Well, I'm definitely having problems with my PC at home. I'll continue this blog from Spike's house and try to get my PC cleared up during this upcoming week. I missed cousin Pete from Indiana yesterday - while I did get to speak with him on the phone, I didn't get to actually see him and his wife. Ah, well... Our high here yesterday was 54 degrees; it's supposed to be in the low 70s today, but if these afternoon clouds don't break up, I doubt it will get that warm. Today is the first home game for the CU Buffs, so I swept my patio and made certain things were "nice" as soon as I arrived home (and let the kits out for 90 minutes). Before I left to return here, the backyard was almost full of parked vehicles for the game; and several children had commented on Banichi and Lovey watching them through the window.
Spike had a grand time marking my face and hands with his chin and lips last night - I know the routine he has, so I wasn't surprised that as soon as I was in bed, he was on my chest, purring. He is extremely thorough, beginning with my chin and working up, and then tackling each of my hands. Lovey and Banichi know that I belong to them, and so there is no big deal about another animals' scent on me. I did shower this morning, but Spike marked most of my face again before I left to go home...
Today is Niwot Nostalgia Day, with events planned from 7:30 in the morning until 10 tonight. It opens with a pancake breakfast, and a parade through Old Town at 10 a.m. From 11 to 2, there are rides and games specifically for the kids, as well as two different magic shows; there will be a quilt show going on, and the Niwot Timberline Symphony Orchestra will perform for 90 minutes. Later, there's a duck race in the creek; and, of course, there are food and arts and crafts booths open, as well as the local stores. The Community Band will perform during dinner time, and the Fab 4 will play in the square from 7 until 10 tonight. The Dapper Dog Day Spa will be taking free photos of man's best friend, giving away doggie treats, and will have both an animal communicator and a pet massage therapist on hand - it's a good day to be a canine in Niwot!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Cold rain & Spike
Writing from Spike's house... it's cool and rainy outside and his family left at 5:30 this morning. I'm here to cuddle and read and blog. The RNC was certainly exciting - less than 130 people were arrested during the DNC, but over 300 on one day at the RNC. I don't know if choosing Gov. Palin as a running-mate was a good move for McCain or not - I listened to all their speeches, but nothing could make me like any of them. They are just spouting the same old stuff the Republican Party has been preaching since before Reagan - and look where the past 7+ years of a Republican Presidency has gotten our country...
I cuddled with Spike and gave him a tiny treat when I arrived; he is now curled up in my lap and talking to me. I'll need to run back over to my sister's and feed Suki and Boo tonight, then I'll be back with the Spike-meister. Lovey and Banichi were not very happy with me when they saw me pack my over-night bag after I fed them breakfast this morning. I let them run outside, but it began to rain, so Nichi-ji curled up in the middle of the bed and Lovey sat in my lap and cried. She can be a real heart-breaker when she wants to be.
I think I became more myself yesterday evening - I got to pick between a pro football game and a college game, while skittering back over to the final night of the RNC.... The pro game went as expected, and Vandy beat South Carolina, which was a surprise... And my shrink has decided to just up my dosage of meds instead of trying to change what I take...
The local Humane Society has just received over 30 cats that were re-located by Gustav - another bunch of bayou kitties in Colorado - and I know of one 17-year-old that I would have taken in in a heartbeat, if I had more room. I hope someone adopts Chalkie soon - he's been a one-owner indoor cat since he was 12 weeks old, and his owner couldn't take him with her into the nursing home. Hope you have a great weekend!
I cuddled with Spike and gave him a tiny treat when I arrived; he is now curled up in my lap and talking to me. I'll need to run back over to my sister's and feed Suki and Boo tonight, then I'll be back with the Spike-meister. Lovey and Banichi were not very happy with me when they saw me pack my over-night bag after I fed them breakfast this morning. I let them run outside, but it began to rain, so Nichi-ji curled up in the middle of the bed and Lovey sat in my lap and cried. She can be a real heart-breaker when she wants to be.
I think I became more myself yesterday evening - I got to pick between a pro football game and a college game, while skittering back over to the final night of the RNC.... The pro game went as expected, and Vandy beat South Carolina, which was a surprise... And my shrink has decided to just up my dosage of meds instead of trying to change what I take...
The local Humane Society has just received over 30 cats that were re-located by Gustav - another bunch of bayou kitties in Colorado - and I know of one 17-year-old that I would have taken in in a heartbeat, if I had more room. I hope someone adopts Chalkie soon - he's been a one-owner indoor cat since he was 12 weeks old, and his owner couldn't take him with her into the nursing home. Hope you have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Mouse in House; Breeder's Cup
While speaking to my friend Kathryn in Florida last night, I was interrupted by the arrival of Lovey - she wanted attention, but (I could tell from her demeanor) she didn't want me to see what she had. It was a little field mouse, not even as big as my thumb. I quickly finished my conversation and went to the bathroom to collect the mouse jar. Lovey had, by that time, taken the mouse to the entrance hallway; she'd hold it still with a paw on its' tail, and then let it run... then stop it with a paw on its' tail again. Banichi was sitting less than a yard away and watching intently. After about three minutes I got the mouse in the jar, and, keeping the kits inside, I turned the little guy/gal loose back in the grass. I want to make it clear that Lovey did not catch the mouse inside the apartment; she caught it outside in the yard and brought it in.
For those of you who know me well, you know that I can't leave horses alone for any length of time; so, here goes: The Breeder's Cup has expanded. Horse racing's multi-million dollar race day has now become two days of racing. This year the event will be on Friday and Saturday, October 24th and 25th. With the expansion of the race-card (there are now 14 BC races on the schedule), I can see and agree with the spread of the races over two days; being a feminist, I'm not sure that I like the fact that all the Distaff Races are now on Friday, and all the races for males are on Saturday (with, of course, the exception of any female that wishes to tackle the males in the highest echelon of the races). Five races for the fillies and mares on October 24th; 9 races for the colts, geldings, and stallions on October 25th. It should be an exciting race weekend - but I'm still not sure how I feel about splitting the sexes into separate days... And speaking of girls that race against boys, we lost Genuine Risk on August 18th at age 31- she beat the boys in the 1980 Kentucky Derby. She was a gorgeous chestnut with a big blaze. More information on the Breeder's Cup races and a photographic tribute to "Gennie" may be found on The Bloodhorse website at: www.bloodhorse.com
I will head off to Niwot tomorrow to take care of Spike. And I need to find my long pants to wear tomorrow - the high is expected to be only 58, with rain. It's supposed to bounce back into the mid-70s for the weekend, though. And walking this morning was brisk - it was 47 outside, and I still had on shorts and a T.... silly me.
For those of you who know me well, you know that I can't leave horses alone for any length of time; so, here goes: The Breeder's Cup has expanded. Horse racing's multi-million dollar race day has now become two days of racing. This year the event will be on Friday and Saturday, October 24th and 25th. With the expansion of the race-card (there are now 14 BC races on the schedule), I can see and agree with the spread of the races over two days; being a feminist, I'm not sure that I like the fact that all the Distaff Races are now on Friday, and all the races for males are on Saturday (with, of course, the exception of any female that wishes to tackle the males in the highest echelon of the races). Five races for the fillies and mares on October 24th; 9 races for the colts, geldings, and stallions on October 25th. It should be an exciting race weekend - but I'm still not sure how I feel about splitting the sexes into separate days... And speaking of girls that race against boys, we lost Genuine Risk on August 18th at age 31- she beat the boys in the 1980 Kentucky Derby. She was a gorgeous chestnut with a big blaze. More information on the Breeder's Cup races and a photographic tribute to "Gennie" may be found on The Bloodhorse website at: www.bloodhorse.com
I will head off to Niwot tomorrow to take care of Spike. And I need to find my long pants to wear tomorrow - the high is expected to be only 58, with rain. It's supposed to bounce back into the mid-70s for the weekend, though. And walking this morning was brisk - it was 47 outside, and I still had on shorts and a T.... silly me.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
1 a.m. Visit
After my walk this morning, I stopped in at the local bakery - but nothing appealed, so I got a large tangelo instead of a pastry for breakfast. Then I added a bunch of grapes and a goblet of juice. It was quite satisfactory. Lovey is sitting in the patio door, watching RedBoa, a squirrel help himself to a bunch of peanuts. I currently have "No Waste" seed in one feeder, raw unshelled sunflower seeds in the other, and am placing roasted un-salted peanuts in the chairs. I'm sure that Chokie, my neighbor, has noticed, but so far she hasn't made any comment to me.
I toddled off to the public library yesterday afternoon, and was stared at by a student - it was 64 degrees outside and very nice; I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts and sneakers. This poor kid was wearing a long-sleeved button-cuffed shirt, a hoodie sweatshirt, a zipped vest and another open jacket over the rest - and he still looked cold and miserable. (Of course, he also had on sweatpants and sneakers.) He stared at me and I stared at him. Finally I said, "It's a matter of acclimation. I've been here for 4 years." I feel pretty sure he was a CU freshman from Florida or south Texas... he'll learn.
I'm having some problems with my PC - when I try to place a photo in the blog, I get a "Done with errors on page" message, and the photos won't post. So I apologize for not sharing the photos I love with you, and I will continue to figure out what bugs I have in my system - even though the Spy and Virus Sweeper swear I'm clean... I see my shrink tomorrow, and I guess we'll discuss changing meds again; spoke with my therapist this morning and will see her the first week of October.
I was awakened by Banichi and Lovey launching off the bed at 1 a.m. earlier. They paraded and hissed in front of the patio door and window, and I occasionally heard a thump against the glass. It was the raccoon family - and I don't know if it was the 'coons or the cats who were thumping the glass. I do know that I'll pick up any extra peanuts tonight before I go to bed - not because I want to starve the raccoons, but just so they won't be encouraged to hang around here - they make for a very wakeful night!
I toddled off to the public library yesterday afternoon, and was stared at by a student - it was 64 degrees outside and very nice; I was wearing a T-shirt and shorts and sneakers. This poor kid was wearing a long-sleeved button-cuffed shirt, a hoodie sweatshirt, a zipped vest and another open jacket over the rest - and he still looked cold and miserable. (Of course, he also had on sweatpants and sneakers.) He stared at me and I stared at him. Finally I said, "It's a matter of acclimation. I've been here for 4 years." I feel pretty sure he was a CU freshman from Florida or south Texas... he'll learn.
I'm having some problems with my PC - when I try to place a photo in the blog, I get a "Done with errors on page" message, and the photos won't post. So I apologize for not sharing the photos I love with you, and I will continue to figure out what bugs I have in my system - even though the Spy and Virus Sweeper swear I'm clean... I see my shrink tomorrow, and I guess we'll discuss changing meds again; spoke with my therapist this morning and will see her the first week of October.
I was awakened by Banichi and Lovey launching off the bed at 1 a.m. earlier. They paraded and hissed in front of the patio door and window, and I occasionally heard a thump against the glass. It was the raccoon family - and I don't know if it was the 'coons or the cats who were thumping the glass. I do know that I'll pick up any extra peanuts tonight before I go to bed - not because I want to starve the raccoons, but just so they won't be encouraged to hang around here - they make for a very wakeful night!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
50 Degrees at 9 a.m.
Leofgifu has decided the best place for herself is between me and the keyboard this morning. I have moved her multiple times, but this is her chosen place. Banichi is sprawled under one of the bird feeders, even though it's not occupied. A big change in the weather for today - yesterday it was 85 with lots of sunshine, right now it's 50, overcast, and breezy. There were a few brief showers last night; I have the patio door and the window wide open for cool fresh air.
Gustav is dissipating, Hanna is moving toward the Carolina Coast, Ike is headed north, and Josephine has formed out in the Atlantic. I love the fact that I'm now living in Colorado, but I miss seeing George Winterling's hurricane coverage from WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida. I understand that George is the meteorologist emeritus at WJXT now, but he is always there for hurricane coverage. Bravo for George!!! He's the only weatherman my father really trusted.
One of the local ravens was "clicking" at me most of yesterday evening, and he's back in the tree next to the privacy fence again this morning - and he's still clicking at me, too. Several sparrows have now visited the bird feeder and discovered that there is food there; and a chickadee and a nuthatch have visited the shell-less sunflower feeder and seem to be satisfied. A driver in south Denver has collided with an elk, and one of the major roads into Denver is now closed down. The elk did not survive - no report as yet on the driver.
Gustav is dissipating, Hanna is moving toward the Carolina Coast, Ike is headed north, and Josephine has formed out in the Atlantic. I love the fact that I'm now living in Colorado, but I miss seeing George Winterling's hurricane coverage from WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida. I understand that George is the meteorologist emeritus at WJXT now, but he is always there for hurricane coverage. Bravo for George!!! He's the only weatherman my father really trusted.
One of the local ravens was "clicking" at me most of yesterday evening, and he's back in the tree next to the privacy fence again this morning - and he's still clicking at me, too. Several sparrows have now visited the bird feeder and discovered that there is food there; and a chickadee and a nuthatch have visited the shell-less sunflower feeder and seem to be satisfied. A driver in south Denver has collided with an elk, and one of the major roads into Denver is now closed down. The elk did not survive - no report as yet on the driver.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Poor New Orleans!
I really feel for the folks who live in and around New Orleans... Katrina three years ago and Gustav today... OUCH. The last I heard, the levees are holding, but the levee at the Industrial Canal was over-flowing (the folks keep emphasizing that the levee is not breached, it's just not high enough). Lovey is a Hurricane Katrina orphan and refugee, and I'm sure she can't figure out why I keep hugging and loving her as I watch the news.
Most of my college football teams won this past weekend, other than the two in Virginia. And CU at Boulder defeated CSU at Fort Collins in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field (or, Mile High Stadium) in Denver last night. As I was walking back to my apartment this morning, I was stopped by the owner of the Berry Best Smoothie shop, and he wanted to know where I had purchased my UF T-shirt. It turns out that he's a Gator grad from 1980.
Chokie, my neighbor, has yet to complain about the re-filling of the bird feeders and the placement of unshelled peanuts in the squirrel chairs. Several friends of hers have knocked on my door today by mistake, and I have directed them next door. My kits have had a grand time running out and about yesterday evening and this morning... it's cooler and there is supposed to be rain this afternoon. Our high tomorrow should be in the upper 60s or low 70s, according to the weather forecasters, and we should build back up to the lower 80s through next weekend.
I will be spending 10 nights and 11 days with the Spike-meister in Niwot, and close to the end of that time, our cousin Pete Nocks from Aurora, IN and his family will be stopping by for a visit on the way back from Yellowstone. It will be the first time we've met this cousin; our great-great-grandfather's were brothers - Benjamin and William Nocks. At the end of the month I have 2 weeks in Brighton with Nikki, Boris & Natasha, Abby & Shadow. Kohlbi will be at a Specialty Show for the first week, and the second will be back home with all the rest of the family. As I wrote yesterday: life goes on...
Most of my college football teams won this past weekend, other than the two in Virginia. And CU at Boulder defeated CSU at Fort Collins in the Rocky Mountain Showdown at Invesco Field (or, Mile High Stadium) in Denver last night. As I was walking back to my apartment this morning, I was stopped by the owner of the Berry Best Smoothie shop, and he wanted to know where I had purchased my UF T-shirt. It turns out that he's a Gator grad from 1980.
Chokie, my neighbor, has yet to complain about the re-filling of the bird feeders and the placement of unshelled peanuts in the squirrel chairs. Several friends of hers have knocked on my door today by mistake, and I have directed them next door. My kits have had a grand time running out and about yesterday evening and this morning... it's cooler and there is supposed to be rain this afternoon. Our high tomorrow should be in the upper 60s or low 70s, according to the weather forecasters, and we should build back up to the lower 80s through next weekend.
I will be spending 10 nights and 11 days with the Spike-meister in Niwot, and close to the end of that time, our cousin Pete Nocks from Aurora, IN and his family will be stopping by for a visit on the way back from Yellowstone. It will be the first time we've met this cousin; our great-great-grandfather's were brothers - Benjamin and William Nocks. At the end of the month I have 2 weeks in Brighton with Nikki, Boris & Natasha, Abby & Shadow. Kohlbi will be at a Specialty Show for the first week, and the second will be back home with all the rest of the family. As I wrote yesterday: life goes on...
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