Friday, February 09, 2018

Friday--noon

Been almost three weeks since I posted so I thought I should let you know I am still alive and kickin'.  Well, alive, anyways.  Been sick over a month now.  Still blowing my nose and tired as hell, but I've never been as sick as other people I've heard about.  Mine has mostly been a sinus thing and hasn't moved into my chest, thank goodness.  More exhausting and annoying...enough that I'm not getting much of anything done beyond what I absolutely have to (or yearn to get my hands on for even a few minutes).  Haven't been online much.  Mostly watching TV shows with Annie.  Totally erratic hours, but we're fine.
****
The critters keep us company, too.    
This one didn't seem bothered by my walking right up to the glass. 
They are really elegant... 
...in their winter white.  
Never been this close to a prairie hare or jackrabbit...
...but Annie is--regularly.  
They pay her little mind--LOL! 
****
Dagan has come over about once a week to help me out with trash and getting bird seed from the garage (even using a pail so I don't run out).  He picked up kitty litter for me from the Natural Pet Store, too, on Friday Jan  26th.  They didn't have my usual brand so he called me from the store and I'm going to be trying one that says it has less dust.  Well, Annie is--LOL!  Don't mind me--been sick so long I am slaphappy silly.  ;)
****
 While he was on the phone he told me there were a couple of tiger striped kittens there.  Obviously caught his eye.  
****
They have talked about getting another cat (Leah wanted two) ever since I took Annie.  Dagan grew up with cats and dogs.  He learned how to be gentle with them and could play with them...and we all wanted that for Ian who loves animals...and now there's Liam, too.  They have looked but hadn't found the right fit.
****
Sunday January 28th I got a text from Dagan that they were on their way over to look at the kittens.
****
One of the sisters was being sold when they got there.  They were from a no-kill shelter in town called Cat's Cradle and were about 4 months old.  (Cat's Cradle was the place I had thought I would go if I ever got another cat.  It's even got rooms where the cats who get along stay together--no cages.)
****
The sisters were named after X-Men characters (seems appropriate--lol!) and Blink got along great with Ian.  So Blink is now the newest member of the McFamily household!!  
Okay--now I have to upload the short videos of Ian and Blink.  Leah sent me a variety of pictures and some short videos but I have had zero energy to do anything but peek at them all.  Be back...
****
These are all really short (19-53 seconds).
Blink arrives at her new home.
Ian carrying Blink for the first time.  He wanted to move her to the couch so Mama explained how to carefully pick her up.
Ian practicing petting the right direction--lol!  Blink is pretty easy going about little boys, it seems.  ;)
Ian and Blink.  Looks like there's potential for them to be best buds.
I have a few other pictures to share from McFamily when I feel better.  :)
****
Note: in this blog--these are all the pictures I had for you in almost three weeks--no lie!  So you know I have not been moving much--LOL!
****
I did slowly work on the bullet journal.  
Got it all set up for February.
My way of bulleting is super simple.
Been working for me for over a year now.
I've slowly, slowly been working at setting up the skeletal foundations for the rest of this journal--through October...
...and even have a new Leuchtturm journal I will be setting up the basics into 2019!  Now that I have my new cover that holds the inserts I can use for all the "collections" (lists of stuff) my actual bullet will just be for monthly and weekly spreads.  Cool!  
Some months (like being sick almost all of January) look more sparse.  
But I can fill in blank spots with drawings, washi tape, doodles, whatever if I want to--or just leave it.  Who cares?  I am more concerned about having enough room if I need it and not worried about a bit too much.  My days and weeks (and sometimes months) can vary wildly as to what I am able to accomplish so I need to have an adaptable form for me.  :)
****
The big purchase this month--been thinking about since the distress oxides came out about two years ago--the first set of colors they came out with--and re-inkers.
Too bad both Leah and I are not yet up to snuff because we both want to play with them.  You know I haven't been feeling great if I haven't even made it over to see the boys and meet Blink.  
****
I get done what I need to: laundry and cooking.  Made up some pesto pasta and a big vat of soup--yummy!
Caroline came with groceries.  This last Tuesday a new lady came (pulled out of retirement to help out while they train in new people) to do my at home review for keeping Caroline for cleaning and groceries.  (BTW--I did warn them both I've been sick with a bouncing low temp for a month, but they decided to come regardless.)  While the lady was here--I spotted an eagle on the apartment rooftop across the way!!  AN EAGLE!!  It was eating something I couldn't see from this side with its back to us.
****
No, I didn't get a picture.  I have terrible zoom anyways, but by the time I got over the shock and we had quit ooing and awing...the eagle was done and flew away.  (It looked like a couple of sassy crows were waiting for it to finish--LOL!)  They are huge!  It was totally awesome!!
****
[And BTW--this lady said she really had such a good time and enjoyed meeting me.  Commented on how upbeat I was despite being housebound, in chronic pain, and having been sick for a month.  So there, Mary from senior companions--ROFL!!]
****
Anyways, my guess is a rabbit would have been the eagle's first choice, but a grouse might have been a mouthful.  I wouldn't know anymore if one of the girls was gone.  When Dagan was here a couple weeks ago there were grouse all over the place out there!  We counted 16 of them!!  And since then they have shown up on my patio in various groups sizes: 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, and 10!!  I'm glad I don't know for sure what the eagle caught.  ;)
****
Then a couple days later it looked pretty much like this out there--grouse and a big flock of little birds--when wham!! 
 
Birds were hitting the glass and small wings flapping everywhere!  A very small hawk-like bird had dove in to try to catch a sparrow or junco.  Missed.  I watched it fly away empty-clawed.
****
But the funniest part was the grouse just stood there wide-eyed and watched the whole frantic event!  That predator was way to small to be a threat to them, I guess.  But after a few minutes of them gazing about in disbelief they decided it might be best for them to disappear also--hehe!  Another reason I doubted they had seen any recent eagle activity.  At least not that particular covey, anyways.
****
This day there were nine grouse.
There are always flocks of small birds--20-40 at a time.
The jackrabbits don't usually like to share food.
So it's not that common for me to see more than one out there at a time grazing away at the seed on the ground.
I sure hope all that rabbit poop out there will help fertilize the grass come spring!
****
Anyways, too tired to even search out a quote today, folks.  Hope to be in better shape by the time I post next time.  And here I had planned to post more often in 2018--LOL!  Best laid plans, right?  
****
There are six girls out there pecking away at the moment surrounded by sparrows.  Annie retreated to the bedroom due to a random attack of violent sneezes that hit me a while ago.  Once again, another pajama day with my box of Puffs tissues.  So many people need prayers for accidents or illnesses.  Send them their way.  Me--I'm really doing fine.  For me--just waiting it out--patience...patience.  And I am lucky I only have Annie to take care of and am not disturbing anyone by being up till dawn or sleeping half the day away.  My cats have always been very adaptable about sleep and routines.  And Netflix is available day and night--hehe!   
Till next time.  :) :)

28 comments:

Harvest Moon by Hand said...

What a delightful post! Blink is adorable...looks like she will be well-loved. The jack rabbits are HUGE! The white fur is beautiful. Enjoyed looking at your bullet journal and the different spreads you have. That's helpful as I'm learning how to set-up different weeks and experiment with various spreads and boxes. Still learning what works and what doesn't. Sounds like you've had quite the sickness for the past few weeks. Hope you feel better and have more energy soon, Rita. Take good care of yourself!

DJan said...

Sounds like you're doing okay considering all that illness. I've got a cold and cough that is driving me crazy. Think I'll head down to the store for some cough drops which will help me sleep. :-)

My name is Erika. said...

Blink is adorable and reminds me of acat i had named Emma. I miss her as we are now cat free. And seeing that rabbit so close. It is amazing. Good for you for buying those ink pads and ink bottles. Hope you share what you make with them. Your calendar is looking ready to fill in-hope you haven't been too sick to do that. And I do hope you are completely over that cold soon. hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Wish you felt better. I loved the videos and the various birds and rabbits that visited.rrrr

Good riddance to Mary and hello genuine Senior Companion! Feel better soon.

GrandmaG said...

That last video was so precious. I hope they do become best buds. Sorry to hear you're still sick. But how great to have so much entertainment, outside and inside! Take care and hopefully February will be a better month for you. Oh, BTW, my husband regularly sees bald eagles around here. Safe to say they are no longer endangered :)

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Hi Rita - sure has been a long and not feeling good month for you - I keep you my thoughts and since you have been commenting on Far Guy I knew you were ok (sick but ok). Love that you shared those absolutely sweet videos of Blink and Ian. He was really thinking deeply about Blink. Loved seeing the close up views of the rabbits and birds (always love to see them). Hugs.
Joy

Jon said...

So sorry that you've been sick for such a long time. Staying home with Annie and no strict schedule is the ideal thing to do. Almost everyone I know has had the flu this season - and some of them got it twice!! I haven't been sick yet - but I seldom go out among strangers (who always seem to be sneezing and coughing).

I LOVE that white rabbit!!! He/she looks like an Easter Bunny in the snow. I also like the bird visitors. And Blink is adorable with Ian.
Take care (that soup looks good!)

froebelsternchen said...

My daughter had the flue recently as well- hope you feel better meanwhile Rita! Love the whoite rabbit and Netflix is just super!
oxo Susi

Friko said...

This post is from early Feb, I hope you are lots better and recovering well.
My best wishes to you, Rita.

Carol said...

Sorry you are still feeling poorly! I'm right there with you
. I've had the same for over three weeks now and still blowing and sneezing . the last 2 days though I have felt more energetic and have actually gotten some things done around here.
Those videos of Ian and the kitten are so cute. Seems he does have a new best friend.
Your soup looks so good. When I first got sick I made a big pot of chicken soup and that it all I ate for a week and eating the soup and going to the bathroom is all I got out of bed for. No energy what so ever. At least it wasn't the flu!!!
Monday I have to go to the funeral of a friend who had the flu and refused to go to the doctor. It's a scary year for sickness.
Take care of yourself and feel better.
Oh and thanks so much for the notecard. It made my day!!!!

Divers and Sundry said...

You have great Cat TV lol. Awwww, I loved the videos. So sweet :) That soup looks delicious and puts me in the mood to make some for supper tonight on this rainy day. I get a kick out of your patio adventures. You have such a variety and animals like jackrabbits that I've never seen here. I'll be glad to hear you are completely well :)

Far Side of Fifty said...

What fun for Ian to have a new best friend, Blink looks real laid back! Hope the leather furniture survives a new kitty!
I am sorry you have been sick, you must have the same bug we have but I still have a cough...but my head is finally less snotty. Tiredness is an understatement...I am exhausted. We just do what we have to do. Take care of yourself:)

Janie Junebug said...

Ian and Blink will grow up together. Blink has such pretty patterns in his fur. I have heard from other people that this flu lasts forever and that it comes and goes--gets worse and better and worse again. A lot of people at work are sick. I'm careful to wash my hands frequently.

Love,
Janie

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

I like the clips so adorable and so make one smile happy clips, I have had a cold the last few days and can't imagine feeling sick for a month.

pearshapedcrafting said...

You are an inspiration Rita! You say you don't feel up to much but to do such beautiful work on your planner I would never have guessed! Blink looks to have settled really well, especially with her new friend! Great to have seen an eagle - we saw one the other week flying over our car - no photo!!! Great that you can watch films at any time too! Take care! Hugs, Chrisx

Galla Creek said...

Simple pleasures are lasting!

Dee said...

Dear Rita, glad to learn that you are feeling better. Thanks for the Blink and Ian videos. I enjoyed all of them, but my favorite is the last one in which Ian lays his head gentle down against Blink. So tenderly. Lovely. Peace.

Intense Guy said...

All the critters look cool! From white "bunnies" to Blink the Cat and the hungry (and maybe a couple angry) birds!

I hoe you feel much better soonest. Hugs.

Lady Fi said...

So SORRY to hear you've been so ill! Hope you are on the mend and getting back some energy!

Love that shot of Ian and Blink!

Jenny Woolf said...

This bug is going round the world. I know so many people who have been ill for weeks and so tired. I am told it passes in the end. I think it has probably passed for me at last (after nearly 6 weeks). Glad you have the critturs to keep you company Rita. Those are adorable clips, I don't mind them being short. Ian is so cute with Blink. Hope you feel better soon!

R's Rue said...

Feel better.

froebelsternchen said...

Hello Rita! I hope you are feeling much better meanwhile! I wish you a happy weekend ahead my friend! I was again thrilled about this white rabbit and cour lovely Blink/Ian videos - he treats the cat so carefully - amazing! Seems he is going to get a little cat whisperer !
oxo Susi

Sherry Ellis said...

Ian and Blink are so cute together! Hope you feel better soon!

Serena Lewis said...

I hope this late comment finds you fully recovered from the nasty bug you had.

The jackrabbit is adorable! Nice that Dagan has been helping out.

Blink is adorable and seems to have a very gentle nature. Loved the last video of Ian lying beside her.

Nice bullet journal layout. I never seem to follow through on the trackers...I forget to mark them, then I get lazy and they remain blank. haha

I'm sure you will have lots of fun with the distress inks...nice range of colours there.

You already know how much I love soups!

How cool to see the eagle! A feeling of sadness for its victim but yes, it has to eat for its own survival. The lady for the review obviously enjoyed your company. I'm with ya, girl...so THERE, Mary from senior companions!

Nice to see so many bird visitors! I can almost picture the grouses' reaction to the swooping hawk. If rabbit poop is good for the grass, you will have the greenest lawn around come spring. :)

Love and hugs xo

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Looks like you are surrounded by love and critters - the recipe for a happy life :)

jinxxxygirl said...

Rita!!!???? You haven't posted in over a month..I just realized. is everything okay with you??? Feeling better??? Hugs! deb

Lady Fi said...

Hope all is well with you. Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.

Joy@aVintageGreen said...

Happy Belated Birthday Rita. Always look forward to seeing what you see and catching up on how things are going for you. I am so glad you comment on a few favorite posts because then I know you are getting better.
Hugs.
Joy