I wish I was a sailor with someone who waited for me
I wish I was as fortunate, as fortunate as me
I wish I was a messenger and all the news was good
I wish I was the full moon shining off a Camaro’s hood

“Wishlist” by Eddie Vedder, from the Pearl Jam album Yield

I wish I wasn’t so lazy and would set up my camera on the tripod so I could really get a good shot of the moon!

Giving zero thought to the fact that he lives in what the “official residential brochure” calls an efficiency apartment – (translation – there’s just about enough room for 1 person.) 

Or, to the fact that he already shares this efficiency apartment with his Lovely Lady (whom Beloved and I adore, but she did come with a lot of stuff, as most Lovely Ladies do!) 

And please, don’t worry that Cat will need food and water, each and every day, on a daily basis, 365 days a year. 

Because heaven knows, when you last lived with me, you struggled with making your own sandwich or pouring yourself a glass of milk.

Furthermore, out of pure motherly love, I won’t even mention litter box maintenance.

Or the need for a Haz Mat suit, when cleaning Offspring’s bathroom.

I just knew Offspring wasn’t ready for a pet, he barely took care of himself.

Well, I am more than proud to say, I was right.  He wasn’t ready for “a” pet, he was ready for two!

Here are Colby and Sophie. 

When Offspring and Lovely Lady saw Colby’s picture on line, they knew he was the kitty for them. 

And, when they found out he came with Miss Sophie, they immediately fell in love with her too.  Colby and Sophie are what’s called a “bonded pair.” 

The kitty’s came into the rescue shelter together and it was very, very important that they be adopted, together.

Colby and Sophie now live in a tiny little home, full of warmth and love and laughter.

Granted, Offspring now owns a big old cat jungle gym, as opposed to a set of kitchen table and chairs.  But, I couldn’t be more proud of Offspring and LL for opening their home and hearts for two of God’s most deserving creatures.

Now, my only problem is when I call Offspring, how do I get him to quit asking Colby if he wants to talk to GRANDMA!!!!

Editor’s Note:  OS’s lease is up in a few weeks and he and LL are currently looking at 3 bedroom 2 bath condos!!!  How quickly times can change  – for the better!

http://www.aspca.org/

No, this isn’t going to be a blog about margarine.  But, every time  I hear people talk about Bluebonnets (and that’s all of the time, here in Texas) I always think of that old commercial.

Yes, Bluebonnets are a really big deal,

here in the “Big T.”

They are the Texas state flower; and every spring they cover the landscape, in a deep pallet of blue.

For a 4 to 6 week period, they blossom along highways, across empty fields,  just about everywhere. 

There are numerous web pages directing you to the best viewing areas and peak blooming times.  The reason being a strange ritual that accompanies the arrival of these blue beauties each and every spring.

Level headed, safety conscious parents,

who would normally scold their kids for playing in dirt,

for fear of soiling their clothes;

throw caution to the wind, abandon all common sense, 

adorn their children in their Sunday best

and plop them down in dirt, smack dab amongst a field of flowers,

so that they can capture their annual spring bluebonnet picture.

Well, as the song says . . .

Birds do it,

Brides do it,

Cows with big long pointy horns do it.

Horsies do it,

Let’s do it too!

Whoa – hold on  – I knew there was a good reason  I don’t go meandering through fields of tall, thick, flowers. Along with Bluebonnets, Texas also has it’s share of rattlesnakes!

To be honest, even after 12 years here in the Lone Star State, I’m still much more comfortable with Oregonian traditions; like people gathering together in a park and dancing around a pole decorated with ribbons.

“Um, if it’s OK with you, could we get this silly hat off my head. I think I’m much more suited to that park dancing thing.”

When I die

I hope there will be

A tiny space

In heaven for me.

Where Pearl Jam will play

The set list you see,

Over and over

For an eternity.

I will worship the Christ

But let the angels decree,

That the true voice of God

Sounds just like Eddie!

The above picture is the set list Pearl Jam performed on April 3, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  Hand written by Eddie Vedder, it may be the most consummate selection of songs ever chosen, for a concert. My eyes tear up, just reading the song titles, much less listening to the music.  Perfection stirs the emotions.

This is an oldie but a goodie!  As most truths are.

It was sent to me, by my friends in Oregon,  (where hugging trees and using cloth grocery bags are considered normal behavior) . 

My favorite quote on the chart is “I have always loved you in that robe,” when the hubby queries me about what I’ve been doing all day long.

I chose to put the chart on a pink background for the ladies.  But, one covered with skull and cross bones for the gentlemen, who may want to print these instructions out on cardstock, run them through a laminating machine and carry it with them in their wallets – forever.

Peace and Harmony to all, folks. 

I say that because he loves, loves, loves to eat grass.  Letting him loose to graze, was no problem when we had our own yard. We knew no pesticides or fertilizer had been sprayed on the grass and didn’t worry about it making him sick.  OK, grass makes cats throw up, but I mean sick like poisoned.

Since we moved into a condo, edible grass is non existent.  Not only are long tall green blades mowed down, every week, but they are also sprayed regularly, with who knows what, by the landscapers.  And while the new loose mulch is fun to roll around in, it doesn’t taste good.

We have been running across the road and cutting grass from an empty field.  But even after rinsing it, we aren’t sure it’s really safe. 

And sticking it in the door crack, so it was at the proper crunching height, was quite messy.  Especially when we wanted to go outside!

So, the obvious answer was to grow our own grass.  I found a great site that sold organic seeds, organic potting soil and growing containers that were just the right height for cats.  

Armed with easy instructions, a bag of seeds, soil, container, a spray bottle and a paper towel – we began our project.

Within 3 weeks, this is what we had.  And wow, was it a hit!

Got to get that tongue in there for just a tiny lick.

Which quickly turns into a chomp!

Sneaking upon the container from a different angle.

This picture shows the “crazed frenzy” a good patch of grass can cause!

This is Lucy.  She is the kitty at  www.catgrass.net  from where I ordered the seed, soil and container. My package arrived quickly and the  Galvanized Oval Bowl (8.5″  x 7″ x 3.5″) with it’s plastic liner and 1lb bag of Lucy’s Organic Buck Oat Seeds were in good shape.  The “hardest” part of growing the grass is remembering to soak the seeds, in water, before rinsing and planting.  Today, we are getting ready to start our second crop.

Bon Appétit!

Something wicked this way comes.  Fortunately, there is no rotation.  Hopefully, it will bring some much welcome springtime rain.

This post will contain few words, because I’m not sure what to say.  Everyone else may have already seen the iPotty.  But, it is nauseatingly new to me.

This is it.

Lid on.

Lid off.

In use.

And, for when junior is finished having a tinkle or taking a dump . . .

they need a laugh and learn carrying case.  Heaven knows, you wouldn’t want him/her to not enjoy the mobility an iPad offers.

Children imitate what they see their parents doing.  Maybe it’s time for mom and dad to put down the mobile technology, and slowly back away!  Maybe that’s good advice for all of us, potty trained or not.

I guess the acceptance, of such an idea, is the “natural” evolution from the kids that grew up watching TV all day.  Somehow, this just seems more egregious.  Give the kid an ABC book and let him learn to diddle.

I believe I have officially achieved old and crotchety!

Lest you think I am kidding, about the existence of these products:

http://www.amazon.com/CTA-Digital-iPotty-Activity-Seat/dp/B00B3G8UGQ

Sorry, iPotty is temporarily out of stock!

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Apptivity-Case/dp/B0072BKZOQ/ref=pd_bxgy_ba_img_y

Happy Earth Day!  It’s been a rough week or so, here on the Big Blue Marble.  

Usually, I pepper my Earth Day post with environmental warnings consisting of “if we don’t immediately change X  -  then Y will be the tragic consequence.”  Or, “we must use less of substance A, because it’s causing the extinction of species B.”

This year, I feel like focusing on the beauty and preciousness, of life. 

Maybe if we can take a moment to enjoy our lovely planet, it will help us heal from all the ugliness, of the past few days. 

In all honesty, if we can’t find a way to share our home, with one another, in a semi-peaceful fashion;  all the efforts being made, to save our blessed Earth, won’t mean diddly squat!