Odds and Ends, Bits and Bobs, This and That

 

Well hello there! What a week it has been! Between work deadlines and doctors appointments and sick children and vomit...I am just about spent! Not really though, that is the weird thing, we can really take a lot and I suppose I haven't even scratched the surface, but I am not inclined to dive in any deeper now. I have kind of felt as though I don't have a complete thought rattling around in my brain, but rather lots of little snippets and nonsense. So, you're in luck! I am going to share some of the random stuff bopping around in there today.

Eric's show is coming down and he still has a few hand made skulls (above) available for sale. Send me a message if you are interested.

I recently discovered the YouTube series, Ask a Mortician. Have you seen it? I stumbled upon it while pretty much trapped on the couch with a sick kid who just needed to snuggle/nap on me and I needed a little entertainment. The series has been ongoing for several years and it is informative and also funny. The mortician is Caitlin Doughty who also has a book out called Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. I haven't read the book yet, but I probably will in the near future. Here is a link to her fist episode.

Speaking of books I have heard amazing things about the book called The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I know, I know, a book about cleaning?! What a treat! Seriously though, her method seems to be thoughtful and beautiful--from the bits I have read and heard. I plan to run by the book store and use a gift card to purchase the book later today.

My mother recently told me about the My Fitness Pal app. It seems that this is something tons of people use and Eric and I decided to give it a try. You can select your goals---weight loss, maintenance, etc. Then you program in all of your food, water, exercise. The app also lets you enter your own recipes and it will break down nutritional information. I really have enjoyed the app, well the first week was a bit annoying with all of the input of information, but now it is smooth sailing. I really love the nutritional breakdown that it gives. I set up to lose my seasonal weight (I gain a few pounds each winter and lose it by late spring) and I am already back to my summer weight. So now I am excited to just maintain health and fitness.Have you tried it?

Yesterday Cordelia spotted the first daffodil in our back yard. She freaked out and Elise too. I am so happy that I am raising two little nature lovers!

Eric and I are being given a free claw footed tub! While I dream of a home with a claw footed tub in the bathroom, it doesn't really fit our reality to install such a thing right now and complete a bathroom remodel. So we have opted to put it in the back garden, conveniently blocking off a view of our jerky neighbor dogs who stand and stare and bark. Anyway, I am planning pretty things for the garden tub.

What is on your random list this week?

Then the Sun Comes Up

I wake up in the night, thinking of things that need to be done. I write mental lists throughout the night for all that I will accomplish the next day. I will clean out the garage. Call in about that pesky insurance claim that needs to have the smack laid down (I did that yesterday and I fiiinally won). I will figure out how to style Elise's hair while we wait for the mullet to grow out, thanks to the lady at the salon who in two snips gave my girl a semi-mullet or semullet, if you will. I will make and deliver cookies in the vintage tins I have gathered and cleaned. I will ship the last few packages and send emails telling their recipients that I am sorry I couldn't get my poop in a group enough to send their packages earlier. Mostly the packages don't get sent because the post office, particularly at this time of year, is the worst place in the entire world. Don't get me wrong, postal employees are quite helpful as they charge me $60 to send a small package to Europe (the price of having worldly friends). Actually our postal delivery guy seems to be hinting at a holiday gift of some sort. Is that really a thing? I mean it would make sense if we didn't have three different postal workers delivering our mail in a given week---and they definitely sometimes forget to stop by our house. Blargh, maybe I should make them all cookies and put them in cute vintage tins. Anyway...I digress.



Where was I?



Oh yeah, painting a mental picture. I am up at all hours of the night because I am a natural insomniac, planner, worrier and mother who lives in a house with many snoring creatures (human and animal). I average 4-6 hours, so the rest of the night I am laying there in the dark like a creeper. I think crazy thoughts and make my plans for the day to come. It is dark, but not the kind of dark that promotes sleep as there are little night lights scattered throughout the house. I can see enough to make out shapes and some details. Of course the clock is right there making sure that I am aware of every moment that passes. I use it like a countdown, eager to get the day started and whittle away at all of the the plans that I made. Eventually I will fall back into sleep and have the weirdest dreams! Seriously, remind me to tell you about the one where Nick Jonas (who is he anyway?) was punching the corners my house while clenching $30,000 in his fists in some sort of ritual that was supposed to pay off our mortgage. The point is I finally settle in for sleep.







Then Cordelia comes in looong before the sun is up. She does awesome things like shout whispering, super wiggly cuddles, face poking, and turning on lights, stomping and generally working her magic until I get up. Then I assumed that I will soon dig in and make my lists come together. Then the sun comes up and there is reality. Sure, I will do a few things on my mental lists, but mostly I will just do the basics. I play with the girls, do some cleaning, do some laundry, we read, we run errands. Then, before I know it the day is nearly over and the packages waiting to be mailed seem to have magically grown into a larger pile, but it doesn't really matter because the day was simple and good and I need more of those.





The other day Eric took the girls out to get some Christmas errands done and I immediately thought about all that needed doing, but I have been fighting off a lame cold and I decided to pause and listen to my body. I laid down on the couch and watched two episodes of House Hunters International on Netflix. I can't even remember the last time I did a thing like that. Sure, I was a sick mess, but it was still so glorious. I think that I am working on a resolution for the new year...something about working hard but still making time to do absolutely nothing. I don't know, I will figure it out I suppose.



I feel like I am rambling here. I hope that is OK. There probably isn't really a point to this message other than letting myself off the hook. Today I plan to do some necessary work, but mostly I don't want to accomplish much. I am going to shake of the last of this cold and then see what is what tomorrow.


Update: Bumblebee's tumor was benign! Hooray!

Perhaps we will take a trip to the library. Maybe I will read a bit while the girls play, but I am not going to check work email. I won't be finishing any paintings today...actually I probably will as I kinda feel like painting now that I said that, but for fun!



I hope that you are slowing down and easing into the holidays as well. Thanks for reading my ramble. Have a nice Tuesday.

Random Monday

Saturday my parents hung out with the girls while Eric and I had a date night. We went out for a drink together and then met our friends Sarah and Josh for dinner. When dinner was over the table behind us said something like,"oh no, you're leaving, we've had such fun listening to you." So we were all embarrassed that our conversation was eavesdropped upon, but not that embarrassed. We had a great time!

Elise is under the weather and has been all weekend. We have had a few long nights and everyone is a little exhausted and Elise is just a bit miserable. I am pretty sure it is an ear infection. We are headed to the pediatrician this afternoon.

Yesterday I went shopping with my mom and got a few new clothes. I also optimistically ordered a pair of open toed shoes in spite of MORE SNOW.

Speaking of which, today is day 1 of our month without buying new things! I am really excited about it. I am hoping this will be an opportunity for me to tackle projects on my own, to be a bit more creative with problem solving, to feel a little less tethered to stores. 

Last night we went out for a birthday dinner with adopted family member Laura. It was a nice dinner in spite of Elise's illness, which peaked later that evening. Cordelia spent a good amount of time dressing for dinner. She arrived wearing a ballerina dress, her great great grandmotther's black and bejeweled hat, tights, sparkle shoes, and a big proud smile. That kid has a style all her own! I love it!

I have been half heartedly potty training Elise with a thing that fits over the toilet. Then I caved and got an independent potty. This little girl is very independent and I hoped that would work in our favor. She immediately understood and has been using it ever since. She is at about a 70% success rate when we are at home!

What is new with you?

Thursday Morning Things

My first effort at a herringbone braid on Cordelia. She managed to sit mostly still through the process so it felt like a win. When she saw the picture she said, "So, it's like a normal braid?" Here is a little tutorial if you want to try it.

I am trying to decide if I should return to caffeine. I gave it up over five years ago while pregnant with Cordelia. It was hard! Through nursing and knowing that I was planning a second pregnancy I never went back. Now I am in a position to make a choice. To caffeinate or not to caffeinate that is the question.

My morning manatea. Surprisingly the cup was a thrift store find and was made by a well-known regional artist! You may recall last week when I was gifted with a manatee tea infuser. Coincidentally my second cousin Anne had picked up the same thing for me! So now I have a pair and I am planning to paint one a little bow and the other may give the other a monocle and mustache. If you need one, and how could you possibly live without, they can be found here.


This wooden fox was a major score at Target. I found it sitting on the clearance endcap for the whopping price of $1.63.  I love a good bargain so much that I feel like I need to shout it from the rooftops, or at least post it here on my blog. I wish I could link to the fox, but I couldn't find it any longer so it must be out of stock.


I really love air plants. Are you with me? I once traveled with one in a suitcase from Arizona to Wyoming, I still have her to this day.  I give them a bath once a week, sometimes twice if I am feeling crazy. I let them soak in a bit of fertilizer once a month. They are so easy to care for and their shapes just inspire me. Find your own here.

Random

Today I am headed to the dentist for a checkup here in a few minutes. The dentist has a massage chair; for some reason I find it to be the opposite of relaxing. I am not one to feel uncomfortable at the dentist, but the chairs are weird. It feels like single fingers poking my kidneys. I never say anything because the hygienist is so sweet about it. She is excited and says, "I know how much you like the massage chair so I have it ready for you." I think what happened was that when we first started here they mentioned that they had massage chairs and I said something like, "OOOO fancy!" So they made a note and now I am stuck with it forever unless I want to say something to the thoughtful hygienist.


The girls played dress up last night. Elise is wearing this cape that Eric and I made for Cordelia when she was a little older than Elise is now.

Since we are on the topic of children; the soundtrack to Frozen has been on repeat. When it is not actually playing the girls are both singing it. Cordelia knows the song, more or less. She sort of sounds out things like the line Frozen fractals all around becomes Crozan frakals all around---and the line The past is in the past is sung by Cordelia as, The past is in the caaaaaast. Elise sings along, sort of. She picks out certain words and notes singing with emphasis as she twirls and gesticulates like Elsa.

Most afternoons when I should be productive as Elise naps and Cordelia plays I zone out on Pinterest and look for stupid/funny things to send to my friend Sarah. I like to think of this as my down time.

I haven't read a book in over a month because I am mad at a book. I won't name the book as that just wouldn't be nice, but I was really enjoying it and it took a turn toward the dumb. I was so annoyed that I tossed the book aside. Unable to finish it I am sort of stuck, feeling like I should see it through before I start another. I should note that I have a mountain of books that I want to read just sitting on my nightstand.

What is random in your life?

Odds and Ends

Odd: The recent cold weather has created sundogs, or parhelion, (click here) for the past two mornings. Yesterday there were two sundogs, plural parhelia---seriously just got that info from Wikipedia I am not a solar info savant. We were able to see the beautiful phenomenon each time, pretty darn spectacular.

End: If you live in Florida or Hawaii do not message me about how you read my post from the beach, lol. I will send you an icy stare that will freeze your bikini. It will not be good.

Odd: My muscles are sore from shivering in the cold. Perhaps I should layer myself as much as I layer clothes on the girls.

End: We are at the end of one phase with Elise. She is now speaking in sentences. For example this morning she asked,"More juice daddy, please." Bye bye baby girl (I can't cry it's too cold and my tears will freeze), hello toddler.

Odd:  I just drove by the college and spotted a student wearing a super cute outfit with only a thin cotton sweater for warmth. I am sorry to say that looking hot will not fight off -24F. Bummer.

End: I hope the days of dress up continue into the forseeable future. I love little girls in their ensembles. This little number was for the occasion of My Little Pony play.

Odd: Sarah and I were walking the other day and spotted a little girl wearing this (click here). I know a certain 4 year old who would freak out over this. MLP marketers are genius.

End: Of this post. What are your odds and ends?

Ever So Random

We often stop in to visit my dad at his work. He gives the girls rides on a rolling coat rack. No, Elise does not have a cigarette, that's a sucker people. Those girls are crazy about their grandfather!

Fact: I love to shout/sing along with this song using a thick Russian accent, don't ask me why. Try it.

Sorry, I know that's a little irreverent as I suspect Eddy Grant was making a point...sorry Eddy. Just try sing shouting your song in a thick Russian accent and perhaps you will understand.

My friend Sarah just announced the winner of the second annual princess pose-off. Anne was the winner, with a real gem. My girls entered, but really Anne just ran away with the win. Check it out by clicking here.

My mother watched the girls last night while Eric and I entertained some guests. Check out this post.

I was super jazzed to bite into my toast this morning and I scraped the roof of my mouth and now I have that annoying thing where I can't leave the scrape alone. Lame-o.

What is random with you today?

Random

 

Today I am feeling a little scattered. Not together enough for a one topic post. I was out running errands earlier and I mentally tried out a few post ideas, but they were silly. So I have to just face the music.Please join me for a lazy random post.

• First off if you are looking for quality posting please check here and here. The posts are emotionally intelligent and thought provoking, not something you're gonna find here today.They will fill you in a way I may not today.
• I am currently sipping on some Evening in Missoula tea. I am not in Missoula and it is not evening so it's kind of transformative. OK, not really, but I am crazy for the tea. I got a huge pack of it while we were there a few weeks ago and I hope it will last me through until our next visit, but I am doubtful.
• Speaking of Missoula, there is still an explosion of kid stuff in the backseat of the car from our trip. I am going to play the weakling card here and say that it was all due to the strep throat that I have yet to clean out the backseat, but I am just not ready to face that nightmare. I am mostly certain that there are not going to be any surprises when I do get around to cleaning out the backseat. When I say surprises I know most other mothers know what I mean, no sippy cups with congealed fluids, no diapers tied up in plastic bags (what it happens yo).
• So do you remember how I had strep throat and I lived in denial about it for over a week? I was pretty sure my vegan powers could overcome any illness, but the strep proved to be too strong. Anyway, that week of insane coughing caused a weird injury I have torn a muscle or cracked a rib. My rib hurts and it has for a couple of weeks now. I have consulted professionals who have told me there is nothing to do but wait for SIX WEEKS for the injury to heal. Boo! So, I have been trying my hardest not to be a whiner about it, but I think I am still a bit pathetic.
• Last week while I was working at the gallery an older man came in and told me that aging was horrible. I now live in fear. He really didn't sugar coat it for me. He also told me his memory was shot and that he would forget me the next time we met. Is that a cop out? I kind of think it is.
• I have been busy painting to prepare for a solo show I have opening in February. In September it seemed like a long way off, but now that it is November I am starting to feel the pressure. I gotta get painting!
• OK I am going to play with a little baby while her big sister is at school. What is random in your life?

One More Day

Give me one more day to get back on track. I thought today was the day and then I noticed that a branch had knocked off a pressure cap and there was water spewing into our yard. So, while I deal with that to the best of my ability (temporary solution in place now) I will give you a totally random smattering of iphone photos to ponder.


Here is a picture of Elise running on the morning of Cordelia's birthday. One of her favorite activities is running around like a crazy person.


Whenever an unmarked box arrives in the mail I assume it is from my middle brother Ben. Upon opening the box I often find that there is the most bizarre assortment of items (plates of dead presidents, inflatable fish, dragon masks, etc.). There is never a note, that's how I know it is Ben's birthday gift. For Cordelia's birthday we opened this random box and found walkie-talkies, a space helmet, a dozen blinking jelly rings. Cordelia was thrilled.


This....


A neighbor. One of my favorite parts about living in a small town is that we never feel separated from the natural world. For the record the deer are loving all of the downed branches.

OK. Off to deal with reality! All is well, this is just a little clean up.

So So Random

HI! How are you? I am well, but I am feeling pretty random today.

First I share these beautiful daughters of mine! Mostly this is for my far away family.




Next, I have a little gift for you! My mother and I are getting ready to roll out a lot of new stuff on our etsy shop. Soooooo, we need to clear out our stock. Last night we decided  to offer our readers a 50% discount to our readers. All you have to do is visit Wyoming Rose Boutique (click the name and it will take you there). Enter the discount code JAZZY at checkout for 50% off.

Eric continues his publicity blitz with yet another article. Read here.

OH AND don't forget that Rooted Vegan is up and running. If you haven't checked it out click here. Please take a moment to like us on Facebook, follow us, Pin a recipe or give us feedback. Thank you so much!!!!

Technology of the Ancients

We tend to decorate with somewhat unusual  items. Sure, we have the usual framed pictures and vases, but we also have things like typewriters, phones and cameras that are set out for decorative use (see exhibits A,B,C).


Exhibit A
Here we have a vintage doughnut phone, it's mid-century and collectible. We no longer have a land line so this beauty just sits out. Occasionally Cordelia will make imaginary phone calls to Sadie, but it's purpose at this point is purely decorative.


Exhibit B
This fine specimen is a vintage typewriter, it get occasional use, but mostly is used for decoration.


Exhibit C
This is one of many vintage cameras we collect. Original use, taking pictures. Current use, cool looking dust collector.

Well, we recently had company over and they spotted our ipod (purchased in 2005) "Whoa!" They exclaimed, " I haven't seen one of those in years! Is it decoration or do you actually use it?"


Exhibit D
Apparently this 5 year old bit-o-technology that we currently use fits in with a bunch of 50year old technology. Hmmm I guess we are having trouble keeping up. What about you? Do you ride the wave of technology or are you still rocking a Walkman in a non-ironic manner?

to read more about the phone click here

Technology of the Ancients

We tend to decorate with somewhat unusual  items. Sure, we have the usual framed pictures and vases, but we also have things like typewriters, phones and cameras that are set out for decorative use (see exhibits A,B,C).


Exhibit A
Here we have a vintage doughnut phone, it's mid-century and collectible. We no longer have a land line so this beauty just sits out. Occasionally Cordelia will make imaginary phone calls to Sadie, but it's purpose at this point is purely decorative.


Exhibit B
This fine specimen is a vintage typewriter, it get occasional use, but mostly is used for decoration.


Exhibit C
This is one of many vintage cameras we collect. Original use, taking pictures. Current use, cool looking dust collector.

Well, we recently had company over and they spotted our ipod (purchased in 2005) "Whoa!" They exclaimed, " I haven't seen one of those in years! Is it decoration or do you actually use it?"


Exhibit D
Apparently this 5 year old bit-o-technology that we currently use fits in with a bunch of 50year old technology. Hmmm I guess we are having trouble keeping up. What about you? Do you ride the wave of technology or are you still rocking a Walkman in a non-ironic manner?

A Weird Friday Post

Wanna See Something Awesome?

Me too, but these old photos will have to suffice. Think of this post as a flashback episode on your favorite sitcom (click the links for the full story).

 Happy Friday!


Playing giant chess on top of a cruise ship.
Read about our 2008 cruise by clicking the links below
1, 2, 3, 4


With my cousin Erin and a stranger in a parrot suit. From our 2008 cruise


Star Trek Vampires

I am going to be straight with you....I am rarely described as normal. 

Low, Very Low

I went to high school in New Mexico from 1995-1999. There were a great many inexplicable trends during this period of time: Pogs, the Macarena, bib overalls (guilty as charged circa 1994), Pokemon, Sun-In (guilty and so is one of my brothers), glitter make-up (again, guilty), chain wallets (guilty), body piercing (guilty), this song.  Anyway, there was trend that was really big in my high school, the lowrider. I remember watching the super-low cars as they bottomed out on each and every speed bump in the high school parking lot, sparks flying.
** Want some more 90s flashback? My friend Sarah recently had her own 90s flashback, check it out.

Time passed and I moved north to Montana, then Colorado and now Wyoming. Lowriders have not been on my radar for many years...until this week. Eric and I were driving downtown with the girls when we came upon the lowest of the lowriders. I couldn't believe it. I had to snap a picture and since I had nowhere else to show it you are going to enjoy this momemnt with me.

Looking at it I was instantly transported to a different time and place. Oh 1990s you were something else.


Take a close look at this, it is NOT in a ditch or a hole it is on the street. Lowest rider in the land


Here it is next to another truck just to give a little sense of scale.

Were/are you aware of the lowrider culture? Have you seen one lower than this? I think we are looking at a 3-inch maximum ground clearance.

Now, since I know you have to hear the song...here it is.

On My Mind

Today I am thinking about

~Crocheting with my mom while Cordelia plays. We are working on hats this week. What projects are you working on?

~What book to read next. Do you have any recommendations? I could really use them!

~Yoga. I have really been loving yoga lately. Do you do yoga? How do you work out and unwind?

~Finishing the basement. Eric has started painting the paneling (have you painted panel before? YUCK) and we are now trying to figure out how to make it into a fun and functional space. What do you use your basement for?

~Pinterest. I have been using Pinterest and I really like it! You can check out my site by clicking the link on my sidebar under Follow Me (no pressure though). Do you have an account?

~What to do with all of the tomatoes that I am growing. Tomato sauce. Ketchup??? Sun dried tomatoes?

What is on your mind today?

The Business of Summer

Yesterday I hustled into yoga class a few minutes before class started. I looked to the back of the room, because I am kind of a back of the room student, who likes to do all of that forward bending in front of others? I tossed my mat out on the floor in a quick unfurling of lavender. I sat down and looked to my right and smiled at another regular. I looked to my left and was surprised to see a fellow teacher from the college. She and I have a purely acquaintance relationship, but she seems nice enough. We started the usual polite half-whispered (some people were pretending to meditate) conversation. She asked me about the classes I am teaching in the fall and I pretty much gave her a blank stare.

I have hardly given a thought to the fall. I am too busy with the business of summer. I gave her the most basic of responses before changing the subject to ask about her summer. She told me a bit about her time in Ireland and then asked what I have been up to. I took a deep breath and gave her the stats, but how can one really explain what it is to go about a proper summer?

I told her about travel, visits with friends, books read, art projects, etc.

A corner of my house

What I couldn't really explain was the way the sun looked in my backyard or how I've spent my days relishing a very little girl who grabs my hand and says,"Coooome on Mom," as she pulls me to some strange new game. Or about sitting on the couch with my husband and talking long after the sun has set.

Sunset

I didn't tell her about Cordelia's attempts to potty train the lawn animals.

Potty training the lawn animals. She put them all on and quoted Wonder Pets saying, "Teamwork"

I couldn't put into words the lunches spent with my father or coffee breaks with my mother. Drives with Sam, and phone calls with Ben were totally omitted. I didn't tell her about walks with two dogs and a stroller (a sight to behold) as we avoid the house with the largeblack poodle named Noodles.

Or about Cordelia's first time playing in the sprinkler.

Swimsuit

The sprinkler

I didn't think to mention mornings spent cleaning and playing, afternoons spent sewing, or evenings crocheting.

A project

I left out snuggles and kisses with my girl. I didn't talk about juicy berries and pink lemonade. Lawn mowers, open windows, painting, cleaning, baking, ripe tomatoes,warm breezes,weed pulling, hiking to the waterfall, lilacs, lazing about and all the rest were completely passed over.

So finally I just told her that I was having a wonderful summer. How is your summer?

Unexpected Friendship

When I was in sixth grade I had a habit of bringing home stray animals. OK, I've always had that habit, let's not kid ourselves. Any self-respecting animal "rescuer" knew where to look when searching for animals to rescue. I had a few regular haunts; the area of town known as "the flats" often had a few strays running around, there were some fields near my house, and for a while there was an abandoned corral that was prime territory.

I also discovered this small white shed where stray cats had taken up residence, tons of them. Hours of careful observation revealed that they had a way into this small shed from under the floor. I would spot a wide-eyed feral cat running down the alley, nervously looking about before slipping into a little hole at the base of this building. I quickly learned that I couldn't fit in the same hole---thank goodness too, can you imagine what would have happened if I'd gotten into a locked shed with several feral cats?!

A short while later there were kittens coming in and out of this shed. Generally they would slip away before I could ever catch them. I was undeterred. I knew that eventually I would be able to catch and save one. Finally, after many attempts I did. He was dirty, sitting by a mud puddle and he didn't even try to escape. He just looked up at me with eyes that were too sick to even care. He was significantly smaller than his litter mates, a runt.

I cradled my sick new friend in my arms and carried him home. My mother said that we would have to find him a home, but that he could stay with us in the mean time. I took him up to my room and set about caring for my new friend. I secretly hoped that my mother would be unable to find him a new home, heaven knows I had no plans to look for one. I had hoped that he could just settle into our home, recuperate from his illness and live a long and happy life with our family.



My mother did find him a new home, to my initial despair. A woman who lived across the street named Barbara agreed to take him in. She was going to be out of town visiting her brother for a few days, but then she would take him....named him Murphee. When she returned she suggested that I could come and visit him regularly...and I did. My initial visits were quick and awkward. I would sit on her couch and play with the tiny kitten, who seemed to be getting healthier, before I would say a goodbye and head on my way. I thought she was a very old woman, though looking back on it I believe she was just in her 50s. I assumed she was lonely and waited for my company (we all know how engaging pre-teens are).

Then something happened. I started taking piano lessons from Barbara. I am not sure how it came to be, but it did. I would cross the street one night a week, piano books in hand, and I would take lessons. Barbara was gentle and understanding with this awkward piano player. She taught me to pretend that I had little bubble under my hands to keep them in the correct position. She was endlessly patient as I tortuously worked through each song.

Eventually Barbara and I developed a real friendship. I began to stop by to tell her about my adolescent woes and she would patiently listen. She would tell me bits about her life as well. She was always so kind and gentle and so separate from the rest of my life. She didn't talk with my friends and she was just a friendly neighbor to my parents. She made me feel special and important.

I remember wondering if she was lonely. I remember thinking she must be scared at night in a house all by herself. I never thought to ask her those questions. I guess I thought it would be rude to ask.

When we moved away I kept in touch with her by sending letters. I visited her when we stopped in town. Somewhere along the way Murphee passed away in her care. He never was a healthy cat, but I was just so thankful that he had found such a gentle and loving caretaker. Sometimes I still send Barbara letters. I don't hear back from her. I don't need to. She made me feel so special and interesting, priceless for a pre-teen. I am eternally grateful for her unexpected friendship.

Montana Day 4

Yesterday we were back on the road, heading a bit further north to see my Grandmother. When we arrived we took a look through the Charlie Russell museum which was surprisingly large and well curated!

After the museum we headed to dinner with my Grandma. We ate way too much food and decided that we would visit the duck pond at Gibson Park. The pond is one that I went to throughout my childhood, so it felt as though I was completing the cycle when I took Cordelia.






We then stopped for some quick play time at the park.


And headed to the waterfall to watch the spectacular view at sunset!


We had a lovely day with my Grandmother and Cordelia is warming right up to her.

How have you been?