One Art by Elizabeth Bishop

The art of losing isn't hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.

Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.

I lost my mother's watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn't hard to master.

I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn't a disaster.

--Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan't have lied. It's evident
the art of losing's not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.

Surpassing the love of people

Oh Cecilia - you're breakin my heart!

Thelma

always in my heart...

better instincts

You walked in the door
as I was walking out -
and I hoped you would stay...
and for almost twelve years
you chased me -
and I chased you
and you met me at the door
and met me at my car
and danced me through lonely nights
you comforted me when I cried
and then left me alone to make a very hard decision.

I miss your wise ways.

Chester Climbs the Mimosa

This has been the year of lost animals. First Chester, then Emi and now Sweet Pea. I think Sweet Pea just wanted to join Chester in the land of constant tuna. Or he missed his unconditional love. Probably both. Chester would force his gorgeous purring self onto strangers, and his engine would hum louder than any happy cat I have ever had the pleasure to know. I should be so lucky to ever be appreciated this much again. I miss him very much.

Emi

Emi

[Photo]July 15, 2007

Emilio the Bunny

July 2005—July 2007

Emi the sweet, loving and a wacky California Giant bunny died today – peacefully, out on the deck that overlooks Coats Alley in Northside, Ohio. He seems to have died in his sleep – from a cause unknown. He hadn’t shown any signs of sickness or harm. After finishing a gourmet meal of zucchini and lettuce the night before – he retired for the evening outside on the deck, where he was found the next morning.

He loved most foods and some non-foods, his preference being red peppers and zucchini (the Italian in him) but he also loved apples and carrots too. He loved to be petted and loved having his ears massaged.

Emilio was named after Emilio Roma, because he was purchased from the Ohio State fair on August 11, 2005, 18 years to the day after ER III passed away from a severe heart attack. Emi peaked out of a cage in a room full of fuzzy bunnies. A chunk from his left (upright) ear had been bitten off by his mother, and his other ear suffered tendon damage and fell down like a floppy eared rabbit. This gave him an irresistible appeal. He also was bouncing around the cage when all other bunnies were comatose from the humid and intense heat in the fair tent. I immediately searched for the owner – and purchased Emi.

Emi will be missed by his many admirers for his dancing, jumping and twisting, his nibbling antics and his sweet yet sometimes difficult nature. He was a happy, joy-filled rabbit. He had a vertical jump of about one foot when startled or happy, and he would twist about while airborne — which made even people indifferent to bunnies — smile.

Me