Em sent this to me from the Seattle PI comics page (click on pic to enlarge):










It is so Bruiser (I know it was him!) leaving a dead rat at my door last winter, and then looking at me expectantly like he's waiting for a thanks. I love it!

The other night I had a dream that my sister and I were working at this takeout pizza place, and she told me that my Kitty is going to start a rock band and call it the Icicles. I didn't bat an eyelash in dreamland about my cat starting a rock band, but I did quibble with my sister about the name. The name!

It's starting to feel more and more like autumn to me. Even though autumn is my favorite time of year--it just does something for me--this summer has felt much too fleeting and like it never ramped up into full-on summer. I'm a little sad about its departure, because I don't know that I've fully experienced it this time around. While I've done lots of fun stuff, I guess there wasn't one particular thing that defined the season, like a big trip, so I'm having a hard time coming to terms with saying goodbye.

I'm funny about goodbyes (and probably letting go in general, but that's another story). I was thinking the other day about how if I have to say goodbye to someone I care about, and I'm not sure when I'll see them again, or know it will be a long time, it's incredibly important to me that the parting moments be meaningful. I feel like I've lost something or have been cheated if a farewell is too hasty or abrupt. I think I rely on the memory of those last minutes to carry me through until the next time, because I'm always aware that the second you turn away is the longest point from which you'll see that person again. After that, you are always moving closer and closer together, even if it's months or years down the line. It's just that the future is unknowable, our lives are unpredictable, and feelings are constantly changing. So, why be stingy or thoughtless when you have the opportunity to make a moment real and beautiful, even in a small way? Whether it's a sweet kiss goodbye with a man I adore, or a few words of appreciation about the time spent with a close friend, or telling family and friends that I love them, or multiple hugs with Travis so I have a fresh memory of what that feels like, having a good goodbye means so much to me. I demand it in my Megan/Bacon way. :)