Yesterday we celebrated the life of a dear friend and family member.
And once again I realized how truth is always there in all its many guises.
The phrase "Dust to Dust" has far more meaning that just something to be said at the closing of life in this realm and time.
We now know that we are made of the same things that stars are made of. In other words, we are made of stardust.
Since, apparently, nothing completely vanishes, but only takes a different form it can be said we return to the stardust we came from.
So sometime, someplace, a bright and shinning new star will come from one who was a bright and shinning star while he was here with us.
It was a great blessing to know you, Jerry.
Friday, February 7, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
It's Been A Long TIme
I haven't posted on this blog in a long time, but today I decided to do something with it again.
When will I do another blog? Goodness only knows.
I began searching for ways to keep moving and here is a review of a book about Rocking Chair Exercise.
In addition to the book I've reviewed I also found some stuff about rocking chair exercise on YouTube.
This led me to a handy book by Dr. Henry F. Ogle The Rocking Chair Exercise Book. I hope he puts it into Kindle form soon.
I found the Chapters 10 through 18 the most helpful, but I recommend at least skimming the book all the way through the first time. Do pay attention to his CYA's. It is very easy to overdo the first time because, after all, you are "just" rocking. It is all too easy to get involved in a book or, in my case, crocheting, or TV and forget how long you are rocking. Next day. Ouch.
I bought this book because, in view of recent articles on how dangerous just sitting can be, I am on the lookout for anything that will encourage movement throughout the day.
After a month of following suggestions in this book, I think it might be a very good thing if everyone, from toddlers to great-grandparents, has a rocking chair and uses it most of the time instead of a stationary chair.
I remember having a rocking chair when I was a very little girl and my grandmother would have me sit in it and listen to the radio with her (while she rocked and crocheted). Since I was moving I wasn't as inclined to get up and run around as if I had been sitting still.
I also discovered a couple of years ago when I was in a great deal of pain that rocking, with or without a chair, relieves pain. A LOT.
And for the guys out there Dr. Ogle says rocking can help with your abs.
One qualifier; if you've recently had surgery or a long period of inactivity for some reason, talk to your doctor before you start rocking.
In my case my doctor told me to wait for six weeks before beginning my rocking exercises. She felt this was especially important because I'd had major surgery in the lower abdominal area. Having several "wrecks" over the years from not listening to my doctors I paid attention. Glad I did.
Now I am on the "Rocking Chair Exercise" program and enjoying it which is more than I can say for most of the exercise I do (swimming excepted). So let's "everybody rock."
I began searching for ways to keep moving and here is a review of a book about Rocking Chair Exercise.
In addition to the book I've reviewed I also found some stuff about rocking chair exercise on YouTube.
This led me to a handy book by Dr. Henry F. Ogle The Rocking Chair Exercise Book. I hope he puts it into Kindle form soon.
I found the Chapters 10 through 18 the most helpful, but I recommend at least skimming the book all the way through the first time. Do pay attention to his CYA's. It is very easy to overdo the first time because, after all, you are "just" rocking. It is all too easy to get involved in a book or, in my case, crocheting, or TV and forget how long you are rocking. Next day. Ouch.
I bought this book because, in view of recent articles on how dangerous just sitting can be, I am on the lookout for anything that will encourage movement throughout the day.
After a month of following suggestions in this book, I think it might be a very good thing if everyone, from toddlers to great-grandparents, has a rocking chair and uses it most of the time instead of a stationary chair.
I remember having a rocking chair when I was a very little girl and my grandmother would have me sit in it and listen to the radio with her (while she rocked and crocheted). Since I was moving I wasn't as inclined to get up and run around as if I had been sitting still.
I also discovered a couple of years ago when I was in a great deal of pain that rocking, with or without a chair, relieves pain. A LOT.
And for the guys out there Dr. Ogle says rocking can help with your abs.
One qualifier; if you've recently had surgery or a long period of inactivity for some reason, talk to your doctor before you start rocking.
In my case my doctor told me to wait for six weeks before beginning my rocking exercises. She felt this was especially important because I'd had major surgery in the lower abdominal area. Having several "wrecks" over the years from not listening to my doctors I paid attention. Glad I did.
Now I am on the "Rocking Chair Exercise" program and enjoying it which is more than I can say for most of the exercise I do (swimming excepted). So let's "everybody rock."
Thursday, January 12, 2012
My Beliefs
I've had a lot of time to think about my beliefs this past two years. Today I stumbled across the term "Christian Left". I went to Wikipedia to research it and decided that the following description fitted a lot of my personal beliefs.
Definition of Christian Left
As with any division inside the left- and right- wings of the political spectrum, such a label is an approximation, including within it groups and persons holding diverse viewpoints. The term left-wing might encompass a number of values which may or may not be held by different Christian movements and individuals.
As the unofficial title of a loose association of believers, it does provide a clear distinction from the more commonly known "Christian Right" or "Religious Right" and its key leaders and political views.
The most common religious viewpoint which might be described as 'left wing' is social justice, or care for the poor and the oppressed (see Minority groups). Supporters of this might encourage universal health care, welfare provision, subsidized education, foreign aid, and Affirmative Action for improving the conditions of the disadvantaged. Stemming from egalitarian values, adherents of the Christian left consider it part of their religious duty to take actions on behalf of the oppressed. As nearly all major religions contain some kind of requirement to help others, social justice has been cited by various religions as in line with their faith.
The Christian Left holds that social justice, renunciation of power, humility, forgiveness, and private observation of prayer (as opposed to publicly mandated prayer), are mandated by the Gospel (Matthew 6:5-6). The Bible contains accounts of Jesus repeatedly advocating for the poor and outcast over the wealthy, powerful, and religious. The Christian Left maintains that such a stance is relevant and important. Adhering to the standard of "turning the other cheek", which they believe supersedes the Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye", the Christian Left often hearkens towards pacifism in opposition to policies advancing militarism.
While non-religious socialists sometimes find support for socialism in the Gospels (for example Mikhail Gorbachev citing Jesus as "the first socialist"),[1] the Christian Left does not find that socialism alone as an adequate end or means. Christian faith is the core of their belief which in turn demands social justice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_left
Definition of Christian Left
As with any division inside the left- and right- wings of the political spectrum, such a label is an approximation, including within it groups and persons holding diverse viewpoints. The term left-wing might encompass a number of values which may or may not be held by different Christian movements and individuals.
As the unofficial title of a loose association of believers, it does provide a clear distinction from the more commonly known "Christian Right" or "Religious Right" and its key leaders and political views.
The most common religious viewpoint which might be described as 'left wing' is social justice, or care for the poor and the oppressed (see Minority groups). Supporters of this might encourage universal health care, welfare provision, subsidized education, foreign aid, and Affirmative Action for improving the conditions of the disadvantaged. Stemming from egalitarian values, adherents of the Christian left consider it part of their religious duty to take actions on behalf of the oppressed. As nearly all major religions contain some kind of requirement to help others, social justice has been cited by various religions as in line with their faith.
The Christian Left holds that social justice, renunciation of power, humility, forgiveness, and private observation of prayer (as opposed to publicly mandated prayer), are mandated by the Gospel (Matthew 6:5-6). The Bible contains accounts of Jesus repeatedly advocating for the poor and outcast over the wealthy, powerful, and religious. The Christian Left maintains that such a stance is relevant and important. Adhering to the standard of "turning the other cheek", which they believe supersedes the Old Testament law of "an eye for an eye", the Christian Left often hearkens towards pacifism in opposition to policies advancing militarism.
While non-religious socialists sometimes find support for socialism in the Gospels (for example Mikhail Gorbachev citing Jesus as "the first socialist"),[1] the Christian Left does not find that socialism alone as an adequate end or means. Christian faith is the core of their belief which in turn demands social justice.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_left
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Perfect Picture Moment
I almost never have a camera handy when these moments occur.
For some reason Blarney, our Malamute/Border Collie, was being a real pest as I tried to eat my breakfast. He crowded close to my chair and panted as hard as he could. I have no idea what deliberate, heavy panting is about, but he seems to use it anytime he wants attention. Between the panting and drooling I was getting seriously ticked off with him.
I gave him the "go lay down" command, which is actually two commands meaning he is supposed to remove himself to another place and then lay down. He ignored the first command. I gave it again, louder. I didn't want to put down my cheese toast and make him obey, which is the correct way to deal with such a situation. So I got louder and he finally backed up a couple of steps and lay down. He put his nose on his paws and mournfully rolled his big brown eyes at me.
This is when Mamma Kitty, our smallest cat limped over (a whole 'nother story) and lay her head against his for a moment. Since his head is the size of her whole body this made for that picture perfect moment.
For some reason Blarney, our Malamute/Border Collie, was being a real pest as I tried to eat my breakfast. He crowded close to my chair and panted as hard as he could. I have no idea what deliberate, heavy panting is about, but he seems to use it anytime he wants attention. Between the panting and drooling I was getting seriously ticked off with him.
I gave him the "go lay down" command, which is actually two commands meaning he is supposed to remove himself to another place and then lay down. He ignored the first command. I gave it again, louder. I didn't want to put down my cheese toast and make him obey, which is the correct way to deal with such a situation. So I got louder and he finally backed up a couple of steps and lay down. He put his nose on his paws and mournfully rolled his big brown eyes at me.
This is when Mamma Kitty, our smallest cat limped over (a whole 'nother story) and lay her head against his for a moment. Since his head is the size of her whole body this made for that picture perfect moment.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
My Hidey Hole
It has been over a year since I last posted anything to my blog. It says a lot about that year that my husband became quite excited when he saw me pick up a couple of How To Write books and take them back to my hidey hole.
The hidey hole developed during my first round of chemotherapy. I only slept an hour or so at a time and then I'd be awake for a couple of hours.
My recliner was hauled into the bedroom and tucked into a corner. My small drawing table joined it so I could have my computer, Kindle, IPad and books at hand. A special lamp was added so I could read during those middle of the night awake times. We had no idea just how long that corner was going to be used.
My first check up after my first round of chemo revealed that my Large B cell lymphoma wasn't defeated. Over the next year I've had to under go a second round of chemo, radiation and blood stem cell transplant.
I'm almost a hundred days out from my transplant. At first I was barely able to take care of my basic needs, but bit by bit I have been able to do more and my chemo brain seems to be getting better as well. I'm told it will take at least two years to recover from the transplant. I am at least beginning to see the possibility that I will be able to resume the things that are important in my life such as my writing, swimming and, someday, taking care of my horses again.
I think the hidey hole will stay though because it is a wonderful spot from which to watch birds and assorted wild life.
The hidey hole developed during my first round of chemotherapy. I only slept an hour or so at a time and then I'd be awake for a couple of hours.
My recliner was hauled into the bedroom and tucked into a corner. My small drawing table joined it so I could have my computer, Kindle, IPad and books at hand. A special lamp was added so I could read during those middle of the night awake times. We had no idea just how long that corner was going to be used.
My first check up after my first round of chemo revealed that my Large B cell lymphoma wasn't defeated. Over the next year I've had to under go a second round of chemo, radiation and blood stem cell transplant.
I'm almost a hundred days out from my transplant. At first I was barely able to take care of my basic needs, but bit by bit I have been able to do more and my chemo brain seems to be getting better as well. I'm told it will take at least two years to recover from the transplant. I am at least beginning to see the possibility that I will be able to resume the things that are important in my life such as my writing, swimming and, someday, taking care of my horses again.
I think the hidey hole will stay though because it is a wonderful spot from which to watch birds and assorted wild life.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The Most Amazing Year of My Life.
I didn’t know it at the time, but this time last year I began the most incredible journey of my entire life.
The start of this journey was a suggestion by our daughter that we go to Europe for a week after she finished her law school finals.
Discussion and research finally had us settling on Ireland, Dublin specifically.
What none of us knew at the time was that I was in the grip of Large B Cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had been for a year or more. I knew I was tired all the time and (I thought) my asthma was getting worse all the time.
This was also the time everyone was panicking about so-called “Swine Flu.” With this background I climbed on planes wheezing and coughing constantly. I kept my inhaler at the ready and carefully explained to seat mates I was asthmatic which seemed to relieve their fears.
Our first day in Ireland was wonderful, a mild spring day with alternating sunshine and showers. I loved Ireland and its people. They were amazingly friendly and helpful. Whenever we got lost or confused someone would stop and help us.
The whole trip was a mixture of amazingly wonderful sights, sounds and feelings. And this was in spite of my constant fatigue and problems breathing.
When I got home things got worse until eventually my doctor began ordering tests. The initial results scared me out of my wits. “Masses in the lungs” meant only one thing to me. Lung cancer, which meant I was looking at a life span of weeks or months.
Eventually when enough tests had been done the final diagnosis came in and the cancer was wide spread but treatable. It was even a type that can be cured in some cases. At that point my spirits bounced from deepest, blackest hole they’d ever been in to the highest point I’ve ever known.
People now seem to keep saying “You are so cheerful. Every time I need to hear a cheerful voice I know I can call you and you will cheer me right up no matter what is going on.” I like being this person.
During my various testing and treatments I’ve met some incredibly wonderful people. Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, lab techs are the warriors on the front lines in the battle against cancer. Then there are the patients themselves because here is where you discover who you really are. Are you one who gives up? Someone who expects others to do all the work? A fighter who is going to do everything you can to help defeat this foe? Here is where you find out.
My year has provided me with some goals; I want to help others find out what they can do to help beat cancer. I want to go back to Ireland when I feel good so I can enjoy the home of some of my ancestors even more. I want to share my adventures and discoveries with others. And, as I move forward, discover more goals to strive for.
The start of this journey was a suggestion by our daughter that we go to Europe for a week after she finished her law school finals.
Discussion and research finally had us settling on Ireland, Dublin specifically.
What none of us knew at the time was that I was in the grip of Large B Cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and had been for a year or more. I knew I was tired all the time and (I thought) my asthma was getting worse all the time.
This was also the time everyone was panicking about so-called “Swine Flu.” With this background I climbed on planes wheezing and coughing constantly. I kept my inhaler at the ready and carefully explained to seat mates I was asthmatic which seemed to relieve their fears.
Our first day in Ireland was wonderful, a mild spring day with alternating sunshine and showers. I loved Ireland and its people. They were amazingly friendly and helpful. Whenever we got lost or confused someone would stop and help us.
The whole trip was a mixture of amazingly wonderful sights, sounds and feelings. And this was in spite of my constant fatigue and problems breathing.
When I got home things got worse until eventually my doctor began ordering tests. The initial results scared me out of my wits. “Masses in the lungs” meant only one thing to me. Lung cancer, which meant I was looking at a life span of weeks or months.
Eventually when enough tests had been done the final diagnosis came in and the cancer was wide spread but treatable. It was even a type that can be cured in some cases. At that point my spirits bounced from deepest, blackest hole they’d ever been in to the highest point I’ve ever known.
People now seem to keep saying “You are so cheerful. Every time I need to hear a cheerful voice I know I can call you and you will cheer me right up no matter what is going on.” I like being this person.
During my various testing and treatments I’ve met some incredibly wonderful people. Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, lab techs are the warriors on the front lines in the battle against cancer. Then there are the patients themselves because here is where you discover who you really are. Are you one who gives up? Someone who expects others to do all the work? A fighter who is going to do everything you can to help defeat this foe? Here is where you find out.
My year has provided me with some goals; I want to help others find out what they can do to help beat cancer. I want to go back to Ireland when I feel good so I can enjoy the home of some of my ancestors even more. I want to share my adventures and discoveries with others. And, as I move forward, discover more goals to strive for.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Making Money
You'll notice a side bar advertising products you can get from Amazon. Amazon now offers the opportunity for people to make money off of them.
Since I spend a lot of money with Amazon I decided to take advantage of this new program. If you click on something in the sidebar and decide to buy it I get a commission off the sale. This is my BIG advertising effort for this business.
Since I spend a lot of money with Amazon I decided to take advantage of this new program. If you click on something in the sidebar and decide to buy it I get a commission off the sale. This is my BIG advertising effort for this business.
This is my brain on chemo; skip, blipt, skip, duh...
One of the problems I didn't know I'd have when I started chemo is the effect of the chemotherapy drugs on my brain. My mind skips and jumps around like one of those old vinyl records that has been scratched up. I'll begin with what seems like a very good idea only to have it vanish before I get to the end of it and a new one takes its place only to vanish in its turn.
All of this skipping is even worse during and immediately after my treatments. My doctor and others who've gone through this particular treatment assure me that all of this will go away once chemo treatments are finished. I certainly hope so. I want to get back to being able to write coherently on a regular basis instead of just now and then.
I'd meant to record more of my experiences, but I now see this is going to have to happen after the fact. Meanwhile the chemo appears to be successful and I am nearing the end of treatment. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. I know they've helped tremendously.
All of this skipping is even worse during and immediately after my treatments. My doctor and others who've gone through this particular treatment assure me that all of this will go away once chemo treatments are finished. I certainly hope so. I want to get back to being able to write coherently on a regular basis instead of just now and then.
I'd meant to record more of my experiences, but I now see this is going to have to happen after the fact. Meanwhile the chemo appears to be successful and I am nearing the end of treatment. Thank you all for your prayers and good wishes. I know they've helped tremendously.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
People Chow any one?
A friend sent me the following piece via email.
A TRIP TO COSTCO
Yesterday I was at my
local COSTCO buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.
What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't,
because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that
it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that
practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended
up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her
no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt
and a car hit us both.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack
he was laughing so hard.
Costco won't let me shop there anymore.
Better watch what you ask
retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.
When I was at Sam's yesterday a woman at the next checkout counter had a basket of dog food Milk Bones etc. and I nearly choked trying not to laugh out loud.
BUT why don't they make a Chow for humans? Why does so called diet food always have to be sweet? Savory is my taste of choice and I'd like a nice meat, veggie or cheese tasting food bar to use for some meals.
A TRIP TO COSTCO
Yesterday I was at my
local COSTCO buying a large bag of Purina dog chow for my loyal pet, Biscuit, the Wonder Dog and was in the checkout line when a woman behind me asked if I had a dog.
What did she think I had, an elephant? So since I'm retired and have little to do, on impulse I told her that no, I didn't have a dog, I was starting the Purina Diet again. I added that I probably shouldn't,
because I ended up in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.
I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that
it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The food is nutritionally complete so it works well and I was going to try it again. (I have to mention here that
practically everyone in line was now enthralled with my story.) Horrified, she asked if I ended
up in intensive care because the dog food poisoned me. I told her
no, I stepped off a curb to sniff an Irish Setter's butt
and a car hit us both.
I thought the guy behind her was going to have a heart attack
he was laughing so hard.
Costco won't let me shop there anymore.
Better watch what you ask
retired people. They have all the time in the world to think of crazy things to say.
When I was at Sam's yesterday a woman at the next checkout counter had a basket of dog food Milk Bones etc. and I nearly choked trying not to laugh out loud.
BUT why don't they make a Chow for humans? Why does so called diet food always have to be sweet? Savory is my taste of choice and I'd like a nice meat, veggie or cheese tasting food bar to use for some meals.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
New Directions
November has left me dazed and confused.
It started just like any other month, but after the first week it was as if someone had stuck me in a barrel and rolled in down the mountainside.
A trip to the doctor for what I thought was a minor problem turned out to be anything but. It led to CT scans, PET scans biopsies and an eventual diagnosis of Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (non-Hodgkin's).
Once I realized we were dealing with cancer I was terrified it was lung cancer so the eventual findings were a great relief. What I do have is treatable.
Just to add to the drama of the month I ended it by falling face first onto a side walk. I didn't break my nose but I do now have two black eyes as well as a smashed nose. The rest of me is pretty bunged up too.
Be interesting to see what December brings.
Ahh, I'll be posting some stuff on AC about this new adventure of mine.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Creativity vs Logic
According to my mentor creativity is not my problem when it comes to writing. However, I do need to do serious work on the logic of my stories.
This assessment has led me to a study of logic, which has led to philosophy and who knows where things will go from here. Venn's Diagrams have caught my attention for one thing.
Taking a creative idea and building a logical thread for it turns out to be a completely different task than merely thinking of a story in the first place. At the moment I'm deconstructing some well known fairy tales in order to understand why some work and others don't. This is leading to an understanding of why some of my story ideas work and others don't.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Writer-can't find a mentor?
Mentors are important. Finding one, especially a good one is difficult.
I've been getting my mentoring from Holly Lisle for many years now. I've never met her, never talked to her in person or on the phone, but she is a writer who pays it forward and has been helping me improve for many years now. She has over 30 books published and a huge body of work dedicated to helping other writers available on the net.
Mugging the Muse for Fun and Profit was the first book I ordered from Holly and helped a lot. It is still out there for anyone who wants to learn more about the nitty-gritty of publishing.
Holly's course How to Think Sideways is the latest thing I've gotten from her. And I have to say I was delighted when the very first page of the course cleared up a problem I've been having ever since I decided to get serious about becoming a published writer. Though I am a published writer now I still have a lot more to learn about the business and I think this course is going to be of great benefit to my aspirations.
For those of you interested in becoming a writer or improving your skills go to 
for a look at Think Sideways.
for a look at Think Sideways.Friday, July 10, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Forty-Five Years of Learning
This piece was inspired by a trip down memory lane after going with a friend when she took her horse to the vet Tuesday.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Cats Then and Now
A couple of weeks ago I was talking with a friend who had a suggestion for me. It is a variation of the “write what you know” theme, but she had a slightly different take on it.
I use stories to help people understand what I’m trying to teach them about their animal(s). According to her these stories are entertaining as well as instructive. She suggested that I write these stories down and use them as a basis for my next book.
I thought about this for several days and decided to at least give it a try. I spent some time trying to create an outline. The problem is I have so many stories I couldn’t decide where to begin or where to go. I had a choice; I could give up on the idea or I could do something different. I decided to go for different.
I sat down at my computer and wrote the first story that came into my head. Then I wrote the next one. As I wrote a story it would remind me of another one which, in turn, would remind me of still another story. I have no idea where this project will end up, but it is interesting enough that I am going to keep pursuing it.
Here is an offering of one of my stories.
I currently have six half grown kittens wrecking havoc on my house. It seems that this has been a common theme throughout my life from the first litter of kittens I remember from when I was three or four years old to when I raised Siamese to now.
The Siamese cats were all Doreen Tovey’s fault. I read her book Cats in the Belfry and fell in love with the idea of Siamese cats. This of course reminds me of why I got hooked on Dalmatians; which is yet another story (or three).
I prowled through the classified ads and found several ads with Siamese for sale. I saved my money until I had enough to buy a kitten.
I have to say now that according to the breed standards he had nearly every fault in the book. He was cross eyed, had a kink in his tail and was blocky in build. I named him Jing.
As promised in Cats in the Belfry and Cats in Cahoots he was demanding and loud. He talked constantly. I adored him. So much so, that I decided to get a girlfriend for him.
For those of you out there howling at my mistakes, do keep in mind I was only fourteen at the time. I found a lovely little blue-point that I named CiCi. I found a job working for a Siamese breeder and this led to me getting another Siamese queen, SoSlo.
SoSlo was everything a Siamese was supposed to be. She had safire blue eyes and slender elegant conformation. What she didn’t have were kittens. Or rather she had kittens, but would immediately eat them. I took her anyway.
I didn’t keep her in a cage and I fed her Purina Cat Chow free choice. In the cage she’d been a nervous cat inclined to attack any time the door was opened, which was why she’d been declawed. She could still bite though and I still have the scars where she nailed me.
Free to roam a large house though with other cats for company proved to be just what she needed. She calmed down and stopped attacking people. Dogs were another story. She didn’t have claws, but she had a slap that would make their ears ring.
She had a litter of kittens at the same time CiCi did and I quickly learned that any time they had kittens I needed to mark who belonged to whom, because the two queens would put both litters in the same nest.
Jing by this time was a big burly tom. Not what was wanted in a Siamese, but handsome nonetheless. When the kittens where about ten days old CiCi and SoSlo decided they needed a break from motherhood.
The two queens carted the kittens to the basket where Jing was stretched out in sultan-like splendor. Then they left. At first Jing was alarmed and jumped every time one of the little white worms wiggled near. Eventually though he started to take care of them. Rather than looking like a sultan anymore he looked more like a harassed father with his ten kittens surrounding him.
This remained the pattern until I decided to quit raising Siamese cats and had them all spayed and neutered.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Trek With BLM horse
I received a tweet about a woman walking across America with her BLM horse. I will follow this journey with interest.
She calls her horse a Mustang, but just because a horse is feral doesn't mean it is a Mustang. Many of the BLM horses are mixtures of various breeds turned out or escaped over the years. In Nevada there are even some horses with Lipizzan blood in them because, many years ago, a Lipizzan stallion escaped and spent quite a while out there with the wild ones.
Back in the days when the US goverment bought huge numbers of horses Thoroughbred stallions were turned loose to "impove" the stock. Draft horses were turned loose during and after the deperession and added their blood to the mix.
Mustangs, as in desendents of the horses that came over with the Conquistedors, are not all that common.
http://www.walkingwithwinnie.com/why.html
She calls her horse a Mustang, but just because a horse is feral doesn't mean it is a Mustang. Many of the BLM horses are mixtures of various breeds turned out or escaped over the years. In Nevada there are even some horses with Lipizzan blood in them because, many years ago, a Lipizzan stallion escaped and spent quite a while out there with the wild ones.
Back in the days when the US goverment bought huge numbers of horses Thoroughbred stallions were turned loose to "impove" the stock. Draft horses were turned loose during and after the deperession and added their blood to the mix.
Mustangs, as in desendents of the horses that came over with the Conquistedors, are not all that common.
http://www.walkingwithwinnie.com/why.html
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Home Again
Once we knew Chels was fine we started back. We stopped to see the grandchildren. Our daughter-in-law took us through the school showing us all the wonderful exhibts that were ready for the school's open house on Thursday.
The art work and science projects are absolutely amazing. There is such an amazing aray of talent among those children. I do have to brag that Brent and Brooke had some wonderful art work on display.
We went to lunch afterwards and then headed on home. Animals were well cared for thanks to our friend Betty.
Another friend, Mary Ann, helped us on the way by keeping us posted on the weather which was dicey.
Now, back to the normal, or almost normal. I've turned the horses into the yard and harvested the first spring greens from my garden. Onions, green beans and tomatoes are doing very well and I'm looking forward to their production soon.
The dogs are going nuts because Buddy likes to tease them by grazing just outside their fence. The cats are all stationed at various windows watching the many birds, who now have young just outside those windows.
Things seem to be back to normal. Or at least as normal as they ever get around here.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Heart Stopping
No matter how old or accomplished kids are they have the ability to stop a parent's heart with one phone call.
Our call came Easter Sunday evening; "I just vomited up a lot of blood, Mom. Please come."
While asking questions and making suggestions; "Don't try to drive yourself to the hospital. Get a friend too." and How long has this been going on?" "HOW LONG?" we rushed around throwing clothes into the suitcase and throwning food at the animals.
After getting off the phone with dear daughter, there were frantic calls to friends to please come take care of the animals. We set a personal record by being on the road in less than an hour from the first ring of that call.
All during the looooonnnnnngggggg six hour drive to Oklahoma City Chels' friends kept us posted as to what was happening. I even gave up my long standing resistence to texting and began using it.
We reached the hospital in the wee hours of the morning to find her in ICU. NOT because she was that badly off we were quickly reasured, but because they didn't have room for her anywhere else. When you consider this hospital spreads out over four good-sized city blocks you know that they must have had a heck of a weekend.
She is now out of hospital and doing well. Our friends rallied magnificently and we will soon be taking a much shorter six hour trip back home.
One of the great blessings of life are those friends who are willing to drop everything in their own busy lives to help when something goes awry in oru lives and I am truly greatful for the blessings of our friends.
Our call came Easter Sunday evening; "I just vomited up a lot of blood, Mom. Please come."
While asking questions and making suggestions; "Don't try to drive yourself to the hospital. Get a friend too." and How long has this been going on?" "HOW LONG?" we rushed around throwing clothes into the suitcase and throwning food at the animals.
After getting off the phone with dear daughter, there were frantic calls to friends to please come take care of the animals. We set a personal record by being on the road in less than an hour from the first ring of that call.
All during the looooonnnnnngggggg six hour drive to Oklahoma City Chels' friends kept us posted as to what was happening. I even gave up my long standing resistence to texting and began using it.
We reached the hospital in the wee hours of the morning to find her in ICU. NOT because she was that badly off we were quickly reasured, but because they didn't have room for her anywhere else. When you consider this hospital spreads out over four good-sized city blocks you know that they must have had a heck of a weekend.
She is now out of hospital and doing well. Our friends rallied magnificently and we will soon be taking a much shorter six hour trip back home.
One of the great blessings of life are those friends who are willing to drop everything in their own busy lives to help when something goes awry in oru lives and I am truly greatful for the blessings of our friends.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
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