April is the Cruelest Month

So, hi. Sorry for the long absence. It was unplanned, unwanted, and just…well…let me explain.

For some time my trusty Mac hasn’t been all that trusty. As in, taking five minutes or so to boot up only to crash, the photo app not working at all. Long story short, the computer stopped working last month, and I learned the hard drive died.

The necessary part was of course offshore, and would be offshore for some time.

When the computer was finally ready for pickup, I was unable to get it, having fallen ill with migraine. Your hostess suffers migraines with some frequency, and they are debilitating. But it’s been years since she’s had a migraine that woke her in the wee hours and sent her into the restroom to relieve her stomach contents.

Having recovered enough to drive and thus pick up the computer, I plugged it back in long enough for our friends at AT&T to show up and promptly disconnect our internet service. You might recall our ongoing issues with internet and phone service disconnections led to my filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau last year. To AT&T’s credit, they dealt with my complaint rapidly, and left me with contacts should the situation recur. These contacts were used, and our internet was restored yesterday.

In the midst of all this, I had a carpal tunnel flare, so I couldn’t type anyway.

You might imagine my frustration. All the while I kept reminding myself these were first world problems, which offered little comfort in the moment.

Do know I managed to cook a few dishes in the midst of what felt like a chaotic month, and I will do my utmost to get these posted.

I hope your April was better than mine.

Meanwhile….

 

Meet Marilyn.

Marilyn was being fostered by a neighbor who works with The Milo Foundation, an animal rescue organization in Northern California. We’ve had her about three months. Marilyn is the shyest cat I have ever lived with. To date neither of us have been able to pet her. But she’s improving daily. She isn’t unfriendly or hissy, just shy. Marilyn’s hobbies include killing bugs, looking out the window from her cat tree, and eating. Marilyn loves to eat. She’s very gentle, and not at all destructive. And as you can see, she’s a beauty, and enjoys being told so.

Chairs left out and about.

Finally, it’s wild rose season.

Thank you for waiting around while I get it together.