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?
I’m done with being on a diet and I’m striking back.
I’m ready to fight for my favorite “fat” foods-
The Can Opener switched me to a more expensive cat food that will help me lose weight. I have to tell you -(but don’t tell her, because she can’t know I LOVE THE STUFF)- I thought I was going to die when the order came in and she unsealed the box—- and I smelled the aroma of venison from the pretty green bag inside- all of a sudden I HAD to have some of the stuff immediately! I ran to the bag as soon as she pulled it out and started meowing LOUDLY to her to hurry up and open it!
Oh. My. Fleas! It is SO GOOOOOOOOOOOD!
BUT- I was all excited until I heard her say it has 1/2 the carbs of the other food, and it will help me lose weight! Now, no matter how much she paid for that heavenly stuff, I HAVE to act like I hate it!! So- I try to play it cool when she pours it in my dish- then the very second she leaves the room, I pounce on it!
And I know of other kitties like me who are also fed up with diets—- and they are ready to take back their favorite ‘fat’ foods too!
We’re on the prowl for Cheetos- popcorn, peanut butter, butter, potato chips, goldfish crackers, and PIZZA!
Keep trying, humans- but one way or another, we’ll get what we want! 😹
I knew there had to be a good reason for adopting humans!
Feb. 5-11 is “Pay Your Bills Week”
While I was ordering my treats a little while ago I discovered that today marks the start of something called “Pay your bills week”– I guess the whole reason they made this a National holiday is to make people remember to pay for everything. So how is this a holiday? “Pizza day” is a holiday! “Spoil your cat” is a holiday- I thought holidays were things people looked forward to?
This just makes me glad we adopted the Can Opener.
Sometimes it’s hard to get along with humans with their loud critters, their weird diets- (not a bug or mouse in the house), their strange habits of getting wet on purpose every day, their love affair with vacuum cleaners, and loud tvs and noisy cars- but the fact is, they pay our bills!
They buy our food and treats- (okay, so maybe sometimes they don’t know they are if they walk away from the computer, but still)…. they pay our rent, they pay our vet bills, and buy our toys- and on top of that they think we’re adorable.
So I guess they’re worth the headaches after all, because really, could you see me working? Neither can I!
Glad that’s settled- now, how about those treats, human?
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.
Twilight was going to post this morning, so I got the computer turned on for her- but instead, she saw her favorite spot next to the laptop and decided to take it back from Sushi. Now she’s snoozing- so I’ll take it from here, and let her nap since she was out all night being a wild child.
I’ve been up since 5:00 this morning, and I don’t have the little Critters today- but I stayed up anyway because I have had a difficult time lately finding a chance to just be still for a bit and take some much needed time in prayer and God’s Word.
I have sensed Him reaching out to me over these last couple of weeks more and more. But life -(and responsibilities)- have a way of draining us of our energy- and (as you have no doubt noticed)- any form of creativity.
I haven’t said anything about things that have been happening- but my sister- (who happens to also be my neighbor)- kept having attacks that looked and felt like a massive heart attack was building up. So I have spent the last two weeks trying as much as possible to make myself available to her, staying with her when they happened, taking her vitals, calming her down, and caring for her.
At first she wouldn’t let me call 9-1-1 because she was sure the pain and shortness of breath was coming from a pulled muscle in the back of her neck.
I didn’t agree. I can’t say much about the details, but her symptoms were bad enough that I was afraid of what I may find when I went to check on her in the couple of days that followed.
The attacks happened suddenly and when she was relaxed. Complete with pain in her arm, etc. She would call in the middle of the night and say “It’s happening again”- And I’d rush over in my pajamas and do everything in my power to calm and reassure her while urging her to get checked.
After about 2 days she finally agreed (after it happened two days in a row)- to go to Urgent Care. She went to urgent care, and they sent her to ER.
That led to an 8 hour languishing in the waiting room of the hospital, where she sat in pain, one of a countless multitude of other people waiting for care- and some even laying in the floor sick in the ER. The doctors and nurses did the best they could- but they didn’t have enough staff. She was supposed to be there for an ekg (which after being done twice, was said to be normal)- and for two blood tests which had to be taken an hour apart.
They did the first blood test, and said they’d be back in an hour to do the second one. All this time, she was still in the waiting room. Three hours later they came back for the other blood test.
Several times she and her daughter told them she was in pain (from sitting so long)- and she needed to go home but they wouldn’t let her leave. Finally at 11 pm she said, “I’m going. I can’t do this anymore.”
She went back home, exhausted and in (more) pain- though she wasn’t having pain in her chest or shortness of breath anymore)- and the next day it happened again. She started her morning feeling finally rested (when she woke up around noon)- and within 45 minutes it happened again. Again she called me, and the hospital had not told her the results of her blood tests, but they had said it looked like she might have heart damage.
I prayed with her after doing everything I could to make her comfortable and help her calm down. The incident passed quickly- but 30 minutes later, It started again, and this time, I told her she couldn’t play with this and I needed to call 9-1-1. She finally agreed.
While I was still on the phone with the dispatcher, my sister suddenly said- “The pain is gone!” She was no longer clutching her chest, or holding her arm- and was completely calm. I told the dispatcher, and she had me ask if My sister still wanted them to come (they had already left).
They came (6 emts)- and checked her out and did an ekg and it was normal! They said if she wanted to go to ER, they would take her in, but they assured her that her heart was okay. And, they made a point of telling her that the “ER is not the place you want to be right now.” No kidding. She had been there for 8 hours the day before.
A couple of hours later, the ER staff from the day before called her back and said they needed her to come back to ER because they had to re-do the two blood tests. She refused. But the vascular surgeon’s office called her to set up a test for her heart. So the next morning she checked in to the hospital (not ER) for that and had a stress test, and another test that let them check her heart valves. Fortunately, that experience was completely different. She was immediately taken to a room with a tv and was given every imaginable comfort. The proceedure went smoothly and a few hours later, she went home.
Then finally, (two days later and after a visit with her regular doctor)- she was told all her heart tests were within normal range and she wasn’t having a heart attack.
However, clearly certain enzymes were elevated, and her blood pressure was high- so her doctor asked if anything had happened lately. That’s when she told him that a couple of months ago she lost her brother in a fire. Then the doctor understood what had happened.
She has not been able to get grief counseling, and the full effect of his loss is beginning to become more real to her now. She is now feeling relieved at least knowing that if the pain starts again, she’s not having a heart attack- and now I can relax and not be afraid to check on her anymore – But she is in pain of a much different kind.
It has now been 9 months since my husband passed from stage 4 cancer- and I thought I was doing okay- until the last couple of weeks. Suddenly for me, the reality of his permanent exit is beginning to dawn- when holidays come and go- and what would be his birthday is next month- and our daughter’s birthday is a week before his- so there is a shadow of death hanging over the next few months with birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas approaching.
But for my sister (and for countless others that I don’t know)- there is a much more recent wound- and though we put a smile on our face, and stay busy and “life goes on,” there is still the shadow lurking always in the back of our minds.
Hear me- Whether you know anyone who has recently lost someone or not, Please be kind and compassionate toward those around you. Life is short – and especially now in this time of upheaval and division spreading across the world with its unrest and uncertainty- it is more important than ever before to SHOW KINDNESS – to forgive- to love.
Be the person who makes the difference in your world. You have no way of knowing what the person around you may be struggling through.
You all have the power to MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR GOOD. Just decide to be willing, please. ❤️
Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.
It finally quit raining ash, and the smoke cleared up, so a couple of days ago the Can Opener finally let me go out again and lay in a sun puddle on the doorstep in the center of her flowers. It felt so good- my own purrsonal heating pad without that annoying cord.
But a few hours after my belly-obsessed Can Opener called me in, I started scratching and pulling at my belly, and she kept trying to get me to stop, but of course, I didn’t, because DUH! I’m a CAT. I do what I want.
She was busy (what else is new)- so it took her a while to actually sit down for a few minutes and look at my belly. When she saw I had pulled some fur out, she had a catniption fit and the next thing I knew, she reached inside the kitty kit -(her evil bag of tricks she keeps all my meds and brushes in)- and out came a bottle, and she picked me up and sprayed my belly 4 times with that vile thing!
Before the spray…..
Today! After 3 sprays twice a day since Saturday.
She had called the vet, who told her to put a cone on me- lucky for me she hasn’t been able to get one yet- but she’s still looking. Meanwhile, she’s been watching me like a paranoid hawk, and on the few occasions I’d start to pull at my fur again, she’d shake the treat bag- and my head (of course), immediately popped up and I forgot what I was doing!! 😹
You know, I hate to admit it, but now I don’t mind that spray- I just sit now and let her spray me. I’m not going to tell her, but it makes the irritation go away instantly!! Don’t tell her I said that, though- I kind of have a good thing going here… If I just pretend to start chewing at myself, out come the treats!! 😻
We’ve been trying for the last several days to get the Can Opener to type for us but that hasn’t worked out very well. There have been a few times she sat down and started a post for us, but then something happened and she didn’t get back to it. And sometimes she tried to get back to it but started hurting in her back and knee and couldn’t concentrate, so our draft folder is full of unfinished ideas we gave her.
We’re changing her schedule (she’s objecting)- because she just can’t seem to keep things on her previous schedule before our Backup Can Opener went to heaven. But we have the same schedule, so that means we have to retrain her! Meanwhile….
I help Mom keep Sushi groomed…
That is until she calls me “Tuna Breath!”
This morning it’s beautiful and sunny and after eating and grooming Sushi for Mom, I went outside to lay in my favorite sun puddle while the Can Opener made her coffee and started her morning routine…
Oh yes- this is my HAPPY PLACE!
Then Sushi decided she wasn’t ready for the Can Opener to do her usual brushing, so instead of settling in on Mom’s lap while she has her coffee, Sushi decided to snuggle into her soft, furry bed instead-
She was all settled in and cozy and then…
In walked “Mr.Smokey”- intent on stealing our Can Opener’s heart (and food)-
He was getting all nice and cozy…
And then he looked up and saw Sushi in her bed and growled and flew out the door and down the street!!! 😹
Maybe the Can Opener should take Sushi off her diet- he looked at her (and her “What are you doing here?” look, and decided it was time to move on! Apparently he isn’t used to being confronted by a cat twice his size! 😹
I found a purrfect spot under the lilac tree! I think I’ll stay here (until it gets too hot)…
Hot again today- But I got a spot…
Yesterday it was hot enough to melt the mailbox. I tried to go out and lay on the front doorstep in the evening like I normally do, but it was too hot. I turned right around and collapsed onto the cool floor inside, while the Can Opener reminded me, “I told you sweetie it was going to feel like an oven! Come back to the couch!”
The next thing I knew, I was being hoisted up and placed on the couch on my favorite soft blankie. She handed me my silvervine and a treat, and I could feel the air conditioning and fell asleep right away.
Today she suggested that I go out early (right after she watered the garden)- so I did, because for once, it wasn’t cold in the morning. But then, I noticed a nice grassy spot I hadn’t noticed before. Right under the lilac tree. I claimed it before Twilight could!
Oh yes. Nice and cool and shady. Soft grass and the occaisonal butterfly comes along to say hello.
But now, she says I have to come in. I’ve been out here since 9:00 this morning (loving it)- but now it’s 3 in the afternoon and things are getting hotter. Back to the couch!
The Can Opener got her coffee anyway today. We told her she wasn’t allowed to have coffee until she typed for us this morning. It was a great plan we had, actually. I was going to sit in front of the Keuring and refuse to move to let her put her mug there. And Sushi was going to block the path to it, because she wasn’t able to jump up on the beverage station and block it, so we figured, “Hey- She’s never climed a mountain before, so you block the path, Sushi….”
It was actually a great plan. But Sushi didn’t get close enough to the beverage station, so Mom walked around her. And I forgot one minor detail that prevented my successfully stopping her.
She can pick me up. That figures. So she got her coffee, then got to work, without even having time for her morning devotional or workout. There goes my playtime.
Our Can Opener has had a lot to deal with this week. I told her to play with me and then call her grief counselor.
Inflation, hackers, pain and first Father’s Day, and 4th of July without the hubby.
Life has its trials, and since the first of this New Year, our Can Opener has had the same ones everyone else has- but has seen God move on her behalf every time. She’s learning that trials don’t have to mean defeat. Pain doesn’t have to equal quitting, and recurring holidays and special occasions without a spouse that has passed doesn’t have to mean lonliness, emptiness and depression.
She has learned to hold fast to her strength by the power of the Holy Spirit- who tells her to worship, not worry. To pray, not dwell on all the evil that is going on- and to give thanks for what she has, and what she can do, instead of complaining about what she doesn’t have or can’t do.
Oddly enough, even in the midst of it all, she is doing better now than she has in previous years. And, somehow has joy and unexpalinable peace in the middle of it all-
I hear her say that God has given us an open invitation to cast all our burdens, anxieties and fears on Him- (I Peter 5:7) – and when people don’t do that, they get overcome with anxiety, depression, fears and insecurities (who wouldn’t with the way things are right now)?
But she has learned that when she dares to just bring it all to Jesus and LEAVE IT THERE in His hands, things have a way of working out while she sings praise.
She says there really is power in prayer and singing praise. But only those who actually try it will discover it and experience the peace of God which surpasses understanding.
But- she also says God created cats for a reason too- Sushi and I keep her smiling, and load her up with cuddles when she’s in pain- since Sushi and I can’t visit you guys and help with whatever stress you’re going through- we’re sending some of our pals to brighten your day a little!
How to Train your Humans 