Posts from the ‘Front Porch Musings’ category

Almost Spring

On March 20 at 2:15 ish p.m. Spring officially arrives in Northwest Montana.

Meanwhile…

And then…

Auggie and I have “adjusted” to the loss of Bear. Bear’s presence as well as Zack, Gus, Bob and Karl’s have been heavily felt … in a good and comforting way!

And in a little more than 3 weeks time, a new boy will be joining us. An English Shepherd, to be called Emmett.

I fly to Oregon on 4/8 and back with Emmett on 4/9. The family Summers will go forward with Auggie and Emmett while never, ever forgetting Zack, Gus, Bob, Karl and Bear.

One of the 7 male pups born on 2/12/2018:

This pup, or one like him, will be our Emmett.

Almost Spring!

How we’re doing

I’ve received emails and DM’s … how are you doing and I/we are thinking of you and Auggie.

Thank you so very much. I do not have the words to say how much those thoughts mean to me. Often there are a lot of condolences at the time but later … life goes on.

I shared nearly seven years of my life with Bear. Auggie shared most of his 4 1/2 years of life with Bear. Bear’s passing leaves a huge hole in both of our lives.

Still.

Auggie and I go forward. I work, I bake and cook, we go outside … snowshoeing and shoveling and just enjoying the outside.

Auggie still sticks close to me and whether it is the change in the house, the loss of Bear, the weather, the plethora of mice in the house … whatever, he is my good and sweet Auggie-boy and snuggle buddie!

As for me, I’ve progressed from the initial stages of shock (it does not matter if you know it was coming, the finality shocks), fear, relief (anticipation of having to make the decision …) and just an overwhelming feeling of loss … to a place of memory … sometimes laughing at something remembered, sometimes just feeling punched in the gut at the fact that he is not with us, sometimes just overwhelming love and gratitude for having shared some years.

Crap! It is hard.

But I do not regret one single moment.

And I cherish the memories:

Winter: Month 1

December 21 – Jan 20: Winter Month 1 and it was a mostly inside time.

It snowed, it melted, it snowed, it melted, it froze…

So I baked!

But, we do go out!

Auggie is a bit more selective on outside times, but he is still the snow cat!

Inside, we still enjoy the cozy electric fire and warm kitchen corner.

Bear… dear Bear. The snow, ice, iffy walking … it is taking a bit of a toll on dear old Bear, but he is so far persevering!

Instagram. I do daily and often multi-times daily posts on Instagram. ( instagram.com/easummers )

You do not have to post to have an Instagram account. You can set up a private account and not post – many do.

An account lets you “follow” me as well as see the “stories” I post.

With the time needed to care for the Bear boy, for Auggie, for me, to do my work … Instagram is my daily Internet communication choice.

And it is fun and current.

Winter 2018: Month 1

Handmade Holiday in Whitefish, Montana

I’ve been watching the weather and hoping, hoping, hoping… for now snow or ice or bad driving this weekend.

Handmade Holiday in Whitefish was Friday evening, and today. I wanted badly to attend.

And I did! We’ve been under an inversion and it is cold and damp, but the roads are bare and dry.

The event features local makers and is held in the Whitefish Grange aka Bohemian Hall. Inside the Grange is like a cozy cabin and the makers were set up nicely throughout the space.

My primary reason for wanting to attend was to add to my Heidi Haugen Pottery collection. I bought individual pieces and then an entire set of dishes from Heidi 17 or 18 years ago. At that time, Heidi sold her pottery primarily from Bookworks, an independent bookseller in Whitefish. Heidi worked in the bookstore Saturday mornings as well. Recently we reconnected via Instagram and in addition to adding some new pottery, I was looking forward to seeing her.

What’s left of the original pieces… I think there were tears when I broke the last mug. But, I am thrilled that some has survived my several moves and dishwashing fiascos.

The new pieces from today. I had hoped a honey pot might still be available but they sold Friday night. Another time. I was very pleased that the bowls were not sold out!

And I had a wonderful time catching up a little with Heidi. Also saw other Whitefish folks I knew. All in all, a grand Saturday morning.

Meanwhile, at home…

The stockings are hung by the chimney with care…

Some of us are more naughty than nice…

And visions of sugar plums ???

Holiday Joy.