Friday, January 19, 2024

Our Sweet Boy Is Good


Last night we noticed a wound near the lump on Jack's belly and I realized that the lump was probably an abscess which I knew was treatable but getting him to the vet this morning was a bit of a process. First we couldn't find him but then Candie, our cleaner, did. And also, we have no cat carrier. Once again, Candie came to the rescue and drove to her house which is not very far away, and got the cat carrier that her little doggie uses for a kennel. She even put a clean, soft blanket in it and a large piece of tape that said, "MOON" on it. She's so sweet. And then she put Jack in the carrier, knowing that neither Glen nor I would want to do that to him and no, he did not like it. Nor did he like being put in the car and driven to Monticello. 
I really like the Animal Clinic there. The vets look like they spend a great deal of time outside wrangling and treating large animals like horses, cows, and perhaps rhinos. There was a tiny little fluff of a dog sitting on the receptionist's desk who was so cute that I would think about cloning if he were mine. We saw the vet within a few minutes of being there and he was gentle and sweet with our boy, as was his assistant. And Jack just sat on the table, being petted and allowing the doctor to check him out and give him a brief exam. He does have an infected bite-wound and an abscess and he was given an antibiotic injection and an injection of a painkiller/anti-inflammatory. And that was that. He will not need pills. 
Phew. I was so relieved that I choked up. 
A funny thing happened when he was back in his carrier and we were paying the bill. A few more people had come into the office and were in the waiting area with us and Jack was making some pretty intense noises of protest and fear, I am sure. Now this is a cat who barely ever vocalizes. He purrs for sure. But he does not talk much so when he came out with a very definite, high-pitched "NO!" I was rather shocked. I mean, he literally said the word, "NO!" 
And then he repeated it. The people around us laughed. It was so obvious that he was speaking English. 
Glen and I often joke (sort of) that cats can indeed understand human speech and can also speak it but of course they don't want us to know that. It works to their advantage for them to keep this ability secret. But I guess that Jack was so stressed out and then the drugs hit and he just lost his shit and said what he was thinking. 
And now he's home and already feeling better, I can tell. He's moving about normally and eating. He came up to sit beside my laptop and get some love which is when I took that picture. I am so very glad. 
I'm wondering who he got in a fight with. Was it Biggie Boy? I haven't seen him in weeks so they may have gotten in a fight and Jack chased him off. I suppose it could take that long for the wound to reach that state of infection. Or was it Maurice? Either way, it was definitely a fight. 

I took another walk today. I realize that I am in the worst shape of my life and that is no lie. There are a million excuses not to exercise and I have used every one of them in the last year. 
Or so.
I am seriously going to change that. I have to. 
I walked down to Lloyd Creek and took a few pictures from the bridge that goes over it. 




Although you can't tell, the creek is running pretty swiftly there. I know the water looks filthy but in reality, that's just the tannin staining. This comes from decaying organic matter like leaves. The sand the creek is passing over is white sand so you can really get a good idea of what tannin water looks like. I think it looks resembles tea, which in a way, is what it is. 


From the other side of the bridge you can see how fast the water is moving. And that's the railroad track bridge there. That track runs directly behind my yard. 

So that was a nice walk. Well, I didn't get hit by a car or pass out or die of a heart attack so yeah, it was nice. I have found myself lately missing the time I used to spend walking by myself outdoors surrounded by trees and birds and sky. Another reason to get out there and make the effort. 

Oh! Here's a picture I took for Steve Reed!


Shadows and light on my sheets hanging in the sun. It was a very pretty day today, and warm, too. A welcome break from the cold and gloom. I even did some weeding in my garden where the greens and lettuces look fine. As of tonight, we'll be heading back into the hard freeze situation but then it will warm up some again. 

And because I think it's hysterical, I will tell you about a dream I had this morning right before I woke. I was going on a cruise with some friends of mine who love to cruise and had invited me to join them. Cruising is their favorite thing on earth. Or sea, I guess. I went on a cruise once that was paid for by a tire company that Mr. Moon did business with and to put it bluntly- I did NOT enjoy it. At all. So in my dream I was so anxious about going on this trip with my friends and then all of my stuff got stolen and then I had an altercation with someone and I told my friends, "Look- I have to get off this boat right now while we're still in port because I've already told someone to fuck off and this is just not going to work for me. If I stay on this boat, it's gonna get bad." And then Mr. Moon came and rescued me. 
I don't think we need to call Dr. Freud to interpret that dream. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon


50 comments:

  1. I have never wanted to go on a cruise.
    The local schools have had two snow days this week, Wednesday and today. I am thrilled for the kids because I remember how great it was, but some parents are irate. Those without good support systems I'm sure.

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    1. And there are those with NO support systems, I'm sure. But I bet there were an awful lot of very happy kids.

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  2. Our cat Victor, of blessed memory, was born under our house and taught by his feral mother that humans eat kittens. She disappeared when he, the only survivor of a litter, was still very young, and it took us a year to get him into the house. He became an indoor/outdoor cat, but when he wanted to go out he would stand by the door and holler, “Out!” very clearly. He made it to 18, living happily inside for the last five or six years.

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    1. Your first sentence made me laugh. I am glad that after all that time, Victor overcame his mother's false teachings and learned how to live with humans.

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  3. Steve will love your sheets with shadows pic! Glad Jack's news is good! No opening and draining of the abscess? i'm surprised........ but at least it's all good news and for that I am thankful, as I know you are. My suspicion is that yes, Jack told Mr Biggie Boy cat who was boss at your house!
    Happy weekend.....stay warm and dry and enjoy leftover gumbo! We have 5 days of on and off of rain starting today.....so fires IN woodstove and comfort food ON stove is on tap for us!
    Susan M

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    1. Nope. No scalpels were used in the procedure. So Jack probably has one less life but when you have nine to begin with, that's not so bad.

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  4. Anonymous with Victor the cat is Margaret.

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  5. I find the idea of a cruise aboard one of those floating super-sized hotels to be quite appalling. On the other hand, I am pleased to learn that Jack is okay. Cats' mouths contain millions of germs so I am guessing that Maurice bit Jack during one of their fun-filled play fights.

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    1. I think of all the times Maurice has clamped her jaws of death on my hands and arms and wonder why I'm still alive.

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  6. So glad to hear that Jack is OK. I know darn well my cat, Eddie, has dropped the F-bomb more than once!! Yep! They talk! I totally get it about feeling out of shape. I hit the bottom of that barrel last July. I became a vegetarian, starting walking daily (some twice) and have since dropped 44 lbs. and still working hard to lose more. I feel so much better. A cruise on a ship sounds like punishment to me. Being crammed on a ship with all those people...many perpetually drunk and obnoxious and nothing to see but water and the thought of those frigging great white's swimming under the ship...just waiting! OH Jesus! The stuff of nightmares (for me). I guess some people like cruises. Well, some people like enema's, too!
    Paranormal John

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    1. John! That's amazing! What an inspiration you are! Thank you for sharing that. I am sure that you do feel amazing and I bet you look amazing too. Good for you!
      And..."some people like enema's too!" made me laugh. Yes. I have heard that's true. Thankfully, I've never run across one of those people in my own personal life. That I know of.

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    2. Yes....like enema's and a whole bunch of other 'things'. I was a psychiatric nurse for 25 years and honey....I got stories that would give you a Toni Home Permanent!
      Paranormal John

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    3. Oh my goodness. I know you do. I spent a few months at the Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee doing a clinical as a nursing student and I've got a few stories myself but I KNOW you do indeed have stories that could curl my hair. Toni Home Permanent- HA! I remember those. God, we're old.

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  7. I am awfully glad to hear Jack is okay. Good to hear he can speak for himself when he needs to.

    I had a weird dream this morning. My kids were young. My husband's garage was on fire. He left telling me to keep an eye on it. Meanwhile my kids are cutting up something awful. My son was leaping out of a second floor window. My youngest was sitting on an open oven door. I am chasing around trying to corral kids and watch that fire in the garage at the same time. I woke up and I was so damn mad at Tim because a sensible man would have just called the fire department. He slept on like he hadn't done anything dumb.

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    1. Oh, Debby! That dream doesn't need a whole lot of interpretation either. Our brains can certainly pick up old threads of resentment and fear that we had so many years ago and show them to us again in vivid dreams. And often, those threads are still hanging around, aren't they? They may look different but their sources are the same.

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  8. Ps that was Debby.

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  9. I am glad Jack's problems were so easily resolved. I hope you stay warm this weekend.

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  10. Very glad to hear Jack's fixable, and I was wondering whether it was fight related. No need for deer liver then
    Have you ever considered weight lifting? I started at age 60 with free weights and my doctor tells me it's why I have few fitness problems now. Just a thought.

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    1. Nope. No need for deer liver.
      I used to do free weights. I did them for years but have not touched one in a very long time. Thank you for reminding me. I should start again.

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  11. Happy to hear Jack is on the mend. And what a funny dream!

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  12. I love the creek :) it looks like free flowing whiskey. I'm so glad Jack is okay, I was worried. And he was distressed enough to say NO! That's amazing.
    Weird dream.

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    1. Clear as day! I have witnesses!
      I think there are probably many creeks around this part of the country called "Whiskey Creek." I think there should be a few "Ice Tea Creeks."

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  13. If only the water tasted as tea like as it looks. You could make a fortune!
    I am so glad Jack is better. I forget your cats are free range. I haven't had to deal with an abcess in years. I would pick the scab, express the yuck and bathe in salty water. My vet brother taught me that - saved me heaps!

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    1. Yes. Although Jack and Maurice do spend most of their time inside, they go outside to pee and poop and do a little running about and sometimes they lay in the sun.
      I am so glad I didn't have to clean out Jack's wound. Yuck.

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  14. Glad to hear that Jack is going to be OK.
    Re cruising.....we did a 4 day cruise in a big ship 10 years ago, it was just from the south of England across the channel to France.Also visited Guernsey ( Channel Island). It was Ok, but wouldn't want a bigger ship with more people and spending days all at sea!
    We have also done 2 river cruises in France and mainly Germany. They were great fun. You can always see the banks of the river and every day you get off to visit a town/city with a guided tour. It is amazing going through the huge locks on the rivers too ! Only a couple of hundred people so you can get to know others more easily.

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    1. I think our boy is going to be fine.
      I think if I were going to do another cruise, ever, it would be one of those river cruises. They look pretty managed and also, interesting.

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  15. I wouldn't go on a large cruise if you paid me. It just doesn't appeal at all, but I guess some people love them. Mind you, we were on a canal cruise in Holland which was lovely, but any more than that no thanks! Oh and good news on Jack!!

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    1. Some people do absolutely love them! We humans have such different tastes, don't we? A canal cruise sounds pretty cool.

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  16. I cruised a bit for work (not THAT kind of cruising) when I managed mega cruise accounts for a technology company. I liked being on the sea but not with all those people. I’d have that same dream. Maybe next time Mr. Moon will rescue me. Such good news about Jack. I'd love to hear him say No. It's always a relief when you return from the vet and the cat has immediately forgiven you.

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    1. There were just SO many people on that boat and this was long before I became so horribly anxious around lots of people but it was still very uncomfortable for me. And the way people lined up every time the dining rooms opened up as if they hadn't eaten in days was sort of gross. I mean- three times a day! And you could get food any time. And the midnight buffet! Holy shit. No thank you.
      Jack has definitely forgiven us. He's been very affectionate today.

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  17. Love the shadows and light! I've taken many shadows and light pictures on laundry myself. (Not lately, though!)

    So glad Jack is already getting better and that it turned out to be an abscess after all. Cats are scary when they yowl, aren't they? You can see why people in the olden days thought they were possessed by devils.

    No cruising for you any time in the near future, I guess. :) I never thought of myself as a cruise person but I must say, the one cruise I went on (when you and I met up in Cozumel) I had a lot of fun. But I felt so insulated, like I didn't experience most of the countries we visited AT ALL. We never interacted with any of the locals, except during that time in Cozumel with you. It was weird.

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    1. You are so right about cats appearing to be possessed. I mean- it's eerie to me and I do not even believe in devils!
      Yeah, that one cruise we went on felt the same way to me about experiencing the places we visited. Very sterile and planned. Go here, don't go there, eat here, don't eat here, blah, blah, blah.
      I'm glad you got to see and enjoy (hopefully) a little of Cozumel.

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  18. Good boy , Jack. Thank you for not having something worse! Jack lives!!

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  19. Glad to hear that Jack will be fine. I have never wanted to go on a cruise. I think I would get seasick and some of those ships have way too many people on board!

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    1. I do not fear seasickness but I sure don't like being closed up with that many people.

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  20. Poor Jack. The last time we took Bagheera to the vet, she screamed like a child. It was awful. I'm glad he's feeling better.

    The dream, I love it. I'm not a fan of cruises either. My ex husband and I went on one and I'm sorry to say, it was full of entitled Americans which I found difficult to deal with. And the line ups. Every time you wanted to do something, long fucking lines.

    Stay warm my friend.

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    1. Yes- cats can sound so much like children in horrible pain.
      I am sure that your assessment of the entitled Americans is absolutely correct. Ugh. We are jerks. I mean...seriously.
      Trying to stay warm. Thank you, sweetie.

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  21. I've missed several posts, have just been in a funk, not reading, writing a little but not finishing. anyway, glad to hear Jack is on the mend.

    I've never been on a cruise and not sure I want to though some days I think it would be nice. I just keep remembering those where the whole ship gets sick or something stops working or you know, all the cruises from hell.

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    1. There are indeed cruises from hell. And remember when covid was breaking out and preventing ships from docking and unloading? What a nightmare. But you know, maybe you should try one. Maybe a small one?

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  22. i'm glad to hear Jack is ok and he only needed a couple shots from the vet. Mega cruise ships have no appeal to me either. A 30 foot sailboat is more to my liking.

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    1. Sailboats are nice. I just look at some of those city-sized ships that dock in Cozumel and I can't fathom why in the world we allow that sort of environmentally damaging situation to happen.

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  23. So glad to hear Jack's on the mend, and all will be well. \
    Stay safe, warm & well!

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  24. A cruise ship with 5,000 people crammed aboard? Nah! I'd rather have a root canal. Good news on Jack!

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    1. I agree with you. A root canal does not last nearly as long and they usually give you some pretty good drugs for after.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.