there is something really satisfying about eating home grown vegetables. my hubby is doing such an amazing job with the garden. we have carrots to last us all winter. they will only get bigger and sweeter as the weeks pass.
i think that the garden is my first metaphor for 2010. it needs tending, it produces amazing things if you care for it properly [or sometimes even if you don't], it changes - day by day, season by season, it is fulfilling and hard work....
we had a bit of a sad ending to our year.
we had to say goodbye to our kitty chinaski [you can read about him in this old post]. the above photo kind of sums him up. even sick he would purr and talk back if you talked to him [and his purr was this motor, luscious, vibration]. he would always outstretch his paw to touch you if you came near.
all pets are special to their owners. but chini - he was also special to our neighborhood. everyone knew the three-legged cat. he was best friends to major [i hope they are hanging out together now eating popeye's chicken]. people would come and talk to me about how much they loved him. the mayor of our block. a once in a lifetime cat.... such a trooper. such a good good soul.
at the end and beginning of years we reflect so much... i keep reading wonderful summations of the year past. i can't seem to package each of my months nicely in a few memories. in some ways the days and weeks and months have become one long blur - and yet in other ways there are distinct and clear moments of joy, excitement, sadness, newness, fear - of being ALIVE. i can't help but think that it is these extremes that keep us spinning, and as we see saw from one to the other we get to dance a little in the space between - reflect in moments of calm, and catch our breath for the next bit.
a happiest of new years to everyone. may 2010 bring exactly what you want and need and are capable of handling.
Oh, sweet lady. This may be my favorite summation of the year. And what a year it has been for you and your beautiful family. I'm so sorry about Chini. Much love to you, D and F. xoxo
oh man I love your thoughts on the end of the year. I am really sorry about chini - feel you on the blur thing for sure.
xoxox
So sorry about your kitty. My cat will also reach out and place a paw on you. It's the most gentle and deliberate thing. What were you making with the carrots, sage, and orange? All those fresh ingredients look delicious!
You put things so well.
I'm very sorry about your cat. He sounds like a wonderful character.
Wishing you a happy 2010.
oh lisa. so sorry to hear about chini. love your last sentence...and i wish the very same for you and your family. hugs!
happy twenty ten! so sorry to hear about chini, i can still hear his loud rumbling purr. xo
" a once in a lifetime cat" i know exactly what you mean. so sorry. wishing you goodness in 2010.
I like your take on the extremes. Very comforting for someone (me) who can't seem to help but embrace the extremes. Happy New Year! I'm sure your sweet little Chini is in a good place.
aw lisa - so sorry to hear about chini. so sad. pets are special and i can hardly bear the thought of any of ours passing while n is still young. i guess it's a good way to learn about life/death and i think as a new parent one really realizes how fleeting life can be. and how precious it all is. best to you guys in the new year!
Dearest Lisa, have a wonderful new year. You put it so well, there is nothing I could add. So sorry to hear about Chini.
Hugs, Anke
Although i read your blog on Chini when you posted it, I realize I had forgotten some of the details of his remarkable life. What an amazing spirit with an incredible zest for life!! Having lost a cat some years ago I know the empty feeling one has after the passing of a beloved pet. I hope you can cherish the memories of him over the months and years ahead. I love your metaphor of the garden for one's life. I look forward to reading more of your posts in 2010....
so sorry to hear about little chini.
i found it hard to put my thoughts of the last year into words. i like how you put it.
happy new year to you and your family! xx
So sorry to hear about your cat - it is a really hard thing to lose a creature close to your heart... i wish you love and peace for a very happy new year...x
I am so sorry to hear about your Chini- I wish your loss to heal soon and the sweet memories to comfort you...-
I had to put off the making of a vegetable or any type of garden for another year- I would so love to, but I just can't fit it in my schedule right now- hopefully in 2011!
Its makes a lovely metaphor though ,you are so right,,and it definitely is a wonder-full thing to live with-
Annamaria :)
so sorry about your sweet chini, our pets really do become dear friends. sending many sweet wishes to the kitty afterlife. and i just adore this sentence of yours so much, "and as we see saw from one to the other we get to dance a little in the space between". it's magic, sigh.
Dearest Lisa, I'm so sorry about Chinaski. What a loss for you all. I know how hard it is to say goodbye to a beloved pet. I'm sure he'll be with you all in spirit for a very long time to come.
Happy 2010. I hope it's a ripper for you too. Keep enjoying those veggies. xo lj
Dear Chinaski, dear sweet soul. Dear me, I am so sorry to read this and I am sending hugs your way and purrs from my cats, all of 'em. xo
I am really sorry to read about your cat. My cat is sick now, and it's been really hard for me. They really do become a part of the family. But what helps me, and should help you too, is to think about how much love you have given your cat and what a great life your kitty lived!
oh dear Lisa. I'm so sorry to hear about Chini. I am sure he is purring at you from somewhere out there in the universe. hugs:)
dear Lisa, so sorry to hear about chini, he sounds like a trooper and one who brought joy to everyone who came into contact. To be capable of handling, I love that there's an optimism to the new year no matter what we are to face, we prepare to learn and to grow. Hugs to you.x
I'm so sorry to hear about Chini, Lisa... I am slow catching up what with being sick - but that is sad news. He looked like such a sweetie.
I am finding myself spinning too - not sure quite how to sum up 2009 and how to approach 2010 either... keep stumbling along, enjoying the ride, I suppose...
I still owe you an email - LOVED getting yours. Sending big love to all three of you and every good thing for the new year. Xo <3
oh no!
how did i miss this!
i am so so
sorry lisa...
that is so sad...
more chini.
:(
thinking of you.
xoxox
catching up here, I'm so sorry about chini. I remember his sweetness. hugs to you, D & the little...
Oh somehow I missed this post Lisa. But now I see your sweet sweet kitty you mentioned you'd lost. I'm sorry. That is really so hard. Hugs and more hugs to you.