Crystalline, 2019-2020

I wanted to get a companion for Sebastian so I looked on Nextdoor for a free cat, and found someone who was trapping kittens coming from their neighbors house who let strays mate and wander and get eaten by coyotes. When I got there, of the 5 or so cats and kittens, there were two cats the age range I was looking for, and they were sisters so I couldn’t not get both. I named them Kumba (after a roller coaster I loved from Bush Gardens in Tampa Florida) and Crystalline (after an album that just released by Bülow). Later we added middle names, Kumba Star, and Crystalline Moon.

She got along with every person and animal we brought home, including Jude Dog, Sebastian Theodore, Sawyer, and the people guests we had too, but none more than her sister Kumba. They were inseparable.

After chewing on some rubber that then got lodged in her stomach and couldn’t be found or extracted, she left us June 30, 2020.

Covid projects. Can I make an engagement ring?

I wouldn’t be ready to actually propose for another year, but I knew I was going to do it now, and I was stuck at home without a way to make money or buy a ring, so I tired to see if I could make one. I don’t have the tools or skills or materials to do it well, but I did make a few prototypes that I’m proud of.

These Arte cool, but the one I bought you is the best.

New Years Eve Party

Matt came up from California to stay and helped prepare the house for the party. I didn’t have many fiends in town but I wanted to meet or get better acquainted with your friends, so they all came: Matt, Carl, Lauren, Jeff, Sherryi, Meghan, (Alex? Don’t think so), Maia, Dylan, Gillian, Kate, and Charlie. You were worried that they wouldn’t all get along, being from different worlds. With the exception of one bad combo of personalities, it went really well.

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There was food and vegan food, drinks and alcohol, a Photo Booth wall, and for the big finale, at midnight I pulled a trap to release balloons from the ceiling down on everyone. I can’t believe that worked.. I don’t even know how I rigged that up…

I was not proud or happy with how I looked, and looking back I can’t believe I host a party in a house that looked like that, But I’m glad I did.

I am, however, very proud of the trophy on my arm and in my heart.

Our First Christmas

We were invited by Kate and Charlie to cut a tree down at a family friend’s, or a friend’s family’s, attempted and overgrown tree farm. We cut down a massive and tall tree for our newly vaulted ceiling, covered in silver insulation. You just seemed with pure energy and light, glowing with beauty and joy and mischief. I knew I loved you so deeply as I watched

I can’t remember why you were pouting at me, but I remember asking you why and you smiled, lol.

We put cat toys on the tree as ornaments for the bottom few feet. It seemed to work to prevent the cats from disrupting the actual decorations.

Zoo Lights with Carl and Lauren

You introduced me to your friends Carl and Lauren for the first time, meeting at their favorite walkabout, The Oregon Zoo.

Our First Hike at Bridal Veil with Maia

On hinge, we talked about going on hikes near Portland as a date idea, and you decided to make that a reality for us. I was very open to the idea, but frankly had no knowledge or experience in the matter, so I was keen to join when you suggested. You also invited Maia along, which was appropriate as she was also the chaperone for our first meeting, at the Game Of Thrones finalie party I threw to get to know you.

This is the first phot we took together. We were so cute and so young.

The “hike” was easier than any of us expected. It was paved from the parking lot to the waterfall, and it was not very long, less than a mile. This was just fine with me.

There was a giant boulder to the right of the waterfall. We took turns climbing it, even you when you didn’t think you could. I was proud to see you face a challenge head on, inspired, attracted.

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5 years later, August 19, 2024, we sped hiked a reprise of this trail, just the two of us, between visits to Sugarpine Drive-In the day before your 34th birthday. It was steeper and rockier than we remembered, and we laughed at the thought of others seeing us walk down and immediately walk back up, but we wanted to get to the food shop before it closed for seconds cause it was damn good food and ice cream.

As we walked back up, you imagined yourself floating like a faerie gently up the steep rocky hill, and I pictured myself as a giant lumbering step by massive step. When you got back to the paved path before me, you laughed at how muscular and stiff I looked.