Category Archives: Message

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Remembering his dad Part 1

Saturday sights
Between Phil and You
March 12 at 8:03am
Good morning! Sunny start – headed to the 50’s! Being industrious – cleaning, laundry etc. and posting kitty pics! Off to see Mom. Have a good Saturday, Philip.

Phil March 12 at 9:05am
You too! I am also cleaning, catching up at the office. Gonna be a good day! In the 40s here!
March 12 at 8:04pm
Hung w/ Mom, got her out – gassed and washed her car, grocery & shoe shopping, lunch, introduced to her grandcats! They charmed her. šŸ™‚ So nice to be able to do things with her again!

Springing ahead Sunday
Between Phil and You
March 13 at 9:50am
Good morning! 46 already! Strangely busy in the lot for Sunday, must be a sale across the street. Have a smooth Sunday. Change all those clocks. šŸ™‚
Phil March 13 at 9:53am
Gorgeous sunny day here. Having coffee watching the sun come up over the lake. Very productive day yesterday. Hopping for more of the same today! Have a great day! It’s almost time for baseball! That means footballs coming!

Phil March 13 at 9:53am
I love sales, was just at once. Not yours of course but cool store.

March 13 at 11:34am
My older sister is a huge shopper. She has that luck, finding great stuff for cheap. This probably won’t surprise you, but that store over there is 5 years old, and I’ve been there twice. When I say shopping is not my thing, I mean it. But if you were going, I’d tag along. šŸ™‚
March 13 at 12:55pm
Sis is telling me about dinner at a steak house last night, Coach Grill in Wayland – she ordered lobster bisque and they brought two bowls – one lobster meat and one soup, and mixed them. Have you seen that? I haven’t. Drool.
Phil March 13 at 2:29pm
No! Wow! That sounds good. Had lobster bisque the other day. Had lots of lobster in it but all mixed. Sounds awesome!
Phil March 13 at 2:31pm
I don’t mind shopping.  Got a nice corned beef brisket, baby red potatoes and cabbage for St Pattys day. Green beer too!

March 13 at 2:53pm
Oooh…yummy!
March 13 at 4:45pm
Off to monthly project meeting, then eat w/ that gang. Nothing big on the agenda, which always make me wonder what trouble we’ll get into. Later, kid. Have a good evening.
March 13 at 10:45pm
Had easy meeting, nice dinner out at a new place. First real meal this week – such a relief to be able to eat again! Hope you had a nice evening, too. Sleep well, sweet man.
Phil March 13 at 11:18pm
Got a ton done. Good day. Relaxing. Ready for another week. Glad you feel better.

Phil March 14 at 5:59am
Dad passed away this morning. Harder than I thought it would be. Heading home soon. I know you know this but this sucks.

Phil March 14 at 8:12am
Oh, Philip. I am so sorry. I will be praying very hard for you, for your Mother and your entire family… traveling mercies and patience and strength.
Phil March 14 at 8:18am
Thanks Sassy. Just feel empty. I appreciate it.
March 14 at 8:34am
In some ways I know exactly how much this sucks. But you are different, so I won’t assume I know what you’re feeling. Tell me and I’ll help. I have advice, what people said that helped. Lean on me.
March 14 at 8:40am
#1 take care of your Mom. Ask her opinion and try to do what she wants. #2 Cut yourself and others LOTS of slack. People will say and do stupid things. Take lots of deep breaths.
Phil March 14 at 8:42am
Got it. Spoke with one of my dearest friends. Made things much better.

March 14 at 9:40am
So glad to hear it. #3 is enjoy your family and friends. I was so strengthened by their stories and presence. You driving or flying?
Phil March 14 at 10:15am
Driving. Going to enjoy all of the above
March 14 at 11:29am
I hope the road is rolling along. Thinking of you. Wishing I could do more…carry some of the burden for you. and boggling at how freakishly parallel our lives are. Is someone there making progress on the details or are you going to do a lot of it?
Phil March 14 at 11:40am
Brother is working it now.

March 14 at 11:45am
Cool. People will help him. That’s another lesson… let the funeral people help. They know the most efficient way in most cases. Is Sally with you?
Phil March 14 at 12:06pm
Have not left yet but she will be

March 14 at 1:01pm
Good that you won’t be alone. Safer. I had a hard time letting people help, but they’re glad to. Farm out tasks if you possibly figure out who/what. Think “Can someone else do it?” We let them bring food, pick up at the airport, pick up Mom, clean her house – you have a big family – use them! And don’t be afraid to whine at me or ask me anything.
March 14 at 1:34pm
Enough advice? Might be time to talk football. šŸ™
Phil March 14 at 2:05pm
Appreciate it. Everything helps.
March 14 at 2:54pm
I was numb the first day. Tried to get tasks done and keep the family talking. That gave way to excited to see people, why it was good that it happened now, that the suffering was over etc. and then people started telling stories about dad, some I’d never heard, so that helped. Hope that phase comes and soon.
March 14 at 2:55pm
One of my co-workers just bought an iPad2 and let me hold it. They are wicked nice.
Phil March 14 at 3:03pm
Oh yeah, I have the original
March 14 at 5:26pm
I’m off to another project meeting, the first gathering of the new team for a different event. Thinking of you, sending energy… or whatever. šŸ™‚
March 14 at 7:49pm
Done with my meeting. Nice bunch of people. Waiting for thai take-out, usual soup, satay and pad thai.
March 14 at 10:57pm
You stopping or going through? Hope it’s a smooth trip. Smile at the old home town for me. If you need an ear, call me anytime, day or night. I won’t gloat about the Red Sox beating the Yankees again today. šŸ™‚
Phil  March 15 at 1:32am
You suck
March 15 at 4:31am
You know it. and like it…
Phil March 15 at 4:58am
LOL, as a matter of fact

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New Year’s Day Part 2

New Year’s Day 2011

[Phil is driving half way across the country headed home.  We talked for nearly two hours earlier, but I thought I had one more thing to say.  I am lying on my bed talking with him.]

7:29 pm text Me: Safe to call me back?  One more thoughtā€¦
I thought I was ready to tell him I love him.  


7:30 pm Call

Philip called me back at 7:30 pm.  I was flustered because I had not expected it so soon.  I dashed to my bedroom so I could be sure Hubby would not overhear.  I wanted to say I love you.  He asked what was up, and I said, ā€œNever mind, I lost my nerve.ā€  I realized I really need to be with him, see his face when I say it.  Ugh.  Who knows when that will be?!  
He let it go immediately and started telling me about about how cold it was.  He had stopped to get gas and it was 9 degrees!  I asked if it was windy or just cold.  He said windy, too.  I asked how much he paid for gas, and he said ā€˜$3.09ā€ but that wasnā€™t bad compared to the $3.31 heā€™d shelled out earlier in the day at a rest stop somewhere in OH.  Even at that, it cost him $42 to gas up his little car.  Thank goodness it doesnā€™t take much gas.  I marveled at how it didn’t matter what he was talking about… even gas prices… I adore listening to him!  
He talked about how the coffee would taste awfully good when he got to work in weather that cold.  I asked if he would have to make his own coffee and he said he didnā€™t know.  He talked about work for a bit, trying to explain it to me, telling me about the people he had met so far and the first challenges he forsees.  I adore it when he does that.  But pretty soon I could tell the weight of it was starting to creep in, so I changed the subject, asking where he was.

He said he was within an hour of home.  We talked about different cities that are fun to visit – he said he liked New York, Boston is good, Chicago, not L.A. but San Francisco was nice.  We talked about the buildings that make the skyline like the Transamerica, the Sears Tower or our Hancock Tower.  I said they light up a big #1 down the side of it when our sports teams are doing well.   He said he hoped it would be not be lit for the Patriots anytime soon.  I said I knew he would say that.  He said he tried to hold it back but just couldnā€™t.  We had a good chuckle.  

I asked if he was all set up to watch football tomorrow.  He said no, that the direct TV guy had blown him off and he called to reschedule but they didnā€™t get back to him.  Heā€™d hassle them tomorrow, get some free stuff out of it.  He was going to watch at the bar nearby.
(The doorbell rang, and I signed the credit card slip and took in our pizza dinner without giving away what I was doing, then went back in the bedroom to talk more)
We talked more about football, then he said heā€™d better go, he was getting close to home and he would have to ā€œinform the bossā€ of his impending arrival.  He warned me that he would have little time alone from here on, between his wife and his military responsibilities which would put him with other people most of the time. and that he’d be working a lot.  It felt like good-bye.
I said sure, take care of yourself, Philip, and got a little choked up (wondering when Iā€™d hear his voice again) and he caught it, lowering his voice and saying very sweetly, ā€œBye Sass.ā€  
He hung up at 8 pm.

January 1 at 11:58pm
Hey, kid. Hope you made it home easily. Thanks for talking. Quiet evening – pizza, more L&O U.K. Sleep well, sweet man.


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New Year's Day Part 2

New Year’s Day 2011

[Phil is driving half way across the country headed home.  We talked for nearly two hours earlier, but I thought I had one more thing to say.  I am lying on my bed talking with him.]

7:29 pm text Me: Safe to call me back?  One more thoughtā€¦
I thought I was ready to tell him I love him.  


7:30 pm Call

Philip called me back at 7:30 pm.  I was flustered because I had not expected it so soon.  I dashed to my bedroom so I could be sure Hubby would not overhear.  I wanted to say I love you.  He asked what was up, and I said, ā€œNever mind, I lost my nerve.ā€  I realized I really need to be with him, see his face when I say it.  Ugh.  Who knows when that will be?!  
He let it go immediately and started telling me about about how cold it was.  He had stopped to get gas and it was 9 degrees!  I asked if it was windy or just cold.  He said windy, too.  I asked how much he paid for gas, and he said ā€˜$3.09ā€ but that wasnā€™t bad compared to the $3.31 heā€™d shelled out earlier in the day at a rest stop somewhere in OH.  Even at that, it cost him $42 to gas up his little car.  Thank goodness it doesnā€™t take much gas.  I marveled at how it didn’t matter what he was talking about… even gas prices… I adore listening to him!  
He talked about how the coffee would taste awfully good when he got to work in weather that cold.  I asked if he would have to make his own coffee and he said he didnā€™t know.  He talked about work for a bit, trying to explain it to me, telling me about the people he had met so far and the first challenges he forsees.  I adore it when he does that.  But pretty soon I could tell the weight of it was starting to creep in, so I changed the subject, asking where he was.

He said he was within an hour of home.  We talked about different cities that are fun to visit – he said he liked New York, Boston is good, Chicago, not L.A. but San Francisco was nice.  We talked about the buildings that make the skyline like the Transamerica, the Sears Tower or our Hancock Tower.  I said they light up a big #1 down the side of it when our sports teams are doing well.   He said he hoped it would be not be lit for the Patriots anytime soon.  I said I knew he would say that.  He said he tried to hold it back but just couldnā€™t.  We had a good chuckle.  

I asked if he was all set up to watch football tomorrow.  He said no, that the direct TV guy had blown him off and he called to reschedule but they didnā€™t get back to him.  Heā€™d hassle them tomorrow, get some free stuff out of it.  He was going to watch at the bar nearby.
(The doorbell rang, and I signed the credit card slip and took in our pizza dinner without giving away what I was doing, then went back in the bedroom to talk more)
We talked more about football, then he said heā€™d better go, he was getting close to home and he would have to ā€œinform the bossā€ of his impending arrival.  He warned me that he would have little time alone from here on, between his wife and his military responsibilities which would put him with other people most of the time. and that he’d be working a lot.  It felt like good-bye.
I said sure, take care of yourself, Philip, and got a little choked up (wondering when Iā€™d hear his voice again) and he caught it, lowering his voice and saying very sweetly, ā€œBye Sass.ā€  
He hung up at 8 pm.

January 1 at 11:58pm
Hey, kid. Hope you made it home easily. Thanks for talking. Quiet evening – pizza, more L&O U.K. Sleep well, sweet man.


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Cleveland to Syracuse Part 4

[Phil was driving half way across the country to our hometown in a hurry in the middle of the night, trying to get there before his dad died.  I was talking with him, helping him stay awake.  This is the last part of the conversation.  I am stretched out on my bed talking with him.]

I asked if he would stop to rest and he said heā€™d try not to, that he didnā€™t want to lose the time and have his dad die before he got there.  But that if he did get tired, heā€™d pull over a rest stop and sleep for an hour or so and that would perk him up enough to go on.  He knew what he was doing.  He was eating sunflower seeds to get energy, and they take a certain amount of work to keep his mind going.  It sounded like he knows what heā€™s doing and knows his limits. 

He talked about never having been in my bed or even upstairs as a teenager.  I told him about my canopy bed.  And how I wished it had been him the first time.  That my first time wasn’t bad, just kind of dull.  How he was always soā€¦ considerate and would have made it good for me.  He said that was his main goal, seeing me happy made him so hot.  He marveled again at how I would let him hold me so close, press against me, but not touch him.  I told him about the whole reputation thing, the slut thing.  About how a boy in school told everyone I slept with him when I hadnā€™t even kissed him, and how that made other boys think I was easy and how I had to wrestle with them, even fight with some of them constantly over sex.  He allowed as how people did believe boys, that it was easy to damage a girlā€™s reputation.  And how he was different.  He never talked about anything we did.  It was his special secret.  Just like now.  We talked about the chemistry, then and now.  How special it is… how hard it is to understand it.  
My husband decided he wanted to go to bed, so I shifted back to my desk chair in the living room.  Phil talked about how he didnā€™t lose his virginity until he was older, back home on leave from the military.  About how his other girlfriends were so puritanical, never let him touch anything.  About how he had been a good boy, never whoring around in the military. About pulling his buddies out of the whore houses all over the world.  About how his neighbors are swingers and go to the Caribbean twice a year to fool around with other people, how the wife is always coming on to him and how the husband encourages him.  I asked why not do it?  He was puzzled.  I said, ā€œwhy not sleep with her?ā€  He said he just didnā€™t feel like it – the whole neighbor, best friend’s wife thing.  I asked why he slept with me, why was I different.  He was puzzled.  So I repeated, “Why did you sleep with me when you haven’t cheated with anyone else?”  He paused, as if he wasnā€™t sure or didnā€™t want to tell me why, then took a deep breath and said, ā€œWell, partly…three things.  Itā€™s the history.  How I promised myself I would carry through if I ever had a chance.  Andā€¦ the chemistry, how you make me feel like no other woman. And….our emotional connection.”  
He asked if the sex was good for me, that women never say.  I begged to differ, saying that I had told him numerous times how fabulous he is.  How he is different from any other man, how he makes me so forward when I’ve never done that with any other man, makes me want to do wild things in public places.  How I wanted to fuck him up against the car at the rest stop on the way back during his visit.  That he made a really good windbreaker. 
He stopped at the first Thruway rest stop in NY, kept talking as he took me into the Menā€™s Room with him!  He said there was a big wet spot on the front of his jeans.  I said cover it with your jacket!  He said, ā€œWhat jacket?!  Iā€™m from the Midwest now.ā€  HA!  He said he went out yesterday in the snow in hiking boots, shorts and T-shirt to walk the dogs.  (I bet his neighbors loved that.)
Then he walked across the skywalk to Dennyā€™s to get breakfast.  As I listened to him order breakfast, I marveled at how friendly he is to each and every person he meets.  He said it looked like the Syracuse basketball team was there ā€“ all these 6ā€™5ā€ guys in orange jackets.  He got black coffee and a fried egg/bacon sandwich and ate as he drove and talked to me.  He said heā€™s spilled egg on his pants and I offered a couple of racy ideas on how I could help clean that up.
He said that doing stuff in the car is tricky, requires a lot of flexibility, that the arm rests are problematic.  I told him in my mind there are no arms rests, why let reality get in the way of a good fantasy?  I asked him if heā€™d read any of my erotic stories.  He said he had started them but theyā€™re too long to read on the phone, that it cuts off the message right as he “gets to the good part.ā€  He said he had not had access to his computer since the move.  I told him Iā€™d mostly lost my nerve about sending the latest one, and he said ā€œCome on, one of our first chats was about a foursome!  I still mull that over and enjoy it.  It should be fine.ā€  I told him how incredible it was that I told him about the wildest moment of my life and he didn’t judge me, jumped right in, made himself a part of it and made it better.  He said the idea of the four of us together made it “over the top hot” for him.  And that he loves the beach.   
We talked television – about the Mentalist actor, how amazing his American accent is, and how great House is, too.  He talked about how his parents came from different parts of the same country in Europe, but from different regions, and sometimes they canā€™t understand each other because of the accent or different words.  I told him about having to pass for Southern in N.C. with my cousins to avoid being harassed as a Yankee.  He said heā€™d never been any good at accents.  I told him I hear certain words he says, and know heā€™s been in the South awhile, and definitely his manners give it away.  He said he hoped being in the Midwest would get rid of the Southern stuff quickly!

We talked about him being in Italy and how the northerners look down on the Southerners and how they all stay away from the Sicilians.  I told him about a boyfriend who had tried to teach me Italian but it was mostly swear words.  He said heā€™d tried to get me to swear but I didnā€™t.  I said that my mother would not tolerate it, notices vulgarity in movies we donā€™t even hear, lets it ruin them for her.  How sheā€™s just like Queen Elizabeth, so proper.  He said he remembered that.  I told him about how the mother of a boy I dated for more than a year always called me ā€œThat Protestant girl.ā€  Not how I thought of myself, but it was all she could see.

We figured out where he was at that point, almost to Syracuse.  We talked about people we know from that area, what we’ve done on visits to the Finger Lakes.  I told him about canoeing on Lake Ontario, how odd it is to canoe where there are waves.  He told me about canoeing with his son and how there were snakes, and the kid managed to tip over the canoe and dump Philip into the water with the snakes!  And how the campers laughed at them as they scrambled to the shore in record time. 
He said it was time to start calling his family, checking on arrangements and making plans.  He said I had made a real difference, made the trip go so fast, kept him from having to stop.  I told him how awesome it was that he let me help, and that he had to know Iā€™d do anything for him.  I told him I knew it wasnā€™t possible but I wanted to get in my car right now and drive to our home town to find him and hug him, try to take away some of the hurt.  He thanked me, sounded really touched.  Said again Iā€™d made a real difference.  He said heā€™d definitely call me on the trip back.

It was so hard not to say ā€œI love youā€ but I really didnā€™t want the first time to be associated with this bad day and long drive, so I just told him to take care, that Iā€™d be thinking about him, to call me anytime.  He hung up just after 5 am.

I collapsed into bed, my mind racing with all the ground he had covered overnight, and all that we had shared.  There were several questions I had been waiting forever to ask, and he had answered them all!  I prayed that he would make it safely, and get see his dad once last time.  

9:09 am text Me: made it? In time?  Xxoo
9:20 am text Phil: Yup

12:15 pm text Phil: Dad is doing much better.  Weak but significantly better. 
12:25 pm text Me: Wow.  Good to be there?
12:26 pm text Phil: Yes it is.

7:57 pm text Phil: Happy New Year!
7:58 pm text Me: Thanks!  Happy 2011!
8:05 pm text Me: Iā€™m alone, so Iā€™ll be thinking of kissing you! šŸ˜‰
New Year’s Eve
Between Phil and You
December 31, 2010 at 10:46pm
Balmy 40 degrees! Quiet, no cars in the lot. Slept til noon, cleaned, pate and pita bread for supper. Soared all day on your words from this morning. Have a good time with family!
by

Lady Who Lunches

Wednesday walks
Between Phil and You
December 29 at 9:01am
Good morning! Great shots of your place and precious pups on FB! Beautiful morning here, 32 degrees and clear. Stunned when I saw the flags… you mind reader!  was thinking last night “He needs a flag out front.” You’ve done a super job pepping up the front of that house!
Phil December 29 at 9:24am
Thank you. Trying to make it homey
December 29 at 9:31am
What’s the plan for today? I am getting out of the frickin house, leaving the slug behind and going out to lunch with my pal! She has a Christmas present for me that “she can’t carry on the bus.” Hunh… wonder what that could be?
Phil December 29 at 9:34am
Uh oh
December 29 at 9:45am
I sense a plot. Either some sort of surprise party, or the project people have plotted to buy some big thing. But I may be wrong. Last time I had this prickle at the back of my neck, I showed up to someone’s house for a “quiet birthday supper” and there were 60 people there with a catered buffet and a pile of presents!
December 29 at 11:07am
It does look like a home now! You’ve probably already thought it, but something for those stair side ledges? maybe evergreen in a pot… boxwoods, hicks yew or sky pencils?
December 29 at 11:08am
Geez… I don’t know what’s come over me. I’ve never been into plants or decorating of any kind… you are a bad influence! šŸ™‚
TEXTS
6:26 pm Me: [photo of ad for lobster $4.99 per pound]
Wish I could buy you one, or two!
6:52 pm Me:  I was right.  They pulled off a huge surpriseā€¦
December 29 at 9:01pm
They did have a huge surprise for me! It’s a box of big envelopes with presents to open once a week, to get me through chemo and radiation!  Isn’t that amazing?!  Dozens of people helped.  I am overwhelmed.  When this box is empty, I’ll be done with treatment!  

December 29 at 10:25pm
Hope you had a good day and got to check things off your list. I did a lot – lunch, surprise, funeral home visit to do paperwork for a friend, saw Mom, saw dad, gas, pharmacy, groceries… whee! Quiet evening, thank goodness. Sleep well, sweet man.

Thursday throttle
Between Phil and You
December 30, 2010 at 6:25am
Good morning! I hope the sun shines on you today. What’s on your list to do? It’s a gorgeous morning here, already above freezing and clear. Have a great day!
Phil December 30, 2010 at 8:28am
Morning! Warm here too! Movers arrived – House is full of boxes. I’m at the gym getting the kinks out. Have a great day!


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Crazy idea #37

Crazy idea #37
Between Phil and You
December 27 at 5:24am
Hey, kid. Hope your day is off to a good start.

I want to ask a favor. This may be nuts. But… here I go anyway. I couldn’t sleep, so I wrote a short story. Involving a threesome. First time my imagination has gone there. So…

1) Do you want to read it? and tell me what you think? Can I email it to you? Maybe read it the first time with FB chat open, type reactions as you read it? It’s not very long.

2) If you are inspired, will you edit it, add to it, fix it? Give me the benefit of a male perspective and your vast imagination? Or give me ideas of ways to refine it? It’s rough right now, definitely first draft. But I’m stuck.
I know you are busy. But it’s short. If you want to, and there is a time, let me know. Maybe early morning? or late night? If not, I understand. Just… could use your help. Thought it might be fun.
December 27 at 6:53am
Phil Fire away. 19 hours into the trip. Had to do almost all the driving with an annoying noise coming from the passenger seat. Have a great day! Glad to hear you are feeling better.

TEXT
10:44 am Me: [photo of the parking lot covered in snow.]  
White world!

December 27 at 10:46am
Good morning! Hope your drive is going well. It’s a white world here. 28 degrees. Looks like we got about a foot of snow, but with 50 mph winds, it’s blowing! Still snowing lightly…not supposed to get much more. Roads look fine. There is a 30 foot high pile at the base of the lot! Coffee shop and grocery are open. Very quiet out there. Sent you a photo.
December 27 at 10:51am
I can’t believe you started driving yesterday! Eep! Hope the roads weren’t too bad. So sorry to hear about the “annoying noise,” hoped that maybe things would be different.  Tell me where you are now and then. Like to follow along.
December 27 at 11:29am
My surgeon called – woke me up about 9:30 am. Mostly good news. But she needs to go back in to snag a tiny bit more. Can do it quickly, under sedation, so no anesthesia, same incision.
Not sure how much you want to hear…Could bcc you on detail email to family, but figure not to, because you have enough to worry about… not keeping secrets. But if you are worrying and details would help, say so. I’m getting lots of support on the cancer front, so I don’t want to burden you with that crap. We have more fun stuff to talk about. šŸ™‚
TEXTS
12:10 pm Phil: [photo of a big pile of snow in a parking lot] 
1:02 pm Me: Wow, thatā€™s quite a pile!  Take careā€¦
December 27 at 1:51pm
Are you there yet? šŸ˜‰
I cooked! (don’t faint) I made breakfast. At noon. Ham and cheese omelette, English muffins with raspberry jam. OJ. All four food groups! Yum.
December 27 at 4:43pm
Would you read some of my other stories before I show you the rough draft of the new one? Get a better sense of my style. There are four that I think are representative… 3 very short and one longer. They are not high art, but were written awhile ago to get the stories out of my head, to inspire a guy far away who was lonely, as a prompt to get his mind spinning in a good direction and make his body go wild. I itch to edit them now, but they were effective as they were. Maybe they will be a bright spot in your hard days… Don’t open them unless you are alone or have amazing control!
December 27 at 7:23pm
Hiya! Hope your day is ending well. Watching football tonight?
Sent the four stories – The View, The bum, The diner, and The Trade. Hope they warm you up a bit. And you don’t think they’re awful. They should give you an idea of my style. Though they all feel a bit out-of-date. And unfinished. Trying not to be nervous about you reading them… if you have time to comment, that’s fine. If not, just consider them background reading.
Reading them inspired me to try again on current one, “The Flat Tire” so I will wait a little to send that. See if I can make it 2nd draft material before I show it to you. At least I’ve graduated to a three-word title. šŸ™‚
December 27 at 10:49pm
Hiya, kid. Hope you’re having a good evening. Quiet time here. Did some more writing – sent you the latest draft of the tire story. Help! šŸ™‚
TEXT
10:55 pm Me: Email bouncingā€¦ New address?

December 27 at 11:43pm
Last story bounced… said you aren’t a customer anymore. Figures, with you moving…. send new address? Headed to bed… sleep well, sweet man. Stay warm.
Tuesday, December 28
TEXT
7:29 am Me: [photo of the parking lot the day after the big snow.]
The morning after

Tuesday tubes
Between Phil and You
December 28 at 7:42am
Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start. Another gorgeous sunrise. Very cold and clear here – 20 degrees – and windy. Brrr…. Quiet in the lot. They got it cleaned up quickly. Have a wonderful day!
TEXT
8:52 am Phil: Looking better.  Need a new email address.  I never even thought about that. 

Phil December 28 at 9:43am
Been to the gym. Sitting on the floor with a dog on my lap since I have no chairs yet. Gotta go buy are rugs today. Floors are freezing! Have a great one.


TEXTS
10:34 am Me: Whatever server you get, you might want a gmail address, so you donā€™t have to change it ever.  It’s free and they give you huge storage, search features, access via browser.  If you need an invite to get it, I have extra.

11:18 am Me: checked, gmail is open access now, just go to gmail.com and sign-up.  It auto-syncs with Android, has great calendar etc
11:43 am Phil:  I have a gmail account. Gotta figure out the address

December 28 at 12:41pm
Found a way you can see my stories without using email. Much safer, I think, uploaded as Google Docs. In theory, you click on this URL for first short one, “The view.” Let me know if it works, and I will do them all.

December 28 at 10:10pm

Hey, kid. Hope you had a good one and found nice rugs. Missing you… can it be only been two weeks since our lobsterfest? Call me sometime? Would love to hear your voice.  Weird day here. Hubby was in a a complete funk. Sucked. Hope tomorrow is better.

Phil December 28 at 10:59pm
Got great rugs, had a good day. Shoveled snow, threw salt down, chipped ice, had a nice Italian dinner, sipping scotch by the fire now. Winding down.

December 28 at 11:04pm
Ah, what a picture you paint… Fire, scotch, handsome fella… I’m tucked in bed, but not sleepy… Listening to mushy music. Sleep well, sweet man.



by

Boxing Day

Sunday, December 26
TEXT
7:36 am Phil: [photo of his backyard at the beach, covered in snow]
My coffee view this morning!

Boxing day
Between Phil and You
December 26 at 11:17am
Good morning! Are you driving today? As you may have guessed, it is snowing. BLIZZARD! 20’s. Windy. But I don’t have to go anywhere. Lot is full of people at the grocery, no doubt stocking up on eggs, milk and bread – we call it “The French Toast Emergency.” Heh. Stay safe, sweet man.
December 26 at 11:19am
FYI – My old cat died at 2:05 am in Hubby’s arms. Glad you got to meet him.
* sigh *

TEXTS

11:30 am Me: Yikes.  Gorgeous plants!
12:36 pm Me: Go Team!
12:51 pm Phil: Yeah man!
December 26 at 12:52pm
Oh Sass, I am so sorry. Glad I got to meet him too.

TEXT
2:40 pm Me: Happy half-time!

December 26 at 6:01pm

Thanks, Philip. Don’t tell Hubby, but this cat’s death is not bothering me the way our other cats did. Maybe a combination of I just don’t have the emotional energy to spend on one more thing, he was mostly his cat, and after more than a week of waiting, I am relieved to have him at peace. *sigh* We drove out to my sister’s to try to bury him, but the ground is already too hard. Not sure what we’ll decide to do.
December 26 at 6:03pm
You still at the beach? Drink a lot of tequila? Watching more football? Saw a funny quote just now – Dean Martin once said, “you’re not drunk if you can lie on the floor without holding on.”
December 27 at 1:06am

Hey, kid. Hope you had a great day! We’re snowed in here… white-out. Probably all day tomorrow! Watched first two eps of “Law & Order U.K” – interesting to see how they adapted U.S. episodes, and how the British legal system differs but is mostly the same.  Sleep well, sweet man.

by

Christmas wishes

Christmas Wish
Between Phil and You
December 25 at 12:00am
Hi Philip! Hope you have the merriest Christmas! Full of good food, fine wine, nifty presents and even some football.
TEXT
7 am [photo of sunrise]

December 25 at 7:06am

Good morning! Gorgeous sunrise… pink clouds streaking through the light blues. Cold, 24 degrees. Not a single vehicle in the lot or moving around. Ah… the quiet of Christmas.
7:10 am Phil: Looks lovely!  Merry Christmas S.
December 25 at 7:12am
Great quote in my FB newsfeed… “You believe in Santa. Then you don’t believe in Santa. Then you become Santa!” George N. Parks (the late UMass bandleader) A friend added, “Yea, and then you look like Santa. I’m in the end stage.” Hee. We’re off to my sister’s to be Santa for my niece at 11 am, have lunch, go see Dad, then home to nap. šŸ™‚
Phil December 25 at 7:14am

Great service last night, great wine. It’s OK!
December 25 at 7:22am
I had a rare spell of the deep blues last night. Mostly about not being able to go to church.  Or be with you.  Managed to keep it to myself.
December 25 at 7:21am
I get to go out! I am so excited! Been a long 3+ days cooped up here!!!
TEXTS
10:49 am Me: [Photo of my niece and the Christmas tree]
1:54 pm Me: [Photo of the wine sis served with Christmas dinner]
2:03 pm Me: [Photo of Christmas dinner on my plate]
Boeuf Bourgignon and thyme mashed potatoes
December 26 at 12:00am
Hey, kid. Hope Santa found you. and you got a chance to relax. Quiet evening for me. Watched the Doctor Who Christmas Special. Sleep well, sweet man.
by

Christmas Eve


Phil December 24 at 7:26am
Merry Christmas Eve!

December 24 at 11:41am
Hey, kid! Merry Christmas Eve to you! Sun is shining, 32 degrees… lot is FULL of procrastinators!
December 24 at 11:58am
How’re you doing? Busy today?
I’m feeling great! Took off bandages, got to see the incisions. Tiny. One 2 inch line at the top right, and a nick at the bottom of the underarm. All healed. No stitches, just steri-strips over it now. Amazing bit of work.
December 24 at 12:34pm
Question – can Sassy put on her bathrobe, go downstairs to the mail room, get the mail and come back up without being seen? Answer – No. (oops).
December 24 at 8:35pm
Hey, kid. I hope you’re having a mellow Christmas Eve.

TEXTS
10:41 pm Phil: Merry Christmas!  Had a nice relaxing evening.
12:32 am Merry Christmas, sweet man.
by

Breast writing

Thursday thicket
Between Phil and You


December 23 at 8:02am
Good morning! I hope you’re off to a super start! Be glad you don’t have our weather. Another gray, snowy morning. Windy and exactly 32 degrees. Snow ends today, nice the rest of the week. Lot is quiet – just cars and a lone moving truck. and snow! Have a great day!

TEXTS
8:10 am Me: Sassy!  Bored!  You?

8:37 am  Phil: Got a kazillion things to do. Big cleanup, close pool, take remaining items to storage, pick up Christmas dinner stuff.  I suggested your idea to hire cleaners but was over ruled.  Would have made life much easier.  25,000 lbs of shit yesterday.  At least 10,000 is pure junk I was so disgusted as I watched crap get packed
Me: Surgeon wrote on my chest so she’d do the right one
[sent photo of the ā€œYESā€ written on my right chest]


December 23 at 9:09am
Did you put up Christmas decorations on the new house? I was weirded out because I thought, “he needs to get a wreath or something, make it looked lived in” but I didn’t say anything because I know how busy you are, and then it showed up! Great minds think a like, I guess. šŸ™‚ Good job!
Phil December 23 at 10:25am
I did hang wreaths. Wanted it to look festive and homey. I’m a sap, what can I say.
December 23 at 10:40am
Heh. I love it when you’re sappy. Speaking of sappy, cat is sleeping on my keyboard. He opened my iTunes and played your a cappella tunes. So I have “Lovers Never Say Good bye” on the brain now! Man, your voice was gorgeous…
December 23 at 10:58am
Hope you’re making good progress. 

December 23 at 1:02pm
How’s it going? It’s cleared up and everything is melting! Up to 36 degrees. Just had a visit from a nice lady – She brought homemade mac & cheese! And raspberry truffle brownies, and peanut fudge and rice crispy squares! Yowza! I wish I could hand you a plate!
Phil December 23 at 1:03pm
Freezing my ass of waiting for my Honey Baked Ham. Brrrrr
December 23 at 1:18pm
Wow. I wish you could pass me some of that! I’d offer to warm you up, but it might get embarrassing waiting in line… šŸ˜‰
December 23 at 1:29pm
I just turned on my oven for the first time in um… forever! Trying to warm up the mac & cheese.  I think something died in there. oops!
Phil December 23 at 1:34pm
Geez, I love to cook
December 23 at 1:36pm
Did you hear any updates on your dad? Is he home or in the hospital?
December 23 at 1:40pm
I don’t cook. But I make really good reservations! šŸ™‚
December 23 at 1:49pm
Decided to bake a bunch of stuff, as long as the oven is on… got out some raspberry brie filo puffs from Trader Joe’s that someone left here, and a frozen pizza. And a green bean casserole! Whee!
Phil December 23 at 1:59pm
Yummy!
December 23 at 3:47pm
How’re you doing? Did you freeze to death or get the ham? More company here! Geesh! Another gal showed up with flowers. Wow. This being sick thing has it perks. I got her to eat mac & cheese. We have enough for about 5 years.
Phil December 23 at 3:49pm
Lol. Got the Ham. No frostbite

December 23 at 6:16pm
Ah, very good. Ham is better than frostbite! I am so bored. Must mean I’m mostly better, yes? What’re you doing tonight? I hope you can rest up and eat something good!
Phil December 23 at 6:44pm
Gonna have Chinese seafood at one of my favorite local places
December 23 at 6:56pm
Wow! Their menu looks incredible! And great photos on Yelp. Enjoy! Envy! May have to get Hubby to order Chinese… So glad you are getting a treat after this wild day.
December 24 at 12:43am
Did get Chinese delivered. And watched The Mentalist!
Hoping you are asleep, full of seafood and dreaming nice dreams, sweet man.