Things I did not know that I missed...

Horizons that stretch for miles

Sunsets that stretch for miles, and have amazing colors and shapes

Mom

Deciduous trees that create a burst of fall color

Dread of winter, with the longing for spring

Stars

Mom

Drivers that wave when you do something considerate

Drivers that get out of the way when a sirened vehicle is nearby

Drivers pulling off on the shoulder and stopping when a funeral procession passes

Using the high beams and driving through the dark of night

Going to my hometown

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I guess there is no mistaking the fact that I am squarely middle-aged.

Dad was right, it was time for me to come back.

It is different, for sure, but except for Dec to March each year, I'll be pretty darn happy with the decision.

Yes, I miss home, but so far only when I watch movies set in large urban areas with lots of interesting street life, cafes and restaurants along with colorful people. I'll always miss that.

I will miss my friends, too, but am going to work on calling them more often and being a bit more in touch.

I still miss Tashi immensely. It is as if a part of my soul has been ripped away.

Snuggie and Jaz are still behaving in ways that are out of the norm for them. Snuggie is picking up weight and looking more like a full grown male cat. Both of them are already starting to get their winter fur in. I cry every time I wonder what Tashi would look like with winter fur, or when I think of snow and how much he would have loved it.

Well, as happens often, my eyes are overflowing with tears, so I will sign off.