a companion and a friend.

on her bed in the living room of the ontario house

I lost a friend in July. I haven't written anything about it yet, because I just didn't have the words. To be completely honest, I still don't think I do, but I knew I wanted to write about her, and to remember her.

Her name was Mollie Jean, but that wasn't what we always called her. She had nicknames upon nicknames, but a few of my favorites were MaiJean, Ween, MahJee, Bibi, Johnny Bear, Jonathan Ellington Bear, and MoWee, just to name a few. When she was a puppy, she often clacked her teeth and would "stamp" anything you put in front of her (especially paper). Dad would say, stamp this for me, and she would.

She came to live with us when I was fifteen. She had a home before ours, but that one didn't work out, so then she became a part of our family. Right after we got her, I was lying on the floor on a rug in the living room, and she jumped up on my back, curled up into a ball, and stayed there until I deigned to wake her and get up. 

She had an attitude. You could always tell what she was thinking by looking at her extremely-expressive face. She sometimes bullied our bigger dog, Riley. She wanted everyone to know that the was the pack leader. We sometimes joked that she knew English, and that we were lucky she couldn't speak her mind. We joked, but sometimes I think it was real.

She ate ceiling tile once. We were doing some remodeling work in the Ontario House, and somehow she got ahold of some of the debris. We found her hunched over in her kennel (which she would never enter willingly) one night and knew she had to go to the vet. Luckily, she came out of that event unscathed, but probably a little bit embarrassed. 

Her favorite show was Gilmore Girls. She would lay in bed all day with me while I was on break from college, and watch it. 

She was always there.

When I traveled home to Shreveport in August, before the fall semester of my second year of grad school started, it felt so weird when she wasn't waiting for me to come home. Mom would always tell her when I was coming home, and she would always sit and wait on her perch on the first few steps of the staircase. It felt weird when she didn't stand guard on the edge of the front porch while we sat outside. It felt weird to not hear her crowing bark throughout the day, as mailmen or neighbors or strangers walked by on the sidewalk. It just felt weird that she wasn't there.

I'll always miss her. She was a companion and a friend, and that kind of unconditional love only comes around once in a while. Here's to Mollie Jean.

--
siddathornton through the years:
2014 | 2012 

a mid-summer currently.

summer semester is over - let freedom ring

Today I am experiencing a huge pull to write again (and the logistics of my new blog have yet to be sorted out), and I thought I would scrawl out a quick little currently post. As some of you may know, I used to host a link-up called The Sunday Currently, where I shared what was going on in my life each week. Rather than try to write a from-scratch post today, I thought I would revert back to this old familiar favorite of mine. 

So, on this mid-summer day, I am currently...

READING nothing at this exact moment. If you would have asked me a couple of days ago, I would have told you all about the study guides I was reading in preparation for my final exams, but as it happens, those are now complete, and I am in this weird limbo land where I have nothing to do. I plan to start reading Go Set A Watchman, by Harper Lee, which my classmate Jessica has loaned out to me. I greatly enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird, so I am looking forward to this new sampling of Lee's work.

WRITING is something that I need in my life. I have said this many times before, but it is ringing especially true this morning (or, well, afternoon). I find that every time I experience a major life event, I am pulled back to this space, and that is how I know that I a meant to continue blogging. 

LISTENING to the whir and clink of our ceiling fan, the stirrings of Tahoe every once in a while as she naps, as well as Justin as we discuss bill-paying and finances. Standard Saturday business around here.

THINKING that life is short, but sweet. I found out last night that a dear family pet has passed away, and though I am extremely sad over it, I know that she had a wonderful, full life. I will always miss her, and I am profoundly sad that she will not be there to greet me when I go home to Shreveport in August.

SMELLING like Cactus Verde lately, which is a perfume that I picked up in Anthropologie when we  visited Charleston in May. I love it.

WISHING I had gotten up early this morning, but I had a late night with friends, which is always worth it.

HOPING for a productive rest of the day, rest of the weekend, and entire next week! Soon, we jet off to Wyoming for a much-needed vacation, and I can't wait. And then, it's off to Shreveport.

WEARING scarves like it's my job. I think the summer scarf is an oft-forgotten and underestimated comfort.

LOVING my life and all of the people and animals in it. I take nothing for granted. I feel very, very lucky and blessed to be living this life. I am content, I am overjoyed. I am thankful.

WANTING something good for lunch. I wonder what we will end up feasting on? An afternoon pot of coffee wouldn't be too bad, either.

NEEDING a long, hot shower. I find that they are restorative and good for the soul. I need that today. Perhaps after my afternoon run and long walk with Tahoe?

FEELING nostalgic, emotional, sad, happy, and relieved all at the same time. 

CLICKING Lush's website a lot lately, filling my cart with wonderful bath goodies I hope to someday purchase, as well as Teavana's site, for the same - albeit tea-related - purposes. 

What are you doing? I know we haven't spoken in quite some time, but I would love to hear from you. I hope you all have a wonderful, safe, relaxing, productive weekend. 

around here lately.

As I mentioned in this week's Sunday Currently post,  I am currently in Shreveport, and today, I wanted to share a few photos from the time I've spent here so far. Please do note: I have recently had to revert back to the iPhone 3GS, and the camera quality leaves a bit to be desired. We'll be back to normally scheduled programming when I return to Wilmington, where my replacement phone awaits.


It just wouldn't be a trip home to Shreveport without Cantina, which is one of my mom's very favorite restaurants. On Saturday, we were craving this Mexican delight, but we weren't feeling up to changing out of our PJs, truth be told. So, we phoned our order in to Go Waiter, and we feasted within the comfort of our own home. It was just as delicious as always... especially the fresh guacamole and fish tacos.

During this visit home, we have been focusing our energy on taking the dogs for a daily walk. To say they've been excited about it is an understatement. And we have all enjoyed getting in a little extra exercise, too. Also, the girlies have gotten a hair cut since this photo was taken, and they look pretty cute, I must say.

On Monday morning, I laid in bed for a few hours and finished The Cuckoo's Calling. I absolutely loved it, just like I adore everything JK Rowling writes. I can't wait to read The Silkworm.

As much as I have been enjoying my time here in Shreveport, on Sunday and Monday, my anxiety was really flaring up and making me feel pretty rotten. Yesterday, I woke up with the resolve to make the day a good one. And that's exactly what I did: I stayed in bed until I was ready to get up, I watched Pretty Little Liars, I made a to-do list, I worked on a project, I went on a run, and I did some scheduling. The photos above are those that I took on a peaceful, restorative run. One of my favorite things to do when I'm in town is to run in the neighborhood and the park. It definitely delivered.

This may sound strange, but one of my favorite things to get to eat in Shreveport is Chick-Fil-A. I say it may sound strange, because I can get Chick-Fil-A in Wilmington too. I think I like it so much because it just reminds me of lazy nights at home, when my mom and I would decide that a chicken sandwich would just be the best dinner. That's exactly what we did yesterday evening, after she and I and my dad took the girlies for a walk. Simple pleasures, folks.

I know this Around Here Lately post is formatted a bit differently than my previous ones, but I just felt like sharing a little more this time. I still have a lot to share, and all of that will come in good time. Right now, I'm just soaking up the time spent here in my hometown, missing Justin somethin' fierce!

[Photos: "Around Here Lately" | iPhone 3Gs]

shreveport snapshot: the girlies.

not pictured: hun bun bear

shreveport snapshot: the girlies.

Today, these two girlies are getting a haircut. Kara & I piled them into the car this morning, & they both shook the entire way to the groomer's. We kept telling them, you're going to look & feel so much better after this, but I don't really think they cared or believed us.  I can't wait to see how cute they are when we pick them up later this afternoon.

 

As my visit in Shreveport draws to a close, I am trying to savor every single little moment. Even the simple act of dropping the dogs off to be groomed. 

 

starbucks sunday: outfit of another day.

here are a couple of outfits:

we will talk about the one on the left in a minute.

the one on the right is what i'm wearing today, complete with tall nonfat no whip pumpkin spice latte. it also might be what i was wearing last night while playing cranium with some hilarious people. 

the one on the left (you know, the one where mollie jean is looking at me like i'm a lunatic for taking self portraits with my phone in a mirror during lunch break) is something that i wore to work the other day.

and i loved it. a lot. i don't know what it is about the stackable layering quality of winter clothes, but it gets me every single time. i'd like to say that i love it because it's cozy & comfy, but something tells me i also enjoy the permission i'm given in the colder-weather months to just cover up my body & call it a day. 

when i think about winter clothing, i think about nights out in dallas, wearing long shirts that i pretended were dresses, with tights & high heels. about the chilly air & outdoor bars with those tall heaters. i think about nights out in slidell, wearing a silk skirt, a borrowed sweater, & my new black boots. i think about chilly nights at the sae house, bundled up & huddled around the trademark bonfires of the winter months.

so, i think that's another reason i love cold weather clothing: the fond fall & winter memories they summon. 

i know one thing for certain, though: i have an immeasurable & insatiable love of scarves. 

and the ever-so-elegant jeggings.

(photos: iphone)