Huggins the Cat

A month ago, every night for a week before I was to be home, our 16 year-old cat, Huggins, had been sleeping at the head of my bed.  

Catnap in the living room rays of sunshine

"She hasn't done that in a while. She must know you're coming home."

After I left, she didn't go back into my room.  It's interesting how these things work. 

The past few days she hasn't eaten, and is dehydrated and uninterested at making her funny chattering noises at the birds in the window. She wouldn't leave one chair until someone came home.  

I was an artist once

"She purred a little bit last night. I think she's been suffering and we just didn't know it...I think she waiting until she saw you one more time."

 Huggins was put to rest tonight and buried next to Sunny the Cat, with the blue rabbits foot that I got in elementary school next to her.  My poor mother. The bonds we make with our pets. The years of our lives they represent. 

In the land of apple cider doughnuts

I used my last Mardi Gras costume contest plane ticket (thanks Rafters of Mammoth Lakes) that I won and went home to Vermont for a few weeks. I forgot my camera charger, but I did take a few photos.  I really needed Vermont time. A time to see good friends and family and new babies.  I also visited UNH and UVM to see about their Graduate programs. I almost got to SUNY Cortland.  It was fun to be in the Boston area a few days and learn I'm not so great with the train schedules, and spend time (or try to) with some great long-time friends from home and college.

Many times when I visited my parents in Southern VT, even when I lived in Vermont- I wanted to see everyone I knew and do everything I could. That is virtually impossible. Even though I had more time this visit, I still didn't accomplish seeing everyone and doing everything. Next time. 

A foggy view of the Green Mountains/ Appalachian Trail ridges from Mt. Anthony hike with Mom.

Why We Build the Wall

I've had a few weekends of office work, with a computer looking at a wall.  The Fire Prevention Officer shut the lights out on me one Sunday.  I said loudly, "Nope!", and he popped his head in and said, "Sorry didn't realize you were in here. We're going to have to cut a window infront of your desk so people know you're in here".

Haven't done that yet. But I did get to listen to a good ETown, from Burlington, VT episode.  The last song is Anais Mitchell and "Why We Build the Wall".  I love this song!

I went to Utah and ...

all I took was pictures from the summit of Snowbird. And my cousin Chris took pictures of the tick he pulled off of my scalp.  Awesome! Thanks for the help cuz!

 Chris and his wife had a baby boy recently, so I went to visit.  My Grandma and Aunt flew to Utah. So we went to the top of Snowbird on the tram.

Home is the place where...

Home is the place where, when you have to go there, They have to take you in.  - Robert Frost


Except sometimes they just miss you!


I had a great visit in Vermont and no place else is like it.  I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to see, but sleeping in at home that one day in a "I'm allergic to my cat, Huggins, and took benedryl" coma was kind of nice.  I have all these license plates in my room and I was just thinking about how I finally got to see some of those places.  However, there is nothing like the feeling of going home, and knowing this is home.  Vermont- I will return. 


Thank you all my friends and family for Family Night on Monday. Did anyone take pictures????   I didn't see my whole family, but I was blessed to be there after my Grandma had her pacemaker put in, and I got to hear my Dad sing Christmas songs with choir since I'm missing Christmas at home.


Thanks to the ORS Crew and Amanda, James, and Miles for shuffling me around in my Montpelier visit and taking me skiing (thanks Kip and Jen for the skis, and Phlip for picking my ass up).  I will improve and impress next time we ski. I have to!  Glad I got to go to 3 Penny and have beer with ORS people and Kathryn W!  Cheryl and Sarah I will see you sometime. Kudos for last minute visiting at Barnes and Noble with Heather and Chris (you guys are adorable) and Amanda and Ava for taking me to the plane- can you believe we've known each other since 5th grade? 


Thanks to Shannon M, Katherine M, and Michelle  J for Girl's Night! Sorry we were missing a few people. At least I got to see the VT Bachelor- the one and only Shane Meaney!


In the midst Sarah and Tristan moved to a new home in Plainfield where I got to stay! It's beautiful! Congratulations. 


I also now have 5 women (cousins and friends) who are due to have babies between July and September. Whoa! Congratulations!!!


Glad I at least emailed and talked to people on the phone I couldn't see in person.


I have to checkout of Circus Circus in 10 minutes so I better go.  And I just checked. My Grafton smoked cheddar still tastes good. 

Kip, Phlip and I skinned up MRG

View from Worcester early AM

My Oma's house (now Bob's!!!)