Moon

Image via Science On a Sphere

There was a full moon 14 years ago on the night when Ben found a little black kitten, who he named Moon.  Our Moon girl has had a good life, a life of leisure, I might say.  She hasn't had to hunt for food or look for warmth or affection.  She has had to deal with a young human cub these last nineteen months, but he has loved her and learned to be gentle with her in his adoration.  She, in turn, has been incredibly tolerant and sweet with him.  They are fast friends.  There have been plenty of scratches, but only when he deserved them.

Our Moon

I am so sad that we had to say goodbye to Moon this evening, and I am still kind of in shock.
I know I shouldn't be surprised.  She's an older cat, and has never been the picture of health.  We took her to the vet a week ago and found out she had hyperthyroidism, so I guess I thought she was getting better and would stick around for awhile.  If we lived in the country she probably would have left us a few weeks ago, and not come back.  But for some reason it's still a sad surprise.

Arlo really loves Moon, probably as much as we do.  He follows her around the house and says her name.  I really wanted her to live long enough for him to remember her.

I think we're going to be a family of two legged creatures for awhile.  I figure someday Arlo will ask for another pet, and we'll want to oblige his request.  But for now, all I can say is that I'm eternally grateful for the good times and the good love we had with Moon.  I will miss her a lot.

5th wedding anniversary

For our fifth wedding anniversary Ben and I decided to leave town at the very last minute.  Within 2 hours of making the decision, we were packed and on the road.  I think we both had been itching to get out of the city for awhile.  Pretty much every time we've gotten in the car the last month I've said "I wish we were going somewhere--I mean other than the grocery! I want to be in the woods" (or at the ocean or in the mountains, etc.)  We had numerous conversations that started with one of us asking "What if we just head north right now?  I mean we could wear the same clothes for a few days... hike, climb some rocks..."  So I certainly wasn't shocked when the moment came and we decided to get the heck out of town to celebrate our anniversary.  What a great excuse!  :) 

Ben and I both grew up in rural settings.  As a kid, I have a very clear memory of learning what the word "dusk" meant, because that's when I had to come home.  But other than that we would pack sandwiches and spend our days in the woods.  In the summer we tromped in Rocky Creek, in the winter we sledded Suicide Hill.  Ahh, sweet memories.

As a teenager I couldn't wait to escape country life and get lost in the city.  As an adult I've spent most of my time in cities, retreating to the country at every chance I get.  Having a baby in the city has cemented so many of my values, it still surprises me.  No matter whether we live here forever or end up somewhere else, it's crucial for me that my boy knows how things grow and where his food comes from.  He should know the leaves and the dirt and the sound of the birds.  He should know mud and wild onions and wild animals.  I remember with fond pride watching him pick his first (organic) apple off a tree and start munching.  He was 13 months old.

And now back to our story.

Shawangunks, NY  March 2011

For five years now Ben and I have been married.  For five years as a married couple, bound by law (!!) we've suffered each others' quirks and moods and enjoyed and annoyed.  And I'd do it all again.

We had unseasonably lovely weather for our anniversary, 2 days before the official start of spring.  Absolutely gorgeous weather, just like the day we were married.  I'm glad we were able to get out and enjoy it.  Together.

New yoga mat

A couple of months ago I got a new yoga mat.  I got a Manduka Pro-lite, and I tell you it's love.  I couldn't decide which Manduka to get, so I bought an EKO mat and a Pro-lite.  After practicing on both, I've decided to give the EKO to my husband.  Luckily I picked gender neutral colors when devising this plan.

My old mat served me well.  But it had a burn (from ear candling gone awry), cat scratches too numerous to count and sadly, two cat puke stains.  Plus it just didn't offer the same support as the Mandukas I'd tried at Virayoga.

Pic via Gaiam Life

I didn't want to throw it away though!  So I did some research on recycling and reusing yoga mats.  Here's an article that offers 50 ways to reuse your yoga mat.  We ended up using part of my old yoga mat to line the shelves where we leave our shoes upon entering the apartment and the rest as a pad under and around the cat litter.  Very useful!

We still have some scraps left, so maybe I'll try and tackle these yoga mat flip flops next.  Kinda awesome!