By Hook: Finished Eva's Beanie

I goofed!

I forgot to take a photo. I was waiting for a measurement from the mom, but alas it didn't make it. So I went ahead and sent it on. Hopefully it will fit ONE of the three girls even if not the intended recipient. It's super cute, so if I get a picture of the beanie I'll post it.

She's gone

My sweet sister-in-law passed away on Thursday of last week. VERY unexpected. The only saving grace is that she passed away in her sleep peacefully. Other than that we are all miserable, none more so than my brother. He seems to be coping well enough, but I know from experience how hard it can be…day after lonely day.

She was a cancer survivor…over 20 years. They believe she had a heart attack, no cancer involved.

1992

Before she and my brother were married. Mom and I went with the two of them to San Francisco. I flew in from Atlanta. I honestly don't remember that part at all…if I flew up to SF, or if I flew into San Diego and drove up to where they were going to be married. NO recollection.

PUZZLE

I worked on a small puzzle that my sweet daughter-in-law gave me one year. Good for a quick "get-away" when needed!

TOMMY SOCK'S HOME SWEET HOME!

I know I over do his room, but I feel so very guilty that I can't/don't spend as much time with him as I should. The dogs are draining! When you walk into the room you can see his love seat and various "jungle gym" type goodies. To the right is his feeding station, and to the right again is the large closet. Unused basically…..for now!

I hate that he has to be all alone in his own quarters. My border collie Maggie wanted to kill him, so had to keep him away from her in the beginning. Then Brodie learned from her, and the other dogs from him. So to keep him safe he has his own bit of heaven. Having been feral I think for the most part he is okay with it, although I know he would prefer more time with me.

Case in point as far as being okay with it, when he is tired of my company he will get up and leave, going outside!

He has a view of the backyard and can watch the dogs run around.

This is his yard. The tree has grown quite a bit! I didn't realize that until seeing this photo. You can see him in the shade. He has even worn a little path like the dogs do! Didn't realize cats do that. He has a cat door from his room into the yard and a child's table and chair as well as tiny umbrella. He has been in the chairs a couple of times and hides under the table one in a blue moon.

At the home in ID where I rescued him I had an old storage unit converted to his house, with a real observatory on top so he could look out without having to expose himself to the coyotes.

Then in OR he has his own house where I gave the hot tub to my kids and he got the building! He had a nice yard and stayed inside…even had a patio. Then one day he started jumping the fence, getting on the roof, and also wandering the street at night. I started locking him in the little house until we moved to WA. He gave up his outdoor privileges!

In AZ, when we wintered there, I had a small area where he could get outside, but it wasn't ideal. TOOOO small. So was his room.

In WA I gave him the converted two car garage and had a small area fenced for him in the yard. Again, not ideal. He did have a huge inside room, though, and enjoyed lots of hiding places.

So when we moved here to TX I wanted him to have a large yard. Had the fenced moved up toward the front of the house (you can see the two sides) and then put one across the other side cutting off a piece from the backyard. Put a hot wire around the bottom which has kept him inside the yard. Unplugged in last year and he is still staying away from the fence! I should plug it in again just in case he gets an idea he wants to try roaming.

I also have hung some different lights so when he goes out there at night he can see well (is blind in one eye).