Friends

This was taken back when the nights were long and the days were short.  I took the pictures in past few posts with my phone.  I found the card adapter the other night and have been looking through the pictures on my phone.  I thought I would share with you.

Handy Cat

Have you ever had trouble finding your keys or your wallet after you take them out of your pants? How about that extra pocket change? Lost that again, too? Well, search no more with HANDY CAT! This marvelous invention combines the natural laziness of the common house cat with the handy-grabbit usefulness of one of those magnetic parts plates that mechanics use! Yes, after you take the things from your pockets and lay them atop the slumbering feline, as shown, and go do what you need to do. In this case, take a nice long shower! When you come out this lovely house cat will still retain your personally affects. There is no searching for what table you put your keys on, just go to where the cat was last! Simple and handy! Easy to use! Does require small amounts of cat food and numerous semi-flat places to lie. Not sold in stores! Call NOW!! Supplies won't last!

King of His Domain...and Mine.

So, I walked into our bedroom this evening and saw this on the bed. Which is nothing special. He roosts pretty much where he wants to...though he does have a few spots he is not allowed and he has learned not to go there.

It is slightly blurred because he asked me to turn off the flash and I was holding as still as I could.

But, maybe it isn't obvious why I took the picture of the cat. You see, he was very relaxed. I know many people will say you can't lead a more relaxed life than a cat. I'd normally say that's true, but I think it is more pronounced with our cat. Sully was reclining. See?

O.K., you can see he was reclining now, but that picture just doesn't show the complete, utter, and some may say obscene relaxation he was enjoying at that moment. So please allow me to introduce exhibit A:

Yes, that is how he sleeps. I know I have probably mentioned it before and maybe posted pictures. I know Cora has. Still, he is the only cat I have even known personally to spend SO much time on his back!

So, I taught again today. I taught for only the third time at a middle school, but already, kids know and remember my name. I looked around to find a smiling face. That made me happy. I happened to be subbing for the teacher next to the room I had subbed in a week and a half ago. So, the kids next door recognized me and remembered my name. I was teaching sixth graders today, and they seemed to think I was pretty spiffy. I know it sounds like I am bragging. I just enjoy the feeling of being able to get 25 kids to do what I want and not have to be a hardass about it. I wish I could share the feeling. I like what I do.

I think the lack of light is making me lazy and sleepy and maybe a little grumpy. I like the sun. I miss those long summer days! Also, it's frickin' cold outside!

Animal Kingdom

I took a few pictures these past few days. Our animals rule the house. I thought I'd try to show how "in-your-face" they get.

Due to the fact that our camera is less than a photographer' dream, they may be a bit grainy, however, I believe it possible to make do. Weston made wonderful shots with what he had. Ansel Adams...well, he had a pretty good camera, we'll just ignore him, shall we? How about the guy who made those wonderful shots during the Spanish Civil War? So, really, it doesn't matter what camera you have, it's how you use it.

Our animals have a lot of personality. Above, you can see Toby very interested to have me refill his food dish. They cat had a similar task in mind. Below is Gypsy, and she was more intent in playing.

Today, for some reason, Gypsy came in with a sore leg. We have been giving her aspirin since. There appears to be nothing in her foot, and a careful examination of her leg showed no tender spots and nothing obviously out of place. She just won't use her right rear leg. We are both a little worried about our girl's discomfort. If it isn't better by Monday, we will be forced to take her in and see if the vet can see what's wrong. She hasn't moved much at all today...a worrisome turn of events.

We have been cleaning. The house is well on its way to being ready to welcome visitors. We are looking forward to Thursday!!

Bird Flu...Floo...Flew

A personal experience with the downside of having a dog door:

I had just taken a shower. I had toweled off and gotten dressed. I picked up my coffee cup to go into the living room. To do this I would have to walk down the hallway. Just as I turned toward the hall, my vision not quite focused, something brown/gray seemed to hover passed at about eye level and disappeared out of sight. I blinked, certain I was seeing things. Then a black and white cat and a brown and white dog followed closely behind.

I followed both of them into the sewing room. The cat was in search mode. The dog, too, was intent on looking for something. I decided there must be a bird in there...why it took so long for my shower fogged mind to come to that conclusion is beyond me. I shooed the cat out, and kept the dog. Finally, after slowly venturing around the room, the dog shoving his nose into corners, something moved in the window...amongst the plants (Read two small cacti and two dead things that once were green). I didn't jump too high. Really. I shooed the dog out. I closed the door and took a step toward the bird...but the door opened again and Toby's nose poked in again. So I shooed him back out, and argued with the door for a minute. It still didn't latch, but Toby had given up his efforts to assist in the coming capture.

I began to step toward the bird, it sat watching me. I reached out my hand slowly and it flew across the room. I did that twice before I was able to grab it. I didn't have the presence of mind to take pictures until I got out in the living room. Shortly after these photos, I released him/her into the wild. He flew off. I hope he makes it.

I believe Sully was a little sulky after I stole his thunder...err, bird.

This is him last night, eying the bird feeders...and occasionally the birds. Hmm, it occurs to me that perhaps "Bird Feeder" has more than one meaning. Sully seems to have taken it differently than intended.

I may have inadvertently caused this little fiasco in the making. I am just glad it didn't happen when we were out of the house...can you imagine the horror?

Sunday Blues

This morning dawned early. Earlier than I wished. I still have this fracking cold. I used some Afrin the other day and my morning symtoms vanished, but more than three days may cause you to become addicted, physically (Trust me, I don't think it is psychologically fun to do). Still, it clears your sinuses REALLY well! I like that. Still, yesterday I needed to stop taking it. So I did. This morning I woke up with a case of the "Horrible Boogers From Outer Space" and shed more than my fair share of nasty boogery things...at about 7AM! I hate 7AM! It was Sun-fricking-day, why in the name of all that is sleepy did I HAVE to wake up before 8???? On A SUNDAY!?! Argh! I hate early Sundays!

Then Cora awoke...about two hours later. I spent the intervening time sitting outside in a lawn chair, reading. I had coffee, a comfortable chair, and a good book. I have been re-reading "When Thunder Rolled." It's a good book about F-105 pilots during the Vietnam War. It was a warm morning. The thermometer said 75...I was more than happy to sit outside and read. The hot coffee helped. I also made sure that my feet were in the sunlightg longest, my socks made a white cutoff on my feet. So, I was tryng to remedy that situation. Then Cora got up. I made her coffee and then went back out for awhile. All-in-all, it wasn't a bad way to start a day.

It was sometime after 930 when my mother-in-law called to ask for help movng some furniture out of her Dad's place. Cora and I left and spent a few hours helping out. It was a good day. We were done by about 2pm and I came home. Then, after a short rest, I put together a shelf we had bought yestreday. Here is the picture.

Here are the Squash we planted a few weeks ago. Look how they have grown!

I went out to take a picture when I noticed Toby digging in the garden, but being extremely careful not to touch the electric fence, which happens NOT to be on, still, it's cute.

I barbequed a steak and some squash and zucchini again. I can't show pictures because it is all gone, we ate it.

I also found yet another of the house' residents in the back yard...

I will be teachng fifth grade tomrrow. Late start. Maybe I will sit outside agan...