Twilight and I have finally put it together and now we know what makes the Can Opener leave us alone (suddenly) for the whole.flipping.day twice every year. And we are grounding the Can Opener.
They call it Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas.
I think this time the excuse was “Christmas.” Twilight noticed that when the Critter’s parents’ car pops up (without the Critters)- it usually means the Can Opener is going to disappear for the day and we’re going to be stuck watching cat tv and that means I’m not going to have my warm snuggly lap or the Can Opener to feed me treats and cover me up with my blankie- and Twilight will be smashing into the tv all day trying to get mice from inside the screen until she’s dizzier and dumber than normal.
Of course, the Can Opener doesn’t ask our permission first- she just feeds us (our ‘last meal’) – then flies out the door and comes home forever later smelling like C.A.T.
NOT like me and Twilight!
Last night she got home really late- (we were almost starved to death by then- I could see the BOTTOM of my bowl)! She also came home loaded down with presents and food- but it was all the kind of stuff she says we can’t eat. Nice thing to do to two starving cats who are moments from starving to death, huh?
And this is is why….
Serafina…. the Critters’ heart stealer.
Abby- Serafina’s co-conspirator!
Our cheating human calls them her grand-kitties.
Wait- What did you say, my head still hurts from all that mouse hunting yesterday- what does she call them???
That’s right- she calls them her GRAND-KITTIES! HOW INSULTING! We’re way grander, aren’t we Twilight? Well, anyway, I am…. and here’s proof!
I looked in her phone when she fell asleep last night and saw THIS! Serafina- (and the biggest Critter). Serafina was in full on STEAL HEARTS mode! Outrageous!And these two were helping Serafina and Abby steal hearts! No wonder Mom got home so late!The tiniest Critter made her stay for dinner (pasta she made with her Play Doh pasta maker).
No wonder Mom said we can’t eat what she brought home. She can’t either.
Okay, Sushi- give it a rest for now. I’m still recovering from all those head slams at the tv.
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!
So here’s the scoop on what’s been happening with us neighborhood cats lately…
We’ve been away for a while, so I’m here to give the latest cat update!
Our Can Opener has had a lot of bumps in the road lately that has slowed her down a bit when it comes to typing for us. For one, she has been trying to take time to prepare for upcoming birthdays (not to mention, Christmas). October would have been her hubby’s birthday- which he now is celebrating in heaven and not here on earth anymore. One of their daughters’ birthday was the week before, and knowing that he was not going to be here to celebrate with them had a way of putting a literal “shadow of death” over the festivities.
She was excited about their daughters’ birthday- but knowing she would be alone the following week on his birthday made things difficult. But as it turned out, the Critters’ parents knew that day was going to be hard for her and they had some surprise plans up their sleeve for her! So it turned out to be a day full of love, fun, and games and just being thankful that he is no longer suffering, and that helped a lot.
We are finding that just because weeks and months pass, doesn’t somehow make the pain of loss disappear. It has a way of sneaking up on a person when they least expect it.
But back to us cats- Smokey now owns the Can Opener’s sister, and has wasted no time in informing Sheba that she has been dethroned. You could say they had an election of their own, and there’s a new boss in town. Sheba is protesting LOUDLY.
In fact, she gets so mad at him getting snuggles from her human, that she storms out of their house, and comes into ours, just to protest! She walks up to our human, rubs against her leg, and then when our Mom bends down to pet her, she hisses and scratches her ankle just to make her pay! She knows it’s because of our human, that her Mom has adopted Smokey!
King of the house
Sheba pouting at our house.
Of course, our human spoils Sheba when she comes in, because she understands that Sheba is jealous and upset- but that still doesn’t stop Sheba from taking a swipe at her ankles and hissing at her!
Meanwhile, Twilight stays at a distance but when I see Sheba hiss at the Can Opener, I growl at her and she turns and runs outside!
The Can Opener is going to let me post today! But first- this message- (she says its important)!
A Message from Prophet Dutch Sheets:
VOTE TODAY!
Regardless of where you live- make sure you vote! Pray for your country- pray for those who love freedom, justice and righteousness. Stand up for your freedoms! Remember those who have laid down their lives for the freedoms you have enjoyed- don’t sit silently by and let it be for nothing while our freedoms are stripped away.
Hey, Can Opener. You need to find another weatherman. I don’t like this one’s reports.
The Rain is here again. Time to get creative.
Once again it’s raining constantly. As if that wasn’t enough, its also freezing cold. There goes my hunting plans. I’m convinced that the rats and mice in the neighborhood have orchestrated this debacle just to torment me, only I can’t figure out quite how they managed it.
But boy, when I do figure it out- they’re going to pay!
Meanwhile, I have to find less appetizing ways to entertain myself until the rain stops and the sun comes out again. I can only play so many tricks on Sushi- (she’s got no sense of humor)- and the Can Opener only plays with me for a few minutes at a time before she darts off to do something else, so I’m connecting with some of the neighborhood cats to get some fresh ideas.
Hey- This idea promises to be fun!
Maybe I’ll just start hunting for Bigfoot-
Well, What do you know! I found him!
Well, that was short-lived. Now what am I going to do?
It isn’t my fault like Twilight says. (I heard that little brat)! I’ve been doing my part to make sure our Can Opener remembers to type for us. I mean, if planting myself on her lap within 60 seconds of her sitting down – (and informing her I’m not moving) – doesn’t tell her to sit down and blog, then I don’t know what does. I mean, what else does she have to do if she’s planted for a couple of hours while I get my beauty sleep?
But do you know what she says? “I can’t do that with you on my lap, Sushi- My computer’s on the desk!” EXCUSES!
I see no reason why she can’t hang the laptop from the ceiling or something (without it resting on my belly while I’m asleep on her lap)- she’s always up for a challenge, but for some reason she insists on yanking me off her lap and plopping me on the couch like her bathrobe or something when we want her to type for us. I think she’s just being stubborn.
But, she has been working a lot lately – and her sister’s health problems keep coming back- (all the more reason to sit down and snuggle me when she gets home)- so maybe I’ll cut her a little slack- as long as I get my snuggle time.
Meanwhile, she has been taking time to play with me more often. I just wish she didn’t always schedule my playtime during my naps when I want to be sleeping!
Well, that was fun- now I’m ready for a nap. That stretching is hard work!
The Can Opener started this earlier today- but then she went to work, and after that, Sushi got her sidetracked- Thanks, Mount Sushi.
It’s been a while- (it’s Sushi’s fault).
We’ve been busy keeping the rodent population down- (well, I have… Sushi only works on keeping those pesky blankets down). The Can Opener has a lot going on, and we’ve been telling her to get on the ball and post for us- but she’s as stubborn as ever and we can’t always get her to listen to her overlords (us) as well as she should. We are discussing disciplinary options now, but really, what can we do?
We threaten to with-hold treats from her, but she’s the one who buys everything so that doesn’t always work out. The closest we can come to with-holding her treats, is to stick our paws in her ice cream before she can dive in. But that lady is faster than lightening when it comes to ice cream.
Still, we’re working on getting this lady under control- but for now, she’s falling asleep and we haven’t had our nightly grooming and snuggles yet- so we’re going to make her give us attention now, and we’ll let her have her computer back in the morning. (Maybe)…
The idea of National Spread Joy day, is to relieve us of the negativity, anger and hate that we are always being bombarded with through newsfeeds, politics, and social media. Have you noticed that lately people seem to have forgotten how to laugh? That’s because when all we hear are negative and hateful things, and bad reports it soon becomes all we can see. It divides us- and makes us draw back without even realizing (sometimes) that we are.
It also makes us more prone to depression and anxiety.
We can’t undo every negative thing in the world, but each one of us can do something today (or actually, any day we choose)- to help turn back the tide and bring joy and comfort to someone. All it takes is one (even tiny) candle to light up the darkness- so how could you celebrate National Spread Joy day?
Share helpful or uplifitng articles on your social media, smile and greet your neighbors, buy someone a coffee, ask someone how they’re doing or offer a helping hand where you see an opportunity, and above all, show honor where it is due, and be thankful.
You will make a difference in someone else’s day- but also in your own!
Mom- can you let that second cup of coffee wait? I just got all comfy and your knee makes a great pillow…
Just Thinking…
I’m sitting on my couch with the best cat in the world cuddled up warm and cozy with her head on my knee as I write this. And I can’t help but consider for a moment how life would be today if we had to stumble through every trial with no comfort or encouragement whatsoever.
With no friends, no warm hug when we’re feeling down, no smiles from passersby- no squirrels playing in the trees, or baby ducks in streams, no children playing outside- no one to care if we’re struggling, or in pain- or even dying. Life has always had it’s trials- but none more than the year 2020- 2022.
This year began for me with the loss of my husband of 40 years to a sudden stage 4 cancer diagnosis. I’m still struggling with the reality of it. A couple of nights ago I had a dream that I’m still trying to get out of my head- the first of it’s kind up until now.
In the dream, I was sitting on the carpet in the living room with two of our grand-daughters having a “tea party” with oreos, and goldfish crackers and playing a game. Then, my husband walked in the front door (looking normal and as he did before)- and looked down at me with his left hand on his right shoulder as if it was bothering him.
He said with a pleasant smile, “I know you’re busy, but…” And before he could finish the sentence, his face changed in front of me- to the way it looked seconds after he died. Ashen, with lifeless eyes. I remember the shock, and in the dream, I said- “but you’re dead!”
I woke up wondering why I had such a dream, and I still struggle to forget it.
As I remember this now, Sushi is snuggled sweetly next to me, purring and it’s so comforting. I’m thankful that I have her and Twilight to brighten my days, and the love of my family and friends. Thankful that I woke up this morning with my mental and physical abilities intact and that God has beautifully sustained me and provided for my needs. He has kept me from losing heart and falling into despair and lonlieness.
I’m aware that so many are also struggling with loss (still) or maybe will soon. And if not the loss of a loved one, or a beloved pet, just the constant anxiety of isolation, or fear for our future is more than most can bear.
I try when I post to make it lighthearted because our world is engulfed in sorrows and anger (insanity!) – and some are doing their best to pit us all against each other- and against our Savior. But I’m tired of ignoring the ‘elephant in the room.’
I have to let you all know -(whether you recieve it or not- which is of course, your choice)- that the same God and Savior who created our pets that bring us comfort, joy and laughter- and who sends rain on the just and the unjust, provides us sunshine every morning, and rest at night- is still alive and well and reaching out to all who are hurting, grieving, and afraid. He is not the one causing all this misery. He gave mankind authority over the world- and what we are seeing is not the work of God- but of evil people who think they are God.
Take heart people of God- Know that He holds you in His hand and no-one can snatch you out of His hand. Guard your hearts. Forgive those who hurt you so that You Heavenly Father can forgive you. If you feel like the hurt is so deep, you can’t forgive- ASK the Holy Spirit to empower you, and believe me, He will. He delights in those who love Him. And He will see you safely through. Hold fast your confession of faith. He is Faithful!
And to all who follow this blog- Thank you for not giving up in my absences. I love every one of you – believers, or not. And I pray for you all to prosper in the middle of it all. If you have a prayer request, Please let me know in the comment section.
How to Train your Humans 