At the library board meeting on Monday one of the lifers resigned and then a more recent appointee followed suit. I had planned to give a heads up of my own departure but anticipated all hell would break loose if half the board bailed on the same night. Still plenty of time before the AGM for me to make my announcement.
We are halfway to our goal of raising $100,000 which is very good news. This week we have a pop up shop, which, as with our Christmas store, has become a social hub for book lovers. I'm looking forward to the fireplace sitting area and coffee cart in the new library where this kind of spontaneous engagement will be an regular thing.
Sadly our inherited barn cat was killed, most likely by a cougar. I'm shocked at the violence and swiftness of it and unsettled by the thought a cougar would come within inches of the back door.
The rhythm of weeding is usually a solace for me but I miss my little supervisor checking in from time to time. He loved it when we were outside and meandered contentedly between the areas of activity. At outside tea breaks he would sit on one lap or another, the only time he would allow petting. At least it was quick. He was 14 and I had begun wondering how he, and we, would manage the challenges of an ageing outdoor cat. Perhaps Nature has the answers even if we don't like them.
I'm writing this in the library while monitoring the book donation cart. You've got to watch out for folks who try to palm off bath dunked text books. In downtime I picked up two magazines with articles on growing food in heat, portable rain barrels and the merits of a messy orchard-definitely not a wasted morning.
This evening I found the first rosebud of the year.
On Sunday the adored power couple arrive for some rural relaxation. Really, really looking forward to meeting them off the plane and the ensuing hug fest.
The fabric of life is a warp and weft of good and evil, joy and sadness but you have to have both to make the cloth.
So true are your words - "you have to have both to make the cloth". Interesting thoughts on your blog today
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteSo sad about your barn cat. Nature is ruthless.
ReplyDeleteI'm making a real effort to accept Nature and not fight it but some things are harder than others.
DeleteI am so sorry about your kitty. We had a cougar in our neighborhood which is strange because it is not rural at all right before we left for Spain (he was right where we walk Buddy). It seems he was next to a playground and duck pond and appeared to be using the ducks as appetizers. Fish and game came out but I think he took off before they found him. I hate people who donate crap. Crap is crap and no one wants old textbooks. Have a good visit with the power couple.
ReplyDeleteWe have had forest cleared beside us and I'm wondering if the cougar was on a new route.
DeleteOhh, so sorry your barn cat died.....sometimew we don't know... I like your last sentence, it is sto true.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janneke.
DeleteI just love a real-life post with some of the quiet and some of the drama of...real life. As Janneke said, your last sentence is so true.
ReplyDeleteIt all accumulates into wisdom-I hope.
DeleteI tend to love the barn cats most - they are so fierce but soft. I would love to have one to keep me company outside but we have so many predators. My llama belted out an alarm very early this morning - only the second time in her five years with me! This was such a thought-provoking post, Susan. With a foot in town and one in country.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you are looking forward to the day both feet are in the country.
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