Y’all, this is MY chair. My comfy reading chair. That I bought especially for me. Where I do all my best thinking and writing and napping and stuff. Or, I guess, it used to be…
Sigh. I suppose I can’t fault Merlin for having good taste.
This photo popped up in my memories earlier this week.
Apparently, I took it in May of 2007. I don’t remember the when, but I do remember the why. Graham had just come home from work, and Gatsby immediately curled up right beside him as soon as he sat down. And stayed there. It was just such a sweet moment I felt like I had to capture it, and now, all these years later, I’m so glad I did.
I look back now – at how young Graham looked, at how much Gatsby always loved us, at how lucky it was that I had a camera nearby – and I’m grateful. I’m also reminded that we are legacies for the people (and animals) that we love. Even when they’re no longer with us, we carry them in our hearts, and so they’re never really gone, as long as we’re still here to love them and remember them. How very powerful that is.
You see, I told the cat
that we have things to do today.
And what did he have to say?
Nothing, because he
is still fast asleep,
monopolizing my lap.
Priorities…
So, I suppose the work can wait.
After all, what’s a little
procrastinating
between feline and friend?
We have them.
But the weather is gorgeous and warm, there’s trivia tonight at one of our favorite places, and, for Merlin and Annie, there are plenty of soft, sunny spots to take a nap.
Wednesdays aren’t so bad after all, are they?
Guess I’ll just have to wait.
(But seriously, may we all be so loved and wanted as Graham and me on Monday morning when Merlin basically demands all of our attention to play and cuddle. I wouldn’t change a thing.)
Busy weekend. Sleepy Monday. Isn’t that just the way it goes? Sometimes, at least. It’s going to be a busy week, too, but lots of good things are happening.
The basement bathroom is almost done. And just look at this beautiful vanity:
It’s made of fence boards from around the property that needed to be replaced. I’m glad to have a use for them.
We’re still contemplating what we’ll do with the upstairs bathroom, and I’ve definitely got my heart set on wallpaper, at least somewhere in the house. Oh! And if you didn’t guess the theme of one of the samples in my last post, it was Back to the Future. It’s called Hill Valley Toile, and here’s a link to it, if you want to buy it for yourself: https://www.hyggeandwest.com/collections/all-wallpaper/products/hill-valley-toile. It’s so fun and really pretty.
And here’s something to make you smile: Annie and Merlin are officially friends! They don’t quite know how to play together yet, but they’re figuring it out. And Merlin is showing his love by cuddling with Annie’s toys.
May we all be as peaceful and happy as that cat, right? Here’s hoping for a good week!
And sometimes,
friendship
truly feels as simple as
sitting quietly
together
(waiting for your humans
to drop some food
on the floor).
But in the best way possible.
Seriously, is there any higher honor than being chosen by a cat? (He did eventually get up. Then we went to bed. And he slept on my foot.)
Y’all, it’s been a week, and I’m so glad it’s Friday. I had in mind to write an essay today to start a new series of posts that I’m super excited about, but I’m honestly too tired. I’m sure you know the feeling.
Next week, I hope, will be a little better, and hopefully I’ll get a bit more done. For now, enjoy this adorable picture of Merlin – growing and growing – being snuggly.
He likes to play just as often as he likes to cuddle, if not more. But I treasure these moments, when he wants attention and purrs and we can just take a minute to slow down.
Back next week with hopefully some better writing. In the meantime, I’m wishing all of you (and me) a fabulous weekend, and ideally, a restful one as well.
I know y’all are probably tired of Merlin content, but just look at him:
He’s growing so fast! And I feel like we only brought him home, like, a second ago. How time flies!
A Virginia Writer's Diary 