we lost our Henry

About four weeks ago a body washed ashore by the dock, by the bench where Henry always sat being pleasant and friendly.  Henry's Bench. We walked by his bench yesterday. Cops have still not caught the monster who shot Henry multiple times at 4:00am while Henry slept in the park that he called home.  Lovely unassuming guy, never taking money unless he could trade a baseball card for it. Little kids loved him. I loved him, everyone did.
 

The battle for gun reform continues but you know the gun lobby owns the GOP and most of congress. Screaming second amendment rights  twisted into their own  sick and insane version of "guns for everyone, no responsibility no understanding no training no anything".Bang Bang Shoot Shoot- happiness......

My friend wrote this book about a man, a "shooting gentleman", who bred hunting dogs and did very well in his lifetime understanding  gun and dog. I am conflicted as I have never been a fan of shooting live things for the hell of it. His was "sport and science" though birds must have thought it was not especially sporty. Gun is a  tool which all country folk need in this vast land. Thought of misuse or cruelty  would never ever occur. ( well, except for the birds and bunnies, maybe)

I get it. Anyway my friend is an excellent writer and she did tell his story very well.

but....Umurka you gone done lost your fugging mind! Washington state is trying to make headway. *here*.

-0-

In the yard, the petals have fallen like the celebratory  aftermath of an afternoon wedding!  I hung the needlefelted flowers on the tree to show a friend, and the petals showed up in the background all  party polka dotty.

I bought more tulips and baby's breath for the orphans and the blind bear.  Flowers are abundant at the moment, thus the display of love at Henry's bench. Fresh ones added daily.

My friend sent a photo of the box of tiny dollies that she found in California in the sun, which had melted  in an interesting way....

She arranged them in her wagon of shrooms and moss, to live out their little melted plastic lives  on the counter, being admired by all who see.

There is also a melted giraffe in there for them to ride when they get tired of peering out at the big world. 

One of the dollys is  named  Henry, He has a place of honor and can ride the giraffe any time he wants- he gets first dibs and will be kept safe with his chums, in the soft moss, in a wagon, on the counter, forevermore.