My World With Words

They’re tearing down the building I used to work in, right across the street from where I work now (for the same company). Okay, they’re actually preparing to tear it down, but they’ve come a long way. It seems most of the computer equipment, printers, and the like have already been moved and based on the empty parking lot, no one is left working in that building.

But I worry about the squirrels. They built quite a community in the space between the ceiling and the roof–some might call it an attic, but it’s really too small for that. Anyway, the squirrels had nests there, and we’d hear them scampering around quite frequently. Sometimes one would get caught in a trap, and one time the victim of one of these traps put up quite a fuss, banging the cage and crying out for help. There was a catch and release policy for those squirrels, so no doubt they just came back.

So what happens when the building gets torn down? Do the squirrels perish? The thought bothers me, but no one has an answer and management doesn’t seem to care.

Today some of us had quite a discussion about it, and one thing became clear: I work with a group of people who care about animals. Not my whole department, mind you, but the few gathered around me definitely have a heart for our furry friends. We talked about how our pets had chosen us–in my case, Walter and Mimi showed up at my door, although my neighbors took them in first. When January came around and those girls cast these two helpless kittens out in the sleet and ice, I relented from my firm stance against adopting any animals (I was out of work and owed the Cat Clinic quite a bit of money) and took them in. We were immediately a family.

Rita and Sherry had similar stories, and both had lived on farms where they never turned an animal away. Cats and dogs came and went. Sherry relayed how one Pomeranian had become best friends with a calf, and the two would snuggle up together. Sherry’s dad taught that little foo-foo dog to help with the cattle, and she’d run out with her calf buddy and hang out in the pasture with all the cows.

We never did reach a satisfactory conclusion on how to address the squirrel situation. I just hope the company makes a compassionate effort to clear out as many as possible before demolishing the building. Maybe it’s because my birthday is also Squirrel Appreciation Day, but I really don’t want them to meet a disastrous fate.

Image Credits: Header (cartoon squirrel)  © JJAVA–stock.adobe.com; Pomeranian  © Olesia Bilkei

My dad and I talk about once a week, more if the weather’s been bad and he wants to know if I’m okay. The topic of age comes up frequently. One of his favorite anecdotes is about my grandfather, who, when facing his limits at the age of 87, told my dad, “I’m not 77 anymore!”

It’s all relative, isn’t it? I don’t really feel older at my age, although sometimes when I hear my colleagues talk about their weekend plans I’m aware that I’ve settled into a more sedentary life. And of course I’m discussing osteoporosis with my doctor during every checkup, something those with young kids still at home don’t even think about.

Looking back, I can see my dad has led an active lifestyle since he was a toddler. My mom has not. When they were my age, my dad was hiking, golfing, and generally having a social life. My mom was much more of a home body, kind of like me. These days I’d much rather stay at home and knit than hike, or in the alternative, play Scrabble with friends.

My dad doesn’t take long walks anymore, but he golfs regularly, bowls, and works out. I’ve mentioned this before. He’s almost 88 and plans to keep on doing these things as long as he can. One of his golf partners is 93, and he’s certain he can make it that long. So am I.

I see my dad in my brother. Thom has friends throughout New York City, where he lives, and across the country. He and my sister-in-law are always getting out and doing something, even if it’s a quieter venture like going to a museum.

I like walking, although there are very few places to do it in my neighborhood. I’ve resolved to get out more and hike around some of the nature reserves in the area. If I can’t do that, I’m getting back on the treadmill. I used to do that on a regular basis and loved it. It’s something I should be able to get into again.

I’ve posted resolutions on this blog before, and it’s helped keep me honest, even though I rarely give updates. Okay, the dieting one hasn’t come to fruition yet. In fact, I gained some weight, which I’ve since lost. I plan to keep on losing until I’m at a place where I feel comfortable. I’ve come to realize I’m never again going to have the body I had at 30, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get in better shape now.

So I’m a little older and have to adapt. I’m still young by many standards and certainly still capable of doing more than I’m doing. So onward!

Image Credits: Check Mark © lankogal; Knitting © Hanna; Golf Ball © BUddhika; All, stock.adobe.com

Mimi’s been a bit of a chunk for some time now. I’ve tried cutting back on her food, but she still doesn’t lose any weight. And yes, I know, cats need to lose weight slowly. I say, more to love, more to snuggle with. She hasn’t gained any weight in a long time, at least.

She’s my sweet baby and I love every ounce of her. But we’ll still try the diet thing.

You might notice the wicker chair right behind her that she and Walter have successfully scratched down to the post. They’ve moved on to the other wicker chair now. They have a scratching post, but I guess there’s nothing like a wicker chair.

Image Credits: Fat Mimi © Belinda O; Fat Cat © Good Studio–stock.adobe.com Cesar Cat © Belinda O; Paws in Heart © Bigstock Photo

I’ve been trying to knit a shawl for a friend and keep getting interrupted by my cat Walter, who wants to snuggle. I usually give in because I’m acutely aware of the fact that when I’m retired I may not be able to have any cats. Eventually I won’t have a car to take them to the vet when necessary. Uber and Lyft don’t look kindly on hauling animals, and forget public transportation. So my options would be limited, probably too limited to be responsible for any more cats.

Hopefully my current car will hold out for the life of these cats, because I’m not giving them up if it doesn’t. I know there are traveling vets in some areas. Not mine, but maybe Minneapolis, which is where I plan to retire. Yes, Minneapolis, for too many reasons to list here. Suffice to say the senior services where I live are very limited, there is virtually no public transportation, and I have no family here.

But retirement is a ways off, and for the moment I have a job and two sweet kitties who love to snuggle. There are cat owners around the world who would love to have cats as loving as these two. I count myself very lucky. This shawl may never get finished, unless I can sneak some stitches in while Walter is sleeping. Eventually he’ll wake up, and we’ll be right back to snuggle time, because if he’s awake, he curls up on my lap and won’t get down.

Fortunately the friend I’m knitting for isn’t expecting anything. It’s going to be a thank you for caring for my cats, so she’d understand any delay that comes from having a cat in your lap while you try to knit. Difficult, not impossible, but uncomfortable. By the way, I do pay her for caring for my cats. This is just a bonus.

So Walter is asleep right now in the bedroom, and I’m going to try heading out to the living room to do some knitting. Wish me luck!

Image Credits: Sunday © Web Buttons Inc–stock.adobe.com; Knitting © Afanasia–stock.adobe.com; Car © Doloves–stock.adobe.com

Well, once again I’ll be traveling to visit my mom this June, and once again, I’ll be driving. It’s an eleven hour drive (it used to be ten, but she moved to the far side of the city) and I need some suggestions for audio books. I’ve found I prefer memoirs, and that discovery came from some great suggestions from some of you last year.

So if you know of a good memoir, pass that info on to me! I’ll need to order it from Audible, but that shouldn’t limit anything. They seem to have every audio book available.

Thanks, everyone!

Image credit: © leolakur–stock.adobe.com