Woodstock And More

Today I went to the Woodstock Fair (not the same Woodstock of the rock concerts).  I don't usually like these events, and today was no exception. I
found myself exhausted, achy, hungry, thirsty, and annoyed by just about
everything.  My friend knows I'm not too happy about these things, but since
he doesn't read my blog I think I'm safe venting in this manner.  I do enjoy
looking at some of the booths that sell almost anything from food to RV's.
The problem is we don't like the same sites.  I like books, jewelry, animals,
some of the homemade items (just a few) and I like to touch.  But you can't
touch the animals that you see - unless you're very careful and sneaky.  I am
both.  I love the bunnies, the goats, the sheep, birds etc and especially any
baby animals.  I also can't resist talking to babies and toddlers and pets on leashes. But it is heart breaking to see the ones in cages, knowing that some may end up as food. (That would be the chickens and some bunnies and calves).  I do eat meat, but really very little for the most part.  I seldom cook it.

Next he wants to go the Springfield Fair (MA).  I really don't want to go, but might get dragged there against my will.

When I finally got home I was numb and tired, and very thirsty.  Of course
after I got settled I opened my computer to check my email.  Someone reminded
me of my blog and here I am updating it.

Next item - cats.  I have 3, but another one is trying to move in.  He's young and very friendly and likes to cuddle.  Imagine a lap cat.  One of my other 3 likes my
lap, but the other 2 only tolerate a few minutes and literally fly out of my arms or
lap whenever I attempt to cuddle with them.. Only if I offer them a brushing by
waving the brush at them and tapping it on the floor or the arm of a chair do they
let me actually grab them a little and they will stay as long as I keep brushing.
But I'm OK with that - they rule.  So I need a name for a little tuxedo cat.  I've
been thinking something from the Harry Potter series like Colin, Amos, Teddy
or maybe Merlin (although I don't think Merlin was a character in the Harry Potter books, but I like the name.)  I also have to get him acclimated to my cats and them
to him to avoid any bloodshed. If anyone actually reads this and has a suggestion
I would love to hear it.  When I finally decide on a name I will post it in this blog.
I wish everyone a pleasant Labor Day, spent with friends or family or both.

10/22/2013

Since this blog entry my little visitor kitty has been in my house a lot and fits
right in with my cats.  I have tried several names for him and the most recent
and probably the final one is Timothy Kat or TK or TC for short.  He's very
lovable and cuddly, but only for short periods then he's on the run.  Next are
shots, neutering and flea treatment.  I haven't been able to get him to stay inside
for very long. Half way through the night he wants out and howls.  When he does stay for a few hours he sleeps on my pillow and wraps his little paws around my head.  I think it reminds him of his mom (my hair maybe). He doesn't
seem to understand the purpose of a litter box.  I'm hoping time will help
him figure it out. Stay tuned for further updates.

Lunch With Friends

I had lunch with my sister and one of her longtime friends who eventually became one of my friends years ago, although after we all married we traveled different paths and lost contact with each other.  It was nice to reconnect during lunch and a glass of wine and dessert of course.  Now I'll have to starve myself for 2 weeks to make up for the lapse of will power.  But it was great talking and catching up.  Her husband had died a few years ago and she has had some other tragic events.  It was hard to know what to say, but we managed to get past the awkward moments.  It's interesting because she doesn't seem very different from the person I knew in high school.  Some different interests, more confidence, but really the same sweet person with a few more worries and some sad issues. I guess we'd all fit  that last part of the description. But it was good and then we exchanged ph numbers and said good bye.  For a while I had a bit of a melancholy feeling then.  It seems that memories of the past even the good ones are also a reminder that time is moving forward and the changes continue and aren't reversible as we move toward the ultimate ending that no one ever wants to talk about.
As a nurse I've had some experiences with death and the only way to get through it is to talk about it: it's effect on one, the sadness we feel, what happenes next, how do we move on.  There are no right answers only listening to the questions, acknowledging the sadness and pain and offering support. Each of has to find our way through a sad or tragic event.  I'm still working on my sad event.  (I'll try for a more upbeat entry next time)