Marciana came for a visit today. We rode out to Memory Hill and visited. She misses Ben. This has been a hard week for her too. So much guilt in not recognizing how sick he was and failing to get help for him. I guess she and I will share that guilt forever.

We saw three wild hogs with a bunch of piglets in the swamp and six deer. Pretty out here today, but extremely hot. I had to keep a wet towel around my neck to keep from getting bear caught (southern term for heat exhaustion).

Daddy cut a swamp cabbage and Marci had her first taste of it raw today. She left with boots under her arms to share the flavor with friends. I wish Ben had been here to introduce her. She’s such a good sport.

I ate my first roasted Mexican corn today so we’re exchanging lessons. That stuff is the bomb! Roasted, brushed with butter, sprinkled with red spice, brushed with several kinds of powdered cheese. I ate it down to the last niblet. Then my lips burned for half an hour but it was worth it.

Marci and I went and picked up another kitten from cat lady today. A cute little black and white one, sister to the little gray one Jeorgia brought me last week. I had her for fifteen minutes. I sat on the patio floor and held her and introduced her to her sister. They checked each other out for a minute and then new kitty shot for the palmettos like a streak. We went in after her but she kept going farther and farther. It was too thick, we couldn’t get her. So…. that was a record for losing a kitty. Another one. I’m hoping she’ll come back when she gets hungry and before something catches her. I went back to the palmettos off and on all day and with a flashlight tonight, calling and calling. Nothing. Maybe I’m not meant to have cats?

I did okay today. The morning was rough, but the day got better. I didn’t have any “aftershocks” today. The little jolts when you suddenly “remember” and are shocked that he’s gone. They are painful. Avoided those today, thank you God. 🙏