Mrs. Teabody Pulls Herself Together

Mr. Teabody with Ming at the Roaring Run Falls

October crept in on "little cat feet" in the night following the rumblings of a series of thunder-boomers that brought a much-needed inch of moisture to this water-starved area even as it created a sense of un-ease among those who have reasons both real and imaginary NOT to like such carryings on. The Teabodys' beloved dog, Ming-- now gone missing almost nine days -- HATED thunderstorms and never strayed far away when one was near.  It does not take much of imagination's stretch this morning to feel the fur  of her neck beneath one's foot,  a lick on a foot or ankle -- comforted by human presence and vice-versa as Mrs. Teabody doesn't like them either. How many thunderstorms have passed in this fashion since 2003? Surely, someone still comforts her.

 Each passing day finds hope for Ming's return dwindling yet, foolishly, Mrs. Teabody's  eyes routinely peruse the  perimeters of the property looking for her, expecting to catch a glance of her prancing gait, her shiny black fur against the shadows of the trees. Little packets of treats brought home from restaurants sit in the fridge untapped. Like most mature dogs, Ming loved treats and had trained  her house sitter, Mrs. Teabody's sister, that she was to have a treat EVERY time she came back inside from outdoors. And like beloved dogs everywhere, Ming had learned to do a little "treat dance," the owner's reward for such small indulgences: a bit of chicken, a sliver of pork chop and, once a month, a bone from a steak. Because she was nearly fourteen, Ming spent most of her days in deep sleep, rousing mostly for calls to nature, an unexpected visitor, her owners' return home or the expectation of her evening meal--sometime between four and five. She divided her sleeping time between one of the couches -- all sheeted for her enjoyment -- or her beloved under-the-bed cave where she spent all her nights protecting the Teabodys. She is no longer to be found in any of these spots, and her absence is deeply felt. The Teabodys eagerly await a phone call or visit to bring Ming home.

This loss colors the Teabodys' days but life inexorably beats on. As it should. This is the time to spray any outdoor plants one plans to bring inside, lest one brings along with the plants a host of unsavory crawling and flying and biting things. Heaven knows everyone has work cut out already with just keeping the pesky stink bugs at bay and should not make that battle harder by carrying additional pests inside on a favorite indoor/ outdoor plant. It's also wood cutting time, the start of leaf-raking time, decorating with  harvest elements time, soup-making time and gearing up for FFFF time. A busy and anticipatory time. An invigorating time.

Today, October 1, marks the third birthday of Mrs. Teabody's little enterprise, Tickle Your Fancy Gifts and Tea and as all people past a certain age are wont to say: How is it possible that THREE years have gone by so quickly? If you have been a customer / supporter / friend of Tickle Your Fancy, Mrs. Teabody thanks you for  your help in keeping the lights on at 110 Lincoln Way West. If you have never been inside TYF in its three year tenure, perhaps this is a time to think about supporting this and other small businesses along Lincoln Way. When you visit, you will be offered a nice cuppa and some sort of delightful treat. Today it is chocolate espresso brownies. You will also be entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate and that would go down a real treat, wouldn't it?

The Teabodys are sad but still hopeful and if Mrs. Teabody seems a little less chipper, a little more subdued, just know the reason. And, finally, to every single person who has called, written,  or stopped by to share a story-- sad, happy, outrageous -- about one of your beloved pets, Mrs. Teabody is FOREVER in your debt as your kindness has provided  some bright moments, a buffer in this compendium of loss.