Posts from the ‘Front Porch Musings’ category

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.

Suddenly Winter

Suddenly, the outdoor palette changes from golden hues to stark …nearly black and white… colors of winter.

But indoors…

Warm, golden hues.

Bear and Auggie napping.

While outside…

The forecast falling snow…

… falls.

Suddenly Winter.

A shopping trip

With the exception of food, I do most of my shopping online. I don’t particularly enjoy going to stores and am very fussy about my grocery stores as well!

During the heat of the summer, I shopped early morning at my favorite grocery which also has morning shade parking AND a spot to get Bear in and out of the Jeep without taking the ramp.

One of the challenges this past summer, was that I cannot leave Bear home alone. He occasionally gets “stuck” and cannot get up without help. He is fine in the Jeep, LOVES to go in the Jeep and the only difficulty is when it is too hot to leave him in the Jeep which was most of the summer after 8:30-9:00 a.m.

We managed fine. And I don’t know if I’d done anything differently if on my own as it was tiring to go out and about in heat and smoke.

But now – we are free :) !!! With the very cool temperatures we were able to do several things Saturday morning without worry for either of us. And I even went to places not in my plan. AND, I was not in a race against the clock/sun/heat. It was rather nice.

I dropped off a leather bag that needed repair.

I made a quick stop at the grocery with a very short list, but I browsed the aisles to check any sales and just look.

I came home with pumpkin and squash from Lower Valley Farm as well as some fall cabbage from a different farm at the market. I walked the market and dawdled a bit looking at things and enjoying watching and listening to other shoppers.

I was on a hunt for some wine glasses having broken my last. After a fruitless stop at a department store, I hit an antique/consignment shop…

Ha… 4 etched crystal wine glasses for $28.00 – that is $28.00 for all 4!!! And everyone in the shop was pleasant and happy and it was a wonderful wrap up to the most relaxed outing Bear and I have had since Spring.

Another “YEA” for Fall.