Thursday, March 13, 2014

Little Bits and Pieces

Yesterday was hard. I packed away some bits and pieces... Clothes came off of hangers and went into boxes, I untangled old necklaces and strings of beads, I looked at photographs... Everywhere I look in my house I see my mom. Her room, her chair by the wood stove, a place at the table... By the time I went to bed at night, waves of sadness overtook me and the tears flowed unchecked. I woke up this morning looking like a pumpkin. There were bags under my eyes big enough to put groceries in.

Today I had a house full of small people. Two girls boarded the school bus at 10:15 am (There was a 2 hour delay due to weather conditions...) and another four played loud and long throughout the remainder of the day. I cleaned a green, crud-encrusted fishbowl. I'm not sure if the fish was appreciative, but he should be able to breathe again and the cats will have fresh water when they look for a drink. I bathed a dirty, long haired little dog who definitely didn't appreciate my efforts. She trembled the entire time I washed and combed her hair, however, she feels soft and clean, and has the added benefit of being able to see again since I also trimmed the hair on her head and face. If I wake up looking like a pumpkin again tomorrow, it will be due to dog hair.

PS. Hannah took this photo of Orville a week or so ago. He's a tricky little guy and has this game where he plays dead. He was quite alive, though quite possibly blind, when I cleaned his bowl this afternoon. Whether or not he survived the ordeal shall be established tomorrow, because I don't feel like getting up to check on him right now. My husband insists we should put him out of his misery, but I haven't heard him complain yet.

10 comments:

  1. My fish only did that when they were dying. Oh dear!

    Sorry you had a hard day yesterday. ...I can't imagine going through all of her things.

    At least you have a clean dog. ha.

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    1. That fish has been "dying" for the last couple of years.

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    2. Maybe it's a cat....9 lives, you know. lol...

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    3. I think this fish has at least 9 lives. Maybe he was a cat in his last one and had a few left over.

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  2. Going through the clothes is hard isn't it. Hal's wife wanted us to take some of his sweat jackets and Sports jackets. Becky is very tiny and couldn't wear any of them. So several of our grandsons have nice jackets from Uncle Hal.
    I was wondering about Freddie my beta fish...but my dearest didn't let him die!! You fishy does look a little sick.

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    1. It's hard and I don't think there is anybody here who would both want and AND fit into Mom's clothes.
      This fishy has been acting this way for a long time. This morning he was swimming happily right-side up.

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  3. Suppose you could donate her clothes...
    That would be nice...
    It is never easy, Martha...
    Go slowly....as you say...piece by piece
    The fish looks and acts kinda fishy!
    Enjoy your weekend..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    Replies
    1. I'm thinking we will donate the clothes, but it's still emotional. Somewhere is someone who needs them.
      Yes, that fish is definitely looking and acting fishy. Maybe he thinks a ride on the porcelain express will gain him his freedom...
      :0)

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  4. My condolences. It's not easy. You never really get over it but you begin to understand this thing: life and death.

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    1. Thank you, Jennifer. I once heard that the mind doesn't have a file folder for death. I think it must be true. I told my husband last night that perhaps the tears help it to sink in a little bit at a time.
      Life is short no matter how long one lives.

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