Yesterday we said goodbye to Ziggy. He was a loving, sweet little friend and we will miss him terribly.

Marty and I got Ziggy from the Centre Hall SPCA in the summer of 1992. He was born in Pennsylvania, lived many years in Connecticut, and traveled to Germany and back with [...]]]>

Ziggy

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Yesterday we said goodbye to Ziggy. He was a loving, sweet little friend and we will miss him terribly.

Marty and I got Ziggy from the Centre Hall SPCA in the summer of 1992. He was born in Pennsylvania, lived many years in Connecticut, and traveled to Germany and back with us when we lived in Munich. He had admirers all over the world.

While in Germany, he developed a hyperthyroid condition. When we returned to the US in 2004, he received radioactive iodine treatment to correct it (RadioCat). He was 12 years old at that time, and he lived over five more years after the treatment.

His kidney disease was most likely a result of the thyroid problem. We held it off with a special diet for the last four years, and treated him with subcutaneous fluids at home for the final year of his life.

We’ll miss you, Ziggy. Marty and I have so many good memories of our time together. Alex and Charlie loved you, too. We’ll always remember you.

Bash Bish Falls

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World. Twenty years ago. In late spring of 1988, I received a phone call in my dorm room at the University of Georgia. I didn’t recognize the voice on the other end of the line. “This is Marty,” he said. Then, after a pause, “I know you remember me.”

Of course [...]]]>

Bash Bish Falls

Originally uploaded by Raspberry World.

Twenty years ago. In late spring of 1988, I received a phone call in my dorm room at the University of Georgia. I didn’t recognize the voice on the other end of the line. “This is Marty,” he said. Then, after a pause, “I know you remember me.”

Of course I did. My high school ex-boyfriend, whom I hadn’t seen in almost two years. He was home in Athens for the weekend. I was curious, so we went out for dinner at Gus Garcia’s. He was different. More grown up. I’m sure I was, too.

We saw each other a few more times that spring, then parted ways to study abroad for the summer. He went to Germany, and I went to England. After our courses finished, we met up for a few days in Austria, and by that time I knew things had taken a turn for the serious. I was right. In 1990, we headed off to graduate school together, engaged. In 1993, we were married.

Ten years ago. The summer of 1998 was a pivotal time for me. New to Connecticut, I went through an emotional upheaval that catalyzed an intense period of personal growth. I now consider that time to have been one of the most important steps in the process of becoming who I am as an adult. That year, it was as if every area of my life was suddenly expanding: career, relationships, self-awareness. Within a year, I had landed my first “real” job, bought my first home (with Marty, of course), and taken charge of many other areas of my life.

Today. Summer 2008 appears to be shaping up to be a critical time. Once again, I am making changes in many areas of my life. I’ve already achieved some personal goals during the past year – since June 2007, I’ve lost 45 pounds. We’ve bought a home. I’m also facing some unexpected challenges, and looking at them as opportunities. To me, that attitude is an achievement in itself.

I am hoping to make this another banner year. My history suggests this is a good time to do it.