Saw Ben's Buddy

Was 29° when Hiker woke me up around 6:15 to go potty this morning. She actually slept in about a hour longer than she usually does. I think she was warm and cozy under the comforter and she didn't want to go out into the cold. When we left for our short morning walk there was frost all over everything. Linda came by around 10:30 am and she and I drove up to Sunland to meet Ben's buddy Ed at the Sizzler Steak House where Ed treated Linda and I to lunch. Had a nice time. When Linda and I got back to my house, I took a “major” step. We pulled out Ben's favorite polo shirts and started to cut pieces out of them for the Memory Pillow Linda is going to help me make from them. Originally I had considered giving Ben's polo shirts to Goodwill or Salvation Army, but thought if we made something with them, I would have the memory of Ben wearing those shirts with me all of the time. Several of them have specific memories for me, which I shared with Linda. I will give his slacks and shoes to Goodwill or Salvation Army, plus some jackets and sweat shirts. Cutting the shirts into pieces didn't bother me, because I know they are going to be recycled into something I can keep. I think if I had given them to charity, it would have been harder on me. The pillow will not be completed for a few weeks as Linda will be leaving tomorrow for Arizona to be with her family for Christmas. Hiker was playing with me today and she gave me a “love bite” on my arm. She usually just takes my hand or arm into her mouth and does not really bite down, but today she did and it broke the skin a little. Her teeth are so sharp.