Ah, it is April, Eliot’s “cruelest month”, and we are losing too many friends. John Stoeckley’s departure last Thursday, March 28, leaves a particularly wrenching absence. His obituary can be read here https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/stltoday/name/john-stoeckley-obituary?id=54754777
We met John and his beloved Karen when we moved to Pike County in 1990, and have been good friends ever since. John’s artwork continues to grace our life, while he is gone, too soon. He was a kind and gifted artist with a huge talent and a heart to match. Godspeed, John. Rest in peace.
Last year, we lost Harry’s close friend Denny, a pal since childhood, and his family paid us a visit on Saturday, almost a year to the day after Denny died. It was a bittersweet day, with some sadness, but more joy, as Denny’s grandchildren are filled with youthful delight. They are living life with their grandfather’s enthusiasm carried forward, and we shared fond memories on a beautiful Spring day.
Eddy is also good with older people!
I have not been riding, but Jane provides me a vicarious thrill when she rides through.
I have been over to Ali’s Boxwood to watch some lessons, getting myself inspired to get back in the saddle. Leah was here on Spring Break from school in Indiana and rode a couple of jumping horses. She was staying in St. Louis with Lotta and riding dressage (including my favorite Crumlin) during her holiday.
The world is exploding into beauty, sadness or no sadness, frost or rain, the sun returns, the sap is rising around us. It is glorious.
The big bear is making progress, now in waxes that will go to the foundry.
Cats and birds always catch the camera.
Highlight of the week was a visit yesterday with Diane, as she made her way back to Ocala from Belton, Missouri, near Kansas City, after clearing up her husband’s estate. We have not seen Diane for over 20 years, and she is unchanged. We had a short, joyful visit at the Wright City McDonald’s. She gave us a beautiful fox drawing that will keep her close here always, as it hangs in a place of honor on our bedroom wall. Diane also brought with her some cold weather from the west. The temperature dropped about twenty degrees while we were visiting!
Eddy disgraced himself on Monday (April Fool’s Day), running off just as big storms were moving in. He was not afraid of the weather, he only wanted to chase deer. Miraculously, I intersected him at the back of the far hayfield, and lured him into the mule. Here he is, home again, quite pleased with his adventure and not at all chagrined. A very bad boy!
Frogs are singing, along with the birds. Horses are enjoying the spring grass and their little happy herd.
The world continues to soothe us with splendor, even as we suffer losses. We are fortunate in the beauty around us, and in friendships present and absent.
Be safe, be well, treasure your friends. Slava Ukraini! Peace.
April is proving more like a lion than a lamb!
I’m so sorry about your friend. It’s good you had visitors and spring flowers to cheer you up. That Eddy is quite a lad but obviously a very lovable one.
Greetings from Mexico City,
I’m so sorry about your losses. It’s awful to lose loved ones. I hope Harry’s upcoming procedure goes well. Always love your photos and updates. So glad you intercepted Eddy and he’s home safely. Happy Spring🥰.
The Cardinal immediately draws my thoughts to the Vatican (or the Basilica); he so looks as though he belongs, strolling behind incense, and waving that smoke. Weedy’s photo needs to be framed, so perfect! Eddie, how does one stop his running off? Where is Barbara Woodhouse or Cesar Millan when you need them? Anne, I can’t imagine you out of the saddle. Kudos to Jane, and Derry looking so fine! As losses of our friends pile up so do the wonderful memories. Let’s keep sending them, and our living friends loads of tender intimate love.
Love the scary Bear Head.
So many cat pictures, so good!!