One Year of Lockdown: My Normal

I work pretty much in isolation. My work as an archivist in a very small university library necessitates a quiet and reflective environment: those who study there are expecting silence and that is what they get. But it is not a bustling place. As for myself, I have worked in this solitude for over 35 years, and therefore, this lockdown is not a hardship for me the way it is for others, and I feel sorry for them. Even my personal life is quiet and largely uneventful: no big family reunions, no large circle of friends, and so weekends and evenings are also quiet and peaceful. Usually. We like it, and the cats like it. 

Every moment is a fresh beginning.
T.S. Eliot

A recent Amaryllis festival in my window garden.

Kobi's Progress

Last May, following the death of his owner, who was our neighbour across the street, little Kobi was left an orphan.

Before he passed, we were asked, no,
instructed to take care of his beloved Kobi, no matter what.
But, we already had 6 cats!
Here is the little guy still at the old house, his home - his garden.
In the next few months, he would see many changes...lots of people, noises, some familiar, some not....coming and going.....

His master's furniture being moved out....here is the
old couch on the side of the road, and Kobi makes the most of it before it leaves for good.  

Waiting at the back door.... 

Waiting up on the porch railing, spotted there one evening... 

...with only the lonely sounds of the mobile to keep him company...

And finally it is done, it is final, the house, his house, goes up for sale. There is nothing left for him there, and the clock is ticking...time to check out the other side of the road...

In our back yard, getting to know the various lounging areas....

He spots Zena...oh boy...Zena will not be amused!

And at last, on the back porch, looking into the kitchen.... 

He realizes, this is home now.

Not bad at all.

A funny new resting area appears in December...

The Christmas tree was a total loss this year,
they were all in cahoots to bring it down,
ornament by ornament.

Ah, lounging by the fireplace,
Kobi and Ginja we can almost feel those "virtual" flames.
(TV fireplace channel!)

Spring is coming.
This bright-eyed feline is enjoying
the sun and the amaryllis blooms.

Prime real estate,
as all the furry residents know.
Ah, that afternoon sun!
Kobi has caught on fast!

Our Kobi. 

Introducing Kobi

Introducing Kobi. Our neighbour of many years across the street died on May 14 from a suddenly diagnosed cancer. His last wish was that we promise to take care of his beloved cat, Kobi. His elderly dog went with his master to the rainbow bridge within a day of each other. A very sad and emotional time for everyone involved. Here, Kobi is in our solarium, across the street from where he used to live. Of course the other furry residents were used to seeing him around in the garden occasionally, but inside the house, well that was another thing entirely. Luckily, after a few spurts of hissy-spitty-growly, it has not gone too badly, and he has not spent much time sequestered in the "adjustment room."  But we have had to be vigilant during the weeks following: the emptying of the house, sale of furnishings etc., sale of the house, including an open house event. Very sad.

Amaryllis Dancing Queen in the late spring sun