(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Nobody tell him…

I know I said I’d have October’s short story out today, and I’m working on it. It’ll be out on Friday instead, and I think you’ll like it. It’s a little different from my usual stuff.

For now, there’s this:

This is the bench in our new shower. It’s also Merlin’s new favorite spot. Merlin doesn’t like to get wet. Eventually, these two things will be in conflict with each other.

But not today, so I suppose he can have it for the moment. Silly cat.

Merlin’s Newest, Newest New Spot

Now that the kitchen is finished, I spent some time this weekend rearranging things a bit. Nothing major – just some tweaks to how I’d decorated, because it’s always nice to change things up and make things fresh, right?

Well, Merlin must agree, because he found a new spot (yes, another one), and I’d say he fits right in, wouldn’t you?

Yes, he’s quite the showpiece.

Alas, I evicted him shortly after taking the picture, and he had to find another comfy nook to look handsome in. But he managed. As cats do.

Figured we could all use a smile on this Monday morning, and Merlin always obliges, doesn’t he? 😊

Upstairs bathroom renovation starts this week. Short story hopefully on Friday. Happy creating, y’all!

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Snaggle

Y’all, this cat.

As he’s getting bigger, Merlin just keeps getting cuter and cuter. Seriously, just look at that adorable snaggle fang!

And I know I haven’t posted any pictures of her in a while, but Annie’s still trucking along, as well. She’s a sweet old lady who likes to nap in the coolest spot in the house – the basement – and just doesn’t seem to enjoy getting her picture taken anymore. But she’s here, and very much loved.

What would life be, I wonder, without these animals? They give so much to us just by existing.

Found Friday #47: A Very Good Gatsby Memory

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.  

Annie got a haircut!

And I think it tired her out.

We’ve actually not gotten her groomed in a very long time (probably too long, honestly), because there’s been a dog flu going around in our area. We know someone who lost a beloved pet to it, and it was scary and sad. Annie’s older and not in the best health – nothing awful, just aging and such – and so I worried about her being in a place with lots of other dogs. And unfortunately, she doesn’t really enjoy it when we try to bathe and brush her. Luckily, we found a mobile groomer!

And also luckily, cases of this particular illness have been going down pretty precipitously.

At any rate, she’s looking much better, and I’m sure feeling better, too. The groomer said she didn’t really want to stand up much, which isn’t surprising. She’s just a little old and creaky these days. But it’s funny, looking at her little graying muzzle. No matter how old she gets, I will always see her as the spunky puppy we brought home all those years ago.