Are They for Real?

Despite the jarring news of Jacob deGrom's shoulder injury, this has been a good season for Mets so far. One day they had the best record in baseball; one day they were the first team to win 10 games. Their record is 13-5. Only the Dodgers have a better winning percentage. 

I admit I got a little nervous when they lost two games in a row (to the Nationals and the Phillies respectively--two teams with a record under .500.) 

I watched last night's game. Max Scherzer pitched brilliantly for seven innings in a scoreless battle against Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas. The Cardinals plated two runs in the eighth. Soon the Mets were down to their final strike. 

I was trying to be philosophical. Come on Lynne, the Mets can't win every game. The Cardinals are a good team. 

But the Mets pulled it out in spectacular fashion: an error by Nolan Arenado resulted in a Mets run, a double by Jeff McNeil put runners on second and third. Then Dom Smith's headfirst dive to first base beat the pitcher. The Mets had pulled ahead 3-2. Brandon Nimo provided insurance with a two-run homer. Edwin Diaz earned his second save.

This is the kind of win that makes you believe. Dare I?

A Weekend of Nature, Art, Music, and Cocktails

There were so many things to do this past weekend, I couldn't do them all. In the previous month, I only had one listing in my engagement calendar (I sound like someone out of a Jane Austen novel.) 

First I went to an Earth Day celebration at the New Canaan Nature Center. I showed my friend the birds that I help care for (more on that in a future post.) We spoke with people from the garden club, Conservation Commission, a bird of prey rescue and rehabilitation group, and a beekeeper. We also listened to music from School of Rock. We watched the release of a red tail hawk. Unfortunately, two other nearby red tail hawks weren't very friendly. Luckily, the released bird wasn't hurt. 

Our next stop was the open studios at Wilson Avenue Loft Artists. We saw works of about a dozen artists and talked to some of them.

On Sunday, Jeff and I went to the Hempening at Sono 1420. We had cocktails and tacos, and listened to music by Residual Groove. It was sad when the bartender asked about Lola--we had always taken her with before.

All-in-all, a nice spring weekend.

What Would Have Been

Today would have been our sixth anniversary with Lola. Unfortunately, her kidneys gave out almost two weeks ago. 

We are still adjusting to a life without Lola. We look for her; we think we hear her; we miss her--especially on a nice sunny day like today.

Here's a photo from six  years ago:

Here are two photos from last Sunday: she was smiling to the end. 

Lola is so special she shares her anniversary with Earth Day and National Beagle Day.

Thoughts for a Thursday

Unhandy

Unfortunately, that describes both Jeff and me. Having a handy partner would sure come in handy. (Sorry.) Yesterday I rehung some pictures in the bath, and cleaned some globes for our hall ceiling light. I had a lot of trouble screwing the globes and bulbs back in. I wish I were taller; I don't like standing on a ladder, even a stepladder.

Getting Back

Jeff and I went to the gym yesterday--the first time for me in 12 days. I don't know how long it's been for Jeff. I had a better workout than I expected. 

Weather wise

After I wrote about how unfair it was that it was so warm after Lola's death, it turned cold. Damn, just as I was ready to go outside and enjoy the nice weather.

Let's Go Mets!

Yesterday they had the best record in baseball. But standings change quickly in the early days of the season. Of course, when you're a Mets fan, you never know. There's a reason a book about the Mets is called, So Many Ways to Lose. 

Thank You Chewy

Jeff had bought cans of Kidney Diet food as well as subcutaneous fluids from Chewy for Lola. We had a lot left over. Not only did Chewy gave Jeff a refund and told him to dispose of the products, but they also sent Jeff flowers. We're donating the Chewy products, along with Lola's bed to DAWS where we got Lola six years ago. 

Friends

Our friend Jen also sent us flowers. She keeps checking in to see if we're doing okay. It's comforting to have her support.

A Week Without Lola

I had thought that handling Lola's death would be a little easier because we've been through it before with Spike. 

I was wrong. 

I feel like I've been sleepwalking through the week, except last Tuesday when I had three appointments. The last was to pick up Lola's cremains. It was a beautiful day and Jeff and I went to Ripka's at Calf Pasture. We had margaritas and watched the water, the sea birds, and kids on the swings and slide. 

Each day I told myself I'd go to the gym the next day, but I wasn't up for it. Instead, I exercised here a few times and took two walks.

I resented the beautiful weather last week. It was unfair that it was so cold on the last two full days of Lola's life. Last Saturday, the sun went in and the winds blew as soon as we arrived at Taylor Farm. On Sunday, we sat outside on a friends' deck. (I didn't want Lola to have any accidents inside their house.) We would have really enjoyed some warm weather. 

We're putting together things to donate to DAWS: food, infusion fluids, and her dog bed (I took it to the laundromat today.)

It will take a while to move on. 

Book 11: Wild From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

I enjoyed this book, while cringing at Strayed's lack of preparation and some of her decisions. Despite all this, Stray succeeded in a her hike on the PCT. I admire her fortitude, determination, and strength.

I like to walk and hike. I camped overnight once on a group rafting trip in a campsite with bathrooms. I would never want to make Cheryl's trip. (Plus, I'm now 40 years older than Cheryl was on her hike.)

My most challenging hike was with Jeff at Acadia National Park. The gently sloping decline described by a guide was a steep decline followed by climbing over rock piles. It was only a stressful few hours, nothing like what Strayed endured.

I liked when Strayed recognized that despite two bad encounters, she received a lot of  help from people and made friends along the trail: an optimistic observation. 

Grieving

The first thing Jeff said to me this morning was, "She's not here." 

"I know," I said. What could I say? The first thing we've done each morning for the past month was to look at Lola's bed, see if she were awake, and see if she looked okay.

Even though she's gone (I actually sang a bit of this song)  I feel her presence everywhere. I moved a few things--her leash and collar, her bowls--out of sight out of mind--at least for the moment. At least, I don't have to see all of her things.  But of course, she is everywhere.

We love you Lola.

We miss you Lola. 

Goodbye Lola

When I wrote about Lola recently, I expected to have a lot more time with her. Instead, we put her to sleep today. Our vet came to our place, which was great because Lola was terrified to go to the vet. The procedure was quick, quiet, and peaceful.

April 22nd would have been our sixth anniversary with Lola. I wish she could have stayed to celebrate with us and also her designated birthday of May 5th. 

It was the right time. Last week our walks got shorter--both in time and distance. Then Lola deteriorated badly from Friday to Saturday. She last ate on Friday except for a small bite of a hot dog yesterday. She would have suffered more each day.

We got together with some dog park friends yesterday to say goodbye. I can't explain how wonderful that was.  

We're in a tough transition to a life without Lola. We miss her. 

Opening Night on the Road

Starring the New York Mets v. the Washington Nationals.

I'm not as excited about the 2022 Opening Day as I've been in previous years. It's a combination of the lockout and lack of baseball news and being preoccupied with other concerns such as Lola's health. But we knew we would watch the game. The original 4 PM start was changed to 7 PM and then rain further delayed the start of the game until 8:20. 

I couldn't stay up until the end of the game, but at least I saw all the scoring. The Mets won 5-1. Substitute starter Tylor Megill did a great job: he pitched three innings, gave up three hits, no earned runs, no walks, and six strikeouts. Megill joined Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Tom Seaver as the Mets fourth Opening Day starter to strike out at least six batters without allowing a run. Impressive company.

New Met Max Scherzer started and won Game Two against his old team--the final score was 7-3. The game was available only on Apple TV+. I don't like this new trend. I missed this game, but kept track on my MLB app on my phone. Back to regular TV for tonight's game and the Mets debut of another new pitcher Chris Bassitt.

Book 10: My Thoughts be Bloody by Nora Titone

The Bitter Rivalry Between Edwin and John Wilkes Booth that Led to an American Tragedy

In a writing class last spring, our assignment was to write about a theater ghost. I knew John Wilkes Booth was from an acting family; the idea of his father haunting a theater appealed to me. After doing some research, I realized that the real story was about Edwin Booth, John's older brother who was an acclaimed actor. 

That bit of research led me to my latest book selection; I had added it to my TBR (to be read) list and bought it this winter. It's another well-written, meticulously researched book using family correspondence, playbills, and theater reviews as well as rare books and manuscript archives.

As I read this book, I kept thinking about my father. I would have loved to have discussed it with him. Unfortunately, he died around the time Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote the Foreword.

Self-Care in Small Doses

This post is almost a month old--I meant to write about it before. The timing coincides with some health problems with Lola which is probably why I didn't post then.

I have also bought daffodils at Trader Joe's and other grocery stores. I don't buy flowers every time I buy groceries, but there is something about daffodils and the longing for spring that is almost irresistible to me. 

I remember Julia Cameron writing about treating yourself in The Artist's Way. At one point, she and her husband Mark spent the last of their money on good socks because people deserve to have good socks. I also recently read this article about the pandemic and little treats. We can all benefit from little treats.

Spring brings other small pleasures. Yesterday I saw a Great Egret at Oyster Shell Park. Unfortunately, it flew away quickly, and I couldn't get a photo. It made me happy to see it.