RIP Jim

 Today we had the Celebration of Life for one of my fav people at church.  He and my dad used to spar back and forth about the Bible and other things.  Dad taught the Sunday School class and Jim would always have to disagree with dad. I sometimes think he did it just to get the discussion going.  Jim was one person my dad always remembered after the dementia set in.  

Because they lived a ways from church whenever his wife had to come to church for something, he would drive her, bring a book or Ipad and find a quiet place to either read or listen to some political thing on his Ipad.  If I was there I always stopped by to chat for a few minutes that would turn into an hour or more.  It was as if a bit of my dad was still here.  

Jim was quite the character, you never knew what he was going to say or do.  He will leave a large hole at church and in our hearts.  Losing Jim was a bit like losing my dad all over again.  I know those two are up there talking about things and disagreeing just because they could.  

You two behave and I will see you again one day.  

I Remember Them All

 

I remember all of these songs.  When I was in Junior High we used to go to the skating rink and skate to Crimson and Clover.  

They do not make music like they used to.  I was listening to the radio in my car the other day and when I was young you could tell the band in a few notes, the tone, the instruments, etc.  Today's music you can have.  Not for me.

Library Winter Reading Challenge

 Every Winter for I have no idea how many years the library has a reading challenge.  The month of January and February and part of March we have to read 5 books.  If you log at least 5 books you get a coffee mug.  I do not pick mine up as I do not need another one and the logo/picture washes off even with hand washing.  They always seem to run out so someone can have mine.  They do have a theme which I try to read even though it may not be my thing.  This year is Works of Art.  As a crafter I do believe what we make is a work of art.  So I went to my book stash and found 5 books I feel are all about creating Works of Art.

We start Jan 2 for 73 days.  I have mapped out that I need to read 16 pages/day to meet the deadline. I know I am anal about some things. 

Happy 8 months

 The boys are 8 months old today, they have grown so much in the short time they have been in.  Chunky is my shadow and a snuggler.  Grayson has to have his head rubbed but nothing else, I can not kiss him on the forehead or pick him up, he is so skittish but they all sleep on the bed at night so we are making very slow progress with him.  He is going to be a big tom.  Chunky and BigBoy are beginning to play together.  Everyone is slowly getting used to each other.  They have so much energy, sure wish I could bottle that up to use in the future.  I know they won't be kittens much longer so I enjoy watching them grow as much as I can.  I am so glad I got Lila and the boys inside.

RIP Wyatt

 Wyatt was one of my "shared pets" who lived next door.  I took care of them when the family was gone.  He was so sweet.  When I would let him and Jake out he did his business and then had to sniff every blade of grass in the back yard.  He was a digger too so had to make sure he did not get out of the fence.  He had lost a lot of weight, and started having seizures so it was time for him to go play with Jake.

We will miss you sweet boy.

Happy Thanksgiving

 I am so thankful for so many things.  Mostly to live in this country where we are still pretty free.  I know God has blessed me more than I deserve and I am very thankful for that.

This has been quite the year with the cats.  I had come to a point in my life where some of the things I was involved just were not working for me. I had to force myself to go.  I feel like Lila and the kittens rescued me and helped me make some difficult decisions.  I spent so much time with them making sure they were fed and safe that I basically put my life on hold.  

After I brought Lila and Chunky Monkey and Grayson in the house and was working on Charcoal I decided I had spent 6 months without some of those things in my life and did not miss them at all, so I deleted them.  I am pretty sure God brought me her to care for and help me make some decisions.

One wonderful thing this year as well was my niece and family coming for a visit for a week.  I miss them so much.  

I miss my dad, he had to have his pecan pie and would pull the Christmas tree out this evening and all the decorations because after breakfast on Black Friday we would decorate the tree.  Mom and I made decorated sugar cookies.  When dad was working we would spend the weekend making a box full of cookies for him to take to work to share with his co-workers.  

Dad would direct us where to put all the decorations and that awful tinsel. One time I just threw a handful on and I had to take them off and put them on one by one.  I hated that stuff.  I finally convinced dad that it was not good to have it around his cat.  

I hope you all have a wonderful day. 

7 Months

 The boys are 7 months old today.  Does not seem like they should be that old but they are.  I still would like to know who Grayson's dad is with his beautiful markings.  I am pretty sure Chunky's dad is Gizmo the long haired all black cat with a limp. I have not seen him since I brought the kits in, so he must have found a new place to hang out at.  

They are a delight and so full of energy.  Chunky has become my shadow, we often sit on the couch and watch TV together, he all stretched out on my lap.  Grayson is very skittish still, can not pick him up.  But he is sleeping on the bed with the rest of us now and he often comes in the living room and naps in the window corner, so we are getting there.  He plays a lot on the stairs and comes in the kitchen for meals.  Some kits just take longer than others.

Yesterday was 5 Years

 Yesterday was the 5th year my dad went home.  He was ready, the dementia was getting worse and thoughts of putting him in memory care by himself just did not work for me.  I miss you dad, take care of my kitties and see you someday.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

 Happy Halloween, it would have been my parents 70th anniversary.  

And not only is it Halloween, but the Dodgers won the World Series, sorry dad your team lost.  

 

 

 

National Cat Day

 I am on feral #12 now with Grayson in the house.  All my cats have been ferals.  It just takes time for them to trust you so you can bring them in.

I have one feral Licorice who may never come in but that is ok, he gets food and shelter and knows I love him.

RIP Charcoal

 Today is the 4th day I had not seen Charcoal.  Of course I feared the worst and unfortunately my fear came true.  I got a message from a neighbor that a small black cat was by the pool.  I went and looked and sure enough, she had been there a day or two.  I have no idea what happened.  So I came home and asked a neighbor to help me and she is buried in one of my flower beds under the deck.  

I am sad for her loss and the fact that she never would get close to me and let me pet her.  I wanted to eventually bring her in as well.  But that was not to be. I hope she did not suffer too much.  

Like my dad said in my dream I can't save them all.  So out of 5 kittens I have the 2 boys and Lila.  

RIP my sweet girl, I loved you even though you kept your distance.

1/2 Birthday

 The kittens are 6 months old today, already.  It has been fun watching them grow and change.  The boys are tight, one does not make a move without the other and they are very whiny.  If they are out and do not see me they freak out.  I know it will get better but their life has been one change after another.  The other day they got out of their room before I could catch them.  They immediately ran to Lila like mommy there you are and she was like oh no, she hissed and smacked at them.  They both stopped and looked at me like what was that about?  So they recognize her but she does not recognize them?  Or is she just done with them, but no reason to be rude.  

BigBoy is not sure about any of this. His world has been turned upside down and he looks at me like ok time for them to go. I keep reminding him he invaded his sisters space when he came in and he needed to deal with the fact that they are staying and not going anywhere.  

Chunky is my shadow, he needs to be held and loved and when I walk he is in between my feet, hard not to trip or step on him, but....

Charcoal comes up in the morning for breakfast and is getting that whiny mew that the boys have.  She is getting a bit closer. I feel bad cos she is outside by herself.  The other day I had the front door open and the boys were out of their room and she was on the porch and they were all 3 at the door mewing at each other.  It will be 2 weeks this weekend they have been in and I have to wonder if they will forget who she is.  

It has been 20 years since I have had kittens and how much work they are.  Also the boys are quarantined until they get all their shots.  

Chunky Monkey, Charcoal and Lila Grey

Grayson

The Boys Are In The House

 I got Chunky Monkey in last night and tonight I got Grayson.  They have their own room because I need to get them their FLV shots which is a 3 week process with 2 doses.  They are both fixed and have their rabies shot.  Then the introductions can begin.

Lila gets her 2nd dose Wednesday and can be introduced to BigBoy.  Not sure how he is going to react to 3 new cats in the house because it has been almost 3 years since he had sisters.  I told him he needed to remember he was a feral that invaded his sisters space but I doubt he remembers that.  

I need to figure all this out and make sure they do not get out and they all get along.  

Charcoal will be by herself outside now and she really does not do people at all.  Her dad is there too so maybe he can hang out with her and she won't be lonely.  I am not giving up on her just some ferals never will be tamed.  I have had some ferals for over 10 years that would never let me touch them but they came for food and shelter and they knew I loved them.  We have to remember we live in the feral world and have to abide by their wishes.