Friday, February 26, 2016

Hank the Tank



Pot roast today...comfort food

It was a rough day yesterday.
My wonderful, funny clown of a cat, Hank the Tank
had a blocked bladder.
I have been to the emergency vet twice this month
the only time I can get this guy is after- hours it seems

TRYING TO CATCH A HARDWIRED, now house kept, FERAL kitty is
not easy
But I knew he was going south quickly.
I managed to chase him into a bedroom
 but our other male cat stuck his two cents in
and Hank froze in place long enough for me to shut the door
with Boo, the other male, safely locked out.
But I couldn't get him.
SO
I called my 86 year old mother.
She came over and she laid on the floor looking under the bed on one side, as I looked at him from the other side.
It took a bit of talking to him and squeezing my arm under the bed
trying to get him by the scruff.
WHAM... one shot and I got him and managed to get my arm  underneath him
to support his weight and I yelled out to my mom to open the door!
I had the carrier waiting just outside the door

She's an 86 year old lying on the floor! But I was so afraid that Hank would wiggle free
and then I would never be able to get him.
And sure enough my mom managed to get up and open the door. What a miracle lady she is at her age.

We got Hank to the doctor just in time...his bladder was about to breach

It's a good thing we've saved our money and that my husband makes a good living
he is getting the best of medical care

I took my mom out for a wonderful lunch

she earned it

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

I guess there will be stink in the car ride



 
time for a little poem
 
 
Skunk
Sometimes, around
Moonrise, a wraith
drifts in through
the open window:
a vague cold taint
of rank weeds
and phosphorescent
mold, a hint
of obscure dank
root hollows and
mist-woven paths,
Pale toadstools and
dark-reveling worms
by, half vapor,half
shade, diffusing
The night's uncanny
essence and atmosphere
 
by Valerie worth
 
Yep, there was a skunk outside last night
 
goodness....they let their presence be known when they are challenged
I hope it wasn't one of my feral cats....
maybe just a passing possum wanting a scrap or two left between deck boards

While I was attempting to fall asleep, the wonderful world of the night creatures
was going on outside...poor animals in the winter
but who wants skunk perfume

I got an email yesterday from the feral cat group asking if anyone had room
to house trapped cats overnight to be taken to the vet in the morning
oh...I was tempted...but I want to stay married
and there are limits

Maybe I should open a shelter
I have thought about it

but my kitties here already tie me down
I have to hire a caretaker for them when I go to Galena
good thing we saved our money and my husband is a saint

Glad there is a group that traps, neuters and releases these cats
and that there are humans willing to watch over them
and thank the county for protecting these colonies of needy felines
The goal is stop all the breeding...to have stable communities

Funny...since I have become a caretaker....the word must have gone out
so far this past 6 months....three extra kitties have graced the food bowls

Tommy Feral.....a beautiful gray tabby...I think he belonged to someone...he's gone now

Ragged Ritchie....old fluffy orange and white one who has shown up for years during the cold weather for a handout...very feral....he's hasn't been seen for months
and now...
Brutus, a large white and brown striped male...unneutered, I'm certain

My Henry runs from him, hiding under the deck until he (Brutus) has eaten every bit of  food in the bowls and drank from their heated water bowl
Funny...I haven't seen him in two days..now that I think about it

poor cats...so much danger out there for them
People love dogs....will risk everything to rescue them
but cats.....they are maligned ....but there are a few of use who love all animals
and help whenever we can

I may give my character, grandma, a cat (thanks Vicki for the suggestion)
and I will also make her a good cook....
this could work to fill in the time the girl and mother sit in the car together
...3 hours... one of the critiques I received at workshop
to take advantage of the car ride.....to reveal things
What did they talk about in the car? they asked
meddlers
but I guess they are right....humph  more work

Now to begin
writing....see ya

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

she cooks

 
 
When all else fails , make soup
That's always been my motto
But ,I made meatball soup a day ago and finished it up today for lunch
while I was making chicken soup
...it's cold outside
 
Truthfully, I was hoping the aroma would awaken
something good in my grandma character
the grandma of my story
the one who slaps a 10 year old off of a chair
...that grandma
 
I don't think she ....oh.....yes, she just might be a good cook
why didn't I think of that before?
 
Oh good something to work on tomorrow
I can do that....
 
The family is coming home today from Disney World
I am anxious to hear about the trip
 
 I hope she captured a bit of fantasy as reality
that's the miracle of being a 2 yr old girl or boy
 
Don't we wish they had a theme park for other things
 
like being with our passed loved ones
or beloved dogs or cats or birds or turtles?
..put a quarter in the slot and get the answer to any question?
get on a stage and say what we failed to say when they were alive?
Oh it could be fun
 
I better get back to the real world real soon
step away from the anthologies

Monday, February 15, 2016

loveable grandma


I made meatball soup yesterday. It was good.
 
Today I ate two bowls for lunch while staring out my kitchen window.
 
I have so much energy I am paralyzed...and do nothing
 
but enjoy the snow falling outside
 
watching the outdoor cats snuggle in their igloo
 
watch the birds eat their cat food while they snooze
 
ahh.....what happens when you are asleep
 
Two of my grandchildren are at Disney World now
 
having fun......much needed after so much health concerns for little Tuula
 
Hopefully some suggestions and guidance from Boston Hosp will help
 
Not fair that little ones get sick...
 
But she is a trooper and my daughter is her warrior
 
 
I have spent too much time inside lately
 
A person needs to feel the elements....smell them, taste them
 
stand in the wind and let it touch you
 
stand in the sunlight...feel its warmth, despite the bitter cold in the air
 
 
I feed birds and cats outside
 
ha....a few squirrels, possum, skunk and rabbits too
 
A big raccoon was drinking water from the heated water bowl last night
 
aww...go ahead I said as I shut off the porch light
 
...you are the least of these in my book...but hurry and don't let the neighbors see you
 
 
I have been reading many anthologies of short stories
 
...according to the Ray Bradbury plan
 
I dropped the essay reading.....I knew it wouldn't last.

 
Insight....from all this reading...
 
most of it.... unfulfilling....boring...what can I say
 
sure...if I reread it after looking online for "explanations" I might get a bit more out of these stories
 
But I'm sorry....you never grabbed me enough the first time to reread you
 
When you read one of my stories...I take you for a ride...
 

I have learned to layer things....'case you want to go back and look for more. Hints that you missed
 
the first time....maybe motivations you didn't see before...that only add richness to your experience
 
with my characters...

 

  Just another kitchen writer....me

you wouldn't think I am working on writing while eating and staring
but, yeah, I am
This past fall at a writing workshop...I was made aware that I need to make grandma

more loveable....at least capable of loving in some small way

..that's what I'm working on.....

but she isn't loveable.....but I get it

...showing a speck of humanity makes her all the more frightening in her cruelty



So.....I'm enjoying bowls of soup staring out of the window

 on this cold snowy afternoon

letting my mind sort it all out

for tomorrow.....I sit and write

maybe I can have her tend geraniums..........................................
 
 
 
 
 
 


Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...