Easter Tuesday Evening

So nice to have light, color, and warmth again.

Happy Birthday Steve!

Tonight was another late arrival home.  More friends. Another birthday.

The Godson prepared a fabulous salad--and showed them how to properly cut up an avocado.

Birthday Boy wanted Blueberry Crisp for dessert.  No complaints there.

Gentleman gracefully embracing his later years with whippet.

Our Easter Table

We didn't eat there. She hasn't been home. But it still is quite pretty, I think.

Halibut Whisperer

Sunday evening she came home very late, having put a second helping in my plate before leaving me for Vespers and yet another Mass. It seems that a feast with some of our friends followed. The halibut chef taught her some important lessons about the best way to grill--grapeseed oil, salt and pepper with very fresh fish on a clean grill! 

And it was very good. She forgot to bring me scraps.  She said there was nothing left over!

Risen!

Hail Thee, festival day!

On Saturday They Waited for the Dark to Surround Them

Fire in the Dark Rain

They did not tarry around the Easter Fire this year. In the words of Exodus, they "got going."

Lumen Christi! 

Deo Gratias!

First Full Moon of Spring

Here it is!  It's time for Easter!

Good Friday

Behold.

Good Friday ---On the Way to Tre Ore

They were not headed there, but most likely to the convention center. 

Where is the Keeper?

She took two days off to "live the Triduum".

I am not sure what that means. 

But she hasn't been living it here very much with me. 

And so the Great Easter Triduum Began

And so the Festival began with traffic jams, follwed by haunting music, telling of  Passover,

proclamation of perpetual institutions with footwashing and inclusion as the bywords.

Doo Dah!

The keeper fed me early and headed off to a night at the races, an auction for HNA. She even wore a hat. Auction items, like reserved parking spots went for $8,000, and a week in a Paris flat went for $5,000.  

However, the best part was the company.

St. Patrick Observed

The gang got together to celebrate St.Patrick tonight.

With great stories, political insights, and memories, they all feasted on some of the best appetizers and drinks, the most delicious corned beef, potatoes, and salted honey ice cream and Irish Coffee ever created. The whippets had fun as well.

Poor Mary Stuart

Last night I ate early because the keeper was off to the opera to see Mary Stuart. 

All didn't end well.  Mary lost her head. But she went to the scaffold and hatchet with a lot of class.

Celebrating an Elder

Friday night I waited quite a while for dinner. 

The keeper was out at another dinner with older friends celebrating.

They sang a hymn and took a quiz in honor of the elder.

Hanging Out with Film Stars

Thursday afternoon, the keeper and several other way more notable people were filmed.

She thought that this film star looked pretty relaxed and camera ready.

Tying Up a Few Too Many Loose Ends

We watched THE FINALE last night. Many things turned right side up. 

Perhaps a few too many, says I.

But we cheered when Spratt's writing career took off, when Molesly was offered a position, and when Barrow was invited back to take Carson's place.  And of course, when Lady Edith finally found happiness.  But that one was predictable.

We think the puppy came out all right too.

Poor Mrs. Hughes is now stuck with Mr. Carson moping around the cottage for eternity, and he can't use his hands.  Great way to get out of household tasks. 

Remembering Lord Cecil

Today we remember Lord Cecil who left us 2 years ago on this day.  It was Ash Wednesday, and it certainly felt like it.  This afternoon we lit candles in Kittyrood and stood remembering him in the moments of sunlight which suddenly appeared. What a fine boy he was!What a fine companion!

I still miss him.

Sunday Visitors

At Mass today the keeper got to see Suzy's son, daughter in law, and some beautiful children, including the miraculous Cecilia who has survived heart surgery.

The tulip tree glistened in the downpour.

A Visit to the Vet

I hate it when the cage comes out and I am whisked away to the building with so many animal smells.

I was having upper respiratory difficulty and needed drugs.  While I was there i had my claws trimmed so I wouldn't shred the keeper's face and hands when she tries to give me the drugs.

Before I came home, we saw a family of 8 bring in their beloved old dog who was not going to go back home with them. The dog knew. Every animal in the building knew what was coming.  We all shed a tear and went home subdued, grateful for more time with each other.

End of A Great Generation

Rest in Peace, W.E.C.

This week the keeper's uncle died.  He was a rather amazing individual from the reports she is sharing with me.  He was the last of her mother's 9 siblings to die. His death marks the closing of a very colorful chapter and the passing of a generation which was bigger than life.

Bill and Virginia, the keeper's godparents.

The siblings long long ago with their parents.

Most of the siblings much later burying their aunt.