Having Compassion

I sometimes wonder how people feel about their pets.  I know there are extremes of love and adoration and also of neglect and abuse just from reading the headlines once in a while.  I guess one could say the same about parents and their children.  Sadly there is abuse in so many areas from the sneaky,  hard to prosecute to the more obvious done in public almost.  Animals and small children are not really of the same importance, but certainly sometimes in the same category of victims of abuse,
and even the elderly are subject to abuse, frequently at the hands of the ones who should be protecting them.  Then of course there are the animals that are raised for food and often mistreated as well.  What is inside someone's heart and mind who abuses a child or an animal that only has a short time to live?  I have seen footage of ducks, chickens, etc being abused on their way to being killed for food.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I do have compassion for the poor animals who live their lives chained to a post , living in a small spot until they are fat enough to be killed and butchered and sold for consumption.  The second issue is the lack of clean facilities.  In some cases the poor animals live their entire lives in one spot, standing in their own waste until they are slaughtered.  The food and drug admin, or some other agency should insist on a different and better way of handling these poor animals.  Yes the meat would cost more, but we really only need small amounts of meat and dairy for our protein source.  Vegetables are safer and healthier for humans and only children need milk and maybe the elderly who have trouble chewing some types of food.

Today I brought my sweet kitty to the veterinary clinic which is quite near my home.  I had to leave my 10 year old cat (approximately)  for testing and observation.  He is a diabetic (recently diagnosed) and they will check his blood glucose levels throughout the day and help me care for him with a plan for controlling his diabetes and anything else that come with the diabetes.  I know that some children are not treated as well as my cats are (I have 4).  That is a sad commentary on Americans who have the best opportunities to improve their lives and their children's and pet's lives, but so often are neglectful and allow terrible things to happen or worse participate in the terrible happenings.

So today hug your children, and your pets and be kind and gentle with both.  You will feel better for that.  I will feel better when my kitty is back home with me later today.

Having Compassion

I sometimes wonder how people feel about their pets.  I know there are extremes of love and adoration and also of neglect and abuse just from reading the headlines once in a while.  I guess one could say the same about parents and their children.  Sadly there is abuse in so many areas from the sneaky,  hard to prosecute to the more obvious done in public almost.  Animals and small children are not really of the same importance, but certainly sometimes in the same category of victims of abuse,
and even the elderly are subject to abuse, frequently at the hands of the ones who should be protecting them.  Then of course there are the animals that are raised for food and often mistreated as well.  What is inside someone's heart and mind who abuses a child or an animal that only has a short time to live?  I have seen footage of ducks, chickens, etc being abused on their way to being killed for food.  I'm not a vegetarian, but I do have compassion for the poor animals who live their lives chained to a post , living in a small spot until they are fat enough to be killed and butchered and sold for consumption.  The second issue is the lack of clean facilities.  In some cases the poor animals live their entire lives in one spot, standing in their own waste until they are slaughtered.  The food and drug admin, or some other agency should insist on a different and better way of handling these poor animals.  Yes the meat would cost more, but we really only need small amounts of meat and dairy for our protein source.  Vegetables are safer and healthier for humans and only children need milk and maybe the elderly who have trouble chewing some types of food.

Today I brought my sweet kitty to the veterinary clinic which is quite near my home.  I had to leave my 10 year old cat (approximately)  for testing and observation.  He is a diabetic (recently diagnosed) and they will check his blood glucose levels throughout the day and help me care for him with a plan for controlling his diabetes and anything else that come with the diabetes.  I know that some children are not treated as well as my cats are (I have 4).  That is a sad commentary on Americans who have the best opportunities to improve their lives and their children's and pet's lives, but so often are neglectful and allow terrible things to happen or worse participate in the terrible happenings.

So today hug your children, and your pets and be kind and gentle with both.  You will feel better for that.  I will feel better when my kitty is back home with me later today.

Cat & Mouse Game

I guess it's about time I got back to writing,. It's been a while due to life's distractions ie home maintenance, flower planting, mouse hunting.  Yes that's right "mouse hunting,"  It seems that when one stores certain appliances, in this case an air conditioner in a shed for the winter (in New England) field mice like to make a nice warm nest there which will protect them from the harsh, cold weather.
So this little critter was  quite comfortable I guess when the AC unit was brought into the house and
installed into one of the living room windows, but he woke up and climbed up the curtains.  We managed to catch him and put him outside.  The weather was nice so I thought he'd be fine.
What I didn't count on is that there were 2 mice in the unit. I discovered that bit of info the next
day when he was walking on my curtain rod above my head (I'm short and couldn't reach up to
the rod to grab him).  However the mouse had a better idea (for him).  He traveled quickly down the curtain with 4 cats and myself in hot pursuit and managed to escape. I almost had him in my hand
but he was clever and managed to avoid the kitties who sat and watched intently, but did not  pursue.
At one point he ran past me and I reached for him, but he was good, never looked back, just kept
moving.  I have no idea where he went, but I thought at least one of the cats would catch him
and bring him to me for approval, but no - that didn't happen and now I worry that it will crawl
in my bed or into my food cabinet for crackers.  It's now about 4 days since the chase and he's
still in hiding.  I fear that at some point I'll open a cabinet or a closet and he'll jump out at me.  I
can't believe that he's still lose in the house with 4 cats  on duty (mind you they sleep through
their duties most of the time).  If the little critter is caught I'll certainly write about the incident
here so you'll have some closure.  If I don't find him I might have to move , being careful not to
bring him with me.  Any suggestions for catching the critter?  Leave them in the comments section. .
However traps can't be used because it might hurt my kitties, and I wouldn't want that. Have-a-heart
traps might work if I can find one.  I'm open to any ideas.


8/31/16  Never did find the mouse (dead or alive) and never found parts of him so I'm hoping he got out when we had the basement door opened for some reason. There are lots of sunflower seeds out
there for the birds and squirrels that the mouse might find tasty.

Thoughts on Christmas

Christmas is now over, and we should be free of the anxiety related to money woes, shopping needs and the time shortage.  But I think there is a sort of post Christmas  review of our activities and
and purchases and even the gifts we have received.   We give gifts hoping that someone will really
enjoy, if not we don't really want to know that.  I don't mind if someone exchanges a gift I  have
given.  I want him or her to enjoy my gift and if that means exchanging or regifting I think that's
ok, but having said that I must admit that much of my attitude depends on how I find out.  I prefer
the person mention it to me rather than kind of hiding that she exchanged it.  I think gift cards are
probably the best, but even there one might not like the store where the card is registered.  My
credit card company, and several others provide gift cards that are ok for any store that takes the
usual credit cards - Discover card, American Express and Mastercard and Visa all offer the cards
for varying amounts.  Loss of the card just as with money causes a headache so consider the recipient's age and   sense of responsibility when giving money cards.  But for older and more
responsible kids they're ideal.   Perhaps this blog entry should have been written during the pre-
Christmas buildup to shopping.  Oh well maybe next year.  I hope everyone who reads this had a
 great Christmas and New Year celebration and most importantly, has a great year to come.

Visiting FL

Well, I'm visiting my daughter again in FL.  Trying to help her out with a few things and visiting
with the kids who haven't had much time for me, but they're busy in school and I'm OK with that
as long as I get a few hugs and kisses once in a while.  I take the dog for walks and he seems to like
me if his display of excitement and craziness is an indication of his feelings for me.  I do like him.
I have cats and love them (all 4).  They are so cute, and such company, but they won't go for walks
with me - on or off leash.  Each seems to have a mind of his own (and my one female) and they
don't have any sense of obligation.  They think I'm staff brought in to attend to their needs and
wants (excepting baths - none of that please).

The weather here is quite nice: warm, sunny, light breezes, some rain which cools things nicely.
But it is more of a working vacation we have stuff to do for the lawn (HOA somewhat demanding
about the lawns, paint colors, driveway debris and so much more).  I would like to sell this house
and never see FL again, but my daughter is here and therein lies my dilemma.  So until I get too
old to travel I'll need it if I'm going to see her from time to time.

In this mobile world in which we live  many families share this dilemma with me, and I would
love to know how they work things out.  My daughter left CT for college in FL and never wanted
to return to CT except for short visits.  But when I see some friends or aquaintances whose
children are needy and costing them much money even after finishing school, or driving them
crazy with demands for child-care of their grandchildren, or in trouble with the law, or in poor
financial situations I realize that whatever I might complain about could be 10 times worse.  So
with that in mind I hold my thoughts and complaints and write about them in my journal and
somestimes here.
------

Florida Trip

Well here I am again and wanting to share my worries with readers (all 3 of you).  I'll be heading
to FL (from CT) to visit my daughter (shortly after Halloween).  We'll be down there for maybe
2 weeks.  Though I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter and grandchildren, I am not looking
forward to the drive.  I have to arrange for a cat sitter, clean my house, pack clothes some for the
road and some for when I'm down there.  I guess once we get past NJ we'll be safe from snow, but
then we face it again on the ride home.  I love my daughter and grandchildren and at first loved
the trip to FL.  Once we traveled through the mountains and it was breathtaking, but I guess as I
 age it gets a little harder to plan, to leave my kitties, to drive to and from and to know what I need
to bring. I've tried bringing "everything", but that didn't work.  I suppose I should start my list.
Let's see  clothes, (socks, undies, shoes, nightgown, robe and more),  Reading material is also
important, and I just got new glasses so I can see better now.  But the trip takes a toll on me
(probably on my significant person too, but he doesn't complain).  I know as I get older these
trips will be even less often than they are now.  After all how long is it safe for a person to make
this kind of trip as she or he ages?   Then there's the problem of driving in FL.  I don't want to
speak unkindly about FL traffic, roads and drivers, but the male drivers are a bit agressive and
hostile especially if one is driving with out of state plates.  The roads are 2-4 lanes in each
direction, moving fast which is fine I guess if you know your way around, but if one is used to
the 2 lane roads in the hills of  CT, those roads can seem a bit scary.  God help you if you
take a wrong turn!  It could take you days to find your way out of the maze unless a friend
or relative sends out a rescue team or you get killed in an accident. I'm sure anyone who reads
this will think I'm exaggerating unless he or she has been to certain areas of FL.  If you live there
and are fairly well adjusted to their traffic flow you might think I'm exaggerating, but talk to
people who only have visited a few times and happen to come from a small town somewhere
 else (like New England) and you might understand a little more.

Years ago I lived in FL when I was newly married and not yet had any children, and for a time
we were too poor to afford a vehicle, and when we did get one it was old and unreliable, but
it did help me go grocery shopping, and a few other errands.  Even then I found the big 4-6
lane highways intimidating and pretty much confined my travels to the Air Force base
(Patrick Air Force Base on the east coast).  Fortunately they had most of what we needed
to live there ie food, clothing, small movie theater, some recreational activities and the Atlantic
Ocean was walking  distance from our tiny apartment.  It was a beautiful place to live, but so
hot.  I think I knew then that FL would not become our permanent home if I had a choice.  My
daughter does seem to love it and her children who were born there think it's great.  My
granddaughter, though was crazy about snow when she was here in CT.  It was cute to see her
so excited about something that most New Englanders moan about (except those in the ski
business). It is fun to take a look back at my life so many years ago and contrast it to what it
is like now.  So many changes: computers, cell phones, amazing cars, affordable flight travel,
cheap long distance calling, space travel, color TV  (giving my age way now).  Some pretty
amazing medical advances have also occured during the last 50 or so years.  We should all do
this exercise once in a while.  It makes one grateful for all we now have.  One thing that also
changes is warfare.  It seems peace is still illusive as there is still fighting in so many places,
much hate, racism and crimes of all sort, but the weapons are different and the reasons for
the fighting are less clear at least to me.  So much just seems like hate, opression, and crime,
then  anything else.  It also seems that many people aren't content to have freedom of religion
unless it's their religion.  There are some religions that want to push for conversion, some that
want to use force to bring people into the religion, some religions that want to hurt or destroy
members of other religions.  I cannot understand this, though I do understand being fearful of
some of the more radical religions, but let us remember that Christians were radical at one
time making life horrible for other religions to have a peaceful coexistance, and the Jewish
religion is blamed for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ because he taught a new way to think.
I really believe in live and let live, but that doesn't mean (to me at least) that one should force
his or her beliefs or religion on other groups, but laws of the land should prevail.  No killing
your female off spring because she dated a young man of a different religion or nationality.
That should not be tolerated and the perpetrator should be punished to the fullest extent of
the law.  In this country we have rights for everyone.  If someone wishes to live here he
should follow the laws of this country.  If he doesn't like them then he should leave and go
back to his homeland and see if that's better.  It might be better for the men, but not usually
for the women of these nations.  It's amazing to me that such a mass exodus of people
from the middle eastern nations is taking place in the name of  freedom and a better life,
but will the life be any better if they bring their brutal heritage and tradition with them? They
must change their traditions or they will hate it here and possibly be hated by the people
who don't believe in their ways.  Their women need more respect and protection and their
daughters should not be sold or married off for a price.  Women's rights need to be addressed
now.

Reading Accessories

I've been on a reading binge.  Going through books fairly rapidly, but they were all rather long, mostly Kindle books.  I love my Kindle, though I hear a lot of people say they love the books,
the feel of the paper etc.  But in my opinion books aren't made right.  I find that with most of them
holding them is awkward.  Hard covers are often heavy and don't stay open, and paperbacks won't
stay open and it's too easy to lose the place.  If the central margins were wider it would work
better, but then  it would take more pages to print the whole book.  So that is one delemma, using
the Kindle eliminates that problem, plus one carry a whole library around in a purse or a large
pocket.  And as I read each book on my Kindle I just click on "remove from device" and it cleared
and stored in my Kindle account at Amazon.  They have several different styles.  I know that there
are a few other reading devices on the markets - my grandchildren all have Kobos and they love them.  There was a third type, but I think it's been discontinued.  I also like the Kindle Cloud reader at Amazon.  I am able to use it on my laptop.  Once set up and opened it too becomes a hands-free reader, but a little more awkward than the Kindle, but better in some other ways. I can enlarge the type and read any Kindle book on it.  BTW  I'm not getting paid by Amazon for this info I'm sharing.  One last thing is that all the Kindles and the app for the computer are all synced so you can start with the computer and continue with the Kindle device and the divice will know where you left off on the last device. The computer Cloud Reader however offers something that I don't think I can do with the regular Kindle (though I'm not sure).  If I find a special passage or reference that I want to save or share with someone all I have to do is highlight and do a copy and paste to an email and then send it or store it in a file I have for interesting quotes.  I think that is a great tool for students who often
want to use some quotes in the papers they write.