August Unplugged

I didn't plan it, but clearly I needed a month off. I really enjoyed the Okanagan and all that it has to offer. I was still on Facebook and Instagram, but without a bit of thought to my business posts or even a bit of guilt about it. Now that's a new feeling! I now can see it's because I was grieving. 

I had two summer shows back to back. Over the August long weekend I was in the wonderful Comox valley and sold at the Filberg Festival. Four days there, drive home, one day home, drive to Edmonton, then set up for the always fun Edmonton Folk Music Festival. Through this time, we've had a very old and frail black lab, Guinness, who has been a constant worry. He was diagnosed with bladder cancer two and a half years ago and has always suffered from separation anxiety. For the last two years, he has been my black shadow. I take him in the car wherever I go, he's by my side in the studio, he sleeps by my side of the bed at night. While we were in Comox he started to decline very quickly. I knew that when I got home from Edmonton my husband and I would have to make a very tough decision. We said good bye to our old friend the following Friday.

I thought I was doing OK with it, but getting into the studio is just not the same. We have Nelly (such a love bug) but she's never been much of a studio dog. I miss Guinness underfoot or curled up on the anti-fatiuge mat in front of my polisher. He was always a short stretch away and made me feel like I had a work partner. He was in my studio by 8:30 even when I wasn't. He was my quiet motivator. 

Here we are in September. I realize that I have to start a new routine and this month is hardwired into most of us as a new beginning. I will miss that old dog but need to get back into studio work mode. He won't be with my physically, but will always take up space in my heart.  RIP Blackie and good bye to a great summer.