Did you miss me?

Of course, you did! It’s been over a month since I regaled you with News from Sonnystone Acres, and I apologize for leaving you hanging there, waiting with bated breath, wondering what’s goin’ on in my fascinating life.

We started November out by celebrating the Days of the Dead aka All Saints/Souls Days at the Marion Church Cemetery. I’d been up there with my brother a couple of weeks earlier and had noticed that many of my ancestors’ graves were quite black. We did some research on gravestone cleaning and spent a few hours there using Wet ‘n Forget. I made some videos telling the stories of the people buried under the graves we were cleaning, namely my great-uncles Chester and Herbert, and great-aunt Nellie. The next day — seriously, the very next day — I discovered I had Aunt Nellie’s story All Wrong, so I’ll have to make a new video when we return. The WetnForget is supposed to work over time, and we’re excited to go back up there this week.

Researching my ancestors took up a lot of my time. I managed to publish a newly-revised bio of my great-great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Franklin Mayne on November 9, and moved on to my great-great grandparents, Emma and Leander. I thought I knew their whole story and would only be editing the previous version, but surprise! (no surprise) my research uncovered new info. Still a work in progress…

Cousin Lana and I attended the UE performance of the musical Rent on the 19th. They did a great job and the girls’ voices were impressive. We always enjoy the Sunday matinee; flat Ronna didn’t make the trip this time…

Thanksgiving was fun! The Jrs were here for the Macy’s Parade and some lunch….

My old man had a birthday, #69… He is such a baby, never catches up with me no matter how I try to lag behind and wait for him. Sure glad he was born…

December 2 found us (Casey, Samantha, and me) at the New Harmony Christmas Parade. A lot of firetrucks, tractors, and even a marching band this year! entertained us.

But The Grinch stole the show…

All this time, Wink has been giving us a lot of consternation. His eating slowed, he slept more, seemed out-of-it, but no real complaint or pain. By Thanksgiving, he couldn’t make it upstairs to his catbox anymore, so we moved it to our bedroom, but now he’s not pooped in ages and barely pees. He can no longer jump. He’s stopped eating, though we try to feed him anything we can think of. He does drink water. He can’t move his legs too well, but he insists on going out on the back porch every morning, even went out on the front porch the other evening. We look for any sign that he might get better, but at the ripe old age of 19 1/2 years, it’s doubtful. Because we’re leaving for NYC on the 14th, we feel like we have to make a decision on his future. We’re just so sad.

Sorry to leave you on that low note, but it’s Reality…and Reality bites. Thank goodness we’re in the Christmas Season and have family get-togethers and such to distract us. Who could be uncheery while watching the Rockettes?

Hope it’s Cheery in your neck of the woods…

Peace