For the long absence and the lack of reading of your blogs.
What can I say? Life got in the way. Other writing commitments - one a particularly long piece of the allowed 3000 words, but when it hit 5000 I had to start pruning like a madwoman. A history of my own feminism, starting way back when I was in my late twenties with two small kids and my head exploding with frustration and finding Gloria Steinem's writings.
Then I started a large knitting project for a godson- ambitious. I knit a few hours a day on it but hell, it's only about 2/3's completed. Whelp.
And oh yes, I was sick in the meantime too. I caught noro-virus again. The thing that hospitalized me the last time I caught it. This strain was milder but still awful for about 4 days. All the things. I lost a whack of weight and note in old age there is no "bouncing back". More like crawling up a steep incline with a shortage of breath and fighting the will to die.
I had a birthday thrown in there too. I completed 83 journeys around the sun. In a world where most of my dear ones are dead and some afflicted with the dreaded dementia, this is an achievement.
And oh yes, I lost a dear friend too in the last wee while. I met him when he stayed at my B&B around the bay. He stayed for about 10 days (yes, he extended his original booking of 4 days). One of those people you click with immediately. Rare but treasured. We stayed in touch and he visited me in the spring and planned to move here. When wham, he was stricken both with Parkinson's and leukemia, both rapid and opted for MAID (medically assisted dying) last week. A huge loss of a genuinely kind and brilliant man. And handsome to boot.
So that's me, over and out. I will get caught up with all of you over the next few days.
My big project. I do love the colours.
The Theory of Crows was a beautiful read about a father and daughter reconnecting.
Daughter was in Paris for a while and brought me fresh Roquefort, the real Mccoy and it's orgasmic. I dole out little pieces to myself every night.
A bag filled with gifts from my darling sister on my birthday.
Glad to see you resurface. Stay in touch now! We may not have to worry too much longer about longevity (if we do). I just read that a senior person from one of the AI companies resigned. He is so concerned with AI developing and expanding, and becoming more sophisticated by the minute, he is concerned that it could wipe out humankind by 2030. That's just three years away! Mother Nature is probably applauding! Best wishes - David
ReplyDeleteNo truer words, my friend, we'll be whisked away if we are lucky and avoid the worst of it but oh I worry for my darling daughters and my lovely grandgirl who lives in Paris but the heat this summer had her caving. I see the teasers about A1 and an alarming piece recently about and A1 segment running wild and disobediently and alarming the scientists. Not a shock to me, they are truly meddling with an unknown quantity. Stay connected with Our Mother.
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In spite of your cold, you seem to be living a good life.
ReplyDeleteYour B&B friend might have become your boyfriend if he had not met an untimely demise.
83, at the average dying age for women and you live on with an an active life. Super.
That last sentence had me sit up bolt upright, Andrew. I do keep the oul brain busy and challenged as I observe those struggling with brain deterioration and consequential frustration. I keep on keeping on. Yes, my lovely friend had hinted in that direction, but I made it clear that living alone is my preferred lifestyle. He was fine with that.
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I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend (lodger), and so suddenly. But, I'm thinking that's a good way to go, not to linger. I have lost so many friends and acquaintances in the past year. If I stop to think, my heart breaks again and again. It does take a lot out of one if we think for too long.
ReplyDeleteDelaine, it sure does. I get weepy at times, missing them so much and also my last companion-dog who travelled everywhere with me. It's a lonely time; our old age isn't it? People say new friends should be embraced but there's something about one's history wrapped up in someone else's memories too that can never be replaced.
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