My grandmother died early this morning, aged 95 (her birthday was August 2 and that was the last time I saw her). It wasn't entirely unexpected news, but it still came as a shock. As I drove up to the nursing home after I got the phone call from my sister, I thought of good memories of my grandmother, especially of when I was young and saw her at least once a month.

This old photo taken

just about 40 years ago ( I can't be much more than 6 years old--I'm the one on my mother's lap at the left--with my big mouth wide open) shows a happy time at my grandmother's house in Maine, when my cousins (Sara and Beth --that's my Aunt Ann at the right holding Sara--Uncle Bill has a not-so-happy Beth on his lap) would come to visit from New Hampshire and we would stay there all day (sometimes all weekend).

Even though my grandmother was never a very good cook (her talents were knitting and crocheting), she would try her best and we would all have a dinner together (or go out for Italian sandwiches at Sam's around the corner from her house) and great times. Usually there was a football game on TV, or else we would go off to watch the Lewiston High School (my father's school) football team in a game (which cemented early on my personal disinterest in the game--always couldn't WAIT for the game to be over and had NO idea what was going on.)

That's my grandmother in the middle next to my Uncle Bill--she's holding my sister. My sister was always particularly close to her. When I went to the nursing home after I got the call today, it was just me and my sister and I in there, saying good-bye to our grandmother for a bit.

When we left the home, my sister broke down, telling me a relationship she has been in for the last two years is ending. So, coupled with the death of my grandmother, this is going to be a doubly hard time for my sister.

My father, who I have estranged myself from for the last eight years (for valid reasons--won't go into it, though) is affected by the death of his mother, obviously, too. I talked to him briefly on the phone and it seems this death in the family will be the impetus to call a truce .

So, all in all, an emotional day so far for me and my small family.

On top of that, my dog has been ill. I noticed for the last week she hasn't seemed quite herself with low energy and low appetite. John brought her to the vet yesterday and sure enough--she had gotten a tick borne disease. Even though she gets an annual vaccination shot for Lyme Disease (especially rampant in this part of the country) and is on a monthly dose of topical Advantix (kills fleas and ticks), she still got anaplasmosis from a tick bite. Being out in the fields and woods on our walks, there is no way of totally avoiding ticks and other insect bites. She is now on antibiotics and recovering, but slowly. (the additional three shots she got as part of her annual check-up has slowed her down, as well)

Jewel will be fine. It's my family I have to really think about right now.