Linus was my favorite furry friend

Linus on Jan. 22, 2019

It was time. Our Linus was no longer himself.

It was a difficult decision but today we just knew was the day that he had to leave us and cross over the Rainbow Bridge. 

Linus no longer had any quality of life; he was really just existing. He had lost a lot of weight, his fur was not what it had been, his eyes were leaking, and his back legs were getting weak when he started to stand up.

Linus spent his last few days sitting near his food and water bowls, staring at me to give him more and more food and water. He had an insatiable appetite and was always thirsty

It was so sad to witness his decline. And it was obvious he wasn't going to get better.

Oh Linus, I love you, we love you. 

Until we meet again. 💔

Recuperation journey: R.I.P. 'Mr. Valley'

William C. Powanda

I was so saddened to receive a message Wednesday evening that one of the Valley's biggest cheerleaders had passed earlier that day. 

Ansonia native Bill Powanda, 78, of Seymour loved the community he called home and wasn't shy about revealing that affection. 
That prompted many to refer to him as 'Mr. Valley.' 
Having known Bill since 1978 in my work at the former Evening Sentinel and later at the New Haven Register I'd say that is a perfect nickname.
Bill seemed to know everything about the Valley and was one of a very few go-to guys for journalists with questions about the history and people of the region. 
Bill always returned my calls and I'd inevitably learn something from our conversations. He'd invariably sprinkle humorous anecdotes into a phone call.

Bill worked at Griffin Hospital in Derby for 38 years, and when he retired as vice president in 2013 I had the privilege of writing this story for the New Haven Register about him.    

I've yet to read his obituary and I know when I  do it will be through tears.

R.I.P. Mr. Valley. You will be missed.

Recuperation journey: Expect the unexpected

Cliché yes, but so true.

On Sunday afternoon the phone rang. Caller ID showed our son Cameron's name. 
I immediately knew something was not right..he's a quiet guy and doesn't call much. We keep in touch with him through messaging.
He told me he had gotten in an accident riding his bike.

Cameron ran in the 

Griffin 5K Sept. 30.

Cam lives in Brooklyn. I think he called from the sidewalk at the accident scene, since he mentioned something about an EMT and waiting for an ambulance. It was a confusing phone call, to say the least.
A few hours later he called from the ER to tell me he had fractured his hip.
Long story short our boy called me around 1:20 a.m. to say he was out of surgery. He has pins in his hip now. I don't know all the details yet.

This morning he messaged me he had eaten breakfast and a friend would be bringing him a phone charger, so I know he's doing OK.

Cameron never got badly hurt when he was growing up; he wasn't the most active or athletic kid around..he was much more of a computer geek from a young age! 
But that geekiness has paid off for him in the workplace, I'm happy to say. We're very proud of our guy.

But today I feel so badly for him. He recently has gotten into biking and running and working on getting healthier.

Life isn't fair - to use another trite saying in this post.