Wholly Piecemeal

WhollyPiecemeal Has Moved!

2011-06-13T14:33:00.000Z

That's right, WhollyPiecemeal.com has a new house. Come on over to the new place and see what's up!

What's bugging you?

2011-05-18T18:01:00.001Z

Here in Florida we experience a twice a year "invasion" of 'love bugs'. The bugs are really here year-round, but their presence is especially noticeable in May and September.

There are numerous ways to remove what's left of them after they collide with your vehicle, but it's almost impossible to avoid them.

When you come upon an especially heavy swarm of the bugs, it sort of looks like a black snow flurry - until the impact. Then you end up with a windshield covered with what's left of them.

If you ever try to clean the mess with windshield wipers, you quickly realize you've got a much bigger problem - instead of the clear view you hoped for, you are now looking through a haze of bug remains. Using washer fluid only compounds the smeared goo streaked across your field of vision. A quick stop at a car wash or gas station may be your only recourse.

How many times do you come across situations and people that bug you? How do you deal with it? Do you try to avoid them, only to find yourself covered in the spatter of a bad experience?

Take some time to see if there's a pattern to the things that bug you. A small change on your part could take the sting out of the things that bug you.

I did what you told me not to do . . .

2011-04-15T01:13:00.008Z

. . . Can you help me get out of this mess?

How many times have doctors, lawyers, and (especially this time of year) CPAs heard someone say this? How many times have you said this?

What drives someone to pay for advice which is ignored? It's embarrassing (and expensive!) to have to go back to someone for help resolving the issues created by disregarding their advice, yet we continue to carefully listen, and then spurn, the counsel of experts.

We all seem to possess a drive to, at least occasionally, ignore wisdom and merrily skip along a foolish path. It's all fun and games until the consequences of the poor decisions arise.

When you think about it, humans have been ignoring the best way to do things since the Garden of Eden.

While we still have to bear the outcome of our actions, it is comforting to know that God is never surprised by our missteps and is waiting for us to say, "I did what you told me not to do. Can you help me get out of this mess?"

Put down the mouse and step away from the computer

2010-09-30T20:05:00.005Z

I am stuck - held captive by the doldrums of indecision, the lethargy of apathy, the blue funk of the blahs.

It's not that I'm bored or looking for something to do. To the contrary, I have more "to-dos" than I could possibly finish in several lifetimes. So, I have chosen . . . to do nothing.

Well, not exactly nothing. I'm collecting more and more ideas, information and books, and list after list of possiblities. My favorite place to run away from life is my computer. So, instead of gradually working my way through possible projects, paring down and selecting the top candidates for completion, I'm adding to the stacks of the undone.

Today I've decided (with not a little prompting from a person who shall not be named) that I have to put my foot down and step away from the computer and back into my life. Please excuse me while I pull out the shredder, the trash bin and my to-do list. I'm stepping away from the computer and back into my life.

What would you have done if you were in my shoes?

2010-05-12T01:07:00.005Z

Several of us went to a fabric dyeing class taught by Mark Sherman last month. We were warned to wear old clothes in case of wayward dye.

This sounded like an opportunity to us, so we bought white tennis shoes in hopes of having shoes to match our t-shirts.

Fabric must be prepped for dyeing, and we had not done that. So, I arrived home with undyed white shoes. What to do?

With Sharpie® in hand, I created a pair of personalized shoes, of course. What would you have done if you were in my shoes?

"Element" of surprise

2010-04-13T01:29:00.011Z

As I drove to work on the Monday after Easter, much to my dismay, I verified a statistic. In a survey conducted by Progressive Insurance, it was found that "There is a higher likelihood of an accident when you are 1 mile from home vis-à-vis 20 miles from home. Accidents were found to be twice as likely to occur."

This is what my Honda Element looked like before I crossed the intersection:

And this is what it looked like after someone drove east across my southbound lane:

Thanks to a good set of brakes and a vehicle designed to protect me, I was able to walk away from the collision and only have a few bruises and aches as a result. One of the people who witnessed what happened said she was amazed when I got out of my Element. Frankly, I was too.

Unfortunately, the Element did not fare as well. The insurance company declared it a total loss. I will certainly miss my Element. It has seen me through hurricanes, day trips and a multitude of errands. It was always available to carry just about anything anywhere.

It has been two weeks since this happened and I am still navigating the maze of paperwork and phone calls that dealing with insurance companies requires. When everything is finally in place, I know what I'm getting to replace my faithful Element - another one! I can't imagine driving a more versatile, reliable and safe vehicle. "Every piece has its purpose."

In Memory of Bentley

2010-04-04T19:56:00.018Z

Bentley died in February. I think of him often, especially when I explore our yard. When he was healthy, Bentley would go outside with me and scout out all "points of interest".

I his honor, today I went on a tour of our yard and took photos of the critters Bentley might have discovered.

He loved to hunt lizards. . .

. . and he spent lots of time on the back porch checking out the visitors to our pond.

I found this beautiful black snake . . .

when I walked over to look at this tree because I saw insects flying around it.

Upon closer examination, I discovered it is a honey tree - look at the bees!

And finally, I convinced this butterfly to stop long enough for a photo op.

I thought that was a fitting end to today's exploration since it is Easter Day and the butterfly is a symbol of rebirth and resurrection.

Although it seems far too short, I'm grateful for the time Bentley was in my life and the pleasant memories I have of him.

Goodbye, little buddy. You are missed and fondly remembered.

Busy as a . . .

2009-11-27T02:57:00.011Z

The other day I noticed several bumblebees on the few remaining cosmos flowers because, unlike most bees I've seen, these bees were not flitting from flower to flower. They were curled up on the flowers and very still. They appeared to be . . . sleeping.

I'd never seen sleeping bees before, so I did a little research.

Bees do sleep.

Isn't it funny to think that the very creatures humans say they are "as busy as" take time to rest?

Maybe we could learn one more lesson from our busy bee friends and be as intentional about taking time for renewal and refreshment as we are about reaching goals.

The next time you're buzzing around thinking about how busy you are, perhaps you'll remember the bumblebees and take a moment or two to slow down for a bit. I think you'll be glad you did.

A colorful walk on Thanksgiving Day

2009-11-27T01:56:00.006Z

QB and I went for a walk this morning and saw bits of color along the way:

Happy Thanksgiving from QB and the rest of us.

Nip it in the bud

2009-11-13T19:00:00.006Z

"Nip it in the bud."

The person most responsible for making this phrase famous has to be Barney Fife, Deputy to Sheriff Andy Griffith. His catch phrase has inspired at least one rap song and numerous comedy routines.

I was recently reminded of the wisdom of this saying when I took a moment to really look at the flower beds in my yard.

The cosmos plants were fading away and ready to be removed. I pulled out the dead plants, making sure the seeds stayed behind.

Then I found plants I didn't want in the bed. These plants had also flowered and were starting to go to seed. I wasn't going to allow the plants or seeds to stay in my yard, so I started pulling up the plants. They were much more difficult to remove. The roots were a lot bigger and deeper than those of the Cosmos.

I had noticed the plants when they were a smaller, but didn't bother removing them. Now, instead of tiny, easily removable seedlings, I was dealing with sturdy plants that wanted to stay where they were. After a lot of struggle, I finally removed the plants from my beds. Some of the seeds have fallen in my yard, so I know the plants will return, but I will be sure to pull up any seedlings I spy next year. I do not want to wrestle with those plants again.

How many times have I ignored an issue in my life until it became a huge problem? How much easier is it to deal with a problem when it first appears rather than ignoring it until drastic measures are required? How much pain and trouble could be avoided by choosing another path?

It's time to re-examine my life so I can weed out any problems and nip them in the bud.

How to amuse a cat

2009-10-27T14:22:00.008Z

There are shelves on our back porch. We use them to store . . . cats. Our cats love to run and climb and nap on the shelves.

Since TK is much younger and more active than the other cats, we got a special set of shelves with toys for him.

He helped assemble them . . .

tested them for sturdiness. . .

sat in them for a while . . .

and then decided to play with the empty kitty litter bags.

Next time we'll just give him a pile of bags.

How do you amuse a cat? Buy an expensive toy so they can play with the trash.

UFOs and USOs

2009-10-12T15:28:00.004Z

Most quilters have at least one UFO (UnFinished Object) in their lives - a project that for whatever reason has not yet been completed.

While focusing on clearing out the things in my house that no longer belong, I've also found another category: USOs - UnStarted Objects. Everything is there - pattern, fabric, thread . . ., but the project has never progressed beyond its original form.

As I pondered how this happened, I soon realized there are many other USOs in my life -- books unread, recipes untried, goals unmet.

Why?

In some cases, I put the projects away and forgot about them because I no longer saw them. Those need to be revisited to see if I'm even interested anymore, or if it's time to send them on their way to a new owner.

In other instances, I started the book, mapped out a strategy or gathered necessary ingredients and reached a point where I felt "stuck". I have found that taking a break can be beneficial when I reach that point. I can rethink why I started and see whether or not I want to invest more time and energy in it. If I do, I can get back on track. If not, it's time to let someone else have a go.

It seems that my projects have a shelf life. Just as I disposed of the apple sauce that made its way to the back of the pantry ("Best used by 2007"!), there are objects in my life that are out of date and no longer belong.

I can continue trying to fit far too much stuff into my life, which will result in frustration and stagnation, or I can make room for my roots to spread so I can grow into the person God intended.

I think it's time to grow.

Double the fun

2009-10-06T14:56:00.008Z

Several weeks ago while QB was taking me for a walk, I stopped to look at the horsemint in the flower bed. When I looked up, QB was gazing intently at a spot on the other side of the fence. We had to investigate, of course.

As we approached, I saw a small gray and white cat who was looking at us while alternating between meowing and hissing. It seemed to want to get to know us, but was too frightened to come over. QB and I showed the cat to Craig and he issued an invitation to visit us if it was hungry.

A couple of days later I was taking out stuff to the recycling bin when I heard a now familiar combination of meowing and hissing. Our new little buddy was ready for breakfast.

A can of cat food was consumed in record time.

After several days, we knew we had a new cat. Since I hadn't checked to see if it was male or female, I called it TK (The Kat). We later learned he was a male, so TK now stands for, among other things, Tom Kat.

TK visited the vet to make sure he was healthy. Everything checked out and he moved in with us. He explored every nook and cranny of the house. I found him here one afternoon.

He got a little more comfortable with his surroundings . . .

and finally settled in, knowing that he'd found a safe new home. . .

thanks to QB.

Walking the . . . cat?!

2009-10-01T01:12:00.007Z

Several of our older cats have died in the past few years and we have been carefully considering whether or not to adopt another cat, or perhaps even a dog, so I would have someone to walk with me.

Most mornings I take a walk before I go to work. Bentley used to go with me, but his poor health prevents that now. I bought a rolling carrier in hopes that he could accompany me again, but he very carefully and vocally explained his extreme opposition, and I continued to walk alone.

A few months ago a friend asked if I could provide a home for a cat whose owner could no longer keep her. We talked it over and agreed to have her join us.

Since the cat didn't respond to the name she had when she arrived, I tried a variety of new ones. She likes to be called QB - short for Queen Bee - and Queen of the Boxes.

It took a while for Bentley to adjust to her presence (they still hiss at each other on occasion), but Morgan welcomed her.

When I went for my walks, I noticed that QB wanted to go outside with me, so one afternoon I let her try out Bentley's rolling carrier. She loved it! She's much larger than Bentley, so there wasn't a lot of room for her, but she enjoyed being outside and hopped in the carrier whenever I rolled it out for her.

Our neighbor noticed us walking one day and said he had a stroller that his dog refused to use (sound familiar?) and offered it to us. It is the perfect size for QB. She sits up and surveys her Queendom as we stroll around.

Ever since that day, QB waits for me to get home from work so she can go for her afternoon walk. She reminds me it's time to take "her" walk with escalating insistence: meowing, then tapping on the door knob (oh, for opposable thumbs!), and finally, jumping into the window and rattling the vertical blinds until she is certain I know it's time to go . . . Now!

When I roll out the stroller, she hops in and waits for me to zip up the screen so she can safely travel.

Now QB has a forever home and I have a walking companion.

If you'll excuse me, I've got to go -- It's time to walk the cat!

Dick and Jane . . .

2009-08-15T23:06:00.006Z

When they hear the names Dick and Jane, a lot of people think of the books they read as children.

Others may think of the two "Fun with Dick and Jane" films.

I think of a couple I know.

Dick and Jane met when they were in their teens. They had many happy times together, went away to their respective schools and then married . . . other people.

Fifty years later, when both were widowed, Dick called a mutual friend from their youth, got Jane's phone number and called her for a little chat. That led to phone calls and letters and packages and flowers and . . . marriage.

They decided it would be fun to have a "Dick and Jane" theme for their wedding. I knew no ordinary gift would do, so I made them a set of pillowcases using Dick and Jane fabric:

The pillowcases were made of the same fabric, but are not identical.

The fabric was "fussy cut" so "See Dick and Jane." is visible on both pillowcases.

May they live happily ever after. :-)

Doodling

2009-04-17T15:37:00.005Z

I was delighted to read that a recent study shows that doodling can be a valuable tool for boosting memory.

When I was in college I discovered the joys of steno pads -- one side for taking notes, the other for doodling. I have continued to use steno pads -- and doodling -- to stay on track when I want to focus on information that is being presented.

For the longest time my doodles have looked like this:

Lately I've experimented with a more flowing style that looks like this:

and this:

This article discusses doodling as a creative process, and this site is for fans of doodling.

Next time you're in a meeting, waiting for someone, or talking on the phone, give doodling a try -- I think you'll like it.

Thoughts of Spring

2009-04-11T20:38:00.009Z

Spring is definitely here.

Tomatoes are planted . . .

butterflies are in the yard . . .

and Bentley is adamant that it is time to go outside - NOW!

I hate to deprive him of time outside, but he's been sick lately - so sick that he had to stay at the vet's. He can see the yard from our front window and the screened porch, but it just isn't the same.

Today I picked up a couple of catnip plants and I'll replenish the containers of wheat grass so there'll be a little more green stuff inside. It's not "outside", but it will have to do.

In the midst of Bentley's illness, Luigi got sick, too. Luigi didn't make it. Now he and Muffin and Gordon are gone. It's one of the disadvantages when litters are adopted - everyone is old at the same time.
(Luigi is gray, Muffin is the tabby and Gordon is the "blonde".)

A walking iris was blooming the day we brought Luigi home.

Now I think of him and the other cats who are no longer with us whenever I see one.

Enjoying the season

2009-02-22T19:34:00.009Z

We had two very cold days (in the 30s) recently. A lot of the vegetation in the yard got rather brown and crispy after that.

Bentley did his best to help me find flowers, greenery and other interesting stuff while we were outside.

Still, sections of the yard look rather sad.

Instead of fretting about the plants I've lost, I'm learning to enjoy the scenery provided by each season and looking forward to the changes that will take place in the yard as the weather gets warmer.

That's the way life works, isn't it? I can spend my time bemoaning the changes that are taking place or find ways to appreciate all of the opportunities to learn and grow.

Lose weight fast!

2009-01-27T21:51:00.004Z

How many times has the phrase "lose weight fast!" been uttered this month?

Well, I'm here to tell you of a sure way to lose weight fast . . . are you ready?

. . . give away your stuff!

Last weekend we got rid of over 200 lbs. just by listing our futon loveseat on Freecycle. It went so quickly and it was so nice to have the space in our house that we gave away its twin, too.

So - want to lose weight fast? Look around your house, pack up the stuff that no longer fits (physically or otherwise) and pass it on to someone else who can use it.

Lose weight fast today!!!

Don't (just) look back - look sideways

2009-01-20T14:26:00.008Z

The Cafe Press anti-Valentine contest has proved to be an eye-opening experience for me.

First, I was amazed at how easy it was for me to come up with ideas that reflected a cynic's view of love. Negativity is not the most desirable of traits. :-)

Second, when I looked at the designs others created, I learned that there are people who are a lot more cynical than I am out there. Bitter, bitter, bitter.

Third, was the major "duh" moment I had when I realized that I could create designs with a positive message even though they weren't part of the contest and added a couple of positive valentine designs to my shop. I think this was the most important thing I learned from this experience.

It reminded me of times in the past when I have started a project with specific ideas and goals in mind and gotten stuck when I found something blocking my path. Sometimes all that's required is a tiny adjustment - other times, not so tiny.

If I keep focusing on the problem, all I will see is the problem. On the other hand, if I glance around a bit, I may see an alternative that I had missed before. In many cases, it might not have been there earlier - timing is everything. Often the best way to deal with getting stuck is to change my perspective and look "sideways".

You are (not) here

2009-01-12T00:08:00.005Z

Cafe Press has announced an Anti-Valentine's Day design contest and I decided to enter.

After some thought, I created a "heart map" inspired by the maps you find everywhere from shopping mall to high rise to national park. You know, the ones that show the layout of the area and mark your location with the famous phrase: "You are here."

This was the result:

If you want to see what it looks like on shirts or a tote, click here.

I'd like to know what you think about it.

Square peg, round hole

2009-01-08T15:20:00.004Z

I recently observed the completion of my 50th year on earth. Birthdays in general invite introspection -- birthdays that end in zero, even more so.

When I told Kelly that I felt like a square peg in a round hole most of the time, she reminded me that the perfect place for a peg to be was in the hands of the Carpenter.

Several tissues later, I am still grateful she shared that image with me.

It reminds me of solving a jigsaw puzzle.

In a standard puzzle there are pieces that are more easily recognized and easier to place. The straight sides of the edge pieces leave no doubt as to their location, even indicating if they belong on top, bottom, left or right side.

What happens with the remaining pieces? They find their place with pieces that have similar characteristics. There will be false starts, with pieces that look promising, but don't quite fit. After some trial and error, all of the pieces are combined and the whole picture finally comes in to view.

Life is that way; some purposes are easily seen and others are visible only after a lot of trial and error. Unlike online jigsaw puzzles, there is no "Auto Solve" button! And, unlike jigsaw puzzles, the pieces can change shape -- skills are acquired, attitudes change and rough edges are softened.

I'm looking forward to seeing the next picture formed by the puzzle pieces of my life.

Walking the cat

2009-01-07T00:33:00.005Z

All of our cats live in the house, but Bentley, the tuxedo cat, likes to venture outside at least once a day. He joins me on my morning walk, and I usually accompany him on an evening walk.

In general he is very fastidious, but he can't seem to resist a roll in the dirt. When the ground is soft and powdery, he makes "sand angels" for me. :-)

When he is inside, he can often be found near (or in) the latest box that has arrived.

He doesn't mind sharing his bed with us . . .

. . . but his favorite spot to spend the night is in the office chair beside the computer hutch -- he tucks himself in after we've gone to bed.

Be careful when you throw rocks . . .

2009-01-03T21:36:00.006Z

At a family get-together several years ago, I overheard my brother telling his children to "be careful when you throw rocks" as they tossed gravel from the driveway at each other.

While I appreciated his attempt to rein in his children, I thought it would have been better to tell them not to throw rocks at all! (Especially since my car and I were in the vicinity.)

Since that time, "Be careful when you throw rocks." had become a joke between my husband and me.

Now I see the phrase from a very different point of view.

The Bible study group I meet with is currently studying the Book of John. Chapter 8 begins with the story of a woman accused of adultery and condemned to be stoned to death. Jesus invites all who have not sinned to throw stones. The crowd quickly dissipates.

We began to discuss how many times people "throw rocks" at us and we respond in kind -- angry words, bad attitudes and judgemental thoughts.

I was reminded of sets of rocks I painted for a "garden tea" at church. Each rock lists a characteristic of loving and Godly responses to others: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness and self-control.

Now I see that "be careful when you throw rocks" means if someone is not loving and gracious to me, I don't have to respond in kind. I have the option of choosing to respond differently.

I decided to paint a few more rocks this weekend. Here are some of the results:

Be careful when you throw rocks! :-)

More Fall color -- in Florida

2008-12-13T15:46:00.011Z

It seems that many people think that green will be all that is found in Florida during the fall, but the color is there, if you look. Here are a few more colorful bits I've found in my yard.

The Meltdown

2008-12-10T13:47:00.005Z

I have been interested in fusing glass for several years and had acquired everything necessary to try it -- except the courage to face my ultimate enemy -- fear of failure.

The logical part of my mind understands that it is normal to start at zero and gradually amass the skills required for any undertaking, but the more primitive part of my brain wants to be perfect from the beginning -- failure is not an option.

The day before Thanksgiving, I finally gathered up enough courage to fuse together a few bits of glass. As often happens, things went smoothly and the pieces looked nicer than I expected.

Thus lulled into a greater sense of confidence, I fused a batch of glass every other day or so, each time, without incident. The results were satisfactory, but not outstanding.

Then I tried to fuse on Saturday.

The glass and I had a meltdown.

For some reason -- I think it was because it was a windy day -- the kiln took longer than usual to reach the first benchmark temperature.

What I now know is that the glass was thoroughly warm at that point and I should have very carefully monitored the rest of the process. Instead, I kept an eye on the pyrometer at the intervals I had found worked before.

The result? The glass -- and I -- had a total meltdown.

There's something very disheartening about opening up a kiln and seeing puddles of glass on the shelf. It's even more discouraging to see molten glass hanging from the side of the kiln lid. If you've ever seen cheese dangling from a slice of pizza, you get the idea.

After the glass and I cooled off, I discovered the results weren't as catastrophic as I thought. The kiln is still usable and I have since fused glass without incident.

So, what did I learn from this?

In most cases, it's ok to make mistakes. Don't be surprised when you do, and keep track of what you've done so you can avoid making the same mistake over again. It was easier to figure out what happened because I had started a firing log.

Don't ignore your instincts. I had a feeling that I should check the kiln sooner, but didn't. Next time, I will be more aware of all aspects of my endeavors. The past can serve as a guide, but each situation is unique and must be treated as such.

Accept and appreciate the support of your family and friends. When you are no longer rational or able to objectively look at a situation, their input is invaluable.

Don't be afraid to fail. If I succeed at everything, I have only verfied what I can do. When the outcome is less than stellar, I have the opportunity to find a way to make it better and to increase my knowledge.

I can see life as a series of adventures and seek new experiences, recognizing that I will stumble on occasion, or I can seek out the familiar and continue doing what I know without any risk of failure -- or growth.

I choose adventure!

A close encounter of the frog kind

2008-11-05T02:02:00.005Z

You've probably heard: "You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince." That may be true, but I've already met my prince, so I'm not interested in kissing frogs. That's why it came as quite a shock the other night when I walked out of my front door and a frog landed on my face.

After performing several notes of operatic quality and volume, I realized that the cold, slithery, and yet sticky thing on my face was one of our resident Cuban treefrogs. Since I had been carrying newspaper to the recycling bin, the frog ended up on the newspaper.

We looked at each other, said a fond farewell, and I deposited the frog in the ferns by the door. The frog and I were none the worse for the encounter, but I'm not sure if my husband and the cats have yet recovered . . .

Chili Cookoff

2008-10-27T17:52:00.003Z

This weekend we went to a "Hoedown and Chili Cookoff" because I had volunteered to judge the chili entered in the Chili Cookoff.

After I agreed to serve as a judge, I had to find out how to judge chili. . .

It should come as no surprise that there are numerous sites with chili recipes, but there are also sites that provide basic guidelines for judging chili. The International Chili Society has specific guidelines in its Membership by-laws. (see Article VIII, Section 2)

W. Bruce Cameron tells a very funny tale of his experience as a chili judge. I am very grateful that my first time was nothing like his.

There is a very good explanation of what to consider when judging chili on the Metamora, Indiana site. They are still looking for judges for their November 8, 2008 Chili Cook-off. . . Here's your chance!

Selecting a President

2008-10-11T13:56:00.004Z

The current US political campaign ads are almost inescapable. While I want to be informed, I do my best to shut out the cacophony of politics that's swirling around. In spite of that, thoughts of the upcoming election do creep into my head.

This morning I thought of the perfect way for the candidates to prove their competence: have each potential pesidential team compete via simulation. Each team is given an identical program simulating world conditions for the next 4 years -- SimWorld instead of SimCity. The team with the best results at the end of the 4 simulated years wins.

Simulation is used for everything from outer space (think NASA) to inner space (think surgery). Doesn't it make sense to have some idea of what could happen when we select people to serve on the presidential team?

You've got mail!

2008-10-07T14:23:00.004Z

There was a watercolor bunny in my mailbox the other day. He'd hopped over from my friend Monette's house. You can see him at her blog. Isn't he cute?

It almost inspires me to dig out all of the stuff I've acquired to make a postcard quilt. Go here if you're curious about fabric post cards.

Speaking of mail, I watched "You've Got Mail" yet another time on Sunday afternoon. I'm not sure why I enjoy the movie so much. I think it may be the way it deals with relationships and the way we handle the inevitable changes in our lives.

If you haven't watched "The Shop Around the Corner", the 1940 predecessor of "You've Got Mail", you've missed a treat. This film, based on a Hungarian play, inspired both "You've Got Mail" and the MGM musical, "In the Good Old Summertime".

Watching all three would make an interesting mini film festival. Maybe I should send out postcards. . .

Junk food fling

2008-10-02T13:16:00.004Z

When it comes my relationship with foods, I've finally realized that I should live with healthy foods and reserve junk food for the occasional fling away from home.

Even though it doesn't take any more time to reach for a bag of baby carrots and a container of dip, I'm much more inclined to reach for a bag of potato chips to go with the dip. So, fling acquires a double meaning - I'll fling the junk food from my house and choose to engage in a rare fling or two with junk food when I'm not at home.

Salsa and baked tortillas cut into pieces make a delicious snack. Here are a few tips to help substitute healthier foods for junk foods.

Happy snacking!

. . . and then there were eight

2008-09-09T19:27:00.005Z

Two of our cats, Cleo and Obie, had been staying at the vet's off and on for the past month. Yesterday we brought them home.

Obie was doing much better and ready to come home and keep her brothers in line. The first thing she did when she got home was to run to the back porch for "lizard patrol". The lizards have their own version of "X Games" - they scoot under the screen porch door and see if they can survive being on the porch with the cats before scooting out again.

Cleo had been frail and failing. The vet called us on Saturday afternoon and said she was gone. She is now buried in our back yard.

Cleo found us in Orlando in 1987 when we were staying with my parents and waiting for our house in Virginia to sell. When we moved to Brevard County, she moved with us. The vet estimated her age between 3 and 5 when we took her for her first visit. Since we had been married for 4 years by then, we decided to go with 4.

Our first major adventure with Cleo came one Saturday morning, shortly after we moved into the house. We are far enough off the road that I felt she'd be safe from traffic, so I let her outside. (I know better now!)

After a while I heard her calling for us and I went to the back porch to see what she was doing. I could still hear her, but I couldn't see her - until I looked up. She was clinging to the top of a sapling as it waved with the breeze.

Of course, we had to rescue her. And "we" meant my husband dragging out a ladder and climbing through blackberry brambles while I offered helpful suggestions. After that, we decided it would be best if she stayed in the house.

Over the years we got used to being bossed around by a 5 pound tyrant. She had no problem telling us exactly what she wanted and when. She was a dictator, but a benevolent, furry one. She fussed so much we'd call her a "grouchy old pooh". Pooh became her nickname. We knew she was nearing the end when she stopped fussing at us and spent most of her time asleep on her favorite beach towel.

Even though we knew it was time, it was still hard to say, "Goodbye."

'bye Pooh, we'll miss you.

Funeral humor

2008-08-05T20:04:00.004Z

I don't know exactly how it started, but I have been thinking about funerals and humor lately. For some reason I didn't think to search "funeral humor" until today, and . . . jackpot!

I found Underground Humor which offers: "Gifts and novelties for the funeral director, mortician, embalmer & more!" You can find everything from a guide to shipping costs (How else will Grandma get from Florida back home to Kansas?) to a t-shirt (black, of course) that says "All men are cremated equal". There's even a "Sexy Coffins Calendar" that features handcrafted Italian coffins and scantily clad models.

If you want to laugh, I highly recommend the Chuckles the Clown episode from the Mary Tyler Moore show. It epitomizes the tightrope between laughter and crying at a funeral. I can't watch it without cracking up.

Summer scenery

2008-08-03T22:47:00.007Z

This little fellow and many more like it have been frolicking in the yard. They are incredibly fast. I was delighted to capture it in a photo.

The kwanso daylily in the background is one of several I planted a couple of years ago. They seem to have happily settled in and are blooming now.

More rain has meant more mushrooms. I found these two beside the driveway when I was taking my morning walk.

A ladybug is hard at work in the garden. Someone else has been munching on the leaf.

The mimosa strigillosa, also known as a sunshine mimosa, or powderpuff plant, is another Florida native that I've added to the yard. I'm looking forward to the next native plant sale at The Green Marketplace.

Color-coordinated book-marks

2008-07-31T15:53:00.004Z

When I go to a store that has a paint department, I frequently select several of the paint sample cards. I enjoy picking out the colors and dreaming about what the walls will look like when I repaint. As a result, I often have a handful of the cards sitting with me on the sofa.

One day when I was in the midst of reading a book, I realized I needed to check on something. I absentmindedly grabbed a piece of paper to mark my place and went on my way.

When I returned to my book, I was delighted to see that I had picked a paint sample card that complemented the book cover. Now I make a habit of recycling the paint sample cards by using them as book-marks.

Turkeys

2008-07-10T15:01:00.003Z

There are turkeys living in my neighborhood. Yes, real ones -- the birds.

As I drove to work today, the tom decided to cross the street in front of me. I slowed and let him pass. Since the car windows were down, I "encouraged" him to speed up, and he did. I thanked him and we continued on our ways.

That made me think: how do I deal with the people who are turkeys in my life?

My first response is to try to avoid them as much as possible. Of course, avoiding an issue doesn't really remove it from my life. It just adds to the pile of things I carry around in the back of my mind. And all of the things I'm subconsciously dealing with distract me from the projects I truly want to do.

So, how to deal with turkeys?

It may take some time to figure out why they are a turkey. If I really stop and think only about it, I may realize it was a simple misunderstanding. At that point my problem is resolved and I can move on.

It may be that they truly are unhappy people who want everyone else to join them in the gloom and doom club. In that case, it really is better to avoid them as much as possible.

As is often the case, they are probably nice people who don't see the world the way I do and I need to agree to disagree and look for all of the things we do have in common.

So, the next time a turkey crosses my path, I'll look for the common ground rather than the differences -- and continue on my way.

Summer rains

2008-07-01T23:59:00.007Z

Since the summer rains have begun, the daylilies, sunflowers and cosmos have begun to flower. The grass now requires a weekly "haircut" and the frogs are singing on a daily basis as they celebrate the returning moisture.

Another result of the rain is mushrooms. Several have popped up along the driveway.

The tomatoes continue to grow, some successfully, some not. There are people who have so many tomatoes that they give away bushels and bushels. I am not yet one of those people. As a matter of fact, the tomato plant that has produced most successfully so far, was a volunteer!

Still, I look forward to my annual tomato adventure. As with many other areas of my life, each year I learn a little more and make a little more progress.

Fire

2008-05-13T13:50:00.006Z

In addition to the fire that started several weeks ago, numerous brush fires have sprung up around Central Florida in the past few days.

When our neighbor told us of the brush fire spotted a couple of miles from our house late Sunday afternoon, all I could think of was the classic exercise to help crystalize what's important to you: if your house was on fire, what 10 items would you want to save and take with you?

This is what it looked like on the road that runs parallel to our road on Sunday night:

Malcolm Denemark, Florida Today

This is what the neighborhood looked like on Monday morning:

Michael R. Brown, Florida Today

And, as scary at that looks, it is nothing compared to what the people who live south of us are experiencing.

Michael R. Brown, Florida Today

Over 50 homes have been totally burned or badly damaged. The most sad part about their situation is arson is suspected.

This incident has shown the best and worst sides of people.

Urban Farming

2008-05-08T16:02:00.003Z

While I love the idea of owning and living on a farm, at this point in my life it isn't possible... at least not in the traditional, idealized way I envision when I think "farm". You know, Old MacDonald and all that E-I, E-I, O-ing stuff.

Since rural land is rapidly disappearing due to urban sprawl, what options are available to wannabe farmers?

It turns out there are multiple options suitable to just about any type of farmer: urban gardens, urban homesteading, and community gardening, just to name a few.

No land? No problem. Try container gardening, mini gardening or hanging baskets. And there's always hydroponic gardening.

If you've always dreamed of having a productive little garden that was all yours, there are numerous non-tradtional options available. Start with a tiny pot of herbs that adds texture, aroma and life to your personal space, and I predict you'll be convinced that "farming" is for everyone!

May flowers, etc.

2008-05-04T21:48:00.011Z

The old adage "April showers bring May flowers" is usually true, but we didn't have much rain in April. In fact, it has been rather dry here. There have been several brush fires, none close enough to see, but at least one close enough to smell when the wind blows in the right direction.

I'm thankful that the only fiery looking things in our yard are the cardinals,

this amaryllis,

and the canna lily.

Meanwhile,
the tomato plants are growing and the first of the tomatoes are appearing --
the Eva Bell
and the Russian Purple

the cuban treefrogs have come back to their condo (also known as my wind chimes!)

and the lizards continue their patrol of the yard.

Running away to the circus

2008-04-18T13:33:00.004Z

Yesterday I ran away to the circus...

Cirque du Soleil presents La Nouba at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando -- so we went.

It has been a while since I've had such a good time. Like many people, I've watched videos of Cirque du Soleil performances, but a recording can never capture the true essence of a live performance.

So much is taking place during the show that you would have to attend at least a dozen performances to see everything that's taking place. Even then, each show would be different.

That's the joy of live performance - the shows vary because there is no way to have identical conditions each time. Even when the performers in the show don't change and have consistent performances, the composition of the audience and their reactions will not be the same.

If you can, attend a live performance soon. The opportunities abound in almost every community, even if they are as simple as a kindergarten play or a community band playing in the park.

If you can't find anything, perhaps it's time to schedule a live performance of your own!

IKEA

2008-04-16T13:55:00.005Z

IKEA came to Orlando in November, 2007. We finally visited the store in March. What an experience!

The parking lot and store were filled with people at mid-afternoon on a Sunday. It was like being at one of the local theme parks. People of all ages strolled through the various displays while chatting in English, Spanish, German, French, and a few languages I couldn't identify. (Swedish, perhaps?)

It is a good idea to take the virtual tour of the store before you go. The Quick Links to Sneak Peek Films and Slideshows are especially helpful.

You will find a treasure trove of information and see lots of ways to organize and upgrade your living spaces. They have incredible examples of living well in small spaces.

We were so inspired that we are in the midst of purging the excess from our home so we can effectively organize the things that remain. (Freecycle is a great way to find homes for the stuff than no longer matches who you are.)

In the mean time, we whistle while we work, or hum along to Jonathan Coulter's IKEA song.

Meteor landing ahead

2008-04-01T13:34:00.004Z

One of the streets in our neighborhood will be closed for construction for a while, so an electronic sign has been set up for about a week to warn people to change their route. As I was coming home yesterday, what I saw on the sign made me laugh. Someone had reprogrammed the sign with an additional message.

The sign still informs of the road closure, but also warns

"Meteor landing ahead" .

I thank the reprogrammer for making my day.

It reminded me of the infamous "The cow is OK" sign and of two other scifi related sign incidents.

Of course, there will always be hackers who enjoy playing with signs. Again, thank you for making my day.

Tomato update

2008-03-29T19:37:00.014Z

The "tomatoes in a box" are growing nicely.

They are heirloom tomato plants purchased from a local nursery.

Purple Russian and Eva Purple Ball.

Striped German and Rose.

I'm also trying "upside down tomatoes".

5 gallon buckets are used for containers. Drill a 3" hole in the lid and in the bottom of the bucket.

Mortgage Lifter and Hillbilly tomato plants have just been added to the buckets.

The plants have been adjusting to the buckets for about 3 weeks. In another couple of weeks, I'll hang them upside down and see what happens.

Easter flowers

2008-03-29T16:18:00.006Z

A few of the flowers I found in our yard on Easter Day . . .

It's tomato time

2008-03-05T01:31:00.005Z

Well, not exactly tomato time . . . It's tomato planting time.

I'm experimenting with container planting this year.

The container looks like this

I filled it 3/4 full with soil

added tomato plants

and herbs

and a plastic bag barrier to hold in moisture and keep out pests --

Now all I have to do is wait for tomatoes!

Instructions for making your own container can be found here.

Another musical cat

2008-02-14T14:55:00.005Z

While looking up the names of the people who wrote the hymn "My Faith Looks Up to Thee", I found this video of a feline who appreciates acoustic guitar music (or maybe it's the 15 seconds of fame).

This musical cat is not to be confused with Cats, the musical or Cat's Music.

There is music specifically for cats and music videos that remind us to "stop littering".

And there are numerous blogs about cats.

But my favorite online "kitty treats" have to be The Daily Kitten and I can has cheezburger.

Free prize inside!

2008-02-06T19:23:00.000Z

As a child, one of my favorite treats was a box of Cracker Jack. If the sweet and salty taste combo wasn't enough, every box has a FREE PRIZE INSIDE!!!

Yesterday I stopped at a nearby farmers' market and picked up a few more native plants for the yard, some kale and New Zealand spinach, and goat cheese.

When I rinsed the spinach this morning, I found a prize inside -- a lady bug!

I enjoyed the spinach, and the lady bug is now happily flying through Historic Cocoa Village.

How to deal with criticism

2008-01-24T20:17:00.000Z

As my new year has gotten off to a less than roaring start, I've decided to focus on quotes made by people who successfully negotiated their way through life.

"Do what you feel in your heart to be right - for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't." -Eleanor Roosevelt

This was my first choice because it reminds me that it is very difficult to reach a goal when I am listening to a variety of conflicting voices. My intention this year is to remember the people who are sources of encouragement and wise advice and listen to them. Everyone else is welcome to find a more appreciative audience. ;-)

It's beginning to look a little like . . .

2007-12-05T01:34:00.001Z

I found this entry hiding in my drafts. It was supposed to be posted in December. Ooops!

This year we decided to do a little more Christmas decorating than in the past.

In addition to Garfield and our fiber optic Christmas tree, we added a couple of Christmas trains to the top of the TV.

Here's a close-up.

The trains needed a little something extra, so we added snowy mountains in the background.

The trains on the television were so nice we added more trains . . . to the dining room table.

The dime in front of the train car gives a better sense of the size of the set.

Fall color . . . in Florida

2007-12-05T00:28:00.000Z

While many newcomers think that Florida only has one season -- hot and humid -- it is possible to find fall color in Florida.

Here are a few examples:

The fruit of Balsam-Apple Vine (Momordica charantia) reminds me of a tiny pumpkin.

The bees love the Cosmos sulphureus flowers.

The Wild Coffee plant (Psychotria nervosa) is ready for Christmas with its red and green berries.

The Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea) provides a splash of color.

Speaking of splash -- this little tadpole (trying to hide under the leaf) has rear legs and will soon be hopping away to join the other frogs.

Surf the change

2007-11-05T14:39:00.000Z

While Forest Gump may have thought life is like a box of chocolates, I think it is more like the ocean:

* the currents are constantly changing

* there are many different levels of activity

* you can only see part of what is happening

* it's important to be aware of what's going on around you

* when you get knocked down, get back up, or you'll stay under

Life is full of change. We can choose to float along and see where change takes us, fight against the current, or surf the change!

Experienced surfers, kayakers and rafters know how to read the water and detect currents others might not notice.

Life works that way, too. The more you know about who you are and where you want to go the more easily you can take advantage of opportunities and and avoid possible dangers.

Instead of being tossed about by the changing tides and currents of life, it really is empowering to "ride the waves".

SURF THE CHANGE!

What's in your cup?

2007-11-03T20:12:00.000Z

Have you ever been walking through a crowd with a cup in your hand and suddenly had someone bump into you? Did you enjoy your impromptu bath? Probably not. Finding yourself dripping with what had been intended as a refreshment is no fun.

What happens when someone "bumps" into you emotionally? A co-worker says something snarky. A family member is unappreciative. A friend "forgets" they promised to help with a project. What spills out of your emotional cup?

Just as you know that coffee will spill on you if your cup was full of it when you are bumped, your emotional contents will spill out when you are bumped emotionally.

Right now I am wearing a bracelet to remind me to monitor my thoughts -- and my words. Bracelets are available from A Complaint Free World. As Will Bowen says:

Your thoughts create your world and your words indicate your thoughts. When you eliminate complaining from your life you will enjoy happier relationships, better health and greater prosperity. This simple program helps you set a trap for your own negativity and redirect your mind towards a more positive and rewarding life.

If you want to start monitoring your thoughts right now, you can use a rubber band or bracelet on your arm as a reminder. When you notice that your thoughts or emotions are more negative than you would like, put the rubber band or bracelet on your other arm.

As I have done this, I've discovered that, at least for me, negative thoughts travel in packs. If I have one negative thought, it brings along 2 or 3 or more of its buddies along. Since that seems to be the case, I simply wear the bracelet to remind me to monitor my thoughts and emotions.

Try it for a week, and I think you'll notice a difference. Most people believe that incorporating a new behavior into your life for 21 days will secure it as a habit. Three weeks to go . . .

Cow moments

2007-10-22T19:47:00.000Z

I'm stuck.

I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do, but I can't seem to get there from here.

My friend and I call these "cow moments" -- those times when you're quite happily trotting along, only to meet up with something unexpected. You stop in your tracks and vapidly stare at this new thing in your life. For whatever reason you can't seem to make your way past it. You've encountered the human equivalent of a cattle grate aka cattle guard .

How do I make my way past this "grate"? I have found several effective ways to move around the barriers I encounter.

First, I have to recognize that I am stuck. It make take a while. One day I may notice that I stopped midway in a project. Why? I reached a point where I got stuck.

Second, after I recognize I am stuck, I'll look for "alternate routes". There are usually several options available, and when I stop focusing on the way that won't work, things fall into place again.

Third, if I'm still stuck, I'll discuss it with someone else. They will probably be able to see my "path". Joseph Campbell wrote: "If you can see your path, clearly, all the way, then you are following someone else's path. Your path becomes clear only as your foot touches the ground, moment by moment. That's why it's your path." For some reason, it's much easier to see another's path than it is to see your own.

While getting stuck seems to be part of life, staying stuck doesn't have to be.

Happy trails!

Goodbye, Aunt Margaret

2007-10-17T00:52:00.000Z

Last weekend was spent in Georgia as I attended my Aunt Margaret's funeral. She had celebrated her 80th birthday in June.

The pastor obeyed the marching orders she gave him and read exactly what she wanted from The Book of Common Prayer (1928, of course!). This would not have been unusual were it not for the fact that her funeral was held in a Baptist Church!

That was Aunt Margaret. She made sure things were done the way she wanted.

As we left the church, we were each given a photo of Aunt Margaret and a single red rose.

The motorcade from the church to Oak Hill Cemetery would have pleased her. Several police cars, sirens blaring, led the way as we passed the courthouse made famous by her book, "Murder in Coweta County", and the movie that it inspired.

When we arrived at the cemetery, red roses in hand, we gathered under the canopy as the pastor read the 23rd Psalm (also from the 1928 Book of Common Prayer). As we left the red roses were placed on her casket as a final, fond farewell.

Goodbye, Aunt Margaret. You will be remembered.

What's in your yard?

2007-09-10T13:01:00.000Z

Last weekend Naturewise, a local native plant nursery, held an "open house".

A walk through the rows of plants sent me on flashbacks as I recognized flowers I'd gathered while playing in the yard as a child.

It was also nice to be able to verify that the plants I've let move into my flower beds are indeed natives: beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa), and Spanish Needles (Bidens alba), among others.

Today I planted the natives I "adopted" last week. I like my "Florida Native Plant Garden".

As I finished planting, a butterfly fluttered past as if thanking me for providing more food and shelter. Glad to oblige, neighbor.

Stuff

2007-08-27T18:20:00.000Z

It seems to be my nature to complicate things. For some mysterious reason a previously tidy room is engulfed in books, papers and craft supplies after I've spent a few minutes in it. In a case of pure irony, the clutter often includes several books about simplicity, organizing and clutter control!

The idea of throwing out something that is still perfectly usable is distasteful to me, however, the concept of editing possessions makes sense. Thinking of my house as a box that can only hold a limited quantity of items helps me see the benefit of editing those items.

There are numerous ways to find homes for the "stuff" that no longer fits in my life, among them:

The Freecycle Network has groups around the world that provide a way to relocate items. As they say: "It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills."
eBay, craigslist and local consignment shops present ways to make a little money while opening space.
Local charities with thrift shops are also a source for new homes for "edited" things.

I keep an "editing" box in the garage so I have a temporary home for the things that no longer belong in my home. When the box is full, it goes to a new home. It is going to take some time, but I'm looking forward to "wide, open spaces".

July showers produce . . .

2007-07-27T00:37:00.000Z

Since July has been quite a bit more rainy than previous months, I have enjoyed walking around my yard to see what has been growing there.

Catnip

The first thing I found as I walked out of my back door was a blooming catnip plant. The seeds are from catnip that I sprinkled on the back porch for the cats. When the porch was swept and rinsed off, the seeds ended up outside where they sprouted and grew.

Mushroom?

While I've seen mushrooms in the yard before, I haven't seen one that looked like this.

Zinnia

As I approached the front yard, I saw this pink zinnia glowing in the flower bed. Most of the other flowers in my yard are oranges, yellows and reds, so this one really caught my eye.

Happy Birthday!

2007-07-25T14:21:00.000Z

My Aunt Margaret has led quite a life, from journalist, to army wife, to author. Yesterday she celebrated her 80th birthday with, among other things, petits fours, chocolate and steak. (My Uncle Billy is a chocolatier.)

As a young journalist, she wrote about the happenings in her hometown. Years later, that experience led to one of the books she wrote, "Murder in Coweta County". "Murder" is a true story. Criminal justice classes often used it as supplemental reading.

It was made into a CBS television movie starring Johnny Cash and Andy Griffith. Aunt Margaret got to appear in the movie -- as the court reporter! Rather fitting, I think.

My favorite of her books is the more whimsical "A Buzzard-My-Best-Friend", which tells the story of the time she and her family spent as owners of a Virginia farm. I have fond memories of the summer my family and I visited that farm. (It may also be the root of my love/hate relationship with the idea of owning a small farm.)

Seeing what she has accomplished over her lifetime reminds me that, while life may be considered one great adventure, in reality it is a series of adventures. I'm going to remember to enjoy each one.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Margaret. May your adventures continue for years to come!

Summer fun

2007-07-13T18:46:00.000Z

Now that the outside temperatures have reached the point of having a comfort factor in the 100's, I'm pretty reluctant to spend daylight hours outside. Instead, I'm finding amusing online sites that will keep me occupied while in the house.

Ever wondered what you would look like after a facelift? Try it out at Modiface. If you're too squeamish to try it on yourself (even in cyberspace), they have photos to play with before you decide if you want to go under the virtual knife.

Thinking about taking a road trip? Try Roadside America and make a list of the unusual places you'd like to visit. You might even find something close to home.

Need something to do on the way to your destination? A visit to Mom's minivan can provide loads of fun to keep the occupants of your chosen mode of transportation entertained.

If a road trip is too mundane for you, perhaps you would like to consider Space. You'll find lots of videos and articles related to science and technology.

No desire to wander? If you're feeling crafty, visit craft. You will be inspired by their projects, podcasts and blog.

How about a good book? Check out the Project Gutenberg. You'll find online versions of books whose copyrights have expired. Works are available in numerous languages.

Good hunting!

Goodbye, Blackjack

2007-07-11T13:11:00.001Z

When I came home from work on Monday, I noticed that our neighbor's fence was gone. Not a good sign.

The fence had weathered many a storm, including hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, one of which dropped a palm tree on it. In spite of being battered, the fence stood.

Now it was gone. That meant one thing -- Blackjack was gone.

Blackjack was our neighbor's dog. He was a sweet-natured pound puppy of medium height and weight and unknown parentage. His name came from his coloring. He was solid black except for a triangular shaped white patch at his throat. I guess you could say he was the dog equivalent of a tuxedo cat.

Although he was our neighbors' dog, Blackjack was part of our lives, too. He would greet us as we passed his yard on our way up and down our driveway, and when he was outside of his fence, he would come back to our yard to "patrol the perimeter". We always felt safer with Blackjack on guard.

I like to think that right now Blackjack is patrolling Rainbow Bridge.

Goodbye, Blackjack, we'll miss you.

It's not too late . . .

2007-07-06T16:59:00.000Z

Everyone had dreams when they were kids - things they wanted to do, see, create and be.

As adults we look back and see how we lived those dreams -- or not.

Ever dream of being a "rock star" but thought you were too old? Check out the Zimmers. They're all over 60, and their average age is 78!

If you want to see what could be possibile for you as you age, check out Age Venture, an online magazine that reports on longevity research and lifestyle trends.

No matter what your age, there is a wealth of information available from the U.S. Government.

It's never too late -- or too early to consider your future.

Of cats . . . and mice

2007-07-03T15:19:00.000Z

Believe it or not, there is a website for cats. NO, not cat loving people, cats. It's called, appropriately enough, cattv. When you're not using your computer, you'll have a new toy for your kitty.

If you want to watch cats on your computer, head to cat cam. There's also a link to web cams of all kinds. Tired of the view out your window? Check out the view on your computer monitor!

Quite a few universities have begun calling their campus cameras "Hi Mom!" cams. It's an easy way for parents to be assured that their student is alive and well and on campus.

Before you head out on vacation, you might want to check for webcam locations. Rather than sending a postcard, just notify your friends with your cell phone, BlackBerry or iPhone and wave at the webcam!

Bugaboo

2007-06-28T20:50:00.000Z

How you would like to help the small (population 380) town of Fargo, Georgia replace their firetruck while getting a cool souvenir at the same time?
Have you heard about the "Bugaboo T-Shirt"?

Here's the story.

Here's the order form.

Get a shirt (or two) today!

Pandora

2007-06-28T20:23:00.000Z

While I was chatting with a friend at lunch, she mentioned that she rarely (if ever) listened to music on the radio because she never liked any of the music that was played.

That's when I told her about Pandora. Pandora provides a way for people to have "stations" that play music suited to their tastes. They explain how it's done here.

They also have a blog and podcast.

It really is an interesting way to explore different kinds of music and examine what types of music appeal to you. I can't wait to hear what kind of station my friend creates.

Toilet paper wedding gowns

2007-06-28T15:51:00.000Z

While I'm all for recycling and wise use of resources, I must admit I would not have considered creating my wedding gown from toilet paper!

The dresses are quite lovely. My only concern would be rain storms and tears (crying). Well, I would be afraid of tears (rips), too.

There are quite a few instances of clever use of unconventional materials. The most famous is probably duct tape, although there are other examples.

Here's a clever use of coffee sleeves.

I'm feeling inspired now! Let's see what I can create . . .

Ebb and flow

2007-06-20T01:17:00.000Z

While I don't live very near the ocean, I do notice the ebb and flow of life. I frequently see it in the garden. Sometimes it's brimming with flowers, other times with weeds, and if it's very cold or very dry, then there's not much growing at all.

Nasturtiums that were in my garden a couple of months ago have taken their leave of the garden. If all goes well, there will be a few volunteers to welcome the new seeds I plant next year.

As the nasturtiums departed, morning glories and cosmos brought their contrast of color as cool purples and blues mingled with warm, rich orange.

Now the morning glories are gone and marigolds, zinnias and daylilies have begun their summer show.

Life tends to be like that. Activities that take priority at one point fade into the background at another time. Sometimes you return to them, other times you don't. While it may be sad to say goodbye to something that was once part of your life, that's the way of the cycle of life.

When you learn to recognize your personal ebb and flow, you will find that you are better able to plan your activities to match your strengths, interests and energy levels as they occur. It gives a whole new meaning to "go with the flow"!

Summer is here

2007-06-16T17:42:00.000Z

I know that Summer doesn't officially begin for a few more days, but my garden says that it's summertime.

My "garden guardin' goddess" is ready for her second season. She could stand to have a bit more spanish moss hair, and her garden twine dress has seen better days, but she's happy to be in the yard where she can enjoy the sun, breezes, and growing things. This summer I may make a sister or two to join her.

Now that the rains have returned, the yard is starting to fill up with plants and flowers.

The tomato plants have reached the point where they present a ripe tomato each day when I come home. That may not be a big deal to a lot of people, but my tomato growing history is not a happy one.

The first tomato plants I grew were taller than me -- and had no fruit. They had spent all of their energy growing green stuff, not red stuff.
The next time I tried, I did have some nice tomatoes ripening on the plants, until the bugs and animals got to them before I did.

This year I decided to try grape and cherry tomatoes . . .

Success at last!

I think they're too small to catch the attention of the critters, so I've been able to enjoy my tomatoes this year.

Meanwhile, the flowers are flourishing.

Seeds planted several weeks ago are sprouting and starting to bud and bloom.

The sunflowers, while small, are continuing to grow, as are the cosmos, marigolds and zinnias. The garden is full of splashes of yellow, orange, and red.

The bees and lizards and dragonflies zip around the yard using my bamboo stakes as launching and landing pads.

I really enjoy seeing the wild creatures enjoying the garden.

Excuse me, I think I hear my garden calling . . .

What to do?

2007-06-13T19:55:00.000Z

When I walked into the living room the other day I saw a flash of movement in the tree by the front door. As I sat and looked out the window, I realized it was a tiny bird.

It hopped from branch to branch and then flew to the archway leading to our front porch and clung to the stucco wall. After it left I went to the front porch to see what attracted the bird there.

To my delight and horror, I found a lovely little nest the bird had built in one of my pots. The nest is a work of art and represents hours and hours of labor from this little creature. Unfortunately, the location is very, very bad. The pot is on a stand that is only a couple of feet high, and it's right by the main entrance to our house.

While we wouldn't touch the nest, others might. We don't have many human visitors, but we do have frequent visits from raccoons, as evidenced by their muddy footprints left on the concrete walk after they dig in my water garden. Raccoons are omnivores and will eat anything.

There are also two large Cuban treefrogs who live on our porch light. They also will eat anything that will fit in their mouth!

What to do? I looked at birdhouses and thought of ways to hang the pot so the bird could still reach it, but I came to the unhappy conclusion that they would not return to the nest if I touched it, and they and their babies would be at risk if I left the nest there.

I had to move the nest.

While not a solution I would have gladly chosen, I took the nest out of the pot and put it at the edge of the woods. I know the bird won't use the nest, but I hope someone will use the materials to build a home for themselves.

Transitions

2007-06-06T20:40:00.000Z

Is change good or bad?

Yes.

The choice is yours.

Diane Mashia says: What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, God calls a butterfly!

How do you find the butterfly moments of your changing life?

Since change is part of our lives, we benefit from learning how to cope with change.

Choose your goal and approach it one small step at a time. It’s easier to commit to small changes and simpler to adjust your course when necessary.

You are daily surrounded by opportunities to make progress toward your goal. As you focus on your goal, you will become more aware of these opportunities.

When you decide to change it is important to remember:
Change is uncomfortable, even if you have chosen it.

Anatole France said, "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another."

Are you clinging to things that are holding you back?

It may be time to release some of the things that suited you at other stages in your life to make room for the things that will help your reach your current goals.

Is it time for a change?

A false sense of security

2007-05-24T19:29:00.000Z

As I took my morning walk today I saw a bunny. It is not uncommon to see at least one bunny when I walk, but this particular bunny caught my eye because he (she?) didn't run as I approached. It continued to munch away on the vegetation as I walked past.

Why? Because the bunny was on the other side of a chain link fence and beyond my reach.

The bunny felt safe because the fence provided a barrier of protection. What the bunny didn't know was that the fence surrounded our neighbor's dog run - and he was on the inside!

Blackjack, the dog, wasn't in the area - he's too old to bother chasing a bunny anyway, so the bunny really was safe. (Maybe it wasn't such a "dumb bunny" after all.)

This made me think about the times I've felt safe when I really shouldn't and the times when I've not felt safe when I should have.

I have chosen to place my self in "danger" by, among other things, going whitewater rafting and flying with $5 Frank.

Then there were the times when I have felt fearful when there was no need, usually in situations when I was "on stage", either figuratively, or literally.

In both cases my reaction was a choice. So, what did I learn from my bunny buddy? Examine your situation and remember to choose your reaction wisely.

Oh, and the bunny? I saw it again this afternoon. This time it was outside of the fence, and it still didn't run from me!

Rain!

2007-05-16T14:58:00.000Z

The rain is finally returning to our area.

It has been dreadfully dry - so dry that my sunflowers barely reach my knee. In the past they have grown taller than I am - usually well over six feet high.

I have watered my garden plants enough to keep them alive, but they always respond better to rain. At the beginning of May, when the rains first began, everything perked up and looked much greener even after the most brief rain shower. I'm looking forward to seeing how my garden grows with sufficient rain.

It seems that our lives are like that. We have basic needs that must be met, and we seek ways to meet those needs that aren't always authentic. We may grow a little, but that growth is stunted when we substitute a "good enough" solution for the best.

So, how do you know what's best for you? The words of Plato come to mind:
"Know thyself."

Abraham Maslow describes a hierarchy of needs .

Douglas B. Richardson offers this career advice.

Numerous sites offer quizzes that will "reveal" your personality and more. When taken with a grain of salt, they can be entertaining and somewhat informative. (If nothing else, you will learn whether on not you enjoy quizzes!)

While it may take some effort on your part, you will be delighted when you learn to recognize the "rain" you need to help you grow to your full potential.

The hitchhiker

2007-04-27T19:23:00.000Z

As I turned off the main road on to my street a flash of color caught my eye. It was a butterfly making its way across the street. I carefully moved to the right side of my lane to avoid hitting it.

I didn't hit it, but . . . because my window was open, I suddenly had a butterfly hitchhiker! It rode down the street with me.

As I turned in to my driveway, my newly acquired passenger gently climbed up my arm and onto my shoulder. When I opened my car door, the butterfly startled and flew into the back seat. I caught it and put it on one of the flowers in my garden so it could rest from its adventure.

When I checked later, my new friend had resumed its travels, leaving me with a lovely memory.

The cat who loved baths

2007-04-18T20:02:00.000Z

When we moved into our house in 1987, I soon discovered that it came with a cat.

She came up from the woods one day as I was looking at the back yard. Since she was orange, I chose to call her "OJ". (Not very original, but she didn't seem to mind.)

As she became less wary of me, she would allow me to approach more closely. What I saw was a scruffy stray cat with cataract clouded eyes. I didn't think she'd be around very long. Luckily, I was proved wrong.

She had several litters in our flower beds and while I made sure all of the kittens were "fixed", I could never get close enough to put her in a carrier.

Her last two kittens were born just before Hurricane Erin. She and the kittens rode out the storm in our garage. After that she allowed me to put her in the carrier and take her to the vet. When she came home, she decided staying in the garage instead of outside wasn't such a bad thing.

One winter morning I opened the garage door and she was just sitting there. Her back legs didn't seem to work. She didn't fuss when we brought her in the house. As she warmed up, her legs began to work again and we decided she was staying in the house.

The longer she stayed in the house the more she loved to interact with us. She would talk and dance when she heard the cat food, and she thought being brushed was terrific. It was a joy to have her with us.

When she could no longer bathe herself, I decided to risk life and limb and give her a bath in our shower stall. The warm water must have felt wonderful to her, because she never struggled or protested.

One day I decided to try bathing her in the bathroom sink. She was a tiny cat and easliy fit in a sink full of warm, soapy water. She loved being in her own little hot tub! This is what she looked like:

While OJ is no longer with us, she lives on in our memories and through the offspring* she left in our care.

*George (see my 1st post) was one of OJ's boys.

PS: I just learned of a "big" cat who loves the water: Odin , a Bengal tiger, lives in California.

Opportunity

2007-04-17T15:37:00.000Z

How many opportunities have I missed because I did not see them, did not recognize them, or chose to ignore them?

If I didn't see the opportunity, it was probably because I was distracted and not fully aware of what was going on in my life. I let the past and future block my view of the present. This is best overcome by being conscious of my thoughts, actions and attitudes. (For fun, there is a Cosmo quiz to see if you are "Living in the Now".)

If I didn't recognize the opportunity, it was probably because I didn't know that it would be beneficial for me. I have found that keeping a journal helps me be aware of the things that are very important to me so I can recognize opportunities to achive those things. Julia Cameron recommends Morning Pages. There is a 43 Things group working on Morning Pages for those who would like to see how it works and compare their findings with others.

Why would I ignore an opportunity? Barbara Sher discusses "resistance" in her book, Wishcraft, which she offers free online. Her bulletin board offers advice from Barbara and from those using the board. This is a great resource for anyone who wants to call upon the vast knowledge and experience of others who are also seeking to reach their full potential.

The bad news: there are many ways to miss an opportunity. The good news: there are just as many ways to find an opportunity!

Taking steps . . . or not

2007-04-14T20:25:00.000Z

Have you ever found yourself sailing through a project only to suddenly find yourself flummoxed by the next step you need to take?

There are times when I'm happily progressing toward a goal and suddenly happen upon something that, for one reason or another, stumps me and stops me in my tracks. Recently I've become aware that it is usually okay to avoid a step that is holding me back from accomplishing something I want.

I am learning to recognize when a step is vital, and when it would be nice, but not crucial to the success of a project. If the step that is holding me back is not truly important to the completion of my task, I skip it.

If the step can't be avoided, I re-examine it and see if it can be approached from another angle, or if a similar action can be substituted.

It seems to be working for me. I'm learning how to complete half-finished projects, or how to pass them on to someone who will enjoy finishing them.

The ghosts of unfinished projects past are slowly leaving my life.

5 things I do every day to be successful

2007-04-11T16:01:00.000Z

At the beginning of the month Andy Wibbels wrote about the 5 things he does every day to be successful and invited his readers to do the same.

So, here goes:

I have a daily routine. Routine is often assumed to be boring, but I find a routine frees me to concentrate on my goals and helps keep me on track. I may not be diagnosed with ADHD, but I can very easily find myself distracted by things that will keep me from accomplishing anything if I don't have some way to corral myself and stay focused.

My morning walk helps me get started. My body gets a workout from the walk, my spirit gets a workout thinking about the positive things in my life, and my mind gets a workout as I consider short and long term goals I want to accomplish. Spending this time alone in the morning refreshes and prepares me for the rest of the day. I'm also becoming more aware of my biorhythms and can take advantage of that to accomplish more when I'm at my peak mentally and physically.

In addition to my morning walk, I spend time outside each day. It may only be 5 or 10 minutes, but I stop and really look around at the sky, the landscape and any animals that may be in the area. After a few deep breaths and a stretch or two, I'm ready to go again. Maintaining contact with nature helps calm me, keeps me aware of changes in my environment and reveals the beauty around me, even if it's something as tiny as a seedling popping up through asphalt. If I can't get outside, I can go online for sights and sounds of nature.

I have a ready supply of 3 x 5 index cards on hand to record ideas, lists and anything else that comes to mind. They may be old-fashioned and low tech, but they don't need batteries, fit in a pocket or purse and can be readily sorted and stored. It's easy for me to purge index cards that I no longer need, and that's important to a slowly recovering pack rat.

Last, but not least, I include breathing space in my schedule by alloting more time for each activity than I think I'll need so I don't have to rush and I'm not frustrated when I hit a roadblock, literal or figurative. So many people seem to be rushed and angry; I don't want to be one of them.

I know that none of this is earth-shattering, but I have found that when I include these small steps in my life I am much more productive.

Self-taught musicians

2007-04-10T19:55:00.000Z

Today I discovered two very different self-taught musicians on YouTube videos.

The first is "Nora, the Piano Playing Cat". Some of the "licks" (pun intended) she plays actually sound quite modern. According to the person she lives with, she began playing on her own. She does seem to enjoy playing, preferring the mid-range notes. Her performance has encouraged many other cats to post their videos.

The second musician is twelve-year-old Conrad Oberg. Born in the summer of 1994, he taught himself to play piano (at age 2) and guitar (at age 10) and has been playing live concerts since he was 4. Quite an accomplishment on its own; all the more so since Conrad was born prematurely (3 1/2 months early) and has no eyesight in his left eye and only 15% of the vision in his right.

What in the world do these two have in common? Music, practice, and following their bliss.

What can I learn from this? Don't be hesitant to pursue the activities that utilize my talents and abilities. I may never be famous, but I'll enjoy my life a lot more!

How do I want to spend my time?

2007-04-05T23:46:00.000Z

If I could spend all of my time doing anything I wanted to do, what would I do?

Good question.

What do I do with the "free" time I have now?

I may not have 24/7 to myself, but I do have at least 2 hours a day of "discretionary time". If I really considered what I wanted to do and used that time to focus and aim toward my goals I would eventually get there.

Back to my original question: what do I want to do?

I enjoy reading, learning, and being with green, growing things. Most days I do spend at least some time doing all of the above, so I am doing what I want to do for a portion of each day.

What else? I like to work with clay and would like to fuse glass. I also have several ideas for the piles of fabric in my guest room. What's the roadblock there? Space. Stuff from previous projects (that will not be finished -- ever!) needs to be removed so there is room for new experiences.

I have read numerous books about simplifying and organizing and have gleaned helpful information from most of them. The book I am currently reading, It's All Too Much by Peter Walsh, has been most helpful. He gets to the heart of the matter by asking you to imagine your home the way you want it. This makes it easier to remove the parts you don't need.

I can verify from personal experience that enormous amount of time, energy and money can be spent trying to organize too much stuff (clutter).

The FlyLady also shares numerous helpful techniques for removing the chaos from your life.

Right now, the best use of my time is to spend at least an hour per day "freeing" myself of things that no longer belong in my life. It's time to send them on to people who will appreciate and use them, not just have them stacked up and collecting dust around the house.

Yesterday I pared down 3 boxes of stuff into 1 box. I feel lighter already!

Choices

2007-04-05T15:43:00.000Z

As I was taking my morning walk I reflected on the interesting things happening in the lives of my friends and began comparing them to what is happening in my life.

I know, comparison is rarely a good thing -- you tend to become smug or dejected.

This time I think it was a positive experience.

My friend, Monette, has just published a book -- Knit & Crochet Combined: Best of Both Worlds. It is a terrific book and just one of many amazing things she has accomplished. Here's her website and her blog.

Other friends are in Scotland right now. Their daughter is competing in the 2007 World Irish Dance Championship - Oireachtas Rince na Cruinne. She dreamed of this from the moment she discovered Irish Dance, and now she's there!

Ok, yes, my first reaction was to hold a gigantic pity party and whine that everyone else gets to do fun stuff while I stay at home and do the same old things.

When my brain resumed functioning properly, I had to admit that I have chosen not to do what they are doing. The life I am living is a result of the choices I have made.

They both chose what they wanted to do, focused on it, and achieved it.

So . . .if I want to do "fun stuff", it's up to me to decide what I want to do and take the steps to get there.

Excuse me while I start my list . . .

A lesson from the garden

2007-03-13T20:53:00.000Z

As the weather continues to warm, volunteers are popping up in my flower beds. Seeds from last year's four o'clocks, morning glories, cosmos and hyacinth beans are starting to sprout and flower.

It's fun to see who chooses to return and what form they take. The offspring of purchased seeds often return to their heritage. New (to me) colors and sizes appear as plants arise from the seeds of previous generations.

Of course, there are other plants popping up that have to be removed from the bed. While they may have lovely flowers and beautiful foliage, they do not share space with others. They want to take over every square inch of soil. This will not do.

Isn't that the way life happens? The results of things we've done in the past and have forgotten suddenly pop up and surprise us. Sometimes the experience is pleasant, other times not so.

I'm reminded to be careful what I "plant" in my life and to remember to "weed out" stuff (physical and emotional) that might inhibit the growth of the things I want to nurture in my life.

Online funeral

2007-03-13T19:43:00.000Z

After I went to a funeral last month, it occurred to me that it would be a great service if funerals could be viewed online.

Evidently there are funeral directors in Ireland that think it's a good idea, too! http://http://www.sclarkeandson.co.uk/

They have been offering this sevice for a couple of years. Family members around the world have the opportunity to view streaming audio and video of a loved one's funeral. Special software and a password are required, so access is limited.

I think this is a wonderful idea because it could allow more loved ones and family members to have the funeral service available as part of their grieving process. (Not to mention the convenience of having different venues in case there are those who would not want to be in the same room.)

My Wists

2007-02-16T19:09:00.001Z

What are Wists? A Wist is a web wish list. Wist is short for weblists.

It's a fun way to share the interesting stuff you find on the Web.

Here is my Wist:

Wists, top web picks from WhollyPiecemeal for all. Wists, social shopping scrapbook, wishlist

Carving

2007-02-09T20:38:00.000Z

As I understand it, the essence of carving an object out of wood, marble, stone, etc. is to cut away the parts you don't need to create the object you want. I'm trying to do that with my life -- removing the things that are no longer necessary or representative of who I am or want to be.

It is much easier for me to say "goodbye" to something when I realize that it no longer reflects who I am. Many of the things I've held on to were valid parts of my life at one time. Now they need to be given away.

Some things are more easily removed than others -- shoes that always pinch when I wear them -- the itchy sweater -- the shirt that doesn't go with anything. Then there are the sentimental favorites -- a lovely nightgown -- red glitter sneakers -- an embroidered shirt.

This week I began selecting one item per day to remove from my house. When I look at things and ask myself if they reflect who I am or want to be, it makes it much easier to remove what doesn't belong.

Just as there is limited space in a box, there is limited space in my house. I once read of a person who limited themselves to a certain number of posessions. When something came in, something had to go out. That would be the ultimate way to prevent clutter, and while I'm not there yet, I'm headed in that direction.

Serendipity

2007-02-08T03:28:00.000Z

At the end of January I planned to go to an event with my sister. I spent the night at her house and woke to a cold, windy, rainy day. Not a bad thing, except for the fact that the event was scheduled outside, in a field, on a hill, early in the morning. The organizers canceled. My first reaction was disappointment.

Before I walked outside and appreciated the wisdom of the cancelation, I considered my options: go home early (too boring), stay all day and whine about the cancelation (too whiny), think of something else that would be fun to do (fun is good!). I decided to go with the flow and see what happened.

After a tasty breakfast, we sat and brainstormed. And the winner was . . . The Polk Museum of Art.

It had been a while since I'd visited a museum, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. They have a delightful collection of Pre-Columbian art including bowls, whistles, jars and numerous figures. This was my favorite piece:

In addition to the permanent collection, the works of "Two of Central Florida’s best painters -- James Michaels and Gary Bolding" were on display. Very inspiring stuff.

There is a virtual tour of James Michaels' work here.

Dr. Bolding is an art professor at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. His work will be on display at the UCF Art Gallery in Orlando from February 1 through March 2. If you are in the area, I highly recommend that you go.

You might enjoy reading the graduation speech he gave at Stetson in December, 1998. I found it witty and quite entertaining.

So what did I learn this time? Go with the flow and you will enjoy the journey.

Appearances can be deceiving

2007-02-08T00:17:00.000Z

We have two citrus trees in our yard, neither of which we planted.

The first tree is in the woods at the edge of our yard. It is full of lovely oranges. They are about the size of a baseball, a gorgeous shade of . . . orange, and slightly sweeter than a lemon. It is a sour orange tree. The juice can be used for marinades and marmalade, but you probably wouldn't want a glass of it with your breakfast.

The second tree is a scraggly little thing snuggled next to a larger tree at the edge of our pond. We could tell it was a citrus tree because of its flowers, but never saw fruit of any consequence. It does have a healthy array of thorns which have made their presence known numerous times. Encounters with the thorns made it quite tempting to remove this "weed", but we didn't.

This year the scraggly tree was full of fruit, but they were small and pale. Hmmm . . . small, pale fruit -- could it be? I grabbed a couple of them and took them to the kitchen for an experiment.

A friend of ours has a very pampered key lime tree. He keeps it safe and warm and makes sure nothing will harm it. He had a bumper crop this year and shared his limes with us.

I took out one of his limes and placed the fruit from my tree next to it. Same size, same color . . . I got a knife and cut them open. They looked the same. I squeezed juice from each into glasses and tasted. Hooray! I have a key lime tree!

Here are the limes I harvested from my tree. (That's a quarter in front of the bowl.)

What have I learned from this? When life gives you thorns, make key lime pie!!!

The Thinking Place

2007-01-18T21:26:00.000Z

Few things hold my attention for any great length of time. I tend to flit from one "interesting" idea to another, like a bee in a field of flowers. Instead of bags of pollen, I carry snippets of ideas around, letting them jumble around in my head until they clump together in a new way.

While I do come up with a number of ideas, my lack of focus results in "lots of eggs, but no chickens". I never stay with my ideas long enough to bring them to life.

That said, I have decided that I'm going to set aside a place and time on a regular basis to practice focusing on things I'd like to accomplish.

Tiny steps

2007-01-11T21:16:00.000Z

Why do I have to continually fight the notion that progress is made only with giant steps?

Most failure sneaks up in barely noticeable increments:

Just one more bite of dessert. . .
Too much to do this morning; I'll exercise tonight . . .
I'll finish this later . . .

Why not aim for success by making barely noticeable changes?

Take 5 minutes before going to bed to make sure the stuff I need in the morning is ready.
Instead of going for a doughnut, go for a walk.
Drink water rather than something else when I'm thirsty.

Moving forward is the objective; consistently moving forward, one tiny step at a time.

This year I'm taking tiny steps forward, and this is one of them.

What I learned from George

2007-01-10T16:11:00.000Z

Saturday morning we said a tearful goodbye to one of our cats.

His name was George. (He's the one in the middle.)

While we still have several cats, our house is strangely quiet.

George was a talker. The other cats don't seem to be quite as vocal, maybe because they couldn't get a "meow" in edgewise with George around.

He also seemed to know exactly where we were going to step, and made sure he checked the spot so it would be "safe" for us to move there. This, of course, meant that he was usually underfoot, especially in the kitchen.

As I've considered "life with George", I find it comforting to think about the things I learned from him.

George taught me:

* When you want something, ask for it. Continue talking to people until they understand what you want and give it to you, or show you where to get it.

* Know where the things you like are located so you can point them out, if necessary.

* Savor every meal and welcome the company of fellow diners.

* Hugging is a good and necessary part of every day.

* Avoid confrontation if at all possible.

* Spend time in the fresh air every day.

* If you get lost, stop and listen. The information is there, if you are still and quiet.

Farewell, Georgie. You'll always live on in our hearts.