Musings On A Small Life

My "hair happy" for the day!

2012-02-13T13:24:00.001-05:00

As some of you might remember, my stylist has been off work with her first baby since December 18th. (He was born by C-section on December 19th.) I had my last cut on Saturday the 17th, but haven't had hi-lites since October. Acck. For someone who goes a maximum of 6 weeks (preferably 5) in-between cuts, these two months have been long, hair-wise. No pun intended. And no, I haven't wanted to risk having someone else touch my hair. With or without good reason, it's my only vanity.

Anyway, yesterday afternoon my stylist sent out a message to all her clients indicating she'd be starting back on Saturday March 3rd, listing her hours and prices. I replied right away that I'd be calling her ASAP this morning to book for a cut and colour, and absolutely would take a day off work in March if necessary.

This morning, just before 9AM, I logged back in to my personal email to get her phone number, and she had replied, telling me she already had me booked for Saturday March 3rd at 8:45AM for both cut and colour.

Oh, happy day!

I emailed with a huge thank you; I hadn't expected to get her first appointment time, on her first day back.

Yippee!

A mere 2 weeks and 5 days to go. LOL.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

What, winter again? And other randomness.

2012-02-11T18:32:00.000-05:00

We have winter again (crazy concept for February in Ontario). A few centimeters of snow; that's nothing. It's the freakin' minus 25 Celcius windchill we had today and will have tomorrow. I refused to venture out at all today--almost unheard of for me, for a Saturday--except for quickly clearing the driveway. Coffee with a friend tomorrow morning, but at least he'll pick me up, no waiting at a bus stop or trundling off on foot.

Snapped around 5PM this afternoon. Even Nicki's not impressed with the temps or snow.

Our City's greenhouse is open Sunday afternoons now, starting tomorrow. I won't be going right away. Maybe next weekend or the weekend after. Next weekend's the cat show, though.

One of last year's greenhouse snapshots.

I finished kitty blanket #11, which really is #10, this morning. The one I had on the go last weekend still is on the go. I put it aside to see how the remnant "unknown fibre" wool from Wal-Mart would knit up. Quickly and easily. I suspect the thing will fall apart during the first washing.

Nicki appeared to be less than impressed with it. It didn't pass the kneading test--or he wasn't in the mood to try. Or maybe it's just too garish for him.

I'm back to working on #10, which now is #11.

The (former) neighbour was back yesterday and again today, still doing work in the house. I have no idea what would need finishing up and am surprised the new owners haven't yet taken possession of the unit. Yet thankful for another quiet weekend. It's like waiting for the other shoe to drop though. LOL.

I "won" a pendant in a recent Cat Blogosphere auction; it's on the way to me and I'm looking forward to getting it, if someone at Customs doesn't help themselves. You never know...Occasionally a Canada Post letter-carrier is caught with years of undelivered letters and parcels in his/her home. Probably a similar thing happens with Customs officials from time to time. I've also got some "silvervine" on the way to me (looks like it could be more potent than catnip, from the cat pics I've seen on various blogs). Now that could be confiscated by Canada Customs.

If the silvervine does make it, I'll be curious to see Derry's reaction. (Pic snapped this afternoon.)

I can't believe I'm going to write this, but I'm actually considering saving for an e-reader. A new book in seconds. Easy storage. I'd love a Kindle Fire, but it doesn't ship to Canada. The Kobo Vox has less-than-stellar reviews. I like Amazon.ca and order all my books/CDs/DVDs from them, but a Kindle means I can only buy from Amazon, whereas a Kobo is open-source. I want something that gives me colour, for magazines. Maybe I ought to consider a tablet instead, though they're larger than I would prefer. No rush, I won't be getting one any time soon. But I would be interested to get feedback from anyone out there who has one: Which one and why you chose it, if you'd choose the same again, any customer service problems, etc. (I've read that Kobo's customer service is crappy.)

And that's enough "randomness" for one day. The boys are asleep, lulled by the oscillating heater I have going in the living room (did I mention it's freezing out?) and I have knitting to get back to and plenty of "old-fashioned" books to read.

I hope everyone's having a lovely weekend.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

"Ohhh, That's 20% of Your Daily Fat Intake"

2012-02-09T17:19:00.000-05:00

Did I need the grocery store check-out woman to peruse the label on the back of my low-sodium Kettle brand chips and gasp, then comment that a serving is 20% of one's daily fat intake?

No.

Did I feel the need to laugh and tell her that I very rarely buy chips because I much prefer sweets?

Yes.

Did I feel the need to come home and eat half the bag?

Unfortunately, yes.

Do I feel the need to balance that out with a small salad for supper?

Yes.

Should I add, to justify my chip intake, that we took our new staff member out to the Grad Club for lunch and I had a yummy spinach and feta quiche with tossed salad? That I didn't have a single French fry from the large basket one of my co-worker's got?

Yes.

Hmm, perhaps I ought to explore why I feel the need to make any excuses and justifications at all.

Perhaps I'll do just that...after my salad.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Ms. Muse is on Holiday, Apparently

2012-02-07T12:01:00.001-05:00

My "creativity," such as it is, appears to be on hiatus. Perhaps extended hiatus.

Except for a recent spurt of collage-header-making via Picnik and Picasa.

Picnik, as those of you who use it already know, is closing April 19th. In the meantime, everything is free, including their "fancy collages." I suggest you grab everything you can, while you can.

I'm still waffling on what to do with the boys' blog. I've got a few new posts up on the other Fuzzy Tales blog, the one at http://fuzzy-tales.blogspot.com, and one scheduled for tomorrow on the "old" cat blog. Maybe I'll keep that one...maybe I won't. I'm not going to "fuss" about it right now, just take each day as it comes. It's only blogging, not important in the grand universal sense.

Meanwhile, "real" life plods along.

We had a new staff member start yesterday, hope she'll fit in and feel comfortable with us all.

Still no new neighbours; the weekend was blissfully peaceful. Surely the new people will take possession soon.

The boys seem okay, knock on wood. Always knock on wood for good luck, never tempt the Fates.

One of the dance exercise DVDs I ordered arrived last week. I watched the intro and first 10-minute basic steps segment on the weekend, tried it yesterday. OMG, I must have played the first two minutes a dozen times, at least. I knew I'd never make it through the entire 10-minute segment, just wanted to get the first steps down.

Have I mentioned I never learned to dance and am totally uncoordinated? What a hoot! If I stick with it and actually learn the steps (it's hip hop, believe it or not), it would be a fabulous workout. I still have a Brazilian dance DVD on order, delayed. I'd enjoy that music more, though am sure I'd be no faster learning the steps. I want to do something fun, not something that feels like work. I don't have enough willpower or discipline or whatever it is that one needs to force themselves into an exercise routine they loathe, just to shed a few pounds. Shudder. Sheer torture.

I just want to do something that energizes me, maybe even empowers me a bit. Because it's been about 15 or so years since I've truly felt empowered, felt that I could take on the world and succeed. I'm not aiming for that again, too much has happened in the intervening years to be that youthful and naive again, but a smidgen of empowerment would be nice. :-)

I hope everyone is having an "empowering" day!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Equal Billing Works For Me

2012-02-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

I had the annual furnace cleaning/inspecting this afternoon, for the maintenance plan I buy. (Which actually has been very handy in the past, several times.) All's fine, igniter replaced (gas furnace). But for the first time, I had the option of signing up for equal monthly billing over the year. Apparently they've always had this option, but no one ever suggested it to me before. I'm glad this guy did, it's much easier to budget $25 per month than to shell out $300 at once--at least for me.

So another one of those little boring life details has worked out just fine, at least for the moment.

Nicki was very well behaved, by the way. Usually he makes a pest of himself, but he mostly stayed upstairs with me while the guy was here, only going down a few times to check things out. I was impressed. Derry hid under the guest futon, of course.

Oh, I've seen the now-moved-out neighbour back a few times, including this afternoon. So the new owners don't have the keys yet. I thought they might move in this weekend, but perhaps I'll have two more days of peace and quiet. I live in hope.

I'm living in hope of spring--and colour--too. LOL.

One final thing: I'll be heading to PetSmart tomorrow for food for the boys. I think a lot of their toys are on sale too, so I'll see what can be found for February's shelter donation purchases. I don't have anything specific in mind, though. I'll buy canned food in late fall, so right now it's open as to what I ought to pick up. Suggestions are welcome, just remember I'm limited to $10 - $15 per month, not counting the cost of the wool for all the kitty blankets. (Which I also need to pick up, so a jaunt to both Michaels [crafts] and WalMart is in order.)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

That was a dud

2012-02-02T13:54:00.001-05:00

Yesterday's "occupy" protest was a yawner, at least for us. There was a rally at our athletic and recreation centre, but nothing happening around our building. Somewhat disappointing. I felt really sorry for the poor security guy who spend the entire day in the building's vestibule. Seriously. They didn't even rotate personnel for this. I don't even know if he got lunch--he had told me at one point, when I asked, that someone was supposed to give him a break at 1PM. Wouldn't surprise me if no one had, though.

So much for our "excitement!"

The cats aren't finding much excitement in the back space
right now, either. Snapped yesterday through my window.

I hope one of you is having some excitement--the positive kind, that is. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

This could be...interesting.

2012-02-01T08:35:00.000-05:00

We're waiting to see what happens with the Occupy (our university) protest that is taking place today. Apparently at least one of the local radio stations was indicating a start time of 10:30AM. Because it's not like students would crawl out of bed at 6AM to start something, right? Except during Frosh Week.

I remember some years back, two or three Principals ago, that students occupied his office for two weeks. Peacefully, no big deal. I do recall they had to lower their chamber pot out the window, down three stories. Ha.

Now, I do work in the main administrative building on campus, so am expecting some "excitement." We've all been brought up-to-date on security measures and on what to do in the slim chance we have to evacuate. And of course we're in lock down. Fun, fun, fun!

Oh, I have my little pocket camera with me too, of course. You never know, I might be able to make use of it. :-P

I hope everyone has an interesting day too!

Any February 1st that starts with +7C (45F) temps is a good one.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

"That Ain't Much of a Life"

2012-01-31T08:20:00.000-05:00

So said a woman who passed me by yesterday, walking in the other direction. I have no idea if she was talking on a cell phone (didn't notice one in her hand, but she could have been hands-free), if she was talking to one of the voices in her head, talking to me, or if it was a comment on the paramedic SUV and ambulance that were trying to find the right driveway to turn in. But I wondered how many of us echo that sentiment.

"Toes are the worst" is another quote, overheard on the last bus last Friday afternoon, spoken by a young girl/woman who could have been anywhere from mid-teens to late 20s. She was in the seat ahead of me, talking about mangled toe nails growing back in. Eeewwww. Some things just should not be discussed in public, IMO, whether that be via cell phone or face-to-face.

I really do my best to ignore most things being spoken around me, but sometimes you just can't tune them out.

Toby came for supper last night, surprisingly. He normally doesn't. I suspect he might have hung around on the step for all or most of the night. :-/

He got his breakfast this morning, of course. Two of them. And he "helped" me shovel the snow from the driveway before I left for work, once he got over his fear of the shovel.

Poor Toby. He does break my heart, because he's such a sweetheart. I wish he would use the shelter I put out for him, but there's never been any evidence that he has (i.e. fur, wrinkles in the blanket). At least we've had a mild winter by our standards.

I'm debating what to do about the boys' blog. I don't want to give it up entirely, but am not sure I want to continue as part of the CB, with all its inherent obligations. Because it does come with obligations, being part of a community, whether that's on-line or in person. Vote for this, support that, join this contest, add that badge to your sidebar, on and on, endlessly. I don't believe in posting as part of it and not being an active participant, though I know many do. I'm thinking about setting up another blog for the fur family elsewhere, no comments permitted, no followers per se, just for my own pleasure. I'll see how I feel as winter slides into Spring. A fresh start might be just what I need in that regard.

I hope everyone has a lovely, colourful day.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Moving out and Moving On

2012-01-28T15:05:00.000-05:00

Yes, the neighbour with the scary dogs is in the process of moving out today. I was 98% sure she had sold the unit, as I hadn't seen it advertised when I looked the other week. I'm hoping for a few days' grace before the new owners move in. And I'm hoping--but not at all expecting--that they'll be good neighbours.

Other than that tidbit, all is quiet, figuratively and literally. The boys currently are sleeping, the snow has started (again), and it's a typical grey, January day.

In our green space yesterday afternoon...complete with frozen lump from the plow. LOL.

I was bitten by the cleaning and tidying bug this morning, so spent several hours clearing out stuff, reorganizing things, and doing the normal weekly house work. I need several boxes to pack up the remaining items for donation--I've used my spare boxes already. Maybe this is a harbinger of an early Spring this year, this "premature" urge to de-clutter. It certainly feels good!

And maybe tomorrow I'll have a pyjama day, loll about and eat chocolate, drink tea, read and knit. (I'm still on kitty blanket #9.)

Have a great weekend, everyone, whether it's productive or not. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-26T12:48:00.000-05:00

Maybe I ought to adopt this Thursday theme on my own blog, particularly since I'm not in the mood to blog much on the Fuzzy Tales site.

Just my usual winter "blahs," coupled with the anniversary of Chum's death, and of course the first anniversary of Annie's passing looming on February 16th.

So, for today, here's what I'm thankful for, in no particular order:

A decent full-time job with a great boss
An excess of food
A home of my own
Reasonably good health, I think. Hope. LOL.
The boys, who by times drive me nuts, but always give me a focus beyond my petty self.
Annie and Chum--they blessed me with their presence, even though I still keenly feel their loss.
Dark chocolate with caramel chunks.
Parents who still are alive and who love me.
That we have "only" 54 days till the Spring equinox on March 20th. God's teeth, I can't wait for GREEN again!
A coupon for a very small amount off the admission fee to the Canadian Cat Association National Show in February. This will be the third or fourth year I've gone (not till the end of Feb, though). The best part is the house cat judging, IMO. I'm not interested in any particular breed, but I love to see all the rescued cats who now are flourishing.
That tomorrow is Friday! Yay!
That my house de-cluttering is coming along well. I've always got a pile, or six, on the go for donation. Have no idea how I accumulate so much stuff when I'm not a collector.

Okay, that's enough.

No recent pics, unfortunately. How about three from January 26 and 27, 2008? Four years ago we had a fair bit of snow at this time, as Nicki's pic shows.

A glimpse of Annie in the old tent, well before her hyper-t diagnosis. She was very silly and playful when she still was healthy.

Nicki out in the snow, spying birds in the tree.

A slimmer Derry (lol), with his usual sweet expression.

I hope everyone has something for which to be thankful today.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Take Nothing For Granted

2012-01-24T10:12:00.000-05:00

January 24th five years ago was a freezing Wednesday. I went down to the Lake on my lunch hour and snapped a few ice pics, some of which follow.

I went home after work and did my usual routine. I distinctly remember Chumley, who was a string guy, watch with great interest as I flossed my teeth that evening.

Not long after I had gone to bed, the blood clot in his heart let go and cut off the circulation to his lower body.

I will not go back in my memory, more than I already have, because that truly was a terrible, terrible night.

But it is a good reminder that life can turn in a split second, a reminder to us all not to take anything for granted, especially the lives of our loved ones or even our own lives. Because in an instant it all can be taken from us, leaving us bereft of a true gift.

My memories of Chumley are dim now, partly from the passing of the years and partly because I choose not to recall them vividly, especially those of that last night.

But the lesson remains.

Treasure your family and friends, fur and non-fur, always. Hold them close, and when the Fates take them from you, let them go, knowing that even if this life is all there is, they remain with you, in your heart, for as long as you breathe.

Men and boughs break;

Praise life while you walk and wake;

It is only lent.

[Excerpt from The The Return of a Captain by David Campbell]

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Blend and Extend...Or the Boring Business of Life

2012-01-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

Getting close to Friday, yay! Still freezing weather, boo!

So I guess I'll play catch-up on the "boring business of life."

My bank currently is offering a mortgage rate of 2.99%, fixed for five years. I emailed my mortgage advisor to ask if it was worth breaking my existing mortgage, but she said no, as the penalty would be $4400. Yikes. However, she can do a blended rate, extend the term back out to five years (I have three years left on it), and shave 0.55% from my existing rate, thus cutting my amortization period by 9 months. Not a huge savings, but it's a win-win as far as I'm concerned, and it is my money after all. Anything I can save is great. As it is, I'll be in my early 60s before it's paid off.

I thought about remortgaging to clear my ever-present credit card debt, but decided it's not worth it. Every time I clear my debt I run it up again within months. So I'll keep what I owe and pick away at it. It's my fault anyway. I had house repair/handyman expenses from last spring, I bought a few needed clothes, groceries, etc. and of course I had $800 in vet bills in the fall, plus another $100 in taxi fees to and from the clinic. It's rather scary, though, how quickly debt can balloon.

I deliberately made the bank appointment for tomorrow at 3PM, perfect timing to get out of a work social function. I wasn't going to attend anyway (it's after my work hours, on a Friday--no, no thank you), but this gives me a legitimate excuse.

Copyright Workman Publishing

Let's see...Oh, my boss had just hired a new staff person, she'll be starting February 6th. She's been at the university for 22 years as a contract employee with a research department and I guess she just wanted a change. Is married with a family, I think, does have a cat. So our office dynamics will shift again. As long as she's not over-the-top judgmental and strident, we should be okay.

Mom has walking pneumonia. Healing thoughts would be appreciated! She's had a cold for a couple of weeks, has been bed-ridden for most of the time, and I asked her if she was sure she didn't need a doctor, suggested she might want to be checked out. No, no, it wasn't necessary. We never do listen to our family members, do we? Besides, she had a shot to prevent pneumonia, she said. Uh huh. Well, she did go up today and yes, she has walking pneumonia and yes, she needs antibiotics. So I'm glad she went. Parents. (LOL)

I made it a whole week without a chai latté or double chocolate brownie from Starbucks, but caved today. Actually, that's my first chocolate in a week too. I'm really trying to cut back, though am not so optimistic to think I ever would cut it out entirely. But it's kind of embarrassing to realize that my waist measurement today is what my chest measurement used to be in my early 20s. Yikes! That's cosmic payback for all the scornful comments I made about fat people when I was young. :-P

So this is long enough. I hope everyone's week is going well and that there are good things to look forward to for the weekend ahead.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Recommendations for beginner dance exercise DVDs?

2012-01-16T14:10:00.001-05:00

Does anyone have any recommendations for beginner dance DVDs? Something fun and upbeat, Latin rhythm maybe.

It was too cold yesterday for me to venture out (-29C/-20F windchill in the AM), so I stayed home and watched a few movies, while working on the kitty blankets. The last one I watched was my copy of "Shall We Dance" with Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon. Love the dancing in it, and he certainly can dance. And even though I never learned how to dance, I was still up and bopping around my living room--only the cats know how ludicrous I look.

BTW, is there a female on the planet who doesn't melt into a sobbing, romantic puddle when he comes up the escalator dressed in a tux and carrying that single red rose for his wife (played by Susan Sarandon)? OMG. ::SIGH::

Ah, but I digress.

I was on Amazon.ca this morning, have noted a couple of possible dance DVDs. But it's always hard to judge whether this kind of DVD would be suitable until you get it and try it a few times. I don't want to learn how to ballroom dance, per se, that's not a goal. I just want to do something fun for exercise, because the occasional walking isn't cutting it. And it's so energizing to be up and moving around to great music. "Great" music, for me, isn't whatever kids listen to today. (Don't I sound old--lol.) I really do like the Latin rhythms, jazz, swing--you get the idea.

So if you have any recommendations, based on your experience, please let me know! I think I'll take a chance and order a couple of DVDs regardless, but would love suggestions.

And because I need some colour and "warmth" today, here are a few floral pics scanned in from my Workman Publishing calendar. Got it half-price after Christmas, passed on the cat one this year (I wasn't that impressed with last year's cat pics.)

BTW, nine weeks and one day till the Spring equinox, and oh, yes, I'm counting!

January 3 photo, Workman Publishing calendar

January 5 photo, Workman Publishing calendar

January 6 photo, Workman Publishing calendar

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Winter

2012-01-13T18:42:00.000-05:00

Absolutely pouring rain this AM when I left for work, quickly turned to snow. Snow, snow, wind, snow, wind, wind, and more snow.

Waiting for the bus after work; the bus I wanted was running about 15 or so minutes late.

Looks tamer than it was, I assure you.

BTW, you ever have those mornings where you stand in front of your closet, feeling like a gross blob, and can't even seem to find a simple long-sleeved top, cardigan and pair of jeans that you feel good in? That might have been partly why I was running a half hour late today. The other reason might have been trying to clean up the mess that the broken garbage bag, filled with litter, caused. (It wasn't a big hole in the bag, but it's amazing how quickly litter can pour out of even a small tear.)

You ever have days when you fall asleep under your desk?

Yeah, I had another one. Curled up this afternoon for about 15 minutes. Or so. Was dreaming. Crawled out and wondered if I had pillow marks on my cheek (yeah, I have a pillow and little knit throw at the office), asked my boss if he'd mind if I left early, told him why. He burst out laughing, said "Been there," because he's fallen asleep, head on his desk, so many times.

I am so lucky to have such a terrific boss and I don't take it for granted, believe me.

And even with the transit delays, I still made it home an hour and a half earlier than normal.

Yeah, it definitely looks like winter in southeastern Ontario now. Yippee. (Sarcasm)

We're bracing for -20C (-4F) overnight, with a high tomorrow around -14C (7F). I'm not sure I have enough layers to bundle up in to do my errands. LOL.

I'm wishing you all a warm and cosy, snow-free weekend. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

When winter comes, he comes with a vengeance! (Picture-Heavy)

2012-01-12T18:20:00.000-05:00

By and large we've been really lucky so far this winter. Milder than normal temps through November and December and even into January, with a handful of days being the exception.

But today it's been plain nasty out. Not cold. Freezing rain all last night and early AM, then rain, a bit of snow, and back to rain/freezing rain. There was a terrible multi-tractor trailer pile-up on the #401 highway very early this morning, rigs on fire, etc. Miraculously there were no fatalities. And if you saw the wreckage of one of the transports, you'd say it really was miraculous that the driver escaped.

We all made it in to the office, though. Even my physiotherapist was only a couple of minutes late for my 7AM appointment, which surprised me greatly.

I snapped lots of ice pics with my little Canon Elph, most of them from inside our building, a few while standing just outside the main entry door, huddled under the narrow overhang.

Tomorrow's forecast is for 5 to 10 cms of snow and high winds, so we might see a lot of branches and trees come down, since they're still coated with ice. Should make the morning commute fun for all. :-P

Street lamp, snapped while waiting for the
physiotherapy clinic to open.

On campus

Our building's main entry railing

Heading home, walked part way

Thick ice coating the bus shelter at the transfer point.

Cute Christmas moose, now coated in ice.

I certainly hope you're all warm and dry and safe!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I feel lighter, somehow

2012-01-11T11:43:00.000-05:00

I read and comment on the blogs I follow and subscribe to via the Fuzzy Tales account, using Google Reader.

I took time yesterday and this morning to go through all of the subscriptions, one by one, and delete those that haven't had a new post in at least several months (barring a couple of favourites, with the hope they'll return...like Trish's. Hint hint.). One blog hadn't posted since 2009, several since sometime in 2010, many since spring/summer 2011. And quite a few cat blogs no longer exist.

I also deleted a couple of subscriptions to active blogs that I've routinely commented on, with never a comment from them in return. That's okay, we can't be appealing to all. But I'm not going to use my commenting time on theirs anymore.

So I've gone from about 430 or so subscriptions to 336, though I don't think this counts the blogs I actually follow via Blogger (and still keep up with via Reader).

Still, I feel a bit lighter in spirit, if not in body. :-)

One of my co-workers unsubscribed from all the blogs she follows, including her husband's. A cleansing for the new year. I admire her for that, though I wouldn't want to go that far.

It's good to unclutter, though, even when referring to cyber-space.

Have a clutter-free, "light" day, everyone.

Waterfront park on Monday,

freezing my hands off just to click the shutter.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's Definitely a Full Moon

2012-01-09T19:31:00.000-05:00

You'd think 25 minutes in the grocery store, in-between buses, would be enough to pick up a handful of items. But noooooo....I get in the line up where the poor clerk has to call for two overrides on the cash register, because of some customer-caused problem. Honestly, if she had had to call for a third, I think I might have screamed.

I was lucky to just make my bus, and only because I ran and because the driver was kind enough to pull up, as he'd already pulled away from the curb.

Yeah, it's a full moon tonight.

Snapped last night, almost full.

I want to say how much I appreciate the comments, both public and private, on yesterday's post. Really great, thought-provoking stuff, and definitely terrific suggestions/advice. At least we're all in the same boat--all of humanity, I mean. Non-humans are blessed to live without the anticipation of suffering and grief.

There certainly was a lot to reflect on. I think it comes down to less thought and more action. :-)

My favourite reflective window on campus,

snapped a couple of weeks ago.

I hope everyone's had a good Monday...not a full-moon crazy one. LOL.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

What is the purpose to all this suffering?!

2012-01-08T18:08:00.000-05:00

I just read that one of my favourite blogosphere cats, Lolo (Lautrec), has died. He'd been ill, but it turns out he was full of cancer. His human is devastated and I feel devastated along with her.

There is no end to suffering. What is the point? What is its purpose?

I don't believe in a personal deity that has a "plan" for humankind, or for all Beings. Many do, and can reason away suffering, can believe in a joyful afterlife to make up for the crap in this reality.

Others say that our suffering leads to spiritual growth, that everything is a lesson, that we progress through spiritual levels until we achieve some sort of enlightenment.

Yeah, I used to feel that way till I bottomed out in clinical depression about 8 or 9 years ago. Now I pretty much think that all of life is meaningless, that when you're dead, you're dead.

Yet I'm not so arrogant as to think I'm correct, that I have the answers to life's mysteries.

Frankly, I find it rather frightening to think that every "spiritual" experience we have can be put down to brain activity. And yes, I know there have been sufficient studies to indicate that all is merely neurons firing. Even (especially) our so-called "near death" experiences.

It's not that I think our egos continue after death--how can they?--or would even want my ego to continue. What, carry around all this mental baggage through other forms of existence?

So what is the point to this suffering?

You can't say that your definition of "god" is right and everyone else is wrong. In other words, all beliefs are equal. So your belief in what an afterlife might be is just as valid as someone else's.

But if there's nothing beyond this existence, then we humans have been given the short shrift, I think. Endless suffering for no damned reason.

I just don't get it.

I'm sorry, I'm probably not making any sense. But it seems that life is so heavy to bear sometimes. And if there's no meaning, if it is all just neurons firing, then what's the point? Why bother?

I have no answers, and I know you don't either. You have your personal beliefs and biases, but no one knows if there is Absolute Truth, and if so, what it is. To say otherwise is to be mired in ego.

I would like to think that joys will outweigh sorrows in this life, but for many, perhaps for most, that is not and will not be the case.

It sure doesn't make sense to me.

Shopping at the "Boutique"

2012-01-07T15:07:00.001-05:00

Of course you all know that means Value Village. :-)

I had a "spend $10 get $3 off" coupon, so toddled off this morning. Come to think of it, though, the clerk might have forgotten about the coupon! Well, it was only $3.

Anyway, I got all excited about the heavy-weight table runner (seen in the collage). It's bright green and I have a hard time resisting things in the shades of green I like. Then I saw the Scottish label and thought, wow, I'm getting a good deal for $3.99 on a very well made runner. Because nothing from the UK/Europe would be crap, right? Only to get it home and notice the small label that states, "Made in China." LOL.

The top and pendant are actually more turquoise in colour, and I splurged on that pendant--it was $4.99.

I also bought a pair of navy knit lounge pants, some wool leftovers (enough, I hope, for a couple of kitty blankets) and a novel. So no big haul, just a few things, but it was fun to look anyway. Almost bought a cute cat print, but it would have needed a new frame and I didn't want it badly enough. If it had been half price, like the cat print I bought two or three months ago, that would have been a different matter. You really have to watch the prices there--that top was only $4 and it's a good label. I passed up Wal-Mart and Zellers stuff that was pricier. I don't know who determines the prices for V. V., but there's often a lack of logic to the decision.

And a little weather bonus both yesterday and today: +6C. Just like March. Bizarre. It's not going to last, but it sure has been welcome.

I hope there's a little "bonus" in the day for everyone!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Dodged the Dental Bullet!

2012-01-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

I'm very happy to say that while Derry is in between stage 1 and stage 2 periodontal disease, he doesn't need a cleaning at this time...because there's very little tartar to actually clean (just a little bit on the left upper jaw at the back, on a couple of his few remaining teeth).

He's also down to 4.89 kg (just a shade under 11 pounds), down about a pound from his fall check.

Of course, as soon as he got put in the carrier he started to sing his warrior song, which isn't nearly as loud as Nicki's and sounds rather plaintive and desperate to me.

Then, when we got home after the "ordeal," he zoomed out of the carrier, and lay down on the floor in a sauve and debonair pose (rather akin to Clooney's), as if it was nothing at all. Never mind that he had been shaking like a leaf on the exam table. :-P

So, I'll keep rubbing his gums with the pet toothpaste I have, and see how things go. The vet surmised Derry might need a dental in a year or two (unless problems develop in the meantime), but not now.

Yay! That was $83 well spent, IMO. Thanks so much for the good vibes, they must have worked!

I'm not sure Smoochy Boy would agree though.

I wonder if he thinks he's hidden behind those old stalks.

Snapped yesterday after work.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Must I?

2012-01-03T10:28:00.000-05:00

Must I be at the office all day? I need a nap. Getting back into the routine is fine, it's the leaving the house at 6AM that's not so fine. :-)

Must I really take Derry in for another dental? I'm dreading it and he would be too, if he knew. I've got a Thursday AM appointment for a check of his mouth, because he does have chronic gingivitis, though so few teeth and little, if any, tartar. But if there's another problem brewing, I don't want to wait. So I'll see what the vet has to say, though I'm 99% he'll recommend a cleaning. Sure, because he wants the $1000 or so, give or take. I know February is pet dental month and there's a 10% discount, but my clinic jacks up their prices annually, just in time for the "discount." Clever of them, eh? I'm envious of the bloggers in the States who have commented about how "expensive" their cat's dental was, at $250 or $300. Gees. I'd take that in a heart beat. Though Derry won't need another round of blood work or a urine analysis (or shouldn't), having had both done in early October.

So if any of you could think good thoughts for my Smoochy Boy, that both this week's appointment and the (presumably) impending cleaning go well, I'd appreciate it. I wish they could do something without putting him under full anaesthetic!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Monday Miscellany (and yes, a new TV)

2012-01-02T14:56:00.000-05:00

So far the first two days of January 2012 feel just like December 2011. Huh, what a surprise.

I wonder why we make a big to-do about January 1st. Even when I was with my ex, we never made a big deal out of the "new year," would just go to a house party or stay home. Certainly most of us don't keep the resolutions we make, which is why I don't make any. I think if I were inclined to do that, I'd want to do it on my birth-day, the true beginning of a new year of my life.

Anyway, I'm back to work tomorrow and content to get back into a routine. I've been off since the afternoon of December 22nd, and I made it through to New Year's day without getting bored or having my mood plummet. Usually I don't make it this long, puttering around on my own and not having much human interaction. But this holiday has been very enjoyable, lots of reading, some shopping (mostly necessities), and of course the knitting, knitting, knitting. I'm only on kitty blanket #4 of 52, if I actually manage to knit one a week. (This is my year-long shelter donation project--if I don't lose interest.) They're only two feet square, for the limited space in the cages, so they knit up quickly, but there's only so much I can do before my hand gets too stiff and sore. And now that work is resuming, I won't have the time during the day to do this. So I'll see how far I get.

I did go to the dollar store this morning, though, for January's shelter donation purchases:

As for the new TV, I got it on Saturday at FutureShop, just a 32" Sony Bravia, only 720, not the 1080 resolution. But I have only standard, basic cable service right now and have no plans to upgrade to high-def in the near future, so a higher end TV would be wasted. It would have been more expensive too, and my dad is being very generous in paying for it, I wouldn't have wanted him to pay more. The Sony was on sale for $320, so $400 with the environmental disposal fee of $25 and taxes. A little bonus for me is that I can take my old analogue TV to the store, along with other old electronics I have hanging around, and they'll send them off for proper disposal/recycling. That's what the $25 fee is for. I'll get that done within a few weeks, thanks to the same friend who took me TV shopping in the first place. Always great to have use of a vehicle once in a while, with a "chauffeur."

Yep, that's Disney's Beauty and the Beast, I love that movie.

The boys have spent much of the holiday snoozing, of course. Neither seems inclined to go outside for more than a few minutes, and sometimes it's hard work to try to entertain them. I think we're all eagerly awaiting Spring's return.

And that's life here, in sunny but cold southeastern Ontario. Time to make a cup of hot cocoa and to get back to the knitting.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

2012 Beckons

2011-12-31T03:15:00.024-05:00

So we come to the end of another year, already. Usually I look back at events that have occurred in my life during the previous twelve months, but I really don't want to do that this time. 2011 soon will be gone and I'm not sorry to see it go. What amazes me is that I didn't bottom out and end up back on drugs. Well, there's always the new year to look forward to. Ha.

I don't know what lies ahead for any of us. I'm long past the illusions of youth wherein I believed there's meaning and spiritual lessons in all things, wherein I believed everything would be okay, would work out just fine in the end. The reality is that life throws sorrow and suffering and loss at us all, it's unavoidable.

However, my wish for us all for 2012 is that the universe grants us whatever it is we need to meet the challenges ahead, and survive, even thrive. I wish, for us all, an abundance of laughter and love and Light, of mercy, of peace, of good health and healing. I wish that Joy outweighs sadness by far.

Thank you for sticking around for this tumultuous year, for helping to see me through. I don't feel that I'm thriving, but at least I'm surviving.

Blessings and Joy to you all.

I'll leave you with a few more snapshots from Thursday's jaunt down by the waterfront, taken with the little Canon Elph. See you in 2012. :-)

A Bit of Whimsy

2011-12-29T17:40:00.000-05:00

I popped into the office this morning to water my plants, then walked down along the waterfront for a bit. On the way down, through campus, I came across this little tree, decorated with these cute ornaments. A bit of whimsy, I thought.

BTW, I seem to have a real knack for choosing the coldest days to take a few snapshots. It was -17C this morning, with a windchill into the -20s Celcius. Even with thick layers, I was cold!

P.S. I miss my TV! Even though CBC Radio 1 does some really interesting stories. Thankfully, I can knit and listen to the radio at the same time. LOL.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

The TV? It's Dead, Kim.

2011-12-28T16:19:00.001-05:00

I found it quite amusing that my almost-eleven year old analogue TV died this morning. I should say the picture died. The sound is fine. Doesn't work with a DVD, either, so it's not the cable connection.

Well, they don't make things like they used to!

So I'm going to have a look around for a good bargain on a 32" or 37" LCD TV, because my dad generously offered to send the money for one. Boxing week is the time to shop, if anything's left. I suspect a lot of people prefer 40" and up, but my space is small and I don't want or need anything that large.

Funny, though, how I already miss having it. I don't watch much TV: news, weather, documentaries. Love "Time Team" (stop groaning, please), "Antiques Roadshow," etc. Have never seen any reality shows, any of the current comedy or drama shows and am not interested.

Yet I tend to have the TV on a lot as background noise, as "company." The image of other humans, the sound of voices. Somehow radio doesn't seem quite the same.

So if I find a good bargain this week, great. And if I don't, well, I'll wait till Dad visits later this year, and cancel my basic cable service in the meantime. No need to pay $34 per month for nothing.

I'll just bet, though, that the TVs made today don't last even eleven years!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Christmas Chaos

2011-12-25T16:04:00.000-05:00

The fun kind. :-)

I'll probably do a post for the boys later this week, with some Christmas Day pics. "Santa" brought them more than they probably ever will play with. And my mom made them an adorable cat mat--they've both had turns on it already.

Total paper chaos.

Gifts from mom, including washable wool long "janes," warm socks, two pairs of fleece lounge pants (sewn by her), a few tops, a great apron with lots of pockets, some wonderful loose teas and a lovely, breakable reindeer (to be kept away from Nicki).

Gifts the boys "gave me"--very clever of them to know I wanted lots of fleece this year, and wool to knit too, and that I needed new slippers. And such a pretty cat calendar. :-)

I hope you all have been spoiled too--by yourself, your fur kids or family and/or friends.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Happy Christmas to All!

2011-12-24T08:45:00.000-05:00

Day 2 of my holiday, 8:30AM and I've already changed the bedding, done three loads of laundry, washed umpteen dishes, gathered clothes for donation, scrubbed out one of the litter boxes (I don't do them all at once, too lazy), and have vacuumed top to bottom.

I'm ready for a nap. LOL.

However, a friend is picking me up shortly and we're going for coffee, then I have a chicken that needs to be cooked today. I'll be making a cranberry crunch dessert, using quinoa flakes instead of oatmeal, so will see how that tastes.

I'd like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday, whatever you celebrate. I have no idea why anyone but my mom (and sometimes dad) would read anything I post--it is a very small life, after all--but I appreciate the visits and comments, appreciate the connection.

Much universal Light and Joy to you all...Wishing you Peace and Blessings.

Two lovely cards, the second sent to me this year (thank you, Cheri).

A Joyous Day

2011-12-22T09:06:00.000-05:00

Today is a joyous, joy-full day for me, as the winter Solstice was at 12:30AM EST today. That means we start getting more daylight again and as far as I'm concerned, it's reason to rejoice.

It's also a joyous day because I'm using my last vacation day tomorrow, so I'll be away from the office until the university opens again on January 3rd. Yay!

I think I'll celebrate both the Solstice and the impending holiday with some chocolate and shortbread cookies now. :-)

Happy Solstice!

I received this card in yesterday's mail,
painted by my mom's very creative cousin.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Here's what I don't want for the holidays

2011-12-21T08:09:00.002-05:00

To be ranted at and blamed by a procrastinating "co-worker" (not really a direct co-worker anymore) for something I did correctly and for a delay in his receiving something that had nothing whatsoever to do with me. I walked out of his office yesterday while he was still frothing at me because I couldn't stand it. It was a simple matter to fix and he could have done it himself if he had read his email. And when his latest $975 toy showed up a short time later (thank heavens our department isn't paying for it), I stuck my head in his office and said, "You''re welcome." I ought to have asked for an apology for speaking to me that way, as he sure as hell doesn't speak in that manner to anyone else here. Last year at this time, in another procrastinating panic, he loudly and unkindly told me to "Shut up!" and I carried that through the entire holiday. I won't carry this little thing through my holiday this year, however, because he just isn't worth it.

And on another work rant, we have a god-awful floor potluck today. Of course hell will freeze over before I make anything, so I spent $15 on a fresh (made right there) fruit tray and another $15 on chocolates, cookies and plastic cutlery.

That's my grocery money.

I hate potlucks.

Okay, one final work rant: Another (miserly) co-worker scrounged in his fridge and brought four individual serving sized yogurt cups in. That's not even enough for the five of us, let alone the other departments. Never mind that there is a 24-hour grocery store on his way to the office.

Just. Don't. Bother.

Okay. Rant over. I promise.

I hope everyone has a rant-free day!

A card I had received last year, I believe.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings. Even my schmucky co-workers.

What? We Don't Close at Noon on Friday?

2011-12-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

Gees, talk about Scrooge and Bah, humbug! But apparently we don't close at noon on Friday because it's not actually Christmas Eve.

Eleven years I've been here and I would swear we close at noon on the last day before our holidays. Though not last year, I'm told. (I wasn't here, so certainly wouldn't remember.)

Okay, maybe it was the previous two Principals (since I've been here, I mean) who graciously closed the university at noon that last day.

Like anyone is going to be here? Or working if they are?

Well, I won't be here regardless, as I've got one vacation day to use up.

Heading in to work, at 6:45AM one day last week.

On another note entirely, I had a haircut on Saturday and my stylist was booked for a C-section this morning at 8:30AM. Her baby (first child, a boy) is/was breech, with his head stuck under her right ribs. I really hope all went well and that they're both fine. I told her I'd always remember his birthday, as it's my mom's birthday too. (Happy birthday, Mom!)

As for my hair, well, I really don't want to see anyone else, so had her lob a couple of inches off with the hope that the short cut will carry me through till March, when she starts working again.

Ah, vanity....

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I want to be a taste-tester for this magazine

2011-12-16T10:15:00.001-05:00

This is our liquor board's holiday magazine--they publish a free magazine every season.

Three hundred eight pages of gorgeous food and drink photography and the most scrumptious-looking recipes ever.

I want to be a food-taster for them. Really.

Kudos to all their photographers, I can't even imagine what it takes to do this well.

So I'm posting a number of my favourite pages, just to have everyone droolilng.

If anyone is tempted to try one or more of these recipes, and needs someone for quality control, I volunteer. (Clicking on the images should enlarge them enough to read the text. I hope.)

Today's office Christmas luncheon of pizza, beer and a movie at our boss's house won't quite measure up to this standard of fare.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Hoping for a bigger stocking

2011-12-14T13:09:00.000-05:00

I think the boys are hoping for a bigger boot or stocking than this:

It's one of the tiny ornaments hanging on a cute little tree at the other end of our office suite, part of another department's decorations.

I'm sure "Santa" will oblige the boys.

Meanwhile, I'm just looking forward to the break, as I do every year. Of course, I always find myself very eager to get back into a daily routine by the end of our holiday, but I'm not thinking that far ahead at the moment.

Maybe, just maybe, if the weather holds and we remain snow-free or without significant accumulation, I'll feel motivated to go for a walk or two with my camera. Something I've not done in a long time, though I always have the little Elph with me.

So my countdown is on: Seven days till Derry's "Gotcha Day," eight days till the Solstice, nine days till I'm on holiday (I'm taking the 22nd off and the half-day on the 23rd), and a mere eleven days till Christmas Day.

I hope you're eagerly anticipating something too, this holiday season!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Oh, yeah, go ahead and turn the guilt screws

2011-12-13T14:09:00.000-05:00

The boys!

Maybe I'm noticing it more because they aren't going out much now, too chilly for their thick fur, apparently. But in the mornings the two of them mope around more often than not and I end up with the back of disrespect as I'm readying myself for work.

Nicki's play time is from about 2AM to 3:30AM-ish -- till I get up. Then he eats breakfast, might step outside for a minute or two, then comes back in to curl up on his foot stool and refuses most attempts to lure him into further play.

Derry's just as bad, running off upstairs for a while or hiding out down in the basement. I wish he wouldn't hang out down there, gives me bad flashbacks to Annie being sick.

Then I get the "If you loved us you'd stay home and wait on us with your every breath" treatment.

Of course, when I do get home I'm tired from my day and only want to crash, whereas they want food, attention, food, food, food and attention. I can't win.

I would say I'm anthropomorphizing, but we all know our fur kids can turn the guilt screws as much as humans can. :-P

Cute card that came in my mail yesterday.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

47 not 87...Really?

2011-12-09T09:46:00.000-05:00

Making reference to yesterday's post and what my doctor had said...

Well, even before I left the house for work today, at 6AM, I said out loud that I couldn't wait to get home, get into my jammies and curl up with my book and my knitting.

Rather grandmother-ish, I thought. ;-P

Have a terrific Friday, everyone.

This is the Christmas card for our building custodian--we just signed it and it was so pretty I had to scan it in.

On what we have to accept...and what we don't (LONG)

2011-12-08T13:44:00.000-05:00

I've been thinking a lot lately about what we have to accept and what we don't. In my case I specifically mean health-related pain, but of course it applies to every aspect of life.

As many of you know, I've had odd left groin and abdominal pain since late May/early June, and I've spent the summer and fall having one test or another to try to pinpoint the cause. Three ultrasounds ruled out abnormal ovarian cysts and a hernia, and confirmed what I already knew: That I have a "million" gall stones.

The surgeon doesn't feel I need my gall bladder out at this time, that my gall bladder hasn't been the cause of any of my discomfort.

I don't have a stomach ulcer, had the breath test for the bacteria and it was negative.

I've had an upper GI: negative. I've done the home test for colon cancer (a truly disgusting test, I pity the person who has to open these envelopes at the lab): also negative.

I'm done with appointments now, thank goodness, because I'm well and truly sick and tired of them. I can't fathom why some people make doctors and tests a hobby, heck, even a vocation. No thanks.

But having all these appointments and tests has spurred me to on to understanding that while there are many things I can't control, including many health issues, there are many I can, via diet, exercise and alternative therapies.

In fact, I had a mini-"aha" moment at my doctor's office in early November, when I told her about a fall I had had two+ years ago (on my back, down my outside "yard" steps). I sustained a deep soft-tissue injury and it's bothered me since--I was asking if any of those nerves could have contributed to the abdominal pain. She didn't think so, but she said something simple to me--simple yet life changing. "You're 47, not 87. You might want to take care of this now."

You're 47, not 87.

Wow.

It sounds so silly, but those few words had a significant impact on me. Because I've had the attitude that oh, well, this is how life is and there's nothing that can be done, I'm middle-aged, I just have to accept it, etc., etc.. Perhaps echoes of my parents' generational attitudes.

So she gave me a prescription for physiotherapy, and I got a referral from a co-worker to a terrific therapist.

I've gone only a few weeks now, suddenly realized on the weekend that I've not had any lower groin pain lately, not even with the "female" stuff going on.

I'm floored, not so much by the results, even within a short span of time, but more by the thought that if not for my doctor's words and my mini-aha moment, I'd still be in pain daily and thinking that that was just the way it had to be.

As for the other odd, nettle-stinging sensation I was experiencing, that, too, mostly has gone now, whether from increased potassium intake (something I came across in an old post on a medical forum) or from the anti-viral and anti-microbial properties of the coconut oil I've been eating for 4.5 weeks, I don't know. Or perhaps neither of those, but something else instead. Doesn't matter.

I just know that we can make choices, even small ones, that benefit our health and well-being, and that no, we don't have to say, Oh, well, that's just the way it is and live with it. Not by far.

And I have to wonder what else in my life I could change, with a mere shift in attitude. Anything. Everything.

Universal Blessings, Joy and Mercy to All Beings.

Another card sent to me a couple of years ago.

That was surreal

2011-12-06T13:31:00.000-05:00

I just ran into someone who used to be a very good friend, though we drifted apart a few years ago and haven't spoken since. No falling out, just different interests and values. She was ahead of me in Starbucks, actually. I saw her going in to the café and thought, "Nah, that can't be so-and-so" and dismissed it from my mind. Didn't recognize her from the back or pay any attention to her at all until we were waiting for our drinks and she turned and saw me, spoke to me. If she hadn't said anything I truly don't think I'd have noticed.

Very surreal, to make idle chitchat with someone who was so close at one time, but who essentially is a stranger now. Her hair is significantly shorter, coloured differently, but otherwise she looks the same, looks terrific, actually. She took a new, high management position with her department back in summer; I saw that posted on our HR site.

"Funny" how these things happen when you feel like crap. (I have a headache today and my dark circles have dark circles.)

I almost wish I could have said something grand had happened in my life in the intervening few years, but no, the only "event" was Annie's loss. But things seem to be much the same for her too, though of course her children are older now, 10 and 6. I can remember when she was pregnant with the elder, her son. Hard to believe a decade has come and gone.

All I can say is that I hope no one else from my past comes crawling out of the woodwork, so to speak. LOL.

An update on Anne, Lynn's mom: Lynn spent last night at my place and we went to a downtown pub for dinner, joined by her ex-hubby, who lives here in town. Anne is doing pretty well and probably can be released today. If not today, then tomorrow. Not sure what the prognosis will be over the long term, but I think with a diet and lifestyle change plus proper medication her odds are good. She already said no to the risky surgery to unblock a clogged artery. And there's nothing at all wrong with her mental faculties, so that's good.

This was a card I received a year or two ago and I'm pretty sure I posted it last year, but it's cute enough to share again. Besides, I don't have any new snapshots!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I need another weekend

2011-12-04T14:35:00.000-05:00

I need another weekend to just collapse and do nothing. How can someone who has no family here be so busy?

Friday's errands just rolled into Saturday, of course. I took the 6:20AM bus up to Wal-Mart (it's open 24/7 now, till Christmas) and spent two hours stocking up on litter, household items and getting half a month's supply of groceries. Cabbed home, with a full trunk and back seat. Whew.

Then it was out again for more running around, picking up a few things here and there, plus a couple more grocery items I couldn't get at Wal-Mart.

Home to laundry and more laundry, cooking and cleaning. It's a blur. Seriously.

Today I went back to Wal-Mart and Zellers...for myself. The boys magically did a little bit of Christmas shopping for me for a change, and all on sale, too--aren't you impressed? They even helped wrapped everything up and put it under the tree. I suppose that's superbly silly, but I did it so they could have the fun of the paper and boxes on Christmas Day. And so I could have the fun of watching them.

The best purchase I came home with was two pairs of Merrell winter boots, much needed. I have hikers, but not winter hikers. I saw these in SportChek, last year's boots, $150 down to $100. And it was buy one pair (any) and get the second (any) for 50% off. I bought two pairs of the same boots. And I suppose that also sounds silly, but when I wear the first pair out, I'll have a second pair. Years ago I had bought summer hikers from the same store and they were the most comfortable pair of shoes I've ever had. I wore them to death and ended up mentally kicking myself for not buying two pairs at the time.

And if anyone in my family sends some Christmas money, I might be able to pay them off. LOL.

Now I have a beef stew in the oven, enough to feed about 6 people, so feel free to teleport over if you eat meat. :-)

Usually I make stew in my crock pot, but Mom had emailed me this recipe, which I'm trying for the first time:

Oven Stew from one of Jean Paré's cookbooks:

2 lbs stewing beef

5 potatoes, quartered

2 onions, quartered

5 carrots, halved if large

28 ounce tin stewed or diced tomatoes

2 tsp beef stock powder

3 TBSP minute Tapioca

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce

1 tsp salt (can omit if using the beef stock powder, it's salty enough)

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp sugar

(Of course you can use whatever root vegetables you wish!)

Put the meat in a roasting pan. Sprinkle tapioca and other dry ingredients over the meat. Then sprinkle lemon juice and worcestershire over the meat and spices. Add veggies, pour tomatoes over all.

Bake covered -- 250F for 3 hours or 225F for 4 hours, or whatever suits you best.

Covered in tomatoes and ready to cook!

Mom says it's the best stew she's ever made, so we'll see!

I hope everyone's had a great weekend, with some time for relaxing amid the season's craziness.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

72+12+48+4=Exhaustion

2011-12-02T15:25:00.000-05:00

It actually adds up to 136, which is how many cans of cat food I ended up lugging home on the bus today. Who needs the gym?

I took the day off from work for errands, too much to do for just Saturday and Sunday. Very happily got the boys' ProPlan for half-price, three cases, only 65 cents per can, so I'm glad I popped in to check. (This was at PetValu, a store I used to shop in ages ago. They have new ownership and new staff, so I hope to frequent them now--they're more conveniently located for me than PetSmart is.)

Then I did go to PetSmart--they had the one flavour of Fancy Feast I feed Nicki (Derry doesn't like the FF I offer) on sale for Pet Perks members, $0.60 per can instead of $0.73.

And Zellers had Friskies on sale, which is all I give Toby (the mystery outdoor cat). Fifty cents a can instead of the usual 60+ cents.

I have to go to Wal-Mart tomorrow AM for the boys' litter and food for myself, so I'll check the prices on Toby-food out there too.

I'm also pleased and relieved to have mailed out Mom and Harry's birthday and Christmas gifts. Cost a small fortune to send via regular parcel post, what a rip-off. No wonder more and more people send via courier. For very little more you get next-day delivery.

I also ordered something for Dad for Christmas and am having it sent directly to him, hope it's okay. :-)

And I bought a few small things for the boys today: some treats, a mini-catnip pillow and a new feathered wand. I have cute Dollarama stockings for them, so will add a few more little things as I see them. They don't need anything, frankly, but it's fun for me on Christmas Day.

So after yesterday afternoon and evening's four hours of housework plus gift-wrapping, and today's five hours of errands, I'm exhausted. LOL.

I'm now happily sipping some rye, because hey, it's four o'clock somewhere!

Happy Friday, everyone. I hope your day has been as productive as mine, but not quite as tiring. :-)

December 1st evening sky from my bedroom window.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Goodbye, November

2011-11-30T18:34:00.000-05:00

Goodbye, November. You were a blur of work projects, appointments, and OCD worries over Derry.

Thanks, though, for the amazing weather, last Wednesday's freezing rain and snow notwithstanding, of course. And thanks for a few amazing sunsets.

Now, December, you could take a lesson from your "sibling" and bring us milder-than-usual temps too. You know, as your holiday gift to us.

[No update on Anne today. As of last night she still was in Emerg, waiting for a bed in the cardiac unit. Thanks for your good thoughts, my friend will appreciate them.]

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's always scary how life can change so quickly

2011-11-29T13:31:00.000-05:00

I got a call from an out-of-town friend this morning, at the office. Her 85-year old mom, Anne, had a heart attack yesterday (plus has pneumonia), and their hospital transported her from their town about an hour away to our city's cardiac unit. The friend will stay with me tonight, then head to Ottawa tomorrow morning to pick up her sister and bring her back. Beyond that, I don't know what's happening, or even what the prognosis is.

I haven't seen Anne in quite a few years, but I remember her well and hope she can pull through. She's a tough cookie, but age is a factor, and she's had other health issues recently too.

I guess this post is just a reminder to savour those "strawberries," (see yesterday's post), because the "tigers" are ever-lurking.

BTW, I'll apologize here, too, for not being able to leave comments right now on all the blogs the boys and I follow. I know it's "blogging without obligation," but I still feel guilty about being too tied up with other things.

A "bird's eye" view of Santa's village at our mall, snapped on November 20th. I was there before 9AM and Santa already was hard at work!

Sending out Universal Blessing and Light to All, and asking for Mercy for the suffering of All Beings.

The Tree's Still Up!

2011-11-28T19:08:00.000-05:00

I'm impressed the tree's still up and intact, but it's early days yet. Ha.

Derry has been producing normal output today, knock on wood. I spoke with his vet a short time ago to ask for a few days' worth of pain meds to have on hand, just in case of emergencies over evenings, weekends or holidays. It's a small price to pay for six months of peace of mind (six months is the shelf life). I'll pick up the syringes later this week, after we're paid. I hope I'll not have to use them, of course, but there's only the emerg clinic in the west end available in the off hours. And of course it costs almost $200 just to walk in the door. Not something I want to do unless it's a true emergency.

And so another work week has begun. With my morning meeting and then physio appointment, I felt like I wasn't even in the office today. I'm toying with the idea of taking Friday off to get some things done, but I'll see how work goes over the next couple of days.

I hope everyone's had a truly splendid start to the week, a day with at least one "strawberry" and no "tigers."

Buddha told a parable in a sutra:

A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge. The tiger sniffed at him from above. Trembling, the man looked down to where, far below, another tiger was waiting to eat him. Only the vine sustained him.

Two mice, one white and one black, little by little started to gnaw away the vine. The man saw a luscious strawberry near him. Grasping the vine with one hand, he plucked the strawberry with the other. How sweet it tasted!

http://www.101zenstories.com/index.php?story=18

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Homeopathic Cat UTI Question

2011-11-27T04:45:00.001-05:00

Okay, so yesterday just after noon Derry made a quarter-sized pee clump in one of the boxes upstairs, then a normal clump in the second box. But a short time later, when I was in the basement, he came down and made a tiny, dime-sized clump. UTI recurrence! Never mind my blood pressure and stress levels--through the roof, that should go without saying.

Then, around 7:30PM he made a normal clump downstairs (5cm x 5cm), no fuss. Whew, I thought. But 20 minutes later, he rushed upstairs into the newly-cleaned litter box and made another dime-sized clump, with a big meow. (As in ouch!)

Have I slept? No.

This morning, around 3:50AM (I got up just after 3AM because I was just lying there anyway), he did his business with no fuss or muss.

So (a) I'm not sure what's going on--seems like a UTI recurrence to me, though perhaps not acute at this stage, and (b) I'd like to try something homeopathic (besides Cosequin) that does not have to be administered into the mouth like a pill. (There's a product called UTI-Free that is granules you pop into the mouth. Yeah, like that would be stress-free for Derry. Or me.)

Any suggestions?

I'm going to call the vet clinic tomorrow AM and leave a message for the vet, but I know all they will want to do is put Derry on the human anti-depressant they mentioned to me initially. And other than the Cosquein, which I had done for a week or two then let go but am starting again, they won't have suggestions.

Derry and Nicki both get only 1/8 cup kibble a day each, the rest is canned with water added. There's no additional stress in the house, so no "logical" reason for another bout of cystitis. Presumably now that he's had it once, he's more prone to it?

Frankly, I feel ill with stress. I have no idea how those who have a large number of cats cope with all the health issues!

P.S. In every other way he seems fine, he's been very playful, zooming around the house with his "snake," wrestling with Nicki, "helping" with the Christmas tree, etc.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

And so the sun sets on yet another work week

2011-11-25T19:21:00.001-05:00

Such a trite post title, but I couldn't resist.

Snapshot of this afternoon's sky, from my bedroom window.

I hope someone out in blog land has exciting plans for the weekend. I don't, as we're not paid till Wednesday and I'm coasting on fumes, as it were, till then. Next weekend will be my running around weekend. This weekend I have no excuse to forgo the housecleaning. I'll probably put my Christmas tree up too, possibly Sunday. I'm sure the boys will be a great "help" to me while I'm doing it. But it's very bittersweet this year, as Annie's not here to lend her paw and snoopervisory skills. Sometimes I feel bogged down with grief, even 40 weeks and 2 days after the fact. But a little Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby holiday music will perk up my spirits, and I'm sure the boys will keep me entertained.

Have a lovely and fun weekend, everyone.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Mother Nature's Reality Check

2011-11-23T18:10:00.000-05:00

Even though we've had above-normal temps for November, and will again into the weekend, we woke up to freezing rain, then snow this morning.

Some of us were not impressed.

Some of us spent the day in our "happy place," pretending it still was summer.

All but the last pic were snapped from inside my building and the adjoining one.

It's supposed to hit +7C tomorrow, so all this should disappear. Fingers (and paws) crossed. But oh, yes, this definitely is a reality check from Mother Nature: This is Canada and it's winter!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

OMG, It Was a Bargain Bonanza!

2011-11-20T15:16:00.000-05:00

Value Village's 50% off for SuperSaver club members, in advance of their general 50% off sale tomorrow. (With apologies to those who get the heebee jeebies at the thought of wearing second-hand clothes.)

Seven long-sleeved tops (two turtlenecks, one mock turtleneck, the others crew neck), one multi-coloured blazer (got it for $6.50), one adorable cat print ($2, needs to have its cheap plastic frame painted black or perhaps be re-framed), one scarf ($2), one very well made over-the-shoulder bag with a padded shoulder strap and oodles of compartments ($1.50), and five novels. OMG, I was in bargain heaven!

I'm jazzed about the black bag/purse most of all, because the small knapsack I purchased in September from Bentley fell apart on me last weekend (crappy thing). I'll bet this one lasts a heck of a lot longer.

People get excited about buying a pair of slacks for $30 or $40...I get excited about spending $1.50 and $2 on my things. $50 will get you an entire season's wardrobe at Value Village on a half-price day, including accessories. :-)

I hope everyone's found a good bargain or two this weekend, whatever you were shopping for.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Friday Wrap-Up

2011-11-18T18:44:00.000-05:00

I can barely even remember the week. Two dental appointments and work training, plus the usual. Very exciting. And a potential conflict (not with my immediate co-workers, with the former co-worker) which I discussed with my boss today, because I felt I had to be fair to him, as we'll now be working more closely with this person's current department. And, in fairness to me, I wanted to know if we would have to move our office space to become one big happy family, because I really don't think I could share space with this person again. And if it ever came to that, I might have to consider other work options. But the answer to the rumour of the office move is no, at least not in the foreseeable future (as in years). So I'm not going to get my knickers in a twist about it.

And let me just add that I have a great boss. I'll never have a better one.

One of several downtown bed and breakfasts. Snapped this AM.

Nicki's in the dog house again, for having broken something else this morning. I'll do a post next week sometime on their blog. Maybe Wordless Wednesday. The brat. He knows damned well that I'm going to get up when I hear a crash, so he does it around 3AM, when he wants me up. And once he's had his few minutes of fresh air outside, and had his breakfast, of course he goes back to sleep.

Derry's doing fine, knock on wood.

I saw a new cat tree I'd love to get them for Christmas, will see if I can juggle finances in December. But ssshhhh, don't say anything to them. Not sure I'll be able to swing it, so I'd hate to get their hopes up. ;-)

Of course I'd be better off trying to pay down the line of credit and/or credit card, but where's the fun in that?

So just the usual for me this weekend, though no need to do any holiday shopping. Hair cut tomorrow; yay! And Value Village is having 50% off on Sunday for SuperSaver club members, a day in advance of their general 50% off sale. I really think a jaunt out there on Sunday morning will be in order.

I wish everyone a bargain-filled weekend. LOL.

A house I passed this morning had a row of these along their walk-way, and along the front of their veranda. Cute. They must light up at night.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Happy Holiday Music!

2011-11-16T18:33:00.001-05:00

Every holiday season I order at least one new-to-me CD and these came yesterday evening from Amazon.ca. (Poor UPS delivery guy didn't show up till after 7PM--very busy, he said. No kidding.)

Love the Verve label Christmas Jazz CD and the Dean Martin one too. Both get two thumbs up. I do like the Celtic Thunder CD also, though I had been expecting more of a Celtic sound. (I had ordered it just based on Amazon customer reviews.)

Still, all good choices, and I spent the day in my "happy place" while at the office, listening to these CDs and to other holiday music. :-)

I hope you had a few minutes, at least, in your own "happy place" today.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It took how long to do that?

2011-11-13T15:47:00.000-05:00

Just shy of two hours to do my paltry outdoor holiday decorating: lights on the fat shrub, garland and bows around the garage door and on my little step railing. No wreath on the door yet, though. It is early, but our +13C weather will be coming to an end soon. Like today. And I didn't want to be out there in a coat and gloves later this month, trying to get it all done.

Too bad I didn't have quite enough garland to go to the bottom, but I did the best I could with what I had, and it still looks festive. I did walk up to Rona (big home and garden box store) this morning (missed their 15% off sale yesterday), and saw lots of lovely trees and holiday decorations, but didn't buy anything other than the bows you see. They had a couple of gorgeous artificial pine trees I coveted, maybe I'll see if anything is left over after Christmas, on the Boxing Day sales.

Right now I have a good cup of tea beside me and Perry Como (yes!) singing about tidings of comfort and joy. Another good moment. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

One Perfect, Shining Moment

2011-11-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

Today. Now. Christmas carols playing (yes, on November 12th), a glass of wine, some sushi (just the grocery store kind), and--wonder of wonders--my holiday shopping done. Except for the boys--that will wait till December. And--another wonder of wonders--shopping done slightly under budget. (It's a small budget. LOL.)

Granted, I have only Mom, Harry and Dad to buy a few things for, but Mom also has a birthday on December 19th, and I always send a few little things for both birthday and Christmas.

I'm exhausted and achy, but I feel great and the choral music is putting me in my "happy" place. Maybe the light wine is too (a shiraz rose--I'm not a wine connoisseur at all, so am content with the inexpensive wine I bought). Also putting me in my happy place is the knowledge that I don't have to set foot in the mall again for anything, unless I choose to go for myself.

It's just one, truly perfect moment. :-)

The boys will have their perfect moment once I let them in and feed them.

I wish you all one perfect moment this weekend too.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

"Nervoheel" For Nerves of Steel?

2011-11-10T12:56:00.000-05:00

Okay, maybe not quite "nerves of steel."

One of my regular bus drivers (female) told me about a product called Nervoheel for anxiety, tension, stress, etc. She gets it at a local nutrition/supplement/alternative health care store and takes it as needed. Apparently when she's really upset/anxious, she gets a "bee sting" sensation on one of her arms. Someone she knows told her it was literally the nerve endings in that area, and she finds that taking a Nervoheel tablet calms her down and eliminates the sensation. Her physical sensation sounds much the same as my "nettle under the skin" on my abdomen. So now I'm wondering if this is related to my being so anxious and upset and stressed much of the time.

After Googling it a couple of days ago and doing some reading, I picked up a bottle (50 tablets is all that store sells) to try for a week or two (one tablet three times a day).

There aren't any side effects and there are no known drug interactions. Seems like a win-win, if it turns out to be effective for short term anxiety, etc.

I don't hide my struggles with my mood disorder (though I've been doing well off meds for the past few years), but the only reason I'm sharing this is to offer it as a possible alternative to pharmaceuticals if anyone out there is struggling with anxiousness/stress/etc. I can't say it will work, just that if you are looking for a safe option, this could be it.

So comments are off, and this ends the public service message. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Nope, Not Ready Yet

2011-11-08T08:08:00.000-05:00

The trouble with being part of the Cat Blogosphere is that when I see all the rescued, fostered, and adopted cats and kittens, I want to go down that road again. Never mind that all the "cons" far outweigh the "pros."

So, as I was walking home from work yesterday, I had an overwhelming kitten-urge and stopped in at the local "mom and pop" pet supply store on my route. I used to shop there all the time, then gave up trying to get anyone to eat "premium" canned food, since it all was going to waste, regardless of brand or flavour. (Why can't they make that stuff as appealing as the crap in the grocery stores? But I digress.)

This store always has kittens and young cats from both our local human society as well as the one from which Derry and Nicki were adopted. I saw only three there yesterday; all the others were playing somewhere. (They're allowed to run free for most of the day, which gives them great socialization with other cats and the dogs that come in, as well as with people.) One of those three was a black, short-haired, four-month old boy whose name I forget.

What a love bug! As soon as anyone picks him up he hops onto their shoulder and cuddles in, purr motor revving on high. He hung out with me for a while, and as I cuddled and kissed him I realized that I'm not ready to adopt again. Or perhaps it's more that he wasn't the one.

I don't need three or four cats. I can't afford the vet bills for my two, let alone more. Which might not stop me in the long run if I ever am ready again, or I fall head over heels in love, at first sight. Which, I suppose, is what I really want to do.

Often I feel like my house needs fresh energy, needs some joy again. Then I worry not just about finances, but also about how Nicki and Derry would take to any newcomers, how my relationship with them would change, how the relationship they have with each other would change....I'm leery because I just couldn't cope with another Annie/Nicki situation and wouldn't want to make a mistake in judgment by adopting again.

And through all of this, I've realized yet again that I seem to be unable to take any risks in my life now. My upbringing was sheltered, I didn't learn life-coping skills (most of us didn't!), I wasn't encouraged to take any risks but rather to be safe and sensible and responsible. The few times in my adult life I did step out of my comfort zone didn't go well. Now I feel like I can't break free of this. I'm 47, and it's a bit discouraging to know there likely are many 87-year olds who are doing more with their lives, and certainly having far more fun.

What an absurd life!

Late afternoon sky from my bedroom window yesterday.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2011-11-07T04:47:00.000-05:00

No pics, not one snapshot, even of the cats.

Saturday was errands, among them, the hunt for new litter boxes. You'd think it would be easy, right? Ha. I want giant-sized boxes that are deep, with regular openings at the short end. Maybe I should stick with Rubbermaid storage containers (I also use two of those, as well as a couple of 10-year old, worn and scratched boxes).

Did a few other errands on Saturday too, plus the usual housecleaning, etc. All the boring life stuff we have to deal with. And had the usual hormonally-induced state of worry about the cats and money. OMG, I'd rather be a woman than a man, thanks, but sometimes the hormones get out of control. :-P

Sunday I had one of those ice-pick in the brain headaches, presumably also hormonally-related, so it wasn't fun. Still, a friend came up for the afternoon and we went for coffee at Starbucks with her ex-husband, then made a Value Village run.

It had been ages since I'd been to V. V., and I got a few tops (almost everything in my closet seems to be so big, not because I've lost weight, but because I bought too large at the time, trying to hide the flab). Got a few other little things and even dropped off a big bag of stuff for donation, so it was a successful outing.

She stayed for supper (I had done the easy rosemary chicken recipe the Admiral's mom posted last winter) before heading home, and that was the end to the weekend. The only thing I wanted to do but didn't was put my Christmas lights around the huge shrub by my front step. Next weekend, I hope!

So now it's Monday AM, 4:42 EST for me, and I'm going to make a second cup of coffee before getting into gear.

Have a fabulous Monday, everyone!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Here, Let Me Help You Pack!

2011-11-04T18:07:00.000-04:00

My neighbour, the one with the two scary dogs, has her house up for sale--sign on the front lawn this afternoon. (Okay, so it's against the condo bylaws to have "for sale" signs out, but there it is anyway.)

Yay!

Let me help you pack, lady. Because I won't miss you or your nuisance dogs, though I will miss your sweet tabby boy, Niko, very much. And who will love him, after you're gone? I do so hope he'll be okay.

Her unit could sell in a day or two, maybe a week tops, if she doesn't over-price it. These places go very quickly and there's pretty high turn-over, since they're cheap "starter" homes, really. She's done a lot of work, though, so when her agent has pics on-line, I might take a look (nothing up yet).

So I certainly could have new neighbours for the holidays.

But I'm putting it in writing now that I fully expect the Fates, with their sick senses of humour, to give me 20-something neighbours that party every night, all night, or spoiled, shrieking toddlers or an abusive spouse--something unpleasant. Because I've learned that's the way the Fates roll.

I hope the Fates are kind to you, at least in for the foreseeable future!

"Slowly, silently, now the moon..."

2011-11-02T18:44:00.000-04:00

I had to pick a poem to memorize in grade 5, and for whatever reason, it was Walter de la Mare's "Silver." I don't think we had much from which to choose.

Hand-held at full-zoom through my bedroom window just a bit earlier this evening. Contrast adjustment but nothing else. I love that camera!

I've never forgotten the poem, can still recite it. It doesn't strike my adult self as "great" poetry, frankly, but the images it conjured in my child's mind have stayed with me all these decades. Maybe that's enough to make it "great," from a certain perspective. :-)

Silver

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy cote the white breasts peep
Of doves in silver feathered sleep
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

Walter de la Mare

I also had a view of the evening sky at the same time, and also from my bedroom window. (The rule of thirds definitely went "out the window" with this one. Ha!)

Luckily, no poems come to mind with this snapshot.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's "Cat Knows Best" Not "Father Knows Best"

2011-11-01T11:25:00.000-04:00

So Nicki eats his few bits of kibble this AM and goes out for a few minutes, as usual. I get the canned food ready, still sprinkling a bit of FortiFlora on it to entice both of them to eat it. Nicki takes a few bites, then forgoes his "stinky goodness" in favour of hunkering down in front of the stove, trying to get under it.

Oh, peachy, I think, because of course I have no sense of smell and if there's a decaying rodent under there, I won't know unless I move the stove out. And I want to do that at 3:30AM? Or worse, what if it's a live rodent or even bat? I'm not scared of either, but I certainly don't want to deal with them in the house.

Nicki continues to look for something for quite a while, then makes his way to the basement--very odd behaviour for him in the morning. He and Derry hang out down there for a few minutes, with me wondering what the heck is going on, then I coax Nicki back up and he goes outside again. Derry joins him, and I think, okay, whatever it was must have been a phantom. I make myself comfy in front of my laptop, with a much-needed cup of coffee.

A few minutes later something catches my eye--it's an insect, possibly a "stone centipede" or something similar. Just scurrying from the kitchen area, past me and into the entry hall. (I get them now and again in the house, they're flat, "hairy" bugs, long. No substance to their bodies, all legs. Gross, gross, gross.) It takes up residence under the "sofa" table I have in the hallway and I wonder how the heck I'm going to get rid of it. I hate squishing bugs, hate it, hate it, hate it. Bug guts...aacccck, gag! (And here I'm a hypocrite because while I do believe All Beings are equal...in theory...I'll often dispose of bugs, rather than set them free. Depends on the type of bug, on my mood, etc.)

I get the bottle of window/glass cleaner and half-drown the poor thing, then use two or three pieces of paper towel to smoosh it up and put it in the garbage. And of course I have to get rid of the kitchen garbage bag too, in case it somehow manages to survive and makes it way out to swallow me whole.

Oh, yes, my morning gets off to a fun start, being the stereotypical girly girl that I am when it comes to insects.

But Nicki was right--there certainly was something attracting his attention.

::Shudder::

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:00:00.000-04:00

Just wishing everyone who celebrates Halloween/All Hallow's Eve a fun day and evening!

Image courtesy of TheHolidaySpot.com

I don't celebrate Halloween myself, but I do recall the best thing about the night being the mini chocolate bars. :-)

For the origins and traditions of All Hallow's Eve, you can check ReligiousTolerance.org here:

http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm.

Enjoy!

Random Musings

2011-10-30T17:10:00.000-04:00

1. Being paid this weekend (monthly) meant a lot of exhausting weekend errands on bus, by foot and yes, taxi for the huge stock-up of goods. I am getting too old for this. Unlike that 100-year old man who ran the Toronto marathon the other weekend, I'm not in great shape.

Snapped on campus on Friday while waiting for the bus.

2. Don't buy a cheap mattress topper from the Evil Empire (Wal-Mart) because though it might claim to be queen-sized, and thus 56 inches wide, it probably will turn out to be only 51 inches and have to be returned the next day.

3. Apparently no one in this city carries decorative litter box covers. The manager-on-duty at PetSmart wasn't even aware anything like that existed. The store did have a few types of very cool litter boxes, but nothing suitable for my main living area. Certainly Wal-Mart and Zellers have nothing. I can't wait till Zellers becomes a Target. I hope the selection of pet merchandise improves greatly. (Our Wal-Mart is worse for their piddly little pet section.)

4. I wonder why I named Derry "Derry," when I have an aversion to all things Irish. I've never had an affinity for Irish history or lore, have no interest in books that are set in Ireland or that feature Irish characters. About six or seven (?) years ago I typed in my birth date on a site that claimed to tell you what your previous life was--pure entertainment, of course. Or maybe there was something to it. It told me that I had lived my last life in Ireland, sometime in the 700s AD, and that I was a man. Huh. I can only speculate that it was a hellish life!

5. I really, really, really hate to admit this, but I'm getting anxious to decorate for Christmas and to start listening to holiday music. *Headdesk* By the time December rolls around I'll be sick of it all (as usual) and just want it over and done with as quickly as possible. I even bought some additional pine garland for my inside stair railing, on sale at Michaels Crafts yesterday.

Snapped from inside our office space, through the window.

6. I think I'm in a (hormonal?) rut overall, though. Have two fiction books on the go right now, by authors I read regularly, and I can't seem to read more than a page or two at a time, if that. Or this could be my usual impending-winter-doldrums, hence the interest in decorating for the holidays and the general lack of interest in anything else.

7. I was listening to Bob MacDonald on the radio yesterday, he's CBC's science reporter and has been for decades. He had two guests on who were discussing the world's overpopulation, in light of reaching the 7 billion mark. Apparently the population number crunchers have determined that two (2) billion humans is the absolute maximum the Earth can support, and that continued long-term (eons, not decades, I presume) existence of Home Sapiens would mean limiting the species to hundreds of millions, not billions. There's a scary thought. Something else to keep in mind is that I do believe Homo Sapiens have been around for only half as long as Neanderthals existed (this from archaelogical info/reports I had read a while ago). Wonder if our species will manage to exist another 40 or 50 thousand years. If I were a betting person, I'd be betting no.

And that's enough randomness for one day. I hope everyone is having/has had a terrific weekend, filled with whatever they enjoy most.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

"Camera Therapy: How Photography Gave Me Hope Again"

2011-10-27T17:32:00.000-04:00

For those of you out there who enjoy photography, either just by trying to take good snapshots as I do, or by striving to elevate it to an art, as a few of you do, here's a great, short article from Digital Photography School.

Camera Therapy: How Photography Gave Me Hope Again

I subscribe to DPS and get their weekly e-newsletter. I'm sure a number of you already are very familiar with the site, but if not, do check it out. They offer much to learn, no matter what your skill level.

******

As for other things, the week continues to roll along just fine. A couple of new work projects on the go, one well in hand (knock on wood), another coming along. A few work bumps along the way, but some dark chocolate (and a gluten-free beer this evening) are my therapy. The high today was 3C (that's 37F, I think), so I admit I certainly wasn't in the mood to indulge in any camera therapy. If this cooling trend keeps up, I'll be in long johns again before you know it.

******

We have a new neighbour in our townhouse complex, just thought I'd share a few snapshots from a few days ago. :-)

Here s/he is, outside my fence. Derry was outside, Nicki inside. I slipped out front and took a few snapshots. I grabbed the little Elph, though, so couldn't zoom in close.

I hope everyone's week is going well. Almost Friday! Almost our monthly payday--yay!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's Definitely "Easy Like Sunday" Here

2011-10-23T15:26:00.000-04:00

It's a lovely day, sunshine, reasonably warm out at 11C/52F. The boys are napping and I've done that, as well as some reading and some cooking. Other than a 4 km walk to and from the grocery store first thing, I've not been out today. Definitely an "easy like Sunday" day.

Snapped yesterday, along Days Road.

I had much-needed hi-lites and a trim yesterday, so I'm set for another few months, at least for colour. I'll have to find another stylist, though, for the winter, as mine is due with her first child on December 25th. I have an appointment on December 17th for a trim and while she kept saying she'll make it, I don't think she will. LOL.

But I've had bad dreams about someone else touching my hair!

Anyway.

There wasn't much remarkable about the past week. I realize I've not posted since last Monday, but there's not been much to say. A cold (or possibly allergies) making me feel lousy overall, and definitely an un-comfy belly these days. I concluded earlier today that while I didn't crash and burn after Annie's illness and passing this winter, as I half-expected, I made myself "sick" instead. Because stress will take its toll one way or another. (Right, Mom?)

We had a Friday get-together at my boss's place, a BBQ to celebrate the completion of our long summer project list. (Yes, things always take longer than hoped/expected.) I had been dreading it, truth be told, but it turned out to be just fine. Yummy food (my boss makes an awesome caesear salad, but oh, the garlic...!), beer, interesting conversation. It surprised me, actually. We'll see how things change when we fill an existing staff member's position. (He's still with us, but has been seconded to another organization for the next couple of years.) I joked with my boss that the new hire must not love cats and must love beer.

As long as we don't get another loud, obnoxious and over-the-top judgmental person, we should be okay. I hope. It's always dicey, throwing a new person into the mix, particularly when the five of us have been together for eleven years.

I'll be taking a break from the Fuzzy Tales blog this week--I'll be around and "we'll" leave purrs and happy birthday/gotcha day wishes, but not much else. I have a few things on the go this week, so won't have much time to comment; taking a break seems the easiest thing to do. I don't think it's fair to expect others to leave comments on my posts if I don't have the time to leave comments on theirs--not as a habit, at any rate. Being part of a community means, in part, reciprocation, IMO.

So this is enough rambling about nothing. :-)

I'll leave you with a couple of quick snapshots taken this morning, on the way home from the grocery store.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Autumn

2011-10-17T12:12:00.000-04:00

No, no, don't say the "C" holiday word to me yet. Though Rona (home and garden store) already has their "C" trees up and decorations out. I just can't get into it before, oh, Advent. And even then....!

But right now it surely looks a lot like autumn.

We had high winds and heavy rain on Saturday and a lot of the leaves have blown off, leaving bare or partially bare branches. I snapped a few obligatory swamp shots yesterday morning, while walking up to Rona. Because it wouldn't be another fall without the same shots...year after year after year.

Snapped with the little Canon Elph in "foliage" mode.

BTW, I'm so stiff and sore today from all the bending over to prime the pieces of the buffet yesterday. Embarrassing, considering a 100 year old man ran his umpteenth marathon yesterday, in Toronto. I first heard of him eight years ago when he ran the Toronto marathon at 92. Apparently he took up running at 89, to help with depression after his wife and son (I think son) passed away. He's still going strong and certainly puts my 47-year old body to shame.

The story is here, if anyone wants to read it: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/trackandfield/story/2011/10/16/sp-singh-100-marathon-toronto.html

And to end, a few more snapshots from Thanksgiving Monday, in the cemetery.

Have an inspiring day, everyone!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

It's all in the hands

2011-10-16T12:40:00.000-04:00

Truly.

Primer coat # 1 is on all the pieces of the buffet I started to stain last weekend. Two hour dry time before re-coating, so if I still feel motivated, I'll do coat #2 later.

I picked up paint chips from Rona this morning, would like to do a nice, cheerful shade of green--apple or pear or something like that. At least if I don't like the colour I eventually choose, I can repaint easily enough.

BTW, this morning was the second time a bus driver heading for his route (and currently out of service) stopped to pick me up and insisted that route #7 doesn't start till 8:45AM on Sundays. The second time we've gone back and forth, me insisting the route starts at 8:15AM, the driver insisting it doesn't. The second time a driver has called dispatch to check, only to find out I was right. Somehow they don't seem too impressed to have the clueless, dumb passenger (my interpretation of what they think) correct after all. :-)

Happy Sunday!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Brrr...! Fall's Here, So the Soup's On!

2011-10-15T12:55:00.000-04:00

Our "Indian summer" has ended and it's chilly, with howling wind and driving rain. Brrr! So I made a big pot of veggie soup, just broth and tomatoes, carrots, onion, celery, mushrooms, chickpeas and some spices. It's pretty good, actually, having now cooked for a couple of hours. I'm longing for a warm biscuit, dripping with butter, to go with it!

In the pot, ready to simmer for a couple of hours.

And I'm trying a new President's Choice black tea, chocolate mint. I'm actually not a fan of mint with chocolate, but it was on sale, so I thought what the heck. I can't really taste much, to be honest. Maybe because of my lack of ability to smell.

But it's warm and soothing, and on a day like today, that's pretty much all that matters.

The boys are curled up and after my favourite comedy radio/TV show (CBC's The Debaters), I hope to be curled up snoozing too!

Cat pics snapped today.

Wishing everyone a cosy Saturday.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Friday Fungi--Not Quite "Eye Candy"

2011-10-14T11:53:00.000-04:00

Not the "eye candy" of old, when I still was doing those posts. I lost interest or perhaps ran out of gorgeous men, after the rugby players. Who could top them anyway? :-P

So it's Friday Fungi today, from my little jaunt to the Cat. Cemetery this past holiday Monday.

I'm happy to have made it to the end of the work week. Somehow the short weeks always seem more chaotic. But it's hard to wrap my head around the fact that our next holiday will be Christmas. I can't go there yet, it's scary.

I'm also happy that Derry made a nice pee clump this AM (finally, after about 13 hours!) so things are okay on that front for the moment. No one was cupboard-climbing in my presence today.

I'd like to request purrayers, purrs, good vibes, whatever for a neighbour and good friend of my mom's--Ron has bladder cancer and after several procedures and more tests, soon will be facing a choice of bladder removal (possibly removal of one kidney as well) or doing nothing and letting the cancer take its course. Ron was kind enough to take Mom and Harry to the airport to pick me up, when I flew in for my visit. He's a good person and I can't imagine his emotional struggle right now.

Thanks so much. I hope everyone's Friday is going well.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Thank You, Ms. Rye

2011-10-12T16:43:00.000-04:00

I'd just like to say thanks to Ms. Rye for putting me in my "happy place" this afternoon. One shot is all that was needed--I'm truly not much of a drinker. Probably a good thing. Definitely a good thing. But after the business with Derry today, yeah, I needed more than my dark chocolate.

How do those of you with half a dozen...or thirteen...cats (or any other species of fur "child") possibly manage?

Just to explain, it did seem that Derry was relapsing into another bout of cystitis this morning, after his first bout two weeks ago. He might or might not have made a decent clump in the litter box around 6AM, as I was getting set to leave for work--someone did, and Nicki had done so earlier in the morning. But I'll never know for certain. Derry did, however, make an "okay" clump this afternoon around 1PM. Meaning that at least he's not blocked and doesn't require another vet visit today.

And yes, I left work at noon and came home to check on him, in case he was in distress and needed vet care immediately.

It probably would be easier to have human children.

Okay, okay, maybe it would be easier. At least human kids can communicate in a language you understand (when they're old enough) and at least they grow up and become independent.

Do I subconsciously do this to myself every Wednesday, because it's the weekly anniversary of Annie's death and I need a distraction? Don't answer that. I hope the answer is no.

Okay, snapshots, for a change of pace. I have a few. I went to Cat. Cemetery on Thanksgiving Monday, enjoyed the 22C weather and sunny skies. Not much for fall colour, though, just a few trees showing a bit, and not displaying their usual vibrancy. I had only the pocket Canon Elph with me.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

"Peaches"

2011-10-11T09:55:00.000-04:00

Finally I have the opportunity to write a few words about Peaches, or rather, really his human.

I met Peaches last Thursday morning, at the vet clinic, when I took Nicki in for his check. He was out of his carrier in his human's arms and had a death grip around her neck, his face buried in her neck. Nicki's "warrior song," a.k.a. cowardly yeowling, didn't help Peaches' stress level.

Peaches came to his human as an adult, and one look at his long, scraggily, peach-coloured fur would explain his name. He was at the clinic for annual vaccinations, and his human mentioned that she had to bring him in for grooming and shaving periodically, as his fur would mat up so badly and he hated being brushed. That was shades of my "angel" Chumley. :-)

But it was Peaches' human who really caught my attention.

The vet clinic I go to is in the north end of the city, and as in most cities, I suspect, the north end typically is poor, with a lot of welfare and disability recipients. I live "north of Princess" myself, albeit on the edge of a quiet, mature, middle-class neighbourhood.

Peaches' human appeared to be in her 60s, though with rough living she could have been mid to late 50s for all I know. Her unkempt hair, broken front tooth and shabby clothing shouted "poor" and "welfare," though in fact she might have more disposable income that I do. Probably does, in fact.

But it was her very obvious love for Peaches that tugged at my heart.

She held him to her and rocked him, crooned to him, trying to comfort him, and when it was their turn, she carried him into the examining room in her arms.

And I thought that you cannot, you just cannot, deny someone the joy of sharing their life with a fur companion, just because they aren't rich and can't afford premium food or tens of thousands of dollars in vet bills. Were someone to look at the state of my own finances, they certainly would say I ought not to have any companion animals.

I've had this discussion with others before and I see both sides of it. Yes, it's important to be able to afford to give your companions the best care possible, no question. But love, oh, love is something we all need to both give and receive. And there was no question that regardless of what Peaches was being fed or if his human ever ran blood work or a urine analysis, he was and is so deeply loved.

That counts for something.

That counts for everything.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

The Neighbour's Cat is Okay!

2011-10-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

The neighbour just came to apologize for her two crazy dogs barking almost ceaselessly Saturday afternoon, evening and well into the night. I had put a note on her door at 10:15PM, indicating they were upset and wondering if they had run out of food and water. Turns out she was away in Ottawa and her 29-year old cousin (old enough to be responsible) was supposed to have spent the afternoon/evening with them (i.e. the dogs), but of course didn't.

So while we were chatting on my front step--and I can only think it must have been terrible for her to even knock on my door, given that we're not chummy neighbours--I asked if Niko had gone to "cat heaven," because I hadn't seen him since Thursday morning.

No, no, Niko's okay--he's in her basement, having 6 days of dewormer meds.

*Whew*!

I really was leaning to her having had him put down, but I'm so glad he's fine, and I mentally apologize for thinking that she could be that callous. Presumably I'll see him outside later this week.

Anyway, I've been meaning to write about "Peaches" since last Thursday, but with one thing and another haven't gotten to it. Maybe tomorrow.

A nipped-out Niko, on my front step this past June.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

That was a $90+ mistake

2011-10-09T11:59:00.000-04:00

Back in June, when Dad was here, I bought an unfinished pine buffet that was on sale at Jysk for $90 (plus tax). I hesitated, because I know how I am when it comes to home projects (Ms. Super Slacker), but decided for that price I couldn't go wrong.

Ha.

Well, after all these months, with the unopened box still in the garage, I was in the mood to stain all the pieces.

So out everything came this morning, I hauled it all into my back space, got everything set up, and set to work doing the pre-stain treatment. Now, the Home Depot guy assured me, back in July, that the small cans of pre-stain and stain would be more than enough for the size of the buffet, given how many square meters both cans cover.

Right.

I ran out of pre-stain treatment after just barely managing to cover one side of each piece.

Then I thought I'd better test out the stain colour--it was a very dark "bombay" shade, that looks espresso brown on the can.

Uh huh.

I tested it on one side of a small inner piece, something that wouldn't be visible...I hope. And I didn't like the colour at all, though I realize it would darken with subsequent coats. Too reddish. The colour on the can is not reddish at all.

So now I'm utterly disgusted, have all the bits and pieces in the basement for the moment, till I haul them back out to the garage. I'll ask a girlfriend if she knows anyone who wants to take it and do something with it, otherwise it can wait to be donated or go to the garbage dump. Because it's not worth it to me to waste any more time on it. In fact, I'd rather cook than do anything else with it. Yep, you read that right, and that speaks volumes, because you all know how much I truly loathe cooking.

Maybe I'll have a change of heart in another four months, but don't hold your breath!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to pop my little chicken in the oven.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Soft Autumn Days

2011-10-08T06:20:00.000-04:00

It's a glorious Thanksgiving weekend here, absolutely perfect weather. I love these "soft" autumn days before the harsh cold sets in.

I walked home after work yesterday, all the way for a change, and enjoyed every single moment, even carrying groceries.

On cat-related topics, Derry continues to be okay, knock on wood. I was checking his blood work and comparing it to his previous ones, because his WBC count (white blood cell) was below the normal range. But previous blood tests show that he runs low normal, borderline, so I'm not too worried.

I looked at Nicki's previous blood work from November 2009 and saw that his ALT was smack-dab in the middle. The upper range at my clinic's lab is "130," so I think that the vet meant his current value came back at 125 -- so not above the normal high, but close. I'm going to take him back in a couple of months and have his blood work run again. He doesn't need to make an appointment or see a vet for that. He "noms" on stuff in the garden, one plant in particular. I can't recall the plant's name, so hope it's not toxic, even mildly, to cats. (And no, it's not any kind of lily.) I've seen him eat leftover bits of it recently, so I'm wondering if his current liver value is possibly related to that, or to "nomming" something else out there.

This is the plant, from a summer 2008 snapshot. Anyone know what it is so I can check on its toxicity to cats?

One final cat-related note: I ran into my neighbour early Wednesday morning, mentioned ProFender for Niko's worms. She said he had a vet appointment on Friday and would check into it. But I haven't seen Niko since sometime on Thursday, not the evening. At first I thought maybe she brought him into the house so she could get him into a carrier on Friday (if she was telling the truth about the appointment). Now I'm wondering if she took him in and had him pts. He wasn't around yesterday at all, and he wasn't there when I got up at 4AM and put food out for Toby. I don't want to think the worst, there could be other reasons Niko's not been around. :-/

As for other things, I'm meeting a friend for coffee this morning. And, yay! he's happy to run a couple of errands with me. I seldom ask, even though he's always insisted he's happy to help out. But I've never been comfortable with asking for help, even in small ways.

I'm working on that one. :-)

Wishing everyone a gentle, glorious, peace-full day.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I've fallen (into an alternate reality) and I can't get up

2011-10-06T17:45:00.000-04:00

So you know my morning, at the vet with Nicki. Oh, that reminds me, one the values that was a bit high was his ALT--liver--value. The top value is either 125 or 130 and he was one or the other. So either at high normal or just above high normal--I think just above high normal. That can happen with fatty liver disease, which he doesn't have, hyper-t (not likely as he's only 5), with liver cancer, ingesting some meds (none) and some other liver disease. The vet noted it and said we probably should follow up in a year, but didn't seem overly concerned. I don't have a copy of the blood work yet, but if anyone knows of a "normal" (i.e. non-life-threatening) reason for that, do let me know.

How many things I can I be paranoid about? I'm still measuring Derry's pee clumps, so one thing at a time.

Anyway, that was the morning.

This afternoon I was at my desk when the former co-worker showed up and stopped in front of my cubicle. (Do I have to explain who the former co-worker is? No, I don't think so.) I told her that B. was in his office, as last week she popped up looking for him, presumably not realizing I was in the office. She wasn't looking for him, apparently. She smiled and asked me how everyone was doing.

I truly have fallen into an alternate reality.

After not saying one. single. word. to me in 33 weeks and 2 days she comes up and asks how everyone (meaning the cats) is doing?

I was floored.

I didn't respond well.

While I can't recall verbatim what I said, I do know it was to ask why was she bothering now when she hadn't said a word to me in eight months. And I did say that I wasn't going to talk to her about anything that wasn't work-related. She seemed taken aback (!) by that--I can't remember what she said and what I said in response, but I was a bit intense. Finally I said that this (i.e. work) wasn't the place for this, to which she agreed and left.

Let me tell you, the gods are crazy, and the universe has a bizarre sense of humour.

$100+ per day

2011-10-06T13:35:00.000-04:00

Nicki went to the vet this morning for a routine check, blood work and urine analysis. Brought my total vet bill in the past seven days to just over $730. Brings my total spent at the vet in 2.5 years to about $7730 or so. Plus well over $1000 in taxi charges. Yippee! (Sarcasm)

Oh, and the Cosequin that's so readily available from so many suppliers in the States costs $42 and change plus tax at my vet. Costs $30 plus tax and shipping (from a California company, mind you) when I look at Amazon.ca. Costs $12.75 U.S. when I look at Amazon.com.

We Canadians are getting shafted, big time, on pet meds and supplements.

BTW, Nicki's fine, a few slightly higher than normal values, maybe something to recheck in a year, but nothing to be concerned about. I'm not going to worry, at any rate. There's only so much worrying I can do before my brain explodes.

I did, however, have the presence of mind to ask for a few days' worth of pain meds for Derry, just in case he has a relapse over our upcoming long Thanksgiving weekend. Better to spend $20+ and have the pain meds go unused than end up at the emerg vet for several hundred dollars.

Mr. I'm-Not-Afraid-of-Anything Nicki wailed like you would not believe as soon as I put him in the carrier. If the short video I took (for the sound, not because there was anything to see) turned out, I'll post it tomorrow on the Fuzzy Tales blog. That was quite the "warrior" song.

I hope everyone's having a good day, a vet-bill-free day. LOL.

******

A few snapshots from yesterday, a change from the Halifax pics.

On campus

Hmm, I thought I had straightened this one, but obviously not. I had to crop the bottom because a car was parked out in front. I wondered if they were pink inside the house for Breast Cancer Awareness or if it was just to coordinate with their pink roses.

Some trees are just starting to turn colour. Many have leaves that have gone brown and crispy, no turning colour at all.

Part of St. George's Anglican Cathedral

Still some blooms

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

How stupid are our birds?!

2011-10-04T18:11:00.000-04:00

Niko got another bird today!

At least he ate the head this time, so I had no doubt the poor thing was quite dead before I scooped it up into yet another plastic bag and tossed it into my garage.

But I really do have to wonder how dumb the birds are. He's declawed, for heaven's sake! I guess he's just a hunter-extraordinaire.

******

Derry's vet called this afternoon. As expected, the culture and sensitivity test came back negative. So there's nothing further to be done except finish off his pain meds. Which mostly have been ending up on my hand or on the counter anyway. I'm going to ask about Cosequin (for both boys, actually) when I'm there with Nicki on Thursday morning.

Derry's still peeing normally, but obviously this will be a "one day at a time" thing. I really hope he doesn't have another bout, but if he does, I'll be calling the vet pronto and we'll go from there.

******

Still lots of pics from Halifax, these were snapped at Historic Properties on September 15th, in the (what else?) dense fog.

Salty's is a well-known restaurant, been around for decades. Used to go there once in a while for dinner.

A clearer view of one of the Halifax-Dartmouth ferries.

"Theodore" Tugboat

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Once again I made a spectacle of myself for the neighbours

2011-10-03T18:52:00.000-04:00

So I got home and found that Niko, the neighbour's declawed mighty hunter, had caught another bird and left it, uneaten, on the ground by my shrub. This is what, the fourth or fifth bird now? Plus that one rodent he had for breakfast by my welcome mat one morning in the late spring or early summer, leaving the entrails for me.

I debated leaving the bird for him to gnaw on at his leisure, but then realized it would attract vermin.

Off I went to fetch a plastic bag, and I scooped it up, a bit disturbed by the vibration from the bag. Gaaggh, I thought, was it still alive? But the neck looked broken.

I put the bag down on the step, crossed my fingers the poor bird truly was dead, then opened up the garage door. Picked up the bag...and heard a buzzing, felt another vibration.

OMG, I freaked out! Screamed my fool head off, at the top of my lungs, and threw the bag up in the air and away from me, to have it land half way down my little driveway. Two big flies flew out of the bag; thank goodness it wasn't the poor bird, barely alive and struggling. But I could see, out of my peripheral vision, the 20-something neighbours down the street turning to look at me. Probably with the thought, "There's that crazy middle-aged cat lady again." And I suppose that would be kind. Yeah, whatever. Who knows what their lives will be like when they're getting close to fifty. Maybe they'll be picking up dead birds from beside their front step too. LOL.

Anyway, the bag with the dead bird went into the garage, while I tried to convince Niko to stop hunting or at least to leave his food on his own doorstep. I don't think I was successful with either suggestion.

I hope your day hasn't involved any dead prey. :-P

******

Still more snapshots from the Halifax trip, taken Thursday September 15th. Mom and Harry in their living room, unfortunately with shadows behind them.

This is the casino. We dropped Harry off here while we strolled around Historic Properties.

It was so foggy, I had to increase the brightness on most, if not all, of the snapshots.

It's a monument for the Portuguese settlers, I believe.

One of the ferries that runs between Halifax and Dartmouth. I certainly had to up the brightness and contrast on this, because the ferry was barely visible at all. I don't miss Halifax's dreary, foggy weather!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

How to ensure your floor gets cleaned

2011-10-02T16:31:00.001-04:00

That would be by trying to juggle a full mug of tea while having a cat on your lap, sitting in front of your laptop. The hot tea spills partly over your clothes and certainly all over the floor--fortunately not over the laptop--thus ensuring you have to get down on your hands and knees and wash it all up.

That was early this morning.

At least the dining area floor is clean now. :-)

******

My tape measure obsession continues, as I keep a record of Derry's pee clumps. He's made normal-sized ones (for him) this weekend, knock on wood, which means 9 - 10cm by 4 - 6 cm, a couple of times in a 24-hour period. I hope he's not in pain now, as I suspect I'm getting more of the pain meds (liquid) over my hand and counter than in his mouth. I really don't know if he got any today, in either of his two doses. I hope so. But he and Nicki have been tussling like mad and tearing around the house, so I take that as a good sign. Knock on wood again and fingers/paws crossed.

******

I've stuck to my guns and given the boys only 1/16 cup kibble in the AM and again in the afternoon, both yesterday and today. They'll complain about that on the Fuzzy Tales blog tomorrow.

The FortiFlora I'm adding to their canned is helping Derry eat more "stinky goodness." The usual "dose" of that stuff is one packet per day per cat, but I'm using a bit less than one packet for both boys, for two days. I'm using it as a "seasoning" only. I don't want to overdo it and I hope the active probiotics don't mess up their systems, with the little they're getting.

******

While parts of Europe are enjoying an unseasonal heat wave, we've had a couple of absolutely freezing days, highs of about 13C and rainy. Turtleneck plus sweater, plus thick socks and slippers. A harbinger of things to come, even though we'll be heading back up to normal temps later this week (17 or 18C).

I not been anywhere with my camera, to snap the fall colours that have started. The peak should be in the next week or two, so maybe, if we get decent weather and I have time and feel motivated, I'll get out.

******

Rugby beats soccer any day for men's yummy thighs. Just felt the need to express that. :-P

******

Does anyone really need any more Public Gardens pics? Not really. But here are just a few remaining ones anyway.

Mom waiting for me.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Let's have a few more flowers amid the vet talk

2011-09-30T17:02:00.001-04:00

Before I post a few more pics from the Halifax Public Gardens, I'll give you a Derry update.

I think he peed overnight (about 5cm round) and then he did make a smaller clump this AM. Nothing when I got home this aft, though he was in and out of the litter box before he finally went and made oh, about a 4 cm x 5 cm clump. Not big, but not super tiny, either. He really prefers quiet and privacy, and at the time he was in and out of the box in the living area just about every dog in the damned complex was barking its fool head off, making a huge ruckus. This has caused me to wonder if all the barking that one of the neighbour's dogs does every single day, off and on all day, is upsetting Derry too.

I think I'll see if PetSmart has any Feliway in stock. Wouldn't you know it, I just threw away the diffuser I'd had for Annie and Nicki (which didn't work for them). But maybe it would work for Derry, at least a bit. I don't want to go with a calming collar because Derry's never worn a collar and I'm concerned it would only stress him further right now.

I spoke to the vet late this morning and asked about other pain med options, because it was such a fight to get anything into him this morning. It's supposed to be squirted into his cheek pouch. I was sitting on him, but it was nasty for us both, and not particularly successful. Oh, I got it into him, but inadvertently down his throat instead of into his cheek pouch. Unfortunately, this med only comes in liquid, so I have to persevere.

However, the vet told me to put Derry on a higher, slippery surface (like a washer or dryer or freezer) and scruff him, and be quick with the syringe. I tried about an hour ago, just on the counter, and I think he was so surprised he didn't fight. But whether he got any or some of the meds is another matter. He made the lip-licking motion that would indicate some of it went into his mouth, but I don't know for sure how much. On the plus side, it was over and done with very quickly, so I'll see if that technique works tomorrow morning.

BTW, yesterday evening the vet told me that Derry had fragments of struvite crystals...I got a copy of the UA today and he does, but there also were whole ones. I have no idea how many or what size. I'm trying not to totally freak out, of course. The tech told me yesterday that if they thought he was in danger of being blocked they would not have released him, but would have had a catheter in him pronto. But I don't know...I really don't trust any of them--wouldn't trust any vet or tech at this stage of the game.

That aside, getting Derry off his 1/4 to 3/8 cups of kibble a day is of paramount importance now. I bought some FortiFlora from the vet today, to try to entice him to eat more canned. Even with some in it, he still didn't eat his entire 1/3 serving (small can of ProPlan chicken and liver). He ate about 1/6 and Nicki gobbled the rest. Apparently this human has to suck it up and out-stubborn the stubborn cat and it can take a few months. (Catinfo.org, which I had visited before, but not for quite some time, has invaluable advice, written by a vet who has spent a lot of time researching cat nutrition, etc. Thanks to Connie for sending it, and to anyone else who posted it for me too--I can't recall now who sent me what, sorry.)

So enough of that. Both boys have tussled wildly in the house today and both are outside right now, snoopervising the back space and bug-watching. I'm nursing a light beer and am hoping for sleep tonight--and please gods/fates, no vet emergencies this weekend.

This is my place to "vent," in effect to journal, but I appreciate the comments that followers and visitors have made and continue to make, not just with this, but with all the absurd ups and downs of life in general. I realize no one really knows who I am -- it's the same for any blogs we read -- and I do realize that cyber-followers or even cyber-friends are not the same as face-to-face friends. But I still appreciate your kindness.

Okay...A few pics now!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I just spoke with the vet

2011-09-29T18:16:00.000-04:00

I just spoke with the vet re: Derry, and the urine analysis showed tiny fragments of struvite crystals. Not actual crystals at this stage and not enough to worry about a blockage, apparently, but certainly something that needs to be dealt with now.

A diet change will be in order ASAP, as his pH is neutral at 7 and should be between 6 and 6.5 (more acidic, I believe). I bought a sample bag of the GO! chicken and veggie dry someone suggested, which they gobbled, but I'll have to do some research on the pH levels of food, both dry and canned, before committing to anything. Of course the vet wants me to feed their crap. With apologies to anyone who does feed it. I'm just not comfortable with all the corn/carbs that's in vet-prescribed foods.

Anyway, the upshot is that I'm supposed to continue with the pain meds into next week, while waiting for the results of the culture and sensitivity test that was sent to a lab in the Toronto area. It takes several business days because they try to grow any bacteria that might be in the sample. Bacterial infections are not common in young cats, but if it turns out to be some sort of bacteria this test will identify which type and what antibiotics would be best for Derry. I told the vet NO CONVENIA.

Derry can't be given any steroidal-based anti-inflammatory right now (like Pred) because IF he has a bacterial infection, the steroid would cause the bacteria to flourish.

He suggested an anti-depressant med called Amitriptyline, which "...has anticholinergic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties and has been recommended for severe FIC cases where environmental enrichment and diet change have not provided relief." (Bolding is mine.)

http://ftp.amvq.qc.ca/Notes/S-Little-Idiopathic-Cystitis-in-Cats.pdf

I told him I wasn't comfortable trying that as a first go, right off the bat.

So there's nothing but the pain meds and diet change for the moment.

He's drugged up, so seems relaxed at the moment, though hasn't peed since 1:30PM, in spite of drinking a lot of water this afternoon (atypically). The vet said he'd be surprised if Derry doesn't pee by tomorrow morning, but if he doesn't, to bring him in right away.

And that's all I have for the moment.

I'd like to have someone in person who could talk me down from the metaphorical ledge, but I think I'll take half an over-the-counter sleeping pill tonight, if I have any left (it's been a while since I used them) and try and get some rest. I need to research foods and make some changes.

Continued purrs/prayers/Light/good vibes would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.

Universal Blessing, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

See, now, this is how it started with Annie

2011-09-28T19:15:00.000-04:00

Regarding Derry's urinary tract issue, posted on the Fuzzy Tales blog:

This is how it started with Annie nine months ago. Urinary tract infection, Clavamox, then diarrhea which turned out to be constipation, shot of Convenia, five days in the vet clinic, and dead three weeks later.

Ask me if I'm calm about the whole cycle seeming to start over now with Derry. Go ahead, ask me.

If the effin' Fates take Derry away from me too, I'm going to be really, really, really upset. Possibly in need of pharmaceuticals again.

And don't ever expect me to adopt another cat. Just sayin'.

Bring on the whiskey, because two shots hasn't been enough tonight.

Who's doing to talk me down from the ledge?

Oh, the anti-climax

2011-09-28T08:54:00.000-04:00

I was plugging away at my spreadsheet at the office yesterday morning when lo and behold there appeared the former co-worker who had spoken so unkindly to me about the care I was giving Annie back in February, the day before I had to let her go. Which happens to be 32 weeks today.

I had not seen her or spoken to her in the past almost-8 months and I think she only came up because she must have thought I was away--she was looking for another co-worker who happens to be on holiday this week.

So I simply said no, he was gone all week and that was that. No greeting, no chit chat, no pleasantries on either side.

And I found it all to be rather anti-climactic, in truth. Because for the past 32 weeks I've mentally cringed every single morning coming in to work, leery of running into her, not knowing if I would acknowledge her, and if so, what I'd say.

But reality was utterly impersonal, perhaps even more impersonal that if it had been a complete stranger.

And so that's that. All my stressing for nothing. Less than nothing.

Speaking of stressing, Derry made a very small pee clump in one of the basement litter boxes this morning and I went into full panic mode. I could feel my blood pressure soar, my gut turn over. But then he went upstairs to use the upper litterbox and when I cleaned it afterward, there was a large pee clump and his other business. I'm not sure if the pee clump was before or after the one downstairs--he likes privacy and I was doing stuff in the basement at the time he was in the litter box. It's entirely possible he was interrupted and went up to finish in peace and quiet, or that he had peed up there during the night and had only a bit in his bladder he felt he had to purge, after his big tusslling match with Nicki this morning. (BTW, Nicki likes to pee at the front of all the boxes, preferably in the left hand corner, though sometimes the right corner, so I usually can tell who's doing what.)

Nonetheless, I've made an appointment for both boys for October 6th to have routine blood work and urine analyses done, as well as to have their teeth checked. I'm seeing quite a bit of tartar on their few remaining teeth, so think they both will need a cleaning very soon. I hope no extractions. Really hope no extraction$.

But this all just brings home how unsuited I am, emotionally (never mind financially) to adopting again.

And to finish up on an upbeat note, here are more pics from the Halifax Public Gardens, from September 14th.

Here's the dahlia exhibit.

I hate to break it to you, but this still isn't the end of the Gardens or holiday pics. :-P

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

I don't do skinny or perky

2011-09-27T08:52:00.000-04:00

I get to work for 7AM as usual today. A building staff member is coming out the main doors as I'm going in, and I say hi, express surprise she's here so early.

She's taking her 30-something, skinny, perky self off to the gym to work out, of course.

And I'm there with my vanilla latté in one hand, lunch time groceries (which includes chocolate) in another.

Let me tell you, the only thing worse than someone young, skinny, genuinely super-nice, ambitious, intelligent and capable is someone young, skinny, genuinely super-nice, ambitious, intelligent, capable and disgustingly perky. At 7-freaking AM. On a work day.

I just had to get that out.

Okay, Halifax Public Garden pics, part 2. Enjoy!

There's a large pond in the Gardens....

Nope, I'm not done yet with the Garden pics, sorry. More another time. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Public Garden Pics Part 1

2011-09-26T12:28:00.000-04:00

Happy Monday, everyone. Maybe if I write "happy" Monday enough I'll feel happy about the start of the week. LOL.

But it is a glorious sunny day, 22C, perfect weather to walk home later this afternoon and savour the warmth, while we still have it.

Oh, before I post a few Public Gardens pics, I just have to note that around midnight I remembered reason #57 to NOT adopt another cat: hoarking up hairballs at 12AM. Used to be Annie, because of her long fur, but last night it was Nicki, just a wee one. He got brushed then, after I cleaned up the mess and before I went back to bed, and then again this morning before I left for work. It's so rare for him to have a hairball that I don't bother to brush him enough. My bad.

Anyway, here you go, some of the many garden pics I snapped on the 14th.

Here comes the mate...The enclosure is new-to-me and I was puzzled by it, as all the birds in the Gardens can fly away at will--or used to be able to do so.

Lots more to come the next time I post. I haven't taken any pics since I've been home, other than a few cat pics. We have a lot of parks in our city, but nothing like Halifax's oasis!

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Back to the "exciting" holiday pics

2011-09-23T09:29:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe it's only been a week since I was in Halifax. This work week has been so long, and I'm looking forward to two days of "down" time -- i.e. errands and housecleaning. Mom said she was going to indulge in some retail therapy today; perhaps I ought to make a Value Village run this weekend. :-)

Anyway.

Here we go with some snapshots from last Wednesday morning. At least we had a sunny day! (The better pics were taken after lunch, in the Public Gardens, but I have a lot of those and they'll be for another post or three.)

We went downtown to the piers for a little walk around. It's where the cruise ships dock now, but used to be where immigrants landed. This was one of three immense ships docked at the time.

There is a museum at Pier 21, but we didn't go in.

Crafts people now have a permanent, indoor spot to sell their wares, conveniently located in the area where the tourists disembark. It's actually a massive indoor area, and there's another area in a separate building for a produce market as well.

Statue of Samuel Cunard. The light wasn't at a good angle for snapshot-taking.

After this we went up to Citadel Hill for a few snapshots and happened to be up there for the noon-time cannon salute.

That's the police station, just down the hill and across the street. Now heating via solar panels, which is great. One of Halifax's two bridges (across to Dartmouth) is visible in the distance.

My lunch--certainly not grain- or gluten-free, at a pub in the Lord Nelson Hotel, across from the Public Gardens.

Mom having a yummy Greek salad.

Brace yourselves for a slew of garden pics over the next few posts. The Halifax Public Gardens is a lovely spot, a wonderful oasis in the city, and there still were a lot of blooms, including a fabulous dahlia exhibit.

Till next time. :-)

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Sometimes Healing Can Sneak Up On You

2011-09-22T14:07:00.000-04:00

I'm blaming it on all of the rescue and foster blogs I follow. But I think that heart-healing is creeping up on me, almost unawares.

I'm starting--just starting--to be more open to the possibility of adopting again. Some day. When the time is right. Rather than have my usual knee-jerk reaction of, "I'll never have another fur 'child' because I can't go through this again."

It's not that I miss Annie any less. Yesterday was the 31st week anniversary of her passing and I had a particularly hard time with it. Perhaps because I'm home from holiday now, with nothing in particular to look forward to till next year.

But I miss having a girl in the house.

Little Charlotte, from our local humane society's web site.
OMG, she's precious!

I love the boys to pieces ("Love you bunches!" I always call out to them when I'm leaving the house) and of course Derry is my Smoochy Boy, while Nicki is my Mr. PurrBug. But I still miss having a girl around. Maybe I subconsciously think she'd be more in tune with me, by virtue of her gender, but of course that wouldn't be the case. Probably wouldn't be the case.

And I'm not prepared, financially or emotionally, to adopt again in the near future.

It's just that I think about it more often now. As in, oh, every day. And you know, check the shelter web sites every day too.

Little Abbott would be bigger than this now; he's at the Gananoque shelter. What a cutie!

Aside from financial and emotional issues, though, there is the whole integration process which makes me cringe. Another Annie/Nicki combo I just could not do. I'd love to take on an adult or two, but suspect Nicki would have a real problem with an adult entering the house, being the jealous and territorial bully he is. Things are terrific with the boys--they tussle and sometimes it gets out of hand, but both can hold their own with each other and Derry in no way vies for alpha kitty status. I really don't want to disrupt the peace.

But maybe the right cat(s) or kitten(s) will come along in time. Someday. :-)

P.S. I'll get back to vacation pics the next time.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Last of the Mahone Bay Pics (Finally, You Say)

2011-09-21T12:28:00.000-04:00

Just a few harbour shots, i.e. fog and water. :-)

New waterfront condos. Wonder how much they go for.

The famous three churches, though you can hardly see the one on the far right. I have no idea why they're famous, would have to Google and look that up and I'm too lazy. I just know that every postcard of Mahone Bay features those three churches. I'm assuming one's Anglican, one's Catholic and one's....? Well, that's my guess, at any rate.

I liked the patterns in the sand. I should have put borders around the images, but again, was too lazy. There's a theme here...

At least it wasn't a windy day.

Say 'bye to Mahone Bay! Next up will be a few downtown Halifax shots, by Piers 20 - 23, the area where immigrants used to land and cruise ships now dock. Pier 21 is a museum, but we didn't tour it, just walked around a bit outside.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Mahone Bay Part 2

2011-09-20T12:13:00.000-04:00

I've finally manged to edit all the pics, though I promise I won't subject you to all 259. Yes, only 259; I had inadvertently counted two older pics that were in my "to be edited" file.

So, back to Mahone Bay!

Mom took me into a quilt shop, and while I like to look at quilts and can appreciate the work (most of these are hand-sewn, apparently, not machine-quilted), they don't generally go with my own more modern decor. I once saw an exhibit of old quilts at the National Art Gallery in Ottawa, though, and those were magnificent, mostly because of the history behind them.

All these wonderful babies/children's quilts were on the second level of the shop.

After that we stopped in at a tea shop, which was more my, well, cup of tea. :-)

Wow, the tea must be good!

Some of the many teas for purchase.

Pretty--and large--cup!

Some of the many cups and mugs for sale.

More pretty, gigantic cups and saucers.

Even a couple of cat items.

My favourites were the pottery mugs.

This little owl pot is so cute!

The only thing I bought on the trip was some tea--a handful of sample packages from this shop. I haven't tried them yet, but am looking forward to doing so.

I still have a few harbour pics to post, but I'll leave those for tomorrow. These are enough (boring) snapshots for one post. It's kind of like the old days when I was a child and we'd have dinner guests, would subject them to a slideshow after eating. Ha. Only in this case you actually aren't trapped and don't have to read the posts or view the pics. LOL.

Universal Blessings, Light and Mercy to All Beings.

Musings On A Small Life

My "hair happy" for the day!

What, winter again? And other randomness.

"Ohhh, That's 20% of Your Daily Fat Intake"

Ms. Muse is on Holiday, Apparently

Equal Billing Works For Me

That was a dud

This could be...interesting.

"That Ain't Much of a Life"

Moving out and Moving On

Thankful Thursday

Take Nothing For Granted

Blend and Extend...Or the Boring Business of Life

Recommendations for beginner dance exercise DVDs?

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Winter

When winter comes, he comes with a vengeance! (Picture-Heavy)

I feel lighter, somehow

It's Definitely a Full Moon

What *is* the purpose to all this suffering?!

Shopping at the "Boutique"

Dodged the Dental Bullet!

Must I?

Monday Miscellany (and yes, a new TV)

2012 Beckons

A Bit of Whimsy

The TV? It's Dead, Kim.

Christmas Chaos

Happy Christmas to All!

A Joyous Day

Here's what I don't want for the holidays

What? We *Don't* Close at Noon on Friday?

I want to be a taste-tester for this magazine

Hoping for a bigger stocking

Oh, yeah, go ahead and turn the guilt screws

47 not 87...Really?

On what we have to accept...and what we don't (LONG)

That was surreal

I need another weekend

72+12+48+4=Exhaustion

Goodbye, November

It's always scary how life can change so quickly

The Tree's Still Up!

Homeopathic Cat UTI Question

And so the sun sets on yet another work week

Mother Nature's Reality Check

OMG, It Was a Bargain Bonanza!

Friday Wrap-Up

Happy Holiday Music!

It took *how* long to do that?

One Perfect, Shining Moment

"Nervoheel" For Nerves of Steel?

Nope, Not Ready Yet

Weekend Wrap-Up

Here, Let Me Help You Pack!

"Slowly, silently, now the moon..."

It's "Cat Knows Best" Not "Father Knows Best"

Happy Halloween!

Random Musings

"Camera Therapy: How Photography Gave Me Hope Again"

It's Definitely "Easy Like Sunday" Here

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Autumn

It's all in the hands

Brrr...! Fall's Here, So the Soup's On!

Friday Fungi--Not Quite "Eye Candy"

Thank You, Ms. Rye

"Peaches"

The Neighbour's Cat is Okay!

That was a $90+ mistake

Soft Autumn Days

I've fallen (into an alternate reality) and I can't get up

$100+ per day

How stupid are our birds?!

Once again I made a spectacle of myself for the neighbours

How to ensure your floor gets cleaned

Let's have a few more flowers amid the vet talk

I just spoke with the vet

See, now, this is how it started with Annie

Oh, the anti-climax

I don't do skinny or perky

Public Garden Pics Part 1

What is the purpose to all this suffering?!

What? We Don't Close at Noon on Friday?

It took how long to do that?