Went to my cousin's burial today - very small afair, just the family, my cousin's closest friend, and the minister. I kind of got surprised into volunteering as a pallbearer since there were only five able bodied men present aside from the hearse driver—it was nice to be able to do one last thing for my cousin. And it was a beautiful day for it, a minor miracle in itself since the weekend of the Beale Street Music Festival is normally Monsoon Season for the Mid-South.

I'm a bit worried about my other elderly cousin (the deceased's older brother). At the cemetery he introduced himself to me as if we were strangers and later seemed uncertain whose son I was, but he knows me and just spent most of an afternoon with me two weeks ago. I hope it's just that grief and maybe lack of sleep the last few days have left him confused, and it's not a sign that he's about to take a swift downward turn as well. (His memory certainly seemed clear when we were talking about WWII aircraft at lunch afterwards.)

I'm so sorry Matt, but also touched that you were a pall bearer. I think that's lovely.

Not sure what to say about your other cousin other than the obvious, not remembering you is never a good sign, but it might be grief and perhaps something like a mild infection or another illness. Ugh. Aging ain't for the faint of heart!

Oh, Matt, it's all so hard.

It needs to be made prettier, but:

I have already followed it!

I'm sorry, Matt.

He's 92 and has (well-managed) diabetes, so even with the Sharp Family longevity genes in play the countdown clock is ticking pretty loudly. I hope he follows the family trend of remaining active and of sound mind almost to the very end.

Vet is sending out for a biopsy, it sure isn't anything she's seen before. Chumley has lost almost 2 pounds in two months, so she's concerned, and pprescribed an appetite enhancer (as opposed to a suppressant) and gave him fluids.

That cost just a hair under $400, leaving me with just over $300 in my checking account. I've never run this close to the edge since I just got out of college.

So far, dinner has been an avocado with juice from a home grown lime, some salt, and a little bit of cumin. So good.

So far, dinner has been an avocado with juice from a home grown lime, some salt, and a little bit of cumin. So good.

Oooh, that does sound good. I have all of those things, as well. Hmmmm.

Jesse, I would look into a cab or car service, given how close your travel time is cutting it.

I end up walking 6+ miles per day on work days, but I walk 2 miles to work & the restaurant is huyyyyuge.

Theo, fingers crossed for Chumley.

Matt, I'm glad you could provide the final service for your cousin. And fingers crossed for your other cousin, as well.

So far, dinner has been an avocado with juice from a home grown lime, some salt, and a little bit of cumin. So good.

I had my new go-to, egg salad with avocado. I think tonight's was my best yet (just the exact right combination of egg, avocado, mayo, mustard, salt, and pepper). Yum.

Connie, I forgot to mention -- hooray for the Vegas trip!

My avocado is not ripe yet. Must remember to hold onto eggs for when it is. Dinner was a grapefruit and a handful of chocolate chips. It got the job done, more or less.

I hope whatever is going on with Chumley is neither too bad for him to endure nor too expensive for you, Theo. You've been through enough kitty illness lately.

Peace and comfort for your elderly relatives, Matt.