Goodbye to good men.

Yesterday, Richard Blonigan's ashes were scattered out at sea, three miles or so off the coast at Moss Landing, near Monterey Bay. This was done by my mother and grandmother from a small aircraft at around 1:15 p.m. While I had wanted to attend, when we arrived at the airport, we were told that taking up three people wasn't possible, so I stayed behind at the airstrip and watched them take off. My grandfather, Kenneth Roberts, was also scattered at that time - he passed away a little over a year ago, and had also known and been friends with Mr. B, so they both had a bit of company on the way. The morning started damp, and the flight was in danger of being canceled due to fog, but as it cleared up by late morning, the pilot was willing to take us out later, and did so. When they took off, the sky was a clear blue with high, wispy white clouds and warm golden sun. According to my grandmother, the sea was the calmest she's ever seen it, and glittered in the daylight, dark blue. Mr. B's ashes were scattered in a low circle over the water by someone who loved him very much, and still misses him -- my mother, Ruth. He is continuing to travel, as he wished. My grandfather, an avid fisherman and former navy sailor, has gone back to the ocean he loved (as well as having a small presence in a few other places he loved being). Then, when they came back and touched down, we three went and had a drink to their memory.

Though I didn't say anything at the time, I was upset. The plane was a four-seater, and with the pilot, only three people went up. It was my weight which prevented me from being able to go. I'm not sure if it was prohibitive due to the fuel or safety reasons, but it hit me rather hard. Despite the fact that my surgery is now scheduled for Dec. 12, and I'm jumping through the various hoops (psych evaluation next Monday, lab tests, x-rays, and EKG to be done soonish), it didn't come soon enough. Not that I blame anyone - I'm the one who finally got things going only now, because of several valid reasons that are still valid. I guess I'm just... frustrated. I miss both of them still, though Mr. B more keenly if only because we're finally going to be selling his mobile home. I'm no longer going there to watch over things - there is very little left to watch over. I'll no longer have a place to go when heading to San Jose for Further Confusion. Not that I'd be attending this year anyhow, due to the surgery. So even though I'd intended to do the panel again, looks like it'll have to wait a year before I get that back on track. And I sort of figured that would be the case, so I didn't even try to set it up with the FC folks. On the bright side, I should be looking a lot better when I do show up again.

Misc things -- got a wonderful tagua pendant from FoxFeather that I am working on beading a short string to so I can fasten it to my braid. Looksee.

And a meme for you all. It's called Quid Pro Quo, and I snagged it from Mulefoot. It's quite simple. This is just like the "Ask me anything" meme but if I answer your question, you have to answer mine. Something for something. So ask me anything you want, silly, serious, random, or mundane, but realize you'll have to give up an answer, too. Have at, if you wish.