"because without me your life would suck..."

Walking around the house today trying to think of something interesting to post,  I came across our kitchen calendar...

and as I was reading the note on the calendar...

... that last line on the note made me laugh - and I had to share it with DH (who also laughed).  And the pic reminded us of some of the outside feral kittens.

outside ferals a few years back

so I decided to dedicate this post to: 

*CATS* 

and walked around the house taking pics of our 4!

Tux enjoying a little sun

Rose bundled up on the bed

Julie sleeping among her toys

Ghost sniffing a catnip toy

Oh for the life of a cat!

Even the outside ones seem to be enjoying the Fall weather...

mama feral and Mini Pearl in backyard

black feral in ceramic pumpkin on front porch

closer look

Well, as the note on the poster said,

 "... because without me your life would suck"

(Possibly this is an exaggeration, 

but we do get the gist and agree)

Halloween, pumpkins, tea cakes, and other signs of Fall...

grand-daughter

This is our youngest grand-daughter in her Halloween costume. She chose to "back the blue" rather than Spider man (who is one of her favorite Super-heroes) and surprised us all. At almost 4, she is one child that definitely has a mind of her own. 

The next are some pics I took of the Pumpkin Patch at our local Central Market. 

So many pumpkins... 

All sizes and shapes...

It's hard to choose... 

I kind of like these weird ones...

They're also pushing apple cider this week...

We haven't put out our pumpkin yet. And I will make a pumpkin custard pie with it's contents when the time comes. But I did make some caramel teacakes for tea this afternoon. 

closer look at caramel centers

We love tea cakes... and have used the recipe ever since a neighbor gave it to me back in Florida when DH and I were first married. They are simple, not too sweet, and actually perfect with tea or coffee. My daughter makes them now too. She usually does a sugar frosting on hers that is delicious, but I prefer just a little powdered sugar. This caramel center is just something I came up with to try since we once had something similar at Central Market... and it was quite expensive. I remember thinking, " I can make this" - thus, my own version today. 

Update on my cataract surgery:  done and done!! Next is a 6 week checkup in November. Glad that's over. 

Intentionally not mentioning the debate the other night. Yes, we did listen. No, we're not commenting.... but we are praying a lot.

Missing my working on the pottery wheel and my exercise class, but we are walking at least twice a week and I've started knitting again, resumed teaching myself piano, and plan to start quilting again any day. Thank goodness for my books. Have been reading the Irish Country Doctor series... and enjoying it. Will resume my pottery and exercise classes in January.

The cats are all doing well. Inside and out. Rose continues to amaze us. She is eating well, has put on some weight, and in every practical sense, seems to be 'just fine' (at 21). I think she sometimes forgets where she is... walks into a room, looks around like she 's thinking "what was I doing?" and turns around and goes back... but I tend to do that too... so-oo ?

So yes, Fall is here! Time to put out the pumpkins and start collecting Halloween candy. And we are even having some cooler weather... which for us in Texas means mornings in the 60's and afternoons and evenings in the 70's and 80's (not triple digets!). Hurray!

The outside cats love the cooler weather! It makes them very playful and full of energy. 

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy this fall weather!

recent observations... critter and otherwise

a nightly visitor in the backyard

This little guy (or girl) comes by daily - usually in the evening, but sometimes in the morning or afternoon. Preference is the catfood, but will eat left over bread, cookies, etc. This one really has a sweet tooth. We had half of a canoli left over from company the other night and decided to give it to the coon instead of putting it in the trash. Well, that was one happy coon! He/she loved it! Obviously the best thing she'd had in a long time. DH said that he/she did her happy dance.

Box turtle and feral cat

These are visitors to our front yard.. I took this through the window early one morning, so it isn't terribly clear - but you can see one of the box turtles as well as one of the ferals in the front garden. The turtles like fruit, figs, strawberries, etc., but they seem to like the dry cat food best.

Julie and Jack napping on our bed Saturday

Ghost getting up from nap on our bed Saturday

Mini Pearl outside kitchen door yesterday

That ends the critter portion of my post...
-----------

Now I'm going to mention a few things that I've noticed lately. Being elderly or perhaps I should say entering my *Alpenglow* years (see DJan's post here), I tend to notice more carefully how things are done (scrutinize?). And lately due to my 2 cataract surgeries in the last few weeks and CAT Scan with Angiogram done Friday, I have been noticing how medical personnel  treat patients (perhaps treat older patients since this is coming from my perspective).

And I realized that although everyone I came in contact with throughout was efficient and friendly, some either put out that extra effort or perhaps simply were born to work in the health service profession. One nurse in particular caught my attention. She was efficient, patient, and extremely kind. Not only did she explain everything she was doing and why, but asked questions and actually paid attention to my answers. Even after her time with me was done, she dropped by after the procedure to check on me. DH and I were impressed. 

When I mentioned this to a family member who also works in the medical profession, I was told that this is how all nurses (and doctors) should be. I agreed, but we both know that this is not the case. Guess what I'm talking about may be considered 'bedside manner' - but whatever it's called, it certainly makes a difference.

And possibly part of this is due to me. In the past when put into such situations, I tended to be silent and do as I was told... thinking this was best... don't interfere, just follow their instructions. But now for whatever reason (perhaps it's age-related), I tend to interact and converse more with the person working with me... or try to. I find it makes the whole process less stressful.

Anyway, for the most part, all this is over for a bit. I will get the results of my CAT Scan (hopefully in the next few days) and with a little luck, all that's left to do is normal annual exams... which we generally schedule in the Fall for insurance reasons.

Hope everyone had a great weekend... and wishing you a lovely stress-free week!

PS: I made a bacon and leek pie today. It was from a recipe I saw on either the Pioneer Lady or Farm House rules... can't remember which (cooking shows I record). But I'd never used leeks before. We use a lot of onion and garlic, but never leeks. It was really good... similar to a quiche, but no cheese.

Oh, and I discovered another show to record thanks to my daughter who recommended it - "Fixer Upper" with Chip and Jo-ann. They take old run down homes in the Waco area of Texas and fix them up. After you watch a few, they're kind of addictive. Chip is a bit crazy, but seems to do great construction and Jo-ann definitely has a flair for decorating. (I don't watch TV during the day, but find these great to record and watch during those occasional 3 am wake-ups.)

not going to "think" about it...

For those of you who know that I had cataract surgery on my left eye a few weeks ago, you'll be happy to know that all is well and I'm going in for the surgery on my right eye this week. Am I concerned? Well...

Seems I shouldn't be, but still a bit anxious. Am trying not to think about it. We just do what we have to do...

Speaking about *doing what we have to do*, I had to make another batch of home-made granola today - since I sent half of DH's batch last week to our daughter in the hill country. When she and I were talking on the phone last Sunday I mentioned that I was making granola and she had immediately put in her order. She and her comrades at work love it and hadn't had any in a while, so... we shared.  Today I was given strict instructions not to mention my making another batch to anyone...

Also I got the book I won from Deb's drawing in the mail a few days ago.  Thank you, Deb, from Just Cats! It's called "Think Like a Cat" by Pam Johnson-Bennett, a certified Animal Behavior Consultant.  So far it is very interesting reading and has confirmed some of our suspicions concerning feral behavior we've witnessed. She mentions that in a free-roaming society, cats will often nurse and care for each other's kittens. We've seen this with the ferals in our backyard.

And she mentions the myth that *cats cannot be trained*. We knew this to definitely be a myth as one of our cats goes to the bed each night at 8. This is Ghost, who is the only one of our 4 that sleeps in our bedroom with us. When we're home, all DH has to do is get up and walk towards her, and Ghost gets up and heads for the bedroom. Occasionally if DH forgets and it's 8 o'clock, Ghost will come and sit in front of his chair and wait. And if we don't happen to be home for 8pm, she puts herself to bed... while all the other cats remain in the den or kitchen.

Of course I also believe that the cats train us too. It only takes a few meows and running back and forth for me to realize that Tux wants me to sit down and read so he can sit with me... or Julie to start her crazy jumping around on the counter top for me to realize that she wants me to play with her toys with her. She loves me to throw her a mouse or a ball so she can bat the thing across the room!  And Ghost sits on the bed steps (we have a high bed) each night waiting for me to do her shadow show on the wall before she'll climb into bed to sleep. I probably should explain this... but I read every night at bedtime... and use a book light. It throws shadows on the wall and Ghost has become addicted to watching and jumping at these shadows each night. Yes, we are a weird bunch...

These next few pics are of Mini Pearl and her mom in the backyard. She was always such a tiny thing, but lately DH and I think she's starting to get a little size on her. 

This one's a big foggy, but it was taken from my kitchen window...

And lastly I have to post this pic of Julie going Berserk with the catnip toy that Deb put in with the book!

And they also loved the treats you included... Pure Bites? We had never heard of them. Thanks again!

Sunday morning... making granola

This morning I was in the mood for making some home-made granola. It doesn't involve that much... just some oatmeal, maple syrup, brown sugar, salt, a little oil, and vanilla... oh, and lots of fresh chopped nuts!

I use almonds, cashews, pecans, and macadamia nuts

This is after 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven. 

Comes out in 1 piece after 30 mins cooling

Then I break it up and put it in tightly covered container... for us to snack on or eat for breakfast.  You can crumble it if you want smaller pieces, but we like to eat it like cookies.







The only thing I do differently than is said to do in the recipe is that right before I put it in the oven, I sprinkle it with a little cinnamon sugar. Adds a little sweet to the salt, and makes the house smell marvelous while cooking. And it's yummy!!


Now for some funny photos:

I think this is a great sign!

grand-daughter goofing around

Julie amongst her toys

and lastly...

Baby girl feral with her bro's

We've started calling her "Mini Pearl" because of her small size and the fact that she stands out like a Pearl among all the black ferals...

quilting, knitting, new purchase, grandbabies, and cats...

A few updates...

Eye surgeries and Time:

Have been trying to decide whether to use this time (between eye surgeries) to start knitting or go back to quilting again. I can't do my exercise classes nor my pottery classes for a few weeks, so I have time on my hands to do things that don't require too much exertion - told not to pick up anything over 10 lbs, not to bend over but keep head up over heart, raise head upon sleeping, and put my eyedrops in 4X daily.

I'm eager to quilt... so may take a run to Fabric Fanatics this week. And although I have plenty of yarn about, may also check out a few yarn shops. 

last quilting project

New Purchase: 

We did purchase a new refrigerator this week. Our old one is still working, but is 16 years old and we have to keep a heavy bottle of water in front of the door to keep it closed. With the Labor Day Sales Monday, we found one we liked and went ahead and got it. They will be delivering it tomorrow. The old one will go into the garage. This one is a Kitchenaid French Door model, but not one that has all the bells and whistles. Some have too many doors inside for my taste. Here is a picture of the one we purchased. 

It's pretty simple, but had the necessary requirements. We did like a certain LG model, but it was one that had all these plastic doors inside... and we decided that we didn't really need or want that. And our old one is a Kitchenaid and has been very reliable over the years. 


Grandbaby:

Our 3 year old grand daughter has become enamored with Spiderman. So... after her bath the other night, her mom let her dress herself and this is what she came out with. 
Interesting outfit, yes?

As you can tell, she was pretty proud of herself and her get-up!

Ghost's new favorite spot: 

Ghost has taken over one of the two large arm chairs in the living room. We don't use this area much except in the winter when we sit by the fireplace. But for whatever reason, Ghost has chosen this chair as her new favorite spot.

And last, but not least... a picture of two of the outdoor ferals laying about on the back patio.

The little Siamese kitten is the youngest out there at the moment. But she has several black teen-age brothers or cousins around that seem to take care good care of her. 

Saturday night live... in real life

This is a picture I took outside yesterday. It's a dragon fly (we called them "mosquito hawks" when I was young) that was sitting on the bushes when I went to the car. We used to see them all over the place years ago. Now... not so much.

It's Saturday night... DH is watching football and I'm watching ""The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel" - not much on TV tonight. There is a marathon of "Murder She Wrote", but I've seen most of those. And actually I've seen this movie before also, but it's interesting... about a group of Seniors who move to India in an attempt to spend their remaining years with limited financial means. It's about acceptance and the ability to adapt. It's not a place where I would want to spend my advancing years, yet there is something about it that intrigues me. I especially like the young Indian man who owns the hotel and uses the saying, "Everything will be alright in the end, and if it's not alright... then it's not the end". 

one of our feral kittens laying on back porch

Our skunk has been back to visit quite a bit. It's usually late at night and the outside cats don't seem to mind... although they do keep their distance. There is a little possum that also comes by in the front each night. 








Oh, I started driving again this week. I probably could have driven sooner, but since my left eye had it's cataract surgery, it's made me a little "off- balanced" feeling. However,  it's getting better each day and I felt that the time had come. Anyway, I went to Barnes and Noble to get a new book since they had a 40% off coupon for their Labor Day Sale.  I ended up with "The Dark Witch" book, one of a Nora Roberts Irish trilogy. And I  met a friend for coffee at LaMadeleine's. And... the doctor's office called to schedule my right eye surgery - which will be in a few weeks.

Can you believe that the summer is over and September is here? The kids are back in school... and Halloween (and even Christmas in some places - like Cracker Barrel) decorations are beginning to show up. Funny thing is, I keep my "Merry Christmas" sign on the front door year round... (because I like it and also because I don't have any other sign to replace it), But recently I hung up a bat (for Halloween) beside it. It may not be seasonally correct, but my 3 year old grand daughter likes it!

On another thought, I read recently that in order to avoid dementia or Alzheimer's in old age, one should learn a new word in a new language every day as well as possibly learn a musical instrument. These things keep the mind active by making new neuro-connections (to put it simply). They also recommended certain foods... which is something most of us have heard before.  There are no guarantees, but  I think possibly it boils down to being willing to accept change and to never stop learning new things. 

I'm OK with that.  How about you?