I drove to Girdwood for a conference today, and the fall foliage moved me to happy tears more than once. Alaska is bigger and more expansively beautiful than can possibly be described or photographed. But still we try.
Chris has been asking for a cat for years now, but I’ve never owned a cat and don’t really feel like a cat person. Over the last week, though, three things happened: I cat-sat for a friend, a neighbor found a mouse in her kitchen, and I read an article about all of the black cats who go un-adopted at the shelter every year. So yesterday, we went to the shelter for the sole purpose of taking home the biggest, blackest cat that had been there the longest.
This guy* was surrendered a few months ago during a family’s move. He has been leading the kitty crew and stealing food as payment ever since, reportedly earning himself the nickname Cat Block Boss. Welcome to the fam, you chunky weirdo. I love you already.
*Pictures do not describe how wide and heavy this boy’s booty is. His weight is literally off of the chart on his kibble bag.
We went to a musical at the high school tonight, put on by our local community theater. I watched my friends perform, and the kids saw their friends and teachers and coaches in a different element. We danced in our seats and sang our hearts out… except for Chris, who sat front row and took photos and shouted I love this town over and over.
Add to the list of firsts and I can’t believe we live here:
Today, I started yet another journey. Fridays are gonna be extra full and extra fun this semester.
We’re taking care of a friend’s cat in her house while they’re on vacation, and it’s remarkable the number of things in life about which I truly have not the first clue.
I attended a baby shower today and was immediately transported to all things newborn – the swaddles and the diapers and the breast milk and the schedules and the giggles and the tears. A life marked by hours, not days. It was hard as hell and sweet as heaven. I am not sure that I could do it again but I sure wouldn’t change it for the world.