Category Archives: Nellie

What’s Been Happening

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I’ve been busy lately.  Very busy.  Extremely busy.  The activity?  Allowing Sylvia to spoil me.  I must say that she’s been doing a fine job of it.

Recovery from last week’s cancer surgery continues.  Not as rapidly as I might have hoped, but it’s been a half-century since I was 23 years of age.  I’m able to spend only a few minutes at a time here at the computer.  The pain killer has the wonderful side effect of killing brain cells.

What’s in a word?

Several days ago, as I entered that twilight zone that lies between sleep and consciousness, I began to muse on the word “paraphernalia.”  Does it always come in twos?  Can you find, or have you even heard of, a single paraphernalium?  It seemed like an important question at the time.

Paraphernalia comes from roots that mean, “beyond + dowry.”  And one of the meanings is the personal possessions of a married woman exclusive of the dowry that she brought to the marriage.  Now that makes sense, doesn’t it?

The meaning, with which I am familiar, is “a collection of equipment or apparatus.”  The drug culture has taken this over and thus another fine word falls victim to popular culture.

My later research revealed a third meaning, “that which is beyond natural talents and abilities.”  I love that!  Don’t you?  Perhaps we should work on building our own paraphernalia.  Sounds to me like a worthy project.

Proud Kitty

One evening last week, just after sunset, Nellie was being very playful and active.  She has been doing that more and more of late and we are greatly encouraged by that.

I heard her run quickly behind Sylvia’s recliner.  I looked and there she sat looking under the chair.  Her small red ball lay beside her, and I thought she was just playing with that.  Then she reached out a paw . . . and . . . a mouse ran around the corner of the chair.  Nellie in pursuit.  I rose and tipped up the recliner, but Nellie was back over beside my chair.

Sylvia had heard the commotion and came to investigate.  She had seen enough and leaned my recliner forward.  Nellie sprang to the back and lunged as Sylvia lifted.  Nellie ended up with her rear quarters six inches above the floor.  She turned and exited from beneath the chair.  In her mouth she held her prize.

I wish you could have seen her body language as she bounced on tippy toes toward the archway that leads to the basement.  Her head was high and lifted up.  She exuded pride and satisfaction.  We didn’t see her again until the next morning.

My Kitty

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I picked her at the shelter.  She was supposed to be my cat.  That was the plan.

She didn’t conform to the plan.  I chose her, but she chose Sylvia.  When Sylvia is here, Nellie is not far away.  However, Sylvia spends one week in four with her dad.  During those times, Kitty has become friendlier with me.

In the beginning, Nellie would cower and run away whenever I came near.  I didn’t like that, but suspected that patience and gentleness would win the day.  They are winning.

What’s that thing you have in your hand mister?

Now she will run to me to receive some scritches behind her ears or a rub beneath her chin.  She will even sit on my lap, but the time limit is less than ten seconds.  Considering her razor-sharp claws, I can live with that.

Sylvia returns to day, and that will make Kitty . . . and me . . . very happy!

Nellie Update

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Nellie and Mr Mousie

I found the key to Miss Kitty’s (aka Nellie) heart.  It’s catnip.  I gathered a half dozen large leaves of it and vigorously rubbed them on Nellie’s toy, Mr Mousie.  The remains, I stuffed inside Mr Mousie.  (He has a Velcro closer that allows me to do that.)  I left the toy on the floor in the family room.  Then I waited.

Soon Nellie was following her nose into the family room.  Without hesitation she headed straight for Mr Mousie.  She hopped on him.  Hugged him. Licked him.  Bit him.  Rolled on him.  Then she hugged him and licked for a long time.

Kitty loves catnip and I’ve got lots of it growing just outside my back door.

In the last couple of weeks, Nellie has also become much more tolerant of her human companions.  She no longer runs to the far end of the house at our slightest movement.  She has been with us less than 100 days, but has made much progress during that time.  I’m pleased to see fear and distrust giving way to confidence.

No Blahs This Monday

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The sun shone bright as it rose this morning.  I rolled over and went back to sleep.  You shouldn’t blame me that clouds soon covered the sky and gentle rains began to fall.  It was all following the script laid out by the erudite prognosticators at the weather bureau.

Just as change came upon the world this morning, things will be different around here.  Nellie will no longer be eating dry kibble.  That is not agreeing with her, but it does make for good barfs.  This morning as she watched, I spooned out some wet cat food from the can.  She made a beeline for it as soon as I walked away.  Then Nellie made it all disappear.  I just hope she can keep it down. :pray:

The last few days Nellie has been spending more time with me.  When I settle into the recliner in the evening, she comes and gets comfy on my lap.  That will also change today.  Sylvia will be returning home this afternoon.  She left last Monday morning to spend a week with her dad.  Nellie and I will be glad to have our lady with us once more.  Yes, it’s going to be a great day!

Hope Is on the Way!

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If you live around this part of Michigan, you’ll remember the first day of spring.  It really did look just like this:

Yes, this was taken on Wednesday morning in Grand Rapids.  When I said that I was ready for spring . . . this is not what I had in mind!

As I write this, Sylvia should be somewhere in O’hare Airport waiting to board the plane that will carry her to Grand Rapids.  I think she must be bringing some of that warm Florida air with her.  A look at the forecast shows that the cold snap should be ending and warmer weather is coming.  That is good.

During Sylvia’s absence, Nellie has become a bit more comfortable with me.  It appears that she only wants to be around us when we are sitting.  If we are standing, she keeps her distance.  If we take even a step in her direction, she runs away.  I’m wondering if she was abused.  At least she doesn’t flinch and draw away if I extend my hand towards her like she used to do.

Lately, I get nearly an hour of “kitty time” in the evening.  That comes during the time when I watch some TV before going to bed.  It seems more and more to be a real good arrangement for everyone.  At least I’m not going to trip over Nellie when walking through the dimly lit house at night.

I’ll try to post a bit more next week.  This week has been filled with distractions.

Monday Musings

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Dreaming of days of plenty

The garden may be covered in snow, but I can still dream of those wonderful summer days of last year.  Warm days and a garden yielding a bumper crop of good eats.

Thanks  to Lin for the comment on last Friday’s post.  She told how after her foot surgery the doctor had suggested she purchase two pair of inexpensive athletic shoes–one in her regular size the other a size or two larger.  I thought about that overnight on Sunday and this morning I drove to Walmart and bought two pair of shoes.  For now the larger one goes on the right foot and the smaller on the left.  After the next foot surgery, the unmatched sizes will be reversed with the large shoe on the left.  I like that I’ll be able to use all four shoes–eventually. 😀  Isn’t that a great idea?

Maggie relaxing on her bed.

It is with sorrow that I pass on last week’s report from Shark of My Quality Day that her dog, Maggie has passed.  Shark and Maggie were visitors here at the home of Secondary Rds in early December.  Maggie was a sweetheart and a lady.  I’m glad that I had the chance to meet her.

Finally, here is a poetic rerun for my cousin, Beverly, who missed it the first time around.  Do you remember this bit of fun?

Don’t Wok On My Kitty

 

Don’t wok on my kitty,
Please don’t wok on my cat.
I love my furry feline friend,
I’m here to tell you that.

I do not want her baked or broiled,
Nor cooked up in stir fry.
And if you wok my kitty,
You know I’ll surely cry.

You may have exotic tastes,
And go for things like that.
But don’t wok on my kitty,
Please don’t wok on my cat.

Have a good week and keep looking for Spring.  I’m sure that it’s coming soon.  Isn’t it?  Please!

Marking Time

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The title of this post is a good description of my life in recent days.  Mark time means to wait.  In military terms, it means march in place without making forward progress.  Yes, that describes it. :surrender:

I’m not able to spend much time here at the computer.  That means fewer posts for you and fewer comments on the posts of my blogger buds.

My sister, Maggie, sent me an e-mail asking about Nellie.  She also asked why I hadn’t posted about her lately.

The answer to Maggie’s queries is that Nellie is still avoiding me most of the time.  She has grown close to Sylvia and spends time on her lap a few times a day.  Once in a while, she will visit me in the evening.  She hops into my lap and I give her a kitty treat or two.  Soon after she is gone.

Wednesday evening, my neighbor and friend, Bud, dropped in for a visit.  While we were chatting, Nellie came into the room.  She spent a lot of time looking at Bud.  Bud talked with her.  Then he moved his closed hand up and down a couple of time on the arm of the recliner in which he was sitting.  Nellie came closer to investigate.  Soon she was on Bud’s lap.  It took a few days before she did that with me.  Go figure.

Yesterday, Sylvia flew to Florida where she will visit with family for 9 days.  Perhaps Nellie and I can bond a bit during that time.  I’m hoping so.

Meanwhile, I can see the appearance of progress in my foot.  The color is nearly normal and the base of the big toe does not hurt when I touch that area.  Still pain continues and the foot is swollen so that I can’t yet wear my loosest tennis shoe. 🙁

The good news is that spring is coming.  I can see the signs of its impending arrival.  I hear the sounds of geese and sandhill cranes as they fly overhead.  At least one turkey buzzard has come back.

How I react to all of this is my choice.  That choice will be to remain optimistic and be happy.  I do get to choose that.

A Very Quiet Morning

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At midday, I have an appointment with the podiatrist, Dr Dave.  He’ll be removing the stitches from my bunionectomy.  I’m looking forward to that.  I’ve noticed healing progress each day since the surgery was performed last Wednesday.

I’m awake far too early this morning, but I’m also tired of sleeping in the recliner.  For that reason, I’m here in the office doing a short blog post for today.  Perhaps I can return for a bit more sleep before Sylvia is ready for breakfast.

Nellie

A couple of you have inquired about Nellie.  Short answers are: “She is still shy, but coming out of it . . . slowly . . . very slowly.”  And: “Yes, she will be a lap cat.”

Nellie is bonding well with Sylvia.  You can see this in the photo.

Nellie shares the recliner with Sylvia.

The two of them are doing quite well, and that pleases me.  Soon I’ll be more involved as a care provider for Kitty.  That should help.

Ah . . . life is good!

I’m ready to try sleep again.  Perhaps it will come this time?

Lily Speaks

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This was written by Lily.  She asked me to post this for her.

“You’ve been so kind, but . . .

Searching, searching, searching and calling.

“I finally got out of the old folks’ home.  That place was boring, boring, boring.  Yes they were nice to me.  They gave me good food and water, clean litter and lots and lots of skritches and head rubs (oohh I love those).  Still I wasn’t happy.  I tried to tell them, but they don’t speak kitty very well.

“That poor old man just didn’t get it at all.  Finally the lady began to understand what I was trying to tell them.  I saw her pick up the phone in the office and call the shelter.  She asked a lot of questions of the woman that runs that place.  The lady talked to the old man and they got real quiet.  I heard a sigh and then . . . to my relief . . . he said, “Okay.”

“My request had finally been understood and granted.  They took me back to the shelter.  As soon as I was out of the box, I ran to greet the other girls and then settled into a nice little nest all set for me!

“I didn’t want to break the old folks’ heart, so I sent them back home with Nellie.  Nellie came from a quiet house, and that’s what she needs.  NOT ME!  Boy, is she going to find things quiet and boring.  She tells me that that’s what she needs.  And she’s going to get it.  So, ‘Goodbye Old Man and Nice Lady.  No hard feelings.  You’re nice, but not for me.  I hope Nellie is happy with you.  I need more action in my life.’ ”

Nellie