Thursday, July 21, 2022

Sure Can't Complain


Another practically perfect day for Mary Moon. 
This means, of course, that I saw no one and got filthy in the garden again AND got to shell peas while sitting on the couch watching crap TV. Well, not total crap. Grace and Frankie. There are some things about that show that shine and others that just sink into a tank of WTF soup. I will not bother to inform you as to the things that make me cringe the most, nor the small parts that are not bad at all. I can't really think of those at the moment but I know that sometimes I don't hate it which has been enough to carry me through all the seasons. 

I got a lot of weeding done, some of it in the rain. Why not? I put my phone in a plastic bag in my pocket so I could listen to my book and it was cool and delightful and weeding was easier in the wet dirt. I honestly think that the okra is going to make and I can see baby pods forming now. 
They remind me of baby boy pee-pees. Little green baby boy pee-pees. I'd go take a picture of one but I'm too lazy. 

I have almost finished listening to Hannah Gadsby's book, "Ten Steps to Nanette". 


I don't even have the words to describe how this book has affected me. I think it's going to take quite some time to process. Some of it is simply shattering. And that's an apt word for it because Gadsby shatters stereotypes, beliefs, the very concept of what comedy is, and any notion that anyone may have about what a true artist's voice sounds like. My main take-away right now is that a queer, autistic, fat (she would not quibble with me using that word) woman from the Australian island state of Tasmania which has a population of about half a million, who was abused as a child, raped as an adult, assaulted for being queer, bullied mercilessly as a child for all of her differences, found her gift, her voice, her purpose and art in comedy, and in using that gift and her voice and her art, has probably helped more women in the world find their own voices than she will ever know. 
And there is not one drop of pulling-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps bullshit in it nor is there any trauma porn. 
It is an amazing book written by an amazing woman and if you take a notion to read it, I very much recommend the audio version as she herself narrates it. 

So that has been a part of my day- a very important part. 


Maurice has been a trouble on my mind lately. She is getting weirder and weirder. She slashed Mr. Moon's arm yesterday. We really don't know what to do. Obviously, showering her with love and giving her a place to live and food to eat is never going to make her feel safe and content. Of course she and Jack still fight regularly. Hank recommends me taking her to the vet and getting her put on kitty valium which is probably not a bad idea but I think that Jack would have to be on it too. And how would I get Maurice to a vet without ending up needing a tourniquet? How would a vet possibly examine her without anesthetizing her first? 

And Darla. Well, she is still in that corner, still alive, still not eating or drinking much, if any. I bring food and water to her but she shows no interest. Last night when I shut up the hen house, all three of her children were laying beside her on the ground. My heart is heavy but I am resigned to her probable death. She may just be tired. 

Mr. Moon sent me these pictures. 



Just hazarding a guess here, but I think that perhaps Owen is having a good time. They are safely ashore now and will be home later, exhausted, and thrilled, I am sure. 

It is a delicious 83 degrees on my back porch right now and I can hear the twittering birds and the cawing of crows. I have cleaned and refilled the hummingbird feeder and I am keeping watch for visitors. The lowering sun is illuminating the shiny magnolia leaves and Liberace is about to begin his evening rounding-up of his ladies. There is a sweet breeze and the chickens are discussing their day. 

Me too. 




Love...Ms. Moon



34 comments:

  1. Well, that was good to read. A happy dayw, full of good and simple pleasures. Except for the kitty... Why not get a Feliway plugin? That might soothe both kitties.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think I've ever heard of a Feiiway plugin. My only problem is that there is no place in the house to plug it in where the cats reliably spend a great deal of time. They have many napping places all over the house as well as on the porch. Sounds like it would help though, if I could contain them within breathing distance of one.

      Delete
  2. My advice about getting Maurice to the vet without bleeding being involved:
    get a big heavy towel or blanket. Have a carrier ready. Drape the towel over her head when she's not expecting it, bundle her up, and put her in the carrier. Don't worry about the vet having to treat a semi-vicious cat. I promise you, they're used to it! :) Kitty valium might indeed be helpful. And it wouldn't hurt to have her checked out for any pain or illness that might be causing the weird behavior, too.

    Thanks for the book suggestion! I've been reading like a fiend these last couple of weeks. Have you ever read The Poisonwood Bible? I had, years ago, and just got a secondhand copy recently and re-read it. It's so good. I think you'd like it.

    Oh, to have fresh okra! I love it, even though I'm the only one in this house that will touch it. That's okay! More for me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't even have a carrier! I know. I KNOW! I'm a bad cat mama. Since she's always acted this way, I don't think there's any recent problems that are causing the behaviors. I always just blame it on her childhood which I am sure was traumatic.
      I have indeed read "The Poisonwood Bible". Several times. Have you read The Lacuna? If not- DO! It's amazing.
      Doesn't your husband even like pickled okra? Well, eat it all yourself. It's a good vegetable.

      Delete
    2. Mary, I'VE never had pickled okra! Is that weird? I've always eaten it steamed on top of peas (Dixie Lee peas) or fried. Is there a store-bought brand of pickled okra you recommend?

      I haven't read The Lacuna but I'll put it on my list. How about Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Kingsolver? It's nonfiction and I'm certain you'd like it. In fact, you've probably read it already too.

      Delete
    3. Just any kind of pickled okra you see at the store will probably be good. And have you never made okra and tomatoes? SO good. With onions and maybe a little bacon.
      The Lacuna is absolutely one of my favorite books ever. As is the Poisonwood Bible, honestly. I did read Animal, Vegetable, Miracle and I don't think I enjoyed it as much as I enjoy her fiction. If you do listen to audio books, I recommend that version of The Lacuna as she reads it herself. I love her voice. I've read it with my eyes AND my ears. Excellent both.

      Delete
  3. well, Maurice does seem to be wearing her *angry* face.......maybe she's still paying you back for being away for a week? Poor dear, and poor Mr Moon's arm. However.....Owen looks ecstatic (as he should) with his big fish! Hope that will be part of your dinner!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She ALWAYS wears her angry face.
      I am so glad that the boys had a good day of fishing. We may be eating fish soon but they're getting in so late that I've already made their supper.

      Delete
  4. I would suggest you get a cat carrier. How have you gotten Maurice vaccinated or her yearly updates to keep her healthy? If she's not had any kind of Vet care, she could be having more problems then just a mean face!
    My goodness, that fish will make a fabulous meal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yearly updates? Haha! Our cats only go to the vet during emergencies. Which, come to think of it, haven't happened in many a year.

      Delete
  5. I do hope you do something to sort Maurice. She came and took care of you, first.
    You sure squeezed in a big post, waiting for the fishermen to come home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Her behavior hasn't changed at all. It's just my attitude.

      Delete
  6. Do you even have a vet, let alone a cat specialist vet, in your area? Would you consider a mobile vet? Has she even ever seen a vet to rule out medical problems?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. definitely seconding a mobile vet, if there is one in your area. With 5 cats & one senile arthritic dog and 30 steps to our house, our mobile vet has been life-changing

      Delete
    2. No. We do not have a regular vet. We did when we had dogs. I like the vets in Monticello, though.

      Delete
  7. How old is Maurice? I know that cats will sometimes lash out unexpectedly if they are in pain and older cats can have arthritis but not show symptoms until they can no longer jump up onto furniture or down again easily. Perhaps he is just annoyed that you two went off and left him for a week.
    That's a great fish! Did Owen catch it himself?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maurice has acted this way since she moved in about ten years ago. Nothing is new.
      And yes- Owen did catch that red grouper and his Boppy is so very proud of him.

      Delete
  8. I consulted the feline care specialist, Dr Google on your behalf....
    Why has my female cat become more aggressive?
    Medical conditions can cause aggression so it is important to rule out any underlying medical causes prior to addressing behavioural causes for aggression. Brain disorders, liver disease, epilepsy, poor hearing or sight, pain-inducing disease (e.g. arthritis) and hormone imbalances can cause aggression.
    But I guess you knew this already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SHE HASN'T BECOME MORE AGGRESSIVE. SHE'S ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY!
      Sorry.
      It's just that she now also occasionally poops in the house.

      Delete
  9. Owen appears to be beyond happy. It's more of an OMG, I caught this fish!
    Jack, why is she called Jack, sounds delightful. How old is she? She looks like she's had a bit of a rough life, scars on her face, droopy left eye, pissed off look on her face. Almost makes me feel bad for her but I hate being scratched or bitten by cats. Our cat likes to bite me sometimes and it is the major source of conflict between her and me. Don't fucking bite me!
    And Hannah Gadsby, when I googled her, I realized I've seen a comedy sketch by her before. I love her and her sense of humor. I had no idea she's had so much trauma in her life but it makes sense. So many people, myself included, joke about hard things as a way to cope. I may have to get that book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jack is the male, gray and white cat we have. Maurice is the orange ginger. I started calling her that because I thought she was a male at first as female gingers are quite rare.
      Definitely watch "Nanette" if you get a chance.

      Delete
    2. Poor Maurice, I didn't even get her name right!

      Delete
    3. Oh please do not worry. Jack, Maurice- just names of my cats. Not a big deal at all. And it IS confusing.

      Delete
  10. Forget Feliway. Maybe a generally relaxed cat who is suddenly anxious about, say, a move or a new cat on the premises would be somewhat soothed-- but it is NOT a personality-changer.

    As to vets being used to terrified, aggressive cats-- Maurice is essentially a feral (not to you, of course), and in my northern home state there are laws protecting veterinary staff from aggressive animals with unknown medical histories (immunizations, disease exposure, etc.) This is not the same as a typical frightened pet, which of course they know how to deal with. (Heavy quilted oven mitts are helpful!) I was only able to get a vet to agree to diagnose an ailing feral if the cat was brought in in a narrow animal trap (like Hav-a-Heart) so that an anesthesia shot could be administered through the bars of the trap before the vet staff had any direct physical contact with the cat. Florida laws may be different-- but potential health risks to vet staff (bacterial infections, rabies, etc.) are real.

    Here's hoping that the little devil is just pissed as hell that you abandoned her for a week, and is temporarily showing her resentment and displeasure. I wouldn't put it past her! She has a love-hate relationship with the universe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maurice definitely has a love/hate relationship with us!
      I don't know what the laws about aggressive animals and vets are here but I know I once had a cat that the vets wouldn't even try to examine. They just gave him his shots as quickly as they could and that was that. He lived forever. I loved him.

      Delete
    2. I actually love Maurice (even though I once called her a nut-case). And most cats I've met love me. (Some mysterious wordless mutual understanding, I guess.
      I do hope the troubled little soul is all right. She's like an animated cactus!

      Delete
  11. I loved reading this sweet post -- weeding in the rain, the mini book review, the photos of your grandson looking so joyful -- just all of it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can you believe that Owen has grown up this fast? Any day now his voice is going to start breaking and I'm going to cry. Not in front of him, hopefully.

      Delete
  12. That new camera is showing off in these detailed pictures of Maurice, every cat hair is showing. I need a new phone, too - synchronicity! I barely made it home from France with this one, which now has to be plugged in to work. I've been wanting one for the new camera anyway. That boy/man and the fish! Love to you and all the Moons. x0x0 N2

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, make yourself happy and get a new phone! Life is short, lady. It's good to hear from you. Love back to you and yours.

      Delete
  13. A great day in so many ways. Just worry about animals to take from it - sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love days alone but I never get them these days. I have no advice for you about Maurice. We liked Grace and Frankie and watched it all the way to the end. Have you watched Only Murders in the Building with Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez? It's really good.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That book sounds really good. I need to look into it. We gave up on Grace and Frankie after a while, which is amazing considering I am such a huge Jane Fonda fan, but I just lost interest. I guess the negatives began to outweigh the positives. Re. Ellen's comment above, my pal Sally was just telling me about "Only Murders in the Building" and she said it was fantastic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am inconsistent in my use of quotation marks -- LOL!

      Delete

Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.