Tough Times

I haven't had a lot of crafty mojo these past few weeks.

Skip died here at home at the end of May after a long, and difficult battle with cancer which we had been dealing with since October of 2022. The past couple of months in particular, he needed a lot more care so I really didn't do much knitting, sewing or stitching. I just didn't have the 'bandwidth' for that.

We were together 29 years this spring and would have been married 26 years on June 29. The visitation on June 7 was at the funeral home - no formal service or speeches and lots of fun chatter. Things have been moving in somewhat slow motion ever since.

These are the photos that were in the card that was provided to visitors at the funeral home.

This is my favourite photo of Skip. We were all dressed up to attend my Aunt Margaret's funeral in May of 2015.

This was the original shot. A friend said Skip reminded him of John Slattery from 'Mad Men', the same actor who played the character, Bill Kelley, in an episode of 'Sex and the City'. LOL.

Skip modeling the Icelandic Riddari sweater I knit him.

One of our winter holidays on South Padre Island TX.

Skip and Scooter at a downtown (Toronto) restaurant.

I posted this one on Facebook. It was taken on our epic, back-to-back, 4-part trip in 2012 which included a 6-day Caribbean cruise, a 6-day transAtlantic cruise, and 6-day Mediterranean cruise all on the MSC Poesia, and ending with a 4-day Italian tour from Genoa to Rome. We travelled with our dear friends Susan (RIP) and David.

Our friends have be so attentive and kind. 

I tested positive for COVID early last week which forced me to stop everything and take care of myself. I only had allergy/cold-like symptoms plus massive fatigue so a couple of days of total sloth took care of most of that. Yesterday's rapid test only had a faint line.

and no line at all this morning.

Yay! I am free to leave the house and resume normal activities.

I have been knitting a Musselburgh hat for a friend using some lovely Malabrigo sock yarn in the Abril colourway.

I knit a little bit on it every night when I'm sitting watching TV.

This morning I was able to get some business done for Skip's estate via telephone calls and email. Other than having to speak to someone at the bank, I am in no hurry.

I am making my way through my grief. The grieving actually started back when we first got Skip's terminal cancer diagnosis, but nothing prepares one for the shock when the death occurs. Waves of grief are triggered by such mundane things; I just roll with them and when appropriate, don't try to suppress them. The catharsis is good, I believe. In time it will hurt a little less.

I have had a lot of time to get used to having to do everything around the house, keep track of doctor appointments and schedules, administer Skip's medications, get him to the hospital for appointments and treatments, etc. etc.   As challenging as all that was, I was so happy to do it and anything that would make his existence more comfortable.

I now have all that time freed up to resume 'normal' activities. It will take some time to get new routines established. In particular, I need to undertake more physical activity. I'm also able to plan excursions and trips, too.

One positive in all of this is that I've lost enough weight to fit into summer clothes I haven't been able to fit into for several years. 'There's got to be a pony in here somewhere' ~ Homer Simpson.

I sure hope I get my crafty mojo back. I have SO MANY projects underway and new ones I'd like to start.