Another day of no pictures although the lack today cannot be blamed on me not going anywhere.
First off, Mr. Moon got home around 11:00 last night and surprisingly, I was still awake with Maurice tucked up on my legs, my book in my hand. I bought a copy of Barbara Kingsolver's new novel, "Partita" and I am taking it very, very slowly. I wonder what I will think of this one. I have loved most of her novels, even "The Lacuna" which many critics gave short shrift. I, however, loved it and have read it at least three times. I have not found her nonfiction to be as interesting to me but that says far more about me than it does about her writing skills.
"Demon Copperfield" was her last novel and I thought it was amazing. Difficult, but amazing. The woman is not afraid to step into the realm of truth, as painful and ugly as it may be.
So anyway, there I was when the man got home and as always, when I haven't seen him in awhile, I am still shocked by his height, his size. Who IS this giant man and how is it that he is my husband?
I do not know but I am so glad he is.
There has been no difficulty adjusting to him being back for me this time at all. There was a second when I thought there might be. When he got in bed he told me that my fan seemed to be blowing a little bit on his face which is a no-no. I didn't even stop to think but just said, "That fan is not even blowing on MY face," and since I'm the one closest to it, he sort of just laughed and so did I and that was that. I may also have said something like, "This has been MY bed for the last week, you know."
I am getting sassier in my old age. I do not think this is a bad thing.
This morning he had already gotten a text from Alan's wife. We are going to go ahead and stop trying to be all protective of identities here. Alan is the name of Glen's friend and his wife's name is Kathy. Or Cathy. I'm not sure which. But she'd texted to tell Glen that things were not good and that if he wanted to see Alan before he well...transitioned, he should come on and see him.
Turns out that Alan was transferred back to Tallahassee but not to the hospital. He is in a rehab place which indicates that the doctors really don't think they have anything more they can do for him. And the diagnosis they finally came up with was Eastern Equine Encephalitis which honestly, is hard to believe as the odds of contracting that particular disease are one in millions. Literally millions and millions.
But. That's what all the testing finally indicated.
So Glen was immediately thrown back into real, real life and of course, he was at Alan's beside as soon as he could get there after giving me a little bit of attention and eating his cereal.
He met up with Jessie and me for lunch and that was very sweet. Jessie asked him all sorts of questions that I admittedly never have about where he hunts up there, what it's like, what they eat, and so forth. And I think he was very happy to share. I know he is aware that hunting is not something I'm entirely on board with and he sort of keeps that in a different world than the one we share. Not entirely, of course, but he doesn't go into details unless I ask and I generally do not. But he talked about how much he loves seeing the sunrise and the sunset and what the area where they hunt looks like. Things like that.
I mostly kept my mouth shut and listened and learned.
A funny thing he told me this morning was that perhaps, if he should be so lucky to be able to go up to Canada again next year, perhaps I could send some of our canned green beans and maybe some field peas and oh yes, maybe some chili or something like that?
I believe they ate a lot of Kraft macaroni and cheese on this trip, along with duck.
I told him I had a year to think about it but we could probably work something out.
And yes, the cookies were very much enjoyed.
I went to Costco and Publix after we all went our separate ways after lunch. I bought Lily some sunflowers at Costco to take to her at work because one of her cats had to be put down last weekend. Turns out he had a large tumor in his abdomen which caused him to lose weight and then to start having seizures. Their Sonny Boy. She took it hard. Because she is my child and has inherited some of the most useless of my traits, she was not only sorrowful for his loss but also felt a great deal of guilt for not having discovered the tumor earlier.
Of course that would have made no difference and she knows it but still- guilt. The gift that keeps on giving.
When I took her the flowers, I could tell she was not entirely her good-natured self, that in fact, she is having a hard time of it. I did all that I could do which was to tell her she'd done the right thing, that it really is just so very hard to let our animal babies go, and that she was not at all at fault.
And hug her a lot.
The part for our heater is still not in but all-in-all, we are fine. Although it got down to 44 degrees last night, it got back up into the 80's today. Crazy weather. I sleep well because I love having many covers on me while my husband does not like any weight on him at night that is not completely necessary.
How in the world did the two of us ever get together?
I do not know but I'm glad we did.
And I'm glad he's home.
Not sure what Maurice thinks but at least she didn't jump out of bed last night when he made his appearance. She stayed right where she was on my legs, keeping me even warmer. If he'd just allow her to sleep on HIS legs he might find himself to be warmer too but no, that is not going to happen and she knows it.
Speaking of the hell bitch, she just bit the shit out of me, THROUGH a sweater and a long-sleeved shirt because I had the temerity to try and pet her as she was lying right beside my arm as I typed.
And she can just fuck off tonight as far as I'm concerned.
I'm telling you, we need a priest.
Sigh.
Love...Ms. Moon

Glad Mr Moon is back safe and sound from the wilds of Saskatchewan.
ReplyDeleteWhat!!! I didnt see him!
DeleteThen again, I'm not home --have been in Alberta and BC.
Maybe next time ..
Mary you should come along ...
Kate
Debra- me too. He surely had a wonderful time though.
DeleteMs. Stubblejumpers- Sorry you missed the man! Jessie suggested that I should go with Glen next time he heads your way and I could just see the horror on his face although he tried mightily to hide it. This is a true boys' trip and as I told Jessie, the only way I'd be welcomed to come along is if all I did was the cooking and then stayed in a closet the rest of the time.
We all got a good laugh out of that.
What were you THINKING petting Maurice?! Boundaries, Ms.Moon!
ReplyDeleteI feel so badly for Lily. I lost my baby girl, Fin three months ago. It’s the worst feeling making that decision and guilt is part of the process. But obviously she did the best thing for her baby. Doesn’t make it any easier. They mean the world to us.
I can’t imagine eating Mac and Cheese all week when being used to your cooking! Mr.Moon might be bringing coolers with soup and ice surrounding it for life sustaining energy next year!
Barbara Kingsolver never fails. Curious how you’ll like the book.
-Nicol
One would think Maurice did indeed want a little attention, lying as she was practically on my arm.
DeleteSorry. I hit "publish" too early.
DeleteI feel badly for Lily too. Lauren has been a rock. She understands.
Yes. I have a feeling coolers will be involved in the next trip up.
And I’m so sorry for Mr.Moon’s friend. Such a strange diagnosis. Hard stuff. -Nicol
ReplyDeleteTruly unbelievable.
DeleteWhen I was a child, my aunt was diagnosed with eastern equine encephalitis and it was very serious. She survived it and lived to be 90 but it caused partial paralysis for one thing plus a host of other symptoms t don't recall -wonder why, that would only have been 70/75 years ago.??!! I think part of it involved her eyesight, also, but could be wrong. If I remember the conversations from back then, she was told she was bitten by a mosquito that had bitten a horse who was the source. This was out by St. Louis and that area can grow mosquitoes las big as hornets. Just jpoking.....
ReplyDeleteAnd there still seems to be no real treatement for the disease itself, only supportive care for the body as it tries to heal itself. Amazing that your aunt survived and I think it's pretty common for there to be residual severe aftereffects. Horrible disease.
DeleteDamn mosquitoes.
For sure Lily should not blame herself, cats are good at hiding what hurts, I had no idea my own Lola had arthritis until her hips collapsed and she couldn't walk. Understanding and hugs from you will help her a lot. I have to look up Eastern Equine Encephalitis now, but I do know it is one of many things carried by mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteYou're right about cats. They generally aren't complainers and can be very private about a lot of things.
DeleteThat made me laugh- you needing a priest!
ReplyDeleteOur favorite cat had an abdominal tumor, he was only 16 years old , had to have him euthanized . the vet did so before we could say goodbye. Because i can't bear good bye emo and finality- over the phone I just said "do it" and they did. That is the hardest part of having a pet isn't it?
When Maurice goes you will miss her and cherish the scars left by her in moments of WTF. You may even suffer for having told her to fuck off because eventually ,you know, she actually will.The scars will remain That could be comforting. Like a tattoo .
Glad Mr. Moon had a time. Sorry about his friend with the mysterious rare killer of a disease! Never heard of that but now I know. Mosquitos, damn them all to hell.
I wonder if there are priests who specialize in pet exorcism?
DeleteI know I'll be very sad if I don't predecease Maurice. That could well happen. I told Glen that the other day and he said, "I hope not. She's not a very good cook."
Interesting and terribly sad about Mr. M's friend - another disease transmitted by mosquitoes! We had a lighter year than sometimes around our garden, but of course people doing woodsy outdoors sports are more vulnerable. As I recall there is no specific treatment once a person is infected, either. Sometimes it seems like nature is out to get us.
ReplyDeleteSo will you now be telling us about duck dishes you are concocting? I've never had duck I absolutely loved, so that will be something to look forward to!
I've also been thinking about the possibility of pottery possums - maybe something along the lines of the cute hedgehog figures one sees? These 3 D creations seem to call for a different technique than the platter type shapes of leaves and fish?
Ceci
Yep. No real treatment for epilepsy. Just supportive care while hoping the body can heal itself, I guess.
DeleteI've only eaten duck once in my life as I can recall and I don't remember being overwhelmed with enjoyment. And I don't now if I'll be cooking any. Maybe.
The 3-D objects are definitely very different to make than the leaves and fishes for sure. And I just don't think I have any real talent in that area. I do not feel very compelled to make more.
Smoked duck served cold and thinly sliced is nice on party platters.
DeleteMuch sympathy to Glen and to Alan's family, and of course to Alan. Eastern Equine Encephalitis - what are the chances?!? What an awful disease.
ReplyDeleteMuch sympathy to Lily too - the guilt always goes hand-in-hand with the sorrow with our pets, as we second-guess what we did or didn't do. Sigh.
Oh, Maurice!!
Chris from Boise
The chances are almost nil. Only around 11 cases reported per year in the US and fewer than 5% of those develop the brain swelling type. According to the good ol' AI which, as we know, is always right.
DeleteYes. Having to make the decision to let our pets go is simply awful.
I am so sorry about this friend and his family...I don't think your traits are useless and you often make me smile. Please give Lily a hug from me. Losing an animal companion can be heartbreaking and I never stop missing mine...
ReplyDeleteOur pet babies have places in our hearts that nothing else can fill.
DeleteSorry about the friend. They did everything they knew. It took so long to diagnose, too. I suppose there was a lot of elimination of possibilities involved. There's a lot we don't know.
ReplyDeleteIt took forever to diagnose but as there is not treatment, it doesn't really matter I guess. Glen is still wondering if that is the correct diagnosis. The battery of tests done was mind-blowing.
DeleteMaurice needs counseling. Glad Mr.-Man-Who-Reaches-The-Moon is home. What an awful diagnosis for Alan. Damned mosquitoes.
ReplyDeleteMaurice does indeed need counseling. Too bad I don't believe in pet psychics, right? I'd love to know what exactly Maurice is always so pissed about. Seems to me she has a pretty good life.
DeleteI'm glad to have Glen home. He gives me more to worry about.
Mosquitoes- most dangerous animal on the planet.
I'm really sorry about Alan. That's just awful and unfair.
ReplyDeleteI'm also sorry about Sonny Boy. Losing a beloved pet is heartbreaking.
Love to you all.
Thank you Jennifer. It's amazing how often life is not fair, isn't it?
DeleteI am glad that your husband made it home safely. What a long trip. I was sorry to read about Lily's cat. It is very hard to lose a pet. I looked up encephalitis. I have heard of the disease, but really didn't know much about it. What a horrible disease. The website I was reading said about 30% of the people who contract the disease don't make it.
ReplyDeleteAnd the figures on mortality rates varies with age. They don't really know much about this disease at all.
DeleteI know you understand how Lily is feeling.
I'm glad Mr. Moon got back safely and I'm sorry that his friend is dying. It's good Mr. Moon got back in time to see him again. Also, sorry to hear about Lily's cat.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading The Calamity Club which is such a FAT book! But I have heard good things about it (from you, too) so I won't give up. People can be so cruel which we are seeing now in real life but it has been that way for such a long time. "When will we ever learn...?"
The Calamity Club is indeed a long book but it has a lot going on. Probably more stories in one book than there needs to be. But I did enjoy it.
DeleteWhen will we ever learn?
Never, I guess.
I looked up Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Transmitted by mosquito bite, usually just passed between birds and mosquitos. I was wondering where the equine came in but I guess it's because horses can get it too.
ReplyDeleteI guess Maurice doesn't care for unsolicited affection.
Yes, horses can and do get it.
DeleteFucking mosquitoes.
The problem is, it seems like she IS soliciting affection. And then we find out that was a misunderstanding on our parts.
Ditto what others have said. Just wanted you to know I am here reading your blogs, sharing bits of your life. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. I appreciate that so much.
DeleteMosquito borne illness diagnosis and no treatment options for resolution is heartbreaking. This is very sad.
ReplyDeleteSomehow, I thought luxe hunting trips included gourmet meals and beautiful accommodations. Some people like living in the wild, but like you, I am not one of them.
Maurice has a wild side, and you never know when she is going to strike.
My uncle hunted on the ME-Canada border, next to a pond/lake and owned a rustic cabin there. He loved duck hunting with my aunt and his dogs. One Christmas he showed photos of his hunting adventures and I asked: How can you tell the difference between a decoy and a live duck sitting in the water. He laughed. I was serious. They do look identical to me.
Susan
Oh my god! This is definitely NOT a luxe hunting trip situation. This is four (five?) guys in a regular old house in a very, very small town who make their own food. I'm sure they think that some of the things they cook are gourmet but I doubt any of it would pass that test.
DeleteThe thing about the duck decoys is that they don't fly. I am almost certain they are always shot while in flight. So there you go. Your uncle probably told you that. There are some damn good decoys.
MM, never say you know nothing about duck hunting. My Uncle did not tell me the duck is shot in flight and not when sitting in the water next to the decoy. Today I learned something new! Thank you, MM.
DeleteSusan
You made a bird! Well done. And Mr. Moon is home! Hurray!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but not at all surprised this Glen's friend is dying. It shouldn't be so hard to die. Just because we can intervene, doesn't mean that we should. When mum had her stroke the docs wanted to send her to ICU and put in a feeding tube. I said no to everything because that's what mum wanted, we had talked about it because I have taken care of bodies that shouldn't be alive. When I can no longer eat or drink on my own, when I aspirate and develop pneumonia, I am done. Let me go. It's a hard thing to do though and people often think that they're not doing enough, but a good death is not a bad thing, it is a kindness.
Now I've made myself cry. Fuck.
Anyway, the sun is shining here and I'm cleaning my house. The dogs will be walked before too long and then I'm having lunch with the pottery ladies. It's supposed to snow tomorrow. Sigh.
I think that you would find southern Saskatchewan absolutely beautiful. It's so different from where you live and so beautiful. The sound of ducks and geese flying overhead is a beautiful reminder that nature goes on, with or without us.
I've heard pneumonia referred to as "the old man's friend."
ReplyDeleteI think part of the problem with Alan is that it took so long to diagnose him so they just kept on with the life-supporting treatments and technologies, not know what the infecting agent was and whether there was a chance he could recover from this. And so it was all mostly a cluster fuck of one unnecessary treatment and surgery after another.
I just don't know what the reasoning of his wife is. Glen really thinks she believes there is still hope while even if Alan did live, there is quite probably zero chance he would not have profound resulting changes. None of them good.
I'm sure I would find southern Saskatchewan beautiful. I'm pretty sure though, that the hunting guys would not appreciate my presence among their boys' get away. I talk too much about stuff they don't want to hear. And so forth.
catching up on the lord knows how many days since I went around blogs but have to comment - I LOVED The Lacuna - maybe because I read it during the time when so much of that first round of merde was going down in the late 20teens...
ReplyDelete