Wednesday, June 04, 2014

Still Here!

I'm still alive and kicking.   It's not been the best winter/spring.  The brutally cold nights and days and the snow, snow, snow.   There seemed to be no let up in it.  Keeping the old wood stove going as my only source of heat was a chore at times.   If it weren't for friends I don't think I would have made it through.  My poor old body just can't seem to take it like it use to.   Then my partner of 24 years passing away in January.  Then my beautiful big bear of a cat Stanley got killed by a truck out on the road.   Fortunately my daughter was here at the time.  We were devastated to say the least.  I don't know how she managed to dig down through all the snow and then the ground to bury him but she did it. 

So, May month came in.....I got a case of the flu, something I haven't had since as far back as I can remember.   I was in bed for the first week just getting up and about to feed the cats and put some food out for the birds.   Then another week slowly recovering.  

My partner and I had talked about what we wanted  done with our ashes after we died and he thought an apple tree would be good to put his ashes around.   I ordered a flowering crab tree from the nursery and it arrived the middle of May.   This past week I dug a hole by the rock wall  and planted the tree.  Then with his ashes in hand I sat on the steps, wept a few tears, spoke to him for a bit then placed the ashes around the tree.   It was very sad. 

The leaves are only just now coming out on the trees.  There have been more icebergs in the bays than ever seen before, according to some people.  This of course keeps it a bit chilly when the wind is coming off the ocean.   I had new shingles put on the roof this past week.   A great relief as there had been leaks and I can't count the times I've been up on the roof patching cracks.

We had a nice day yesterday so I managed to stain the floor of the back deck.   A job I've been anxious to do for weeks.   Still lots to do as always. 

So, that's a few highlights of what's been happening.   Here's a few pictures ...........





8 comments:

Joan@CopperCreeker said...

good to see you posting. i've wondered how things were going with you.
i always enjoy your pictures.
take care and be safe.

Tricia Ryder said...

OC!! What can I say? Firstly, it's great to have you back blogging again.

The Viking would be so proud and touched by your wonderful words about planting the crab apple tree.

You are a lady of incredible strength... my hat is off to you

so glad to see green instead of white in your 'garden' and always good to see your birds and, of course, Tommy and his feline companions :)

The Quacks of Life said...

lovely to see you back ((OC)))

Sondra said...

I'm really sorry for the misfortunes that fell your way...life has this way of tromping on us sometimes more than we dreamed possible. I am glad you got your roof repaired, I have an ongoing issue at the house I have been trying to get in good shape...one guy promised to come, that was 2 weeks ago...its so hard to get anyone to do work these days!

Victoria said...

OC, I'm so glad to see you posting again! I'm very saddened to hear of Stanley's passing. I'm glad your daughter was there with you. I hope life eases up on you and sends many happy things your way now. The Goddess knows you've had way more than your share of the hard things lately.

Blessings,

Victoria

Cicero Sings said...

The first year after one's partner died is so discombobulating and then to lose Stanley and get the flu!!! Aaargh! The crabapple tree is a great idea. I still have D's ashes. While we talked about ashes once he never gave me a definitive answer. He didn't care what I did with them! So I'm still pondering.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry that Stanley has gone, I didn't know about that.

You must have great inner strength, I don't think I could put up with all that you do.

I wish you well m'dear.

Alison said...

Its good to see you back with some of your wonderful photos. I'm so sorry to hear about Stanley. I hope the Summer gives you renewed strength.

Ali x