July 23rd; A Day Like No Other

It has been a while. I apologize. Boo hoo. Let's do this.

I woke up today feeling different. Hard to explain exactly what had changed but the point was that I knew that my mood could go one way or the other. I could actually sense my little brain-bites deciding whether or not this was going to be a "good day" or a "bad day".

After eating and showering, I chose to take the dogs on a walk despite the threat of rain. Earlier on when I was letting the dogs out, I had momentarily felt that the air had a warm but not hot breeze running through it. I thought this might be nice to walk in.

Indeed, within the first few minutes, it began to drizzle but I continued on. The sensation was one I hadn't felt in a while and I wanted to enjoy it. The dogs didn't seem to mind at all so I took the luxury of going a little slower than usually just to "take it all in". By the time I was only a few hundred feet from home, the rain had gotten quite heavy.

Still, I was loving every moment of it. There was this huge stupid grin on my face and must have confused people that were driving past. I didn't care. I was happy. While it was just a little walk in the rain it made me realize that one should never "sweat the small stuff". So I got caught in the rain - so what? I will be dry in thirty minutes. No real harm AT ALL was done.

If I have the ability to "turn around" something that would usually make me grumpy, then I have the power to do that in other aspect of my life - perhaps even on a greater scale. Lately my thoughts have been on two things, the greater being school. I am worried about the coming year and it's difficult. I am concerned about the pressure to pursue my degree after graduating from college. Heck, I am even a little anxious about living with only girls next year. However, there is no need.

The really important things in my life are stable. I have family, friends, healthy and happiness. All the other stuff is a bonus. I know I am a resourceful and capable young man so the rest will fall into place accordingly. And if for some reason it doesn't, oh well. I work on it when I get there. Fretting now will accomplish nothing.

I just thought I would share that little bit of insight. It made me feel good. And powerful.



- Jeffrey

July 2; The Cat Came Back

I decided to keep Gaidyn. The kitten won me over. I cannot believe it but the little monster wiggled his way into my heart.

Here is how it happened. After his brother, Kodiak, moved to a new home, I decided Gaidyn needed some company. He would cry when he was alone. The obvious location for him upstairs was my bedroom. I guess that was my first mistake but, onward in the story we go. I took the beast to the cottage with me. Aside from being beyond adorable, Gaidyn emerged from the basement with an astounding personality. My father was downright silly around him and even my mother seemed to really like him. Gaidyn would tear around the cottage and do his signature “zombie walk”.

Then it happened – the act that tied me forever to this little life. Gaidyn disappeared while I was working away on my vegetation collection, my mother was lying down and my father was making some call outside. For a half an hour, we all tore the cottage apart – calling his name every second – desperate to find the kitten. After a while, we all agreed he has to be outside somewhere. The search began.

Fairly quickly, my hopes of finding him were diminishing. By the hour and a half mark, the voice inside of head said that some vulture had swooped down and taken Gaidyn away from us forever. I know that sounds completely ridiculous but the mind is an amazing magician. The most impossible things flow steady through my imagination.

My father was distraught. My mother apologized every time she saw my glum face. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like crying or running but I knew both of those things would accomplish nothing. I felt so silly. It was just a kitten from some barn and I already had fallen in love. It was a set up for disaster.

Then, finally – miraculously – he just reappeared from seemingly nowhere. It was a grand celebration and I promised to myself and God that if Gaidyn came back I would keep him safe from then on in. I always keep my promised. The kitten is now officially an Ethier.

I wonder how he is going to change as he gets older. I wonder if the same playfulness and spunk will stand the test of time. Spooky lived all his 16+ years as a kitten in spirit – I do not see why things would be any different with Gaidyn. He has certainly formed a bond with me and I intend to foster that special connection.

Here’s to him – Gaidyn, the King of Tabbies


- Jeffrey