As The Winds Cool The Earth

That’s another picture of Jinx’s likely sister, taken from the shelter’s Facebook page, which I was able to access even without having an account there. The resemblance is remarkable. Same slightly worried facial expression.

Due to their very limited hours, the first day we’ll be able to visit the shelter to see her will be Saturday at one pm. We’ll see how it goes. I asked Dixee how she’d like to have a little big sister. She said, “Knee grow, please,” and walked away to watch Mrs. Orr cook supper.

Supper was homemade chili and cheddar & garlic biscuits. Perfect fare for a chilly night like this.

***

I saw a friend today who told me that his wife died recently, after almost 60 years of marriage. She had been sick for some time, and was having trouble getting physically comfortable enough to sleep. He said the morning she died, she’d had a really rough night and he had sat up with her while she sat in her recliner, trying to nap. Finally at about six am, she said, “I think I’m ready to get in bed now. I think I can sleep.” So he helped her to bed and got in with her, and they both fell asleep, holding hands. About an hour later, he came fully awake and looked over at her. She had died quietly during that hour. They were still holding hands.

He wept a little while telling me the story, but he brightened before we parted company. “I’ll see her again,” he said with a smile, his eyes watery.

“I believe you will,” I said.

“Did I ever tell you I used to be an evangelist?” he asked. “I shore did. Used to preach all over these mountains before the wife took ill and I had to stay home with her. You reckon my preachin’ ever did her any good?”

I patted his shoulder and said, “I think that in you, she had everything she needed.” He seemed to like that.

***

Politics is not one of my hobbies, but it was impossible not to know that an upstart named Glenn Youngkin unseated the vile Terry McAuliffe for the governorship of Virginia. This was apparently quite the big deal, given that the same voter bloc that helped Biden last year turned out to knock McAuliffe aside. Aside from his “parents have no right to question what their children are taught in public schools” philosophy, he is notable for his resemblance to Dan O’Hearlihy, who played the villainous Dan Suggs in the classic oat opera Lonesome Dove. I’ve been called unChristian and uncharitable many times for saying this in my life, but I often take an immediate and deep dislike for a person based entirely on his face. McAuliffe is one of those.

***

Now that we’ve had our first frost, a major day o’pruning is coming soon. I need to cut back the Rose of Sharon and grape arbor extensively, along with the snowball bush out back, the boxwoods along the side of the house, and the hollies out by the goat shed. I also need to deadhead the peonies (already did the limelight hydrangeas) and put away the garden hoses. Winterizing the lawn tractor is a priority, as well as some power-washing which I’ve been putting off for months and months. Lordy, how nice it would be to have this kind of chilly weather in which to work when everything is growing and blooming and demanding the attention of bladed implements.

***

I’m trying to convince Mrs. Orr to sew Jinx a vest bearing the legend “Survus Dog” on the side. I plan to put it on him and take him to the big box hardware store and watch people pet him. And then I’m going to say, “You know, he’s positive for the Covid…”

***

I’ve said it before and will continue to say it. Candles burning while one is praying are of inestimable value. The living fire turns the words into something delicate and powerful.

Rest well, my dear friends.

~ S.K. Orr