Tuesday In The Woods With Big Al

This is one of the better photos that I've taken of Big Al.

He's a shy boy.

Blends into the background.

Even if you've gotten a good one of him,

nope, you can't make out details at all.

So, today I give you Big Al.

Details.

 

Why is he called Big Al ?

He is a very big black cat.

And, he looks at me when I call him.

 

~ ~ ~

It's another foggy morning.

Been that way for over a week.

Leaves are still everywhere.

Colors too.

Misty but not rainy.

I'll take that over the total rains that are on the way.

We get so much rain that my fence has moss on it.

No, really it does.

My porch too.

 

~ ~ ~

I just made my list for the day.

I have a lot to do.

Better drink that coffee

and be on my way.

 

~ JC ~

 



Purr and Fur Gang

My life is just dam complicated so

 I'm not even going to talk about it.

Instead, I'll step over it and on to other things.

The Purr and Fur Gang are all well.

Which is sort of amazing considering their ages.

(checking to see if they are listening)

Cause I'm going to talk about them.

Big Al is fourteen and doing great.

He naps a lot but so do I.

Ashton Rosevelt naps a lot too but he's still talking away.

He's the one I watch close.

I'm always wondering where he went.

He has gotten locked in a lot of closets in his life.

I never leave without knowing where he is.

He's eleven  now.

Jasmine Marie is still a crabby old Siamese.

Sweet though when she wants to be

but basically any growl you hear is from her.

She's nine or ten.

Riley Andrew is still getting in trouble.

Every chance he can actually.

I think he's around eight or nine now.

He hasn't really slowed down much.

He still owns the perch by the window

and watches bird tv with me.

Yes, I watch it every morning.

Meredith Ann has been with me for three years.

(this coming November)

I can't even remember life without her.

She has changed my days so much.

I think she's about five or six.

She is an absolute doll.

Except for her silky furs that get nasty clumps.

That she and I could do without.

Maddy Jean is ten and still going.

Her tumors are unfortunately growing with her.

She's been with me one more year.

That nasty cancer surgery is a memory now.

No more of those for her ever.

She naps a lot.

I'm fine with that.

She doesn't seem to be in pain so more time is what I get.

She watches Jodie play.

So do I.

She's quite entertaining actually.

Everyone should get a Collie.

At least we think so.

Jodie Belle is the cutest Rough Collie ever.

No, really I mean it.

Barks too much but so do I.

Let's face it, who doesn't bark too much.

Just love her so much.

She has made Maddy Jean happy.

All the cats like her too.

Ok, not the Siamese but Jazz doesn't like anyone but me.

See, that was more fun than telling you about my life.

Hope you all have a nice day.

I'm off to dance a bit.

It seems to make me forget and I like that.

~ JC ~

My Woods

My Grandson, Big Al .. in his box.
It's really Meredith Ann's box but for today, it was his.
I rarely get a good photo of him
so even though he has allergy eyes,
(yes, even cats get it)
he was too cute not to post about.
~ ~ ~
It's another Wednesday in the woods.
Where did my week go ?
It flew by.

Riley is better.
Not great but eating and drinking.
Asks for pets.
Isn't hiding in the closet or under the chair.
So, I am pleased.
(still watching him though as any Mom would)

I'm doing better too.
I was not doing well on my new heart med.
Thus, I stopped taking it.
Either I was going to nap for a month
or live my life.
I decided to enjoy my life.
I'm now on two meds for my heart
instead of three.
And, as they say,
the beat goes on.
Not to worry, I'm not really bothered
by my fast heart beat.
I've had it, most of my life.
I think I'm used to it.
Just has gotten a bit crazy lately.
Mostly when I'm in surgery
or in a lot of pain.

Purr and Fur Gang
are all doing fine.
The scare with Riley 
has me on alert.
I tell them all to not sneeze
or throw a hair ball.
My credit card can't take it.
(no really I mean it)

And, that is my update from the woods.
See, not much going on this week.
Just reading a book on the deck
while Meredith Ann enjoys
her freedom.

Yesterday, she found a small green 
frog that was in the grass.
I told her no, we don't play with our 
friends that way.

She really is too cute.

The butterfly's are in my woods
again this year.
Thus, I enjoy sitting with a good book,
and a glass of 'whatever' 
and take in the world around me.

I'm just a simple gal
who loves the sounds
of my woods.

Hope you are all well
and remembering 
to dance.

Just saying ...

~ JC ~

Customer Service and Big Al Update

~ ~ ~

I just got off the phone with customer service

at my new prescription med department.

What a hoot that was.

 I have two prescriptions that are going to end soon.

I can do three months at a local pharmacy.

Otherwise, I have to get the prescription

transferred to the mail out only kind.

Only when I went to the site,

 after signing in or up,

and clicking the transfer a prescription button,

I got sent to the 90 day site.

Thus, after saying many things to the machine ladies voice,

 talked to a customer service person.

 

I have one that was a twelve month prescription

and one that only has one month left on it.

(All meds that I'm on for my kidney and heart.)

My kidney Dr. had given me a four month supply,

until my next appointment with him.

I was told they would not pay for this last month.

They only do a 90 day supply.

 

During this conversation,

I started to laugh.

This was after I started to

voice my opinion at the

absurdness of saying they

wouldn't pay for a one month supply

of medication for me.

 

All crazy to me.

 

So, I think after all of this,

 I might get some heart meds in the mail.

She asked if they could automatically

 use my credit card for further charges.

I said no to that one.

 Ask me first please.

 

Then, I asked for another prescription card.

We have four in the family and they only gave us two.

Was told they can only send one card, every thirty days.

Again, I laughed.

 

So, that's what I did with a chunk of my morning.

 

Insurance companies and their prescription companies are crazy.

She asked me if I had a local office of this prescription company.

(It does have them in some states.)

Told her no, none in my state.

Couldn't she have looked that up ?

Doesn't she work for them ?

 

~ ~ ~

Oh, and Big Al is doing fine.

Mad at me for giving him

his pink liquid meds

but doing fine under the bed.

(he's hiding from me)

 

~ JC ~

Big Al

Update ~ The vet just called.

Big Al had one tooth taken out instead of two.

Was doing fine.

I pick him up this evening.

Now, to just see how well he takes his meds. lol

~ A very relieved Grandma ~

(he is my d's cat that I take care of and call Grandson.)

 

This is my Grandson, Big Al.

He is going to the v e t in an hour.

He is having a mini surgery

to clean his teeth

and remove two or more.

 

Last week, he went in for his check up

and shots.

The vet said he needed to have

his teeth cleaned and he might

have a cavity.

 

When I called to get an estimate

and make the appointment,

I was told what he'd written in his notes.

 

I don't even want to tell you

what the two estimates were.

Big OUCH in the pocket.

That's what credit cards are for.

I was really shocked.

Twice what I thought it would be.

It all adds up.

The iv, senior profile blood work,

30 or 60 minutes of anesthesia,

and you get the idea.

Dollar signs.

 

 

Big Al is going to have a lot done.

More than I thought.

Silly me.

I thought a quick cleaning.

Nope, his thirteen years

has gotten to him.

 

I'm a bit worried.

Maybe like any Grandma would be.

 

What ifs ...

You all know how that goes.

 

So, I'll be close to the phone.

In case, they need to call me.

 

I'll be nursing him back

to his old self

the rest of the week.

 

He's really a sweet big cat.

Always has been.

 

Anyway, I thought I'd let you all know.

Maybe a few thoughts

of him would help.

Couldn't hurt ...

 

Happy straw hat day

to everyone.

 

How do you all find these things ?

 

~ JC ~

 



Finish Each Day

Big Al in his box using his eyes to keep the rest of the purr gang away.

~ ~ ~
Finish each day and be done with it.

 You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;

forget them as soon as you can.

 Tomorrow is a new day;

 begin it well and serenely

 and with too high a spirit

 to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I saw this quote and thought it was meant for me.
I deal with a bit of anxiety from time to time.
Thus, my love of my somewhat peaceful woods.
The thought of going out into the big bad world
full of noise and traffic and what ifs
does get me in a 'why' mood at times.
I think, 'do I really need to go out ?'
Most times I don't unless I have 
an appointment but today,
I need to drive to the grocery store
and with all that's going on
with me ( no details today) 
I thought 'do I really?'.
As I sat here, trying to get
my rear out the door,
I saw this quote and thought,
that's me. 

Now, I really do need to
get out and about.
Tootles ..
~ JC ~

Wisps Of A Wednesday

Riley and Al talking about their new time share

~ ~ ~ 
I've been busy with my list.
This appointment and that paperwork.
All things I do not want to do.
Several times I've told myself that I do not need to do this.
I then after a bit of a nervous breakdown
tell myself that I do and that I can.

So, as my calendar has so many circled dates
with forms that go with them,
I decided to take a day off.

To pretend (like I love to do) for the day.
Went to a spa to get my roots done
the right way instead of the way
they got done last time.
More money involved but I'm kind of at 
that point in my life where I need
a 'me' day.
It went well except for the lady
who brought her two kids
(both under five)
and let them scream the whole time.
Don't even get me started on that.

Got home and like a good grown up,
I called about my test that I need
to get done next week.

I looked at that paperwork.
I can do that.

I got all my surgeons paperwork
in the mail today.
I need to get that filled out
and sent back to them.

Only the day before I have surgery,
I have to do all sorts of stuff.
Things that I did not know about.
(I had planned to go to the fancy
flower and garden show the night before.
Mr. Boatman said it was my last thrill
for a while and why not.
So, we had a plan.
Why not have fun the night before.
Surgery is first thing in the morning.)

Nope, now I have to stay home.
At least I think I do.
We will see what I can figure out.

Then, I read the paperwork.
All the 'what can happen' during surgery things.
Oh, that's just too much fun to read.
I'm having a cup of coffee.
Not as big a nervous breakdown this time.
They are getting smaller.
The 'I don't want to do this' moments.
The 'I think I could survive without this' kind.

I sleep a bit.
Wake up early.
Start to think about what's going on.
Did I say, I don't want to do this.
I'm being forced to do this.
All the people who don't have to have
 this done to them have told me that I do.

Anyway, I needed my hair day.
Since, I don't seem to be able to control
anything else in my life
at least I can have good looking roots.
And, they are by the way.
I finally found someone who did what I asked.
I don't look half bad.

And, the wisp of a Wednesday,
well, that's cause for a moment
I actually forgot what's going on.

Me, and my stupid failing kidney.
I'd rather watch the girls
play outside in the sort of misty day.
I'd rather watch Big Al and Riley
talk about who's turn it was
to enjoy the new condo.
I'd rather drink coffee in my cute cat cup.
I'd rather do anything else but what I have to do.

So, there you go.
Me and my wisp of a Wednesday.

And, I know no one reads this blog.
I have numbers but people are leaving in droves.
No one new has read my blog in forever.
And, I don't care.

I still write what's going on in my part of the woods.
Today, it's the cute dogs and cats
and the new roots
and the stupid paperwork
and the fact that 
I don't want to do this.

I feel better just writing this all out.

Hope your Wednesday was great.
I like Wispy Wednesdays.

~ JC ~

Eeyore and Purrs

Jodie Belle as a puppy

~ ~ ~

I'm having coffee in my Eeyore cup.

He and I were meant for each other.

Only I'm a bit cheerier than he.

I just love him.

Always have.

 

Maddy Jean and Jodie Belle have been in and out a lot.

Their normal routine in the mornings.

 

Riley is of course on his scratching post watching.

Meredith Ann is on her heater vent.

 

Al is sleeping on his bed.

Jasmine Marie is on her blanket in the closet.

Ashton is napping on my bed.

 

All is purrfect this morning.

 

~ ~ ~

An update on my Doctor visit yesterday.

They think that I've past my kidney stone.

They think that the infection caused by it is gone.

The ct shows that my left kidney is worse than was thought.

I need to have a test done to see the percentage of it's function.

There was talk of taking it out.

I was told I could go into renal failure at anytime.

My right kidney needs to be repaired soon.

(I have stones in that one too)

It was a fun talk.

She told me I took it well.

I walked away with all my paperwork.

I think I'm in shock.

Of course, I might go into renal failure.

Isn't that what everyone does for the Holidays.

And, who needs that left kidney.

Just gives you stones and infections.

Out with the old I say.

The test will give me the news I need.

I think I might put that test off for a while.

I like the unknown.

At least for today.

 

See why I hide in my woods.

When I come out, things come after me.

 

I'm going to stay home today.

With my Purr and Fur Gang.

And, my Eeyore cup too.

 

Hope your Gang is napping and cute like mine.

They get me through these times.

These tests that life throws at me.

I'm a fighter though.

I plan on winning.

 

~ JC ~

Mondays With Meredith Ann

It happened !!!

Spring arrived in my rainy/snowy part of the woods.

Mom let me go outside.

I was thrilled.

I ran off the porch

(not really cause I don't do that)

and down the steps

to chew on my beloved green stuff.

YUM !!!

Here's a close up of the Violets that Mom likes.

She gets all excited when she sees them.

Me, I don't know.

I've tried chewing them but I like the green stuff more.

While I was out and about

these two were making noise.

How's a girl supposed to enjoy her outing with all that going on.

I can't really complain cause I was out

and these two weren't.

I just love Spring !!!

Mew at you all later,

~ Meredith Ann ~

Blustery Day

Tuesday meowning having coffee in my Eeyore cup.

Listening to the garbage trucks do their business.

Dark and windy out today.

You can hear it swirl louder than the cars.

Jodie Belle is sitting near me.

Big Al is on the chair.

He got the soft blanket today.

Ashton is under the chair.

Riley is on the bird tv scratching post.

Meredith Ann spent the night on the couch.

Jasmine is still napping in the closet on the towels.

I've had trouble with both my computers lately.

They type slow. They run slow.

They stop and get stuck.

Drives a gal crazy and I don't  need any help in that area.

Made a few appointments.

Takes forever to get one made.

They either moved or don't understand the basic questions.

Like have you moved since the last time I was there.

That's kind of an easy one don't you think.

Nope, not for them. I gave up and just listened to them.

Going for a massage this meowning.

That was a task to get an appointment.

Do you do a spa or a massage therapist ?

I went with a local In Spa.

By local, I mean twenty to thirty minutes away.

Living in the woods, I can pick which direction I wish to drive.

Down this way or up that way.

Then it was what kind of massage.

I picked a Swedish sixty minute one.

Hope it helps my shoulder pain.

I've been having a lot of migraines lately.

I think this will help.

At least that's what I'm expecting.

To leave a new old lady.

And, for all two to four of you who read my blog,

Do you massage or spa ?

~ JC, Big Al, Ashton and his blanket, Jodie Belle and Riley ~

Thoughts On A Rainy Day



Big Al When It Was Sunny

It's a cold wet Wednesday.

Yucky, don't want to go outside in it kind of day.

Fall has really arrived.

Big Al has been upstairs on the soft blanket.

He comes down to visit in the meowning

but goes to take his cozy naps on his blanket.

I know, it belongs to the cats.

He and Ashton blend in so well

(it's dark brown and very fuzzy)

that I sometimes don't see them.

Two boys will look up at me

when I walk into the room.

I just say, Hello Boys

How's your day going.

They blink there eyes and ask for pets.

I've been busy looking for a new friend for Maddy Jean.

Was trying to find a rescue dog.

One that was older and liked cats and dogs.

It's really hard to find someone that fits

into what I need for my home.

I did apply for three and

someone else adopted them before I could.

So, now I'm looking at getting a collie puppy.

I know, it's not a rescue, I know.

I had collies as a child.

My first dog was named Chrissy Collie.

After that we had Lovely Lady and Shadow.

All I know is I need a friend for Maddy Jean.

I need another fur ball to wiggle and brings me toys.

If I find a rescue, then great.

If not, than I will get a collie.

Maybe I could get both.

That is my update on this rainy day.

~ JC & Al & Maddy Jean~

Thankful Thursday

Sedona

I was thinking early this morning about things.

You know how that happens.

 Early noise wakes you.

Too early to get up but your mind starts to go.

I always say a mini prayer.

 My own version.

That starts the day.

Nothing big just what I'm thinking.

(I grew up going to church six days out of seven.)

I always wish for good health for my family.

I go through the list.

Hoping that Riley eats more.

That Bella keeps going on like she has been.

That Maddy Jean keeps being puppylike
 and never grows old.

I hope for the big four cats to lose a bit of weight.

That Meredith Ann gets brave.

That the three humans in the group stay healthy.

That the stress in their lives eases a bit.

I then think of myself.

Hoping that today is a good day for me.

(That I am not in a lot of pain.
 That I get things done.
That the peace I look for visits.)

 I do my mini prayer that I learned as a child.

I'm just saying it to myself

in the hope that it will happen.

The good things for those around me.

A peaceful path.

I wish for that a lot.

Peace.

Since I woke up five years ago from my coma,

I've felt like I was on borrowed time.

Long story short ... I was not supposed to be here.

I have felt great peace the last month or so.

Making big decisions that were hard.

I think they have made me calmer.

Knowing that I did what was right.

Anyway, I thought I'd tell you about this morning.

That for just a bit I was scared.

For what could happen.

My Purr Gang is getting older.

I know that Bella is in a holding pattern
 that will soon end.

Maddy Jean is only two years younger.
I kind of want things to freeze in motion.

I'll take the pain of today and make it be good.

And, that is what I was thinking about today on
Thankful Thursday.

I am so very Thankful for all that I have.

I'm just a bit scared for when it may change.

~ JC ~

The Purr & Fur Gang

I have birds that whistle.

The crickets sing all night.

Rain pours.

Bits of sun shines in  between.

My Golden sits on the deck.

Moist or not.

Comes in very happy.

Bella being older knows

not to sit out there too long.

Maddy Jean is still a puppy

even if she's almost eight.

Meredith Ann has been

combed a lot due to her

long furs making clumps.

I now know why they had

shaved her furs off

at the rescue place.

Jasmine has been running

around like a bunny rabbit.

Riley seems to be playing

catnip mouse all the time.

Big Al loves to nap.



Ashton mews to me as he

moves his toys around.



Oh, and coffee was really

good this morning.

~ JC ~

Dance With Me

Yesterday afternoon during a terrible rain storm,

I was watching Hawaii Five-O

with Big Al sitting on my lap.

When the theme song came on,

Al & I did the dance.

He always puts his paws on my hand.
We move to the music.

Thus, he did the Hawaii Five-O dance with me.

He acts like it's normal.

Me asking him to dance.

If you do the same with your cats,

then you're my kind of cat lover.

~ JC ~

A Dear Old Man

This morning I woke up

to a big poofy black cat next to me.

He was as close as one can get.

All cozy by my pillow.

I hated to wake him up.

Big Al is a dear old man.

We think he's the same age as the year.

Which would make him eleven now.

We got him from the local humane society.

Who got him from a hoarder situation.

I am his Grandma.

My daughter got him in grade school.

She's now in college.

I take care of my Grandson.

I pet him and tell him how nice he is.

(he has his trouble with the girls but who doesn't)

He sits on my lap ... all sixteen pounds of him.

He purrs and purrs and sends his soul to mine.

I hope he continues on for many more years.

He is the best Grandson anyone could have.

~ JC ~