning, the first significant snow. It’s beautiful to see, though the cold – minus 14 wind chill – is unseasonable and biting. It’s good to experience such cold. Makes me feel more alive and much more grateful to have a snug home.
This is a season of slowing down, of reflection. We reflect on the gifts of summer and, if we are open, the gifts of fall and of the season, the seasons to come.
It’s good to be alive.
Sometimes I reflect on Stella’s age. Shes’ eleven. At times though it’s apparent she’s a senior. Her overall energy level is a little lower (thank dog!). I think she’s more content to watch the world go by from her throne, the deck. This rarely saddens me. Dogs grow up, age, get old, and die as we watch their life unfold. It’s life. I don’t look forward to her getting old, infirm, and possibly grumpy. Yet any sadness, not-look-forward-to-it-ness, denial, any negative feelings I may have will not change by one iota the fact, the process, of her aging. I’m very grateful to have had her. I gained purpose at a time when I was looking for purpose. She’s been so good for me and good to me, I hope to have returned a tiny bit of the favour.
I made my fund-raising goal for the OSPCA Friends for Life! Walk in just over a week, six days before the walk. It was an ambitious goal and I was a little skeptical, expecting to achieve my objective in the last day or so.
Events like this reinforce my belief that (most) people are essentially good, and reinforce my gratitude for people, their generosity, for being alive and blessed.
Achilles, do you want to go on a walk?
Some of you, my good readers, know that I have opinions (some of which are pretty strong) in the realm of politics and current affairs and may wonder why I don’t post them let alone discuss them here. The world and the internet is full of strife and strident opinions, while people can easily find them it’s less easy to find calm and contemplation.
Yes, I do have opinions.
The Duffy/Wallin/Brazeau affair is yet more evidence (to add to the muzzling of back-bench MPs, the long-form census, the CF-35 procurement process, proroguing, the long gun registry, the omnibus budgets, campaigning for a UN Security Council seat, and more) that much of what the PM and the PMO does is lightly coated with slime. I eagerly look forward to my first opportunity to vote.
The McGuinty administration badly botched gas plants, wind power, eHealth, and has probably thrown away the once comfortable Liberal Queen’s Park majority, now only a plurality, to te NDP or perhaps the Tories (if they activate the ejection seat under Tim Hudak).
Rob Ford is a buffoon.
I did not get as a US citizen, and do not now get, American gun culture.
But I prefer to not talk about these things here. When I started this blog I mentioned talking about politics among many other things. My intent has evolved since then, and now this is a place of quiet, relative peace, occasionally contemplation, gratitude and thanks for all of the blessings in my life. My wife, our dogs, our humble home and garden, and life. I will continue sharing my thoughts on and experiences with all of these blessings while occasionally (verging on rarely) mentioning politics.
My blog is now and will continue to be an oasis. I hope you will continue visiting.
All this month Faye has been working at the tomato canning plant, 5PM to 3AM every day. No days off, Labour Day was precisely that – labour day.
On weekends we have visited for a while before she goes to work, and I get up when she comes home. During the week though we have hardly seen one another. Faye’s already gone when I get home, and I’m groggy and having to get up less than two hours after she gets home. A wag I worked with in the States would say that this schedule makes for a perfect marriage – we hardly see one another.
I beg to differ. I like seeing, spending time with, my partner.
While I have stepped in to do what has needed to be done during the past few weeks I have been very forcefully reminded of how much Faye contributes to the smooth functioning of our humble home. So often the lawn is mowed, garden tended to, dogs fed, meals prepared, laundry done, and so much more. Sometimes I forget, don’t consider, am unaware of, assume, and don’t say thank you.
Thank you sweetie.
previouslytexan 