YES, I Am Obsessed with My Cat

This weekend I will make an earnest effort to photograph something or someone else, but for now...what could be better?

Loretta: An Update

Tuesday sunset. You can just barely see Shovel Mountain there in the distance, dead center.

So Loretta the elderly cat with failing kidneys is maintaining, nay, perhaps even rallying! We're giving her subcutaneous fluids every day and take her growing feistiness about the procedure as a sign that she's feeling better every day. She is even acting kittenish and perky again! She's not eating a ton but still weighs more than when we got back from England two weeks ago, and she smells a far sight better than she did then, too.

O Loretta! I would do just anything for this cat; she has been my constant companion for almost 17 years. I have had her longer than I've known both my husband and my best friend. She has been with me through thick and thin. I hope she will continue to be with me for much more thick and thin—mostly thick would be good, but I'll take what I can get.

The Frozen Outdoor Shower Tundra of the Icy North—I Mean, Texas

The inside of the outdoor shower after dripping the water for the last couple of nights with temperatures below freezing

2010! Yes, Already!

Lately I haven't been writing much here, just posting photos. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But here it is the beginning of the new year and I'm contemplative; spending time with elderly aunts and then coming home to a very sick elderly cat has provided food for thought. And now it's the last day before returning to work after the winter break and I have that Sunday-night-before-school-on-Monday feeling, only more so.

Things I have to do today: Laundry. Dishes. Lute practice. Give the cat subcutaneous fluids in an attempt to prolong her little elderly-cat kidneys & make her feel better. Spend a lot of time with said cat on my lap.

Things I want to do today: The things listed above, minus laundry & dishes. Begin typesetting, illustrating & binding my friend Hank's first mystery story. Finish the hat I am knitting for Hugh, my second knitted hat and the first one I've knitted in the round & used double-pointed needles on. Take a walk. Make Cornish pasties. Savor this last day off (till next weekend)!

Things I want to do in 2010: Make more art and other things. Be a nicer person & complain less. Be outside a lot. Give attention to all the things in my house that are broken or otherwise need attention. Get rid of a bunch of crap. Take more photos. Limit my exposure to those who are unkind or negative, whatever their reasons for being that way. Learn to play my lute in public without visibly shaking. Enjoy & appreciate the peacefulness that my life mostly is.

The picture at top is Loretta, the ailing elderly cat. The picture below is me in a B&B in Barnes, drinking Dorset brew "Piddle in a Bottle" that Janet gave us. As Hugh is not drinking lately, had to down it all myself, darn it. More's the pity.

Happy New Year!!!

The Golden Face of Fritz

He's so happy we're home...

Holding Tails: Fritz & Lo

Because Who Can Have Enough of Dorset, Really?

Dorset Field, Hills, Sky

A Very Happy Texas Holiday!

I am positive that this century plant is celebrating the solstice. It
was a vision in red near 15th Street spotted on my way to work
yesterday.

Last Night, Fog and Fire

The Butter Cow

Mrs B, thinking of you this evening as I make soup & cheesy
toast...have I told you lately how much we in this house love the
butter cow?

My Floridian Avocado

This avocado, given me by Fran & Groovy, was grown on their very own avocado tree. It is shown here nestled in my purse, in which it rode from Tampa back to Austin. It's almost bigger than my head! And is most delicious, to boot.

Back Home in Texas

Sarasota Sunset

Those are giant pelicans there on the water; lots of them about this
evening.

Sea Grass

These grass stalks are about 6 feet tall and so lovely! All dry and
rustly.

Sandhenge

Manatee Mailbox

We are SO getting one of these for the Cabin...

I don't know what this plant is. It's a woody vine growing near the driveway and until this year had never flowered nor had berries, but this year it did and does.

Sumac in Fall

The flame sumac is beginning to flame.

Clover