Monday, March 6, 2023

Another Day, Another Cat


So Jessie took August to the doctor this morning even though he was feeling better and he tested positive for Flu B, which I gather is a strain of flu and I guess I have it too but a light case because of my flu shot. I certainly do not feel terrible but I don't feel great either and didn't do a whole lot today. 
I was quite disappointed not to be able to join some of the kids at lunch for Rachel's birthday. I love and respect her so much. She finished her MA in social work in the last year under some of the most difficult conditions possible. 


This is one of my favorite pictures of her and Hank. She is a a true beauty on top of everything else. And she is the kindest woman! If anyone in the family gets sick or injured, she is the first to volunteer to bring food or whatever anyone needs. When I broke my ribs she brought food out here several times- all the way to Lloyd! I will never forget that. 
So when I had to call her this morning to tell her that I wasn't going to make it to lunch, I actually cried a few tears. I always want her to know how much she means to me and to all of us. I think she knows but I truly wanted to be there today to celebrate her. 
I'm sure I could have done it, but it would not have been fair to everyone else as I suppose I'm contagious. Best to keep it to myself for a few days. I hope Mr. Moon doesn't get it but August was definitely coughing around all of us last weekend and besides that, I may have kissed the man a time or two in the last few days. 

I went out and kicked some bamboo this morning. It is definitely coming up. It is easy not to see the sprouts, especially as the yard hasn't been mown in awhile. I frequently find myself tripping over one of them without ever having seen it. It's not a one-and-done process and I'll be going at it for weeks. I was quite unhappy to see that the holy-fuck-I-hate-it fireweed has spread to other parts of the yard. It is a stinging nettle and seems to me to be especially vicious. I touched some when I reached down to pull a cherry laurel sprout and I also got it on a foot. It won't kill you but it sure is painful when it touches the skin. I've gotten it through overalls when I've knelt to pull it. It's that toxic. Just thinking about it gives me an electric shock feeling that shoots throughout my body and up to my head, like thinking about a wasp sting. 
I swear to you, when I'd gotten stung and then tripped over another bamboo sprout I thought, "Hell fire. We might just have to sell the place and move to a condo." 
Of course that's not going to happen any time soon but it all does get overwhelming at times. 

My crow friend did not show up today to perch and caw at me. I was vastly disappointed. Maybe tomorrow. 

I finished listening to an audio book today that I did not enjoy. It was absolutely interesting enough to continue on with it but it did not bring me much pleasure. It is a dystopian novel called "The School for Good Mothers," written by Jessamine Chan. I won't bother to go into details but I will say that as Florida becomes more and more flattened under the boot heel of Ron DeSantis and his Republican minions with every day bringing a new horror invoking a response of, "How can this possibly be happening?" the atrocities described in the book seem not in the least far-fetched. I know I keep saying this but if you think that the orange intestine was scary, hold Ron's beer. He is purely evil and he is not an idiot. 
But I did listen to the book to the very end and while I did that, I worked on the jig saw puzzle. 


That is what it the picture is. It's an addicting pastime, isn't it? I probably have about two-thirds of the border done and that's the easiest part of the whole thing. At least all of those edging flowers are identifiable. I will probably go mad before it's done. Maybe August can come help me with it. 

One more thing- I just looked up to see yet one more stray cat pissing not six feet from my back porch. 


I'm pretty sure I would remember that one if I'd seen it before. Have you ever seen a cat marked like this? Where in the world are these odd-looking cats coming from? 
Who knows? 
Not me. 

As usual. 

Love...Ms. Moon


51 comments:

  1. Rachel is a beautiful lady!
    I thought I would try to listen to that book ... I listened to a very short time of it and moved on to a different book!
    That cat has a strange pattern on it ... but it is very pretty!

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    1. I kept seeing the book in my audio library feed and would read about it and think, "Nah," but I was sort of desperate for something to listen to and caved. I shouldn't have.

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  2. Those cats do look as if they might be related.
    Hmmm. Chickens gone, cats invade. A coincidence?
    I am sorry you are unwell and weren't able to go to Rachel's birthday but you were wise and considerate to stay home. Fingers crossed the bugs don't attack anyone else.

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    1. There may be a correlation between cats and chickens although that black one was here when I still had chickens so who knows?
      Glen's come down with the bug too but it's not holding him back at all.

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  3. Mary have you ever considered buying a flame thrower? They have them for gardening, you know. Your weeds fight back! You need a more powerful weapon. I hope you feel better soon.

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    1. No. I have never once considered buying a flame thrower. The fire weed tends to grow near fence posts so I'm not sure that would be a good idea. I may reach that point though.

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  4. I did not like that book and yes, Ron DeSantis is scary. Reminds me of The Handmaid's Tale.

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    1. He would probably love hearing you say that.

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  5. If I live to be 100 I will never understand why DeSantis does the things he does and moreover why the hell Floridians put up with it. The man is a dangerous psychopath.

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    1. What can we do about him? I mean, yeah- we should never have voted him in. I certainly didn't vote for him but it's a blue state with a ton of old people from all over the country who loved Trump. I had no idea he was as evil as he's turned out to be. And I think you're right- he is a dangerous psychopath.

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  6. Oh, happiest of Birthdays to Rachel....she with the beautiful smile and dimples! No....since you are feeling peckish, best not to share that with anyone else....but darned! That cat.....not the same one that looks like a paint can hit it? The one you showed pics of before? Must be a sibling of that cat...... cats galore. Hope you feel better soon! And yes, Ron is scary indeed
    Susan M

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    1. PS the only thing missing in that puzzle is a flock of hens scratching about Susan M

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    2. Don't you love Rachel's dimples? I do.
      Nope. Different cat. Never saw this one before. People abandon cats at the dump, I think, and it's only about a block and a half away.
      Ron's a demon and the rest of the Republicans in the state support every evil thing he does.
      Yes. If I ever do another puzzle, maybe I'll get one with chickens.

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  7. ron desantis- and floridaians just roll over and say go ahead, we are fucked already - have your way....heads full of fireweed.

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    1. At this point, what are our options? We can't just kill him. I really do not know. Protesting his policies do nothing and besides that, the Republicans are trying to make it illegal to do certain types of protesting. Constitution be damned! Republicans rule the house and the senate here. It's a very, very bad situation. Getting worse by the minute.

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  8. A happy birthday to Rachel. She is a beautiful woman, in many ways.
    Sorry you have the unshakable flu, but at least August can help you with the new puzzle.

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    1. Rachel is a beauty through and through. Inside and out.
      This is not a bad flu and August is back at school so I'm left to do the puzzle myself. Sadly.

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  9. We have three FEET of snow on the ground right now, but my right hand feels like I grabbed a fist full of nettles. Man I hate that stuff!

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  10. Thanks, generous August, for sharing - NOT. Has Levon kept the germs at bay? And thanks Ms. Moon for NOT sharing at Rachel's birthday party. But dang it, I'm sorry you weren't able to go and celebrate in person. That is such a beautiful photo of Rachel and Hank.

    Get 100% well soon!

    Chris from Boise

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    1. Levon seems to have sidestepped his brother's flu. He's been a little sniffly but that's it.
      Isn't that a great photo of Hank and Rachel?

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  11. Interesting about the fireweed, I used to pick them all the time to fill my vases, they're so decorative, and never had this stinging sensation? There might be different varieties. And yes that is a very interesting looking cat!

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    1. I'm sure that it must be the same name for two completely different plants. You would most definitely know if you picked any of this sort of fireweed. And I don't think it blooms.

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  12. That is a gorgeous photo of Hank and Rachel. I hope you feel better soon.

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  13. Is it possible the cats have escaped from a shelter or just been dumped by people who no longer want them? Shame on them! The jigsaw picture looks interesting. That would take me a while too. My brother prefers the ones with 1500-2000 pieces.

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    1. Yes. People do dump cats around here. That's how we got Maurice for sure. And probably Jack, too. He was a stray that we took in.
      It would take me two years to do a puzzle with 2,000 pieces.

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  14. Forgot to say I hope you and August feel much better soon and how pretty Rachel is.

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  15. Happy birthday to Rachel - and I hope you all feel better soon!

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  16. Hope you feel better soon. I read that book, based on Obama naming it as one of his favorites. I don’t know what he was thinking. I had to push myself to finish it.

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  17. Do you have a weed whacker? If so, why don't you look into getting blades for it. It seems like it would be good for bamboo and fireweed. Good luck with the flu.

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    1. Glen has a weed whacker. That might work for the fireweed but the bamboo has to be pushed over. Just cutting it doesn't stop the growth. Plus, this bamboo is so thick I don't think a weed whacker would dent it.

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  18. Oh, gees. there is an article on attracting crows to befriend, put out by no less than MIT, if you can believe it. I think crows would make fine friends, a much better friend than DeSantis. Did you see that Bill 254 is a bill that allows trans children to be removed from their parents? Horrifying. Also, any blog that writes about politics must be registered with authorities. Crazy stuff. Stick to crows.

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    1. Okay. I will read that article because I want to be that crow's friend. Or some crow's friend.
      Yes- I have read about those DeSantis bills. Like I said- how is this even possible? It's terrifying. It is absolutely dystopian.

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  19. That IS an odd-looking cat. I love those markings, though. Very distinctive.

    The scariest thing about DeSantis, much like Trump, is that so many people seem to AGREE with him! Or are at least tolerating his extremist agenda. Where's the outrage?!

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    1. Steve, I do not know. I think we are all reeling from taking another unbelievable hit every day. Of course, there are a lot of people who just love the shit that comes out of his mouth. It's like Trump cleared the way for fascism and DeSantis is leading the parade. HELP!

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  20. Are you sure that's a cat?? It looks like an alien life form. Here's hoping you all get well soon. These viruses have to go.

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    1. I have looked online and there are some cats that do resemble that cat. But I am not sure that your alien theory isn't correct. It's just crazy!
      I'm with you on the viruses.

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  21. The jigsaw picture could easily be of you as you pick flowers in your cottage garden, cradling them daintily in your apron. The long dress suits you fine - much prettier than denim jeans. You never mentioned before that you have a beehive and that you have had your house thatched. It looks very nice. Sorry you are feeling under the weather right now. Have you considered suing August?

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    1. What? You don't think I'm cute in my overalls? Please.
      You made me laugh with your comment about suing August. I suggested it to Mr. Moon today as he now has it too.

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  22. Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well and hope you feel better soon!
    Have you ever thought of hiring a yard service to do the jobs that you don't want to do - like remove the fireweed? They may have equipment just for that and then you could spend time in the garden doing the jobs you do enjoy! Just wondering...
    P.S. Happy Birthday to Rachel!

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    1. I don't know if I could hire a service that could find and eliminate this particular weed. I've read about it and it seems that the only thing that kills it is either pulling it by hand (repeatedly) or using something like Round-up.
      But thanks for the suggestion and also for the birthday greetings to Rachel.

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  23. You do get the oddest looking but beautiful cats coming for a visit. That one looks well nourished and like a house cat!

    I give the survival of our democracy 10 years unless your friend and the spawn of the orange misogynist gets national office. Then I give it four!

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    1. That one does indeed look quite well-nourished.
      I'm afraid I agree with you on your timeline.

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  24. nice looking cat with its black spots and tail. perhaps a cat lady has moved into the neighborhood lately. you still have several more years of the grandkids getting you sick I think, at least until their own immune systems are up and running at full speed. and where did Hank get that red hair?

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    1. Could be on the cat lady. I am not aware of anyone new moving in lately. But cats do travel around.
      You're right about the viruses.
      I have two brothers with very red hair so...

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  25. I just have to look at Rachel's picture to know that I would like her and want to be her friend. I hope she had a great birthday and I am sure she was sad too but agree that she could probably pass on the birthday flu. Here, fireweed is a beautiful plant (not the slightest bit toxic) - its other folk name is rosebay willowherb, and in late summer it blows the most beautiful silvery seeds. It has its name because it likes to grow on bombsites and places which have been destroyed, and its cheerful purple colour just paints over the mess. I suspect that many US plants and creatures with similar names to ones that grow here, were named by settlers who felt homesick. Our robin, a tiny bird which loves to follow humans around whey they are gardening, doesn't sound like an American robin at all. I love the old fashioned image on the jigsaw, but I don't think I would have listened to the book. SOmetimes it feels like we all need to be listening to happy things and singing happy songs.

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    1. I think this particular weed got named "fireweed" because if you touch it, it burns like fire. I mean, I have no doubt about that. But I think you're right about people here naming plants and animals here after the ones they knew at home.

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