Thanks for the advice, Hollowfox! I AM starting to be able to read again (without rereading the page 3-4 times and talking aloud to...whom? Tom? the Universe? the cats? myself? And I'm continuing to read M.F.K. Fisher's "An Alphabet for Gourmets" aloud...to Tom? to the cats? to myself? We were about a 100 pages from the end when he died.

In two days I fly to Milwaukee for my mother's funeral...more stuff to be done.

Today I called the life insurance company to find out when I might expect a check...and was referred to the funeral home which the insurance company claims needs to mail some documentation rather than fax it. Waiting for a call back from the funeral home. (I'm sure THEY'D like to be paid...)

Meanwhile, I just received an interest notification on a life policy I didn't know about. (Thought it had been a term policy that no longer existed.) So called on that. They're mailing a claim packet for which I'll need another certified copy of the death certificate. So just got home from town hall where I got another two copies just in case...

I'm not sure when life will smooth out enough to be able to figure out what the new rhythm of my life will be. Still haven't set a date with The Press Room for a memorial gathering in January.

It's been a weepy week...probably because I'm spending a little less time on the phone and have the time to luxuriate (I'm not sure if that's the word -- but crying makes me feel a bit better) in a good reminiscent cry.

I was worried about how to deal with our "other anniversary", the double anniversary of the night we met and then that night, while celebrating knowing each other for a year, we decided to get married the following June. Sigh. This year it will be sandwiched between flying to Milwaukee and my mother's funeral. I think I'll be distracted...

Linn