Christmas 2018

Our 2018 Christmas card photo, from Spencer and Emma's wedding June 30.

Dave Shove

Dave Shove was a founding member of the Minnesota Green Party, a Mensa member, and a good piano player. Before his retirement, he worked in computers at AIC. I regarded him as a wise elder, and respected his opinions about politics and life. He had a way of starting out talking calmly and dispassionately about a subject, and then suddenly becoming loud and emotional about the corruption of the two party system. This instilled a sense of urgency, a sense of importance, a sense of duty to take a stand for what’s right. He was smart. Before Facebook events, he would send out the Progressive Calendar by email. He would meet people for lunch on a regular basis, to talk politics. I last saw him on election night, we were talking about how to get our news from YouTube. Thank you Dave for all you’ve taught me, RIP.

Jean(ne) Grey, 2003-2019

9/25/2003 - 1/3/2019

After taking the cat to three vets, I agreed it was time to euthanize Jean Grey. She was 15. A probable brain tumor took away her ability to move and eat, and she was probably in pain, even with a painkiller. Originally spelled Jeanne (I changed the spelling after looking up the superhero on the Internet), she grew up with my sister’s family in the St. Cloud area. I agreed to take her for five weeks in the spring of 2015, and by the end of that time, I had bonded with her. She was a wonderful companion, hopping into my lap, resting on Kori’s stomach, playing with a plastic string, and navigating the obstacle course I set up for her. Her sixth life was after I almost gave her fatty liver syndrome adjusting her diet. Her seventh life was after we took her down from the balcony railing. Her eighth life was pill and powder for her kidneys and eyedrops for uveitis. Her ninth life was palliative care after the onset of brain tumor symptoms. In cat years she was about 77. RIP Jean Grey, may your cat spirit find a good place.