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In the Midst of Life

From our most recent Book Club read, “The Road to Tender Hearts”:

“The cat was amused at these two idiot humans, talking about how unfair death is when it’s one of the few things everyone gets. Death is a magnificent invention, the cat knew, because it’s the impermanence of life that makes it beautiful.”

In memory of my (late) blog friend Bruce aka Catalyst, I’m posting this photo of Mari. He was a fellow lover of black cats; no matter what gorgeous scenery I put on the blog, he always homed in on photos of my very ordinary Mari, commenting on her beauty. Ever since Bruce lost his beloved wife a few months ago, I’ve been wondering about his own health. However, he focused on humor, cooking and his life in Arizona, nothing too serious. I didn’t really see this coming. 🙁 Bruce reminded me of another close blog buddy, Gene/Hoss (aka Old Horsetail Snake) who was also a newspaperman, and a humorous and sarcastic guy. Gene informed me in one of our face-to-face meetings that he intended to be the second to use Oregon’s Death with Dignity act. The first person had been his wife. Bruce’s death has been more of a shock although not a complete surprise. I will certainly miss him and his Friday Funnies! I’ve lost too many friends in BlogWorld lately; they’ve died or disappeared, thus severing relationships that I’ve valued and learned from. But as the above quote states clearly–the beauty of life is in its impermanence; that’s why we need to appreciate each day and each person, temporary though they might be.

On a humorous note, Mari appears to have a shoe fetish. She LOVES lying on, putting her nose in and hanging out with the shoes of my Book Club friends. I love her, but what a weirdo!

I revel in any blue skies, even if there are clouds.

I appreciate the colorful trees, even when the skies are gray.

I eagerly anticipate the blooming of my tulips (soon!), even though the flowers don’t last long enough.

I’m excited for the grandson Easter Egg Hunt I didn’t know I was hosting; it was a great excuse to put out some decorations. When my parents got older and unable to host events and my home became party/holiday central, I was apprehensive about how I would handle it. Now I’m thrilled that Sharky, Obro, Anders and eventually Ian will consider my place their second home.

I haven’t put out this adorable Easter tree for a long time. Behind it is Older Daughter’s first watercolor, a gift for Mother’s Day many years ago. In my back flowerbed are the irises that my late husband bought for my daughters; they’re what she based this painting on.

This Friday, John and I are going to see “Project Hail Mary” and then out to dinner. Although I’m excited to see the film (loved the book!), we don’t generally have dates on Friday nights since we’re retired and dislike crowds.

It will be an adventure though and there may be some interesting people watching. 🙂

Comments

34 responses to “In the Midst of Life”

  1. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    This was such a nice (albeit) sad read Margaret, I’m sorry for the loss of your blogging friend Bruce. I appreciate you sharing the link to his page, I very much enjoyed his loved one’s farewell to him there. Great photos of the man. (He was the same age as my mom, and she’s been gone 22 years, so he had a long life at least. It sounded like a good one.) As always, enjoy seeing Mari here, and your own colorful photos. :^)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Bruce would ALWAYS have Trek jokes on there, usually featuring Picard and Riker. You already know how much I appreciated those! Bruce did have a long life and had had a couple strokes as well as heart issues. I knew he wasn’t in the best of health but it’s still hard to lose him. Mari is such a character, isn’t she? I love her so much!

  2. Tonya Avatar

    I remember Old Horsetail Snake and loved his comments on your blog! I’m so sorry about this very recent loss. Very sad and unsettling.

    I laughed out loud at Mari on the shoes. Cats are so weird. Pippin STILL purloins my paint brushes from my caddy, even though we have put a box over it! The box is toppled and one by one, yet another paint brush is hauled all the way through the length of the house and up on the bed. She is RELENTLESS.

    Love your emerging flowers and Easter decorations. We STILL haven’t heard about the kids’ new Navy orders, and although Nate assures me that they aren’t in danger of being stupidly sent to the Middle East, I still worry. I want Quinn to have the “Go to Nonna and Papa’s” experience on at least a semi-regular basis!

    We see Project Hail Mary on Monday and I can hardly wait! I’m so excited! We’re seeing it in Gig Harbor (meeting up with friends for a matinee) and then going to the Tides Tavern afterward for dinner. Squeee!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Gene had such a sharp wit. I loved his comments too; they made me laugh out loud. I don’t understand why Mari loves shoes or Pippin your brushes. Cats are inscrutable creatures. Maybe they think we’re weird too? I haven’t decorated for Easter for a while; last year Mom had just died, and I was in no mood. The Middle East situation is terrifying. Is there any chance for Everett or will it possibly be San Diego? I love San Diego! I’ve seen nothing but good reviews and comments about Project Hail Mary. YAY! Although I’m not a big Ryan Gosling fan, he apparently does an excellent job in the role. The Tides will be fun too. We’re seeing the movie in Federal Way at the Commons and then will probably hit Mama Stortinis.

  3. Musings Avatar

    This is a sad and beautiful post. Gosh, Margaret. We’re having to deal with so many deaths lately too. We had to attend a funeral the week we returned from Hokkaido and now we’ve got two more coming up. We went to see a Art’s cousin at the hospital last week and now his friend is in the ICU and the doctor is dubious that he’ll make it. It’s been a hell of a month an a half. But sigh… I know we’re of the age that these things happen… but it’s so sad.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      You are absolutely correct, Kay. At Book Club today, a friend shared that one of our former colleagues and my younger daughter’s AP Junior English teacher recently died of cancer. She was diagnosed not even a year ago. I think she was possibly in her early 70s, but not much older than I am. It’s so emotional and painful to see this happening to our friends and family. 😢

  4. Ed Avatar

    I’m glad Bruce’s granddaughter was able to leave word of his passing. One of my biggest fears is not being about to do that on my blog and leave everybody wondering where I went.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      His granddaughters wrote a beautiful post about him and I loved the photos! I get the impression that he mostly lived his life on his own terms. I need to make sure my daughters can get into my computer and my WordPress when the need arises.

  5. AC Avatar

    Mari’s fondness for shoes reminds me that our Lacey seemed to like one visitor’s feet and shoes, but only his. I see that you are ramping up for a good weekend and later, a good Easter.

    Struck by the curious phrase, I decided to double-check the meaning. “ “Ramp up” is a phrasal verb meaning to increase, boost, or expand the level, amount, or intensity of something.”

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Since I live alone, it’s great to have activities to look forward to. I do keep busy on my own although I also spend (too much?) time doing puzzles and games. Part of the reason I love cats is their uniqueness, some might say strangeness! 🙂

  6. Pixie Avatar

    I was upset too to read of Bruce’s death. He did mention that he’d had a small stroke not long ago, combined with the loss of his wife, it wasn’t a surprise that he died. His poor family though, losing both mother and father, grandma and grandpa, all within three months is hard to bear.
    That top quote is so true, isn’t it? It’s what makes flowers so beautiful too, their impermanence.
    Have a lovely Easter with your family.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      In spring 2012 as my dad and I left the hospital (my husband had just been in for a week and now my mother was), he told me that he wouldn’t want to go on if anything happened to mom. I don’t think that was the case with Bruce since he’d also had medical issues, but who knows if he decided to let go and not fight to keep going? That BC book was zany and quirky yet also filled with wisdom. I loved Pancakes, the cat!

  7. JT Twissel Avatar

    Our cat has a sock fetish and so they’d probably get along! The loss of a blogging friend definitely leaves a hole in one’s heart. I love your Easter tree and that watercolor. Have a great date.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Cats are charmingly quirky! Many of us bloggers are in our later years, but it still hits hard. 😢

  8. Michael Avatar

    The title of your post is so apt. I didn’t know of the blogger who had mentioned that had died, but I did go to his blog with the link that you provided. It was sad to read. I used to tell my students that “nothing is forever” when they would stress out over stuff. Bad things don’t last, nor do good things…”in the midst of life.”

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I think the full quote is, “In the midst of life, we are in death.” Death isn’t just an end point but a reality alongside life; that’s hard for me to accept sometimes. One of my favorite books (“Ordinary Grace”) ends with these lines: “The dead are never far from us. They’re in our hearts and on our minds and in the end all that separates us from them is a single breath, one final puff of air.”

      1. Michael Avatar

        Wow, those words are profound.

    2. Margaret Avatar

      William Kent Krueger is one of my favorite authors. He writes beautifully.

  9. Midwest Mark Avatar

    I never read Bruce but I always mourn the passing of fellow bloggers. I’m sorry for your loss.

    On a brighter note, I think clouds always enhance blue skies. And I’m a sucker for black cats too!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Mark, I will miss Bruce’s humor and intelligence. He knew that I hadn’t wanted Mari to begin with; my younger daughter was teaching in South Korea for a year and couldn’t find anyone to take her. During that year, we grew to love each other and when YD returned, I refused to give her back! Bruce had his own black cat, and I wonder what happened to her. I hope someone in his family has adopted her! I love clouds among blue skies; they’re so interesting and beautiful.

  10. sundancecompany Avatar

    From surprise Easter egg hunts to space adventures with ‘Project Hail Mary,’ your week sounds like a wonderful celebration of the present moment. Mari sounds like she’s ready to start her own ‘shoe review’ blog! So sorry for the loss of Catalyst; he clearly left a black-cat-shaped paw print on your heart.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I was surprised (but pleased) when OD asked me whether YD had discussed having an Easter Egg hunt at my house. She hadn’t but I’m always up for activities involving the grandsons. Mari loves my Book Club ladies and their shoes–although she doesn’t do the same thing with other people and shoes. It’s odd! I will miss Bruce and his Friday Funnies; he was a fellow Trek fan too and always included a Star Trek meme.

  11. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    I have blogged since 2006. Many I followed have passed. It’s an end. Several though just went silent. It’s upsetting. What in the world happened. If you stop, please tell us good bye.😊 I have never followed a blog written by a male. I don’t know why….just realized I haven’t. I started blogging because of my oldest sister. Four sisters blogged. Youngest and oldest have passed. Plus my brother had a blog, but he just read ours though. He never wrote on his. He has passed. My only sister left here on earth blogs but usually a sentence and a picture. I rather tired of feeding the blog, but I’ve been at it so long I don’t want to stop.

    Glad you get to host the egg hunt. My Dad loved Easter and the egg hunt. I from a large family, 8, so there were lots hunting. Will you use real eggs? I’d just hide plastic ones.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I know what you mean. I would almost rather hear that a person has died instead of just silence. You have quite the blogging family! I realized the other day that many (if not most) of the bloggers I interact with are men. It didn’t use to be that way! Writing is good therapy for me and a way to process my emotions and my world. I intend to keep going as long as I can. Fingers crossed.

  12. Luftmentsch Avatar

    I hope you don’t think I’ve disappeared! I’m still here, just don’t have much time to write or even comment.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      No, I haven’t thought that at all. You make sure to drop in when you can. I appreciate that!

  13. kayak woman Avatar

    I didn’t read Catalyst/Bruce all that frequently but I read the one about Judy/SWMBO’s death and started checking in more often. Like you I was a little surprised. I know that long time spouses sometimes die soon after their spouse’s death so I wonder if there was a touch of that. But who knows. My mother powered on for another six years, going to lunch and classes and water-ex with her little pod of “old ladies” (and some younger ones who simply enjoyed her company). Sad whatever happend. I LOVED his SWMBO name for her. I know what the letters stand for and could almost feel her swooping around telling him what to do (like my mom did with my dad in later years). “Swooping” is not part of the SWMBO acronym but that’s how I felt it.

    I also remember Old Horsetail Snake but didn’t realize they were friends. Hoss commented on my blahg ONCE waaaaay back in the day and then disappeared and I found out (probably from Margaret) that he had died.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      My mom outlived my dad by four years, but if she had died first, I doubt if he would have made it very long. She was his whole world. I don’t think the two men were friends, although they both worked in the newspaper business. I think they had interesting lives and I know that they both smoked for many years and drank heavily at times too. It was the era!

      1. kayak woman Avatar

        Oops I misread that Bruce and Hoss didn’t have a relationship. I don’t think my dad would not have survived long if my mother had died first.

      2. kayak woman Avatar

        That would be I don’t think my dad *would* have survived long…

  14. krueth Avatar
    krueth

    I’m so sorry about your friend Bruce. It’s hard losing friends no matter the age of them.
    Even your trees are in bloom…That is awesome. I will patiently???? wait for our trees to leaf out and my lilacs to bloom.
    Have an enjoyable evening out with John tomorrow night. Wendy

    1. Margaret Avatar

      The blooms will come and spring will arrive in its own time! If you have a cold, snowy winter, I think you’re even more excited to see signs of renewal. I do hope the film and the restaurant aren’t too crowded!

  15. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Hi Margaret, I am so sorry about your blog friend’s Bruce passing. I went over and read a bunch of his posts, what a lovely man. We had some elderly neighbours a couple houses ago who had been married just a few years longer than Chuck and I. Second marriage for both of them. Such a lovely couple. The wife always said she wouldn’t want to live without her hubby. They passed away last year two weeks apart.
    I love seeing all your flowers Margaret. We still have snowdrops blooming here and now crocuses!
    Our first cat Linus had a shoe fetish too! The stinkier the better!😆😆 But he loved blue cheese, spicy chips, anything that had a strong flavour. He lived to be 20 so it didn’t hurt him.😀
    Growing up my parents always had Easter egg hunts. I love how you are doing this for your grandkids.
    Have a wonderful date with John!❤️

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I’m sure that Bruce would say that he got a good run; he’d lived a full and adventurous life and was nearly 86. There’s a lot he didn’t share about his health, I suspect. I’ve heard of couples passing within a couple days or weeks of each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bruce didn’t want to go on without Judy; I don’t think he would’ve actively sought death, but when it came, he might have embraced it. The tulips are coming up soon! We’re having lots of sun lately, so that will bring on the blooms. I don’t understand cats; they’re like teenagers. They do inexplicable things! My late husband had Easter Egg hunts for our friends’ children before we had any and then for ours later. I’m happy that our daughters want to carry on the tradition. Their dad would be proud.

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