Friday-7:30am

On Ruby's birthday there was a bright sundog in the morning.  Cool!  :)

I received a very first letter from Annemarie in the Netherlands and--look!--she enclosed this hand-tangled bookmark...

...that is decorated on both sides! 

Wow! 

Such detail... 

...and patience.  Thanks so much.  This is just amazing, Annemarie!!

And I can't resist showing you this wonderful, silly, fat cat that was on her stationery.  I absolutely love it! 

Remind you of anyone? 

Miss Karma is still sleeping a lot--even with company, so you know she isn't herself.

I have gotten her to eat and drink a bit more by switching things up and putting a small water bowl (old rodent dish) where there has never been one and taking away her tea tin and replacing it with another small bowl she hasn't seen before (old parrot dish).   

Even sick, Karma can't resist something new--LOL! 

A golden morning dawned today. 

Last night Leah and her youngest sister, Ariel, came over to start on the baby shower invitations for their other sister, Michal.  I totally forgot to take any pictures as I'm not quite myself yet, either.

My back has gradually been improving since I got the new little recliner.  I was finally able to wash clothes after two weeks and survived it without going backwards--hurray!  But I wasn't any help with cards last night.  Have done no art or crafts at all yet.  Maybe be able to help next time Leah is back for working on these--which could be tonight.  :)

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Dagan showed up later, too.  He was trying to get my scanner to recognize and communicate with my McLap.  (They're both so stubborn.)  Ariel helped, too, at the end of the night and they finally got them talking!  I think we're almost there.  I can get the pictures into the McLap now--tada!--just having some trouble cropping.  This means soon I can finally start going through the boxes of pictures in my bedroom that have been waiting for--a year? two?  How old is this "new" printer?
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  Warning: then you may start being occasionally tortured with old pictures, stories, and memorabilia--LOL!

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This past week has felt like being in the eye of the storm...that quiet spot in the center of turbulence.  Hard to explain.  Like this dream I just had--of being unmoored and set adrift in a rowboat on a tranquil large pond.  I was in too much physical pain to row--so I laid back in the boat on some pillows to wait for the gentle breeze to gradually ease me back to shore--just listening to the leaves ruffle and the birds sing--the frogs, toads, and crickets chatting--the tiny waves lapping at the side of the boat.  That is what my week has been like.

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Ruby and I knew exactly what we meant to each other.  No regrets or what ifs.  I have felt all week like I can almost feel her soul wrapped in love--and the joy of her being with her mother again who died when she was just a little girl.  I am so happy for her that she went suddenly and serenely as she was getting out of bed.  She didn't want a long drawn out goodbye.

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We mourn and grieve--for ourselves.  

For what we miss.

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After 26 years it will take quite a while for me not to expect to ever look into those eyes and wrap her in my arms again in a big hug--or for the phone to ring, an email, a letter in the mail...or not to think--oh, I've got to tell Ruby this!--knowing how she'd laugh.  But what a gift to have known her and a true blessing that she actually loved me.  You will be missed, my friend!  But I know that you are more than okay.  :)

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Life is short.  
Speak from your heart.
Speak your truth.
You never know when someone won't be around to listen.
Or you won't be around to tell.

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Have a fabulous weekend!
Hug somebody!
Thank you all for your comments and emails and letters.  My life is overflowing with blessings!  :) :)
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"Chance makes a plaything of a man's life."

Lucuis Annaeus Seneca

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"Turn your face to the sun, and the shadows fall behind you."

Maori proverb