Slowly Getting Back

             It has been a week since I buried my Dagney. The house is so quiet with her gone. She was my constant companion. She would always join me at bedtime to watch the “B” movies on the internets with me… my heart is still aching. Stumpy does not seem to be eating as he should, but otherwise seems fine. He is outside most of the time alternating his day between “his yard” and Michelle’s next door.

I want to personally send a note to everyone who left me condolences. It will take a bit, but I’m going to try! Poor OD is so slow. I remember nine years ago things got really rickety and it looked like the end.

Nothing takes your mind off grief like coxing a boat of novice rowers. It was so frustrating I was nearly in tears. Not quite the therapy I needed, but self preservation makes you overcome a lot! Trust me when I say, “It was a rocky row!”

Monday morning I went to settle up my bill with my Vet.  The office staff has been so understanding. They have seen me through 15 years of cat check-ups and emergencies. The Dr only charged me for a house call.

I got home and cried some more. What a kindness. There had to be some way to give an acknowledgement. I first thought of a fruit basket or some kind of baked goods. Then it hit me. Wednesday morning on my way to my dentist appointment I made a detour to the Vets. I had a plastic cat litter bucket filled with an assortment of patterned sidewalk bricks. They have a beautiful garden they can put them in, or use them for bookends or doorstops. They were all thrilled. I think it is safe to say they have never gotten bricks before!

There is an antique phonograph show in Wayne, NJ  October 12th & 13th. I used to do this show with Billy all the time. He is going to drive up this fall and he was tempting me to make the trip and join him. We have a place to stay at his sister in laws right near-by. I explored the possibility of taking the train last week. Another long road trip is out of the question.  To tell the truth, such a diversion would do me good.

Friday I went to work working on reservations and all. Well I was too late for an affordable compartment on the train. The price jumped from $180.00 to $480.00 for the compartment upgrade to a $145.00 ticket! That is in each direction!

Southwest came to my rescue. Made flight reservations for leaving Friday the 11th and returning Thursday the 17th.  The round trip total was $378.00 for the web fare special. I will be staying at Billy’s sister in laws Friday-Sunday night. Then Monday Billy and I will head into the city. We are currently planning on going to a performance of Vince Girodono and the Nighthawks Monday night. http://vincegiordano.com/ Tuesday Billy will head back to New Jersey and I’ll continue on in the city. Currently I’m putting together people to meet and theatre to see.

A few hours after I booked my flights I checked my E-mail. There was an announcement from Cindi Lauper’s True Colours Fund. They will be doing a special performance of Kinky Boots on Thursday October 10th. http://truecolorsfund.org/kinkyboots  How I want to go! I checked with Southwest this morning and I was able to change my departure on-line! I was able to get the same flight a day earlier without having to pay any extra fees! I now have my plane and Kinky Boots tickets all locked up! In a bit I’ll book my room at the Vanderbilt YMCA for my solo time in the city. Monday night Billy and I will stay in a “real” hotel. I know I’m frugal, but for myself I can’t bring myself to drop $300.00 a night for an average New York Hotel. As it is, the “Y” is $95.00 a night!

Monday night it is planned to see a performance of Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks. http://vincegiordano.com/  His orchestra is so talented. Many of the artists perform on Prair

ie Home Companion when they broadcast from New York City.

I’m forcing myself to get work done around the house. The main bathroom is back in shape. The litter box had been in the middle of the room surrounded by absorbent pads on the floor as an inducement for Daggy to make use of it. Stumpy does his business outside so cleaning out the litter box is almost a non-existant job now!

The big Alabama game was yesterday. (Alabama won)  I can always gauge how well the team is doing by the noise level around me! Amy invited me over to her party in Northport, but to be honest I did not feel like being around people or driving across the bridge with all the drunks on the road.

I know it sounds pitiful, but I spent the afternoon stitching a new edge binding onto the wool blanket that had once belonged to my great aunt Bess! I use it all the time. It is perfect for the cool nights we are enjoying now. I think it is safe for me to say I don’t have to worry about having to use the central air now. That unit hardly got any use at all this year. So far in 2013 my electric bill has not gone over the $100.00 mark.

Here is a compare and contrast shot between the old and new bindings on Aunt Bess’s blanket. I’ll do the bottom binding the next Alabama game!

I was shocked to find the last picture of Dagney when I downloaded my pictures. It is not one of her best shots, but it is the last. She is at the corner of the computer cabinet. In her last days this was one of her favourite spots sleep: Especially when I’d be pounding on the keyboard or surfing the interwebs. Rest in peace my baby….