Quarantine pop-over...

23 August 2022: My parents are in the area this week and Erin and the girls drove out to have lunch with them today for my dad's birthday. Of course, I couldn't join them, but they all swung by after so we could exchange gifts (my gift for my dad, "Annie and Sugie's" birthday gift for me) and they could drop off a take-out dinner. I stood on the porch in my mask and my parents stood in the driveway, with Erin and the girls on the lawn by the sidewalk. It was nice to see them because (already!) I am feeling a bit lonely. "Over three more days to go?" I said to myself not too long ago?

Of course, I am not alone completely. Had a good phone conversation with Vogel, texts from friends, and Wes is always here. (BabyCat also lives here.)

Speaking of BabyCat, this gift (again, "from" Annie and Sugie) is a custom-made depiction of my reticent little queen. It's a reclaimed slate from a barn in Beverly, MA (where Lucy Larcom is from!).

Editor on duty...

 3 September 2020: 

Also a bit of a not-at-all autobiographical found poem appearing here: 

"A lonely old woman"

happy with herself

completely satisfied

16 years of Wes...

12 April 2020: Did you think I wouldn't make a cake for Wesley's Sweet 16? And not walk around all day singing customized versions of "16 Candles" and "Happy Birthday, Sweet 16" to him? It's not like quarantine is making me less of a weirdo. But seriously: so grateful for 16 years of this sweet guy.

Co-worker contemplating...

8 April 2020:

Mini-break with my boys...

15 February 2020: Quiet Saturday here, but I've been trying to stay productive. Snapped this picture during a mini-break. I was on my way out for a walk (as you can tell by the hat I'm wearing) when I came across Bing, who jumped up on the bed and indicated he wanted me to join him. It's hard to say no to him these days, as he's showing some signs of age. "Okay--just for a minute," I said. Soon Wes joined us, his paws on my arm. "Just a minute" turned into a bit longer, but not too long. Can't complain. These two have been with me for nearly 18 and 16 years, so they've earned it.

Look up...

11 February 2020: Got home today feeling a bit stressed. Laid on my back across the ottoman and chair. Closed my eyes and just took a minute. Opened them and found my #1 fan watching out for me from above. Felt better almost immediately.

Bow-tie Time...

6 December 2019: That time of year again--the Sigma Tau Delta Holiday Party. Break out the bow-ties for Bing and Wes!

Halloween 2019

31 October 2019: Two dapper gentlemen in their festive attire. And a bonus picture of the one who is trying to act like she ain't jealous.

I see you...

22 August 2019: Wesley, ever present when I get ready in the morning. Someone else likes to pretend she doesn't care. But girl, I see those feets...

Picking up Wesley...

3 July 2019: "Hey buddy! I missed you so much!" --me, to Wesley, when I picked him up at the vet today at noon. I had dropped him off...at 7:15 that morning. I still meant every word.

He is fine, by the way. Just his yearly exam and shots, but you might know, for him, that sometimes requires sedation. 

"Silvia and the Cats"

2 July 2019: "I am sorry because you deprive yourself of a great joy....They can give you peace, joy, love, and ecstatic joy also in every attitude. They are always beautiful..." --Silvia, in this episode of This is Love, responding to the host's admission that she doesn't like cats.

I listened to this episode on my walk today, thinking about, among other things, Wesley's visit to the vet tomorrow (a "sedation visit" for a routine exam/shot because he can't behave), whether I want to take Bing in this year (he's 17 and doesn't like going much either)... So this story, about how much people love and admire cats, seemed entirely appropriate.

She's 4!

This little loaf is 4 today. She remains my constant, (mostly) silent, judgmental shadow, occasionally allowing a nose-boop before dashing away. Works for me.

Exhibit A in the explanation of why it doesn't bother me so much that BabyCat is aloof. Here's what it was like as I wrote the post above.

Wes at 15...

12 April 2019:

Wesley turned 15 today. Here he is, looking cute as ever.

Some of the graduating Sigma Tau Delta students came over tonight to decorate their graduation caps. They also brought a cake for me and Wesley. (It says "Congrats Dr. H and Happy B-day Wes!" The cake tastes delicious. And they are much better at cap-decorating than cake-writing

"for a a couple of teenagers..."

11 July 2018: Did my due diligence as a pet-owner today and took Bing and Wes in for their yearly visits. For some crazy reason, I took them together. As usual, they were fine until we got in the exam room. The vet and her assistant were lovely and kind, even when Wesley made the vet tech bleed. The good news? For "a couple of teenagers," in the vet's words, they both look great. Yay! And now I can not think about doing this again for 365 days.

(Yes, Veronica goes soon for her appointment, but she's actually easier, which is baffling.)

Here's Bing about 5 minutes after we got home, already back to normal, sitting next to me as I type. They are so weird.

Sleepy pep talk...

16 June 2018: Saturday syllabizing with some encouragement from my biggest fan. He's like, "you got this, but I need a nap."

Wes at 14

This handsome fellow turned 14 on Thursday. Still acts and sounds like a kitten.

Signs of summmer...

Cats sunning themselves in the window...