It's been some time since I've written an entry to this blog. Been busy and dealing with some depression. I'm in FL now, away from home, but I do have my kitties with me (though at times
they can be a bit standoffish). But my home is in New England and I hope to be back there at
some point. My house (fully furnished etc.) is there and my heart is there and many of my
friends. Yes I can make new friends, but I haven't yet and I miss the friends I had in CT. But
enough of that - it sounds more like a journal entry than a blog.
I've been dealing with 3 teens (grandchildren) close in age for about a week that feels like a
month. I am thoroughly exhausted and on top of that now that I'm home I have discovered
that I'm all out of wine (I did get one small glass and now there is none) which I could use right
now. I will have to buy some more. The dollar store down here sells wine, but not for a dollar.
I'm pretty sure that my kitties are glad to have me home, but they won't admit it. Only my orange tabby is hanging with me and showing me some affection. His loud purrs and head butts say it all.
The others were a bit standoffish at first, but they are slowly coming around. You'd think I've
been gone for a month!! It is good to be home in my own house and bed and be with my
kitties. They tolerate me unconditionally. They love to get on the bathroom sink and drink from
the faucet if I turn it on to a very slow drip. I do that sometimes. It makes them happy. Who am
I to question their needs? All I know is that as John Denver once said "Gee it's great to be back home
again."
Musings of a retired nurse, mother of one and grandmother of 3. Doing some part time work editing papers and writing stories. I Worked 34 years mostly in L&D and newborn special care, taught childbirth education classes, and worked with the VNA and did home fetal monitoring for high risk patients. I feel privileged to have shared such wonderful and private moments with so many families. I do miss the work that I did, but not the stress I experienced so often.
Famous Seamus
Love that belly
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Life in FL
My time here in FL is very calm. Mornings are a little different here in this warm place. I have my coffee, later some breakfast
they I play with the cats. After some housework I usually go for
a walk, sometimes I walk with Lauren to the gym that is part of
our privilege for paying 2 HOA fees. I think it's all too expensive
and not worth the expense, but I don't have any control over that.
I also take a walk to my daughter's usually once a day, and then
take her dog for a walk at least twice while I'm there. He likes to run so I take him for a run too. He's a cute little Pomeranian, but very excitable and a little mouthy. But he loves to run and walk with me, and I like him too. My daughter also has a small black
cat that I love, but she's taking a back seat to the dog. I don't like
that. Cats should be treated royally certainly mine are!!!
they I play with the cats. After some housework I usually go for
a walk, sometimes I walk with Lauren to the gym that is part of
our privilege for paying 2 HOA fees. I think it's all too expensive
and not worth the expense, but I don't have any control over that.
I also take a walk to my daughter's usually once a day, and then
take her dog for a walk at least twice while I'm there. He likes to run so I take him for a run too. He's a cute little Pomeranian, but very excitable and a little mouthy. But he loves to run and walk with me, and I like him too. My daughter also has a small black
cat that I love, but she's taking a back seat to the dog. I don't like
that. Cats should be treated royally certainly mine are!!!
Friday, November 7, 2014
Halloween Night
Halloween Comment
I have just read a horrible news story about 3 young girls who were killed by a hit-&-run driver
on Halloween. The girls were in the crosswalk and in 13-14 age range. How can someone do something like that? It may have been an accident, but without the driver stopping to tell his side it seems that speed was the issue and maybe alcohol was also involved. I hope they find him, but it won't bring the girls back. There aren't a lot of holidays that involve kids being outside at night (maybe caroling near Christmas). But I feel for the parents of those girls (I don't know if they are sisters or just friends).They will forever blame themselves for letting the girls go outside at night .... etc. But it is a difficult choice for parents. Let their children grow and experience life and risk harm or keep them safe, protected and deny them the experiences they need to grow. Even if the parents had been with the children they might not have been able to prevent what happened, but maybe they wouldn't feel guilty. I have 3 grandchildren in that age bracket (13,14-15) and they were out by
themselves on Halloween, and they were fine. But it only takes one irresponsible driver to change all that, And the moms will always regret that they weren't there with their daughters and probably
the dad's too, but men aren't prone to guilt the way women are. (Which would be an interesting
blog topic some day.)
I did have a good Halloween experience in my new home. The first time in this city as well. I
got mostly toddlers - sooo very cute. They were all so polite too. When I offered them another
piece nearly all declined without prompting by the parents. One little did take a second piece
for her brother who was at home (don't know if he was sick or what). But I did enjoy the
little kids. I was hoping that my grandchildren would show up they are all in their teens (14-15)
but I guess they had other plans.
One of my cats was very timid and frightened each time the doorbell rang, but another one was fine and a little curious. I wanted to kid with the little ones and say that my cats were dogs in cat costumes, but in the end decided not to, thought they wouldn't get the joke.
I have just read a horrible news story about 3 young girls who were killed by a hit-&-run driver
on Halloween. The girls were in the crosswalk and in 13-14 age range. How can someone do something like that? It may have been an accident, but without the driver stopping to tell his side it seems that speed was the issue and maybe alcohol was also involved. I hope they find him, but it won't bring the girls back. There aren't a lot of holidays that involve kids being outside at night (maybe caroling near Christmas). But I feel for the parents of those girls (I don't know if they are sisters or just friends).They will forever blame themselves for letting the girls go outside at night .... etc. But it is a difficult choice for parents. Let their children grow and experience life and risk harm or keep them safe, protected and deny them the experiences they need to grow. Even if the parents had been with the children they might not have been able to prevent what happened, but maybe they wouldn't feel guilty. I have 3 grandchildren in that age bracket (13,14-15) and they were out by
themselves on Halloween, and they were fine. But it only takes one irresponsible driver to change all that, And the moms will always regret that they weren't there with their daughters and probably
the dad's too, but men aren't prone to guilt the way women are. (Which would be an interesting
blog topic some day.)
I did have a good Halloween experience in my new home. The first time in this city as well. I
got mostly toddlers - sooo very cute. They were all so polite too. When I offered them another
piece nearly all declined without prompting by the parents. One little did take a second piece
for her brother who was at home (don't know if he was sick or what). But I did enjoy the
little kids. I was hoping that my grandchildren would show up they are all in their teens (14-15)
but I guess they had other plans.
One of my cats was very timid and frightened each time the doorbell rang, but another one was fine and a little curious. I wanted to kid with the little ones and say that my cats were dogs in cat costumes, but in the end decided not to, thought they wouldn't get the joke.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
New Set of Problems
My life has taken a strange turn. I now have a homeless woman (a niece of my former husband who is now deceased) and her chocolate lab living in my home. She is therefore, my daughter's cousin, but really no relation to me. I don't mind too much, but I am worried about my cats. I have 4 and they aren't too pleased with the dog. I must admit she is a good dog, but she's big and they
are afraid of her. I told her she would have to keep the dog in the
room in the basement where she is sleeping and make sure she
takes her out frequently because I don't want any accidents in the
house. Well last night we had a power failure just as I was
returning from the mall with some fast food for supper. When I went inside she was in my TV room with the dog and all my cats were hiding and fearful. Finally she took her out to walk and pee and then brought her downstairs, but that wasn't until after we had
eaten the Chinese food I bought. My cats did not come out of
hiding until we finally went to sleep after the electricity was on.
It's not so much that I mind that she is here, but that I don't how
long she'll be here and I'm definitely not happy about the dog.
Even though the electricity finally came on I was unable to
sleep last night. I had to reset my bedroom alarm clock and it
took me about 45 minutes, because it has a tedious way to
reset it and I didn't have the directions. I'll need to print them
up again if I can find them online again.
She does have a car, but yesterday her LR tire blew out so
Larry and I went to Sears to get a new and have it mounted on
her tire. I don't know where this is going, and I don't know
how long she'll be here. Probably a while more than I'd like.
Today she had just brought the dog into the house off leash,
and she immediately went after the first cat she saw. Sadly that
was Chloe my most timid and fearful cat. She is still in hiding
several hours later. Poor little girl. I almost told her she would
have to leave but I felt sorry for her so I didn't, but I did have a
talk with her. I have to tell Lauren no more boarders esp. if they have dogs, big dogs. I will post about this situation again
to update on this situation (which I hope will cease to be a situation
in my house).
are afraid of her. I told her she would have to keep the dog in the
room in the basement where she is sleeping and make sure she
takes her out frequently because I don't want any accidents in the
house. Well last night we had a power failure just as I was
returning from the mall with some fast food for supper. When I went inside she was in my TV room with the dog and all my cats were hiding and fearful. Finally she took her out to walk and pee and then brought her downstairs, but that wasn't until after we had
eaten the Chinese food I bought. My cats did not come out of
hiding until we finally went to sleep after the electricity was on.
It's not so much that I mind that she is here, but that I don't how
long she'll be here and I'm definitely not happy about the dog.
Even though the electricity finally came on I was unable to
sleep last night. I had to reset my bedroom alarm clock and it
took me about 45 minutes, because it has a tedious way to
reset it and I didn't have the directions. I'll need to print them
up again if I can find them online again.
She does have a car, but yesterday her LR tire blew out so
Larry and I went to Sears to get a new and have it mounted on
her tire. I don't know where this is going, and I don't know
how long she'll be here. Probably a while more than I'd like.
Today she had just brought the dog into the house off leash,
and she immediately went after the first cat she saw. Sadly that
was Chloe my most timid and fearful cat. She is still in hiding
several hours later. Poor little girl. I almost told her she would
have to leave but I felt sorry for her so I didn't, but I did have a
talk with her. I have to tell Lauren no more boarders esp. if they have dogs, big dogs. I will post about this situation again
to update on this situation (which I hope will cease to be a situation
in my house).
Monday, August 4, 2014
Let It Snow
Talk about rain for 40 days and 40 nights, it feels like we've had 40 snowstorms: fluffy snow, heavy wet rain and snow, and more fluffy snow and even some rain. Will it ever end? It certainly is making my impending move to FL a lot more appealing. My body hurts from shoveling and I didn't even do that much. Larry used
the snowblower and did most of it. I cleaned the vehicles and did a fair amount of shoveling the stairs, the areas where the sb doesn't fit etc. It is still snowing as I'm writing this and TC is still meowing to go out. I tried to tell him it was too cold and wet, but he was determined. But I didn't give in. One of us has to have
and use some common sense and I guess that I am the one. I feel sorry for all the little animals like squirrels and birds that are out in all this stuff. It's hard for them to find food and shelter. I spent today( and a few other days when it snowed) running outside with sunflower seeds and peanuts for the birds and squirrels. They come to door and bang on it and the birds come up to the door and sit on the rails. I give them the peanuts and they prefer the shells be removed first (the squirrels seem to like the shells better). I get
great joy and fun from giving them the seeds and peanuts and other leftovers. My concern is who will feed them when I'm in FL? Even the birds seem to trust me they ignore me when I'm under the bird feeder, and just this week I had an exciting experience. I saw a little bird in my shed banging against the windows trying to get out. I quickly put shoes on and a sweater and rescued him. He was a bit afraid of me, but I was able to pick him up and put him outside. Now I check the shed every day just to make sure no birds are stuck in there. It was a tiny bird, smaller than the palm of my hand. It was also
an exciting experience for me, not so sure about the bird's appreciation of the experience though.
the snowblower and did most of it. I cleaned the vehicles and did a fair amount of shoveling the stairs, the areas where the sb doesn't fit etc. It is still snowing as I'm writing this and TC is still meowing to go out. I tried to tell him it was too cold and wet, but he was determined. But I didn't give in. One of us has to have
and use some common sense and I guess that I am the one. I feel sorry for all the little animals like squirrels and birds that are out in all this stuff. It's hard for them to find food and shelter. I spent today( and a few other days when it snowed) running outside with sunflower seeds and peanuts for the birds and squirrels. They come to door and bang on it and the birds come up to the door and sit on the rails. I give them the peanuts and they prefer the shells be removed first (the squirrels seem to like the shells better). I get
great joy and fun from giving them the seeds and peanuts and other leftovers. My concern is who will feed them when I'm in FL? Even the birds seem to trust me they ignore me when I'm under the bird feeder, and just this week I had an exciting experience. I saw a little bird in my shed banging against the windows trying to get out. I quickly put shoes on and a sweater and rescued him. He was a bit afraid of me, but I was able to pick him up and put him outside. Now I check the shed every day just to make sure no birds are stuck in there. It was a tiny bird, smaller than the palm of my hand. It was also
an exciting experience for me, not so sure about the bird's appreciation of the experience though.
Long Time
It's been so long since I've written in this blog that I wasn't sure if I still had the account. I'm planning on a major move to FL, (from CT) so I'm sorting and tossing a lot of stuff and still have much work to do. I will keep readers updated about my moving plans as things happen. I wish I could just avoid the whole thing. But there's no such luck.
When Kitty Needs Meds
I haven't had a blog entry in quite some time. There are lots of things I could write about from my kitties to a move to FL, to a visit with my granddaughter, but I've been in a bit of a funk. One of my cats has had IBS and was on several meds and had a few visits to the doc. He now hides when he sees me coming. It breaks my heart, but I can't blame him. The good news is that when I stop for a few days between visits to the veterinarian's office he seems to forgive me and lets me get close to him. At one point (after the second regimen of pills and liquid meds) he seemed to be relieved and jumped on the bed early in the morning and snuggled with me for about half an hour before jumping off and letting me get up. I thought I heard a sigh of relief as he settled down on my stomach, stretched out and took a short nap. I was forgiven!!! Then his IBS came back and further treatment was needed. He is now on an intermittent
treatment every other day or every 2 days. He's a gentle little boy and would never hurt me, but he does try to keep his mouth closed tightly, not allowing me to pry it open. Then after I put the medicine in his mouth and get him to swallow he bolts and hides for hours, sometimes up to a day. That's when I feel sooo guilty - even though I'm only trying to help him. It's like I have lied to him and he is now disillusioned. So far he's been off the medication for
a week or so. He seems to be over his trauma, but if I reach for him he still tries to back away. I have to be fast. I really hope he's ok now. Though the monetary expense can be high there is also an emotional cost of administering medications and treatments, and it can be very stressful.
This kitty doesn't forget what I have done to him and avoids me after administration of some foul tasting liquid or pushing pills down his little throat. Dogs do seem to be more forgiving or maybe they have shorter memories. But they too have their limits. I'm hoping they all stay healthy for at least a year. Now go hug your pets.
treatment every other day or every 2 days. He's a gentle little boy and would never hurt me, but he does try to keep his mouth closed tightly, not allowing me to pry it open. Then after I put the medicine in his mouth and get him to swallow he bolts and hides for hours, sometimes up to a day. That's when I feel sooo guilty - even though I'm only trying to help him. It's like I have lied to him and he is now disillusioned. So far he's been off the medication for
a week or so. He seems to be over his trauma, but if I reach for him he still tries to back away. I have to be fast. I really hope he's ok now. Though the monetary expense can be high there is also an emotional cost of administering medications and treatments, and it can be very stressful.
This kitty doesn't forget what I have done to him and avoids me after administration of some foul tasting liquid or pushing pills down his little throat. Dogs do seem to be more forgiving or maybe they have shorter memories. But they too have their limits. I'm hoping they all stay healthy for at least a year. Now go hug your pets.
Monday, January 20, 2014
New Kindle
I bought myself a Kindle just before Christmas so I could read from it on the way to FL. We left Christmas day for FL and arrived on the 27th. I really enjoyed the Kindle. I was even able to download some
books through the wifi in a restaurant. It does make reading very pleasant and effortless. It holds your page
and is light and easy to hold . If I had had more money I would have bought the more expensive model with the free 4G for the lifetime of the Kindle. But this one is great once you get a few books on it. I found so many I liked with prices anywhere from 0. 99 to $3 or 4 and up. I love short stories and books about
cats. I was able to find many of them. I bought the paper-white model and love it. The battery is good
for days without recharging and doesn't use battery power when it's closed (as my cell phone does).
I think the other brands such as the Nook etc are about the same. My grandchildren have Nooks
and they love them too. I have a nook app on my laptop and find it nice to use as well. And though
I'm not traveling right now (until next year) I'm still using the Kindle everyday. Another plus is that
I can remove the books that I have read from my device and Amazon will keep it stored on their site
pretty much forever or as long as I'm alive.
I think that using a Kindle or Nook would be a good way to encourage children and teens to read. If
they find it enjoyable, they'll use it more and won't have a lot of books hanging around the house.
Of course my grandchildren still like to go to the library to get books, and I like the atmosphere of the
library to read and pass time. I wonder if the library will ever have a lending library of electronic
books. That would be neat.
According to my significant person my local library does have the set up to lend books for Kindle and Nooks. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I think I'll look it up and find out. In the meantime remember books or gift certificates for books are great gifts for almost everyone. Older folks might like the size
adjustment ability for the screenprint. And I should point out that Amazon is not paying me to promote
the Kindle.
books through the wifi in a restaurant. It does make reading very pleasant and effortless. It holds your page
and is light and easy to hold . If I had had more money I would have bought the more expensive model with the free 4G for the lifetime of the Kindle. But this one is great once you get a few books on it. I found so many I liked with prices anywhere from 0. 99 to $3 or 4 and up. I love short stories and books about
cats. I was able to find many of them. I bought the paper-white model and love it. The battery is good
for days without recharging and doesn't use battery power when it's closed (as my cell phone does).
I think the other brands such as the Nook etc are about the same. My grandchildren have Nooks
and they love them too. I have a nook app on my laptop and find it nice to use as well. And though
I'm not traveling right now (until next year) I'm still using the Kindle everyday. Another plus is that
I can remove the books that I have read from my device and Amazon will keep it stored on their site
pretty much forever or as long as I'm alive.
I think that using a Kindle or Nook would be a good way to encourage children and teens to read. If
they find it enjoyable, they'll use it more and won't have a lot of books hanging around the house.
Of course my grandchildren still like to go to the library to get books, and I like the atmosphere of the
library to read and pass time. I wonder if the library will ever have a lending library of electronic
books. That would be neat.
According to my significant person my local library does have the set up to lend books for Kindle and Nooks. I'm not quite sure how it works, but I think I'll look it up and find out. In the meantime remember books or gift certificates for books are great gifts for almost everyone. Older folks might like the size
adjustment ability for the screenprint. And I should point out that Amazon is not paying me to promote
the Kindle.
New Kitty
New Kitty
There is a little black and white tuxedo kitty in my neighborhood. A few weeks ago I invited him in and he's been coming to my home 2-3 times each day for a bite to eat and some love of course since then. But his behavior is puzzling because he's lovable and friendly inside, but afraid of me outside.I can't pick him up or pet him, but I can open my door and let him in. Once in he's a lap cat, purrs loudly, pushes his head into my hand when I pet him and eats the cat food I give him. He prefers the canned, pate, or ground. He doesn't like the little cubes of "meat" and if I serve that he licks up the sauce and then walks away. As a matter of fact so do my other cats. I must remember that when I'm shopping for cat food. Unfortunately I have several cans of the cubed stuff. Perhaps if I mash it with a fork he'll give it a try. But it seems that I shall have to remember those preferences next time I shop for cat food.
It is now about 2-3 months since little Timothy Cat or TC for short allowed me to
bring him inside. I had to introduce him to the litter box 'bathroom', and he is doing
well in that area, but he wants to go outside howls everyday - early morning and
after dark. He wants to hunt the night creatures. But I fear losing him if I let him
out, or that he might get injured or sick. I have had him neutered and immunized
against the usual cat diseases, but infections from injuries etc could be bad and
expensive and maybe painful to treat. So in he stays and he's not too happy with
that. But he is a lovable, if unpredictable little cat and very playful. My other cats don't
interact much with him, but they don't seem to dislike him either. So all is good except I now have one more mouth to feed and vet bills to pay. He is a fun kitty, but he does
have a few rules.
have a few rules.
Cats know your every thought. They don't care, but they know
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