Savored Moments

Update 2010

2010-06-18T03:41:00.000-07:00

I guess I should bring this up to date. I usually try to stay upbeat in this blog. Last fall after the discovery of metastasis to the lymph nodes and removal of said lymph node, I underwent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Interferon Alpha 2b was infused daily for 20 days and then I was to receive injections every other day for 11 months. Interferon is awful. In December, I was unable to eat and drink and became dehydrated enough to require a week in the hospital. Interferon was stopped. Life was much more pleasant. In May, metastasis to the lungs and possibly liver have occurred. Now I am getting dacarbazine infusions to prepare for the Ipilimumab vaccine. The dacarbazine has been a breeze. With great antinausea meds, there has been no problem with my appetite and I have felt energetic enough to tend the garden and play outside almost every day.
My garden is looking great this year and I have a new swing made by Cathy and Larry to enjoy the view. Earlier in the spring, I tried to take up making rustic/bentwood furniture, but have been stymied by the heat. Still working on a bench though. Bought Nelt’s Kubota lawnmower and discovered the joy of racing the lawnmower through the job. It is so agile and fun! I actually like mowing, but it is even more fun now. Got new members of the family in the early spring: Macy & Gidget, two Schnauzer mix dogs, Mom and daughter. Nelt built me a fence to keep them in and they have been great ever since. They are happy, good watch dogs and love each other immensely.
I am still showing up for work at JK Products and Services. Thanks to Sam, I have a job there. He has been a saint and my being sick surely has been a disappointment for him, but he has never indicated it. I do love the job and certainly would prefer to be there . I have learned so much from him. I wish I could have spent more of my earlier career years around his type of HR management. Thanks to him lots of people have had a more pleasant work experience. He is so committed and determined .
Lyndsey is progressing through school steadily. She seems to realize the importance of “getting” more than just the booklearning and I think she will be very effective with the public. Never would have given her that credit before. She seems very sensitive to physical ailments and the relationships to environment. She is still dedicated to Romeo and seems happy with her life.
Kelsey is living with Chris and making progress in school. She has matured beyond my scope. She is certainly much more than I ever dreamed. She has sensitivities for people that I have never developed personally and often seems wiser than me about life in general.
Both girls are beautiful and healthy. I love them immensely.
Mom and my brothers are doing well. All of us are aging and we need to be more vigilant about our health, but have good lives and are happy. Dad’s sister has had a stroke and seems to be recovering so much better than expected. Chuck and his famiy are doing well. Jerrie and Richard and their family are all doing well.
I have great friends, Vicky aka “the other half of my brain” and Steve have a new cabin on Spring River and are enjoying the family time that affords. Larry and Cathy are working hard this summer, but have recovered the deck on their river lots and will spend time on Eleven Point this summer. I see friends now and then when we meet to eat together.
Life is sweet.

Dad is gone

2010-06-18T02:20:00.000-07:00

After a decade long fight, Dad has moved on. He passed away last evening at 6:00p. He was peaceful in passing due to the meds he had been given and once again taught me the value of making good decisions. He had fought long and hard and when it was time, left mom in charge to make sure that his passing was as painless as possible.

He was moved just in time from Little Rock at UAMS to the Phil and Flo Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Frank David rode with Mom from Little Rock to Jonesboro early Thursday morning. At 1:00p I went to lunch and went to sit with Mom and visit Dad. Dad had already had Ativan for the trip and was spitting up sputum. No Kleenex in the room. They were out. I made a dash to the Super V Drug store and bought Kleenex and came back. Dr. Owens was in his room gathering information and getting his orders together. The nurses came in and administered pain meds: Morphine 2 mg, Atropine drops to reduce the secretions and two 25mg Fentanyl patches. While Mom was trying to answer Dr. Owens questions and fill out admission papers, I kept up with the secretions. The nurses came back with more morphine and Dad finally began resting easier. I went to get lunch for the two of us. Jerrie was there when I came back. We ate lunch about 3:00p and sat back to visit. Dad's gums and tongue looked more gray to me and by 6:00p he was breathing fewer breaths until he opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling for quite some time. Mom said that had not been happening and within a few breaths he was gone. The nurse was called and pronounced him. Family members were notified. Emerson was called and a few necessary arrangements were made. The rest will be done this morning.

2009-05-16T08:10:00.000-07:00

Frequently, the most appropo statements show up while I am just surfing around. Thank goodness, I stopped and looked this morning. This one, "The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for.” ~Maureen Dowd" strikes me as something I need to keep in mind. The desire to be a part of the group, causes me to fail in holding myself above the expectations of others. Just needed a reminder to look after myself!

Time to Write Once again!

2009-01-18T10:31:00.001-08:00

Seems things get out of hand around here and I forget about taking the time to record my thoughts.

Last post I was thankful to be off and still enjoying my summer. Now I have thankfully changed jobs from StarTek to move to J K Products & Services. So far, I have loved every minute. I will be the Payroll Clerk in HR and will be back to doing the job I know.

Lyndsey has made it one semester in Bastyr and survived the snow and floods in Seattle. She has survived all the things mothers fear.

Kelsey left Hendrix with a leave of absence and has spent a semester out of school. She has had a significant bout of depression and anxiety. Meds have been changed and she has started BRTC to help get her back on track. She seems to be getting in the swing!

Jessie has passed away after a long loud life. Sassy missed her lots, but has now assumed the role of Queen of the Bedroom.

Happy Stitches is no longer due to the job in Jonesboro. The jobs and drive don't allow enough time for any after hours responsibilities. Or much else after hours!

Fortunately good friends were made at StarTek and several of us get together about once a month for drinks and a good visit.

Several holidays have passed, but we have been lucky enough to enjoy the company of most of our relatives and friends just as usual. Mom and Dad were unable to participate and Lyndsey was in Seattle. FD and Lisa were sick for Christmas, and we missed some of Jerrie and Richard's family, but most were in good health and just obligated elsewhere.

Had a scare just before Christmas - developed a freckle - Aaaaagh - was it melanoma again? NO - maybe I will learn to accept freckles again without panic soon. Now my biggest problem is just how big I am! I can handle it! Everything is good.

Long lost hostess

2008-07-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

So much has happened since my last post. I have spent some luxurious time off and have enjoyed the opportunity to recover and spend time with my girls. I have spent much time trying to find a new job and have finally begun training with StarTec - the outsourcing customer service for AT&T. The hours are horrendous. For 5 weeks we train from 3:30p to 12:00a, and drive the 80 mile round trip for the privilege. Fortunately, I am getting to carpool with a nice person and it has taken a lot of the pressure off.

Lyndsey has finished up her time in Jonesboro and has moved to Seattle for acupuncture training. Living with her friend Kara Richey and in her grandparent's old house and working for her Aunt Jerrie Walden has been quite an experience and she is ready to move on. I think she has essentially cut her ties with her father. She and Kelsey road tripped with grandpony Romeo all the way to Seattle in the Big Red truck. I am sure wishing her the best. She is getting to stay with friends from the get-go and is in a great area to be starting another life.

Kelsey is getting ready to attend Hendrix with her friends Ross and Yvon. I am having empty nest already. She will move in on August 19 and be starting her classes and new life. We are trying to spend the next little bit being normal and yet spending time with each other and with all the important people in her life. Chris and I may be the most traumatized.

I have started a new store since November - Happy Stitches - not making a profit yet, but still plugging along. It is challenging with the job situation, but not impossible. I am looking forward to the fall and finding some new and interesting crafting/sewing/quilting projects to do. The Block of the Week class went well and I would like to try something like that again. I had hoped we could get some bits of fabric incorporated, but so far that isn't happening.

The gardening is going slow due to the weather and the yard is getting ahead of me. Little brother's fruit trees have kept me busy with making jam/jelly. Plum and peach for giving away and storing for fall/winter. Smells good in my house!

We lost Rufus, Squirrel Tail and Artemius and probably another one I can't think of since last posts, Artie had a seizure and the rest were lost to Bobcat fever. Jessie is losing ground, but at 19+ years, she can't be expected to keep fighting forever. She still loves her tuna though. She will do her best to get to that tuna.

Till next post -

Turkey Day?

2007-11-06T12:19:00.001-08:00

Sometimes something happens that makes you want to tell about it right away, just so you can verify that you aren't completely delusional.

Years ago, I was at home in a well populated town and walked past my window in time to see a buck loping across my neighbors back yard, over the fences and through the neighborhood, till he came to the interstate highway and seemed to clear the east and west lanes in only 2-3 bounds. The image of that has stayed with me. What was he thinking loping along in town with all those fences and streets and people? However, it seemed that I was the only one who saw him that day. When I tell about it, it just isn't the same image for other people.

Well, fast forward 10-15 years. I have moved to a rural area. But we are in a neighborhood where we can converse with one another without crossing property lines. And there is a well travelled road only a quarter of a mile away. Dogs run loose, squirrels spend their days tempting the dogs, kids play in the road and drivers dodge potholes and killdeer. http://www.birdwatching.com/stories/killdeer.html
Today I was puttering in the garage enjoying my time not working and the great fall weather we have today. Looked up and out the windows and !surprise! there are four big turkeys moseying along crossing the street and heading between houses.

Lying at the end of my driveway is the neighbors Cocker Spaniel snoozing in the sun. Several of my cats are sacked out in the leaves in the sun soaking up the good weather. I ran in and grabbed my cell phone. Rats! now they are too far away. Ran back to get the kids digital camera - poof! they are gone. Nothing else but a few leaves have moved. Now how did those big, clumsy birds get away so fast?

Happy Day!

2007-11-05T19:23:00.000-08:00

Halloween was my last day of working for The Bank! That worked out so well. So many things accomplished this year, my surgery, ending a decade long job, Mom wins over breast cancer, and daughter moving back to her Dad's house.

For the Vulvar melanoma, I had surgery and did not have chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Thanks to the good doctors at UAMS! I was off for surgery and recuperation, now I am really off! I had sort of hoped for a couple more paychecks, but I guess I will make that up somewhere.

My daughters gave me accupuncture for my birthday gift. I can say I know something about it now. I would definitely do it again. And I got to spend some of my time on my Birthday with my eldest daughter. I still want to spend a little bit more time with my youngest daughter. She has had a writing project due, and has been a bit occupied, but eventually we will get a chance!

Now that I am in my first full week of unemployment, I am racing through my days to get all my items on my To Do list all finished. I seem to be adding more on than I am taking off! I am actually getting some things done though.

Today, I learned to operate the bucket on the Dig It machine. No wonder the guys want to work that! I had a good time too! I just can't wait for tomorrow!

A Good Week

2007-05-24T17:07:00.000-07:00

Soon I will be unemployed, but till then I am working regularly. This week I had been asked to work in Jonesboro to fill in for another employee having surgery. I was not looking forward to driving back and forth with record high prices in gas, but it has been lovely having lunch with my mom and my daughter several times this week. I don't think I would like working in the capacity I have been working in this week, too much like a funeral home, BUT it has had some nice benefits. I have spoken to some people I rarely get to converse with and have been home by the same time I usually get home, when I work right in Pocahontas.

Strawberry Sunday

2007-04-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

This weekend is supposed to be a crisis. The bank is going through conversion. Yesterday, there were the minor crises that usually occur when a good weekend occurs. Lovely weather, so the belt on the lawnmower breaks and a blade dissappears. But, on the way to town to get a new belt, after little brother fixed the found blade, a pickup truck with a bed of strawberries was sighted on the Sav-A-Lot parking lot. Our strawberry season was supposed to be extremely affected by a serious cold spell we had a week ago. Trees, fruits, veggies and crops were damaged and the governor had declared a disaster. But, I bought three flats of luscious strawberries. Sold one to little brother and his wife and one to my friend, Kitty. The rest I have saved for myself and spent this Sunday morning putting them up for the freezer. I smell like a big juicy strawberry now!

Tragedy

2006-12-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Every time I see an animal on the road that has been hit by a car, it pains me. I twinge and cringe and try to forget the sight. This morning I witnessed a scene that has really affected my day.

On the way to take my daughter to school, we came upon a gruesome scene. On both sides of the highway, cars were pulled over. In the middle of the lane on the other side an SUV was stopped. In the lane in front of the vehicle was a woman kneeling over a very large dog that had been hit. It was obvious that she was sobbing and upset. Several men in pickup trucks were stopped on the side of the road and were helping to flag traffic. The heartbreak in that scene will stay with me and my daughter for some time.

Counting Blessings

2006-11-07T14:30:00.000-08:00

So much time has past since I posted last. I am sure there have been some savored moments since July, but I guess I will try and catch up now. I have decided to participate in a lovely thought put forth by Shelly from The Little Scrapbook blog, Counting Blessings in the month of November. I really enjoy her blog and appreciate the inspiration she provides.

My Blessings
1. I am blessed to have a savior who loves me and watches over me.
2. I am blessed to have family and friends who care about me.
3. I am blessed to have been given another birthday!
4. I am blessed to enjoy the work that I do.
5. I am blessed to be able to enjoy my pets as much as I do and to be loved by them.
6. I am blessed to live in the location I do where the beauty of the landscape changes regularly.
7. I am blessed to be aware of how good my life really is!

Wow that went by fast!

2006-07-25T13:50:00.000-07:00

My best friend and I enjoy quilting and sewing. We have attended classes together and completed projects together.

This past Monday, we just quilted toogether. We took a day off from work. No pressure to finish anything, just a nice leisurely, fun and relaxing experience. I spent so little time paying attention, that I had to put a couple of blocks together twice! Proof positive that I was relaxed! She had a wedding quilt that needed some work and it is so large that it is an ordeal to drag it out and work on it.

Since we both have full time jobs, working on a big project requires the right circumstances and usually are done under pressure. I really think her part was done with so much less stress than usual. And now she doesn't have THAT "out there" demanding her attention. Don't get me wrong - it isn't finished . . .yet! But she is well on her way.

I had several projects that are WIP and I keep adding to that pile. So, I feel much better having made some headway in that area. I think we may try to do this more often!

Successful re-roofing

2006-07-18T12:59:00.000-07:00

In April of 2006, we had a nasty storm. Baseball-sized hail damaged roofs, vehicles, and lots of other things. Immediately, there was a flurry of adjustors and roofing activity. Roofers came from who knows where and getting service was maddening. The local roofers were overwhelmed and those with extreme damage were forced to use people who where not known in the area. Our roof and vehicle sustained damage, but we drove and our roof did not leak.

Several weeks ago, the car was repaired. This weekend the roof was replaced. Such a relief. Now on to surviving the heat wave! The weather is always interesting here!

Wonderful world of veggies

2006-07-11T08:34:00.000-07:00

The past few days have been fairly busy. We have had a sudden blessing of veggies and fruits. My own potted plants have not matured yet either! There are two types of squash and home grown tomatoes and peaches and fresh corn that all need to be put up at one time. It is amazing that all this stuff comes off at the same time. I do love the flavors though and will put stuff in the freezer for later.

I have had a zuchinni muffins for breakfast along with peaches and cream. Grilled corn for dinner and tomato salads for lunch. I just love summer food!

The Day After

2006-07-05T19:15:00.000-07:00

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy Fourth of July! We got a lovely rain. It has been needed as the daytime temperatures have been hovering around the mid-nineties and we were drying up around here! Today the evening temperatures are in the low 70's and plants have greened up considerably. My poor potted veggies have looked pretty ragged lately, but today this is how they look:

Finally phfinished - The Tea Bag

2006-07-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Seems today was a good day to finish this bag. I started it for myself as a test pattern. Retail had my attention early in the spring, as I looked for a bag, but nothing suited me. Actually I liked several, but my budget doesn't allow for a spring/summer bag priced well over $300.00. So, I decided, I could design my own and be satisfied. I didn't want to waste money on the initial design so I used things already in my stash.

My red fabric was bought sometime in the 80's. The tea pots and cups was a roll of border fabric I was given a couple of years ago. I had made a purse that turned out more like a weekender last year and had an extra snap. Still it needed pizzazz.

I love my embroidery machine. Found a lovely set of redwork cups and teapots on this site: www.sewterific.com

Then I added a couple of layers of plastic canvas in the bottom to provide support. It has 6 outside pockets. Just right for my diverse tea binges. Still. . .I have a lot of "stuff", so I made portable pockets to organize the inside of my bag. BUT, I think this is the final version. This may fit in the skill category.

Tough plants

2006-06-27T08:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Mother Nature works so hard to put something beautiful in the worst looking spots. It seems every summer there are wildflowers that grow up in the crack between the asphalt and the curbing, while there is plentiful space over the curb for growing. But the stubborn plants will insist on growing in that tiny space with cars speeding over or next to them and putrid exhaust spewing out on them.

Domino

2006-06-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Well, the mystery cat has taken up residence and is now making himself at home. He has been renamed Domino because of his black and white markings. Evidently he has been dumped or lost. Domino has definitely been someone's housecat. I have checked around and of course no one seems to know anything about a lost cat. He is probably 10-12 months old and as is his peculiarity, still hisses and growls while he is noticably enjoying the petting we give him.

He has learned that the dogs are not a major threat and that not every other animal in the area is interested in him. He has been quite offended by Baby Abby as she has not seen him as a threat when he growls and hisses at her when she tries to play.

Because of his demeanor, and the changes that have occurred in his personality since he arrived, we have been paying lots of attention to him. He has probably doubled his weight and become more tolerant. He is quite expressive and responsive. Last night he did the funniest thing. Baby Abby usually warrants a hiss and cuff when she attempts to include him in her games. But last night in the newly cut grass, he pounced and bounced and ran and played with her as if she and he were littermates. She was ecstatic and we were astounded.

Beautiful Breakfast

2006-06-26T11:44:00.000-07:00

As I opened my eyes this morning, my daughter came through my bedroom door. Since she rarely is up before lunch, this was a shock. She had not been able to sleep all night long and as soon as reasonable, had come to join me for company. This morning, I was accompanied by my daughter in the feeding rituals. It is always a pleasure for me to enjoy my cats when they are at their best and normally morning is a good time for them. But today was special because I got to start my day with my daughter too! After all the critters had been fed their breakfast, then the humans get to have theirs. I was attempting to get everything ready and was handing things off to daughter #2. Out of the blue, she asked if we could have breakfast outdoors. Nothing could have been better to start the day. The sun was beautiful, the breeze was cool, great company and we were able to share our milk.

Kitty Feast

2006-06-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

Because we feed so many cats, we keep several galvanized steel pans for feeding dishes. We rotate them, some are filled with food, while others are being washed. Today the weather is absolutely gorgeous here and because I usually miss these days because I work full time, I considered having my lunch on the deck to enjoy the great weather. Normally, this requires a juggling act because any food on the deck is an invitation to the kitties who are not seriously napping. I went to the door so I could try to see which cats I would be sharing with and this is what I found! Clean pans are so comfortable.

The Mystery Cat cont.

2006-06-15T07:37:00.000-07:00

Well, the mystery cat is still with us. He is still expecting mass quantities of food. He will eat 3 cans of Fancy Feast at a time. He appears any time there is any activity on the deck. He knows that is where the food appears!
Last night he decided he liked us well enough to try to get into the house with us. I was grilling dinner and on a trip indoors, he chose to dash in and check things out. I did catch him and took him back out.

The Mystery Owl

2006-06-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

I am not well informed on birds. I know the common songbirds and a few unusual migratory birds. When we moved ten years ago, I learned more about some of the birds in this area. We have Scissortailed flycatchers in the spring. They have very ungraceful, erratic flights, as if that beautiful tail is holding them back. We have Indigo Buntings - as beautiful as peacocks and tiny. There are killdeer who build their nests on the side of the road and then behave as if they are injured and run to distract you from the nest. We also have owls.

I had seen little owls at the barn and was accustomed to hearing them. But I was not prepared for the beautiful owl that appeared in the headlights of my car on a stormy rainy night. We were returning home late and in the headlights we saw a beautiful gray colored owl that appeared to be stunned. He/she was standing in the middle of the gravel road in the pouring rain. We sat and watched and were almost as stunned as the owl. After a few minutes, it flew away. Fortunately, I have witnesses or I would think I had seen a ghost!

Surprise visitor

2006-06-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Occasionally another animal shows up at our house. (See tongue in cheek here - LOL) Yesterday was no exception. A lot of cleaning was being done and trips were being made back and forth through the house. On one trip, I noticed a lovely black and white tom cat sitting on the car and looking in the window from inside the garage. We do have a dog door to the outside, but it is usually guarded and most strange animals are not confident enough to challenge. I opened the garage door and started out to investigate. Of course, he ran away. So, I went out to see where he went and he had stopped part way down the drive. He meowed, I responded and he decided to chance it and started toward me, meowing.

He is very pretty and very battered and starving. He allowed me to pet him and examine him, purring and hissing all the while. I gave him some dry food and he took off.

Later that night he came back and did the same hissing and purring while my daughter looked him over. Very strange kitty! She gave him three cans of food and he chowed down till he was belching with every other breath! Guess he is ours now!

Everything falls together!

2006-06-12T08:43:00.000-07:00

On occasion everything just falls together. For years I have listened to the radio show, Prairie Home Companion. This year a movie has been made about the show. I have enjoyed the programming and often will recall something from the show and relate it to my mother, who does listen occasionally.

I didn't realize that over the years, my daughter had heard the show and had appreciated a few of its merits. So, when she asked me to go to the movie, I was stunned. She found out the dates and times of the movie premiere and issued an invitation via an index card at my place at the table. I had been discussing the movies premiere with my mom and for some reason assumed she had called and my daughter had left me a message. What a wonderful surprise to find that we all wanted to see the movie.

We went and had a good time at the movie theatre - three generations. Such a nice memory made!

Jessie

2006-06-05T14:15:00.000-07:00

17 years ago we acquired a kitten from our local vet. Bless his heart, he saw us coming and drug us to the back where this little darling was begging to be taken home. She had been found by two college students on the parking lot of the local McDonald's and had been nicknamed Grimace after the character from McDonald's and because of the huge change in her face when she meowed so loud.
My daughter named her Jessie. She is a gray calico with peach, gray and white markings. She was allowed to go outside to play with the dog until we discovered that she was terrified of motors of any kind. She heard the neighbor next door turn on his car and shot 40 ft. up a pine tree. She stayed there for one day and most of the next before she took a flying leap from the top of the tree and landed with a splat on the ground below. She then scrambled to the back door and clawed the door trying to get inside. She had no injuries and has been indoors ever since. She is very loud and has quite a vast language. She has never been very large, maxing out at about 8 lbs.

She is a water cat. She enjoys swishing her tail in the bath or getting in it if it isn't too deep. She will jump right into the shower and has no fear of the water. Not really a good thing, as she also will jump right out and into the middle of the bed. She regularly uses the sink as her bed and will not drink from a water dish, but must have the tap turned on for fresh water.

She has lived a long healthy life without illness until this year. This year she developed an upper respiratory illness and scared us all to death. Fiesty little thing has come back though and is back to her regular routines. She does not believe in remaining in bed after 6:00a and seems to be set like a clock, regardless of the alarm setting on the clock. She, of course, takes many naps through the day, but feels the need to start the day at a regular time. She also takes her treats at a specific time at night and rarely deviates if she can help it. She demands her treats at 8:30p and is then set for the night. We have other cats, but she is the only one who seems to keep time that well.

Summer Evenings

2006-06-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

In the summer, after dinner is finished, my children and I spend a special time out on the deck watching time go by. My eldest has moved on to her own eventful life, but my youngest daughter and I still use this time to visit and watch the outdoors.

Most of the time, our cats and dogs come wandering in to the feeders about that time. It is beginning to cool off about that time. We have all but eliminated television from our summer evenings, choosing instead to watch the critters. The cats play with one another and groom each other. Some choose to align themselves with the dogs to go hunting. Sometimes they catch bugs, or mice, and occasionally moles. Or Geni and Lil Bit use this time to roll luxuriously in the grass, groaning and grinning while they are flipping from side to side on their backs. The youngest cats play with each other or vie for our attention for play and affection. It is very relaxed and calming. We hear the neighbors cows as they come up for the evening and hear people on the road walking to get their exercise. Seems like the neighborhood slows down to watch the sunset.

My favorite streets

2006-05-22T11:24:00.000-07:00

Any where I have lived, I have found streets that I enjoy travelling more than others. I love the ones that are winding with overhanging tree branches. They are laden with snow in winter and drip big blops of water on my windshield during the rain. In the summer, they shade the street and birds and butterfies fly overhead.

On my favorite street in the town where I live now, I often see deer, squirrels, and always I see box turtles on their migration routes always across the street! It always causes me to wonder what there is across the street to make them risk their little lives. Must be a strong calling.

Lil' Bit

2006-05-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

When we moved after the divorce, we moved into a brand new neighborhood several miles from the city limits. There were very few homes in the area. Ours was on one end of the street, my best friend had 10 acres and her barn on the other end of the street. Between us was one home.

Caring as much for animals as we do, makes us very aware if any animal appears to be neglected. We tend to get a little uppity about how other people care for their animals when they aren't as conscientious as we think they should be.

The folks in the middle owned a poodle that spent its time indoors and we thought they also owned a mongrel that lived outdoors. She was about the same size as the poodle, had poodle-like fur and her features were "interesting". She was short, squat, but quite round. She had erect ears, but they flopped on the tips, cute buggy brown eyes and a pointy snout. Her fur was scrungy. She never seemed to have been brushed, always had ticks and fleas and she spent a lot of her time on the neighbors front porch, leading us to believe that she lived there. However, she managed to make it to everyone elses house for regular neighborly visits.

A couple of years passed and the neighbors sold their house and prepared to move. On one of their last days in the neighborhood, we were outside and walked over to visit with the daughter of the vacating neighbors. During our conversation, we told her we were sorry to see them leaving the neighborhood and that we would miss them and their dog. She promptly informed us that THAT dog did not belong to them, they thought the dog belonged to us. What a surprise!

They continued packing and did leave the poor mongrel behind. Needless to say, she was quickly rescued and spayed, brushed and groomed and after living on her own for at least two years, she officially became "our" dog. That is how we came to have Lil' Bit.

Geni, the wonder dog

2006-05-19T08:58:00.000-07:00

After losing our lab named Kohl, we decided we couldn't live without another lab. Kohl was a gift, but I am a firm believer in getting great pets from the shelters or pound. So we went "shopping" for another lab.

When we arrived at the local shelter, there was an abundance of puppies. I had gone back to school after a 20 year hiatus and was in the middle of a separation from my husband plus the two great kids I was taking care of. My time was very limited and I didn't feel I could spend enough time with a little puppy. We focused on an older dog. Geni was a perfect match for us. She was nine months old, a yellow lab and very docile. She immediately took top honors in her obedience class and anytime we were at home, she was right with us.

Our divorce occurred shortly after we got Geni and I moved our household out of town to a more rural setting. My eldest daughter loves horses and we needed that diversion in our life. My youngest was still trying to decide what she enjoyed. We were able to have plenty of pets. Geni was released from her imprisonment in the back yard and learned to enjoy the pleasures of rabbit hunting and squirrel chasing.

As Geni aged, she developed a severe case of hip displasia and in the months shortly after we moved, she was showing signs of being in serious trouble. We had beautiful wood floors in the new house and everytime she tried to stand or walk on them, she collapsed in the splits, yelping in pain. I was not financially able to have surgery done on her and she was not recommended as a candidate at that time.

This new house has a great enclosed sunroom, full of windows and opens to our deck. We ended up carpeting the sunroom to give her traction and she spends her time there now. She has learned that this is her room and if she needs or wants something, she yelps to let us know. She has become very adept at communicating. Because of her limitations, she does not chase anything anymore, but has continued to be able to walk and can usually climb steps to get up on our deck at will. She still does come and go at will.

She has become our interspecies communications system. She seems to know when any other varmint is outside and lets us know that a possum or raccoon is pilfering the cat or dog feeder. We have had a number of kitten litters and she loves having them in with her. If she thinks another cat or dog wants in, she sounds the alarm. If it is too hot or cold in the house. She lets us know. And certainly no mealtime gets by her. We love it that she has learned to tell us so much.

Another kitten!!

2006-05-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

I love kittens. And I am a kitten magnet. We live in a rural area and have had occasions when people dropped off whole litters of kittens. And the area is full of feral cats. This job of kitten magnet is not too difficult.

A feral female lives in a wooded area beyond my yard. She was always so afraid of people that we named her Fraidy Cat. We keep an outdoor feeder on my back deck for my cats. Of course, this invites everything to come and eat. Lately, Fraidy Cat has begun staying on the deck, keeping her distance when we are out there, but on the deck never the less.

Every evening, we feed the outdoor kitties some canned food and check them out to be sure that no kitty needs medical attention and to give us all a chance to enjoy the other's company. Nothing like the cozy, purring affection of a hungry cat! Many summer nights the spectacle is much more entertaining than TV. Nothing beats seeing several kitties chasing a lightening bug across 4 acres! Or watching them ambush each other in the grass! Or the view of my white lab followed single file by the small black mongrel, followed by any number of cats going off to "hunt" in the late evening.

Last night during the feeding, we discovered the reason Fraidy Cat is staying so close. She has brought a kitten. We presume she feels that it is more protected and food is readily available.

She is a darling! At least we think it is a she. She has four white socks and is tabby striped. She appears about 8 weeks old. She is not nearly as afraid as her mother. She has interacted with our toms and queens and seems quite gregarious. We have spayed or neutered all kitties we can catch and get to the vet, so it isn't all that often anymore that we get a kitten. They are so sweet! Guess we will be watching her grow this summer!

Tuffy!

2006-05-18T13:59:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, my father was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It is a blood cancer. At the time he was given very little time to live. My mother has always been his most avid supporter. Between the two of them and considerable, fast research, he has beaten the statistics. In the early years, my mom completely devoted every waking moment to his care. Many times he truly needed moment to moment care. But as the disease was treated and lessons were learned, my dad truly needed to be more on his own again.

Old habits being hard to break, it was a little difficult for him to resume a more normal life and it was difficult for all of us to turn loose and give him the chance. Even more so for my mom. Dad is a very strong person and has weathered his illness plus other problems that would stop any normal person in their tracks. My mother has had to be equally strong to balance out their relationship.

Both of them needed a new focus though. My family has had pets all our lives, but Mom and Dad had lost their pets and because of the illnesses had not attempted to adopt any more.

I tend to peruse pet shelter sites off and on and had a surge in my activity for some reason. One day a charming photo appeared on a website for a shelter located nearby. The puppy was 1/2 rat terrier and 1/2 yorkie and so endearing. He was one of a litter of five. I didn't even consider going to see him, but I did inquire about him. I was sent an adoption form. I have more pets than I can take care of and my parents had made it clear they were unable to assume any more responsibilities. So, I didn't just run over and get a puppy. However, just before Christmas, I happened to be shopping in the area of the Shelter with my best friend. Off the wall, I mentioned that the Shelter was in the area and I wondered if that pup and his littermates were still there. Being the great friend she is, we drove immediately to the shelter to find all 8 oz. of Tuffy. He was all alone. His littermates had been adopted.

We took him home. My daughter thought we were going to keep him and was very disappointed when I suggested that he was my Mom and Dad's Christmas present. But she tucked him in her hoodie and we went to present him. What a surprise! They were truly stunned, but he won them over almost immediately. They love him dearly. He wins over almost everyone still.

He was so small, that Mom was afraid that some harm would come to him, so she created a bag to carry him in so he wouldn't get lost or stepped on. He is a constant companion. Dad taught him to play tug of war and fetch and to beg from the table. He is not a large dog, but he is an enormous personality. He goes shopping, out to eat, on road trips and to the bank for treats!

Tuffy has certainly been a blessing and has blessed us all in return. To know him is to love him.

The Legend of Snagglepuss

2006-05-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Today I am a cat lady. Though, all my life I have had all kinds of pets.

In years past, during my married years, we were owned by a cat named Snagglepuss. Approximately 27 years ago, I was working for a vet and married to a Doctor. I got pregnant and quit working at the vet clinic to be safe.

Our first ownership as a couple, was by a lovely tom named Whiskers and a queen named Boo. Both were catered to, during our early married years, as though they were children. We moved to a cul de sac neighborhood and I got pregnant.

Whiskers politely brought me a battered kitten during my 9th month which happened to be the coldest day in November. I was in no state to allow the kitten to fend for itself and promptly attempted to clean it up and then walked the neighborhood to locate its owner. Of course, it did not have an owner now. The kitten was born without eyelids and had developed serious eye infections. I contacted the vet I had worked for and asked for help. He was developing his skills in the cat eye area and was kind enough to work on this kitten. He called a another vet friend and through cosmetic surgery they created eyelids for this kitten and told me that she would always have problems and need artificial tears.

Fast forward a decade. Snagglepuss has survived and although she is mostly blind, rules the neighborhood. On a sparkling early summer day, the husband gets into the Explorer to go to work and promptly comes running back into the house panicking. It seems that Snagglepuss has been in his car and all that he can now find is her lovely feather boa style tail lying in the middle of his spot in the garage. I send him on to work and tuck my gown into my jeans and go off on the hunt for the crazed kitty.

She is located intact except for the tail under a stack of firewood. She comes right out to me and I scoop her up in a towel and run her to the vet's office convinced that she must be dying. He examines her and requests that I retrieve her tail. The tail has been dropped in the trash. I didn't really think she would be using it again.

I dashed back home to retrieve the tail, arriving just as the trash collector has lifted the lid. I grabbed the tail, hopped back into the car and drove off. I am not sure what he was thinking as I left!

The vet examines the tail and pronounces Snagglepuss to be structurally intact with no loss of nerves to anything vital other than her tail. She spends the day and night with the vet and returns home only a bit worse for wear. Every effort to make her an indoor cat was thwarted by her. She enjoyed being outdoors and made it outside at every opportunity. Eventually, we gave in and left it to Mother Nature to take care of her.

At 18 years old, we relinquished our care and Snagglepuss left to stay permanently with Mother Nature.

Monday moments

2006-05-15T10:17:00.000-07:00

Normally on a Monday those special moments are a bit harder to find. But already today, I have found a smile maker.

Once again, I went home to eat lunch. Usually when I start into the house, the cat contingent lazily wanders in to see what is going on. Felix, the tom cat was sleeping on the back of the upholstered chair when I came in. I patted him on the head and got the television going, then went to the kitchen to prepare my lunch. When I got to a stopping point I went back in to see the television. The television was playing an exerpt from the Lion King musical. Felix and Serena (female kitty) and Poppy ( female kitty) were all sitting up in the chair staring at the television as if they were watching it. In no time at all, the moment was gone and the interest in The Lion King was all over.

Happy Mother's Day

2006-05-14T06:04:00.000-07:00

It does seem appropriate to begin my real postings today. I feel as if I have a new child!
From time to time there are moments which mean very little to anyone but me. But there are things that make my day go easier or from which I may have learned something. I wanted to have a place that I could share these moments. So here goes. . .

This week there have been at least a couple of special moments.

Mooing stories:

I live close enough to my home that I can leave work and eat lunch at my own table. On the return trip to work this georgeous blue skyed Wednesday, I was driving along and saw this photo moment. A man with a white vinyl fence was mowing the green grass as close to the fence as he could get with his shiny green John Deere mower. Inside the fence was a small herd of copper brown cattle. As he is progressing down the length of fence on the outside, this herd of cattle was following single file after him on the inside. Wish I had a photo!

The Bluebird of Happiness:

Oh! and while I was mowing the 3 acre yard this week, I was mowing along and I noticed a male bluebird following me from about 25-30 feet behind. He was making a pig of himself. The crickets and bugs were fresh and he was hopping along just enjoying the smorgasbord.

Random Acts of Kindness:

I have a notary bond and as part of my daily activities, I notorize documents for the public as a free service. Generally people feel that having a notary seal required is a nuisance. But even if they have been inconvenienced, I love working with people and it is always interesting to see the short segments of peoples lives. A lovely woman came in today with a document to be notarized. Her husband had passed away and she was re-organizing. She was not very comfortable with her new role and was telling me her story and about her discomfort. I shared some of mine and explained that it really was good to see her taking on the responsibilities. I notarized, imparted opinion and wished her well. At the end of the conversation, she abruptly asked me my favorite flavor of pie. Caught off guard, I told her and explained that I never turned down any pie! She laughed and thanked me and went on her way. I resumed the other parts of my daily grind. About 30 minutes later, she walked in carrying a freshly made Chocolate pie. I found out she makes them to sell and had just finished making the next days offerings just prior to our conversation. The pie was so delicious and the sentiment so appreciated. And the gesture will definitely increase her business!

Guess, that is enough for today. Nothing profound - just memories!

Day 1.

2006-05-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

Day 1. The best is yet to come!