A Saint's Passing

This photo was taken several years ago. The handsome fella in the fur tuxedo is Luciano, love o' my life, and the lady scoping him is Dr. Diane Wilhalf, DVM. She passed away on Friday. She was an excellent veterinarian, a remarkable woman, and as giving and caring a soul as I've ever met.
She ran a clinic called Just Cats, in which she performed her daily miracles. People often left unwanted cats and kittens on her doorstep and she saw to it that they all found homes. She went to extraordinary lengths to save her patients and see to it that they led the fullest life possible. Thanks to her kindness, I had two extra years of borrowed time with my Luciano, during which I learned more about life, love, kindness, frendship, and responsibility than I could possibly have anticipated or can ever express here.
Dr. Wilhalf, I thank you. God speed you to heaven. There is a party waiting to welcome you to Rainbow Bridge.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are
restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

A gerbil on that little wheel thingy

So, this is supposed to be the relaxing time, a time to catch up on all of the stuff that we were forced to let slide during the regular part of the year. We've even gone from an 8-hour day to a 5-hour day because of the decrease in daily sales. But now there's all of this stuff that needs to get done in preperation for the coming year, and setting up for a new Arts Festival to be held in June and July, as well as the day-to-day running of the place, all with three hours left in which to do it.
On the one hand, it's good that I'm actually busy the whole time I'm at work, instead of feeling like I'm just killing time. But on the other hand, I feel like I'm a treadmill all day long and someone keeps speeding it up on me.
And that's just the work bits. The personal life bits keep hitting me too fast to comment on here. I think someday soon I'll catch up, but not any time his week.
So, I feel bad that I'm not posting more regularly, but that's why. Hopefully, there will be more time soon.

feeling like i've failed her

I haven't posted in a few days. It's not that nothing's been happening, or that I had nothing to talk about, but more that I had something very specific to talk about, but didn't know where to begin. I still don't know where to begin, but I think part of the point of blogs is to work things out. Like a diary. sorta.
Vivi's mother died on Sunday. I found out Monday when I read her blog. I can't imagine the kind of pain and grief that brings. I wish I could provide some solace, but I don't know what to do. Anything I think of either won't work in practice, or seems too little. But in the meantime, I feel like I'm doing nothing, and that feels even worse. I'm hoping that there will be a chance to visit with her in the next week or two while she's in the States, and that that might bring her some comfort.
Part of what makes this difficult is that in times like this, you put yourself in the other person's shoes, and try to figure out what would make them feel better. And if you've gone through that type of experience, you're better able to understand what it feels like, and how to try to help. But I find that I cannot even begin to "go there." As much as I want to empathize, it's too much. My heart, or mind, won't allow me to contemplate the loss of a parent. It won't allow me to even view the very tip of that iceberg.
I guess that's just the sort of thing that we, as humans, deal with as we need to. ...on a need-to-deal-basis only. We are given the ability to deal with grief as best we can at the time it happens. We go through inconsolable sobbing, reminiscing, laughing through tears, stillness, the need to be alone or the need to be with others, and anything else in our labyrinth of emotions to get to acceptance at the center.
So I guess this is what I have to offer: understanding that she is going through something that is a "path she must walk alone." And, if she needs me for anything, I will do all I can to be there for her.

ooooo...lookie...

new backgrounds...oooooeeeeeooooooohhh
I got 'em here.

why I stay

I took this a few nights ago as I was leaving rehearsal.

Weather with you

Today's another in a string of days what it's not quite, or not yet, raining. We've had reports all week from meteorologists saying "enjoy the weather you've got Right Now, 'cuz soon, it's gonna come a Storm!" And you know how just before a rain, the earth seems to be wound so tightly, a little stressed out, tense, allllmmmost to the breaking point, and then the rain comes, bringing sweet relief with it? Well, for the past several days, we've been in the tension zone. Everyone's carrying umbrellas with anticipation, making sure they've got an extra sweater or light jacket, just in case. We're all rushing around, getting things done that can't be done when it's raining, and avoiding washing the car, or watering the flowers because, you know,..."It's Gonna Come A STORM!!"
I hope it rains soon, because I Just Can't Take The Pressure!!

a little peace and Serenity

another l'il teaser about a movie I'm looking forward to:



for more information, go here:
http://www.serenitymovie.com/

Haircut achieved

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TA-DAAAAAA!!!

(side view:)

Easy like Sunday afternoon

Tessa1
Originally uploaded by Epiphany.

What a very pleasant weekend I've just had. ...chillin' with my kitten, studyin' my lines, and enjoying the perfect breeze coming into my windows. I'd like this season to continue for a while, but I know it isn't long until the days get crazy hot, and I have to shut the windows and turn on the a/c that sounds like a truck.

For more pics of how Tessa and I spent the weekend, click her pic.

The concert Friday night was fantastic, and we even got to meet Jesse and the band afterwards. Now I'm faced with the dilemma: do I buy the album online and have the music now, or do I wait to find it at the store so I can have the whole cd, case, liner notes, etc.?

Rehearsal starts tonight, so I'm trying to cram my lines for the scene we'll be blocking tonight. If only I didn't have this silly JOB taking up all my time.

In other news, I have not gotten the haircut yet, but it will be soon!