Hello everyone. Again it’s been a while. In some ways a lot has happened and in other ways things seem to be standing still. I was going to write in last night but instead I read posts on this site and tried to catch up with all of you. I am wishing all of you good health and peace of mind. I have had lots of peaceful times and much time to reflect on my many blessings. I am thankful that this site is here. It is so essential for my peace of mind to remember to be grateful. When I come back after being away for a while, I remember the importance of being grateful.
I have felt some confusion and felt rather baffled over the situation with Covid. My husband and I have been invited to several family gatherings as of late, each of which include 20 people or more. So far these family members have been able to do this and not get sick, or at least not get sick with symptoms. Covid cases are spiking in Florida and are going way up in my area. I know people are tired of it and so many are acting like things are normal and we don’t need to be careful. My husband and I mostly stay home. We go to the grocery store and out for bike rides. I keep up with some friends and family on the telephone and do FaceTime with my Mom who is in assisted living but that is about it for socializing and getting out. At this time teachers have been told we will be back in the classroom in the fall. I am not going back into the classroom in the Fall. Way, way too risky. My husband decided to retire and wants me to do the same. That doesn’t even seem real to me. I have a hard time wrapping my head around a lot of things lately.

Something that I have enjoyed lately is taking pictures. That’s my new thing to do. I continue to love taking pictures of the sky. Unfortunately this causes me to go charging out of the house after spotting some great clouds through a window. I have not done my “ballerina” slippers any favors charging outside wearing them, often times walking several blocks from home to get the picture I want. I think I can safely say that I am also not exactly wearing my most attractive outfit at times like these. As Barney Fife from Andy of Mayberry used to say, “ Its a compelsion!!! It’s a compelsion!!!” (Compulsion for those unfamiliar with Barney Fife and Andy of Mayberry)
Question for Cathy. Your orangey angel image of clouds!!!!! Wow!!! Was this something a lot of people saw? Was it fleeting or did it remain for several minutes? How fabulous to have caught that image! Can you tell me more about this? Also Cathy, I loved the story about the blue heron on a neighbor’s roof and your dog having an animal version of a shouting match!! So funny! I can definitely see that happening.
So, back to me taking pictures, I am going to buy a new iPhone with a good camera or maybe I’ll buy a camera. Decisions, decisions. My current iPhone is old, has a so so camera, and the phone part no longer works. 🙃

So I lost my very dear cat Marvin about three weeks ago. He was pretty sick with kidney disease but was doing quite well. He was taking all of his meds and even enjoying his prescription cat food. He had gained back the weight he had lost. And it is no exaggeration to say I was really doting on him and enjoying him as well. But one minute he was fine and the next he wasn’t. All of a sudden he couldn’t use his back legs due to a blood clot blocking his femoral artery. So we had him euthanized right away because he was in pain and it was not likely to get better. So that has been hard. I am okay but things are different. I was putting so much energy and love into taking care of him. What I miss most is picking him up and holding him. He was never a lap kitty but he would let me hold him and I loved holding him..
Yes, that is what I miss most.
Also, this is the first time in 34 years that I have been without a cat so that seems strange too. I am not rushing into getting another cat, although I would feed one if it came to my door. And that is how I had so many cats over the years. I took in strays and they were always great cats.
So I am enjoying my very laid back way of life about half of the time.
Other times it feels like something is missing.
I love taking pictures but I really should get out my paint and paintbrushes and create some art with paint. I’ve been thinking about painting clouds and using my photos as a reference.

Palm, if you are still with me in this very long post, I want you to know I am sending you my love. I know its been difficult for you these days. I believe you mentioned having some anxiety. I’ve been having some of that too and I know that it is not fun. I would love to hear more from you about this difficult time if you feel like writing about it. Grateful Sea, my heart is with you too as I imagine things are continuing to be quite difficult with your parents. I have thought of you many times and I am sending my love to you. Anna, I hear things are getting better in Italy and I hope you are well. Are your sons still with you? Have you been able to sing? Have you ever tried singing with other choir members on FaceTime or Skype? Is that completely ridiculous or would that be worth doing?
I would like to mention each one of you by name as I have thoughts that I would like to share with everyone here, but I don’t want to accidentally leave someone out. Also that would make for a very long post.

So I am wishing each of you, those who are new here, and those I have known for quite a while, peace, love, patience, and gentleness with yourselves. I wish the very best for all of us including those who are with us quietly reading, and those who drop in from time to time.
Alicia, I am wondering how you are doing? I don’t think I saw anything from you in the last month. Either way I send my love to you Alicia. I hope you are well.
Love, peace, and gentleness to all.
Mary

Oh, okay, two legs, good to know.😀 But she still placed it dramatically as with the arms and it completely balances the figure. As you can tell, I get really excited when children do excellent and especially expressive art! The expressive part is what I truly love, in all art. I would love to see more of your daughter’s art.
Do you do any art Palm? I am feeling like you could also be quite good.
A creative outlet is great to have during these crazy days.
Love to you and your Family dear Palm 💕💕💕
Mary

Oh wow, Palm, she is good! Lots of feeling and drama in the figure, arms outstretched, legs apart and so well balanced (3? That’s okay, it works!) and the flow of the body with what looks like fire next to her. The wavy lines of the ground and stars at her finger tips. And the Legos. Yes! With the Legos she repeats the same neutral black, brown, and grays with flashes of bright color just as in the figure! This kid is really good, Palm.
Wow, I so enjoyed seeing her art. And she works in series, that’s how artists work! Thanks for posting this Palm. I’d love to see more of her work.
Lots of love,💕💕💕
Mary

Dear grateful sea,
It is so good to hear from you!! You also have such a kind and loving presence here!
I am so sorry to hear your Dad is unable to talk to you on the phone.
I know how hard that must be for you. I’m truly sorry.
But I am glad to hear you are talking to your Mom everyday. I think that means more to her than she will say. I’m sure it is comforting to her, knowing that she will hear from you each day. I am glad that it is bringing the two of you closer to each other as well.
As for losing Marvin that was hard. I know you lost a sweet kitty not so long ago as well.
Today I spent some time with a black kitty with golden eyes who lives nearby. He was sitting on my back patio as I was rushing out the back door to catch some pictures of clouds. It was fun to talk to him and pet him. I think he is going to be my new little friend. Very pretty and friendly, He started rolling on his back while I was petting him.
Grateful sea it was so good to hear from you and to be able to write back to you. I send you my love straight from my heart to yours,💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
Mary

Dear Pilgrim, thank you for your heart warming response. I hope you know that goodness just emanates from you. I have always noticed that about you.
I am not thinking about getting another cat for now. I think it will happen though, when we are ready, or it will happen when a kitty is ready to come to my door. Either way will be fine. My guess is we will have another cat. I do love cats as I suspect you already know.
I am so very sorry that your hands have been painful. I didn’t realize that you had pain in both hands. I will visualize sending love to your hands. Is there anything you can take or do to relieve the pain?
Otherwise how have you been? And are your daughters and their families well?
Thank you for your kind response to me, dear Pilgrim, and for your encouraging words.
Sending you my love, 💕💕💕
Mary

Hi. Cathy! You are kind. You likened my post to a blog (you could have said a book!). After I finished the post I was taken aback by its length. Since I was writing in the little rectangle provided for posting and had lots of time, I had no idea how long it was. I knew it was longish but I didn’t realize quite how long. I guess I had more to say for myself than I realized.
Is your blog a public blog, Cathy? If so I would love to know the web address. I would love to become a reader. If it’s more of a private thing that is fine too. Keeping your blog really positive is wonderful and so refreshing. Uplifting for both you and your readers.
Facebook has never interested me. It seems to me people are much more willing to be confrontational when writing than they are in person. Kind of like how people can be when they are driving their cars.
I do paint but don’t paint that often. I found a woman on Instagram who paints clouds on top of gold or silver leaf. Really gorgeous clouds. She is excellent. That gave me the idea to give painting clouds a try.
I have noticed that when people paint clouds they tend to come out one of two ways.
1. You have the light and fluffy
clouds which are so lovely as are the
gauze-like clouds.
2. Then there are your concrete clouds, heavy and boulder-like,
that although amazingly heavy still manage to remain
suspended in the sky.
If I can manage to paint the first type, I will post a picture of them here. Otherwise, well…😐😄

Thank you Cathy for the wonderful update on your blog. I think it is so great that you have found a way to stay focused on joy and gratefulness. You have inspired me to rededicate myself to being grateful and seeing the beauty in my own life. So thank you, Cathy, for the inspiration.
Sending you my love, 💕💕💕
Mary

Hi Anna. It is so good to hear from you and you sound really good! Your sos sound very smart and it sounds like they are both studying in very interesting and important areas! I know you must be so proud of both of them!
So your director wants the choir to learn Amazing Grace when you are able to sing together in person. I absolutely love Amazing Grace. It’s probably my all time favorite spiritual song. It does seem to me like it could be a difficult song to sing. Would that be a difficult song for a choir?
I really enjoyed hearing about your sons and your choir.
Are you working from home now Anna? I think I remember that is what you were doing when I last checked in with everyone. I send my love to you Anna and wish the very best for you and your lovely family. 💕💕💕💕 Mary