A late turn

...of the summer wheel. Somehow, I missed Solstice.

I usually don't pull two cards for the Choice position. Up to now, it's been an "either or not" situation. This morning, I wanted to expand on the notion. "Why choose?" is a nice option - wiggle room for a storyteller. 

Pretty clear that this one is for me. 

I'm packing to spend a week with Charlie and plan on bringing stuff with me this time. Stuff to keep me OFF THE PHONE. 

Stitching, thread to prep, cloth, my Tarot, a good book or two, and the big laptop where the writing happens. 

The last week I was there, I went nearly empty-handed and found that I needed my own tools. Cartoons and Lego don't go all that far for me anymore.

Bailey and Salem are working through missing Camilla. A neighbor kitty, Lily, has moved away with her master. I offered to take her if a post-divorce situation left her homeless. Thankfully for her, her human is steadfast in his devotion.

I will also be over there with a shovel, liberating some irises and cannas.

I haven't discussed it with anyone out loud, but I would not be averse to the Cat Universe Distribution system blessing us with a full house once I've finished my summer travels. A super catio must be a part of this. 

Once, there were four.

 

And monkeying around with machine-made, store-bought stuff is entertaining. Feels a bit like graffiti.

Housekeeping

I was taking out some trash. Long overdue.

The bodies will never be found.

 

a switch-up

 

At first, I didn't know what to make of this. Did I own it, or was I drawing for others? I never ask anything of the cards when I do Choice, Chance, and/or Change. These cards didn't fit that pattern. I was empty-headed for a minute. I need to learn to accept that state- "No Clue". Then, the story told itself. 

We all have it in ourselves to pull our shit together, to come up with whatever works best for ourselves and those we care about for the best outcome. We have the power.

~O~

Finally, I got in the pool. There was a lot of work to do. Scrubbing that can only be done while you're in it. Skimming, vacuuming. Checking the hoses for leaks. I have the chemistry down to a relatively inexpensive science. Colin did a great job on a significant patch. There's a lot that can go wrong, so I remind myself that we got this pool in 1998 and that nothing lasts forever. Savor it.

But once the work was done, I climbed aboard the mighty River Rafter (complete with drink holders) and read over some of the story I've been working on. Writing still does it for me.

    It's late and I'm sore and tired. Bit off a bit too much for day one. 

A higher place

I did a worry rag out of my personal stash earlier in the year. 

Mindless stitching that resulted in a wretched mess. 

This morning, I sat with it—no music, no radio, no TV, just stillness—and started removing all those pointless stitches. Good progress was made and I took the time to assess my place in the day rather than let the uncontrollable bullshit set my course.

These bits and pieces have been with me a long time. I don't want to waste them.

Colin is becoming quite the chef.  I don't think I ever garnished anything in my life. Fresh chopped green stuff.

Chicken Parmesan made without mozzarella cheese and chicken thighs instead of breasts. Eating what's in the pantry and freezer these days.

What now?

 

Remember to breathe.
 

A week in Oz

 

It doesn't happen often that they are in the same place at the same time, so I always pay attention.

The pool pump was rescued, and the burgers were well done. 

Charlie was scooped up and returned to his world.  Mine is kind of small for him, but we had some fun.

This is the latest we've had the pool up and running in many years.  Maybe swim season will push deep into October this year. 

And, as of this writing, I still haven't been in the water. Soon, soon. 

As summer unfurls, I'll be in two places, balancing. Early in the week, I was with Charlie and Nibbler in their world and doings.  Then Charlie came back here to my house for the first time since Christmas. 

Colin was ready with the Bijou Lacativa Art House Movie Theater, complete with recliners, popcorn, trailers, shorts, and the feature chosen by Charlie at the last second: Star Trek IV. A good time was had by all!

I don't know what I'd be doing with life without him.

He's very interested in time travel and What Ifs, but I've been clear to show him that even the slightest tickle of history has a domino effect on the present.

Along with that comes the responsibility for one's actions and moment-to-moment choices. Sober stuff for an almost eleven-year-old, but he's a never-ending river of questions, and I'm just an old wizard who's kept some precious memories. 

Nibbler seems to be frozen in kittenhood, and we are all fine with it.