~ Emil first day out of hospital, 5 weeks old ~

Sat 12 Nov 2005
9:01 a.m.

Had a scare when I went to post yesterday’s entry and the computer froze up so completely that even with about six reboots, it appeared to be dead to the world. Just this week I had saved my most important work files to disks, so they at least would not be lost. But my overflowing address book, and my most recent photos, which I intend to have printed, would have been lost. Pictures of Mom are in that folder. I spent yesterday steeling myself for the possibility that the computer would not cooperate — ever again. It’s bound to happen sooner or later, even with a Mac, right? And I should have been prepared.

It was another beautiful day out there. Scott tore the deck off on Wednesday evening and had the new floor on by suppertime yesterday. I helped him a little, but mostly stood around with nothing to do when I was out there, so the kitchen cupboards got tackled instead. Except for the doors and the outside of the drawers, which can be done out in the shop, I got them sanded and washed so that this morning I can prime and this afternoon I can paint.

As busy as we were yesterday, I took the time to go for a walk. Often I stand out in the field and turn in every direction, seeing not one building, awed by the vastness of the land and sky, breathing in the fresh clear air, overwhelmed by the beauty and so grateful to be in the midst of it.

***

I dreamed that I was caring for Mom, who was having difficulty with pain and discomfort. Several times throughout the dream I remembered that Mom is gone and so she is not suffering, and that was a relief. In this dream, Mom had an infant, and I was lovingly caring for it.

When I got up an hour ago, the computer was running just fine. Don’t ask me what the problem was. Finicky damn machines. Now, to get my address book to save to a disk. And to buy a CD-burner or an external hard drive, or something, next time I get to the city. There is always so much shopping and running around to do when we go to Saskatoon that computer stuff gets shuffled to the bottom of the list and doesn’t get done. No more. Let me never be caught with my pants down again.

~ At five weeks, he weighed 4 and 1/2 lbs ~

Sign at the local bar:
Cold beer
Cheaper than
LBS

I have been wondering for weeks what sense that makes: "Cold beer, cheaper than pounds" — Huh? Mentioned it to Scott last night when we went to town for supper. He looked at me sideways (well, wouldn't you?) and said "liquor board store."

Seriously, I'm not even a quarter as intelligent as I look.