Me, Myself and Memories

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  Noreen 7:01 am on April 18, 2015 Permalink  

  Fair Warning As To Who Is In charge 

  This morning the sun was bright and the air was clear.  This was the day that Butter Ball would be grabbed and snatched and put into the borrowed pet carrier for a visit to the vet.  Starting this last Monday we had begun the begging and pleading.  It started out as a “go.”  Butter Ball came and sat on my lap, purring, and I put my arms around his body and held him firmly with his legs under my arms and we made it to the carrier.  Faster than a wind up toy his hind feet began moving with claws out.  If he was moving so fast, how did I know that his claws were out?  One set of Butter Ball’s hind claws used the palm of my left land as a launching pad.

  The carrier was immediately put into the car to be returned to the vet clinic . . . empty.  The garage emptied out of cats as if their lives had been on the line instead of caring humans wanting to make their lives better.

  I think in utter disappointment I busied myself taking some plants out of the porch and gave them a good washing with the garden hose to get the winter’s dust off.  Dennis got the vacuum going and before long shelves were being cleaned, extra items that had found their way into the porch over winter headed for the recycling bin.  Furniture was moved for a totally vacuumed floor.  One thing lead to another and by noon we had a fairly cleaned and organized porch.  A clean porch is like a clean car.  The clean car drives more efficiently and the clean porch beckons one to stay longer.

  

  Butter Ball thinking he is totally untouchable in his favorite spot. Funny thing . . . he is.

  The entire time of all this activity Butter Ball chose his favorite hiding spot.  The base of some of the lilacs is filled with dry leaves and it allows the occupant to keep a vigil for any on-coming threat.  The visit would have been good for Butter Ball to make a diagnosis of his skin rash.  All that I had left in my arsenal was a photo I had taken last week when the timing was just right of the area that was the most irritated.  I  headed to the vet clinic with my camera and they assured me it was not mange.  I came home with a spray for topical skin infections.  Tomorrow morning when the cats are their most friendly, I will do what I can.  What is upsetting is . . . Butter Ball 5, Grammie 0.  Good grief, I am 71 and cats are in charge.

   
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  Noreen 4:13 am on April 17, 2015 Permalink  

  Fleeting Thoughts: 

  In life there are so many “oh, ohs” and “oops,” that we stumble trying to fix or undo the less than desirable memories.

  George Bernard Shaw has wisdom on that thought.  “We are not made wise by the recollections of our past, but by the responsibility for our future.”

  In life we need to save the best and leave the rest with situations that are  gone.  Time is so precious and we need to stay open to take each new day in.

   
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  Noreen 5:02 am on April 16, 2015 Permalink  

  Today was a fairly tranquil day on Stauffer. No . . . we have not managed to get Butter Ball into the carrier for the vet as yet. One failed attempt and he is so weary. I just believe tomorrow, it’s not going to be a kissy face, huggy bear attempt. It is going to be leather gloves on and a grab and snatch is going to happen. After all, who are the adults here? Alright you cat owners, quit laughing.

  In the meantime, I am busy capturing stray popcorn kernels from yesterday’s mishap.

   
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  Noreen 3:17 am on April 15, 2015 Permalink  

  A Typical Day on Stauffer? 

  • Up at 6:30 a.m. – handyman carpenter coming to put weather stripping on front door.

  • Small home means the west porch needs to be cleared of some furniture so carpenter can work.

  • There is an option of an extra door stored in attic for the front door, if needed – the attic steps are used as my pantry and need to be cleared.

  • Dressed and enjoyed oatmeal before 8:00 a.m.

  • Coffee and cookies put out in the porch for a confab with carpenter when he arrives.

  • Start a load of laundry.

  • Open a piece of gum to offset coffee breath.

  • Seeing stars as I realize what just hit the floor is actually the crown that was on my center tooth on the bottom.  Having to accept a dentist date two weeks forward as the original tooth will need to be extracted with an additional tooth added to my bottom partial.  Ma Kettle, whistling while she talks, on board for several weeks.

  • Carpenter reports the original door is so warped weather stripping will not be sufficient for a good seal.

  • Dennis and carpenter up in the attic to check out the solid door that has been stored.  Thank God I had cleaned the steps off and neither one put a foot through a bag of oatmeal or got bonked in the head by the kettles I had stored on the walls of the stairwell.

  • Stored door is exact opposite in setup and has worked with skeleton key; would need a lot of revision.  We fear a lot of wood putty would be used and it would not represent a good front door.

  • I shed a quiet tear knowing the lumberyard fellows are anticipating getting some Stauffer Avenue funds.

  • New solid wood door is ordered and will arrive in three weeks, complete with correct sawed length with poly finish.  Purchase and labor estimate at $500.00.

  • Carpenter will come back when door arrives to do the hinges and key hole.

  • All pantry items need to come out of storage under my computer desk and return to the attic steps.

  • The neighbor gal may one day get tired of me running over for help opening jars. The answer for me is to never twist them tight.

  • I thought I had a firm hold on the popcorn jar . . . not.  Popcorn flew across the laminate flooring as if it were smooth ice.  I could not believe how many kernels one jar can hold.

  • Popcorn left on floor as I took a cup of coffee to the porch.

  • Working hard to get Butter Ball to make friends with the pet carrier as he needs to go to the vet sometime soon.  After a lot of coaxing and begging, that was given up for the day.  Butter on the lip of the carrier may be tried.

  • Dennis needed to make a trip to Mankato and I would be riding shotgun.

  • Dennis sat on the bench outside as I corralled popcorn from the living room.  I am sure some will be found in days and months to come from hiding spots.

  • Trip to Mankato was successful and I found my head bobbing on the way home.  Oh, those sweet instant naps.

  • Laundry needs to go into the dryer for the finish on a day well done.

  Anticipating sleeping in tomorrow morning.

   
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  Noreen 5:41 am on April 14, 2015 Permalink  

  A week ago we were out and raked leaves out from under the lilacs in the hope the hosta would stand a better chance of breaking through the dirt. With the winds that we have had the last four days, that area looks as if the dirt was cleaned with a paint brush.

  Today Dennis got both push lawnmowers ready for action . . . meaning me, providing the push. It has been windy, warm and sunny and that pushing is going to be here before we know it. Dennis’ rider was used during the raking and mulching of the leaves, so that will only need a check over for oil and the correct amount of air in the tires.

  Spring has sprung on Stauffer. Priceless.

   
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  Noreen 5:36 am on April 13, 2015 Permalink  

  A Late Easter Gathering 

  

  Today we enjoyed the day with Carrie and family in Eden Prairie. It was the first time for us to meet the newest addition to the family, Piper. Piper has a lot of energy, but if she can sit and shake hands, I know the rest of the commands will fall into place. Megan and Nicholas are handling the chores connected to Piper with good attitudes.

   

   
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  Noreen 4:17 am on April 12, 2015 Permalink  

  Today was a road trip day for me to attend a Wendlandt cousin’s daughter’s shower in Glencoe, Minnesota, which is about 80 miles to the northeast. I so depend on Map Quest to find my way right to the front door of addresses I have never been to before. I had a great time visiting with cousins and aunts I don’t see very often. Good visiting, good food, lots of sunshine, but I came home totally weary from herding my car in the high winds. I drive a tanker of a Lincoln Town Car and could feel the resistance and the tugging. I can’t imagine driving a lightweight, small model car. Watching the 18 wheelers from behind, most had quite a time as well.

  It is “rest up” time, as tomorrow we are heading to Eden Prairie in the metro for a postponed Easter. The original planned day was taken over by the flu with Megan and may have played a bit with Nicholas. Dennis commented it has been difficult to stay out of the goodies in the Easter baskets he has prepared for the kids. Gotta love a strong man.

   
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  Noreen 3:51 am on April 11, 2015 Permalink  

  Hmm It's not the smartest thing to leave… 

  Hmm . . . It’s not the smartest thing to leave the car window open when there are four-footed creatures that know no bounds. It was a good thing the sun was out as I backed the car out onto the driveway for a good cleaning and vacuuming. It’s not like there aren’t untold number of places for them to curl up. The instant I realized the car window was open, I went into the car garage to find a tool and there through the back window of the car was snuggles looking back at me. Darn kids.

   
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  Noreen 5:14 am on April 10, 2015 Permalink  

  The wonderful, needed rain is here. Hour by hour you can see the difference in the color of the grass. The tips of the lilac branches are getting fat, ready to push out a new leaf. It has been keeping Dennis busy scooping the Maple tips out of the Koi pond. The rain is keeping Butter Ball and Snuggles in the porch for a day of napping. I can attest to the napping . . . I caught one myself after we had been out to the Super 8 for a bit of a workout.

   
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  Noreen 3:59 am on April 9, 2015 Permalink  

  We Need to Step It Up 

  Years ago after Carrie’s cat Rocky, after enjoying a long happy life, went to his final resting spot, Dennis and I agreed no more cats in the house.  We have held true to that.  It took many spring and fall housecleaning seasons before the soft gray tuffs were no longer found from the attic to the basement corners.

  That is not to say that when a stray mama cat left one of her kitties on our patio five years ago, we were not above letting Honey Bunny take up digs in the garage porch.  Honey Bunny has all her claws and comes and goes as she wishes.  There have been times when she has decided to stay out in the wild for several days on end.  During the coldest winter days, Honey Bunny has made a trail in the snow to the far back yard to one of the old barns.  We pretty much have made peace if there is a time when she won’t return.  Honey Bunny lives her life by her own spirit, but can’t resist getting a good brushing.  She will lay down and all four paws up to get the brushing of her life.

  Last year, again, a mother cat left one of her kittens on the patio.  It didn’t take Butter Ball long to decide he liked food, water and a roof over his head.  Butter Ball will jump up on the lap, but doesn’t really care to be picked up.  He also can come and go as he pleases, but has stayed close to the porch and gardens.  He is getting to be a really big cat, as evident of this afternoon.  We were going to take him into the vet clinic for a  checkup and we missed the one chance to get him into the carrier.  Time will tell if we get that job done this week.

  All was well on Stauffer with Dennis, me, Honey Bunny and Butter Ball . . . until . . . along came Snuggles. By the grace of God Snuggles would have froze to death in the cardboard box someone left by our garbage can in February.  The vet figured he was four months old at the time, and talk about a kitten having energy. Even when we returned home with him from the vet clinic, after making sure he would not be fostering any babies, we were advised to keep him quiet.  Not Snuggles.  Dennis says he can run around and hop like a little billy goat getting into everything that is not nailed down.  Snuggles has no fear, but loves to crawl into Dennis’ jacket for a snooze.  When the treats are put down once a day, Butter Ball is nudged to the side as Snuggles bulldozes his way to get as many as he can.  Snuggles goes full boar, but when he decides it’s nap time, he’ll flop in the nearest spot.

  We have one problem and Dennis and I need to step it up.  There is no way either Dennis or I can get into the house fast enough to beat Snuggles into the house.  Grant it, me with arms that have less than great range of motion, needing more time than Dennis to get the tightly sprung door open enough to get in. Snuggles can be on the back patio and when he notices we are on the move . . . he is moving faster.  This morning Dennis was checking out the far corners of the basement seeking and searching for the little fellow that thinks he is going to stake a claim previously held by Rocky.  For the longest time when I looked out, Snuggles was laying right by the back door ready for the next chance.  He has already had an extended stay in the house as I didn’t realize he had gotten in when I went out.  Talk about a surprise when Dennis came into the house and Snuggles was ready to greet him.

  Life on Stauffer is good and very, very entertaining.