Life with cats, and other things…
At the end of our road, where we turn to go out to the state route, there is a straggly stand of trees behind the remains of an old stone wall. Goldfinches may often be seen flitting about and sometimes there is a heron in the nearby pond. Deer and wild turkeys occasionally wander this … Continue reading A serious talk
06:23 28th August 2026 You would think, with dawn arriving later, that Lily's wake-up calls would be adjusted. Well yes, they are, but in the wrong way. First it was 03:30, then 3 and last night it was 02:30, which is not awful because it gives me a chance to get back to sleep, but … Continue reading Lost sleep
White snakeroot Snail mail is infrequent these days, usually consisting of begging letters and unsolicited "free" gifts from charitable organisations. Yesterday, though, I received an actual letter with the following unwelcome news: In a matter of a few short weeks, my primary care physician will be leaving, so I must start over yet again. The … Continue reading Unwelcome news
14:25 25th August 2016 As I write, we await the arrival of a gentleman who will offer a quote for the installation of a generator that will keep us up and running in the event of a power failure, since the model we inherited with the house appears to activate but a single light bulb. … Continue reading Diffusers
Lily and the 'nip. Today's WP daily writing prompt made me laugh out loud: What’s your home decoration style? Let's see, what could we call it? . "Cat-astrophic Quarters by Down-to-Earth Designs" Yeah. That'll do. . The dear darlings are all hunkered down today as it's been tipping down rain since early yesterday afternoon, with … Continue reading Decoration
20th July 2026 There is a lot to be said for a simple life. With low expectations, the smallest thing can bring you joy. . A couple of days ago, it was the blooming of a first sunflower. This one had not been deliberately planted or carefully nursed. It grew in front of the porch … Continue reading Sunflowers
"Glad to see you finally got your clothes back on. You were looking dead scruffy!" When you spend a lot of time in your own head you imagine all sorts of conversations. Your imagination may very well run away with itself. Take, for example, what I said yesterday about being stigmatised when my parents took … Continue reading Better late
1938/15th May 2026 Earlier in the week, warm weather persuaded us to open the air vents and attempt to activate the air conditioner. It wasn't unpleasantly hot, but it is better to find out early on if maintenance is needed. Sure enough, I was soon on the phone to the fix-it folk who penciled us … Continue reading Home
Kep, Cambodia 1961 It may have been my Christmas present in 1956, or perhaps a 9th birthday gift the following February. At any rate, it was thereabouts that I was given the Kodak Brownie with which I took a few photographs when I went back to boarding school in Kep. . My first camera was … Continue reading Escape
A very wet field, 15th May 2026 There is a saying: "If life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Applying that logic, when the weather brings rain - celebrate wetness! In the same way that I am captivated by snow and ice, I am drawn to water drops. . How can you be expected to celebrate … Continue reading Grace