Controlled burn vs wildfire

By the time you read this, I'll be in Pittsburgh visiting my brother! I'm heading out Wednesday, April 5th and will be back on Sunday. I need it after this weekend. ManChild and B-Rad took a short trip to DC over the weekend and I spent 3 nights wonderfully alone—for the first time since before Mom crossed over. I had no idea what was going to happen.

Dad called on Friday after the boys left to ask if I wanted to come get Mom's Limoges china. OMG! Yes! She had been collecting every beautiful bit she could find since the early 80s and it was a huge hodgepodge of gorgeousness. She passed her love down to me ❤️ What's more beautiful than scalloped gold edges and dainty, handpainted flowers?

I thought it would take me a couple of hours to pack it up and get it home but we got to talking. :-) Four hours later... Getting all the boxes unpacked and into my own china cabinet full of my own Limoges took part of the day on Sunday. And now mine looks like hers did, stuffed to the gills with beauty ❤️

I was talking to my grief counselor this morning (Monday) and said that my grief was like a controlled burn in a forest most days—I could decide when and where (mostly.) But once everyone was out of the house and I was surrounded by something she and I both loved and collected...it was a wildfire. Completely out of control. The dogs spent a fair amount of time licking my face and cuddling with me, trying to help. Sweet babies.

Once I got all of that loaded into the cabinet I opened two additional boxes. The first one was photos and the second all the stuff from the top of her dresser: pottery, photos, more Limoges that she put her daily jewelry in at the end of the day.

And her perfume.

Always surprising how hard scent hits you isn't it?

Just so much ugly crying this weekend.

Here are a few of my favorite photos I've found so far:

My pretty mommy:

I don't think anyone loved their kids more:

First trip to Colorado:

With my brother Michael:

SPRING AT THE RANCH:

I had no idea this plant (Letherleaf Mahonia) had berries:

I've not seen this on a tree before:

It's that time of year, the Dogwoods are in bloom! My Mom's favorite and no wonder, aren't they beautiful?

Iris:

When I let the goats out for a wander in the morning, they inevitably end up in the lower garage with me for a bit while I load everything up, "Whatcha doing? How's it goin'?" Then they wander off into the forest and graze for a bit.

Sweetness has the softest nose:

I love how they sun themselves in the morning:

Always watching to make sure I'm safe:

THE MEMES:

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