The Fauquier Livestock Exchange was completely surrounded by trucks today for an equipment sale. I’ve never seen so many trucks in one place before, not a single car among them. Must have been a great sale.

Tears welled up as I entered my office at work and saw this. Today wasn’t as hard as I had imagined it would be, I was so busy. But times of quietness bring the tears.

29 March 2018

He’s gone. My most precious little Kota has left me and entered the clearing at the end of the path. I’m beyond distraught. He was the best of companions, a little furball with the hugest personality. Thank God I have Rosie Lee, the empty void is so vast. Kota Kat Supreme lived up to his name, the bestest in everything, and I’m so grateful he was beside me for a large part of my life. Sleep well my little prince and forever friend.

This was the last photo I took of him, dozing while enjoying the sun’s rays before the vet came.

As poor little Kota fades, Rosie Lee steps in as loving nurse and gives him some very thorough washes.

This photo made me realize how ill my little boy is, he’s lost so much weight, but still managed to investigate my umbrella.

26 March 2018

I doubt this lovely scene will play out again, with poor little Kota being so sick, but it was lovely to have them both together like this.

25 March 2018

Rosie Lee keeping a eye on Sebastian as he raids the bird food on the patio. Sebastian has no fear of the cats and will knock on the glass just to tease them. It drives Rosie Lee mad but Kota, wise in his years, just ignores him.

24 March 2018

Finished cleaning up and filling my new dresser, found very cheap on Facebook. For the first time since moving to the US I’ve now got my paternal grandmother’s teaser and my maternal grandmother’s dinner service on display. And the dresser is so much nicer than the flat pack piece that is now trashed. 

A fun working evening at a local farm where a group of us moved 1400 hens from their winter barn to their spring pasture. They were wide awake when we started and hard to catch but as the night fell they started roosting and were easier to transport. I’ll be back to help next year!

The 5” of snow has nearly all gone thanks to a sunny day. Hopefully that was our big snowfall for the season and we can now concentrate on Spring.

A flock of cow birds found the food stash I put out for the local birds, watched by a cardinal. This is only their second visit but I bet they’ll be back now they know who puts seed and nuts out.

Snuggled up waiting for the snow storm after an afternoon of ice. 

The little shed on a local farm where I get my delicious eggs from, and where the happy cluckers can be seen behind the main house running around there pen with a beautifully painted little hen house.

An amazing evening with Steve and Marc at a new stadium in DC, watching Saxon and Judas Priest. A blast from the past.

Andrew was in a zone of his own when we explored an abandoned school today.

16 Mar 2018

I love driving past the grain building in Marshall every day but now there’s talk of a mural being painted on it. I’m not sure that will enhance it or just make it look touristy. I’ll be watching closely.

Kota enjoying the last of the sun in style on a nice comfy cushion. Is this boy spoilt or what?

Trying out a new camera app. Testing low light and a longer exposure, my wine glass is crystal clear with the fire reflection and little noise in the image. Pleased with it so far.

This guy likely made everyone around him cringe. His car was covered with sexual comments, ‘Tempt me’, ‘Got 2 be kinkier’ and ‘Party naked, drink baked’ among others. He also had some kind of jungle scene going on in the rear window. A dark haired 30 something guy who looked normal, but you just never know, do you?

Kota and I went to chat with Brandon, Maggi’s landscape guy, who clearing brush and brambles from the fields. Of course Kota had to check out his bobcat.

Janice and I stopped to chat with the owner of this 1938 Packard. It was in original condition with just some engine work needed. Almost silent, it purred as it pulled away. Beautiful.

Had a fun day with Rob visiting, and he loved his Birthday present.

Kota Kat Supreme has a rocking chair at home in front of the fire, and he also has one here, in Maggi’s office. He sat purring loudly and contentedly while Maggi and I chatted.

There’s a lot of homes in and around Marshall with damaged roofs, all sporting these blue tarps, a few with black ones. So glad I have a metal roof.

Playing again with the camera on my phone, this time my computer desk. Love the lighting.

Billy, at work, has to be The Redskins number one fan. He makes his own shirts. This is a vintage shirt with 3 players, complete with signatures and the Super Bowl badges that they played in. Will likely fetch a few dollars if he sold it.

Sunrise pushing the moon from its pole position over the battlefields in Manassas.

Poor Mother Nature is so mixed up with our crazy weather. Warm spells in the 70s following ice storms. And now after a bad wind storm we’re expecting snow this week with below freezing temperatures, but the daffodils and tulips are about to bloom. I hope they survive. And that, in the photo, top left is Kota Kat in mid roll. I caught him on his back, legs splayed, but had no idea until I processed this photo!

The winds are still fierce but it’s beautiful and warm outside this late afternoon as I took a stroll with Kota. 

Kota and Rosie Lee watching the winds raging outside. We have no power but do have the wood stove to heat us and water for tea. Plus there’s pizza delivery and red wine. Life is good!

Kota Kat insisted that I carry him on our hike so I walked to the fields in front of the house with him on my shoulder and then lay in the grass while he sniffed around. He purred like an engine the whole time and then told me when it was time to go. The sky was an odd color and I wondered if he could tell a storm was heading our way. We’re expecting raging winds for the next 36 hours.