Take thyme to smell the flowers

With all the walking I have done in the last month you would think I would be down 10 lbs by now. Uh...uh! But I am down 6 and already I feel healthier and my clothes fit better. If I line 6 lbs of butter up on the counter and look at it then I figure it is a fair amount. Are you grossed out....I am.

Walking is a fun way to exercise and you always meet up with a sleepy cat on his porch.

My herbs are coming to life and loving this weather. Look how cute they are. I just love the idea of eating my plants.

Thyme & Rosemary (I put them both in stir-fry & salad)

"Oops.. did I wake you, Sierra?"

Oh yes...please do

I'm picking up keys today for the weekend of cat-sitting. I have a new diabetic cat to care for and she is a little shy so wish me luck.
It is so hot here and all is good at the home-front.

"Did we hear the treat bag rattle?" (our Lily & Mr. Ed)

Kick back and enjoy a cold drink.
Hugs, Deb

Lily look-alike and Cat tip for the day

It was so hot today that the only walk that would include the dog would be in the bush. Now I don't mind walking around our friendly town at night alone with the dog but I will not go into the bush for fear of wolves. They have been spotted so that's all it takes with me. So, that being said, I brought my wolf-slayer, Gary along for the walk. He is off today practicing for when he retires in a month. Big changes coming.

                                                  Kane is having a drink here.

I love the back bushes especially the one behind the grave-yard where we daily walk our dog. So green, so full of life right now, so cool in the shade.

Lily of the Valley

Kane of the Woods

On my earlier walk this morning I came across a look-alike Lily cat.

 You would have sworn this was my cat. Even the personality was identical. I had to stop and pet her and we had a little chat. I think she was locked out of her house 'til the owners came home from work 'cause she wanted attention badly. She offered me her belly so I guess I was all that and a bag of chips.


Cat-tip-for-the-day=^..^=Cat Dens
http://habitathaven.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1
Our Mr. Ed is deaf and toothless so we can't let him out in the yard like the other cats in case he wanders off. My plan is to purchase one of these cat dens for him once all life calms down after John's wedding.  There are some nice models but we just want something simple that he can sit in and enjoy the grass under his paws. I want to enhance his kitty life for his remaining years and I think this will be the ticket. We adopted Ed at the age of 20 years. He came into the local shelter with 46 other cats from a seizure and the family of the woman who had to give them up said she had him for 20 years. If that is true, he is now 22 and going strong. When I picked up Ed at the shelter he looked like this...

He was near death from starvation. All his ribs and bones were showing. He was very depressed and sick. My heart broke for him and I did nothing but work on bringing his health back. The other cats were very kind to him as they knew he was not well and certainly no threat to them. Within a month he gained weight and seemed much happier. He just needed good food and lots of loving care. By three months he was fine. My heart is so full of love for this ol' man. I want him to go on forever. I hope he ends up in the Guinness Book of Records.

Hugs, Deb

Change

The evening was warm and because of distant fire-works the dog stayed behind as I went for my last walk of the day. He wouldn't budge. I tried to get him to come along but he has such a fear of that unknown sound that he will not leave the house. So I went alone.
My mind was racing as I walked. I thought about the wedding coming up and went over what was left to do. I felt a tinge of sadness thinking of how my kids have grown and left the nest.

 How did this happen so fast? I wondered what is next in life. I thought about someone who I consider a friend who is going through a hard time today and will for awhile. Her life turned upside-down. I know that change can be so exhilarating and yet it can be so frightening. I want her to be ok and happy again. I want her to know I care. I want her to know that while she walks down this road with her head held high, nothing will surprise her more than her own strength.

On a warm night like tonight the air is thick with the scent of lilacs everywhere. I think heaven might smell like this. I came across many cats running about on the sidewalks and streets. Are they owned by anyone or are they looking for food at night when it is safe to roam? I stopped to pet one and she was very friendly and rolled on the sidewalk. This one was chubby and obviously well looked after. Another, not so much. He walked past me and never gave me a look. He was thin and scruffy. I only wish I had had some food with me. I think I'll keep an eye out for him next time and bring him something to eat.

Our porch light was on when I returned and Sierra sat by the bench.

She likes to people watch and smell the lilacs, too. Before we went in for the night, I sat with her for awhile and thought again about change.

I have lost loved ones and that changes you. I have lost 5 of my cats to illness in old age in the last 5 years. It's been hard to lose them. They meant so much to me. Change sometimes can be so hard. 


But then to lighten the post remember this silly quote....
"Some people have cats and yet go on to lead normal lives." ;-)



Hugs, Deb

off to Perth

Thanks to those who like the new header. I know I'll be changing it up for summer with brighter outdoor colours and lots of gorgeous cats to show you.

Today, we were off to the enchanting town of Perth after I finished my weekend of cat-sitting. I got to spoil Guinness, Addy, Lucky, Ebony, Didi, Emmi, Buddy & Chase. Purr-fect way to spend a rainy weekend. I'll feature some of them on Friday. It is finally sunny so I was happy to also get out into the garden and play with my herbs and flowers. Gotta get out there in between showers.

Perth is a beautiful town (oh... the shops, restaurants, Victorian homes & parks are amazing) and that is where my son and his fiance will be married in less than 2 weeks. It is 25 minutes west of Carleton Place, Ont. They will say their vows in Stewart Park (weather permitting....kind of a joke right now) and then we will head on over to Code's Mill to party the night away.

Gary and I took a walk around today to see what the landscape was like and where the parking would be for our out-of-town guests. Code's Mill has a beautiful hotel and spa where some of Gary's family will stay and my friend from Toronto, Mary. It is just gorgeous. I know they will love it there.If it wasn't for having a dog we would have stayed ourselves.

There is also a beautiful Bed and Breakfast near by for guests

At home, two pampered lazy cats have finally woke up and are now feasting on their favorite Sunday dinner...canned sockeye salmon. 

Heading out to walk the dog.

hugs, Deb 

Snuggling on Sunday

While I had a busy weekend of cat-sitting,  there was an awful-lot of slacking off at the home-front. 

So darn cute, though

Have a peaceful Sunday, friends.

and if you haven't dropped over to meet Sharon then head on over. You'll love her.

http://corgisinmygarden.blogspot.com/

hugs, Deb

You've got mail

It's such a nice thing to have a package arrive in the mail for you. I think we all enjoy that. I knew I had won a very special give-away last week from Sharon athttp://corgisinmygarden.blogspot.com/ and today Sierra was all excited at the front door when the mailman left the package. She always gives our mailman kitty kisses and he is so in love with her. Today he got a few extra. 

I love to write notes and send cards to friends so you can imagine how happy I was to win this give-away. Just take a look at these beautiful cards. Oooo la la!

sending me a kitty card..now who'da thunk it.

Is your birthday coming up? I want to know.You might get this from a crazy cat lady.

 Thank you so much Sharon. These are just adorable. I will really enjoy sending these off to very special people in my life.  Drop by and visit with this most-talented lady, Sharon and meet her darling corgis. 

My favorite tea at night is Sleepy Tyme tea. After steeping a pot I add a few leaves of lemon balm to give it even more amazing flavour.

Then I add 1/2 a teaspoon of organic honey. MMM.....mmm. I have been growing lemon balm in a pot in the house for years.

I have now added some to the little herb garden in the back yard. It's a must if you want to grow some tea herbs.


I have a full weekend of cat-sitting. Some of the cats I haven't seen for ages so I am excited to visit them. I always give them a hug when I arrive and another before I leave and tell them that they are 'one of the lucky ones' to have a wonderful home and loving owners. There are so many that sit in shelters and have no one who REALLY cares for them. We just have to get the message out, LOUD & CLEAR, to spay or neuter your cat. It saves lives.


Enjoy your day & maybe start a herb garden.

hugs, Deb

How I love these ladies

Shopping to dress for a wedding after age 50+ does build character.   That I know now. I only wish I had located these ladies before heading to the shops. I most likely would not have been afraid to grab a few excentric items off the hangers. I'm a little more conservative than these gals but I do own a pair of leopard sunglasses and I'm wearing them. 




and I need big earrings....BIG.

I have to learn to put my jewellery box away at night. Not one lady cat was in the kitchen yowling for breakfast this morning. All 3 wanted to be served in bed.

Slave-drivers

Check out Butch on my previous post and have a great weekend, everyone.

hugs, Deb

Feline Friday=^..^=Meet Butch

Meet a monkey in a cat suit.... Butch. His full name is Butch Pussy....oooookay!

He was impossible to photograph...never stops running around.

He belongs to a neighbour who is also a dog breeder. He is the only cat in the house and he rules it. Just look at this guy,  yah! he rules. I love the face on this breed. They always looks pensive. I think he looks like ET.  He puts the dogs in their place if they get too rough with him. *BAFF!*  Butch is a Devon Rex. Here's a bit about them...The first Devon was discovered by Beryl Cox in Buckfastleigh, Devon, UK in 1960 amongst a litter of kittens near a disused tin mine. The breed was initially thought to be linked with the Cornish Rex; however, test mating proved otherwise. Cats have three types of hair: guard hair,awn hair, and down hair. The Devon Rex's coat is unusual because there is little guard hair (seeCornish Rex and Sphynx for more information on hair-deficient genetics in cats).
The typical Devon is active, mischievous, playful, and very people-oriented. They are a very intelligent breed; the typical Devon Rex can be trained to walk on a leash, fetch or perform all manner of tricks usually associated with canines, like jump, heel and tag to name a few.


This guy lives with many (and I mean many) Peekanese dogs. Can you imagine the fun that goes on in that house!


I hope I get to kitty-sit him again sometime when the Peek's are in show.

MOG Dress   *check* (that would be Mother of Groom just in case you thought I meant MOGGY which is a British term for cat.   Just thought I'd mention that.)
heels (oh God help me)   *check* 
a bag too small to carry a tissue   *check*
grey gone  *check*
jewellery.....* half check*  just earrings left and  I want them BIG.


I just may be ready.




hugs, Deb