It is high summer here on our little farm in the Cascade foothills, on the other side of solstice. The long, cool, but insufficiently rainy spring ended, throwing us rather quickly into not only hot weather, but into extreme heat coupled with drought. There is nothing much to do except spot water plantings, try to stay cool, and ride out the season, hoping the garden and trees do too. I look forward to September and the coming rainy season, and if I listen carefully, I can hear Autumn’s slow, steady footsteps as the sun begins his journey south.
Hope 2007-2021
Our cats have been aging along with us, and with age comes many age related illnesses and conditions. We have lost a few of our seniors and elderly cats since this blog was started. As Greg Lake said, “death is life”. Along with the spring, we said goodbye to our little Hope cat. She had developed intermittent intestinal problems which were finally diagnosed as cancer. We opted for palliative care. Knowing I only post four times a year, our friend Doug Thomas offered to post Hope’s memorial on his site the day after she was euthanized. Doug and I thought it might also be a helpful post for others agonizing over the decision to euthanize their animal companions when it is time. I’ve never found it to be an easy decision, and never will. We are grateful for compassionate veterinary care.
Named after one of my aunts, Hope was one of several kittens born to a feral mother under our old house. Homes were found for all, but Hope and her brother Marcus remained with us here as indoor kitties. Skittish and not trusting in her early years, she grew accustomed to indoor life, eventually sleeping on the bed, and waking me with a paw in the face. Hope will always be remembered for her endearing personality, and unique barking meow. I’ve included a few photos from her life. Rest in Love, dear Hope.
As one life passes, another is born. All manner of life sprang up around us, as it does each year. April’s apple blossoms and dark skies soon gave way to the time of irises and transitional skies, rainbows and roses. Ghostly crab spiders could be found waiting in ambush for their next meal.
A new wildflower was sighted, I think it may be sort of Mimulus as best I can tell.
Pandemic restrictions are slowly lifting, and music has started up many places. My schedule is beginning to fill again, at least for the time being. If you happen to be in the neighborhood of where I am playing, please do drop in and say hello.
I leave readers with an old Irish blessing. Until we meet again.
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I hope your farm experienced a good summer. September is really at the doorstep. I agree that September is a nice time, especially for gardening and enjoying harvest which in your case might be way more complex than what I have here in my tiny backyard.
It’s good to know you are doing fine, cats are doing fine and music is restarting.
I wish you a good fall season!
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It is always a pleasure to see you, Inese. Thank you for stopping by and checking in on us! We normally have a yearly summer drought, but have been in unusually hot, dry weather here, some of it extreme heat. We spot water to conserve water and the old well pump, and it takes a long time to get through the gardens and vulnerable plantings. Some plants don’t mind the heat so much, others do. We may lose our old plum and big cherry tree.
There are fires to the north, and south of us, but none are a problem here, so far, except for some smoke that blows in and settles now and then. If we make it through September, we will be in good shape. Can’t complain too much! 🙂
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I like the Irish blessing at the end of your post , Lavinia,and I address it to you, with hope all is right for you both, especially about the weather.
Love ❤
Michel
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Thank you, Michel! I have always loved that old Irish blessing. Everything is alright here. We are in a race with the coming fall weather now though, trying to get things done here. 🙂
Much love to you and the family, ❤️
Lavinia
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Here is for you, Lavinia . :
Love ❤
Michel
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Thank you, dear Michel! ❤️
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Somehow I missed this post Lavinia. I’m so sorry to hear about your loss of Hope. It’s never easy to bear the loss of a loved companion animal.
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It is always good to see you, Musiewild. Thanks for stopping by and checking in on us. Never worry about being late. I only post every 3 months, and I can’t get around to everyone in a timely fashion myself. This has been a difficult year between losses, excessive heat, and general mayhem in our own country and around the world. Yes, it was hard to lose Hope, especially only 4 months after Lucio, but the cat crew is aging along with us, and the likelihood of cancer or some other age related disease cropping up increases.
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I enjoyed it and your blog is great, please visit mine and support it if you like it 🙂 ❤
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I found your comment in SPAM. Thank you for visiting, shakstation. Unfortunately, I cannot follow everyone who stops by, but wish you the best while you find and build your own community.
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May all the tender moments you shared with lovely Miss Hope provide a small measure of comfort in your loss. ❤️🩹
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Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing in Hope’s life! 🌈🐾 ❤️
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Losing a dear pet is always hard. I still haven’t gotten over Sam and it’s been almost 20 months. Everyday seems surreal.
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The wound is raw for a long time. My heart goes out to you. 🌈🐾 ❤️ My cat crew is getting into that age bracket where things can happen. The oldest two are now 14 and 15 years old, the youngest three (sisters) are 8 years old.
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No matter how long they’re in our lives, it’s never long enough, is it? ❤️🩹
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No, it is never long enough. ❤️🩹
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I’m so sorry about Hope. She reminds me of our Kit-Kat that we lost in 2019. He was my baby, even though he was 19, and I still miss him terribly.
Your pictures are lovely. 🙂
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It is always a pleasure to see you, Laurie, and thank you for stopping by and sharing in Hope’s life, and for the kind comments. I share your sorrow in your loss of Kit-Kat. I am daffodil planting now, and I will put in some for Kit-Kat along with Hope’s flowers. Daffodils are a reminder to me that life springs eternal, and our loved ones are always with us in our memories, just a thought away.
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Thank you!! 🤗
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So sorry to hear about Hope. It’s never easy to let go. Death is in life and life is in death. Hugs, BAS
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Thanks for stopping by and sharing in Hope’s life. Yes, she is missed and it is hard to lose her.
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In regards to your sweet girl, Hope, we are at that same place and diagnosis. So far no sign of pain. We plan to keep her comfortable and be attentive to Ally’s needs. Thank you for sharing your story, as it helps my heart at this time…
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Thank you for stopping by and sharing your own kitty’s story, Mother Hen. It was a roller coaster ride for all of us. Hope made it known when she was ready, and it was apparent from the collection of ascites fluid that her time had come, and she was no longer comfortable. As my old vet (now retired) once said, it is better to let them go a a day too soon than a day too late. You and Ally are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Sadly our cats come and go. last one we had, we had inherited from my father. She was a lovely one. When she died, I decided “no more”. Too much heartbreak…
We’re in June, you should be feeling the coming summer. 👏🏻
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Thank you for stopping by, Brian. Yes, each one is a heartbreak, but with joy also comes sorrow as the wheel of life turns for us all. Each life is unique. I often remember a line from the child’s story Bambi – “If it weren’t for December, we could never appreciate May.” Yes, June is here, meteorological summer has started. It is in the mid 70s today and partly cloudy, as fine a day as one could wish for.
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Mid 70’s? about 24C? That is good. (let the sunshine in…)
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Hi Brian, I pulled both your latest comments out of SPAM. Seems your messages were trapped long with some real SPAM that came through.
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Hi Lavinia. Sorry about that. I suspect WP has a grudge against me, I do land in a few SPAM folders for reasons unknown. I now check my spam at least twice a week.
Have a nice wee-end…
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PS. I remember seeing Bambi in a movie theater with my mother while my father was operated of a kidney stone. (Came out all right.) I must have been 7 or 8. How I cried when his mother was killed!
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