dughlas

You bring us to the close of another finely spun tale. I could be selfish and ask for another installment in the Larkspur Sagas (I know you refer to these as the Sidewinder Tales but the sidewinder is a snake and the only snake in these stories was Coy's brother. It seems a shame to give him more than his due when Larkspur has given the four men a home.) but that will only happen if you feel it's right. Meanwhile I say thank you for sharing your talent with us.

Wow, put on your wool socks and thermal longjohns. The local forecast has potential temps that cold nearby but not here along the coast. The ocean temp is still about 60/15° so our low temps are only expected to be subfreezing the next couple of mornings. That is still unseasonably cold.

Hmmm, put me in mind of Page and Morgan.

I see you've been hanging out in the boys locker room, again.

I had Eggs Benedict and homefries.

Thank you. Insulinomas are rare so I ask why did Thistle develope one? Was it because of something I did or didn't do? Were there early signs I missed? Mum says those sorts of questions are pointless. Instead I should remember he had a remarkably wonderful life with me and was a happy boy.

Thank you Albert.

Truth be told, I'm in the doldrums. Mum and I have both been missing the little guy. I keep waking between 3-4am, that's the time period when his seizures would occur. I wake and reach out to check for him and he's not there. I miss the warm little body snuggled up against my chest. If I left him waiting in the car when we went out he would hear me returning and hop up and be looking for me out the window. I miss the little face at the window. Earlier today I glanced down at the corner of mum's kitchen where we kept his food and water bowls and it surprised me they weren't there. I passed another person walking their dog yesterday and when I heard the toenails against the sidewalk I was reminded how quiet the place beside me was. I miss the sound of him walking beside me. My morning routine is off. Used to be get up, start the coffeemaker, take the pup out, come back in, give him his Greenie and put food in his dish, take my morning meds then pour my coffee. Now I'm standing alone in the quiet kitchen waiting for the coffee to finish brewing because half the routine is missing. My whole world seems slightly askew, I am adrift ...

Good luck, use the arm even if it hurts some, that will help it get better quicker.

Dear Adi, I read this two weeks to the day since I had to say goodbye to my beloved dark-eyed boy. Thistle's end time came unexpectedly and quickly. I have similiar memories of our early days together. Our walks in the park. He never saw a squirrel undeserving of a chase. He was ever curious and ready for an adventure. Thank you for the smiles and the tears reading this invoked.

My mother would advise you to get the shot in your dominant arm. So if you're right handed the right arm. The reason being you use that arm more and it helps dissipate things and heals the muscle more quickly. I follow her advice and typically have no problem other that mild tenderness for a day or so.

So the take away is that you're 33% above average ... at least in root canals. That's probably why you're so sensitive. I hope that this resolves the issue for you.

I am well enough thanks. I hope all is well with you and Steve.

She's doing okay thank you.

Glad to hear he is settling in well.

Why? He's posted and commented on the new chapter in the last hour.

Here there's a Christmas Regatta on the Inlet each year. Of course it's not nearly as cold as up north.

I am in better spirit thanks

Uhm, what kind of wind? Some are more likely than others to disturb your sleep.

Just Gary?

Greetings Albert. I hope you slept well and wakened fully rested.

I don't know what to say, I'm simply heartbroken ... I feel for Eric, I too find it difficult at times to reach out for something I want/need for fear of being rebuffed or disappointed. Rational, no ... human, very. Felicity needs to get away. The "Ogre" (oh that's not fair, it's unkind to ogres) has beaten her self-worth as surely as he's abused her physically, making it particularly difficult to find the wherewithal to leave. I think it fortunate that she has the planning for Adam & Andy's wedding to give her purpose. I'm curious, did the abuse only begin after Adam left home or is it longstanding, we're not likely to know. Andy is caught between the proverbial rock and hard place in both cases. Should he push either Eric or Felicity in the direction we all think they should go it could breed resentment. You've done outstandingly well with this difficult chapter. Kudos.

Thanks bro. It's uncomfortably warm and humid but more comfortable weather is due tomorrow.

I still have memories of making pie dough with my paternal grandma. I'm told I was her favorite though as a child I only knew she loved me. Grandma was old school, she kept her flour in a large stoneware crock. My cue was when she got the crock out. You see I was too short to reach the counter so I pushed one of the kitchen chairs up against the counter beside her then climbed up and stood on the seat. Grandma baked a mean pie, couldn't bake a cake to save her soul but pie she could do in her sleep. She taught me each step in the process, measuring and mixing, rolling out the dough before folding and pressing it into the pie plate. I have and cherish some of her pie plates, a couple are older than I am. You've done well today Page, creating memories with Max he'll cherish always. Blessings on your head and his.

And to not send his greetings in return.