Let’s call it détente

I think it should be called good news. Tillie has taken to jumping off the dryer to join the family. I don’t know if she can jump back up, or even on to the bed, but when she joins us, I make it a point to hold her and bring her to bed. Yes, even in the middle of the day.

And she and Max have made a fragile peace.

(I tried to get a selfie of Tillie and I snuggling, but when Tillie saw the pics, she was outraged! So they didn't make it to the blog!)

72°

It’s the warmest day since last October, (maybe yes, maybe no, but probably) in the Upper Valley.

Yee haw, the house is open wide!

And my last post should have included:

A happy birthday to all the Parker men.

Statistically speaking, it isn't odd the Howard and Richard shared the same birthday, but Bob was also born on April 6th. 

It wasn't an easy day for the Parker clan. But they all seem to have survived. I spoke with Howard and Marianne and emailed with Bob. 

One year ago tonight, Richard and I had dinner at the 6th Street Bistro. We made happy, but we were both scared. I only got teary eyed once. Then Richard reminded me we were there for his birthday.

Another relic from the attic

Sixth Annual Theatre Conference in Valdez, AK.

And happy birthday, Mr. Parker!

My sense of humor, for sure!

I sent this to Richard when we were talking about me moving to DC instead of him moving to Hood River.

One year ago today, my world came crashing in.

I wrote this on 4/4/13:

At 3PM, I got a call at work from Richard. He was at work in The Dalles and wouldn’t be home until well after I got home. He told me that there was a message on the phone at home, and he didn’t want me to hear it that way. 

Then he asked me for a moment. He hadn’t said this out loud before. It was hard. 

I’ve used those lines before. I knew this was not good news. 

He went to the doctor this morning. I thought it was pretty much a routine check-up, even though I know  Richard went in a couple of weeks early, as he had concern about weight loss (not a problem for me) and a couple of other non-descript complaints. I assumed, more than anything he was concerned about his diabetes. 

“Everything is pretty good from the blood tests. My diabetes is actually down a little.” 

“That’s good”, I replied. 

“But the doctor had me do a chest x-ray. They found something on my lung.” 

Crash! 

“I’m having a CT scan tomorrow.” 

I joked, “Be thankful you don’t have Carpal Tunnel. You’d be in pain for a month or two before anyone will bother… they’re seeing you tomorrow? 

“Yes."

The honors for Richard flow in.

CAST, the local community treatre group told me today that they are naming their scholarship fund after Richard. And there will be a tribute to him on April 13^th at the Center for the Arts.

The Columbia Gorge Orchestra Association is talking about naming an endowed chair for Richard. The CGOA is the umbrella organization that includes Voci, the community choir that Richard sang with. And he was the treasurer of the organization.

I am awed at the love and respect he had in this community.