Sunday, September 30, 2007

Crazy cat lady begets crazy cat girl

Here is the Helen, the blind kitty at the shelter. She is looking for a safe home as an indoor cat. If you are interested in more info, let me know. Isn't she purdy?
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Here also is the previously mentioned Old Mr. Whiskerson, now often shortened to Whiskers. He is long-haired, so his thinness doesn't show well in pictures, but just picture a skeleton with fur.
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Part of the reason for his emaciation:
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Hard to chew with not much more than canines in your mouth, huh?

And to show the real him again, a repeat pic:
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And the picture that 7-year-old Marian drew today:
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Saturday, September 29, 2007

Deep thoughts

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." --Gandhi.

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I plan to post this on the bulletin board at the animal shelter.

Whit Gone Wild

I'm a party animal when I get the day off, I tell ya.

The library will never be the same.

Friday, September 28, 2007

Licious

Einstein Quote of the Day:
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.

Abraham Lincoln Quote of the Day
I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday.

Today's Books

Who Made That? (Nicholas)
Fairytopia (Sheridan)
Can You Tell Me How to Get to Sesame Street? (Hudson)
Tabitha's Terrifically Tough Tooth (Middleton)
"The Fairy Godmother's Assistant" from Girls to the Rescue (Lansky)
2 chapters from The Midwife's Apprentice (Cushman)
up to chapter 6 of The Golden Compass (Pullman) on CD
some "Mad Libs"

And Leo was a reading demon today and went through so many books I couldn't begin to keep track. The first two on the above list were the only titles I could remember. He also perused the Gator Gazette in the car, along with his sisters.
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We spent hours at the shelter today, returned two fosterlings and brought two more home. One was a puppy who'd been rejected by his mother and hadn't grown since he was born almost a week ago. If I'd known of his sooner, I'd have taken him home sooner, but I'm the cat lady and only found out today. He died this afternoon, but spent his last hours warm, cuddled, loved on, and finally soothed and comfortable.

Old My. Whiskerson has gained half a pound since his arrival, and is at my house now; he immediately demanded to be let out to explore and insists he is home. I've got him back in a large cage, though, because I'd like to see him gain much more weight before he starts burning it off.

There is a beautiful and sweet girl cat at the shelter who came in earlier this week, and we just discovered today that she is blind. I named her Helen. Yes, I'm so creative I awe myself.

I get a break tomorrow! For the first time in 2 months, I'll have almost the entire day to myself, and the next morning as well. The kids are SO excited about their daddy coming that they cleaned their room (where he sleeps) without a single complaint. lol I'm really looking forward to my break tomorrow, but I know that I'm actually going to miss the kids. We have been so connected lately, and life with them has been incredible. But I know the break will do us all some good.

Thursday, September 27, 2007

I heart my library

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Thursday Learners

I love reading, and I love that the kids love reading. Last night we finished one of our chapter books--Marigold and the Feather of Hope, book one of four in The Fairy Chronicles.

Today's books with the kids:

5 chapters in The Midwife's Apprentice (Cushman) ch 8-12
Rise the Moon (Spinelli)
All for Fall (Kessler)
Turnagain Ptarmigan! Where Did You Go? (Guenther)
Knuffle Bunny (Willems)
Horatio's Bed (Ashforth)
No Jumping on the Bed (Arnold)
The Magic Kerchief (Larson)
15 tracks of The Golden Compass (Pullman) on CD

No Jumping on the Bed got many laughs, Rise the Moon has beautiful illustrations, and The Midwife's Apprentice is in great demand and at this rate we'll finish it tomorrow. The Turnagain Ptarmigan book triggered some great discussions on birds, alpine valleys (we live in one), and camouflage.

Work was low this morning, and Leo and Marian took turns playing the Dora video game for awhile, we watched "Emergency Vets" and "Animal Cops: Houston", and we all brainstormed story ideas for the children's book(s) I'm writing. We went from work to the library, where we returned many pounds of books and checked out even more. While there, Leo closely examined the movement and relationship between the library's sink drain lift rod and pivot rod. He'd have taken it apart if I'd let him.

The kids had their first thermos lunch this fall, with the awesome Crayola crayon thermoses we picked up on clearance for an amazing price. We had vegetarian chili with rice cakes at the park before homeschool group.
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I'm not sure the squirrels liked the rice cakes as much as the kids.
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On the way home from homeschool group, Marian evaluated her experience as a vegetarian so far, after a full week. She declared, "I like it!", decided her favorite foods are portabella mushrooms and salad, and when asked if she misses meat, answered, "Nope, not at all."

We listened to a symphony on NPR, but never heard what/who it was. The kids, especially Sophie, were really into identifying the emotions that the music conveyed, and were awed that it could change so much. I jotted down some of their their description words as they said them (after Leo's, "Turn it up, please, Momma"):

scary
triumphant
excited
quiet
like a dance
sleepy and happy

And more. :)


We drove around Home Lake...
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...before heading to the animal shelter, where the kids helped with cats and dogs, and excitedly met and petted a dachshund. (The chapter book we just finished very clearly stated that the only thing that would get rid of mischievous gremlins in a human's home were stainless steel, vacuum cleaners, and dachshunds.)

At various points today we observed and discussed the Rio Grande, talked about underwater aquifers, watched cooking shows, played with dollhouses, played outside, cared for our critters, and laughed a lot.

The kids go to bed so easily these days. I read to them on the couch, I hug and kiss everyone, and they all go off and fall asleep in various beds. They are growing up so fast.

Bumper stickers on my car

Mine aren’t restricted to my bumper.


Wordless:
Yin yang
rainbow
Smiley face
Rainbow peace sign

Wordfull:

Celebrate Diversity (on rainbow background)
My Children are Homeschooled and so were (pictures of Lincoln & Washington)
Mean People Suck
Got Rights?
Tree Hugging Dirt Worshipper
If only closed minds came with closed moutsh
Love your enemies. It really gets them confused.
Stand for Peace
Not Fooled by the Government
The earth does not belong to us. We belong to the earth.
The old ways are alive
Live simply so that others may simply live
Legalize Freedom
Finally, I’m on the right path
Are you part of the problem, or part of the solution?
Hate is NOT a family value
Homeschooling: The world is the classroom
Children should be seen and heard and believed
You don’t work full time til you’re a mom
Anything is possible
The Earth is our Mother . Treat Her with Respect.
Honor the Past, Live the Present, Create the Future
Namaste
Everything is sacred.
Not all who wander are lost.
Nature is my church
You’re just jealous because the voices are talking to me
There is no choice in being yourself
Beware of Dog
Don’t Steal-- The Government Hates Competition
Practice random kindness and simple acts of beauty
Dissent gave birth to this nation
War is not the answer

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Marian and I showed off our prowess to ourselves today; we fixed the broken dryer, did every catbox in the house, and generally kicked some productive butt. Amazing what we can accomplish around the house when the car is in the shop.

My car, Suki, has a brand new shiny muffler and exhaust pipe. Not only is her roar down to a purr, but the kids have declared that we need to either clean the underside of the car or speed up the dirtying of the new parts so that Suki will match herself again.

I got a call that my new glasses were in, and rushed over after dinner to pick them up. Unfortunately, they've misplaced one of the new pairs, so I came home with just the black ones. (I'll get pictures of the others when they come in.)

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Do I look funky, sophisticated, and Sapphic? If so, these glasses are miracle workers, because I actually feel nauseous, dizzy, and headachey. It's been nearly 8 years since I exerienced the effects of new glasses and a new prescription. Yowza.


Happy full moon. Left the kids out of this evening's ritual and enjoyed my solitude and clear vision. I wish the camera could even begin to capture the beauty of the evening.
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Monday, September 24, 2007

Holy Efficient Monday, Catwoman

Today I made countless phone calls, endless copies, filled out many forms, made and attended appointments, and completed a to-do list comprised of many previously procrastinated items, including one very large one that I've been putting off for almost a year. Woo!

Bo and Annie got adopted today! Ah, such relief, joy, happiness, bittersweet goodbyes, and more.

Another new cat at the shelter today, and this one got to me. (Believe it or not, not all of them do.) A woman in Crestone moved away and left her 10+ cats to fend for themselves. (Insert %$@^%^% here.) The neighbors have been leaving out food and water, but brought this one in today; I'm not sure what they will do with the others. Black and white male who is literally skin and bones. I was very surprised to weigh him in at 5 pounds; I'd expected him to be much less. I dewormed him, fed him some Nutri-Cal, and gave him some canned food which he snarfed as though he hadn't eaten in months. After I gave him a much needed bath, I checked his eyes, ears, skin, and mouth as a matter of routine. Poor dude has almost no teeth! He is clearly much older than anyone thought, and now we have a simple explanation as to why he was wasting away in the presence of dry food. There is no way he could eat it.

I cannot get this cat out of my head. He doesn't have the strength of a 3-week-old kitten, he falls over if you blow on him (practically), his meow is pathetic, he is incredibly ugly to the rest of the world. But he looked at me with soulful eyes; this is a cat who has loved and been loved, and I don't understand how he has come to be here at this place in his life. He purred a rusty purr for me alone today. If I had the room, I'd have brought him home to foster starting today, but I'm full up and I know it, so I will care for him daily at the shelter for now. I've already made him a bed softer than that of any other cat in the place, and I put a big note on his door instructing everyone to make sure he gets fed canned food at least twice a day. Poor old man kitty.

I know I'm not writing much about the kids today, but have no fear. They are doing well. Leo insisted on reading me several books this afternoon, I read them several Greek myths and Chinese legends, as well as chapters in both our read-alouds. We talked about everythign under the sun (and beyond it), and learned lots today. I'll take notes again someday soon to give you a more detailed peek. We learn so much each day that if I don't constantly jot thigns down, I can never recount them all later.

And last but not least. Happy birthday, Jim Henson. Thank you for all the laughter.
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Sunday, September 23, 2007

Happy Fall Equinox

We had a lovely time at UU this morning, where we reconnected with some old friends and I taught RE for 6 kids, with a double focus on both what UU is about and celebrating the fall equinox.

Then the kids and I went swimming and it was entirely too crowded and no fun at all for me. I will never understand how parents can be so completely unconcerned about their children's safety. Kids diving into the 4 ft pool, a 5-year-old unattended in the hot tub. When we left, I made the 5-year-old leave the hot tub and told him to find his grown up, because there was no way I could leave him sitting in there alone. Grrr.

But after that, the two big kids napped in the car as we drove to the mountains, then everyone woke up to enjoy the beauty around us. I was so filled up with joy simply watching my kids' utter delight in nature--the feel of bark on their skin, the red of the leaves, the drizzle of rain, the sound of the water, the unknown ahead on the trail, the mysteries of the holes and crevices at the base of a great old tree.

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Sophie is a Momma's girl:
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I love my little tree-hugging kids who say things like "Oh dear" and "Nor do I" and "We shall".
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Saturday, September 22, 2007

Random update

Leo reading to his sisters on the way to work Thursday morning:

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Beautimous Mt. Blanca on Friday afternoon
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Blanca, Gris, y Negra
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Wizard of Oz on the big screen! The 10-foot screen in front of the magazine display at the library movie night. The kids had a blast. I enjoyed the visuals while listening to the new Sephanie Plum book on CD.
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Liberation of Spirit

Spirit was the "mean cat" at the shelter. I named him, handled him, then promptly put a sign on his cage that read, "Wear gloves!" For Spirit would lure the ignorant in with beseeching looks and affectionate rubs, then would suddenly attack full-force. After drawing blood on multiple shelter visitors, he made the euthanasia list. They held onto him for me until I got home from my road trip, got him fixed for me, and then to a collective sigh of relief from all involved, Spirit became part of my foster family.

Unfortunately, the incompetent vet who fixed him, also cut off part of his ear as though he were one of the ferals. Poor Spirit.

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After weeks at my house, I noticed some improvement. I decided to take him back to the shelter to see how he would fare there, but had miscalculated my days and the shelter was closed and vacant of key-holders. I took Spirit back home, knowing with certainty what the outcome of his visit would have been.

This beautiful boy is now roaming free, and happily comes home for loving affection and food. He proudly wears his fancy leather collar, and has further captured my heart. I cannot put my feelings about this cat into words, but his strength of spirit has made an impression on me.

He is not mean. He was sad and angry about being locked into a little cage. Now that he is free, he comes home freely. His temperament is still a bit rough around the edges, but he comes when called, asks for affection, is tolerant of the children, and gives plenty of warning when he is touched out. His inside is as beautiful as his outside, and I adopted him yesterday. Welcome home, Spirit.

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Deviant, I am

I just finished reading a chapter in my sociology Deviant Behavior text, and it combined gays & lesbians, the obese, and the tattooed in one chapter. I felt so very at home.

Home Sweet Home Lake

Thursday we had a picnic at one of our favorite places--Home Lake. 2 miles from our house, less than 1/4 mile from the animal shelter where we spend so much time, Home Lake is home to ducks, geese, otters, and various other critters, and is the closest wildlife sanctuary to our home.

Unfortunately, the evil red ants also make this their home, and they got all territorial on my ass while we were there. My screaming and running and kicking of shoes everywhere freaked out the kids a bit, and as soon as Sophie saw an ant heading in her direction, everyone was ready to be out of there. I know you are all on the edges of your seats wondering how my feet are faring and I am happy to report that after several hours of being a whiny baby, I'm fully recovered.

Now, what you've all been waiting for. (Yes, all three of you. )

Leo, up a tree. Twice.
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The little pier--the site of much otter-watching, reflective cloud-gazing, and mosquito-dodging.
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Our little short-lived picnic, and the scene of the ant-attack. They caught me off-guard as I viewed the world through my camera.
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Clouds.
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Thursday, September 20, 2007

Sweetie Doggydums

Walked in my beloved front door many hours after leaving it behind me this morning, only to discover that only two dogs, not three, were there to greet us. Shit. I had about 85 messages on my machine from the enthusiastic alley neighbor who found him last time, and after the steak diner, yes, STEAK dinner they fed him, "sweetie doggydums" (as they have affectionately dubbed him) will never want to stay home. He has a formal invitation to join them for dinner tomorrow night.

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

Where did Tuesday go? Wiggly Wednesday

9-19-07

We discovered a new park this morning, where the kids were delighted to find evidence of fall within hand’s reach. Marian made a fall leaf flower:
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And Sophie posed on the fence in her beloved YART shirt:
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My good friend watched the kids for me while I took my first exam of the semester, then the kids and I headed for the animal shelter. Short visit today, but we still ended up bringing home yet another feral (another calico!) who I found in the shelter trap. Marian has been apprenticing with me long enough, and accepted the responsibility of taming her first feral kitten. She is responsible for every aspect of this kitten’s care, but knows she can come to me for advice or questions. She has named her foster kitten Ellie.

Leo is still taking his responsibility for his fosterling very seriously, and cried hard when hearing that Asher was probably ready to return to the shelter. If I had fewer fosterlings, I‘d be more likely to keep him until his stitches come out, but he his feeling great, healing great, and is absolutely healthy and tame. He needs to go where he can be adopted.

After the shelter, the kids cranked up the classical music station, and we headed outside to dog-proof the yard and play. Marian assisted me with the tools and such, and Leo and Sophie crawled around pretending to be dogs so they could sniff out any potential gaps for me. After all that, we belatedly realized we’d left the gate open. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket Gus was wandering in the front yard, and Cesar came running back before we could get into the car to retrieve him Yay, Cesar!

This was followed by tree-climbing in the front yard, Marian giving the 11-year-old neighbor boy a tour of our fosterlings, and then a trip to the park, where we had a picnic dinner and I read a chapter in my sociology text.

Marian and I also read three chapters in the first book of The Fairy Chronicles by H. H. Sweet, which I foresee becoming a new passion.

The kids put on a lovely dance for me this evening, accompanied by classic music, of course (via TV):
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Ballerina at heart
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Feelin’ the groove, sorta
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The final leap (and no, nobody was injured Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket)
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Then they got the last of their energy out showing me tricks on the trampoline (but Leo got tired before I got a decent shot):

Miss Sophie
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Airborne!
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Wheee!
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Marian’s action shots
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Then off to bed, where they fell asleep in record time. Goodnight. Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket