Monday, November 26, 2012

Fishing for Kitty


I've been trying to get Ms Kitty to warm up to me.  She sits under the lounge chair and watches me.  She will run up to the back door when she needs me to fill her food bowl.

Turkey left overs have proved useful in getting her to come closer.  This may take a while and I'll probably have to cook another turkey.  She sees the turkey I put out for her.  I put it just a few feet in front of me. She stops for a little drink of water.
 She's trying to play it cool, pretending that she doesn't really notice the pieces of turkey.

 She's getting closer.
 Closer.

 Bingo!
 These are the baby kitties.


No, not a kitty.  It's my Tuxedo Mousse cake.  Not mouse cake and not for kitty.


111 comments:

Carol said...

It's a rainy dreary day today. We haven't had much rain lately so it's nice for a change. Ms Kitty had moved her kitties to back behind the little pool house. I was worried about what would happen if it did rain but two days ago she moved them back into the pool house. I think she knew that this rain was coming.

Carol said...

Chloe, it doesn't look like you're getting this rain. Sorry.

Carol said...

I've been listening to that C2C show that aired the other night. That night I was wondering what shows I might be missing. That'a usually synchronicity. I haven't even listened to any of them in a long time but I continue to renew my subscription just in case I want to.

Yesterday morning I looked to see what was in the recent archives of C2C, especially the night I was wondering. It just so happened to be a program on "Solving the Crime Epidemic". An interest of mine. The description of the program was..."Ted Dekker joined John B. Wells for a discussion on America's incarceration complex and the societal forces that fuel this billion dollar industry."

I spent a part of yesterday listening to the program both on my computer and on my iPhone while at the camp. Those programs cover about 4 hours so it takes a while to hear the entire program. I'm not through yet.

So far, from what I've heard, Dekker spent most of the time talking about how we are all in prison, a prison of our own making. We lock ourselves up due to our insecurity, self hatred, fear, doubt, quilt... And most of those in the real prisons are in there for the same reasons. We do things we don't want to do and we don't do things that we do want to do and we can't seem to change that. I certainly see that both in myself and in just about everyone else I know. I'm trying hard to work on that issue. I'm working on breaking out of my own prison and on keeping other from dragging me into theirs.

He says that we are always looking for something outside ourselves to fulfill us because something is lacking inside. He blames "religion" for much of that. He is a very spiritual guy. "Dekker was born to missionaries who lived among the headhunter tribes of Indonesia" but he was sent away at age 6 to a boarding school.

He's written over 30 novels and he says he writes to explore himself. He says we all need to learn to love ourselves, to see ourselves as perfect. He's still working on that. He said when he made his first million he thought that that would do it but it only lasted for a very short time.

He did say that most people who are in the real prisons are there for all of the above reasons. They need to learn love themselves and that love would be the only effective rehab.

When I said that it seemed that many of the inmates had this destiny to be incarcerated, it was probably just that self loathing I saw. I did try to show most of my inmates some love, usually tough love. That's one thing that I do miss about my work. Not many in that setting are capable or choose to show any of them any love. Some of my nurses do/did. A few of those in security did also. It was rare though.

Have you ever thought about what keeps you in prison?

Coreen said...

Carol, just love the fur family...
the kittens are adorable..mother kitty looks like she is a big girl,
is she orange/beige, hard to see in the shade...

I do think mother kitty will adapt to you & the kits as well...it takes lots of love, attention, caring but they sure found the right place to live, can't think of a better person to care for all of them...

by the way what does Maggie think about them?...

And the cake looks like it was everything you & TW said it was...

Carol said...

Coreen, she's about 50 shades of gray and a little orange. She does seem to be very young herself but she's turned out to be a good mom.

Georgia said...

Yes Carol your kitty pics are cute and yes Coreen I ate my entire "shank" she left me. It was tastier than you can imagine....just the right amount of sweetness to where you aren't saying "Why did I eat that"? I was hoping she would also post the pics she took of my table setting. I was thinking of things I was thankful for and my late Grandmother came to mind. She raised me mostly as my Mother had virtually no skills at parenting. We had to move in with my Grandparents when I was 5 because of divorce. My Father was a sperm donor, not a Father like most people have or had. My Grandmother took us in (3 sisters) until my Mother remarried and we moved to Atlanta in 1963. My point of all this was....I have my Grandmothers' dining table and chairs and her china and flatware which are all over 80 years old and I dug out all the china and silverware that was tarnished but I tried to polish it the best I could so I could dedicate my Thanksgiving to my Grandmother who died in 2005. She would be 100 if she was still living. I guess it just meant more to me. I also wanted us to have a nice table setting as Carol's sister joined us for our feast. I even told Mary "Gosh, it's nice to have holidays, it's the only time I get to see you". Last time was our 100 degree Memorial Day BBQ at Carol's pool. Speaking of temps, it was 35degrees here yesterday morning and we are hitting 80 today for our high. So far, I have not turned my heat on one time in my house this season. The coolest morning on my thermostat has been 64 in the house and to me, thats not worth cranking up the electric heat cash register.

Georgia said...

I am very hot natured ....I take the cold way easier than the heat here in La. Couldn't handle alot of snow, but I do love winter.

Georgia said...

Yes Jan, Lincoln is one of those you can see twice.....At the end when the 13th ammendment passed, everyone in the show actually cheered as if it had just occured..It's also very funny as well, Lincoln had an uncanny humor about him. It has "Oscar" all over it, I think. I'm on my way in a bit to see "Life of Pi".....after reading the reviews, I'll have to close my eyes when the freighter sinks and all the animals from the zoo die, but after that part ALL the reviews are MUST SEE THIS MOVIE.

Georgia said...

And yes Chloe, Georgia and TW are one in the same....although TW which meant tomato woman, I may be downsizing this season.

Carol said...

Coreen, Maggie hasn't met Ms Kitty and the kit kats. I don't want to frighten them. Our yard is zoned. The front is Maggie's but Fiddler does come there and tries to play with Maggie. Maggie ignores her. Once Fiddler swipped at her in a playful way and Maggie growled at her. She still follows Maggie around.

The back yard is the cat zone and the side yard is the bird zone. I try to discourage the cats from entering the bird zone.

Carol said...

I did get Ms Kitty to take the pieces of turkey while I was holding them. She would get close and then snatch it and run. By the end of the day she was sitting within a foot of me. I haven't tried to pet her yet.

jan said...

Carol, so neat that you have divided your yard into different animal zones. Very clever.

Your cake is beautiful.

jan said...

Georgia, I love the story of your dining furniture and china and silverware. My china and dining furniture have much sentimental value. What a lovely tribute to your grandmother.

jan said...

Carol, The kitties are so cute. That must be so much fun for you. I can tell you are enjoying retirement.

Carol said...

That guy on C2C was stressing the importance of learning to love ourselves. That's what most of us are lacking. We are much better at hating ourselves or parts of ourselves.

Tonight, on the Voice, one of the young guys with a beautiful rich voice sang The Greatest Love of All.

"I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all"

A little more synchronicity. Do you think we will ever achieve that?

jan said...

Carol, interesting discussion of this man Dekker and his ideas. I think there have been times in my life when I was not where I wanted to be or doing what I wanted to do. I have done things to change that. Sometimes though, I think change must come from the inside. It may just mean an attitude adjustment.


Carol said...

I'm working on it Jan, that is enjoying retirement. It might take a while. It does give me more time alone with...guess who? Me. I'm hoping we can learn to get along.

As far as the kitties go, I've caught a couple of them but they haven't taken to humans yet.
The black one really sliced up my hand yesterday trying to catch him/her. I held the little multi colored one. She was a tad bit sweeter. One of the red heads just kept hissing at me. At least they don't all scatter when I look at them anymore.

Georgia said...

Thank you Jan ....

Carol said...

And Chloe, the other night when you said you were having trouble writing what you were thinking. I followed everything you wrote, didn't even realize you missed a word. I guess I saw the word that wasn't even there.

jan said...

Ditto Carol on your response to Chloe about her writing. We all tend not to read all words and letters in a paragraph.

jan said...

We were just watching Piers Morgan show with guest, Willie Nelson. He is my favorite singer. Piers said that Frank Sinatra said Willie was his fav singer. When I lived in Austin, I went with some friends to see Willie in concert. Willie had his own theater where he and his band played. One of the women in our group was especially attractive and young and we all dared her to go down to the stage and see if Willie would kiss her. She did and he did. When I see Willie I think of that time.

I have all of Willie's CD's. My fav song of his is "you were always on my mind." Piers said that was his fav too.

Unknown said...

Carol, I hope you keep posting the pictures as they grow up. The kittens don't even look related. I've read that they can be carrying more than one males litter, so that explains why our litters are the same way -- looks like at least two different fathers on ours.

I am dead tired again, wanted to get over here sooner today, but had a hard time to fit in a spare minute to get on the computer.

I did look in early this morning, Jan -- and saw your kind words, but didn't have time to respond. Reading them did make my day go better though.

I quickly scanned the posts, but will come back and read them all tomorrow (hopefully in the morning).

Saw what you said about being able to read between the lines too, Carol.

... and I'm jealous. No rain here. But the day was so glorious, dry and about 80 at it's warmest. I can't find a thing to complain about, except not being able to get over here sooner to see how everyone is doing.

Looking forward to catching up tomorrow.

Unknown said...

... love you all.

Unknown said...

... oh, and just want to say that when I say I love you all.... that also includes your kitty family and Maggie and all the other pets we all have.

There is 'nothing' (to me) like a new born litter of kittens... and of course their devoted mama cat. She goes through so much -- I've never seen a bag mama cat (as long as she has her own necessities met. Which, unfortunately doesn't always happen out in the wild.

You making it happen, Carol. Without you, that family would be having a rough time. Like I've always said, you have a very maternal instinct.

Carol said...

Love you too Chloe.

Yep, it's 73 in the house and I'm hot. I'd be cool at that temp in the summer. I've been learning to adapt to cooler temps and just cranking up the thyroid hormones. One way to warm up.

Carol said...

Jan, you were due to go to NC. Did you already go or is that still coming up?

Carol said...

Did anyone hit the stores over the weekend? Or the Internet for some shopping? I didn't even go close to one. Fortunately/unfortunately, there's nothing I need or want. It's kinda sad not to want anything.

Carol said...

I was reading yesterday and it was mentioned by that Dekker guy about this documentary titled Happy. Anyone ever see it? It's available on Netflix. I dropped Netflix because I never had time to use it and the price jumped up.

jan said...

Carol, you must be a mind reader. We leave for NC Thurs morn. to return on Mon at noon.

Unknown said...

Jan, In case I forget before you leave, have a great trip to North Carolina. Hope we here about your experience on the way and once you get there.

Unknown said...

Georgia, I want to see 'Lincoln' too, but things kept coming up last week and never got to go (hate to go on weekends - so no chance of that.... way to crowded).

I was considering waiting until it is released, but think I'll see it at the theater instead (hopefully, depending on opportunity)

Unknown said...

... oh, and Carol... I checked Netflix and can't find anything called 'Happy anyone'

Carol said...

It's a documentary called "Happy".
I read somewhere that you could watch it on Netflix.

Happy

Carol said...

"HAPPY takes us on a journey from the swamps of Louisiana to the slums of Kolkata in search of what really makes people happy. Combining real life stories of people from around the world and powerful interviews with the leading scientists in happiness research, HAPPY explores the secrets behind our most valued emotion."

Carol said...

That mention of the swamps in Louisiana caught my attention.

Unknown said...

Carol, When ever you mention 'synchronicity' I can't help but think of Ivy.

You know the more I delve into it, the more I believe in it. The meaning actually validates a lot of things that I inherently (at least I'd say inherently at this point of my life -- my views have changed over the years) believe in. I've heard people say there are no coindences, and in general I disagree with that.... but now, think a little more about synchronity (thanks to you), I realize how many millions of things happen in the world in order to lead to each meaningful event.

I don't think it's anything that can be predicted far in advance though (and as you know, I 'firmly' don't believe in 'destiny' -- 'very' firmly. But I do believe we can create our own destiny by the decisions and relationships and in so many other ways through the most minute (or huge) decisions we make.

My favorite (and most clarifying) sentence from below: "Your soul is always multitasking to create new experiences for you. If you watch how you move through life, you will understand. Doing this allows many people to clear their issues by writing their story as a catharsis of their experiences here."

..... I love that, because I really like the word 'multitasking' (I mean, who isn't?) and because 'clearing issues by writing as a catharsis (see? ... you made that possible for us, when you decided to create this blog -- you deserve a great big 'Thank You')..... and I'm sorry that you thought at one time that I didn't appreciate the value of what you've done here.
Below is the whole quote (hope it links, but if not.... well there's still the old copy and paste if anyone interested of seeing the source).

"Synchronicities may occur to make a quick point. Don't blow them out of proportion. You must look at the bigger picture of the synchronicity, think outside the box, (the patterns of reality) not at the actual experience.

You can consider an event synchronistic when an inner experience such as a dream, vision, or other form of deja vu, prepares you for the physical event.

Your soul is always multitasking to create new experiences for you. If you watch how you move through life, you will understand. Doing this allows many people to clear their issues by writing their story as a catharsis of their experiences here.

The higher and clearer your frequency and intent, the faster you manifest synchronicities. "
http://www.crystalinks.com/synchronicity.html

From another source:
"Synchronicity means “meaningful coincidence.” It is when things line up for you in a way that brings meaning to life events.

Synchronicity, Coincidence, luck... call it what you will, but being in the right place at the right time can make all the difference in your life."

Unknown said...

Carol, I'll look it up under 'Happy'. It sounds like something I'd really enjoy.

As you know, feelings are just as important to me as thoughts.

Actually, I think they 'create' each other. One not meaningful without the other.

Unknown said...

Well, I'm in Chick-fil-a right now, and if I don't get out of here, I'm afraid they start charging me rent.

This one doesn't get to crowded in the mornings, and the ambiance in is so positive.

Don't much like that I'm hearing Christmas carols in the background already, but it's low enough, that I haven't found it annoying.

Locked my phone and my keys in my car and realized after I got in here. Luckily they let me use their phone. Hubby put Onstar in my car (I think he's saved hundred of dollars over the last year, because I did have to call pop-a-lock). So a quick call, and my door was opened.

Have a great day everyone!

Carol said...

Chloe, I don't experience synchronicity everyday but it does seem to happen more often when I'm looking for it.

Carol said...

I just came in from feeding Ms Kitty some turkey. I'll soon be out of it. She's come to expect it. She will come up to me to grab the meat from my hand and run off a little ways to eat it. It reminds me of that movie Dancing with Wolves. Didn't Kevin Costner do that with a wolf?

Carol said...

It's another bit of synchronicity for the kitties that I'm not working and have to time to give them all this attention.

It's cold and damp out today. Can't get that cold outta my bones.

Carol said...

Saw Joan Collins on the View. She still looks good and she's 79.
She's on her 5th marriage and her husband is 32 years her junior. She said he takes care of everything for her. Now, that sounds good to me.

When I looked her up on Wiki, it said after breaking up from her 4th marriage, she said she needed a wife not a husband. I guess she got that with her current husband.

Jan, I seem to remember that your ex, Bob, made a pretty good wife.

Carol said...

Jane Jones' husband was a good wife also.

Unknown said...

Carol, I used to leave a trail of turkey (I bought it shaved, lunchmeat style for the cats) when I wanted one to follw the trail and get closer to me. The closer she got, the bigger the bite. That way, she wouldn't get to full so it wouldn't work anymore.

I never watched 'Dancing ith Wolves' ... decided I didn't like it in the first scenes. Weird, I know.

ps .... surprising, I often have to use something similar to get Emma to do what I want -- except I use skittles. I mean, I don't make a trail, but I bribe her with them, so she'll do what I need her to do and want to avoid a bunch of drama because she has other ideas. It works great.

One example, is she hates wearing a jacket (she's had so many phobia, but eventually each one passes just to be replaced by anothe). So I put a couple of skittles in each pocket, and she cooporates. Better than a fight.

She' s got her own little quirks, just like the rest of us. One morning, her speech therapist (which she's doing well, and pretty much caught up now) said: "that who she is".

Somehow, I've looked at it differently ever since. I see so many seemingly picture perfect, well behaved toddlers and now I'm careful to not compare my single minded, sometimes temperamental grand baby. I just expect and let her be 'who she is'.

Unknown said...

"It's another bit of synchronicity for the kitties that I'm not working and have to time to give them all this attention."

You bet. Just because we don't always recognize it doesn't mean it isn't happening.

The way I look at it, what you're doing right now is just as important as anything else you've ever done in the past.

May sound odd, but you're right where you are supposed to be.

Unknown said...

"It's cold and damp out today. Can't get that cold outta my bones."

Do you have one of those electric throws. I've tried to talk you into an electric blanket for your bed in the past, and I think you said you don't like them?

I'd never make it through winter without ours (I turn it off before I fall asleep, and maybe back on for a few minutes if I awake during the night cold).

Heat is very therapeutic and your joints are going suffer without it. We have central heat, but I always keep my little personal heat right next to me for when I get that feeling you're having.

Unknown said...

Einstein’s brain was unusual in several respects, rarely seen photos show

"The team compared Einstein’s brain with those of 85 other people and found that the great physicist did indeed have something special between his ears. Although the brain is only average in size, several regions feature additional convolutions and folds rarely seen in others. For example, the regions on the left side of the brain that facilitate sensory inputs into and motor control of the face and tongue are much larger than normal; and his prefrontal cortex — linked to planning, focused attention and perseverance — is also greatly expanded.

“In each lobe,” including the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes, “there are regions that are exceptionally complicated in their convolutions,” Falk says. As for the enlarged regions linked to the face and tongue, Falk thinks that this might relate to Einstein’s famous quote that his thinking was often “muscular” rather than done in words.
Falk agrees that both nature and nurture were probably involved, pointing out that Einstein’s parents were “very nurturing” and encouraged him to be independent and creative, not only in science but also in music"
Einsteins Brain.

Carol said...

Interesting about Einstein’s brain.

I do have two of those electric throws at the camp. My house has central air and heat and stays at what I set the heat on but it may have to run a lot when it's cold outside. I do like to turn it down when I go to bed. I set it at 66 and wear warm ups to bed.

Now, at the camp, there's a limit to how warm I can get it if it's really cold outside. Those two wall AC/heaters can only do so much. The kitchen in the middle between the two will stay quite chilly when it's cold outside.

I just finished eating some chili I made and that warmed me up quite a bit.

Carol said...

Chloe, do you have a small tablet computer yet? That's one thing that I'm thinking about acquiring if I can add it to one of the networks I already have. There's no wifi here unless I go to a McDonalds or somewhere else that has it. I have ATT for my iphone and I used a Verizon wireless thingy I stick in a USB port on my laptops. I would need something that I can add to one of my phone services. I may be looking for a while but that's the fun part of wanting.

Unknown said...

Yeah, it interesting about Einstein's brain -- but was he born with 'all' the differences, or did they partly develop through 'nurturing' (as the article mentions what great support and nurturing he got from his family).

I found it curious that he said he felt things in his muscles (at least I think that's what he said). Michael Jackson used to say his ideas came to him from a higher source (and I believe him to have been a genius too).

I know I feel things more than I think them.... I guess I rely on intuition (mixed with logic too usually :)).

Unknown said...

I got the Asus Notebook, but ended up not liking it, and passed it on to hubby,

He has an ipad (which I'm not crazy about, but I do like to take it occasionally, because it has built in internet connection wherever it goes (he only pays $14 something a month for that, which is cheap compared to my verizon internet hook-up.

But you know, I prefer to take my small Toshiba, because I love windows (and I use it at home too). I use that Verizon internet hook up with it (and I 'really' prefer a mouse, so I have a tiny travel one for it on the go).

Those notebooks are quite different. They do have windows notebook, but windows 8 looks like it's made some pretty drastic changes and will take some getting used to.

The ipad would be more like your phone, and therefore would probably be easier to learn (although 8 does have some apps to make it look more like 7.

I asked my son what's the point of changing then? He said because it's a lot faster loading and more intuitive.. has a better help menu, etc.

I have a cheap Asus laptop I picked up for $250 and they gave me windows 8 for it at a cheap price. This was a few weeks ago and I still haven't messed with it yet.

If I were you, I'd go talk to the guys at Best Buy. They're great at explaining things, and it doesn't cost a dime to ask questions. You don't need to buy there, but it'll give you a better idea what's out there.

I definitely prefer a notebook to the Iphone. Did you know they have a stylist that works with the Iphone, Ipad and all the touch screens I know of. They cheap on line (but very expensive at Best Buy) We got it home and the second day we had it Emma bit the end off (the important end) so ordered cheap ones on line and have them well hidden.

Unknown said...

nite

(it was nice to have enough time to exchange ideas with you today -- thanks.

Unknown said...

ps It sure is nice having those wifi connections at so many places now. McDonalds, Chick-fil-a, Denny's and more.

Before I had the verizon hook up thingy, I'd sometimes park outside Denny's and use their wifi to send a quick email or whatever. Didn't even have to spend any money.

Carol said...

There are things that just won't run on Apple products. I don't understand that. Mostly videos. They run on android and windows. I don't want another Apple product. I didn't even want my last iPhone but I had trouble with the phone on the android I got and at that time I didn't have time to figure that out so I got another iPhone.

I heard a commercial tonight that you could add 10 bucks a month to your ATT for an ipad. I wonder if that would also work for some other tablet.

Carol said...

Also heard on TV that best prices for any computer stuff will be after mid January.

Carol said...

Mind control, mass hysteria or what? I'm referring to Gangnam style. Yeah, I bet you tried it. My ankles wouldn't allow me even if I wanted to. When I first saw that dance, I thought..that is the dumbest dance I've ever seen. Looks like someone trying to imitate a cowboy riding a horse and roping a cow. Be honest now, I bet you probably had that thought, at least for a moment when you first saw it, before it took control of you also. The musical beat is a little addictive.

Now if you saw someone, without all this hype, doing that same dance move, you would probably think it was totally ridiculous.

Carol said...

I watched a little of a recording of yesterday's TYT, the Young Turks, on Current last night. I had to cut it off, it depressed me too much. Cenk, the anchor of the show, kinda indicated that he thinks Obama has sold out. That he's willing to sell out SS, Medicare, Medicaid and those tax cuts to the ultra rich. I did have a bad feeling that that might be possible. Cenk did worry about that also. I was hoping that Obama couldn't do what he wanted in his first term because he needed the money for a second one. I certainly wasn't convinced of that.

What would Obama's motives be? What could he possibly gain by doing that? He did take big money from big business to get elected but it's not like he will need it again. He can't run again.

Maybe Obama is just the dark meat on the same stinking rotten turkey.

With all this money in politics, they can sell us anything. It's Gangnum style.

Carol said...

What's the story about your weatherman, Geoff, Coreen? I pulled up his blog and see that he's gone, been fired. Did he have an affair that he documented on some website?

Carol said...

Back to my point that people seem to screw up their lives. From what I read on his blog, it seems he had an affair that he was stupid enough to have on a website that could become public. How much thought went into that? In some way he must have been trying to punish himself for what he was doing, just like so many of the other public figures that made the same mistake. Part of them want to break the rules but part of them want to be punished for it.

Carol said...

I wonder how many people have been brought down by Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites?? It's kinda become the super karma daddy, punishing those who misbehave. Often, you have no real clue who you are talking to.

People need to get through their think heads that anything that we write/say on anything, ie email, Twitter, social media sites, probably even our cell phone calls, can be front page news if someone wants it to be.

Carol said...

And from further reading on his blog...it seems like he's going through one of those major life tests. He must have recently had surgery, has some trouble with the DMV, lost his job, and possibly his family. And it's the holiday season.

Carol said...

And actually it seems it wasn't even an affair, just some trash talk on the Net.

Carol said...

Jan, were you happy with the DWTS results. I did record and watch the last performance and the results.

Interesting that it ended up being three women in the finals. Last night on the Voice, all the women remaining in the 8 were safe. This along with getting a small increase in our, women's, representation in politics, seems to indicate that this may be the year of the woman. No real glass ceilings being cracked but a little dent. Baby steps.

Coreen said...

Yes, Carol, seems another dumb guy
who acted very foolishly...

It hit the local news 2 weeks ago...

A big disappointment...whether he should have lost his job, who knows...since unless there is more to the story, he apparently was 'sexting' with a woman on facebook named zoel kennedy, who is supposed to be a photographer, no idea if she was local & he actually was physically involved with her or not, but whatever it was, it was sufficient for fox to fire him on the spot when they became aware of it...

Other than his explanation on FB & his blog that was the last I have seen of him...He lives in Hamden
& no idea if he will bounce back & get another weather job here in CT...I miss his comments about the weather...

Unknown said...

We use ATT home phone and wifi at home, but our phones are with Sprint (because they seem to have the best towers (reception) out wher e we are. They don't offer that $10 fee for ipad (I don't think). I don't like ipad for the same reason you don't, but I kow there are apps you can add to make it do many of the things it won't do automatically.

Androids kinda a mystery to me -- that's why I gave hubby my Asus tab. I much prefer windows. I do like the weight of the small notebooks/pads though and the built-in wireless, but first I have to make sure that I like window's 8 (because the only kind I'd want.) The laptop I pink! ... easy for me to spot.

I don't think I'll get a small touch screen windows until the price goes down. What you heard about prices coming down after January is not surprising. I'm going to stick with what I've got for now.

Unknown said...

"What would Obama's motives be? What could he possibly gain by doing that? He did take big money from big business to get elected..... "

Carol, I think you asked and answered your own question in the same sentence. Don't forget that the fact he idealized Ronald Reagan over Bill Clinton was obvious during his first run. Not being able to run again doesn't mean he didn't make 'deals' to gain all that money and is obligated to keep those deals. Plus he (and those who back him) want to keep the Democrats happy so they can win in '16.

I've always been fond of saying that whoever wins the election, the same people will be running the country.

If it's any consolation though, we talked to our insurance man yesterday (whom we completely trust and respect his opinions) and he said in the long run it will help Medicare.
No need to ask about Medicaid. They always come out on top. They even go so far as to make it profitable for many 'to not work' by decreasing what they receive for every dollar they earn.

Remember what you used to say while you were working at the Pen -- some came there for the Medical. (I've read of people admitting they did something to get arrested because they couldn't get medical).

I just don't see how they are going to fine the people who can't afford insurance with the so called Obama care. How will they enforce it?

Unknown said...

Jan,
When we were talking about Paul Newmand and Joanne Woodward the other day, I was remembering a picture I saw of them sitting in a night club surrounding by friends. In the one I wanted to find (which I saw years ago) neither of them knew somone was taking their picture, and she was looking down. What caught my attention was that he was looking at her with so much admiration, and I noticed in many pictures taken of them, he's looking down at her instead of the camera.

You mentioned how devoted he was to her a couple of days ago, and that's what made that picture pop up in my mind. Well, I couldn't find it, but here's one from the same night, where they caught their attention before they took their picture. She looks up, but you see how he's looking at her. It's not the same as the one I see in minds eye, which I will always remember (I bet it was in an old issue of Life), but it's from the same general time.
Paul and Joanne - the year she won the Oscar

Unknown said...

... hope we hear from you before you leave tomorrow, Jan.

Carol said...

The same way they find all those people who don't pay their taxes. And the same way they find all those inmates who file bogus tax returns. NOT!

Unknown said...

I peeked in over at face book, and they had really funny pictures posted. These two I was able to link without others having to go to facebook to see them:

How to catch a cat

and this one: Black Friday 2012
and this one:

Carol said...

Loved them both Chloe but my fav was the box of kitties. I put blankets in all the chairs out in the little pool house for the kitties and two kitty enclosures. I wanted them to have plenty of places to stay warm. One of those enclosures is called a kitty cube. It has a little fuzzy ball hanging down from the top of it. Two mornings in a row I found it turned over where the opening was facing the ground. I turned it over and one kitty was trapped inside each day. I finally shoved it under a chair where it couldn't be turned over trapping a kitty.

Carol said...

There are still very frightened of me. I caught a few of them and was able to hold them, with protest, for a little while. Now they are too fast and have too many places to hide from me. I do go in and stand there so they will get used to my presence. As long as I'm real still they will just sit and stare at me. Hopefully they will eventually warm up to me.

Carol said...

I'm watching the NY Christmas show. Many years back, when I was teaching, and they still had money in education, I went to NY to a education conference with a couple of other faculty members. It was in mid Dec. It was a wonderful time to be in NY. Back then we got to go to one big conference every year. We always looked for somewhere that we wanted to visit. We didn't particularly care about was being presented at the conference.

jan said...

Chloe, thanks for posting that link the pic of Paul N. and Joanne W. He was devoted to her. I have read research on the characteristics in good marriages and the most important one is when the husband is completely supportive of the wife. I have seen pics of PN and JW before and he was always looking at her like that.

jan said...

I love the cats in the box Chloe.

Reminds me of our first trip to NC. Some of the employees were feeding some cats behind the hotel and they had a cardboard box back there and every morning you would find 2-3 cats in there.

Carol, you need some cardboard boxes outside. LOL.

jan said...

Carol, I love all your stories about the kitties.

jan said...

Carol, I went with a colleague to NY one Christmas too. We had attended a conference in DC and decided to fly to NY for a few days. She had a brother who lived there and we stayed with him for 3 nights. It was a magic time. I ice skated in the famous outdoor ice rink. Forgot the name.

Another great trip at Christmas was to Chicago.

jan said...

We are all packed. Our plane leaves at 6:15 am. so will be getting up about 4 am. We have had showers and clothes laid out. We live about 5 miles from the airport so we will take a taxi. So much easier.

jan said...

Watch for the star over Asheville.

Unknown said...

Jan, I hope you both have a wonderful time. I'll be watching for the star. :)

Unknown said...

Carol,
It takes a long time for them to warm up to you -- a very long time. I usually just go out and sit with them on and off for a while (over a period of time) and when you first hold them, make it for a very short time at first.

Once they come a little closer to you, you put a little smell of canned cat food on your forefinger and close you hand except for the forefinger and if you hold it out, they'll often come over to smell it. Mama may do that too.

That leaves them with no doubt that you are the one that's delivering the goods.

That fear they feel is the only thing saving their life out there in the big, cruel world. The one's that are 'too' trusting are the ones that don't make it.

Do you have a favorite yet?
I usually first fall in love with the underdog (well in this case, the most timid cat).

That's the one that weighs heaviest on my mama instincts. :)

Unknown said...

Jan, if you're on Central time, I guess you're up and heading for the airport soon.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences (and hopefully there will be pictures).

Unknown said...

I've never gone as far east as New York. Bet it was a nice experiene.

I remember when we use to fly at the drop of a hat -- back when it was easy.
Once we literally running through the airport on the way to one of our many trips to Vegas (now we' be stopped for terrorism), and got to the loading dock after the plane door had already close. They actually pulled back the walk way, opene the plane door, and let us load. Things were so great back then when flying. Those were the days.

We have so many fond memories that we often reminisce about, but we're happier than ever where we are in our life right now.
The late, great Maurice Chevalier

Unknown said...

.... on the same page: he sings "I Remember It Well".

I love that movie so much the first time I saw it at the theater.

Carol said...

Have a wonderful and safe trip Jan. Do you stay in those cabins? Do they have a fireplace or heat? That would be very cool. If not, even cooler, literally.

Carol said...

I miss traveling. I've kinda gotten out of the habit. I guess it wasn't a habit since I only went somewhere once a year and usually that was to the PNW to see big sis. I did love it though. My job kept me from going for 7 years and now it's all the fur family. It started with one little furster, the Magster. Now I have all these cats who depend on me. I would need someone who could move in here to take care of everything.

Big sis is mad at me for not coming up there to visit. She's kinda threatened not to come back down here until I go up there but she has a bunch of people who can help her out and she only has one cat. She has a son, a daughter and fly, and her ex husband. That's a lot of help. I have no one who could take on my fur family.

Carol said...

Coreen, I don't even know that guy Geoff but I feel really bad for him with all that he is going through. He is a distant stranger but after reading his blog during Sandy, I felt like I knew him just a little. Like you guys, Chloe and Coreen, I only know you through this blog even though I know you guys better.

The Internet provides many of us, especially women, with a place to meet people and to share ideas and friendship. For some guys, it's like the mythical Siren, calling them, luring them, tempting them to ruin their lives..to wreck their ships on the jagged rocks.

And very often they ARE lured. Their intense sexuality is exploited by law enforcement and others. Some may not have done some of the dumb things they did without the lure of the Internet. Some, have ruined their lives with just talking out a fantasy. Part of it is the sexual enticement and part maybe the thrill of danger. A lethal combination. What's worse is that the Internet seems so anonymous.

I still would like to see an app developed that guys can put on all their devices that would pop up when it sees any "words" that could spell out trouble. One would certainly be..I would like to "f***" you. Also, if any pic was put on line or downloaded, a pop up should show up asking...do you really want to do this, it may contain a real virus that could kill YOU.

Carol said...

Work is progressing on Owl Camp. They really found some deep damage, mostly old termite damage. I was literally walking on corrugated cardboard. More supports had to be added and support beams shored up. Yesterday they had the entire bathroom ripped out. It's a complete do over.

Carol said...

I can see that these guys know what they are doing and I like them. God only knows what this will cost but it had to be done and they are doing it right. That storm damage was synchronicity.

Carol said...

For what this is going to cost...the friend who gave me the recommendation for these guys said they did a lot of work at their house. My friend owns a family hardware business. She said they are very competent and fair. I'm trusting that both will be true.

Carol said...

Usually by this time of year, I'm deep into my SAD. I've been pretending not to notice that I'm not sad, afraid to even make that suggestion to myself. I'm still pondering why. I'm been affected by SAD at this time of year for so long that I can't even remember when it started. I know it dates back to even childhood. I think some part of the difference is that I don't have any parents left to worry about. I know they did cause me significant worry. Everyone in my family seems to be doing well.

Is part of it not having to go to work?? Not sure. Not working was usually a major stressor in the past. I could hardly stand to be without a job and no paycheck coming in. It's gonna take some pondering to figure out just what has made things better. Right now, I'm just going to enjoy it.

Carol said...

This year they did the 10 most popular baby names. For girls, Emma was #2 and Chloe #8.

Unknown said...

Carol, I believe many people get a little of the SAD thing in the winter. It feels like it aggravated by the sometimes dreary, cold weather and short days.

We've had such good weather this year, that I've felt better than usual too. I'm thinking it's because the weather has been more like Spring than Fall or Winter (which will be here soon).

By February, I'm usually so sick of winter, that I hate it. Maybe this year will be different.

I'm trying to change my expectations.

Carol said...

Did you buy a lottery ticket yesterday? I did. Haven't bought one since they went up to 2 bucks but I did want to take my one in 170 something million chance of being the sucker who had to deal with all that money. No disappointment here. I really don't think I could handle having that kind of money.

I was amused to hear that we had a much better chance of being killed by a vending machine than winning that lottery. I will start being more careful around vending machines. I might get lucky there.

Carol said...

Chloe, with my SAD, it gets better after the first of the year when the the weather is still gloomy, actually more gloomy. I thought it was just winter but it seems to be more around the holidays and when they're over, it starts to lift.

Unknown said...

" I really don't think I could handle having that kind of money. "

It would be a dream come true for me. Money represents security and freedom to me. I have no doubt that I could be sensible and do good things for others with it too. Yep.... 'I might as well try to catch the wind'. I don't buy lottery tickets.

Carol, I am always relieved when the holidays are over. Then January can be more invigorating, because we are starting a new year.... and it always feels like 'maybe' there will new possibilites. If nothing else, I have so much room for self improvement, I could spend years getting to be a better me. I want to change, to become more organized, to make better use of my time, to stop focusing on the sad things in life and become more focused on it's beauty (which I often do), but like you, I am a worrier. So it takes a lot of work to avoid focusing on all the sad and painful things that are going on around us (even in our immediate world).

I think our most important job is to be happy. That's really the only way we can help others.

BTW, we're not alone. Many people get very depressed during the holiday season. At least that's what I've been reading for years.

I get most of my joy out of the simple, every day things.

Unknown said...

I just found what seems like a very uplifting quote by chance:

Based on what a wise old Indian guru once said: “Man is a house with 4 rooms: the physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional. The problem is that he tends to spend most of his time in only one of those rooms whereas it would be in his best interests to visit each of them every day.”

jan said...

We are here. I did not try to get on the computer yesterday. It is a little after 2 pm here now. After lunch we have a 2 hour free time period.

It was kind of a tough trip. We got up at 3:30 so was pretty sleepy. I got to sit between John and a big guy whose body spilled over into my seat. I felt badly for him because he looked more uncomfortable than me.

jan said...

The trip to Atlanta was a about 3 hrs.

Unknown said...

Jan,
Sounds like a tough trip (lucky it was only 3 hours).

Nice to know you arrived safely an in good spirits though.

jan said...

Chloe, I am always happy to see the the holidays end. I don't know why. I had pleasant Christmases. I think it is because my parents are not longer around and it was more fun when they were alive. I do have grown children but it somehow is not the same. I enjoyed the holidays when my children were growing up. Christmas eve and Christmas Day were fun. We had our own little traditions. I enjoyed putting up a tree then. I put up a tree last year for the first time in years. I don't know if I will do that again.

jan said...

Carol, I am glad you are getting your camp house repaired. It will be much safer for you to be there after this. Will it be warmer in the winter?

Carol said...

Yes Jan, glad you got there safely. Was it mainly big guy that made the trip bad? No problems with da plane, da plane?

Carol said...

I really don't think that making the floor or ceiling better will help the temp at the camp Jan. I think all those cheap windows are the problem. It would be very expensive to change all of those, too many. For now, it's cheaper to wear warmer clothes in the winter and take them off in the summer. I have lots of trees to provide shade in the summer. Now, if I come into big money... Rumor has it that they will be drilling on South Fork. Maybe we'll get lucky. It better not be that fracking stuff.

I usually run out to the camp every day to sit out there and meditate. Now that the bathroom is totally disabled, I can't.

Carol said...

That's one thing that does become more important when we get older...a close bathroom.

Unknown said...

Jan,
I wouldn't put up a tree either, except for Emma. Hope things are going well for you.

Unknown said...

Carol,
Have you seen this yet?
SIBLING RIVALRY: Video shows twins fighting in the womb

I don't know if I'd call it rivalry, so much survival.

Unknown said...

Sorry to hear you can't go to the camp as much. Hopefully they'll finish the work quickly.

Unknown said...

Study: Stress Causes Brain To Shrink

Carol said...

Chloe, I'm sure that's when my twin and I started fighting.

jan said...

Hi ya all. We are doing fine. We have sessions from morning until 9 or 10 at night. We are sure eating well - burp.

I will write more when we get home. Hope all of you are doing great.