What's new?

Greetings, friends! What's new? 

Well, on Monday Butterscotch had his follow-up appointment. It went well. Dr. Watska said he checked out and she saw no lumps or tumors on his left leg. She told us to remind her to check his leg every time Butterscotch has an appointment so that she may examine it. My husband usually drives and I keep him on my lap in his carrier so that I may calm him down, but this time I had to take him myself. Poor guy was so upset and would not stop crying until we got there.

 

 

After we arrived back home, I had to immediately take him into the bathroom and clean him up because he peed himself as we were getting ready to leave for home. However, it did not take him long to settle back in and get comfortable on the sofa ...

Joining him was Charlie, who never leaves my side ...

Speaking of Charlie, he has what lookes like dermatitis under his chin. I took a picture of it on my camera phone and took it with me to Butterscotch's visit in order to show Dr. Watska. She asked me if I use plastic bowls for the cats food and water. I told her that I use both plastic and ceramic. She instructed me to discontinue using plastic because it is known to cause acne on cats chins. I never knew that! She said that ceramic bowls are fine as long as they are kept clean. 

Special Birthday Lunch!

Greetings, friends and Blessed Sunday! Today is my 61st birthday and I am enjoying a rare winter day here in Reading, PA. The sun is shining and the temperature is 46 degrees outside. I was treated to a special Birthday Lunch at The Railroad House by my sister, Aurora Skye! ... 💗

Along with the delicious food, she surprised me with these very awesome presents! ...

A large "Strawberry Bunny Shortcake" scented Yankee Candle! It smells sooo good and I can not wait to burn it. It actually smells like Nestle's Strawberry Quick! YUMMY!! ... 😘

And a matching Luma Lid to go along with it for Ostara!!

Also, these beautiful Mother of Pearl earrings just perfect to wear with my mermaid studs!! ...

On the way home from lunch, I stopped off at PetSmart to pick up some more kitty litter when I saw this gorgeous guy ...

 

"Toby"

One of our local cat rescues was at the store trying to get some wonderful kitties adopted. THIS is "Toby" their model/calendar cat who is only three years old! ...

"One By One Cat Rescue" (no kill shelter) 

 

Have a great rest of the weekend all!!

Weekend Happenings

Greetings, friends. This Sunday marks my 61st birthday. Whoah, am I that old lol!?! At any rate, I had to take a PTO day (paid time off) from work yesterday in order to have my mom's last income taxes done. I have to tell you, this has been a very stressful time. I had no idea what I was doing. But, fortunately, my mother's tax preparer was still available and I had him do her last tax returns. I feel very relieved to have this part of my life behind me to date. This past week I have done nothing but cry about this entire part of my life. The 10th anniversary of my dad's passing was on February 13th and my mom's first anniversary of her passing will be on April 1st of this year. In fact, when I was sitting with my mom's tax preparer and had to confirm my mom's date of passing on April 1st of 2024 (April Fool's Day), he (kiddingly) said to me, "Are you joking?" To which I replied, "No, I wish I were." 

After we finished up with her taxes, we decided to have lunch at Applebees on the way home ...

Boneless Chicken Wings with a side of sour cream, and for a cheerful spirit, a cocktail called, "Breaking Rock Rita" (Elrita was my mom's name - "Rita" for short) ...

On Thursday, I received a nice surprise in the mail - a birthday card from my sister, Rhiannon ...

Her birthday is the day after mine. In fact, many years back we celebrated our birthday's by having our pictures taken at Glamour Shots (which is no longer in business). Ahh, those were the days ...

The last time we had birthday pictures taken was at Sears Portrait Studios - another store which, sadly, is no longer in business ...

🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂

 Not sure what I will be doing the remainder of the weekend, but on Monday Butterscotch has his follow-up appointment with our vet. Nothing serious, just a check up. 

Of Valentine's Day Past

Ah yes, when one thinks of the Valentine's Day celebrations growing up as a child, it is hard not to remember one Lupercalia custom which everyone in my class particiated in (even if we did not realize at the time that it was actually pagan in nature). That long- practiced tradition of exchanging Valentine's Day cards. Even the Luthern Sunday School which my brother and I belonged to at the time allowed all of us children to do so.

 

In elementary school, we were told to write out a card for each and every fellow student and then place all of the cards into a big box. We all took turns at picking out a card from the box until they were all gone. This way, everyone received a Valentine's greeting and no one was left out ~ making Valentine's Day a group celebration everyone could enjoy.

Unlike the Lupercalia festivals which the Roman's celebrated centuries ago, the evolution of this holiday has changed the way in which we view this holiday quite a bit. For example, instead of making it a community or group celebration, we as a society have turned it into mere commercialism. While receiving a rather expensive bouquet of roses, chocolates and/or a stuffed teddy bear from our beloved may give us a warm, special feeling inside, it hardly does very much for those who spend this holiday at home alone feeling unloved or unappreciated.

 

Now, I am not in any way suggesting that we hold a lover lottery for all and allow men to chase women around while lightly hitting them with a thong made from a sacrificial animal. All I am saying is that instead of being known as a holiday tradition made for couples only, we should find a way to make this holiday a tad more group oriented to include anyone. And thereby, everyone would have the chance to join in the fun. 

 

Speaking of fun, the following music video called "Asymmetrical Girl" by the group "Artbreak" was made (and sung) by a former classmate of mine from Wilson High School, Chip Kidd, the renowned graphic designer and writer. He was a drummer/percussionist in our High School Band back then. 🥁

Blast from the Past: Chip Kidd on drum set at the 1982-83 Wilson High School Stage Band Festival; and me when I was a twirler in Band Front (bottom pic).

ENJOY and have a great rest of the weekend, friends!

♫♬🎜🎝♫♬🎜🎝♫♬🎜♫♬🎜🎝♫♬🎜🎝

 

 

Valentine's Day Weekend

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY WEEKEND, FRIENDS! My hubby surprised me with these two Valentines Day cards after I came home from work last night ...

Hubby and I back in the year 1995 ...

 And, today ...

 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

And, a special THANK YOU to one of my thoughtful co-workers for surprising me at work yesterday with this little chocolate "goodie" box of candy ... YUMMY!!

Many thanks, Ms. Bea! 💖

 ❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄❄

The current scene outside of our house in Reading, PA. (this pic was taken at 1pm this afternoon and it is STILL coming down here!) 😖

💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙💚💛💜💙

"She dances in a ring of fire ... and throws off the challenge with a shrug" - Jim Morrison

💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝💝

Like a Sad Song ...

 

From my understanding, this song was written for Frank Sinatra. He had asked John to write a sad song for him. But today is the 10th anniversary of my Dad's passing and so I am sharing it in his honor My God, has it been that long? I miss you so much, Dad ... 😢