swimming, weird coffee, visits, gratitude

Today, I got back in the pool after not going for something like three weeks. Given that I was sick with something that affected my lungs and breathing, I was fairly forgiving of myself that I just went for 3/4 mile, though I'd been hoping to swim for the whole 1 mile. I also didn't push myself really hard; I thought it best to work up slowly. I'm hoping that resuming swimming will help with aches and pains and maybe even sleeping. A lot to ask, I realize.

I have to mention a silly incident. George Howell, who started the much-revered and -lamented Coffee Connection, opened a roasting business a few years ago in the next town over. For months, I saw a sign about a "Coffee and Ice Cream shop" by the train station in that town, but the store took forever to open. It turns out to be GH's store. How cool! CC coffee, once again, or at least its descendant.

I went in today and the young woman, whose English was less than superior, said that of course she could give me Cafe Americano. She then handed over a nearly-overheated cup of plain old coffee. Perhaps in Europe, that is Cafe Americano, but here, you typically get an espresso drink. I'll go back again, especially since Robert has been raving about the place, but my first impression is one of being severely underwhelmed. Alas. (And I could have gone to Starbucks and gotten what I wanted.)

I realized before Juliet died that when she did go, my loss would be compounded by the immediate loss of the wonderful closeness I feel to her medical staff. OK, women crave connection (by stereotype) and I had that in spades. Of course, everyone at the clinic is trying to make a new business fly, and also has to focus on living (not dead) pets, and the owners of the living pets. But it is hard to stop; I am awfully fond of the people there.

I stopped in for a visit this morning; it was a little easier than my last visit. I mostly talked to Kris and saw Matt briefly. I hope that Kris and I can get together for an occasional coffee, perhaps on one of my days off.

I also stopped by the surgeon's office and talked to her and two of her three assistants. They were in the middle of surgery, but stopped for a little bit to give me a hug and talk to me and tell me how well I'd done, which was very sweet. One of the assistants said that when I bring home a new cat, it'll look around and realize that it has it made . And they asked me to bring any new kitties by for a social visit, again, very sweet.

I have now written personal thank you cards and made personal visits to everyone on Juliet's care team -- her doctors, Kris and Matt and her regular vet's clinic, and the people who boarded her. That feels especially good -- to express my gratitude to people who have been so very helpful and reassuring. I know that Juliet and I could not have done as well, or gone on as long, without help from all of them.