We had a great time visiting my parents this past weekend. We got some shopping done (Can you say hamloaf, ribs, and fruit?), played with wee little kittens, visited two local dairy farms and both of my grandmas, washed the car, helped out around my parents house, and Greg learned the basics of driving a skid-loader. Freyja wasn't too big a fan of their new dog Bridgie, but she definitely held her own. In fact, I'm not sure who's more traumatized, Freyja or the dog. Finally, my Mom and Dad loaded us up with homegrown goodness like grape jelly, mint, beef, and asparagus to stock up our fridge. We're looking forward to some deliciousness for dinner this week to continue the trend started with the cheese burgers we had last night. =)

It was a great weekend. We have some pictures posted under the 'Down on the Farm' gallery.

PS--Greg's jaw dropping quote of the weekend, "It's like an orgasm in my mouth," in reference to a cone of blackberry and graham cracker cheesecake flavors of Ritchey's Ice Cream.

So Kendi had to work late but she didn't tell me! And Greg came home at his normal time, but Kendi's supposed to get home before him, and I knew something was wrong. I made sure Greg knew I was happy to see him but, after a few minutes, I couldn't take it anymore, where was Kendi! I hunted around the house, then sat down by the door, determined to be the first to see her when she got home. Greg kept telling me to be quiet, but I had to keep mewling so Kendi could find her way back.

And she did! And I was so happy, I followed her around the rest of the evening and cuddled up with her while she watched a movie on the couch. Hooray for cuddling!

I wish that I could say that Greg and I have earth shattering news to report, but that's just not the case. We've been enjoying a few weeks of no travel, catching up on life, ordinary days. It's a nice change of pace for us. =)

That said we're about to kick off a whirlwind of summer travel and intrigues in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for more info. For now, I'm going to wrap up my lunch and get back to work as we have a big event tonight.

Hope you're all doing well!

After a week of temporary insanity, I have a hoarse mew and am way tired from not sleeping much. And don't get me started on the shedding. My poor fur will take at least a week to clean out again. Sometimes it's not fun to be a girl. Greg and Kendi keep talking about an alternative that will make the monthly insanity stop but I just don't know about something that has to be whispered about.

At least it's over for now. I think Mousie and I are going to play for a while and then take another nap.

Today on my way home from work I saw something that broke my heart. It was raining pretty steadily as I drove home through the city and at one intersection there was a gentleman outside holding a little cardboard sign. Unfortunately I've seen more and more of those cardboard signs in the past few months. This particular gentleman I remember seeing a few times before holding a sign asking for work in exchange for food. This time his sign said simply, "Laid Off. Work for food or shelter" and beside him on leash was a young dog. As with each one of these people I pass, I wonder what I can do. I don't generally carry cash, so I didn't have any money to give. And as I sat there waiting for the light to change, wondering if I had anything in my car to give, and watching the very well behaved dog being stroked reassuringly by his owner; another hand reach out from a car window behind me and offered an umbrella. I berated myself mentally for not thinking of that first and then watched in my side mirror as the rain soaked man put up the umbrella and then gently sat it on the ground to provide some cover for his dog. At this point the light had changed and I needed to move to keep from blocking traffic, but my eyes started to water. I was on the phone with my Mom as this was happening and I told her what I had jsut seen and how I wished I had cash to give. It broke my heart to see a man willing to work for food and shelter, not just begging for cash, standing in the rain with his dog, and when offered a small reprieve from the rain, offered it to his pet.

There are so many little signs and I seem to see more each week right now. So many signs and each one with a person or a family behind it. I wish that there was something I could do for each of them, especially the new ones I see each week. People in need of things that Greg and I have and do our best not to take for granted. People who I pass everyday and wonder how many others actually see them standing behind their little signs. And my heart breaks knowing that I can't stop in the middle of the highway with leases and meals for each and everyone of them. There are so many suffering right now with material loss in basic needs like food and shelter that I'm almost lost as to where to begin. I only pray that I'll be ready next time I see the gentlman and his dog, to offer a little bit of comfort like the stranger with his umbrella, and that should I ever face such loss or need that someone will be there with an umbrella for me.