One added footnote to today's posting

Mo was buried on our farm that we will take possession of in August. He has a spot sheltered with pine trees on one side, and an expansive view in front of him of the rolling hills of Colonia dotted with olive and almond trees and wheat fields. The sun will warm his bones every morning. A simple rock marks his spot.

The Last Purr

Motor passed away in the wee hours of this morning of liver failure. For twelve years he brought humor and joy to this family. His purr was so loud and intoxicating, just listening to it melted away any amount of stress of everyday life.

The following pictures are just a few of the special ones that we have of Mo.

Mo insisting that he should be packed up to go to college

This was his idea of comfort

Quite extraordinary, he would actually relax in the hammock falling asleep. He once woke to a snort of a buck staring down on him, but did not relinquish the hammock to the buck. He must have told the buck to go find his own hammock. 

This was Mo's bench 

This 45 year old rattan chair belonging to the Female Handler became "his" chair

He even tolerated being dressed up, as long as it was a Cool Dude Surfer shirt

'ole green eyes...

He was loved

Ricky, Mo’s best bud, is going to take over the blog.

 (joined at the tail...)

Arriba La Celeste!

This is a picture of a local elementary school just up the road. EVERYONE is consumed with thoughts of today's final game.

Copa America 2011....

Brazil is out
Argentina is out
Chile is out

It is left to Paraguay and Uruguay, happening now....

GO URUGUAY!

The New Normal

What is “normal”? I will define it as a routine, something that’s beginning to feel comfortable and predictable.

We’ve been in Teresita’s rancho now for two weeks. Only recently have I ventured outside. I marvel at the grass. I end up eating it… Greens in my diet never hurt.

The first night we were here….was scary. The bedroom is not insulated. The wind whipped through there as if we were hanging out in a barn. A barn actually might have been warmer…We all were challenged on keeping warm. And stepping out—without shoes--onto a floor that’s almost as old as the dirt beneath it is even a challenge …

Since then, the Handlers have learned how to dress in record speeds. And sleeping with a wool cap on is a must. My ears get pretty cold at night but I’ve been finding some sweet spots between the Handlers to burrow down into.

The geranium got nipped last Saturday as the temperature dropped to 23 deg F. This was unacceptable. The travel brochures never mentioned it got THAT cold.

The sunrises are incredible thanks to the Chilean volcano continuing to spew volcanic ash. 

Last night’s flights out of Montevideo and across the river in Buenos Aires were grounded again (just like they were the previous Friday when the Handler’s friend Bill was scheduled to leave out of Buenos Aires to Houston—instead he could have stayed with us an extra day!).

Ricky has been bolder on exploring the outside. Me…I just stress by the door.

They have these huge beasts near the house. They look fierce!

But mostly….we felines sleep:

If I’m lucky, I manage to sleep near someone: