Coming or Going?

Is he working his way out of the berry? His little feet gripping the branch and pulling steadfastly away? Or is he nibbling his way in, pushing with intent to devour?

It's not always clear in nature. And it's not always clear in life.

Are the berries better when they're plump, filled with juice, and ripe with promise? Or when they suddenly burst from their tight skins, forming tiny perfect florets that will last all winter, reminding us of autumn's promise.

Bitter. Sweet.

Both.

Bully for the Fall Fairs

It's fall. Leaves are changing colour, geese are gathering on the river's edge,

and the fall fairs have begun. A chance for local farmers and their families  to gather  and gloat about the things they've grown this year...

Hmmm. Nice, uh, hooves.

The competitive spirit isn't the men's domain alone though. The women can be downright proud of their efforts too. Whether it's flower gardening...

or the gentler arts  of winter like quilting, tole painting, and decoupaging...

The front foyer decorative display category is always interesting too...

Bonny Burton nailed 1st place for her Washboard Bunny with the Baby in a Box.

After all that competition, it's good to go shoot a few rounds

 and blow off some steam. 

The neon snakes and pink plush pigs are sure to make you feel like a winner.

And the rides are fun too.

No age limits here, it's fun for all...

And just when you think you've seen  everything you hear the distant sounds of the bagpipes and it's time to greet the newly crowned princess...

Rural real Ontario.

Corny? Yes.

Home? That too.

For Willie

This is the sunset that painted the island gold the day you died.

Saturday.

Because we had to make an informed, tough, heart breaking decision.

Whatever animal attacked you on Friday night did so

with intention to fatally maim.

And succeeded.

The Vet said she had never seen anything like it.

Neither had I when I opened the door at 1:00 am and saw your bloody tears streaming from your right eye.

That was the only injury. But it was enough.

Through the eyelid  (I never knew that cats have 3 of them for extra protection) through the cornea, through the entire eyeball. And beyond...almost into the brain cavity. Most likely there...so that there could be no guarantees. Antibiotics might stave off infection. Then again, they might not.

And most definitely, your eye would have to be removed. And your eyelid stitched shut for at least a week. And you would be in terrible pain.

And no guarantees that you would survive this.

My heart aches.

We chose to follow the Vet's recommendation...and so you are not here.

You are in the wind...and I heard you cry today when it thundered.

And so I cried too.

You were just learning how to be a cat with human friends

that you chose to live with. And we were learning together.

I feel like we betrayed you, and I'm so sorry.

But not sorry for having met you.

It wasn't long...and it wasn't enough. 

Willie.