mindful of quotes

At 2 am Friday the brain popped into gear and I began flipping through the TV program guide (you know, the sort of mindless activity you do when you haven't yet decided if you're actually going to get out of bed or if turning over and going back to sleep is a viable option), and there it was, a rerun of The Closer. And the story line? A brand new kitten, named Joel, brought to Brenda Lee her by her loving husband, Fritz, to replace the recently departed Kitty in her life.

I immediately put the TV on mute, and then swung my feet over, automatically looking first to ensure I didn't step on KTT, same as I have every morning for the last 18 years, but, of course, he wasn't there. And never will be again. But the coincidence was not lost on me, and it made me wonder if perhaps the universe is telling me I was too hasty in saying "never."

But, no, despite my intense yearning for another pet to share my world, it's just not feasible this year. We want to go to San Diego for G’s USMC celebration. Travel plans will be so much easier if there is no little buddy at home to arrange for.

Got up Sunday morning and, in the dim nightlight, as I made my way from bedroom to kitchen, spotted a mound on the floor behind Jim’s chair. I immediately wondered what KTT was doing there. Not kitty, of course, only an Army helmet, left there on Saturday night. An hour later, as Jim was filling the cooler with ice and bottles of water for another fun-filled day with The Guard (yeah, right, I hear you), I pointed at the helmet and relayed the thought sequence to him. He said, yes, he keeps expecting KTT to jump on the bed in the middle of the night. Drat!!

So what have I learned this past week? I can put on my shoes by myself. I can clip my toenails without help. Empty laundry baskets, sadly, stay that way for quite some time. Long years of training still find me getting up at oh dark thirty, even tho there’s no kitty or puppy to feed - and love. My daytime hours are spent in the quietest house in the world.

As is normal for me when I write this blog, quotes from other way more astute authors come to mind. In particular, from a favorite novel: McCrae looked at Captain Call and said, “It’s been quite a party.” But even better, from Dr. Seuss, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”