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Sunday, July 22, 2012

A year later for Newkie.


If you thought Newkie would tire walking the rails of this deck, you'd be wrong. All this year, she has enjoyed the smells from squirrels and gulls and occasional deer that roam this deck, and has taken to this house as though she lived here all her life. Even while romping around, she tries to figure out where we are, which room we are moving to, all because she wants to get back into the house quickly if something out there spooks her.

The family was vacationing with us for the  last few weeks. They would go in and out, up and down the hill to the dock, on the dock, on the waterfront, in the upper garden, in the lower garden, Newkie was kept busy figuring out what moves to make, where to rest, when to sneak to her food and water, when to hide from everyone.

She loves being brushed, and the girls won her confidence by offering the brush, and watching her stretch out to accept the activity. At times, she would peek into their bedroom, sniff around all the stuff that was laying around, and return to her usual sleeping quarters satisfied that her place was still unchanged.  Her sleeping area is at the side of my bed, across a heater vent, with views of her deck and the world beyond. She loves this configuration the best. Second best place, however, is under a blanket, with barely a hint of nose sticking out, fooling all of us that she is out playing for the afternoon.

One morning, she followed me to the lake garden where I've begone to plant (Yes, we plant late; but this is the latest I ever planted!) The place is still under development with machines and implements all over the place. She follows me if I wait for her; then, she becomes free and easy, and wanders around the place, always watching where I am, when I move to the gate on the way up the hill.

(ten new planter boxes on the water-front garden)

Mostly though, she looks down at me futzing with the vegetable boxes below deck, and cries out, until I return to guide her down.  I'm sure, in a few weeks she'll wander off on her own and begin sniffing the many plants growing down there.

For those of you who are anticipating pictures of the completed garden projects, you need to wait a little longer. Too many interruptions have occurred, and completion is not in sight yet.

However, we are all very happy with the results so far, and look forward to a big garden party before summer is over. I do know that my neighbors are all looking forward to a big shindig.

I wonder if any zucchini or cucumbers or peas will be ready.
So far, lettuce and herbs are cooperating.

Pesto pasta, anyone?

29 comments:

Brian Miller said...

i am glad you are liking the progress...so funny on the slipping under the blanket to peek out, smiles...makes me think of our kittens who when we get home again i am sure will tell us all about their adventures...

Patricia said...

We can learn from our pets, can't we! Newkie moved into a new stage of life and she is allowing herself to take it easy and move forward at her own pace. Nice post!

rjerdee said...

so happy for this update on newkie after the terrible interruption of her life a year ago.
i'd love to be one of your neighbors doing a drive-by on your yard progress every now and then...

Diane said...

Our garden is way behind this year so I am hoping that winter will be late to compensate.
Glad that Newkie is well settled, how I miss not having a pet around but it was our decision not to have any as we would like to travel. Diane

SG said...

It is nice to read about Newkie following you to the garden.
I'm sure your garden party will be great, whenever it happens!

yaya said...

This has been a year of changes for you too and my prayers are for you today. I'm glad that Newkie has been loved and sheltered and finds happiness with you. Your garden of raised beds looks amazing! I think it's great that you can still plant now. We planted late too and hopefully by the middle of Aug. we'll have some nice tomatoes and peppers. Have a good week and I hope all the construction gets moving because I'm anxious to see the end result..wish I was going to the party!

Unspoken said...

Now if you can keep Newkie from the garden :).

Terra said...

Newkie sounds like a devoted family member, and your vegetable garden is a good idea.

Unknown said...

I love Newkie already!

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What an unexpected blessing Newkie has become and how fortunate you are to have each other. The place you share looks so idyllic with its waterside garden and cool rain!

dianefaith said...

I love the way your garden area looks. You're going to have plenty of gardening activity and good food. And Newkie obviously is feeling comfortable and enjoying her environment. I'm one of those who is anxious to see more photos of your new landscape.

Vagabonde said...

Newkie sounds like a sweetheart! I enlarged your photo and saw that she has a beautiful coat, indeed. You certainly will have a large garden with all these planter boxes – that will create a lot of physical exercise I bet.

quilterliz said...

G'day Rosaria. Lovely story. Newkie looks like such a sweetie. I am sure she appreciates the loving home she has with you. Your planter boxes look great. Well done. Take care. Liz...

Joani said...

So nice to hear that you are getting your garden planted. In Arizona it has mostly been over for awhile as it has gotten very very hot. I will anxiously await for the pictures. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.

Rob-bear said...

Newkie has moved in and seems to be doing well. Ever cautious, though, having been uprooted from one life and shifted to another. She wants to be sure of her place, amid even simple seasonal transitions, it seems.

Yet her presence is a reminder of why she is with you in the first place.

Blessings and Bear hugs a year on!

Grandmother Mary said...

Our late planting in Maine was June 1. Here in Italy, well you know. We planted in April and everything is hale and hearty long since! Our basil has produced multiple loads of pesto makings- yummy. I'm glad for the healing your post shows.

ellen abbott said...

I'm happy Newkie has settled into her new home. love your raised gardens.

Catalina Aldridge said...

Love your garden!
Btw... if you don't already have mint, you should plant some... Newkie likes it. :)

Helga said...

I am so happy you took Newkie with you; she seems to be bringing quiet joys and companionship into your life with her gentle being.
Your planter boxes are impressive. You for sure are keeping busy with all you have planned around the house, the yards, the garden, with volunteering, music, and - to top it of - your blogging. There is so much one can learn from you.

erin said...

animals...a local man came by today. we had a yard sale and as it ended we decided to give the rest away to anyone who could put things to use. as happens sometimes - he set to telling me about poignant times in his life. he told me about his dog:) he interrupted this story to tell me he nursed his late wife through cancer in 1992 (telling me at length about real love) and now how he spends his days with his german shepherd. "you don't know", he told me while looking very deeply into my eyes believing i could not know. i held his gaze and said slowly, john, i do know, i do, it is love of another order, no less important.

we were quiet then for a moment.

newkie:) one year)))))

xo
erin

Marguerite said...

Sounds like Newkie loves her home and who could blame her! Your garden is gorgeous and shows that you really have been working hard on it. So glad that your family was able to visit.

Lydia said...

I was stilled for a moment, realizing that Newkie has been with you for a year now. What a treasure you are to one another, and this beautiful post tells the tale of that love and trust. You two bring tears to my eyes, but the sweetest of tears they are.

Your garden boxes are marvelous!

the walking man said...

Rosaria feel fortunate your cat is not a 60 pound dog and a 15 pound dog both with the habit of no matter the temperature needing to be on top of one of us (usually me) breathing that hot breath on my already well broiled self!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Lovely to have an update on Newkie. Count me in for the pesto pasta!

Rosaria Williams said...

I tried for days and days to get Newkie adopted by one of Brian's friends, but nobody was really able. Butters was easily adopted by the neighbor boy who had been her caregiver on a regular basis and he's young and strong for her energetic play.

We have so many trips to doctors and specialists, we thought a pet couldn't fit in with us. Yet, she has surprised us in so many ways: easy going, friendly and quiet, a low key cat for our low key life. Our neighbors pitch in when we have to leave town on medical visits, and Newkie took to them easily.

Animals provide just the right touch.

Thanks for the visit, everyone.

Retirement... said...

Newbie seems like such a lovely kitty. How nice that she sleeps with you.

Vera said...

You wrote a lovely, and loving, description of your friend Newkie. She must give you a lot of pleasure, a lot of calmness, and gives a lot of love back.

Maggie May said...

Newkie is gorgeous.
Love the wet look on the wooden decking.
Looking forward to seeing the finished results.
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Suz said...

hug