Settling In Alone

Does every picture speak a thousand words?
Hell no.
But that one above says a bit about me:

1. I am a grandmother which is why I have a small plastic giraffe in my laundry room. Owen likes to tuck it in with the old towels and rags I have stored in an old laundry hamper so it can "nap." It amuses me, that giraffe, so I take it out and put it up on the window sill.

2. I like to root plants.

3. I have a mother in an assisted living facility and on her floor there is a lovely porch with a verdant garden of potted ferns and geraniums and all sorts of beautiful green things growing. It is tended by Miss Mabel who is 102 years old and who can barely see and since she's moved to the facility, my mother has become Miss Mabel's assistant in plant-tending. Miss Mabel tells mother what to do and Mother does it. When Jessie and I went to see Mother the other day we went down to see the garden and in the trash was a large piece of scented geranium which Miss Mable had trimmed and discarded. I brought it home and have it in water to root. I thought it looked lovely with the giraffe next to it, looking as if it were grazing on the trees in the Serengeti or wherever it is that giraffes live.

Which leads us to

4. Whimsy is a friend of mine.

and

5. I am tacky as hell.

So. Mr. Moon is gone. For a week. Or so. Whatever. And it is getting cold.

Two days at the Goodwill I saw what I thought was a fake-fur jacket. I went over and touched it. If that was fake fur, it was the best fake fur I had ever felt in my life.
I checked the inside of the coat to find that it was actually a very nice coat with a beautiful lining and it was some sort of lambskin fur.
Oh shut-up, you anti-fur people! Unless you don't eat meat or wear leather in which case you can tell me where to go. You have the moral authority to tell me whatever you want to tell me but I will tell you this- that jacket was the softest thing I ever felt in my life and I wanted it. It cost $149. At the Goodwill.
Jesus, folks!

I wish I'd bought it. I might go back and see if it's still there. I could wait until Monday when clothes are half off but it might be gone by then.
We shall see.
I don't handle cold well and if I had that jacket made of the pelt of lambs (I don't even EAT lamb!) which, may I point out? have been dead for a very long time, I would be warm and it would give me something to enjoy about winter.

How's that for rationalization?

I got my teeth cleaned. They are in "good shape." I wish the rest of me was.

I went and stayed with Owen for a few hours. He was half asleep when I got there so I laid down with him for a nap. Listen- I should do a recording of me telling the Mr. Peep nap story because I could make millions putting people to sleep with it. It's a gift, people! Owen ASKS me to tell him the Mr. Peep nap story when he wants to go to sleep.
Then of course, I fell asleep too. Me and Owen and Zeke on Lily and Jason's bed. It was so cozy.

When his mama got home, I got up and went to the store and bought salmon which I am going to go cook right now.

And then I am going to tuck myself into bed and read for as long as I want and the full moon will rise above these clouds which have made me feel gray all day but I will know it's there- that moon.
Just as I will know that although my husband is not here with me, he is loving me as I am loving him. That although Jessie is not here, she is fine and happy and good. And oh yes- the news I had but didn't feel able to share? I will tell about tomorrow.
(Was that a hint or what?)
Just as I will know that deep inside of me, no matter what, I am okay.

I hope you are too as this same moon shines on you.

Stay warm. Be well.

Love...Ms. Moon