“My bursting heart must find vent at my pen.” — Abigail Adams

Even though my bank account is a lot lighter, Uncle now has a box for his ashes to rest in.
It was pretty much in and out, I chose the cheapest box they had.
I did not want an urn, no ma’am.
Urns are just asking for disaster in this house.
I got it home, and Badger said that Hippie Aunt was wanting a black coffin, and my box is black, so that worked out well.
We will not move him in until his picture and name plate get here, then we will have to clean off the top of my bookcase in the living room so he can sit by the cat’s ashes.
He needs out of my closet, he is not staying in my bedroom, Badger vetoed him staying in her room, so living room he goes.
It seems wrong to shove him in a box without any kind of service, I am tempted to text the Farmer’s Daughter and ask if her preacher husband would say a few words over Uncle. 
Tempted, just tempted.
Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would have my Uncle on a bookshelf in my living room.
It is only proper to be put in the ground.

Badger needed crackers for her antibiotic, or it makes her sick.
So I stopped at Food City.
Lands sakes, that place was jam‑packed. 
I thought I’d never get out.
Badger stayed home and left me to face it alone.

We made it home, and the day went on as usual.
The only change was Heron working night shift again instead of his usual day shift.

Raven came home and left while we were gone.
He’s staying at his former partner’s again.

Cowboy said, “Well, I guess y’all got him mad.”

The truth is, his littles can be a handful, and sometimes boundaries aren’t respected. 
At his age, Raven should be able to take responsibility for cleaning up after them, instead of leaving it to his mother and sister.
If that’s what upset him, then that’s his choice.

Cowboy tends to tread lightly with Raven and the littles, because he wants to keep seeing them.
Badger and I are more direct. 
If that means we don’t see the littles as often, then so be it. 
We’re not caretakers, and we didn’t agree to give up all our time to manage their messes.

I’m fine with not having visitors right now.
I’m still coping with Uncle’s death, and some days are still hard.
I’m just not ready for the chaos and mess that visitors bring.

Most school systems throughout Tennessee are now out for the summer.
I’m sure that we’ll end up having them down here until school starts back in August.
Let me enjoy this little break while I can.

Peacock sent me a video of Moon’s graduation.
She’s moving from elementary to middle school, and then she’ll go on to high school.
It’s mind‑blowing to realize that she’s in middle school this year.
She was just born, I swear.

Once Cowboy and Heron got off to work, the evening went along the usual way.
Badger feels terrible, but she’s still puttering around the house, cleaning.
She’s done laundry for several days now.
Today was my bedding.
I’m just trying to stay out of her way, let whatever bug this is work itself out.
The cleaning, not the ear infection.

We did sit out on the she‑shed for a bit.
It’s rather nippy out there. I don’t care what the weather says, it’s nippy.
I assume this is probably whip-poor-will winter, or global warming has just messed the weather up considerably.

We took a small walk, but somehow the railroad sneaked in and plowed down a portion of our little pathway.
I don’t know when they did the work or how we missed them being up there.

We couldn’t continue on. I was in crocs and couldn’t get any traction.
At the tracks, where we have to cross, the dirt is built up so high I’m not even sure I can climb over now.
We came back, tried the pitbull way, but it looked like it was out. 
So we backtracked again and went to the beagle way, but it looked like it may be out too. 
Finally, we just went back the senior citizen way.
A lot of backtracking to avoid dog bites today.

We had supper and a movie tonight. 
I enjoy not being alone.
We finished “Van Gogh” and then watched “Beaches.”
I’m not sure what she was expecting, but it wasn’t what she got.
She said something about not realizing it was a depressing movie  😆

I don’t reckon there is anything else to jabber on about.

No plans for tomorrow, but Sunday I want to go to McKay’s, maybe East Town Walmart, not for mushrooms, but because Badger wants some kind of TV dinner you only get there.