The Ivanhoe residence
Today, 7 September 2021, is the fourth anniversary of our move to Ivanhoe from Northcote.
In September 2017, Covid 19 was not around, and little did we know that three years after that move our world would change to a new grim dystopian reality of lockdowns, curfews and mandatory mask wearing.
Like everyone else I am heartily sick of lockdowns. I have not been anywhere interesting for months and hardly dare book for any event that might relieve the tedium of life under restricting Covid 19 conditions in case it’s cancelled.
Added to the that, the mystery of Bingo’s disappearance just makes life more depressing and sad.
It is now 20 days since Bingo went missing and even though I am coming to accept that we may never see him again, the memories of his droll presence still take one unawares quite often and cause the heart to catch.
In the photo above he is playing with his favourite toy, a ratty old catmint cushion that he loved to retrieve when you hurled it up the hall.
His absence has left a huge vacancy in our lives that can only be filled with a new cat of Bingo’s calibre.
Covid 19 restrictions of course stymie any idea of acquiring a new feline companion, if we could find one that is.
Despite being fully vaccinated I have yet to experience (other than not catching the virus) any benefits for being so.
It was with a slight lift to my spirits that I read that vaccinated people may be able to go to public events in the near future. Hopefully that includes getting back to the races for some of the Spring Racing Carnival.
God knows I need a distraction as I find myself unenthused by most of the things I used to enjoy spending time on, such as reading books and playing computer games.
The only books I really enjoyed recently were two rereads of Michael Chabon novels Telegraph Avenue and The Yiddish Policeman’s Union, and entirely due to the quality of Michael Chabon’s dazzling prose.
After Bingo’s disappearance the only computer games I felt like playing were the Monkey Island series, simply because of their humour, light-heartedness and absurdity.
Even though I have got used to living in Ivanhoe, this fourth anniversary finds me sad and dissatisfied.
No doubt if Bingo was still around I would be feeling more cheerful and optimistic.
3 comments:
Oh I;m so sorry. Bingo wasn't very old was he? That really is a bummer, particularly in the current circumnstances. We once had a dog disappear for 3 weeks, and she turned up, worn out but safe and sound. A long shot for Bingo but possible?
Meanwhile, you've done it tough down there, so fingers crossed for you all.
Thanks for your comment Mrs Gums. Bingo would have turned five in November, so he was very young with lots of lives in hand. We always thought that he might very well outlive ourselves.
The worst thing about his disappearance is not having any closure and the constant nagging wondering on what caused it.
Yes, I know, I really feel your pain.
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