MCOQueen's Ramblings

Here's something I figured out that might help some of you...

Belladonna, our kitten (who's almost 1! Wow time flies!), likes playing with the toilet paper in the guest bathroom-- specifically, she loves unrolling it.

I finally had the brainstorm to turn the TP around on the holder, backwards, so that the dangly bit is against the wall. Thus to unroll it you spin it up, not down, so when the cat spins it down it doesn't unroll.

I've seen claw marks on the roll a few times now, so she's definitely been playing with it, but I haven't walked into the bathroom to find the whole thing unrolled onto the floor anymore!

I don't know if these types of posts are allowed here, but I see that this community is full of cat lovers and I don't know where else to go. My cat of 13 years died yesterday and I feel like I can tear my insides out. She was with me since I was two. She had a fungal infection that completely ravaged her face. I don't know who to confide in because none of my friends are here and none of them like cats any way. They aren't even my friends because I'm in a new class. My older sis is in another country and I can't talk to her. I can't even bear to cry in front of my parents because every time I cry they keep telling me not to cry so much and instead pray for my cat without realizing that all I want is to cry my heart out and just start screaming. I can't cry now even because my dad is here and so my fingers and hands hurt a lot. I can't look around the house because I keep remembering how my cat used to do something, and my throat starts to hurt and I have to think of something else so I don't cry. My beloved cat is gone and can never touch her again or listen to her mew. She will never ever annoy me again, make me laugh or wake me up at 5 in the morning while she calls my mom for fish. She won't sit by me again while I study, or when I watch TV, and she won't go into the cabinets where she's not allowed. She has been with me for 13 years and she's gone.

I didn't even see her die. She was semi-unconscious for 2 days and I was crying by her side because I thought she would die. Then she started breathing normally and I thought it was fine and I left to play the computer. Then I heard my dad praying but he does tha so I thought it was fine but I found out she died and he didn't even call me. I heard she was struggling for a short while and he didn't even call me. I didn't even get to hold her hand.

I know I am totally rambling but I just need to get all this out because I can't talk to anyone, so please just say something so I can talk a bit or have someone finally say something to comfort me instead of telling me stupid things like don't cry. Thanks a lot.

I just found this on youtube. (So..sorry if you've seen it.)
I thought it was adorable - watch what happens one minute into the video!

I'm not sure how many Texas people are located here, but this really caught me by surprise. I figured it would be good to spread the word.

The Cat's Cradle is closing its doors and 150 cats need a home.

Hello,
We just found out yesterday that my Aunt Gail has lung cancer that has spread to her spine, pelvic bone, lymph nodes, and chest cavity area. Basically, it is not a good prognosis. As many of you know, she owns a cat rescue in Navasota, where she cares for 150 cats. She is desperately trying to find these cats a good home as quickly as possible. They have all been spayed / neutered and current on shots. Please forward this to everyone you know, and maybe we can help her in this difficult time.

Gail Allen
Kat’s Cradle
979-820-0599

I already have two boys. I wish I could take at least one more in. :(

Has anyone ever tried the waterless bath foams from Blue Buffalo? Do they work? And by "work" I mean do they actually get your cat clean or do they just make them smell prettier? Our cats are indoor cats so they stay pretty clean but every now and then I'd like to freshen them up a bit.

Hi!

Here's an update on the kitten my dad rescued from drowning. To refresh your memory - here's the entry I posted last week.

She's doing remarkably well. She's growing very fast and she feeds a lot. She's starting to play around a bit and I am VERY happy to see that - considering her situation last week. However, there's several concerns I have.

1) I'm now supposed to feed her every four hours - according to my Vet. But she meows a lot. All the time. Am I supposed to feed her every time she meows? Or just stick to the schedule? I kinda feel bad about neglecting her.
2) I was browsing the Internet and found something. According to this article, bottle-fed kittens often grow up to be simply destructive and "monster-like". Is this true? If so, what should I do to prevent this?
3) Also according to this article, I am also not supposed to cuddle with the kitten. Again, is this true? I don't know, that kinda is depressing. :-/

Despite the fact that I grew up with PLENTY of cats, this is actually my first time taking care of a kitten. I am VERY new at this and I want this kitten to grow up to be a sweet cat. :) Thanks in advance, guys!

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas ****

"...to learn is not to know; there are the learners and the learned. Memory makes the one, philosophy the other." p.195

Then he descended; a smile on his lips, and murmuring that last word of human philosophy, "Perhaps!" p.273

"Perhaps what I am about to say may seem strange to you, who are socialists, and vaunt humanity and your duty to your neighbour, but I never seek to protect society who does not protect me, and whom I will even say, in general, occupies itself about me only to injure me; and thus giving them a low place in my esteem, and preserving a neutrality towards them, it is society and my neighbour who are indebted to me."
"Bravo!" cried Chateau-Renaud; "you are the first man I ever met sufficiently courageous to preach egotism. Bravo, M. le Comte, bravo!" p.545

"True," said Monte Cristo; "but what would be the use of living 1800 years after Lucullus, if we can do no better than he could?" p.857

"Good! Nothing more is wanting than to arrest the count as a vagabond, on the pretext of his being too rich." p. 933

I'm not much at reviewing books, but here goes.

A very simple, easy, and quick read with sooooo much symbolism and emotion hidden in it. It tells the tale of a father and son wondering across the country, following a road, during a post-apocalyptic time. Something has happened that has destroyed the world, and the father and son are walking towards the ocean with the idea that perhaps it will be better there. I won't go into the details of what happens, but the simple structure makes this book so easy to read and so powerful. It could be considered depressing by some though.

Lois Lowry is a well-known and prolific author of children's books. She has won the Newbery Medal on two occaisions, for Number the Stars, The Giver, both of which are excellent.

Gossamer is the story of a being named Littlest One. She is one of a family of dream-givers. They breathe good dreams into the ears of humans while we sleep. Littlest One is trying to do her job and not get too involved with the people she helps. But the plight of an angry foster child will stir her to her core - and bring her dangerously close to the malevolent givers of nightmares.

This book was written for older children, but held my interest as an adult as well. It is fast-paced but believable. I enjoyed the human and non-human characters. The writing is memorable and poignant. Four stars. If you are looking for a book to give a child, or if you like children's literature yourself, give it a try.

Lois Lowry is a well-known and prolific author of children's books. She has won the Newbery Medal on two occaisions, for Number the Stars, The Giver, both of which are excellent.

Gossamer is the story of a being named Littlest One. She is one of a family of dream-givers. They breathe good dreams into the ears of humans while we sleep. Littlest One is trying to do her job and not get too involved with the people she helps. But the plight of an angry foster child will stir her to her core - and bring her dangerously close to the malevolent givers of nightmares.

This book was written for older children, but held my interest as an adult as well. It is fast-paced but believable. I enjoyed the human and non-human characters. The writing is memorable and poignant. Four stars. If you are looking for a book to give a child, or if you like children's literature yourself, give it a try.

Today is your last day to vote in Challenge 67 over at bloodtiesstills!

Caution. Topless vampires ahead.

And if you're in the icon-making mood, we have a guest vampire challenge going in Challenge 68. :-)

I don't know how high the temperature went yesterday, but I know it hit at least 106. Ick. No, even the thunderstorms didn't cool things off. Yes, we stayed inside.

Getting my repaired computer sometime today, which means the laptop can go home. I'm looking forward to having "my" computer back.

We started school yesterday. Sumokid wanted Daddy to have a few practice teaching days as he'll be teaching her for a few days in August when I'm out of commission because of cataract surgery. Apparently cataracts occur early in my generation: my sister had her first cataract surgery at age 36. Yes, I am slightly freaked out about the whole thing, but it's really a necessity as I'm having trouble reading and driving. I know I have friends going through worse, but there's just something about having people mess with your eyes.

My subjects:

Over the last 48 hours, we twice repelled a spy who approached the palace gates. This spy, enrobed in all brown, and answering to the name "Youpius," attempted to leave what he claimed was a "gift" from the Amazon. What is more, he insisted he would give it only to our Human Female!

We saw that for what it was-- a clear attempt to steal our serfs and gain critical intelligence on the inner workings of the palace.

Fortunately, our fierce meows saw the spy off at once. Now we have learned this Youpius actually expects the Human Female to go to the Amazon to retrieve this "gift!!" Such insolence!

Be on the lookout for this spy in brown, my subjects. Do not accept his gifts!

We have spoken.

I witnessed one of my cats re-eating food which looked like she had regurgitated on the floor next to the food dish. I could tell because though it was still in its whole form, she was eating it and it wasn't crunchy. Why would she eat the food without chewing it, and then throw it back up to re-eat it??

Was sleeping on the bed with me, all night, without getting into a single fight with each other.

:)

I'm looking for a romance novel. I think I read it it in 2002 or 2003. The guy was a lawyer I think, and the girl grew vegetables that she sold to a chef friend of hers. Very mismatched couple finds love type. And the chef is gay and the lawyer's partner figures out that he is too or at least bi after meeting and starting to like the chef. It turns out that the lawyer's partner did experiment in college but thought everyone did and at the end of the novel those two are living together with copper bottomed pots in their apartment and the girl and guy get married and the girl winds up at the guy's office in a teddy and trench coat with nothing else on underneath I think? It was a mainstream romance, good and thick USA based. Please and thank you

What are some causes of cats vomiting aside from hair balls? My cat doesn't vomit every day, but I'm just curious. Usually it's chunky, partially digested. I thought maybe it is hairballs so I bought him some wet food as I read that might help. I gave him some more of that last night, then ran out to do an errand, came back and he had puked it up. It was not chunky but almost entirely runny. I figured if his food was disagreeing with him he might have diarrhea instead, but his poop is fine, and he seems fine otherwise.

I plan on making a vet appointment anyway, as it's almost time for his shots (he got them last year in August, I don't know if it's too early?). Just wanted some thoughts on this.

I have two housecats. They are just over a year old, but they seem to be getting fat. What is the best way to encourage them to lose weight?

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Teasers:



The rest here @ i_will_dare_89

This one shouldn't be too hard to find--I just can't find a description online that matches what I recall.

I'm pretty much positive that it's a Betty Ren Wright book, because only so many children's horror-y books are set in Wisconsin, heh. All I can remember is that the main character ends up living with people of Cornish descent--if I recall correctly, maybe somewhere around Milwaukee, and she really doesn't want to be there. And there was some horror-y, ghost-y element to it, I think, but what I really recall was the whole this-place-has-lots-of-Cornish-heritage-people-in-it thing.

Any ideas? I was thinking maybe Ghosts Beneath Our Feet, but from the rudimentary descriptions I was able to find online, it doesn't sound right to me.

Thanks!

ETA: Found! Ghosts Beneath Our Feet by Betty Ren Wright, indeed. :D