* SAD NEWS ABOUT CHARLIE *

Ron and I had to say goodbye to our beloved Charlie Thursday evening. We knew it was coming sometime soon, but he went downhill quickly...He hadn't eaten in almost 2 days, but drank water pretty much like normal, went outside always for potty, and was getting up and down the steps okay. But Thursday he began to really look confused and wasn't walking good and the last time he drank any water, he immediately threw it up...just the water.

(He had blood tests about 3 weeks ago and had very serious problems that no one was aware of. He had liver problems, thyroid problems, diabetes and a heart murmur! And he never seemed sick or uncomfortable before then.)

We had an appointment for this morning, so we could see our usual vet, but we didn't want Charlie to have to wait that long, so the clinic fit us in and they were all so kind, just like always.

I told Ron I can't go through this again and don't want another fur baby, and I truly believe it this time.

This was Charlie on his 12th birthday, this past February. 

I love this picture! This was earlier this year. Ron was walking with Charlie, and all of a sudden this stray cat decided he not only wanted to follow them home, he wanted to walk right next to Charlie and look at him as his new best friend! (Have you ever seen something like that?!) I think it's so adorable. Our next door neighbor already had a couple of cats, and she happily adopted this little guy, who she named Lucky!

Below are just a few of my favorite Charlie photos. 

~~~~~

And 2 beautiful quotes. 

* SHARING OLD POSTS *

While trying to decide what to write about in my "new" blog posts, and not being able to come up with much of anything, I had the most scathingly brilliant idea!  (Yes, Cathy C Hall! https://c-c-hall.com/ )

I'm going to re-post some from the past, at least for now or until I feel as if I can write something decent again. When I look back and read some posts from my early blogging years, 2009-2013, I feel as if I'm reading someone else's writing. I truly mean it! I think to myself, Wow, that is some beautiful writing, and then I remember that I'm the one who wrote it! 

Oh, and you know what else was wonderful to read? All the comments, and some from people who aren't blogging anymore, which made me sad. Their blog either is totally gone, or they haven't posted in years. It makes me want to go back through emails and see if I have one for many of them, and see if we can catch up with each other that way. 

And, maybe I'll have contests again where I give away a book, or bookmark, or fancy pens, etc.

Thanks to all who stop by to make sure I'm still alive and bouncing off the walls! 😄

~~~~~~

And I'll end with a couple of favorites from Maxine:

"Ever feel like you've had too much coffee? Me neither." 

"Fashion magazines are society's way of saying 'If you don't feel inadequate already, read one of these!'

* STILL NOT MUCH TO SAY, BUT ALL OKAY *

 Not much to say...just checking in. All is well in the Povich household, and I hope the same goes for all of you!

I do, though, have photos of beautiful flowers I purchased recently at a local grocery store, and at such inexpensive prices! 

These roses are really pink but they look kind of peach in some of the pictures. 

There were 1 dozen, long stemmed pink roses in a plastic container for only FIVE DOLLARS!

I asked the cashier why these were so cheap, and

she said because they were getting old and about to wilt...

But, here are some of them as of yesterday. 

       And I originally bought them on July 29! 

     I'd say I got a great deal, wouldn't you?

       I added a few lilies of some kind in this vase.

Since I had so many beautiful flowers,

I kept some at home and took some to work. 

        I think it's time for another stop at the grocery store! 🌹

“The world is a rose, smell it, and pass it to your friends.”

– Persian Proverb

* IT'S JULY 10TH ? *

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family. I think of all of you every day and hope all is well in your lives, as well. 

The only one who's doing a bit "poorly" is Charlie. He has some issues with his liver AND thyroid, but he's on some meds, so hoping he will be all better soon! (If these don't do the trick, he'll need an ultrasound, which costs a lot of $$$) 

Oh, our son, Mark, who moved to New Orleans last year for a teaching job, drove up and surprised the heck out of us on Father's Day!! I've never had such an awesome surprise. He stayed with friends and was here for 2 weeks, so we got to see him quite a bit. Next, he's on to Rochester, NY for a new teaching position. Nothing like going from hot and humid, to cold and snowy! But he LOVES snow, so he should love it there! 😃

Once again, just popping in to say I'm still alive and well, and so are the rest of the family.

* STILL HANGING IN THERE, ON MY LONG AND WINDING ROAD *

I'm still alive and well...but don't feel much like blogging.

I think of all my blog friends ALL THE TIME!

I hope everyone is healthy and safe.

Large hosta in front yard.
White pole is lamp post. 

One of my peonies! (and no ants!) 

                  ♪ ♪ Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer... ♪ ♪  

* HAPPY MAY 1ST *

Hello All -

Once again, I'm here to announce I'm alive and well and hope all of you are the same!

I added three tidbits to: My Publications -Chronological Order on the left side about half way down. 

I discovered an opportunity to write poetry (even though I'm not a poet!) Unfortunately I wasn't aware of it until April 21st, and it began the first of April...being Poetry Month. 

If you click on the three links, it takes quite a bit of scrolling to find mine, and since they are very short, I decided to post them here. (for you reading pleasure! LOL)

April 27 - Word prompts for this: City, Open, Public, Design, Displaced

Although I love this city
I feel so displaced
especially now when the world
appears so upside down. There is no
“public” anymore. We are separated not
by choice but by design.
I throw open a window yearning
for the day I can resume my life.

— Becky Lewellen Povich

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 24 - Word prompts for this: Remote, Shelter, Digital, Breathe, Distance

It was a remote shelter.
The distance was incredibly
safe, one I chose carefully, with
plenty of air to breathe.
The only problem was
nothing digital, only my abacus.

— Becky Lewellen Povich

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

April 21, 2020 - Word prompts for this: Petal, Opal, Hallway, Swish, Gleam

With a gleam in her eye, Opal skipped and twirled
through the hallway, hoping to show off her beautiful new
polka dot skirt. She almost got dizzy, but managed to stay on
her feet and hang onto the yellow rose petal she’d found earlier that day.
Maybe someone would happen to open their door
and see her. She loved the swish and summery look of her skirt,
and also wanted to bring smiles to her elderly neighbors.
It was great being six years old!

— Becky Lewellen Povich

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

* I don't know why I can't get rid of the white highlighting, or even why it's there! Sorry! *

* IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES. IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES *

My title kind of says it all, doesn't it? It's spring time, or autumn, 

depending on what part of our beautiful world you live on. 

That's the "Best" part.

~~~~~

Then, we have the COVID-19 virus....

Obviously the "Worst" part. 

~~~~~

I sincerely hope all of you are well and staying 

away from people as much as possible. 

~~~~~

I hope this isn't the New Normal because

I can't imagine living the rest of my life 

as a germaphobe!

(And I love to give and receive hugs!)

~~~~~

I have some photos to share of outdoorsy things

and will post them when as soon as I get them ready!

* WHAT A DIFFERENCE A FEW DAYS/WEEKS MAKE *

I thought I should announce that I am alive and well, 

as is everyone else in my family, both far and near. 

And I pray the same for all of you, 

my wonderful friends both far and near. 

I have nothing else to post. Although I'm a writer,

my impressions of the world we're living in right now

won't come to surface for me to even try to put

on paper. 

I hope to be back fairly soon and hopefully by then, 

our lives will be "normal" again or as some people 

have said, the "new normal," which is a bit

frightening to me. 

Love and virtual hugs to all of you! 

P.S. I wonder how much my cell phone bill would be, 

if I called many of my long distance friends...

especially the ones living in a totally different country!

Wouldn't that be wonderful, though??

I leave you with some quotes and photos. 

...especially if we are forced to stay home!

Yep, that's what my problem usually is!

Sunshine (and warmth) on my shoulders makes me happy!
(and we haven't had either lately...)

Especially during these difficult times....