Here I get my template all set up to write an entry, and I can't think of anything to say. Not that there's nothing to say, I just don't quite know how to say things. *sigh* Just when I thought things were improving, they went downhill again. Such is life, I suppose, but still . . .

My Aunt Helene - actually my Great-Aunt Helene - passed away on Sunday. She had lung cancer. We found out over Mother's Day weekend that she was sick, and at the time were told she had about six months to live. We knew it could happen at any time, but it still seemed sudden.

Just like HarleyGirl. Sudden.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

Gone, but not forgotten.

My Aunt Helene always did crochet work, and I still have several of the things she's made over the years. Most of them are Christmas items - festive red and green pot holders and dishtowels, coasters and Christmas tree decorations. They're all so cute and obviously handmade. That makes them so much more special!

She'd always send cards, too, for Christmas and birthdays, and "just because." Always with a two or three page letter written in black felt tip pen on white stationery. Always nicely written letters about what's happening in her life and with her kids and friends and stuff. Even though I don't really know these people very well, it was always nice to hear about the goings on of other family members, distant as they are.

I would always send her a card and letter, too. Because she had poor sight, I would usually type a letter using a large clear font on bold. A week ago I sent her another card - the Happy Spring card I made earlier this month - and a brief handwritten (in black felt tip and as nicely as I could print it) letter telling her about the weather and the garden and the flowers, etc. I have no idea if she got it in time. I have no idea if that matters or not now.

All I know is I'm ready for all this to stop! People need to stop dying - suddenly or otherwise. Just stop it!

I'm so glad I have another small vacation starting today at 5. Really it's just a weekend with a paralegal conference at the start of it with a couple personal days attached to the end, but still, it's a break, and I need it!

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Escape

Reading: The Death of Right and Wrong: Exposing the Left's Assault on Our Culture and Values by Tammy Bruce; Call Me Crazy by Anne Heche; The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin & Nicola Kraus; Ella Minnow Pea, a novel in letters by Mark Dunn

Classic Book: The Crucible by Arthur Miller. (Jewel and I have actually just finished reading this and will be starting Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind soon!)

Listening to: Toby Mac: Momentum; Lillix: Falling Uphill; Play: Replay; Jewel: 0304; Simple Plan: No Pads, No Helmets . . . Just Balls; "Weird Al" Yankovic: Poodle Hat

Writing: Nothing new.

Gratitude: Another vacation!

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