Thursday
During the week, a friend who had been in the hospital for some time, died. His funeral was on Sunday, and I just couldn’t face going.
Some of these pictures were taken a little while ago, so forgive me if I’m sharing them twice. Here is a photo of the Bohemian glass hummingbird feeder that my daughters gave me for Mother’s Day this year; I think it’s one of the most elegant things I own:
Yesterday I had a grooming “cancellation”, and filled the time making bouquets for friends in McBride. I only took a picture of one of them. This one includes my first ever ‘Elodie’ Kiss Lily… a double Asiatic Lily which has no pollen to stain clothing or noses.
I have not got my degree in flower arranging yet (joke), but I know the flowers are appreciated where I take them.
Above are the Asiatic Lily ‘Butter Pixie’ and Iris ‘Battle Royal’, and a Nasturtium. One year I made “Nasturtium Blossum Jelly” out of just the deep coloured ones such as this one, and won first prize for jam/jelly in our town’s Fall Fair.
I have had a sort of “heartbreak” this week. I was visiting a customer’s cats on a daily basis, and sitting with them for a little while each time, and checking the gardens, houseplants too, and watering where necessary. The cats were indoor/outdoor type, with a wee cat door. After 10 days of our routine, one of the cats didn’t greet me, and I searched the house and yard diligently, calling all the while. Then, two days later, the owner got home and found only one cat, and is blaming ME. I was speechless as he berated me for feeding the cats in a large dish outside instead of the little dishes inside… and feels that some predator, attracted by the food, has taken his one cat. In the first place, the owner didn’t want to “spend too much money”, so he wouldn’t consider boarding his cats with us. He even, at first, suggested that I just come by “every few days”, and I thought that they should be visited daily by SOMEONE. Oh, how I wish I had refused the task… it was not always easy to stop by the house, and I was very stressed when one cat was missing. Now I’ve been twisted and unhappy because the customer blasted me as if I was a 12 year old (not that they should be talked to with disrespect); I imagine HE will not be happy when he gets my bill. Last night I dreamed, for what seemed all night, of searching for cats and being threatened by a man.
The cancellation I referred to, of yesterday, was amusing. The new customer had to drive from Valemount, a town which is about an hour’s drive away. The family drove in at approximately the time I was expecting them to bring me their German Shepherd for grooming, and they had FORGOTTEN THE DOG! They were unapologetic, and I was stunned, though, in a sense, nice enough not to “lay a trip” on them for my time being wasted (I can always fill the hours…). They bought some plants and promised to reschedule. This was a first in all my years of pet boarding.
Last night I went out for “wing night” in McBride, joining friends. Gary didn’t feel like dining out, so I made pork chops and rice and broccoli for him. I think the support of friends and the Corona beer really helped my mood.
I haven’t had such a hectic week, so why do I still feel exhausted? I think the trauma of yesterday regarding the cat care took a lot out of me. We have a fairly full kennel again with Axel, Duke and Duchess, Molly, Cowboy, Winston, Riley, Mike, Mandy and Shadow. I’m grooming the basset hound Axel today, and Duke & Duchess will go home later (they’re basset hounds too, and I’ll brush them again before they leave).
If I can get it together, I’ll make some more jam for the Market and to sell through the Beanery. I got the raspberry vinegar bottled this week… that is a perennial favourite.
I love you for reading my blog, and the support that some of you send. ~ Ann
