Flowers and Another Kitten

Here are two pictures - of back yard action - the morning glories and wild flowers and a kitten that went to the Humane Society today. This kitten will be adopted - it was very sweet and perfectly adoptable - in fact, if we didn't already have three jealous female cats, we would have taken her in!

Flowers in the Yard

Dee takes lovely pictures. I just snap away with utter disregard for technique and aesthetics - capturing the moment. My mind says, "Cat head! better catch it!" I take many and then quickly edit them for basic presentation. Dee takes fewer, finer pictures. Each of these pictures is probably a good illustration for its own post (or a magazine page) but I couldn't wait to put them here. Thanks Dee!













Sunflower - a bit goth
















Patio Tomato - perfect for our potted garden.
















Another flower from the 10 packages for $1 seed bargain - Mixed Wildflowers

Cats of the Saturday Bike Ride

This morning I was on my bike, camera in hand, taking pictures all around the neighborhood. It was about 6 - 7 a.m. and I was beating the Missouri heat but not the humidity. I said hello to several people and spoke at length to Mr. Gould, who has had both knees replaced just like his friend. I happen to work at the same place as his friend and am planning his retirement event - ahhh - small town life and CATS! These are all taken from fairly far away and some are cropped out of larger photos where the cat was the most interesting thing.

The first cat is hard to get close to but someday I'll capture its "helmet and lightening" look correctly. It puts itself in danger - resting in the street - right on the road. I see it often on my ride near the railroad tracks.

The rest are various shots as I rode around. A couple may have you playing "find the cats". I end up scanning the neighborhoods for cats heads as I ride!

Sunflowers Bloom

What a cheerful sight. All the littler green tomatoes are also creating garden hope!

Kitten Update

The monster (sick kitten) still lives! I have snuck some kitty antibiotic into some tuna juice and maneuvered to make sure this cat got it. It has involved creeping around, holding absolutely still and contortions but these are feral cats - they run! I'm not normally too light on my feet but my body has seemed to sense that I am on a mission and has not betrayed me in my doctoring of the monster. We'll see what happens.

While in a melancholy mood, I predicted two kittens wouldn't make it to adulthood, but so far they all are thriving. Here are the latest pictures.



There are still two gray kittens although they don't show off as much as the black and white kitten does. What you cannot see from these pictures is something I have been unable to capture on my Kodak. These kittens frolic and play - leaping up and sideways, batting at plants and ants and wrestling. It is too far away to document but we are delighted by their antics. The monster doesn't play but now it walks around which is more activity than before. And finally, we are getting tomatoes and flowers! The tomatoes are small right now - here are some of the first flowers.

Sunday Morning Bike Ride, Part II

What would a bike ride be without keeping an eye open for cats!? These pictures were taken on the trike so they are of mixed quality.

Sunday Morning Bike Ride

Sunday morning trike rides are my favorite. Today was exceptional - cool, sunny, quiet and early - but there are others out - mowers, a guy looking to fill some old soda bottles with water and a few cats. I also visited with a few of the residents of Comfort House who sit outside and often smoke. My garage opens into an alley which faces the back yard of the Comfort House. It is a residence for developmentally disabled and some temporary residents - who seem to be assigned there in recovery. One of the regulars told me the story of being taken in chains and cuffs to a county building for a guardianship hearing. He says he was put in a room overnight where all he could see was a door. He went on to say that they didn't have all the information on him and the judge said he couldn't do anything right now so he will have to do it all over again in a few weeks. I am not sure about the accuracy of his reporting but that was the story. He was somewhat neutral about it although I perceived it threw off his routine. The Comfort House is not a bad neighbor. They seem to stick with a schedule and enforce their rules. Some of the residents are friendly and I tend to wave and say hello as I come and go. I rode towards the railroad tracks - that is my favorite ride. I like the industrial landscape. I always loved Chicago for that reason and miss riding the trains and buses taking in the surroundings. Here are some pictures from today's ride. What a beautiful morning!

Not as Surprising

I couldn't resist but to put a few more kitten pics up. They are growing up fast. You might want to click on the pictures to enlarge.

In the wild.

Not really sad.

Find the kittens!

Surprise!

HA! A frog on the sidewalk. Not what you expected, eh? I've got more kitten pictures coming but I've been spending more time outside and less time at the computer. I'll get to them!

Sweet Things

These pictures were taken across the "yard". Click to enlarge.

I love a misfit. My heart is goes out to the ones who struggle - I almost always sympathize. Why blame the victim? These little creatures didn't choose their lot. I know I have to accept that probably at least two of these beautiful kittens won't make it - regardless of their innocence and worth. Life is a harsh mistress who expects us not only to endure but to appreciate. I can hope that perhaps they will migrate to the neighborhood of extra portions and slower moving vehicles. I will try not to fall in love. I will simply watch. Righhhhht...

Berkeley Lives

A rare sight- our friend Berkeley.

More on the Kittens

The Tragedy of Kittens

Pepperdine was pregnant. Then she wasn't. We know it's a cruel world with many peculiarities. We thought they didn't make it or had been killed. Some weeks have passed. Then I heard an animal growl at me and saw its face - its crazy face! It was a kitten - but it ducked back under the shed quickly. I was feeding Pepperdine in the back yard and out tumbled four beautiful kittens. Three fluffy and one short-haired. Fluffy are- black and two grey. The short-haired is black and white. They are just as feral as Pepperdine. I can't get within 15 feet of them. They are wild. I sobbed to consider their hard lives. Dee said that they don't know they have hard lives - it's just life. They don't even know they have worms! Here is a picture of one of the kittens - they are taken from afar and I select the little kitten from the photo. There will be more.

Margeaux the Stalker

In my laundry bag, Margeaux lurks - looking out the mesh for her prey. "C'mon Laura Ingalls, walk this way - come onnnnnnnn..."


Upon discovery, there is disgust, anger even. "You ruined my scheme. Don't make me come out there human, you'll be sorrrrry!"

Trike!

I debated putting this post on Fitness Jones, my other blog, but decided ultimately to put it here because a big part of riding my new recumbent trike is about living in a small town where biking is easier really. I live close to work, half mile, and do many things locally.

Here are some poor pictures of my awesome new trike. It's raining outside so the pictures are of the trike in the garage. Because I live in the world of the real (meaning I'm on a budget), I will tell you that selling a motorcycle financed this purchase. Thank you to Dee who has unwavering support of my efforts. We rented it one day at Tryathletics and couldn't give it back. It changed everything about riding a bicycle for me. I have balance issues typical for a person with MS and getting on this trike was like a miracle. I get on and off it with relative ease. I'm writing about it instead of riding right now because it is raining and the big cushioned seat would take forever to dry. I've been riding it all over town. I've been riding it to work. It attracts a lot of attention and if everyone knew how fun they are, Wal-Mart would be selling them. I could be the spokesmodel for Sun Bicycles with the number of conversations I have with people on the street. Kids follow me on their bikes - that is freaky. I have the dorky flag on it so people will hopefully see me if they aren't looking and the lights and reflectors don't catch their eyes. I hop on and off sidewalks for ease and perceived safety. I lock it up.

Note the cages on the pedals for holding my numb feet in place. Then I'm good to go! See my cool pannier basket on the back for carrying my stuff.



Dee has constructed a near dashboard setup for me. There is a headlight that is visible clear across town. The cup holds keys of other quick-grab items. The rear view mirror really works! And the gleaming bell is special too.


Dee gave me her New Belgium Brewing Company (makers of Fat Tire beer - awesome company) bell to use. I hope she doesn't want it back!


Here is the back view - with a blue reflective band on the pannier. There are two red lights that can be turned on and set to flash. Here you can see the dorky flag.

It's funny, when I ride it to work, I park it in my car parking space and lock it with a long lock to a pole nearby. There are no bike racks near my building despite our "go green" initiative. Maybe soon! It's an easy enough ride that I commute in my office attire.