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“R”ental car rousting
Highlighting a popular post from 2012, during the 2019 A to Z Challenge. The problem with rental cars is ...
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#AtoZChallenge: X-cellent, furry alarm clock
Throwback Thursday post from 2016: The alarm clock feature on the iPhone is quite dependable. Unless you are a consistent “snoozer” like I am. I like to wake up and hit the snooze button a few more times before doing my leg exercises and getting out of bed. My orange, 12-year-old Manx cat, Oliver, (aka Ollie), has other ideas. He enjoys snuggling in bed in the mornings but once the alarm goes off, he’s ready for breakfast. At first, he patiently waits for me to wake up and turn the alarm off (or “snooze it,” as I usually do). He quickly learns that if I go back to sleep, that…
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Living with cats: Is your cat on Instagram?
Tikey is one handsome cat! Who could he be connecting with on Instagram? Skype? I read this article, “Is Your Cat on Instagram,” and for a minute I thought, “I hope not!” If he or she is, I’m not aware of what they are posting. Then, this idea took me to Twitter, Facebook and of all things, Skyping. After all, my laptop does have a camera and mic. It would be quite easy for my cats to participate in any of these social media outlets. And, I would never know! How do I ensure that my cats and dogs are safe on the Internet? That they are not being phished…
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“X” chromosome
Is it a coincidence that the “X” chromosome looks like a Cheetos cheese puff? I think not! It’s official. I’ve entered perimenopause. And I must say, I’m disappointed to find out that it’s very much like puberty. I’ve always known that hormones were involved. But, do they have to wreak havoc on your life and all of those around you — again? I guess the only thing lacking is peer pressure, although having a zit on your chin at the age of 49 doesn’t make you the most attractive person to be around. Thank goodness for the Hallmark Channel. It’s much more acceptable to go through a box of tissue…
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“S”napper: mow, mow, it’s off to work we go!
When we moved to Indiana, my father-in-law kindly donated his “seasoned” Snapper riding mower to our almost-one-acre of land. (The fact that he wanted a new, zero-turn radius mower sweetened the deal). Husband Joe was up to the task of tackling the brambles, branches and bushes as well as neatly mowing and trimming the grass. The first mow of the season took two and a half days – not solid mowing time of course and only during daylight hours. Adjustments needed to be made to the seat, spark plugs, carburetor and blade. And, it quickly came to our attention that mowers need oil. Who knew? Joe’s dad knew. However, Joe…
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Maine or Rac-coon? – Blogging from A to Z
Shortly after moving to Terre Haute in 2005, we lost one of our two cats to bladder cancer. Two months later, a Maine Coon kitten showed up at my friends’ backdoor with a terrible respiratory infection and she took it to the vet for treatment. My husband Joe and I adopted it as a playmate for our remaining orange Manx cat, Oliver. Lil’ Tyke, as he became known, came to live with us in October. Tyke darted out of the house one Saturday evening in May 2006 while I was out of town and Joe didn’t notice his absence until the following morning. When I returned home, we looked in…
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Blogging from A to Z: Imagination
Imagine that … Imagination to me is the 8th wonder of the world. Think about it! It can’t be bought or sold. It can come and go without warning. And, it has such amazing power. It’s limitless, unless you’re trying to muster it. It can be maddening if you need it and can’t find it. A great imagination story came to me this morning via my husband, Joe. He listens to talks over the Internet and this morning he was listening to a TED talk by Frank Warren who started www.postsecret.com. Warren bought and self-addressed 1,000 postcards and then gave them out randomly to people in Washington, D.C. He asked…
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Girl Scouts are masterful marketers
I’ve gained three pounds since this year’s Girl Scout Cookie sales began. It’s probably not fair to blame my debauchery on sweet little girls whose only goal is to sell mouth-watering cookies to help fund troop activities, earn badges and defray costs. Forget dirty bombs and germ warfare. Our overseas enemies could learn a trick or two from the Little Brownie® Bakers. There is something so seductive about a Samoa cookie wrapped in a warm caramel blanket, hugged by chocolate and toasted coconut. My husband and I are convinced that there must be an addictive ingredient in the Thin Mints which intensifies if you freeze them before devouring. I first…
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All creatures, great and small
I’m a big fan of God’s creatures. The only things that make me uncomfortable are large, jumping spiders or roach gangs (you know they never travel alone). That said, when I woke up in the middle of the night to let my dog outside, and happened to wander into the living room to find our three cats strategically hunkered down around the swivel chair, I became apprehensive. Tails were swishing in wide strokes (except for Ollie, the Manx cat sans tail) indicating the hunt was on. With only my outdated eyeglasses and lack of courage to guide me, I returned to bed. One of three things would happen: 1) Whatever…
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Lessons I have learned from Raja, the Kroger kitten
Enjoy life to the fullest. Race around joyfully at unexpected times and play with imaginary (or real) airborne objects. People will wonder what you’ve been up to. Eat, play, nap and repeat. Include others whenever possible (except when visiting the litterbox). Sunny spots on the floor are warm as are the places recently vacated by others. Pay attention to the small things in life. This includes spots on the wall, people’s toes, hair, eyeglasses and strings hanging down from just about anything. Pens, pencils, drinking straws, mascara tubes, jewelry, etc., make wonderful hockey pucks and increase one’s dexterity. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. After each meal, it’s best to wash…
