LOOKING UP

 Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,

Years ago, Sweet Cheeks got me some shelves for my office supplies (he knew that shelves and a steel front door were the way to this woman's heart). Recently, I piled books on them in addition to the pens and papers and staplers and paper clips. Saturday afternoon I moved the shelves so I could clean up a vast accumulation of dog hair and this happened:

It was too much. I had already been disappointed by the job that isn't a job. The collapse of the shelves frightened Franklin, who hightailed it outside and refused to come in.

It was a nice afternoon and I was in no rush to deal with the reality of repairs and picking up, so Penelope and I joined Franklin outside.

We enjoyed the sun.

Penelope listened to birds overhead.

I looked up at the trees.

When we went inside, I checked my phone and found an email from a recruiter who thought I was a good match for a certain job. She asked some questions; I answered some questions. We made an appointment for an initial phone interview. This job is a real job with better pay and benefits that begin on the first day. I'll let you know what happens. Some other opportunities are also promising and I have not turned down the job that isn't a job. It pays and might lead to a real job with the company.

Because it is autumn, Sweet Cheeks' annual rage against the University of West Virginia's football coach is in full swing (SC grew up in West Virginia and attended WVU). Last Saturday, WVU lost by 4 points at the last minute. SC arrived morose. He cheered up after some affectionate embraces. About midnight he said, Well, I think I'll head home now.

But he didn't leave the recliner in which he rested, and a few minutes later, I heard a gentle snore. Soon he made the move to the chair next to mine and asked for a pillow and blanket. He finished out the night in my bed, where he stayed till 9 a.m. He often talks of not sleeping well at home (he sleeps on the floor, which I do not understand). I am glad when he leaves my home satisfied and well rested.

Yesterday, however, West Virginia lost by a lot. Really a lot, in a game they should have won easily, according to my Sweet Cheeks, and it is all because the football coach does not do what my Sweet Cheeks says he should do, which has something to do with a quarterback. He arrived grumpy. I had started picking up the mess on the floor and much of it was spread across the dining room table. I reneged on my offer to prepare tender chicken with the seasoned rice he loves and requested dinner out. He didn't want to go someplace to wait and stand in line and it would be too much trouble and this and that. I made a reservation online and off we went and were seated immediately. His mood improved.

He dozed off in the recliner when we returned. After he awoke, we had a snack and then enjoyed a gymnastics exhibition in bed. He fell asleep in the bed afterward and stayed asleep till 10 a.m., when he went home happy. 

I was pleased this evening because it was cool enough for Franklin and me to have our first walk in months that exceeded the trip around the block we sometimes make in the heat. I chatted with the parents of a Greyhound and a Shiba Inu while Franklin and the dogs exchanged butt sniffs.

Franklin walked happily and easily and not once did he turn around to request we go home.

Yes, things are looking up.

Infinities of love,

Janie Junebug

from the inside of a Bark Box