Mouse was back this morning, all by herself. I was very surprised as she is the one who loves company and organising meetings. She thrives on being busy and Sunday is usually the busiest day of the week for her. But this morning she was very subdued.
“So you are all back from your retreat then?” I asked.
“No, it is just me! I needed a break. This lot is so disorganised. Grrr. I can’t stand it. The discussions go round and round in little circles and we will never agree on a workable solution.” These frustrating words were so out of character. Mouse thoroughly believes there is always a win-win solution, you only have to find it.
“What are you actually trying to do? Don’t you think you should talk to me? Whether you like it or not, we are shackled together. I am still your artist…!”
“That is the problem. It is pretty much about you” she blurted out. “We are very concerned about you!’
“Concerned? About me?” I was surprised. “What have I done now?”
“We think you have too much on your plate and you take on more and more!” Then she reminded me what I have committed myself to over the next few months. Not only am I writing the new book about Lou, the love sick puppy, but I will have to prepare the exhibition and I am doing a stop motion film with some friends. All this is happening while we have some major building going on. “And I don’t even want to mention your work situation” she finished with a very worried look in her face.
“Ah yes, I just have lost one of my jobs, that is a fact of life. I will have to fill the void somehow, but let this be my problem not yours.”
“We have the feeling that because you spread yourself too thinly, the quality is suffering! One can tell your heart isn’t in it as it was in the beginning.”
“That is a bit unfair! I really look after you, don’t I?” Though I had to concede, it is a nuisance that my studio is packed up and I can’t make any new puppets for the time being.
“The zing is definitely gone!” Mouse stated matter-of-factly.
“Love changes over time. You can’t expect that we will be on our honeymoon forever.” I replied defiantly.
“We know that. But it is still sad and we want to help you find your old self. We want to make sure that you love us for a long time to come.”
It was so sweet of Mouse to say that and I had to give her a big hug.
dedepuppets 
Speechless!
Mhmm. I don’t know how to take that!
Complicated situations… caring friend… but couldn’t help.
Stunned by the care of Mouse
Yes, Mouse is very caring. She is a gossip, but she would give you the shirt off her back if you need it.
Personally I think they are currently a bit too sensitive and they are making a mountain out of a molehill. Time will tell…
Yes I’ve always thought Mouse is the wise one…
She always wants to have “happy family”. I wonder if she manages this time.
Was that ‘First Aid’ box in the background an accident I wonder??
No, it wasn’t. She was looking for something to soothe her nerves. Or maybe she wanted me to have something :)
Mouse may have a point. It is easy to get overwhelmed with so many irons in the fire. I’m guilty of that myself because I want to participate in so many things. I’ve recently read that this may be an accelerating side effect of the digital age? I wonder what the Dedes will decide works best for themselves?
As long as one has a space ship to recharge the batteries or a burrow on the mountain top it is easier to cope with :).
I wonder if the Dedes can work out an overall strategy that puts the greater good ahead of their individual agendas. I have my doubts…It might work for a little while, while it is all new…