Happy Halloween everyone! I’m posting a little earlier than usual, mostly because I’m trying to get back into the routine of writing and wanted to have ample time tomorrow morning to do that. I just posted the final normal chapter of Facilitate Your User. There is still a small epilogue which I’ll post next week. More sexy times are ahead for Paul and Keylee, so be warned.
Today’s photo is courtesy of my new tile, with a healthy dose of Newton on the side. I had this past week off and it was a sort of working, staycation. I did get all the rooms painted, furniture shifted, moved and put back. The pictures were taken down and rehung. My body came out of the whole thing fairly unscathed. I few new bruises here and there, including one above my left eye where a few inches more ventral and medially would have been a hell of a lot more serious (got to watch our for those pesky table legs when they are turned upside down and laying on top of the bed). All in all things went okay. There were a few glitches but nothing that derailed the whole project. Mostly it was exhausting in the anxiety inducing way. I like the end product and evidently Newton likes the tile, or at least he likes laying on it.
I was off work, but it didn’t feel like it. Monday and Tuesday I took Fennik into the clinic so he would be out of the house. This meant dealing with messages on my desk and trying to triage a couple of things here and there. I also went in Monday night to euthanize a long time patient that had suddenly decompensated. I didn’t have to do it, but I wanted to. That might sound strange to some, but I think most veterinarians would understand. I spent a lot of time with both the dog and her owners and I felt like it was the last kindness I could do for them. It was heartbreaking but very needed.
The city I live in is still having trick or treat tonight. I usually have several and this year I made sure to go on-line to check out the recommended guidelines. I did what they recommended and packaged up my individually wrapped candies in little plastic baggies and set them down on a fold out table at the base of the steps leading up to my house. I left a note for the trick or treaters, placed a pumpkin and candle illuminated cat light on the table as well. It wasn’t an enormous amount of work, but there was some effort put into it. Sadly, at this point I don’t know that there have been any trick or treaters out. Sigh. I understand if they don’t venture out this year, but I was really hoping for some and tried to make things as safe as possible.
On a final note, I’m back to work this week, but more importantly, it’s election week. I did early voting this past week. I waited in line for about an hour and forty five minutes. Not as long as a lot of people, I know. I have huge anxiety for the coming week and the ones after. I really don’t know what to expect. I know who I want to win and who I fear will win. I also know that I fear the result of either outcome. The tinderbox is set and ready to be lit and there is more than one individual ready to flick their Bic.
As always, I hope you are all staying well. Be safe out there and try and keep your cool, no matter which way things go. I probably should have purchased some alcohol based products while I was at the grocery this morning. I have a sneaking suspicion I’m going to be in need of some self medicating this week.
MJ May
veterinarian and fiction writer 