Tigger, the cat, is a lover, not a fighter. He enjoys most all other cats that venture into the yard. This makes for quiet nights, but also has opened the door for the arrival of an unwanted feline visitor.
We refer to this feline as the Nasty Cat. He has rightfully earned this name because he is nasty and mean. Runtly, the JRT, has encountered this cats' meanness and all one has to say is, "Is that Nasty Cat out there?" and he goes into a four legged, jumping, barking frenzy.......as long as he is on the deck. When Runtly is outside and comes face to face with this snarling menace, he has learned, the hard way.....do not turn your back to the cat.
I love animals.....all animals......especially cats....but I do not need another cat. I do not want another cat. So, the other evening I walked out and discovered Nasty Cat lounging on the pool deck, looking as if he owned the joint. I stepped back inside and grabbed the BB gun, pumped it up and took aim. I really never expected to hit him, as I haven't hit anything yet that I've aimed at, but it seemed I landed one lone BB on his hind quarters. Nasty Cat took off like a streak of lightening. Good, I thought, now maybe he will stay gone.
Since I am in to all kinds of things most folks would consider out of the realm of normalcy, I want to tell you about my crystals. I purchased these crystals that consist of amethyst, quartz crystal, calcite, aventurine, rose quartz and sodalite to revitalize my drinking water. For those who are doing the big eye roll about now, this really does work. I place the crystals in the bottom of a glass pitcher, fill it with clean filtered water and let it sit overnight.
There have been many people ask, "Why are there rocks in this pitcher?" and I launch into an explanation... until their eyes begin to glaze over.
Anyway, it is important to rejuvenate the crystals at least once a month. Since there was a recent lunar eclipse, I thought that would be the perfect setting for crystal rejuvenation. I placed the crystals in a glass dish and set them on a platform that is attached to the outside of the deck and left them there overnight.
When I retrieved said glass dish the next morning, I noticed there was some liquid in it. Nothing else seemed to be wet and I did not think it had rained nor was the dew heavy enough to make that much moisture in the dish. Foolishly, I lifted the glass to my nose. Sure enough, Nasty Cat had christened my crystals with urine. I think I could hear him hissing a nasty giggle, from the mound of dead grass in the garden, that he has taken as his throne.
I have scrubbed them and boiled them and even though the stench is gone, I can not make myself put them back into the pitcher. I guess I will purchase a new set and use these for their other intended purposes.
From now on, the BB gun will only be aimed at beer cans.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Second Chances
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."
The jury is still out on who should be credited with this ounce of wit.
The above quote, whomever it belongs to, may be true in some cases. Situations like a job interview need a good first impression or a door to door salesman. If some dignitary shows up at my place and finds me poking a dead possum out of a not-so-live trap, (a story for another day), they may certainly have cause to make a wrong impression, but they would need to hear the whole story first. In that case, I would have a second chance.
Second chances come in many forms. Finding a new job after being laid off would feel like a second chance. Getting over a serious illness is like being given a second chance. Working to mend a rocky road in a relationship is a second chance.
One of the last conversations I had with my friend ended abruptly and I thought that was odd. I called them back a few days later and knowing they were having some major health issues going on, I asked the usual question of how they were feeling.
"I'm in hospice."
What followed was a long awkward amount of silence. When I finally found my voice, I said, "I don't know what to say."
My friend replied, "Nobody does."
The rest of our conversation was filled with idiotic small talk about things that did not matter and then we said goodbye. It was our last goodbye.
Our Western culture has a strange aversion to death and dying. It's like the pink elephant in the room, everyone knows it's there, but no one wants to talk about it. This needs to change. It is like the guy I saw at the gas station the other day with a tee shirt that read, "statistics show that 10 out of 10 people will die". How true.
I was given a second chance, and I missed it. All the research done over the past eight years, all the books read and testimonials listened to about what happens during and after death stayed still in the back of my mind. I did not tell my friend to not be afraid. I kept silent the knowledge that this was a transition, not an end. I did not give them the encouragement of knowing that the Angels of Light would be there, waiting, to take them home. I missed the chance to explain that this world we live in is just a mere shadow of what lies beyond the veil and the Light, that would beckon them, would open up into more beauty and love than they could ever imagine.
Watch for the second chances and try so very hard not to miss them.
The jury is still out on who should be credited with this ounce of wit.
The above quote, whomever it belongs to, may be true in some cases. Situations like a job interview need a good first impression or a door to door salesman. If some dignitary shows up at my place and finds me poking a dead possum out of a not-so-live trap, (a story for another day), they may certainly have cause to make a wrong impression, but they would need to hear the whole story first. In that case, I would have a second chance.
Second chances come in many forms. Finding a new job after being laid off would feel like a second chance. Getting over a serious illness is like being given a second chance. Working to mend a rocky road in a relationship is a second chance.
One of the last conversations I had with my friend ended abruptly and I thought that was odd. I called them back a few days later and knowing they were having some major health issues going on, I asked the usual question of how they were feeling.
"I'm in hospice."
What followed was a long awkward amount of silence. When I finally found my voice, I said, "I don't know what to say."
My friend replied, "Nobody does."
The rest of our conversation was filled with idiotic small talk about things that did not matter and then we said goodbye. It was our last goodbye.
Our Western culture has a strange aversion to death and dying. It's like the pink elephant in the room, everyone knows it's there, but no one wants to talk about it. This needs to change. It is like the guy I saw at the gas station the other day with a tee shirt that read, "statistics show that 10 out of 10 people will die". How true.
I was given a second chance, and I missed it. All the research done over the past eight years, all the books read and testimonials listened to about what happens during and after death stayed still in the back of my mind. I did not tell my friend to not be afraid. I kept silent the knowledge that this was a transition, not an end. I did not give them the encouragement of knowing that the Angels of Light would be there, waiting, to take them home. I missed the chance to explain that this world we live in is just a mere shadow of what lies beyond the veil and the Light, that would beckon them, would open up into more beauty and love than they could ever imagine.
Watch for the second chances and try so very hard not to miss them.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Deliver Me From.....The Kitchen!
There is a hint of Autumn in the air. The cooler nights have sent the signal to the trees that it is time for their green leaves to turn to gold and red. It is a beautiful time of the year. The thing I do not understand about this shift in the seasons is why does it make people want to run to the kitchen and cook?
I had fallen under this spell and came across a new recipe that sounded quite tasty, relatively inexpensive and better yet, easy. That alone should have been my first red flag.
My husband's mother used to fix corned beef and cabbage....in a crock pot.....in the garage......there was a reason for that. Although I am not a connoisseur of cooked cabbage, I do love a good Reuben sandwich with corned beef, sourkrout and swiss cheese. The recipe I had stumbled upon was for a Reuben roll, and looked much like one of those ice cream and cake rolls that come in a box.
The ingredients were simple, another red flag, and called for pizza crust, that comes in a can like biscuits, deli corned beef, sourkrout, shredded swiss cheese and thousand island dressing. Five things. I'm thinking life is good and I can do this!
When I was a kid, my brother-in-law, who grew up in the largest metropolis close to this small rural proximity, used to tease me about how they had to pipe the sunlight into our area. He thought we lived way out in the sticks. As I was gathering the above mentioned ingredients, I thought of him, because finding shredded swiss cheese was not an option. I did find a couple of packages of sliced swiss and figured I could shred it myself. The Voice, who lives in my head, was standing on the sidelines shouting, "Easy?", but I paid it no mind.
Being a whopping ten miles from home, I had all the ingredients except for the corned beef and I did not think it was odd that the store I'm was in did not have it. No problem, I tell myself, I will grab some when I get home. That didn't happen either.
Two days later, I made another ten mile trip from home in search of the elusive deli corned beef. The nice girl behind the deli counter smiled as she told me they did not carry it. As I walked off, a thought came to mind that maybe, just maybe, I could find it in the canned meat section. I hurried down the aisle, and there it was, a can of corned beef! It was not exactly the amount I needed but I was thrilled to find it. I could finally make the Ruben roll! Then I saw the price......$5.45.
I stared at that can of meat for a really long time before deciding that if I did not buy it, I had a bunch of swiss cheese that would not get used for anything.
Preparing the Rueben roll went like most things I attempt, as the kitchen looked like a tornado had gone through it. When I fired up the food processor to shred the cheese, Runtly shot out of the room like a white bullet and hid behind a chair in the living room. The Voice was back there too, but it was giggling.
The end result was good, but the next time I have a craving for a Rueben sandwhich, it will be cheaper and more fun to go out and order one.
I had fallen under this spell and came across a new recipe that sounded quite tasty, relatively inexpensive and better yet, easy. That alone should have been my first red flag.
My husband's mother used to fix corned beef and cabbage....in a crock pot.....in the garage......there was a reason for that. Although I am not a connoisseur of cooked cabbage, I do love a good Reuben sandwich with corned beef, sourkrout and swiss cheese. The recipe I had stumbled upon was for a Reuben roll, and looked much like one of those ice cream and cake rolls that come in a box.
The ingredients were simple, another red flag, and called for pizza crust, that comes in a can like biscuits, deli corned beef, sourkrout, shredded swiss cheese and thousand island dressing. Five things. I'm thinking life is good and I can do this!
When I was a kid, my brother-in-law, who grew up in the largest metropolis close to this small rural proximity, used to tease me about how they had to pipe the sunlight into our area. He thought we lived way out in the sticks. As I was gathering the above mentioned ingredients, I thought of him, because finding shredded swiss cheese was not an option. I did find a couple of packages of sliced swiss and figured I could shred it myself. The Voice, who lives in my head, was standing on the sidelines shouting, "Easy?", but I paid it no mind.
Being a whopping ten miles from home, I had all the ingredients except for the corned beef and I did not think it was odd that the store I'm was in did not have it. No problem, I tell myself, I will grab some when I get home. That didn't happen either.
Two days later, I made another ten mile trip from home in search of the elusive deli corned beef. The nice girl behind the deli counter smiled as she told me they did not carry it. As I walked off, a thought came to mind that maybe, just maybe, I could find it in the canned meat section. I hurried down the aisle, and there it was, a can of corned beef! It was not exactly the amount I needed but I was thrilled to find it. I could finally make the Ruben roll! Then I saw the price......$5.45.
I stared at that can of meat for a really long time before deciding that if I did not buy it, I had a bunch of swiss cheese that would not get used for anything.
Preparing the Rueben roll went like most things I attempt, as the kitchen looked like a tornado had gone through it. When I fired up the food processor to shred the cheese, Runtly shot out of the room like a white bullet and hid behind a chair in the living room. The Voice was back there too, but it was giggling.
The end result was good, but the next time I have a craving for a Rueben sandwhich, it will be cheaper and more fun to go out and order one.
Monday, September 14, 2015
All of the Above
The conversation went something like this:
School Principle: Mrs. Murphy, we have a problem.
Mother: Oh, what is it?
School Principle: Ruth got one of the highest scores ever on the SAT test.
Mother: We do have a problem.
I remember well, taking that test. Especially when it came to the math section. I would scrawl out equations on scrap paper, usually having no idea what I was doing, and if the answer looked anything remotely close to the answers to choose from, that was the answer I picked. If there was ever a choice of 'all of the above', I took that one, hands down.
Parenting is a lot like taking a test.
It is always amusing to watch brand new parents. They know better than anyone on the planet how to take care of their child. It always makes me wonder how the rest of us ever made it this far.
A lot of parents start out with the mind set that they will do things much differently than their parents did, they will do it much better. They read articles on how to do this, or how to do that. They are told things like, never lay a baby on its back when sleeping. Now, they must never lay a baby on its tummy...it is truly amazing my children survived their first year.
Parenting is a lot of give and little take. It is a job with no pay, but huge benefits. It is filled with tremendous joy and much weeping. Parenting can make one feel like pulling out their hair one moment, and being filled with pride the next.
As the children grow and come to the realization that they are not actually physically connected to their parents, they begin to explore life on their own. This has been going on for centuries, and will continue to do so. As they branch out, they go through many trials and errors and as parents, we watch and learn right along with them.
Many times, parents go through times of feeling like complete failures. This too, is normal. There comes a time when most children feel like their parents do not know anything. During this period, the word gratitude is not in their vocabulary. Young children rarely see their parents as real people or understand that Mom and Dad really do have a life. If in doubt on this, dance down the aisle of Wal-Mart and watch them scatter like rats leaving a sinking ship. Sometimes a child must reach many years into adulthood before they realize their parents had a purpose beyond parenting.
A book I finished recently made a profound statement. It said that we choose the life we live before making an entrance into the material world we call life on earth. We choose what we want to do, what we want to accomplish and we choose the parents we want to raise us. With that in mind, as parents, we must keep on fighting the good fight and remember too, we chose to do this....even though there are times we wonder, what in the world were we thinking.
Their is no golden handbook, or written test to take, when it comes to raising children. But, if there was and the multiple choice answers look like:
A. Love
B. Failure
C. Can't do this anymore
D. Endless joy
E. All of the above
Choose E.
School Principle: Mrs. Murphy, we have a problem.
Mother: Oh, what is it?
School Principle: Ruth got one of the highest scores ever on the SAT test.
Mother: We do have a problem.
I remember well, taking that test. Especially when it came to the math section. I would scrawl out equations on scrap paper, usually having no idea what I was doing, and if the answer looked anything remotely close to the answers to choose from, that was the answer I picked. If there was ever a choice of 'all of the above', I took that one, hands down.
Parenting is a lot like taking a test.
It is always amusing to watch brand new parents. They know better than anyone on the planet how to take care of their child. It always makes me wonder how the rest of us ever made it this far.
A lot of parents start out with the mind set that they will do things much differently than their parents did, they will do it much better. They read articles on how to do this, or how to do that. They are told things like, never lay a baby on its back when sleeping. Now, they must never lay a baby on its tummy...it is truly amazing my children survived their first year.
Parenting is a lot of give and little take. It is a job with no pay, but huge benefits. It is filled with tremendous joy and much weeping. Parenting can make one feel like pulling out their hair one moment, and being filled with pride the next.
As the children grow and come to the realization that they are not actually physically connected to their parents, they begin to explore life on their own. This has been going on for centuries, and will continue to do so. As they branch out, they go through many trials and errors and as parents, we watch and learn right along with them.
Many times, parents go through times of feeling like complete failures. This too, is normal. There comes a time when most children feel like their parents do not know anything. During this period, the word gratitude is not in their vocabulary. Young children rarely see their parents as real people or understand that Mom and Dad really do have a life. If in doubt on this, dance down the aisle of Wal-Mart and watch them scatter like rats leaving a sinking ship. Sometimes a child must reach many years into adulthood before they realize their parents had a purpose beyond parenting.
A book I finished recently made a profound statement. It said that we choose the life we live before making an entrance into the material world we call life on earth. We choose what we want to do, what we want to accomplish and we choose the parents we want to raise us. With that in mind, as parents, we must keep on fighting the good fight and remember too, we chose to do this....even though there are times we wonder, what in the world were we thinking.
Their is no golden handbook, or written test to take, when it comes to raising children. But, if there was and the multiple choice answers look like:
A. Love
B. Failure
C. Can't do this anymore
D. Endless joy
E. All of the above
Choose E.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Where's The Love?
The article left me with a heavy heart. I've pondered upon it for a couple of days. There was another article in today's paper that touched on what I was feeling. I did not read it, just the first line confirmed what had been on my mind.
It was the story about the clerk who has gone to jail for not issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Since she works in a government position, that is part of her job. She feels it is against her religious beliefs for gay couples to marry and therefore refused to issue the license. This act put her in contempt of court and landed her in the pokey.
The part that saddened me was all her followers and supporters rallying under the banner of Christendom. They chanted slogans and pointed condemning fingers at those responsible for making laws that were not acceptable, according to their interpretation of God's word.
To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. To be a follower of Christ is to spend the rest of however many days are allotted to one's life trying to become more Christ-like. To be more Christ-like takes a whole lot of love and kindness and patience.....God would probably list patience first.
Jesus made no mention of homosexuality, therefore, a person striving to be like him probably should not either. Jesus said to follow the laws of our man made government. If a person is in a government position of employment and does not like to follow the law, then quit that job and go find something else to do. Jesus said that we should not judge because by doing so, we bring judgement on ourselves. Jesus said that while we are finding fault with someone else, we should take a look at ourselves. Jesus said we should be like little children, innocent and trusting.
He said things like, love our neighbor as ourselves. He said to heap loads of kindness on our enemies. He said to turn the other cheek. He told stories so as to give us a picture of helping people whom others would pass by.
Jesus said the kingdom of Heaven was within us.....each and everyone of us. Walking with God is an individual journey for us all.
Until the churches come together under a banner of the love of the Christ, there will always be division. If they are sending out a message of hate and fear, then they are no different than those who take the lives of people who will not bow to their beliefs. Who was Jesus the most frustrated with while on this earth?......The religious leaders.
There needs to be a shift in our thinking and that shift needs to lean towards love. Love is a powerful force. If we would use more of it, we would see the glory of God.
It was the story about the clerk who has gone to jail for not issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. Since she works in a government position, that is part of her job. She feels it is against her religious beliefs for gay couples to marry and therefore refused to issue the license. This act put her in contempt of court and landed her in the pokey.
The part that saddened me was all her followers and supporters rallying under the banner of Christendom. They chanted slogans and pointed condemning fingers at those responsible for making laws that were not acceptable, according to their interpretation of God's word.
To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ. To be a follower of Christ is to spend the rest of however many days are allotted to one's life trying to become more Christ-like. To be more Christ-like takes a whole lot of love and kindness and patience.....God would probably list patience first.
Jesus made no mention of homosexuality, therefore, a person striving to be like him probably should not either. Jesus said to follow the laws of our man made government. If a person is in a government position of employment and does not like to follow the law, then quit that job and go find something else to do. Jesus said that we should not judge because by doing so, we bring judgement on ourselves. Jesus said that while we are finding fault with someone else, we should take a look at ourselves. Jesus said we should be like little children, innocent and trusting.
He said things like, love our neighbor as ourselves. He said to heap loads of kindness on our enemies. He said to turn the other cheek. He told stories so as to give us a picture of helping people whom others would pass by.
Jesus said the kingdom of Heaven was within us.....each and everyone of us. Walking with God is an individual journey for us all.
Until the churches come together under a banner of the love of the Christ, there will always be division. If they are sending out a message of hate and fear, then they are no different than those who take the lives of people who will not bow to their beliefs. Who was Jesus the most frustrated with while on this earth?......The religious leaders.
There needs to be a shift in our thinking and that shift needs to lean towards love. Love is a powerful force. If we would use more of it, we would see the glory of God.
Friday, September 4, 2015
A Note From The Dog
Hi! My name is Runtly. I am a nine month old Jack Russell Terrier. I'm very, very fast and I jump really high. I like to climb on things too, the higher the better. Sometimes my climbing makes Mom nervous, especially when I hang off the high step on the spiral staircase. She does not understand that I can see out the window over the kitchen sink that way.
Mostly, I'm all white with a little bit of brown color on my head and one ear. I like the brown color and when I get the chance, I dive head first into a fresh pile of cat doo. It matches perfectly and looks great smeared all down my side, plus, it has the most delightful smell. At least I think it smells good. Mom and Dad seem to have a different opinion and always end up giving me a bath. But, if I can dive really hard, I can grind it in my collar, that way the odor has a lingering effect.
This week has been so exciting! For several days in a row, Dad has come home early and fired up the fast and loud water hose. He has cleaned and cleaned and I have helped and helped. He cleaned the deck and I had the best time biting at the water. He even cleaned the sidewalks and it was the most wonderful way to get wet! So much more fun than taking a bath. By the way, Mom says we have the cleanest sidewalks in town. I don't know if that really matters, but it sure was fun.
I like to bark too, especially when I am outside on the deck. I really don't need a reason to bark, I just bark because it is a new day. Sometimes I have heard a weird barking noise. I never knew what was making it, but Mom always says it was a squirrel. Then the best thing ever happened! While I was sitting on the deck, a squirrel climbed on top of the pergola and started barking! Oh! It was so exciting! It would bark, then I would bark, then it would bark, then I would bark. Mom finally took me inside, but she said at least now I know where the weird barking comes from. Tigger, the cat, really wanted to catch the squirrel, but I didn't get to stay out long enough to see if that happened.
I LOVE Tigger! He is so soft and furry and I like to bite his legs and tail. Mom says that is why Tigger doesn't play much with me anymore, because I bite. Tigger helped Dad too, this week. Everything Dad has cleaned, Tigger has barfed on it the next day. Tigger is so cool!
Since I'm always in a hurry, I can't sit still for very long. Mom says I have attention defi..............SQUIRREL!
Mostly, I'm all white with a little bit of brown color on my head and one ear. I like the brown color and when I get the chance, I dive head first into a fresh pile of cat doo. It matches perfectly and looks great smeared all down my side, plus, it has the most delightful smell. At least I think it smells good. Mom and Dad seem to have a different opinion and always end up giving me a bath. But, if I can dive really hard, I can grind it in my collar, that way the odor has a lingering effect.
This week has been so exciting! For several days in a row, Dad has come home early and fired up the fast and loud water hose. He has cleaned and cleaned and I have helped and helped. He cleaned the deck and I had the best time biting at the water. He even cleaned the sidewalks and it was the most wonderful way to get wet! So much more fun than taking a bath. By the way, Mom says we have the cleanest sidewalks in town. I don't know if that really matters, but it sure was fun.
I like to bark too, especially when I am outside on the deck. I really don't need a reason to bark, I just bark because it is a new day. Sometimes I have heard a weird barking noise. I never knew what was making it, but Mom always says it was a squirrel. Then the best thing ever happened! While I was sitting on the deck, a squirrel climbed on top of the pergola and started barking! Oh! It was so exciting! It would bark, then I would bark, then it would bark, then I would bark. Mom finally took me inside, but she said at least now I know where the weird barking comes from. Tigger, the cat, really wanted to catch the squirrel, but I didn't get to stay out long enough to see if that happened.
I LOVE Tigger! He is so soft and furry and I like to bite his legs and tail. Mom says that is why Tigger doesn't play much with me anymore, because I bite. Tigger helped Dad too, this week. Everything Dad has cleaned, Tigger has barfed on it the next day. Tigger is so cool!
Since I'm always in a hurry, I can't sit still for very long. Mom says I have attention defi..............SQUIRREL!
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
A Note From The Cat
Since Mom does not think she has anything blog worthy floating around in her head, I told her I would gladly fill in for her. She looked at me kind of funny, mumbled something and said, "go for it." Mom's head has been screwed on backwards lately.
I am probably the most low maintenance pet in a one hundred mile radius. I stay outside and hardly ever leave the yard. Since Mom has a flower garden with a pond, that is my personal jungle and there really is no better place to be. I show up at my food bowl promptly at 7:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the evening, during the good seasons.
We in the feline world have seasons too. There is bird season and frog season, these are the good ones. Then there is mouse season. During mouse season I add two more feeding times to the schedule. This helps me to fatten up and get ready for the long sleeps season. Of all the seasons, frog season is my favorite.
I have heard that the humans enjoy frog legs and I can attest to the fact that they are delicious. I have a hankering for tree frog legs as they have a naturally sweet flavor. I always make sure I leave the upper part for my human family, but I do not think they share my love of frog delicacies . Since I do eat the best part, I always try, at least three times a week, to leave them a fully intact regular frog on the welcome mat. I know they appreciate this act of doing my part to take care of the family.
Speaking of family, I'm quite perplexed by the newest member. The dog. The folks call him Runtly. I refer to him as Pain In My Rumply. He is very odd. Just last night, while I was lounging in the yard, I watched him while Dad used a very loud water hose to wash off the deck. I guess P.I.M.R. thought he needed to help and spent the entire time biting at the water. P.I.M.R. has many sharp biting teeth. He helped Dad wash every spindle on the deck, all 73 of them....yes, cats can count. As far as I'm concerned, all he succeeded in doing was to get sopping wet. What a goof ball. He gets so excited over the simplest of things. Mom bought him a flea collar once and you would have thought it was Christmas. Fleas, how rude.
I am also very passive and enjoy most all neighboring cats that wander into the yard. Mom does not understand this, but I'm all about peace and love.
I miss my lap time with Mom since the dog has been here. We always had morning lap time before he arrived. Mom has kind hands and when she pets me it makes me slobber. It's just so relaxing! Maybe when it gets closer to mouse season and I stop shedding, we can get back to a morning routine. I would like that, I would like that very much.
My paws are getting tired now, so I need to take a nap. Cats sleep about 17 hours a day. That is what makes us so handsome, we know how to chill out.
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