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Author Archives: Humor Happens

Terminal, Bully, or Both?

I adore my little kitty who has terminal kidney failure. Well, I adore them all, but Miss Daffy returns the appreciation a bit more than others.

However, the other evening there was some commotion in the corner of the living room we now consider hers. You see, for years, she has deferred to her sister’s authority. It’s not that she likes to, but her sister is literally twice her size, large, and in charge. Miss Daisy has the attitude of a matriarch with a bit of an attitude that she was born first and should always be first … in all things … no matter the situation, time of day, or who else might be in need more. Miss Daffy is usually a peacekeeper, and avoids Miss Daisy’s bad and/or bossy side.

Yet there are other cats in the house. Both of whom came about 8 years after Miss Daffy and Miss Daisy. Therefore, they are underlings of my sister kitties. Usually, the newer kitties, if they fight, have spats with each other. Rarely do they push it with my now “elderly” cats (I don’t like thinking of them as that old!).

Since Miss Daffy’s terminal diagnosis, we have somewhat set her up in one of two wing chairs. Until that time, she and her sister would sit where ever they pleased in the evening in the living room, and they would occasionally swap seats at some point during the evening. In the last few months, Daffy has only sat in the chair to the south of the room where we have water for her and extra padding on the seat.

Last night, one of the other cats climbed onto the top of the back of Miss Daffy’s chair. Shortly there after, Miss Daffy did her best to beat the crap out of the offending cat! And that cat also weighs – literally – twice as much as herself. It’s been a couple of days, and the other kitty is still a bit skittish of Miss Daffy.

Apparently, that is now officially her chair, and no other feline is welcome to it. Not even the top of the chair where Miss Daffy would surely not deem suitable for sitting. Matters not – it’s hers now, and it’s hers for defending.

Moral of the Story: No matter how bad it gets, there are ways you can stand up for yourself. Take charge of your own life … no matter the diagnosis.

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Posted by on May 16, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

Oops at Church!

Today I accidentally made a funny at church. I was to be part of the liturgy team today and read Genesis 3:1-13. I had skimmed it looking for difficult words. I find that when I read the scripture thoroughly before reading it in front of the congregation, I make lots of mistakes. If I have a generic understanding of the text, I do much better. Except today.

Today, right before I went up, I remembered the subject of the scripture, and started laughing to myself. It’s the one where there is some blaming going around, and that just made me giggle.

As I read through it, by the time I got to Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”

10 He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.”

11 And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

By now, I’m laughing quite hard in my head. I know Adam is going to throw his wife under the bus. And then I read it out loud:

12 The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

That’s it, I start laughing out loud. I added in that line somewhere, “Thanks Adam!” Seriously, this is scripture with some blame game. He doesn’t even address her as his wife or by her name. Just, “the woman you put here with me.” That also puts blame on God!

I was able to finish:

13 Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

Fortunately, the congregation laughed with me, and then Pastor mentioned he can see how I’d find it funny, but he finds another portion funny. You’ll have to ask him about that – it was the basis of the sermon.

For the first time that I can recall, I was thanked for my boo-boo. Several women after the service said they also find that bit of scripture either funny or upsetting. How kind of Adam to blame us. Granted Eve blames the snake, so she’s not without blemish. In the end, we had a great service. Especially since when I helped serve communion, the Pastor held the grape juice, so I didn’t spill any on myself or others. Although I was dressed for it – I always try to wear dark colors for serving communion … or eating marina.

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Posted by on May 12, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

Progress – She’s Still Here

Okay, this is nuts. Daffy was miserable and wouldn’t drink since early afternoon yesterday. She would eat a few bites now and then, but not much.

So, I wake early to call for an appointment.

I leave work early to take her to the vet. Will need to make up time for that.

I get home, and she walks away from me under the corner table. She knows where we’re to go.

Finally get her to the vet. …

… SHE’S IMPROVED !

  • NOT dehydrated
  • Eyes look great
  • Lungs are clear
  • Tongue looks great
  • Slight heart murmur – but normal for age

Since nothing else looks wrong, we took blood work to be sure, since she gave me a fright:

  • Creatinine – 2 points BETTER than 6 weeks ago
  • BUN – Same as 5 weeks ago, so it’s good enough
  • Liver – Awesome!

Basically, Jerry Lee (vet receptionist/accountant/administration) and I decided that she just likes to hear Jerry Lee and I converse while waiting on the results.

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Posted by on April 24, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Lent – Day 4, March 8, 2014

Today we were asked to talk to someone we see on a regular basis, but don’t know well. We’re to get to know those in our life that we take for-granted, such as the librarian, cashier at the local grocery, mailman, or veterinarian.

Today, I wasn’t around people I don’t see often. But yesterday I was at the vet’s office. I got to know the receptionist a little better. Each time we talk outside of the pets in our lives, I get to know her a little more, and I like her a little more. Chatting with her is quite easy.

We’re to revisit this later, and I’m looking forward to the opportunity. May be I’ll need to get to visit with her again soon. I pray it isn’t for the reason I was in there yesterday (see yesterday’s post).

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Posted by on March 12, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Lent – Day 3, March 7, 2014

Today’s Lenten act is to share a tool that I used today from my life’s toolbox.

Of course, my mind goes to the box in the garage with wrenches, hammers, files, and wire cutters.

But then I wonder if they mean the toolbox for crafting, such as scissors, tweezers, adhesives, and wire cutters.

Or is it the specific craft of beading, which contains pliers, vises, scoops, and wire cutters.

But then I realized they meant the tools of my mind. Not the wire cutters I so enjoy wielding.

I learned today that one of my beloved pets is dying of kidney failure. There are many treatments available, but most involve poking with needles, prodding with medications, and having her stay at the vet’s office.

I’ve been here before. Many years ago, another cat in my care suffered from kidney failure. She endured three years of treatment, mostly because she was so very young when it reared its ugly head. In the end, I continued forcing her to eat to survive. I was wrong. She suffered, and I feel it was more so due to my need for her to live. I believe in the afterlife, she’s forgiven me. I feel it. I beat myself up with guilt for years, and she’s brought me peace.

This particular kitty is not 5 years old at diagnosis, but she is 15 and a half. She is also not in the early stages of the disease, but extreme and advanced. I refuse to make this kitty endure medical misery nor forced feeding in her end of days. The choice is hers to eat and drink. I will continue to make the offers, but I am not forcing anything when her comfort zone is home with family and friends who love her.

She is in bed with me at night, as usual. She is in the living room with me during the day, as usual. She still uses her litter box like a proper, gentle lady. She is drinking far less and refusing to eat hardly any of the concoctions I provide (most recommended by the vet, some are her favorites).

So long as she is content, she will remain. Once that content is gone, there may be one last trip to the vet.

My tool today is compassion for her and not selfishness for me. Today’s tool is more difficult to use than the wire cutters that are so comfortable and easy to use in my hand.

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Posted by on March 12, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Lent – Day 2, March 6, 2014

A generosity jar is today’s Lent activity. This is for either (both?) money to give away later in Lent or promises of generosity to share. I look forward to finding out where this will go later…

A glass bottle on a quilted bed spread with lavenders, greens, and blues.

 
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Posted by on March 12, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Lent – Day 1, March 5, 2014

I am following www.40acts.org.uk for Lent this year. Day one is starting a journal and beginning with a gratitude list. Here goes:

  • A God who teaches agape love
  • A solid family
  • A phenomenal array of friends
  • A band of adorable pets
  • Hope that tomorrow will be warmer than today
    (but if not warmer, at least not in the negative numbers)

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Posted by on March 6, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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New Drawer

I might need to get a second sock drawer … for the independents.4

Image of rolled up socks in a basket with a row of individual, unmatched socks next to it.

 
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Posted by on March 4, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Michigan Weather

Oh, what a day!

This morning it was snowing.
By mid-morning it was blowing.

Just before noon there was some slush.
When I went out for lunch, everything was covered in mush.

By afternoon break it was warm and cozy.
Such a lovely walk on near dry sidewalks made my cheeks glow rosy.

Leaving the office too late in the evening was a walk in the rain.
And now I sit here with thunder and lightning wishing for snow again.

Oh, what a day!

PS: We had fog a few days ago.

A tree, covered in snow, a field behind it with a thin line of fog running through the field.

 
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Posted by on February 21, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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Today’s Hero: Chris

Every day has a hero or two in it. For me, today’s hero is my nephew Chris and all of his fellow plow folks.

Chris takes care of his family in many ways. He not only provided a beautiful home for his wife and children, supports them with his many talents, but makes sure to have time to relax and enjoy his family. He also takes care of his extended family, such as household repairs for his grandma, tractor and truck maintenance for his uncle, and volunteering to help others as needed.

In the winter is when I appreciate Chris the most, especially with all of this snow this particular winter. Each year, there might be lots of snow in the drive when I leave for work, but the end of our driveway has been kept so clean from the road plow icy mucky rocky buildup that I can always get out. But coming home from work after much snow, it is always fantastically plowed. It makes the joy of “Home Sweet Home” all the more endearing. It’s not only our driveway, but all of the drives used in the winter for the family farm. This includes the driveway to allow customers to stop at the apple storage so my brother can continue to sell his many apples in the ultra cold winter. (Hint, hint, Bourner’s Orchard still has apples for sale.)

This winter in particular, much plowing has been needed. This winter, the frequency is every few days instead of once-a-week or so.This winter, the snow is off the charts (much like 1978 when we had a drift reaching the roof of the garage). This winter, like many years of winters, Chris has come to our rescue. This winter, I couldn’t appreciate him more! Please take a moment and admire his magnificent work with me. It is one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen since thick sliced rye bread at MacKenzie’s Bakery.

Photo of our driveway beautifully plowed! So nice and flat and high piles of snow on the side.

 
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Posted by on January 28, 2014 in Uncategorized

 

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