Sleepless Sleepless Sleepless

I've now had my third sleepless night. So much rushing and repeating in my mind - even with meditation and yoga. How easily I can go from feeling anchored to afloat. Suddenly I feel so unrooted here. This worries me - that I attach myself to someone else and when they are gone I am adrift.

Last night I started thinking I need a dog. They are so loyal through thick and thin. There's a great deal of responsibility that goes along with them but they will stand by your side, well, if trained. Then I had all kinds of guilt dreams about leaving Tika the Cat behind when I moved to London.

Should I just keep wandering? What will help me be settled? Hobbies would help. A plan would also help. For the past three months this plan has been based on another person's planning and I easily tagged along and made it my path. That's not OK. I have a very difficult time making plans for myself beyond a few months. The future is so unclear.

I have so many friends and family who have rallied for me over the past few days and I know that I am much loved. But again I am adrift...

Kat Kismet

Last Friday, prior to setting off on our road trip Rene and I had dinner in Glenview, an Oakland neighborhood in which I use to live. He had no idea when making the restaurant reservation that I had once rented a little cottage just two doors away.

We snuck a peak at the cottage which was now being used as an arts center. As we exited the property and closed the gate I suddenly heard a familiar little jingle. Re-opening the gate I saw the source of the sound and my heart did a flip flop. This set of bells were ones I had put there when I lived in the little cottage eight years earlier.

The bells remind me of Tika the cat.

Ode to Tika the Cat

Tika the Cat and I were life partners for fifteen years. When I went off to London she moved in with my mom, dad and grammie in Connecticut. She has become Grammie's companion these past few years.

Poor Tika has lived with cancer for two and a half years. But that hadn't slowed her down. Unfortunately, it now has. Please think good wishes for Tika as she goes to kitty heaven with unlimited wet cat food, endless supplies of cat nip and lots of Grammie love.

Tika BooBoo, Mystiqua, you will be missed.

xo
Amy




"Interior, Manor Farm" by Howard Phipps, wood engraving, 1991 (pictured above) from Rowley Gallery.

Ike has Arrived!

My two super boxes just arrived. They did well. Big box was all cut up and re-taped by Customs and Immigration. I think they were impressed with my innovative design. Ike looks great! I'll take him out for a spin to make sure all parts are working. We're having a bit of gooey rain so may wait until that clears up. Yes, also humid so the hair doing its thing.

The only broken item was a lovely bowl I bought in Edinburgh. However, it is raku and has a cracked style anyway so I'll try gluing it together. Should work out fine.

At least all my possessions are now in the US - however in many different States. Major collection still in Houston storage, two suitcases at Matt & Rachel's place in DC and now a menagerie of ceramics and my favorite books at Marlene & Mandeep's in Virginia. Oh yes, and Tika the Cat in Connecticut. I like to share the wealth.