I have noticed your narrowed eyes glaring at me from the cat tree, the windowsill, the top of the refrigerator and the kitchen counters -(by the way, you’re not supposed to be there).
I’ve also noticed your refusal to come to me when I call, or to play with me since I left you and Sushi home on Easter Sunday. Then there’s also the tell-all revelations from “sleepy Sushi” that you didn’t think she would tell me when I got home.
Thanks for ratting on me, Mom- I think I’ll go visit my friends in the jungle….
“Tell- all revelations” from Sushi, huh?
But Twilight, my dear sweet girl- it was Easter Sunday! I didn’t abandon you and Sushi – (I came back home, right)? And the reason I smelled like Serafina and Abby is because I spent the day with the Critters and their parents and Serafina and Abby live there!
Hey Twilight- we’re cousins!
Yes Twilight- we’re not trying to steal your Mom- we love OUR MOM!
So, what will it take to make you feel better?? Another thousand belly rubs? Another boatload of treats, and more whipped cream? Or an open refrigerator?
The last time I posted, I had hardly published what I had written when my sister called again, crying, and saying -“it’s happening again!” I dropped everything and went to her house immediately, and this time I knew it wasn’t going to just pass on its own.
I had been taking care of her when these things happened, but this time I could see how hard her heart was pounding from the front door. I pulled up the heart monitor on her Apple watch and knew we needed to call 9-1-1.
Within minutes this was confirmed as EMTs loaded her into the ambulance and whisked her off to the hospital. I plunged into action, to take care of the mess left behind in the house, and to take care of Sheba and Smokey until she got home from the hospital.
That didn’t happen until a week later, and things looked scary. The doctors had said she’d had a massive heart attack and had got there just in time.
It has always hurt me to see how painful and afraid she was, so I spent a lot of time praying for her healing and safe return. I’m so relieved that now, over a month later, she is doing better than she was before those sudden attacks started happening. It turns out those “attacks” weren’t from a pinched nerve, or stress and anxiety- they were mini heart attacks!
Because of being sent back and forth and languishing so long in the ER waiting for care the first two times she went, she had decided she wasn’t going to bother going to ER again. She was just going to ‘wait them out.’
Every time she’d had an attack, I’d known this was a possibility- but the doctors were saying otherwise, and she is not able to just sit in a chair in a waiting room for over 8 hours (to only end up going home in tears from pain with no diagnosis). Every time this happened I would ask the Lord to give me wisdom for each situation and to protect and preserve her until she got a correct diagnosis. I’m so thankful He did.
While she was in the hospital, I was looking after her house and taking care of Sheba and Smokey, and the realization hit me that this Christmas was going to be my first since my husband passed and that I could have very easily lost my sister and best friend if she had decided to ‘wait out’ this attack also.
With also watching my grand-daughters, helping them with school, and the usual responsibilities, my blog had to fall by the wayside because I simply felt too overwhelmed with everything else. There were times I sat down at the computer to begin a post, but my brain refused to co-operate. I simply couldn’t think of where to start- being so preoccupied with everything else that my mind just got stuck.
It took me weeks to realize when I finally went to the Lord and asked Him “What’s wrong with me!?” and He showed me, that I hadn’t been taking care of my own needs. Still grieving the sudden loss of my husband last January, it occurred to me that I had neglected calling my grief counselor, I hadn’t gone to church (because of the pain of the IT band issue)- I hadn’t been getting enough sleep, I hadn’t taken time for the things that I enjoy because I felt I couldn’t afford to take the time, and I had neglected my normal workouts for the same reason (which didn’t help my IT band issue).
Without realizing it I was experiencing a sort of “Brain fog” that happens sometimes in grief. I learned this by emailing my grief counselor who informed me of ways that grief changes your brain. Thank God these changes are reversible.
This Christmas and all the activities surrounding the festivities became a lot easier for me once I realized after praying what was happening to me.
I’ve learned to give the grief and the things it brings with it to the Lord and to take the time I need to heal. He tenderly and beautifully healed and protected my sister who is now doing better than ever before and is doing all she can to protect her health- He also beautifully and tenderly keeps and guides me and I’m grateful for all He’s done. Instead of focusing on who has been lost, This Christmas is about all that has been saved.
Merry Christmas Everyone! Twilight and Sushi will be back tomorrow!
I always knew I’m a special cat- but today my Mom said it’s National SUSHI DAY! I’m so honored! I can’t believe the whole nation celebrates ‘Sushi day!’
I’ve been just dying to write about it all day long, but Mom has been constantly wiping at my eyes and putting that darned ointment in them so it’s kind of hard to see with the goopy stuff in my eyes. I finally put the guilt trip on Mom and made her feel sorry for me and she decided to stop everything and help me post about it!
But then… when I asked her how long there’s been a national holiday celebrating cute little me, she rudely informed me that “that’s not what National Sushi day” is all about. I protested loudly, but she still insists its about some thing else…
Can you believe it? This is the ‘sushi’ she says the whole country is celebrating today!
Wait- That looks suspiciously like FISH! Mom says it is fish- but it’s a dish called “sushi” – they must have just liked me so much they named their food after me! I’m so SPECIAL!
The Can Opener though, keeps insisting it has nothing to do with me- well, if that’s so, she’d better at least let me get my paws on some ‘sushi!’ Because that looks good enough for me to celebrate!
I never heard of it before today- she says it originated in Southeast Asia and Japan (according to National Today.com). She learned that it started as a dish called Narezushi- salted fish that was stored in fermented rice for months. (I’ll take the fish, you can have the rice). It was considered a very good source of protein, and some people started leaving out the rice, and just eating the fish.
Between 1600-1800 the sushi most people know was born- when in Japan, they started mixing fish with rice and vegetables mixed in vinegar. Then, in the 1800’s another style emerged called nigirizushi– this was pretty much a mound of rice with fish draped over it.
It eventually became popular here and all over the world after a terribe earthquake in 1923 displaced a lot of peope from Edo Japan and made them have to leave their land – as they settled in different places all over the world, others became introduced to sushi in its various types and soon celebrites brought national attention to it.
So, Today (June 18) is the day to make sure you try some sushi (if you’ve never tried it before)- and why not give some to your cat?? That way we can celebrate it too!
Did you hear that, Mom? No veggies, rice or vinegar in mine, please.
The Can Opener says it’s National Pet Parents’ Day. Never heard of it- what exactly does that mean?.
Here’s What it’s all about
Lately my Can Opener has become fascinated by searching for (mostly) unknown holidays. I always thought she was a little strange, but hey, I’m just the cat. Anyway, she found about about this holiday on NationalToday.com.
That’s where she found out that people first started domesticating pets around 10,000 B.C. (How’d they know? I’ve never met anybody that old- not even the Can Opener)!! What makes it even more interesting, is that the first domesticated animals weren’t cats- (they apparently weren’t real smart back then)- they were WOLVES!
People discovered that wolf cubs separated from their moms could be good companions and that started the whole thing about keeping and breeding pets. People are so weird.
But I guess that’s not so bad, because they also discovered how pawsome we cats are and started (trying to) domesticate us! And some people revered us as being spiritual – why the Ancient Egyptians even worshipped us cats!
What?? Nobody worships ME!! THAT’S NOT FAIR!
SHUSH, SUSHI! I’M ON A ROLL!
Anyway, in the Victorian Era (13th century)- keeping pets became a status symbol as rich lords started bringing their dogs hunting, and rich ladies had dogs lounging on their laps as they spent their days in luxury lounging with books. It wasn’t until the late 1800’s that everybody else started keeping pets. (I’ll bet this was because they found out how good we cats are at taking care of those annoying rodents).
Anyway, now over 67% of U.S. Households have at least one pet- (and the exceptionally smart ones make sure there’s at least one cat too- according to me) MOL! 😹
This is an important day to remember- because pets (not just cats- *human made me say that*)- but pets in general are great companions for their humans, and help them with loneliness, depression, disabilites, and therapy!
And Veterinary Pet Insurance companies wanted to acknowledge responsible pet parents and their furry children.
How to celebrate National Pet Parent’s Day?
1.) Give them some extra pets and snuggles-
2.) Buy them a new collar and post their picture on social media
3.) Buy them their favorite treats or a new toy (or two, or three)
4.) Take your doggie to a dog park or schedule a playtime with his doggie-buddy!
5.) Start an Instagram account for them and make them a celebrity pet!
Whatever you do, just make sure you make it a special day of bonding with your pets!
That means all your pets need to get SPOILED today!
Our Human likes to find reasons to Celebrate
This time, she’s discovered a day on April 11th every year (internationally)- to celebrate pets of all kinds (but in this house, it’s cats)!
In 2006, an animal welfare advocate (Colleen Paige)- started National Pet Day to celebrate all the joys (and comfort) that pets give the ones who love and care for them. She wanted everyone to recognize the value of having pets and to encourage people looking for pedigreed pets to check out the Humane Society’s shelters before handing buckets of cash over to breeders.
Her motto was “Adopt, don’t shop!” And I think that makes her a hero when you consider all the millions of pets that enter shelters each year. Thanks to people like her, (and our Can Opener), it worked! People have discovered their best (4 legged) friends there and now over one million happy cats and dogs have found loving homes.
Sushi and I want to thank her and all like her, who care about the happiness and welfare of animals. Since we can’t speak for ourselves, we need heroes to speak up on our behalf- and because of people like this, pets like me and Sushi and so many others can be rescued from abusive situations, and devastation because of wars, hurricanes, earthquakes and all those other things that separate people from their pets and leave homeless and abandoned pets vulnerable and hungry.
So today, take some time to give your pets some extra cuddles, playtime, and grooming. They give you love, warmth, snuggles and companionship all year round. Today is their day to know they matter!
If you don’t have a pet, why not consider visiting your local animal shelter and adopt one?
You just might be lucky enough to get a laptop guard like Sushi! 😹
“Now, Human, about that special treat you mentioned…I hope it’s from a tiny, expensive can!”
This Monday will be Valentine’s Day- and it will also mark one month since my husband passed. It still feels like it was yesterday. How do I celebrate Valentine’s Day without him after 40 years?
I thought I was doing okay until I had to go pick up his death certificate and his ashes from the funeral home. I had known it wasn’t going to be easy, but nothing can really prepare you for bringing your spouse home that way.
I don’t want to dwell on this for too long. But it has taken me days to be up to writing about this and I will be starting grief counseling (hopefully this week)- and I know this will be one thing recommended. I had bought a new journal to write about the whole cancer diagnosis and why it wasn’t diagnosed until it was too late.
But I have yet to write a single word in that journal, because I stare at the blank page and my mind instantly starts seeing him doubled over in continual pain and struggling to breathe as he had been daily since about May of last year. I want to watch tv, and I remember the countless times we would “watch something together” and he would retreat into the bedroom in too much pain to care. Then I remember hearing him breathing at night and saying, “I think you should go to ER” (but he was in too much pain).
I start seeing the countless dinners I’d prepared for us, from which he would take one or two bites, then retreat into the bedroom in pain saying he was “full.” I remember the vain attempts to offer him something that would maybe- just MAYBE help him have a little relief – only to have him refuse it because he already knew it wouldn’t help.
I constantly feel the helplessness all over again of thinking he was going to die, and we wouldn’t even know why. I feel the anger at the doctors again also who saw his “something” on his small intestine that “they didn’t think was cancer”- and didn’t give him anything at all to relieve his constant pain and other symptoms while he waited an average of 3 months to be seen by another specialist who said the same things and referred him to yet another specialist– (with yet another month or two or three in between).
The last specialist he was referred to was 110 miles away – and when he finally was called (in November) by that specialist it was for a phone consultation. Still no relief for him symptoms meanwhile. The next thing we knew he was being rushed to the ER because of a blood clot- and nothing was the same after that.
I need to stop this for now – (though I hadn’t planned to)- There is so much more to say- but I want to encourage you all to not take for granted the time you have with your loved ones. Especially your spouses. When we celebrated the New Year this year, we knew something was wrong with my husband, but we had no idea that the Christmas we had was going to be our last Christmas together- and that the New Year we celebrated would be the last time we would ring in a New Year.
Whatever you do- treat your loved ones – with respect and consideration – don’t say things in anger and frustration that you can never take back. Don’t be oblivious to their emotional needs or frustrated with them when they don’t see things the way you do. Let them be who they are- don’t try to make them a copy of yourself. You have one chance in this life to BE the “someone special” to the “special someone” in your life.
Sheild and protect each other. Uphold each other’s dignity- and don’t tolerate anyone speaking evil of your spouse. BE SOMEONE SPECIAL to them while you can- today! Tomorrow everything could change.
Believe it or not, there actually is such a ‘holiday’ as Opposite Day! I’m getting desperate to distract the Can Opener with something new to think about, and I tried reminding her tax time was coming up- but that didn’t exactly have the effect I wanted. After I told her that, she randomly decided to check her wine supply. Weirdo.
Then I decided to try something different to make her forget that, so while she was making her lunch I sneaked onto her computer and discovered a holiday she didn’t know anything about. (This better earn me some treats)!
So, what Is “Opposite Day?”
Well, someone who must have been extremely bored decided to make a yearly holiday of doing the exact opposite of what they would normally do or saying one thing and doing the exact opposite. According to National Today, the earliest reference goes back to 1920 when President Calvin Coolidge made a statement that he did not want to run for election. And ever since, some have made January 25th every year a sort of fun holiday for pranking people- Here are a couple of suggestions for celebrating it;
Call in sick and show up anyway!
Say goodbye when greeting people
The point is, to do (or say) the exact opposite of whatever you would normally do (or intend to do).
So, Since I hate playing with my Can Opener, I’m NOT going to try at all to get her to play today (no matter what she tells you)… I’m going to trade places with Sushi today, and just sleep all day.
And Sushi plans to constantly bug the Can Opener to play with her today (to give me a day off).
What!? I’m taking a nap!Geez- What do I have to do to get a nap around here?
Hey. I think I’m going to really love this holiday. Check out the link to learn more about it!
The discovery on last Wednesday night was a huge blood clot. The Backup Can Opener was rushed to the hospital and the blood clot was taken care of in time. But many others were also found. They had to be taken care of too.
They discovered another problem besides the extra (old) clots. A hernia they didn’t know about. The clots had made him anemic because they weren’t allowing the blood to go where it needed to go. The other clots and hernia were putting pressure on the main artery in his stomach.
Then yesterday they did a CT scan. It revealed an even worse problem. It’s not looking good.
Waiting for biopsy results. Human needs me to love on her a lot. She’s bouncing back and forth to the hospital and is barely eating. And not getting much sleep. She hasn’t been able to finish the Christmas gifts she was making for the Critters- because she can’t concentrate. Please pray for our family because I’m a cat and that’s not my department. My department is cuddles and purrs.
She’s about to take off again. Don’t give up on us. We’ll be back.
Sushi (the Cuddle Queen) -and Twilight (The smartest one).
That noisy thing is getting all the attention now.
And it’s all to make “Christmas Presents!”
Up until now, if the Can Opener stayed up late on a week night, it was either to type for me or Sushi on our blog, or to play with me. All weekend though, and this week- it’s not for playing. It’s for sewing and designing patterns and toys for the Critters for Christmas. And for other surprises meant for someone who doesn’t have four legs. How rude!
Acutally, I don’t mean to be jealous— wait. Yes I do. I mean, of course I do. I’m a CAT. As long as everything goes my way, I’m completely flexible.
But this is getting ridiculous.
Between that, and the continual pouring rain and cold (and high winds)– I am getting very little playtime – and staying inside without playtime is rough on a cat. Especially with the squirrels, ducks and birds taunting me from outside the window. The Can Opener takes short breaks to play with me for a while- but for some reason, she never lets me grab her patterns and pins and bat them around. And when I come and lay on them, she immediately stops sewing and does something else! I’m just trying to “help” her!
I did manage to swipe her measuring tape, though!!!
Next I’m going for the ribbons and yarn…. she won’t miss a few spools…
How to Train your Humans 