I'm conflicted about Winter Solstice. This year I'd love to have some nice things. We're supposed to be making lists for each other. I mostly want things that aren't really gifts: clothing and boots, a work bag, money for travel and a new home.
We really should just save the money. But it just doesn't seem like the holiday without that tradition of presents. Sigh. We go on our annual trip to New York City to see the Christmas tree, shop in the Village and eat chocolate crepes at this amazing cafe.
I'm even having a hard time deciding which charity I want to give to this year. There's so many great ones. I found some amazing small charities like the Carnivore Trust and the Mangrove Action Project. It sure would be nice if people could buy each other simplicity, or reduced clutter. Maybe the soul of a Yogi. But those things aren't purchaseable. They have to be earned.
Update: I'm asking someone to adopt a red panda named Pinju for me!
Pinju: Male. I love to curl around the branches of oak trees and eat sorbus fruits. I hope you can come an visit me in Nepal soon.
I'm just venting today. There's a fairly trivial matter that's driving me nuts. I can't think of a name for our new strays. I'm drawing a total blank on names for them since they showed up 2 months ago. Background story for those who don't know: Basically, our jerkbrain neighbors dumped 12 cats. Yes, 5 kittens and 7 adults. Locked them outside the apartment and left them to starve.
Our neighbor, a single grade school teacher, who can hardly afford to take in a stray animal, alerted me to the cats who had been abandoned and were starving. She was able to take 1 cat and we took 2 into our small shelter. The Little Girl is very gentle, but she doesn't like being touched. She follows her "brother" around everywhere. She's also tiny but growing since we actually **ahem** feed her.
The landlord couldn't take them and the "owners" didn't bother to do anything until they saw the notice on the door alerting them that they were being investigated for animal cruelty, at which point all the rest of the cats disappeared, maybe they dumped them into the river. Who knows.
The Little Boy is really intelligent. He was terrified when he first got here but now he's friendly, gentle and catching on fast. He takes good care of his "sister". He's also one of the most muscular cats I've ever seen. A real macho kitty. But he doesn't spray and he's a wonderful cat. Did I mention we desperately need homes for them?
Anyway, I can't think of names for them. We generally name our cats after authors (Poe), composers (Hugo and **Charles** Ives) or famous characters (Watson). For the little girl I was thinking of: Rosie (Jetsons) or Fossey (Dian). I was calling the boy Newton. Rosie and Newton. Ugh, I hope those names don't stick. Suggestions would be welcomed.I especially like sci fi and I'm jealous of my friend Bones who named her ferrets after Star Trek characters. I wish I had thought of that.
@ the dome for falcons/bucs game
Father Christmas leading the parade at the end of the day:)
VictorianChristmas is also on today,
Sunday at the Halifax Citadel from 12-4pm. Crafts, caroling, cider,
history, lots to see and do:) These pics are from yesterday. My
daughter is having fun as a volunteer:)
In Cabo
Thanks,
Joy
Joy Taylor
612.282.2359
Mani may now be the portliest Miao. He treats every meal like Thanksgiving Dinner and his nickname, "the Hearty Trencherman", has finally caught up with him. If all the other Miaos turn up their noses at brekkies, Mani will likely be the one to gobble everything up. I have trouble hefting him in one arm, but I can still manage.
... on my lap, sniffing roasting turkey aromas wafting from the kitchen.
I had a wake up call last week and it has stayed with me these last ten days.......
During a fitness class on a Wednesday morning, a charming woman whom I'd just said hello to for the first time, sat down suddenly, looking pale and a bit distressed. Her friends gathered round and put her in the recovery position. She was nauseated and had pain in her head. Soon paramedics arrived and she was taken to the hospital......... she died. It was a brain aneuryism.
I can't stop thinking that I witnessed her last good half hour on this earth. That morning when she got up she donned a cheery red t-shirt. She might have had dishes in the sink ready to finish when she got home, maybe she had to get ready for work, all plans that did not matter any more. We just don't know do we......... be grateful for every minute you have.
My dad was a physician and he used to say that life was really like a roulette wheel, you never know where the ball will land. People who look after themselves can go suddenly and those that abuse can live long lives. Live your life in moderation, do the best you can, and if you really want that cupcake, go for it.
