Making the most of Monty

Today has been a celebration of Monty time. He is looking surprisingly well today, and we had some fun with him out in the garden. He visited our wonderful vet, and we've got some more powerful painkillers to give him, so hopefully we can keep him as comfy as possible over the next few days. He has lost a lot of weight. But having lots of cuddles, sleeping in the sun and being smothered in love is the best way to spend your last few days. Look at my lovely boys (and the black crocodile) out in the sun.

No flowers are safe when Monty is around! I've always had to put bunches of flowers out of his reach.

It is so lovely in the sun. He looks deceptively well.

I've very pleased with myself in the crafty department. Here is my latest passion.

These are the first three pansies I have stitched out of Diana Lampe's Embroidered Pansies. I am utterly fascinated by the delightful faces of pansies. I've got hundreds that have self-sown, so there are so many different shapes, colours, patterns and sizes. They are promiscuous breeders. These embroidered poppets are the size of a standard cotton reel, as I drew around one as a stitching guide. I think I did a pretty good job for my first go. You know you are onto a good thing when you wake up in the night and want to get up to do some more sewing! I do have a bit of trouble seeing to do such detailed stitching under artificial light. I feel a bit guilty sitting around doing embroidery in the daytime though. I won't be feeling guilty when I've got a collection of these made into brooches to choose from.

Tomorrow is going to be another lovely fine day. Sun for basking in. Monty will be happy. So will Miss Dog. And I'll be pleased to do another couple of loads of washing. Johnny is going to help Mrs CT make a ramp to get her elderly German shepherd up into the back of her car. Then we're going to Thyme Cafe for lunch. I'm glad Johnny is feeling better. The earth has been rumbling quietly today, so far, so we've hardly felt the aftershocks. You never know what will happen in the next five minutes.

XXXXMontyXXXXX