Thursday Night

 The Welsh come out with me on Thursdays. They sleep in the car  when I see clients and we have a walk inbetween. 

On the way home they are treated to a single cheeseburger each, which they both eat with closed happy eyes. 

Weaver emailed me. She’s poorly but very pragmatic and has the most informed family doctor who has prempted all the advice I have started to give during our correspondence which is reassuring to say the least. 
In hospice terms our dear Weaver is on the landing and she’s she knows that. 
The landing is the place at the top of the stairs , the plateau before a decent.
It’s a time of lethargy and of naps 
And it’s a time of getting thoughts in order. 
She is not eating 
But she sends her love.
Please don’t thank me for sharing The Weaver Update I’m very privileged to be able to do so. 

I’ve done little this evening, but watched  Dial M For Murder and presently Suspicion ( is it me or is Cary Grant camp as Christmas in it?)
Roger is clingy tonight and is asleep in the crook of my arm
The kittens are tamer tonight in their room upstairs 

I we have had rain and the nasty humidity of the last few days has gone
The cottage smells of clean cat litter. 

.

 

62 comments:

  1. Pass our love onto Weaver, sending her comfort and hugs across the oceans.
    I can just picture the contented faces of your dogs.

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  2. Do they eat the bun and pickles and onions, special sauce too--or just the burger and cheese?

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  3. Sending hugs to Weaver. It is comforting that she is thinking of us out here in the ether while we think of her xx

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  4. Picturing the Welsh contentedly eating their cheeseburgers and how their little faces reflect their happiness is heartwarming.
    Glad to hear Pat's family doctor is so well-informed re end-of-life care, and honoring her wishes. That has to be reassuring & comforting for Pat & her family.
    Good to hear the kittens are settling-in well.
    A quiet evening spent with the telly and Roger sounds peaceful.

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  5. It's good of you to share
    your news with us,good or bad,thank you,-Mary

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  6. Anonymous10:23 pm

    My dog gets a fish sandwich at the airport when she travels with us - just fish and cheese. Doesn't seem to hurt her and it makes her sleep soundly in the air. I wish there was something I enjoyed that much among the airport's food offerings!

    Cheers,
    Ceci

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  7. I don't know the Weaver as others do, but she seems like a wonderful person to have known. I wish her well.
    It's been a mild summer here in the PNW, Aug has seen back to normal summer temps, which I'm grateful for.
    I enjoy your blog, John. Often it's a highlight of my day. My granddaughter came down today and did her 3 year old act for me, a joy.
    cheers, my friend.

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  8. My thoughts are with Weave as she takes this journey. She is a woman of great grace and this shows even today as she makes her next move and still sending love to us.
    Burgers for the Welsh is a nice treat.

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  9. I didn't realise that there was a special dog menu at McDonalds. I guessed The Welsh would prefer hot dogs over cheese burgers.

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  10. Anonymous10:55 pm

    So worried about Weaver.No suffering I hope.
    Lots of love Barbarax

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  11. My dogs get the runs if they eat beef - odd really isn't it x

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:57 pm

      All the lovely messages regarding Weaver then one from flis about dogs having the shits. Typical

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    2. Anonymous2:13 pm

      Couldn't agree more
      Why on earth doesn't this 'flis' get their own blog, then they can talk about me me me to their hearts content!!!

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  12. Back in the day, I thought Cary Grant was the epitome of charming manhood. Since then I have read more about his private life and watch him with a different view now. Still like him, though.

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  13. My thoughts are with Pat.

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  14. Dear Weave, I'm sure her landing is carpeted in deep-pile Yorkshire wool. xx

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  15. Anonymous3:56 am

    Weaver is a kick. I SO enjoyed her writing. Pat, you’ve touched me.

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  16. Anonymous5:54 am

    My 16 and a half terrier is on the same landing. Best boy who sadly will probably not be here later today. A life well lived who has brought so much happiness.

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  17. Some close time for the dogs on a Thursday with just you. Good to have something a bit different from the usual.

    I wish your friend Weaver well, although I don't know her. May her days be as pain free and peaceful as is possible.

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  18. Anonymous6:19 am

    I miss weaver already and it’s only been a matter of weeks that she hasn’t blogged, thank you (Sandy Mid Wales)

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  19. Dear Weaver, may the next part of your life journey be smooth, gentle and surrounded by love.
    What a lovely image of the Welsh enjoying their cheeseburgers. Cary Grant... Oh, yes! xx

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  20. Sending love to Weaver and hope her last journey is a gentle and peaceful one.

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  21. Tracy7:13 am

    I have thought of Weaver every day since she stopped blogging. It is comforting to know that she is in kind and caring hands.

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  22. It seems Weaver is being very well cared for. The image of naps on the landing made me smile a little.

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  23. Yorkshire Liz7:56 am

    Please pass on our love to dear Weaver. She seems at peace with everything, and with her path of progression. A wise and lovely soul, and who has a dear and supportive friend in you. I have followed so many friends and family on the same path, so there are so many things I do not need to say, but which I know the both of you know know and understand. God bless, dearly meant.
    Can I share a cheeseburger with the Welsh? Followed with bara brith, I hope? And real Welsh laver bread and fat bacon for breakfast?

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  24. Love to Weaver, I so enjoyed reading her blog posts over the years. Hope her 'landing time' is as comfortable as possible.
    Did have to smile at the Welsh enjoying their cheese burgers.

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  25. Much love to Weaver xx

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  26. But I will thank you, letting us know how Pat is doing is very important, we all care so much for our blogging buddy. Let her know that.

    I think my Mum could also be on (or very close to) the landing, she was making an effort when she wanted to come out of hospital, but now she's home she is not eating and barely drinking ... which of course is her choice to make. Maybe she is at a tipping point!

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  27. Anonymous9:41 am

    I’ve been holding Weaver, dear Pat, tucked in my sleeve. Her clear thoughts, serene soul, and wise words have both touched me, given rise to long conversations, and (perhaps best of all) pinpointed so many intense memories of the place I was born and raised. I owe Weaver much, though she would never know this (my commenting and messages are….sparse). I wish her peace and good memories of a long life well-lived, as she makes her transition from this life.
    And, thank YOU, John, for accompanying her and still passing news along to us, your reader.
    Mrs F

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  28. Traveller9:57 am

    One of the best blogs out there. An intelligent person who didn’t shy away from blogging about controversial subjects and welcomed differing views.

    I watched Dial M for Murder as well. Have seen it many times but this is the first time I realized why it is called what it is.

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  29. Oh yes, Cary is so camp, but dang, I forgive that because he's just lovely. I love the vision of the doggos eating their burgers with eyes closed to savor them. Pat is a bright light in this world of damp wood; her blog was uplifting and I looked forward to each carefully crafted post.

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  30. I'm so glad to get these updates on dear Weaver. She's on my mind a lot these days and I'm sending her all my best wishes for a soft, gentle landing.

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  31. Maybe you can host a therapy dog? Many people find dogs very comforting.

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    Replies
    1. We have two official dogs already who are incredibly bland creatures

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  32. Anonymous12:03 pm

    Good to know the news on Dear Weaver.
    That is lovely for the Welsh to have their own cheeseburger
    Alison in Wales x

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    Replies
    1. The burger place staff love the Welsh as they reach through the window to greet them

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  33. Anonymous12:14 pm

    I think of our dear Weaver, Pat, every day. I am so grateful that she chose you to keep us informed. Even though I have known several family members and friends that have had hospice care for them, I have never heard of "the landing". I will honor your wishes and not thank you for keeping us informed, but I will thank you for teaching me about the landing. It makes perfect sense and is a perfect description. Jackie

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  34. I am so glad that Pat chose you

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  35. Anonymous12:48 pm

    I loved this post. I watched things like Dial M for Murder and Suspicion by myself as a child, loved them then and still do. I make it a point to watch Dial M every now and then and saw it a few months ago. I'm due for a viewing of Suspicion so thanks for the reminder. I love Cary Grant even though, yeah he is a bit camp by today's standards!
    Nina

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    1. I can get lost in an old much loved movie

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  36. I think of Pat often and it is good to get these updates, John.

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  37. I often read but have nothing to add to what has already been said and so creep quietly away. I am just putting this here to say that I echo everyone's thoughts about Weaver.

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  38. I've never seen "Suspicion" but Cary Grant was often a little camp, it seems to me. Funny how he was considered such a debonair lady-killer.

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  39. Good thoughts and tender hugs for Weaver. Thinking of you fondly and hope for a easy meeting of the people you have loved in your life and have already gone to pave your way with love.

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  40. Anonymous4:15 pm

    I too think of Pat often and pleased she chose you. From her comments I sense she is especially fond of you John. A kind, amazing woman who, through her words, has shown us all how to live. A superstar blogger.
    Carol

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    Replies
    1. She has many loyal and dear friends in blogland
      I think I understand the things she is experiencing from a nurse perspective and that’s why she asked me
      She is very close to many bloggers, Tom, Sue, Rachel
      Many

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  41. Anonymous4:21 pm

    Maybe looking at it from a different perspective, she's waiting on the landing to gather strength to climb the last flight of stairs to the pearly gates rather than decend.
    But then I remembered, Pat lives in a bungalow.

    A caring but light hearted message from one Nurse to another x

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    Replies
    1. Another way of looking at things indeed

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  42. Bettina6:45 pm

    While the news is sad but expected I am grateful to receive it.

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  43. Thank you for keeping us updated about Pat . I really admire her courage and gracious acceptance of things . I’ve followed her blog and enjoyed her thoughtful and intelligent discussion. As others have said , please let her know that we are all thinking of her with much love . Xx

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    Replies
    1. I have done Sue, and remember she’s reading blogs and commenting on them if she can

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  44. Anonymous7:53 pm

    Let me add my thanks for update on pat. I have read her bog for years. I light the landing image, very humane, I wish her ease.

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  45. I emailed her yesterday and asked if she could give my email to someone who would contact me on her behalf when she became too unwell,
    This she did immediately and very matter of factly

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  46. Anonymous9:15 pm

    Always matter of factly. I admire many things about Weaver, but most of all her clear unflinching view of reality. I think of her many times in a day. I do so appreciate you letting us know gow she is doing. Pat in Pennsylvania

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  47. Anonymous12:36 pm

    I feel so privileged to have found Weaver’s blog a few years ago, and through her I found yours. Do you know the song “Hallowell” by Stephen Spitzer? It’s beautiful, sung in harmony, and I think of Weave flying over “furthest fields” in that corner of the earth that she shared with us all. I appreciate the updates, and the cheeseburger smeared laughs.

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  48. Thanks for sharing how Weaver is doing. She is an amazing woman and I'm glad I started reading her blog.

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  49. Anonymous12:50 am

    Lots of love and gratitude for wonderful Weaver, such an intelligent, thoughtful and lovely person. Her blog and yours, John, have been my regular reads for years. I wish her peace, and comfort on her journey.
    Debbie in London

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