Dear So and So

[OakLeaf]

Dear feral dogs who showed up at our house last year and would not leave, no matter how long it had been since your last meal - who would not be trapped, no matter how delectable the bait - and who would not be tamed, no matter how often you ate from our hands or how curious you were about our comings and goings -

It's true, for most of the past 15 months I wished you would just leave, and now that you're gone, I wish you would come back.

I feel guilty about leaving for a long weekend, even though I topped your food dishes up extra tall and left an extra water dish, even though you'd been "home" alone for that long before, in worse weather.

I know better than to hope that you might be safe someplace else. So with two wishes I will try to let go of you: that whatever happened to you was quick; and that in puppy-dog heaven you will finally experience reciprocal love for someone other than each other.

[Becky]

Geez Oak, that's heartbreaking! I'm sorry, and thank you for all that you did for them.

[indysteel]

((((Oak)))). As someone who had grown attached to her "own" feral animals, I know I'm in risky emotional territory myself and appreciate how you must feel. You did what you could for these animal--and more than a lot of people would have. Hopefully they're in a better place now.

[indysteel]

Dear tree removal company,
THANKS!! You did a stellar job with that crane. And you even stacked up some of the wood for me to use as firewood next year. I'm impressed.

Dear Insurance Company,
Somehow I knew you'd come around to my way of thinking given the right incentives.

Best,
Tulip

Yay! I hope that means that the insurance company agreed to cover all or some of the cost of the tree removal.

[Biciclista]

Dear Big fat comedian in the sky
I am glad you are getting such a kick out of my tribulations. Today my DH is coming home from the hospital immunosuppressed, and I have a sore throat? Yes, I looked up side effects of flu shots, and this isn't one of them. Ironically I am even taking antibiotics for another ridiculous issue, but the sore throat (yes, it's red, thank you) is still a sore throat.
What next? a plague of locusts?
Thanks for thinking of me
M

[Reesha]

Time for a warm salt water gargle? Or two? Or three? Sore throats are the worst!

[NbyNW]

I actually find that a neti pot helps with sore throat ...

Hope things clear up, Mimi!

-------

Dear buzzy stinging insect,

Thanks for keeping me up all night. I especially appreciated waking up with a fat lip at 5:30 am. My dog was happy too, as he loves getting his first walk at daybreak, while I prefer to get out of bed at a sane hour.

I am not a happy camper this morning!

[Reesha]

I actually find that a neti pot helps with sore throat ...

Hope things clear up, Mimi!

Oooo absolutely, especially if it's a post-nasal drip sore throat!

[Blueberry]

Oh Mimi - that sucks I'm sorry.

I will say - I've had repeated sore throats immediately following flu shots (too many times that it's not possible I was just getting sick each time). Hopefully it's just that or allergies of some form....

[Trek420]

((mimi & don))) Sending virtual chicken soup

[Biciclista]

it's not the sore throat i'm worried about, it's the possibility of giving it to DH!!!

[NbyNW]

it's not the sore throat i'm worried about, it's the possibility of giving it to DH!!!

We know. We're just hoping if you nip it in the bud it won't go looking for a new host.

If it's any consolation, I think my allergies have been up this week, so I don't know if that's what's causing your sore throat, but at least allergies aren't contagious.

How is Don feeling otherwise?

[Possegal]

Oh Mimi I feel for you! Back in 2008 they tried to remove my sister's lung tumor. Unsuccessful, but she still had to recover from lung surgery. I had taken off work with the idea that I could be home for up to 6 weeks helping to take care of her as she recovered. I ended up getting a wicked respiratory infection and before I could get out of their house, I gave it to her. UGH. WORST SISTER EVER. She kept saying - you don't know that I got it from you. I pointed out that she hadn't been out of the house for 2 weeks. Really a no-brainer there.

At least we laugh about it. Now.

Hope you are feeling better pronto and that the black cloud clearly following you around, gets lost!

[Biciclista]

The Donald feels great. He went on a bike ride in the glorious sun, while I laid down with a book -- also in the sun. We have a 100k to do tomorrow and gee, which one of us looks like they might not be up for it?? (sigh)
He is amazing, that's all I can say.

Possegal, argh, so it DOES happen. EEEEEK.

[Possegal]

Possegal, argh, so it DOES happen. EEEEEK.

Honestly, it was my own stupidity. The minute I started to feel like I was possibly getting sick, I should have told her and taken the precautions to keep my germs to myself. It was complicated and not worth explaining it all but if I had just said - oh hey, I think I may be getting sick, and then started sanitizing things and keeping my distance from her, even putting on a mask, I bet it would have turned out differently. So I'd say let me be the lesson and don't try and pretend it is all fine, which you clearly are not based on your post here. And we'll all keep hoping that this is nothing and you wake up tomorrow and think - well what was that all about?

It was so stupid considering I was the one making everyone else be cautious and keeping her healthy all the rest of the time. Seriously stupid of me.