Missing George Jones

I've loved this guy's music since I was a teenager. I discovered him on my own in Michigan. My dad hated country music, but to me, it was always his white blues that resonated, and still does. I already loved the blues, soul, Motown, but this guy's music, however smaltzy and cliche-ridden, spoke to me. So it was with great sadness this morning that I learned of his death at age 81.

Prom Night

 

 

All photos by Joshua M. Ets-Hokin.

Aidan and his wonderful girlfriend, Zaira, went to their senior prom Saturday night. Josh's photos tell the story. "Little brother" Dylan makes a cameo appearance. While we are all still mourning our cat tonight, there is much to celebrate, as these photos document. Aidan is in Missoula tonight, visiting one of the many universities that sent him acceptance letters, the University of Montana.

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Biggie the Family Cat, R.I.P.

He stopped eating after Saturday and by the time I got him to the pet hospital today, Biggie had lost a third of his weight. He was listless, ungroomed, and very weak.  After an examination, they told me he had developed diabetes, a rare but known side effect of the steroids he was taking. There was no positive prognosis, no matter what I chose to do.

After school, I took all three teens (plus Aidan's girlfriend) to the hospital, where we visited with our pet for the final time. After 30 minutes, the three teens and I decided it was time, and the vet came in. Aidan held Biggie, and Julia and Dylan petted him as he first was given a sedative, then the fatal injection. He died almost instantly.

The four of us just sat there, crying silently. It was the saddest room for us in a long time. I drove them home to their Mom's at Bernal, came back here, and wrote this post.

Rest in peace, little guy.

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