it's not always the cat

Yesterday I was supposed to go into the City for an art show. It was muggy. It was pouring and windy. And I had a sinus headache that was knocking me out. I had invited my 10 year old niece to go with me and we were to have dinner in Times Square and cab it down to Chelsea for the opening.

I called her at 1 pm and asked her if she would be too disappointed if we did not go.

Jenna, the sweetheart that she is, said she was fine and we decided that if I felt better we would go to Applebees in Danbury. This way I could lay down when I got home and we would not get soaked, making the headache that much worse.

I picked up Jenna at 4:45, we had a quiet dinner and due to the early hour the place was almost empty. Jenna had dessert and our waitress brought the bill.  With the NYC trip planned, I changed purses early in the day and never put my wallet back where it belongs.  I had no money, no cards and I know Butch was supposed to go out that evening.

I called his cell and he thankfully answered but he could not here me. "I do not have my wallet," I whispered loudly. "I do not have my wallet with me!"  I stated louder and then heard CLICK. He hung up on me.

I quickly called home hoping he had not left yet and thankfully he answered again. I explained my situation and heard silence, no laughs, no comments, nothing. He asked if I can come to the car and I explained that I am sure they will not let me leave so 10 minutes later with wallet in hand, in walks my knight in shining honor, well really clothes to take my nephew fishing in but he was dressed and ready to leave.

I passed him as I was going home and we have not discussed the incident. I guess he is finally used to my many "situations." 

A new cat tale

As a board member of FORe (Friends of Richter Park), I attended the second annual meeting on Wednesday evening.  I sat next to Sandy and we talked about many things, of course grandchildren, our children and cats.

Sandy has an older cat and she explained that this is their upstairs cat.  She said when her daughter moved and could no longer have pets, her cats joined their household. Sandy's cat and the new additions could not get along so the family ended up with an upstairs cat and downstairs cats. 

The cats lived happily, separately for a while and one of the new additions got sick and died.  They buried him in the back yard and Sandy's husband asked "Who's Max? not even realizing that there were two cats living in the lower level of the house.

I know I am missing something in the translation, but Sandy will be sending the details of my new story.

For those of you who want toi save Richter House, join FORe and help us fix the roof, support the arts and improve the golf paths.

Marble

Marble belongs to my nieces and nephew. He is a very active cat and dictates to the family when he wants to go in or out. Marble spends many nights outside, unlike Travis who is confined inside once the sun goes down. Marble has been skunked at least four times, I'm sure for aggravating the striped "cat".


Marble's favorite past time is playing catch with the kids.  He has certain toys that he brings to whoever has the time to play and expects the toy to be thrown. He returns the toy in his mouth to tosser and expects to go running or jumping again.  He acts like a puppy being trained, but he jumps onto a bookcase, the top of the TV or the window seat, creating a more daring and more exciting game.

two short cat tales

 Phred always protected the baby.  Chris took his nap on the couch rather than a crib, mostly because I could not get him to sleep in the crib and he needed his nap.   Phred, ever the protector, would station himself right next to Chris on the couch to be sure that Chris did not fall and he always let me know when the baby woke up.  I placed a coffee table along side the couch to be sure Chris did not fall, but I am sure it was an unnecessary precaution because there is no way that Phred would let Chris get hurt.

On the other hand, Phred and Butch had an adversarial relationship.  Butch would often throw the cat out of the house due to any little slight or just because and Phred would get his revenge.  One evening, he found the perfect opportunity for revenge.  After being unceremoniously thrown from his home, this time with the help of a broom held by Butch, Phred climbed up on the green pick-up truck.  This truck was the pride and joy of it's owner.  With great care, Phred  took his claws and scraped them down the windshield, on the driver's side.  Another point for the cat, another defeat for the home owner.

The saga continues....

Cat Tales

Travis, at rest

Travis looked over his domain.  It was only 5:00 in the morning so all was quiet.  He had just come out to the back porch landing overlooking the back yard, three stories below.  He could see neighbor's yard with trees beginning to bud.  

This is his favorite time of the year, still cool but a hint of warmth in the air contemplates stalking into the dew below.


He thinks to himself: I've had a good life.  I remember coming to this home when kitten.  I fit into mommy's hand and she called me her ball of fur.  Mom let me play on the lawn, showing me where I can go and where I had to be careful.  I remember that she bought me bells to wear on my neck.  I looked rather cute, if I say so myself. 


I came here in May, oh so many years ago.  Richie, the young boy was only 8 or so.  I know that the first toys I had were his cars and sometimes I got a piece of ribbon to play with.  I still like a colorful piece of ribbon.  Chris, the older boy, takes a shine to me immediately and I know we will become fast friends.  The first thing did was establish my schedule.  I got outside early so I can let the neighborhood riff-raff know that I was in charge. 

Eileen observes:
Travis is 16 years old in human years.  He used to spend most of the day outside, sleeping throughout the day but always aware of any animal coming onto his territory.  Now he sleeps inside, cuddled up on a chair.  He goes out at 5 in the morning and because it is so cold, he is in by 5:15.  Coming up the stairs he is often quite slow and sometimes I can almost feel the arthritis pain he is feeling because of his earlier surgeries. 

This morning he went out for a second tour of the yard.  Spring must be coming.  whooo hooo.

Looking out the window and I see Travis chasing another cat out of the yard.  The kitten/protector is still hiding in that fur.  We have been getting more cats in the yard.  This past summer we added a bird feeder and they love watching the birds gather.  We are not the only ones though.  I thought it would be an amusement for Travis but he ignores the birds, again it must be the getting old "thing".  We have a couple of black cats that are now stalking the birds, hiding near the shed as the birds stop to eat.  We find that the birds are not eating the seed that falls to the ground, just to protect themselves from stalking cats.

Travis travels:
I refuse to travel in a carrier. My favorite mode of transport is on mom's shoulder.  I fit nicely but lately I seem to hang off the edge. Maybe mom is shrinking in her old age.  I still like to help out with mom's projects, especially if she is wrapping presents or knitting. I especially like the yarn and ribbons but ripping paper is a thrill in itself. 

When going to the vet, Travis is never in a carrier.  I put him in the car with me and he cries all the way down the hill, a three minute trip to our destination.  I carry him into the office, he acts like the nurse and doctor are his best friends and he is there for their pleasure.  When finished, Travis jumps onto my shoulder for a happy trip home.  The routine never changes and he continues to jump onto my shoulder when he needs extra attention. 

 

Tristan is there, not here.

The baby was born 1/23/2011, and I love the date, I love the baby, I love my family, life is good -  and I just don't see Tristan Soonjin enough. I was told (husband and mother-in-law) that I live closer so I should have more access and time with the baby. Who are they kidding? Jenna's mom is coming in from Tennessee again and guess what, she gets to stay at the house. I'm sure I will not get invited until the fall when the kids plan on going away and I hope that I am the official babysitter. I'm sure it was mentioned at the time of idea implementation.

We were able to babysit for the first time on Monday.  Tristan was so good, sleeping 90% of the time. I knew the kids would have problems with him that night, he was up all night.  They just have to have me over more often. 

My goal is to see him more often this summer.

Being a grandma

Richie and Jenna are having a baby.  I always thought I was too young to be a grandma but now I am so excited that we are counting the days until January 30. I believe that Butch might even be more excited that I am. 

We have the crib set up in the spare room, the room that the kids used growing up and the room that Rit and Jenna used when they lived too far away to leave when visiting.  Now it is rarely used, mostly when my sister Kathi comes each summer . Kathi is excited about sharing the room with Tristan.

Back to the crib.  I've put blue sheets, added a blue bumper and now have ordered a mobile with teddy bears and baseballs,  let's go my little Yankee fan!!

I've issued the warning that many of my weekends will be spent in Ossining. Only 50 minutes away!