If You Live With a Cat, You Will Understand...

Reflection

Yesterday, I celebrated another birthday. It was an unusual birthday because all of my family had serious commitments which didn't allow them to spend significant time with me yesterday. But somehow each took the time via cards, text messages, early morning singing, v:mails, and quick drop-ins to make me feel special.

I am blessed.

Weekend at The FEN

Our trip up north started out with overcast skies, windy conditions, bouts of torrential rain (ok, mild rain) and four party animals. Oh, and me...their chauffer/banker. :-)

Melinda: our "navigator". I told her not to quit her day job!

Someone in the car hollered out "Look at the trout"

so, of course, I had to turn around and get a group picture!

(L to R) Jessica Hook (Mel's friend), Melinda,

Michael and Rachel (Michael's gf).

No, Jess and Melinda are not saluting...they are trying to keep the rain off their faces.

No one shouted out after this picture! DARN!

We were a few hours ahead of the rest of the group going north,

so we stopped at a fun stop and they played miniature golf while I played pinball.

I won't mention what Michael tried to do to the bear....it was just plain WRONG!

Hmmm....thanksgiving dinner???

The two track down to the ponds at the FEN

where the illusive trout taunted Marni!

Mike is officially a pyro!

(I'm so PROUD!)

A picture of our motley young adults at Little Traverse Bay...

We stopped to walk along the beach, search for fossils and ofc, another photo opp!

Melinda and Jess could not resist posing with the

ABSOLUTELY No trespassing sign.

I believe Jess even stepped on the grass to see if alarms would go off.

Ah, to be rich and haughty!

Rachel and Michael clowning around at Dead Man's Hill.

Dead Man's Hill - beautiful October colors

BLACKMAIL PICTURE

After an entire weekend of abusing Rachel's stuffed dog, which he had given her,

Michael is captured even in sleep refusing to give up custody!

Toad, The Pampered Princess

Since Libby passed away, I have done my best to ingratiate my way into Toad's affection. (i.e. canned cat food, catnip mice, etc.)

Now I have sunken to an all time low...a nice, blue, plush, cat bed. But to no avail....The little beast loves the cat bed but continues to avoid me. *sigh*

Poem

My Younger days

by Maya Angelou

When I was in my younger days,

I weighed a few pounds less,

I needn't hold my tummy in

to wear a belted dress.

But now that I am older,

I've set my body free;

There's the comfort of elastic

Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes

My feet have not forgiven;

I have to wear a nine now,

But used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose-

They're sized by weight, you see,

So how come when I put them on

The crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses

As the print's been getting smaller;

And it wasn't very long ago

I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to gray

and my skin no longer fits,

On the inside, I'm the same old me,

It's the outside's changed a bit.

Oreo and Maddie

This week, I am staying at a friend's house (on a lake) for a few days to watch her girls, Oreo and Maddie. As you can see from the pictures, they are beautiful dogs.

Oreo - the big sister, gentle as a lamb but I've learned not to be deceived...

she's a little stinker, too!

Maddie - spunky, friendly and playful

The dogs like to stand in the shallow water and 'fish'

for bluegills and minnows.

Above: Oreo stands in one spot and patiently waits for the fish

to come near and then pounces on them.

Maddie wanders into Oreo's fishing territory.

Maddie getting ready to pounce on some unsuspecting marine life.

It has been fun getting to know these two characters!

Beauty of Nature

The intricacy and beauty of nature continually refreshes my soul.

A crisp fall morning with the sun rising...its rays catching the dew on a large intricate spider web...glistening like jews in the morning light.

Beautiful.