Every weekend should be four days
Yesterday, Monday February 17, was a provincial holiday, as it was in most provinces, if not all. (Alas for the federal employees, not for them!)
I had taken Friday the 14th as a vacation day, had debated all week, but finally decided on Thursday that I really wanted the extra day.
That was the best decision; having four days was fantastic! Every week should have a four-day weekend, with full pay and benefits, of course. :-)
I had taken Friday the 14th as a vacation day, had debated all week, but finally decided on Thursday that I really wanted the extra day.
That was the best decision; having four days was fantastic! Every week should have a four-day weekend, with full pay and benefits, of course. :-)
I had time to do my errands, to do the house chores, to do some shopping, to get out for a couple of walks and picture-taking (see below), and even to do a bit of painting in the lower hallway. I meant only to do a bit of patch patching, but ended up doing half the long wall; I didn't have enough leftover paint from last year to do the entire thing. I'll be painting the entry and hallway in the spring anyway, but I'm thinking of putting up a picture ledge or two on that wall, and didn't want to have to bother to take it/them down again in a few months. I'm too lazy! So I thought I'd do a bit of painting in that area now and save myself future effort.
All the snapshots below were taken around Portsmouth Olympic Harbour and Lake Ontario Park, one my usual pic-taking spots. In just 2 or 3 weeks the lake has really iced over!
My favourite rock, below. I never go there without taking a snapshot of it. BTW, it was as cold as it looks in all the pics! The sunshine was deceptive, made it seem warmer than it really was, but the light wind was from the north and bitterly cold. I might have stayed home if I'd realized how cold it really was.
This huge old tree, below, came down since the last time I was there.
So I had a great extra long weekend, loved having a couple of sunny days to get out and enjoy the fresh air.
I think Derry, too, enjoyed having me home more. I opened the screen a bit one day (Saturday, perhaps), for a short time. It was very cold out, but the sun was so lovely and I wanted to give him some window whiffies.
I don't know about Derry....I wish I could ask him if he'd like another cat companion. I actually don't want to adopt again at this time in my life (working full time and being gone so much, not having the financial resources to manage the vet bills, aging parents on opposite coasts that I don't get to see, etc.). But he just isn't himself anymore. I can't entice him to play with his toys, not even new catnip ones, though he does enjoy chasing the laser light. I know things never will as they were when Nicki was with us, but I would like him to be happy in his kitty way, and I really don't think that he is.
Maybe it's partly winter doldrums.
Or maybe I'm just projecting my own feelings onto him.
That's why I wish I could ask him, wish I truly could know if he's okay as an only kitty or not.
I do know one thing: He will not do well left alone if/when I go away. I would like to visit my mom this year, as it'll be two years in June and neither of us is getting younger, but I know I can't leave Derry with just a pet-sitter coming in a couple of times a day. So if I can't find a good solution, I can't leave him. (I'm mulling a particular idea over, though it's iffy if it would be acceptable for all concerned.)
Anyway, things have a way of working out in the end, so I'll try not to fuss and worry about it now. (And Universe, if you're listening, as you usually are, I sincerely hope "working out" does NOT mean Derry's death, thank you very much.)
Everyone take care and have a good week. I know it's Tuesday, but right now, back at the office, it sure feels like a Monday!
Peace.
Comments
Is it possible to foster a cat, one near 5 or so? Laid back a bit? from one of the shelters just for awhile..temporary, and see what Derry thinks? Just a thought.
I have stayed home with Admiral on several occasions that I had made plans to go over the mountains. My change of plans did not go over well a few times when I explained I simply couldn't leave her here with a sitter who came in 2 times a day. She had taken a turn for the worse, so I cancelled plans. She's helpless whereas the rest of us should be able to cope.
Your work on the house never ever ceases to make me admire all your work and effort. But I have never kept THAT a secret! (hug)
Ah, now I figured out where you and Derry are located at... A very windy and really wintery area about 18 hours driving north from where our kitties and both of us take residence.
Not that it is heaven here in the south, with so much flooding right now... too much rain and kitties wanting to play and getting bored.
Derry no doubt is still mourning the loss of his fur-brother! It took my Barty over 3 months and at first he was even hiding in the garden... seldom coming inside, only for his meals. They have to work it out in their way and at times that kind of tips the scale for our own grieving as it adds to it.
No, we can't take more kitties either, the ones we got we will see them through till the end but no added ones. As you say, it is a financial burden too; IF you at least care. We're in a dilemma here at the house, I can vent it here I guess, kind of safe... Nasty neighbors across that have had cats and dogs that get neglected and left on their own. A dog that soiled our lawn over and over... Now a gray cat that is not neutered and limping badly with his left hind leg. I've mentioned it on FB but don't want to go any further as one never knows. We cannot afford to take him to the vet and don't want a 7th kitten... It HURTS if you are caring for yours and giving them attention and love and care. That very cat also comes inside our garage and sprays! On the car windows, on the once beautiful chrome racks on wheels... I've decided to have the teenage boy that helps us out with heavier work, to let him take it apart and dispose of them. A shame as they were some $ 89.00 at Costco and should have stayed for decades... But the look and the smell is awful!
So considering all that, your Derry is still in good shape and yes, we too felt oh so guilty last year when we went to see my Dad and took 29 days away from our babies... The cat sitter is okay but she's not really a Mom to them; you know what I mean! She takes care of about 10 feral ones near her home. My question is always, why let animal suffering accumulate and have them more litters when neutering and spaying gives so much joy to all.
Glad you did brave that fierce northern wind that blows straight through your soul, for taking stunning photos of your winter world.
Could you travel with Derry? That might be an option...
When time comes there will be an answer but I know what you're going through! The love/guilt tugging at your heart...
Hugs,
Mariette
It will be 13 weeks this coming Saturday, and I'd hoped Derry would be okay by now. Sometimes he seems perkier, sometimes not. I suspect it has more to do with his being alone so much of the time rather than with Nicki being gone, though I'm very sure he misses the kitty companionship. He still does look for him, listen for him, which is heartbreaking. I've read it can take as much as 6 months, and of course every Being is different. No doubt Derry picks up on my own emotions, which I'm struggling deeply with as well. :-/
I'm SO sorry about your neglectful neighbour! I take it you can't report him/them anonymously (to the SPCA, I mean). If it could be anonymous, truly anonymous, that would be one thing, but I understand not being able to take chances, perhaps for your own safety and the safety of your own animal companions. I hope this person has to answer for his actions eventually--law of Karma, afterlife, whatever.
Thanks for stopping by!
Actually, a good quote popped up in my Pinterest feed a few days ago, about the best way to clear muddy waters being to leave them alone.
If only that were easy to do! :-)
I hope your house, and all of you, will be okay!
The photos are gorgeous, and you're a braver woman than I going out in the cold. I might have lasted 5 minutes...maybe.
Have a great week!;
There are legitimate animal communicators out there - maybe you can find one to help you and Derry talk.
Give Derry a snorgle from me, please - and noserubs and kitty kisses from Trixie, Caspurr and Shimshi.
Shimona
PS. Your pictures are gorgeous - especially the squirrel.
Is there a good cattery you could put Derry in? My vets offer a cattery with a garden, so Miss Poppy goes there when I am away. I feel safe that if anything goes wrong, the vets will treat her and she is always happy when I pick her up.
I am with you - a four day weekend would be perfect every week, if I could afford it.
As for the cold...You often get colder weather than we do, you're likely hardier than I am!
Love the lake photos!
I can fuss and worry, but the Universe will work things out in time, one way or another...I know this!
It'll work out in the end, but it's hard for me not to fuss and worry all the same.
As for Poppy, she has a good life with you and seems quite content to be an only kitty!
Time will sort it all out, I know.
(((Hugs)))
Kim, you are most definitely not lazy! You're so productive, and I'm always amazed by all that you seem to do around the house.
Beautiful photos, as always. It looks SO cold, so we'll just live vicariously through your snaps.
As for Derry, he's probably still grieving, just as you are. Could you try long-term fostering? Our shelter does that when a cat just needs to get out of the shelter. And since the cats are being fostered, the shelter pays for everything - food, medical, etc. I do understand about not wanting to leave Derry alone -- Gracie is 19 now, and we've limited our travel and time out of the house in order to make sure she is fine and comfortable.
I don't have access to a kitty hotel--there are one or two around, I'm sure, but out of the city and not accessible without a vehicle. Plus, Derry has been in the same house since he was adopted at 6 months of age; he wouldn't do well taken out of familiar territory.
There must be rescue groups that would allow trial-adoptions. Even with you working much of the time, you are such a loving and conscientious pet-person that they'd be lucky to have you interested. You could have a cat come and stay for a couple of weeks; not that even a fortnight would give a true indication of feline relations, but it may be a start.
It's always a tough decision. My second cat, Josie, came to live with me because I thought Tungsten was lonely with me gone during the day. If she was, it wasn't for another cat... But things worked out.
I know I could fall in love with another cat (or dog, whatever) and give him/her a good home. But it would be financial suicide to do so right now. Maybe if/when circumstances change and I've been able to have the repairs done that have been pending for so long, I've sold the house and moved on.
de gurl iz never home; or helpin out her mom...
sew eye due get lone lee...did...now that mack a tax iz heer... eye am never a lone in de houz but still....eye canna reel lee way in on thiz yet even tho itz been bout 17 monthz.... ~~~~♥♥♥
K, the photos as always are awesome; looks like even the water itself is saying IT"S TO COLD !!! ☺☺