I also meant to say:

We’re are struggling in different ways, but it’s easier together.

That's really well put. I'm glad you had that time, msbelle.

Oof. Yeah, probably nigh infinite twinges.

We (Cowboy (his noms de 'net) and I) are going to be in Denver overnight on Monday, Sept 11

Staying near the airport and my murder pony, or going all the way into Denver proper? Also, jelly, as I am coming up on FOUR YEARS since last I saw Blucifer.

I've left the pleather pants behind and I'm ready to embrace the caftan life.

Hmph.

She handled it well, and was feeling excited on the way home and then caught herself as we approached our house, and said, "Awwww, I was excited to show them to Mama."

Oh Lord. I'm so sorry Matilda. I'm so sorry, Hec. Look, Matilda, the world is never going to be the same without your beautiful mother. You won't be the same. Emmett won't be the same. Dad won't be the same.

That said, that very same mother tried her darndest to prepare you for this world. Take every one of Jacqueline's life lessons to heart. Why? JZ was our heart. She was wise beyond her years. Every single word she ever spoke here was from love (I can't actually say that about any Buffista, including my fallible self, other than your mom and Nilly).

I hate that you're going through this Matilda. Your mother is the mother every girl should have. Suck in every moment of her love, compassion, comfort, and advice, and just steep on it.

And girl? Please know that everytime you mess up (you will) there are a whole. bunch of us here who will go to bat on your behalf, because of the incredible grace your mama always showed us.

Take care, my dear. You are enveloped in love.

"Awwww, I was excited to show them to Mama."

This apparently never ends. One of my most frequent occurrences is when I am driving somewhere. I'll cross over the NY line and think, oh I have to call Mom and let her know I'm back in New York. Now after 7 years, it just makes me smile that the habit is so strong. Whenever we were on any type of road travel we were required to call Mom and let her know our progress. From time to time now I will have a particularly vivid dream with Stephen in it, and it is just such a joy to see him again. The times when the grief is a stabbing pain are very few now, mostly it is just warm memories.

A quote that rings true for me was from Rose Kennedy, who knew her share of grief.

"It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone."

Started masking again today. Seemed like the right time to start doing it again, or maybe even a little overdue.

Oh, Matilda. My heart goes out to you. I’m sure your mother would think you new piercing is lovely.

So many people I know suddenly have Covid. So, yeah I was thinking now is a good time to start masking again

I don’t own a caftan, but I do own a few t-shirt dresses that occasionally double as nightgowns. I was thinking recently that I should buy a house dress.

I’m working on the old spare bedroom and soon to be office. So much clutter to go through this is our, “don’t know what to do with it so throw it in there” room. Right now the best I can do is make more organized piles so that I can then sit in one place and deal with one of those piles at a time. Otherwise, I’ll wear myself out.

I was thinking the same about masking, Tom. I was kind of delaying since I just got Covid, but who knows what variant I had and how long any immunity I built up might last. Blergh. I mean, not that masking is that hard, just...

I haven't started masking, yet, but I have made a serious effort to only be outdoors with the peoples. Anyplace that is crowded just gets passed by.

Staying near the airport and my murder pony, or going all the way into Denver proper? Also, jelly, as I am coming up on FOUR YEARS since last I saw Blucifer.

Murder pony all the way. He's never seen Blucifer and I'm a little too gleeful.

There are so many metaphors, but I did think that was a good one.

Hmph.

Pleather pants don't breathe. Perhaps there will be a place for them again when I'm not overheated all the time.