It seemed to me that Rosie ought to make an appearance on the first day of the new bedlamfarm.com. I am not into looking back, not in a morbid mood. Rose had a great life, and I intend to have one as well.  Lots of people have asked for more photos of her, and I hesitate a bit, as I am cranking up for Christmas. Like everyone else, I’m always a bit surprised when another year goes by, and I am very conscious of not wasting a day of the next one. But I like this photo, one of the last I took of her, and just put up an album on my Facebook page, accessible above.

Rose was always a difficult photographic subject, never easy posing or looking at the camera. As she declined, she resisted less and I got some of the photos of her I had always wanted. Ironic, that.

Maria and I picked up Rose’s ashes at the Cambridge Valley Veterinary Clinic today. Made me a bit uncomfortable. Came with tags, candles, photos of bridges. Rose would have thrown up, I told Maria. But I was glad to have the ashes.  But I didn’t want to deal with them now.  In a week or so,  after Christmas, we will hold a memorial service up in the pasture by the pole barn. I’ll scatter some up there, and I will keep some in a can near my desk to inspire me to be productive, to be resolute, to get it done.

How do I feel about Rose, someone asked me today? I feel fine. Death is as much a part of life as breathing, our universal experience. I am very much at peace with it. Two days before Christmas, I am happy to welcome home the ashes of one of the great gifts I have ever received.