Springing Into Action Like a Boss

 

Well, here we are. The first day of spring. Amidst the rain coming down I can see a few flowers waking from their winter slumber. Each bloom I see excites me. New growth is indicative of spring, with summer close behind. I can't wait. 

This summer my plan is to finally plant a lovely herb garden. Fresh herbs make a recipe come to life flavor wise and also nourish the body. Rosemary, thyme, basil, and parsley can transform a simple dish like goulash into a delicious experience you won't soon forget. Of course, it's that way with everything, isn't it? Go back to the basics of life and make food items from scratch to bring out the highlights that our food was meant to bring, including the health we gain from eating fresh.  

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So, today, Thursday, March 20, is a day of joy for me. Spring always brings out the best in everyone, as we come out from under the blanket of gloom and doom known as winter. Rain, sleet, hail, snow, and colder temperatures is nothing short of nasty. But it's all good. We are coming out of it. 

I did read yesterday that our favorite place to visit, Wildlife Safari, has been devastated by the storm that hit us a couple of days ago. Large trees toppled and some roads collapsed from all the flooding. I guess they are letting people through but at half the original ticket price. A couple of the roads will remain closed as they are under construction. The animals are all safe and sound but to keep them that way their environment needs to be repaired. 

Terry and I had discussed going through the park to see the animals this weekend. He has been sick, so we have stayed home most of the time. Feeling better, he's ready to get out and see things again. Instead we chose to donate funds and do an early purchase of our expiring yearly admission cards to help them in a small way. They are asking for donations to help ease the costs of the heavy equipment it requires to repair the damage. It's the least we could do. 

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Deliveries took me into the Veteran's Administration and the cemetery again. Terry works there and had told me one of the bridges was being reconstructed or having some type of work done on it, leaving it out of commission for a while. I drove into the area from the opposite direction of the bridge, delivered the food, and then proceeded to go to the exit close to the overpass. Of course there was a detour to go around the bridge, but in the meantime, I checked out the river and looked to see if I could figure out what they were doing to the bridge. 

The Umpqua River is so full right now. Grounds surrounding the river are packed with moisture making it impossible to hold another drop of water. Areas around the city are still flooding because of this. Workmen are running crazy to fix it all. Bless their hearts. 

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Well, we roll around to Saturday. What a great day Saturday is. Lots of deliveries were made. Once finished with work, I said goodbye to my delivery companion, Mallory, and went to the store to figure out what to fix for dinner. Goulash tonight. Great stuff. 

With goulash makings and salad in hand, I arrived home. It had been a long day and I was pretty tired. My ankle was aching. Not complaining as I made a bit of money and it had been an awesome day of work. 

I grabbed the grocery bag and came into the house. Terry was sitting back in his recliner with a surprise in hand. Thinking Mallory was following behind me, he looked up and with a smile on his face he announced, "Ladies, I would like to introduce Esme." On his lap was the new stray baby we had been feeding. She is a striking kitty with a gorgeous coat and eyes, although now that beauty is lies deeper into her being as she has been through a rough time dealing with her homelessness. Definitely a diamond in the rough. 

Terry and Esme on their first night. Yes, the recliner is covered due to all the pet hair and yes, the curtains are wrinkled because I tie them up at night sometimes because our cat, Kit tends to hang from them by thrusting his claw into the fabric. This is why we can't have nice things. But it's worth the trade.  

He seemed quite pleased with his decision to bring her inside. She was content on his lap, accepting of his pats and love. I was happy to see her inside too. I went to bed knowing we had saved at least one of the several strays we are feeding outside. There is Sasha, the beautiful gray or Russian blue, as Terry calls her. There are a couple of black and white kitties outside, both are males. This little girl caught our attention because she will stand on her hind feet while stretching out her front feet in order to garner as much love as she can. 

If you follow the blog, Bella did the same thing. Bella is Terry's cat (and mine too once we got together), a loving, sweetheart of a baby who also stood on her hind legs and stretched up high to get us to pet her. 

Bella has since passed on. January of 2024 was one of sadness as Terry said goodbye to the baby who was there for him through good and bad. When he was single, loneliness crept in at times but Bella kept him company as Terry brushed her coat with his hand while speaking softly to her, and she brushed away his solitude and loneliness, at least for a while.  

Now Esme is following in Bella-Boo's footsteps. She reaches high into the sky for that reception of love. It's as though Bella has sent us a beautiful baby to continue that love or Bella has returned to us in yet another form. Maybe we were just blessed to get another cat that does what we loved so much from Bella. Whatever the case, we adore our new member of the family. 

 Terry seems quite content holding her, petting her, and showing her that we love her. This is her home now. No more dealing with nasty weather and fights and other issues that living on the streets can bring. We are her forever home and she has found a place forever in our hearts.  

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Today is Sunday. Final day of Terry's weekend. Tomorrow I will take a journey to Junction City, which is outside of Eugene. My granddaughter, Kaylie Rose will be flying in to visit her mother, family, and her best friend. Mallory and I have planned to go to Jessee's house where we will all gather to see Kaylie. It's been a while. 

Kaylie moved to Arizona to attend school. She comes home to see everyone periodically, but it seems like it's not often enough. I miss all the grandkids. But they are adulting now and that is great too. Such is life <sigh>. I love them all so much. 

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With this weekend in the rearview, we will end this post here. I'm going to work today at least for a while and Terry is outside relaxing. We have found our happiness in each other, and in the routine we have established. It's all good. 

Terry and I would like to thank all of you for reading our blog. These memories are so important to us, as are memories for anyone. We also send out the sentiment to all of you that we hope you too are creating beautiful memories of your own. 

I've always heard the saying from older people that life is short. Now that I'm where they were when sharing that truth, I understand it now more than ever. This is the reason Terry and I try to create some good memories and hope that you all do the same. Life is short. Don't miss out on the small stuff that matters the most. The smallest of things in life can mean the most later on. 

Take time out this weekend to hold those you love near. Sit and chat. Learn the little things that make that person who they are. Most importantly, shine your light. Hug others. Love always. Show kindness to those around you. Be the light. 

Love from Terry and I. Enjoy your week!