October

                     Oh hushed October morning mild,
                     Thy leaves have ripened to the Fall.

                           Tomorrow's wind, if it be wild,
                                Should waste them all.

                        The crows above the forest call;
                        Tomorrow they may form and go.

 

                         Oh hushed October, morning mild

                          Begin the hours of this day slow. 

                        Make the day seem to us less brief;
                       Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow.

For the grapes sake; if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost.

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost--

For the grapes' sake along the wall.

 By Robert Frost.

Welcome to another beautiful October.

hugs, Deb

Bosom bed buddies

She's doing ok. 

 I think the remedy is working. I know the B12 shot filled up her tank.

She's back to wanting to be one of the crowd.

The sniffles are gone but she is still sneezing once in awhile.

Her appetite is really good so I'll give it a few more days.

Cali,  Audrey, Lily & Ed

Ages: 19, 1, 18 & 24 

This was taken this morning.

Notice Annie and Sierra are missing.

It seems that Audrey likes to hang out with the geriatrics.

I suppose they have a lot to teach her.

Or maybe they are just too old to give her a 'whack' across the noggin when she gets too rambunctious like mommy dearest and Sierra do.

                                                          Whatever...it's so darn cute.

Annie found the sunshine and she's not about to leave it.

while Sierra sits on the porch so patiently waiting for our mailman.

"Where the h*** is he?"

It's been a long wait. She doesn't know that it's Saturday.

hugs, Deb

little cakes

Today I baked 'little cakes', as my 2 year old grandittle, Riley would call them. They are pumpkin muffins but she can call them whatever she wants.

Pumpkin muffins

It's very rare to see Lily sleeping by herself.

(ZZZZZZZ)

The sun was so warm today and my walk with Kane so slow and enjoyable. He stops to sniff everything so when I walk him it is HIS walk, not mine.

You really don't work up a sweat with a 12 year old Sheltie.

Little Bradley is doing fine but I know for sure he hates his bath and does not like to be naked. Hmmm...that could be a problem but time will tell. He is so cuddly.

I have new cats this weekend to cat-sit. I LOVE THAT. Each cat has its' own personality and I enjoy getting to know them.

I mentioned last week that Cali had a cold and was down in the dumps. Well, she has turned around for the better but little Audrey now has some upper respiratory issues. I scooped her off to see my Holistic Vet yesterday and she gave her a 'remedy' to stop the sniffles and a B12 shot to give her more energy. Her chest is clear so it is all in her sinuses. I'm just to keep a close eye on her. She and her siblings had a tough start in life as her mom was diagnosed with a very bad bacteria after they came to my home for fostering. Of course, the kittens got it, too. So I need to really watch this little scalliwag. If the remedy doesn't do it's job she will go on antibiotics. I'm hoping we can avoid that.
Off to cat-sit seven kitties this weekend.

hugs, Deb

More wedding pics

Please indulge me. I thought I would share a few more photos of my daughter, Jess & Mike's wedding in Newfoundland last month.

I wish we were still there.

hugs, Deb

Not in it for the glamour

Driving up to one of my clients' homes I noticed a man working on the roof of the house. It was my first day starting cat care but they were regular clients.  We waved to each other and I went inside. There was a note, as I expected, to let me know that there would be someone working on the house that day and not to  mind him. Fine. It's good that they let me know so there are no questions asked.

I went about my regular routine, hugging cats, feeding cats, brushing cats, scooping boxes, writing in the daily log, handing out treats, and big hugs again before leaving.

As I was walking back to the car the fella said to me, "You know, I could have fed the cats for them. Funny that they didn't ask me." I proceeded to tell him that I had been caring for these cats for years now and am hired to do so each time they travel. He said.."Oh, well I wouldn't want to take away your income. That's fine, I won't offer then, he said.  I looked at him and said "you know, you also have to scoop their litter boxes daily." He wrinkled up his nose and replied, "Oh hell, forget that then."

It is so 'old hat' for me to keep litter boxes ship-shape for my clients' cats that I barely think about it.

I guess that is what would stop many from wanting to become a cat-sitter.

Kind of takes the glamour out of it. HA! Take it from me, it is not a glamorous occupation.

Although, I do find that when I am called to care for pure-breds I tend to wear more bangles.

 

All jobs have their pit-falls. I don't 'suit up' when I scoop but I use a clean scoop and then immediately wash my hands. Regular cleaning of the litter box keeps germs down and adding baking soda to the litter daily will keep down the odour. As in the photo, cats do love to jump in sometimes before I am finished cleaning it. I suppose it is like humans who tidy up and clean the bathroom and then immediately want to take a long leisurely bath to enjoy the pristine surroundings.

They really are very clean animals and appreciate our efforts by using their box without fail. Another reason I love them.

                                                Mookie - My very first cat-client.  (1995)

The love-birds never batted a tail when they woke to find Audrey snuggled in with them. This may be a daily ritual soon.
hugs, Deb

Persistence sometimes pays off

Shhhhh...it's late so the photos are a bit lame but I just wanted to share this. A little someone has been watching the cuddle-fest with Lily & Ed for over a year now and feeling a little left out. Tonight she made her move.

I hope when they wake up they will accept her. If not, it will be torture for the oldsters because she is one  persistent, little pussycat.

                                                  Sierra, Lily, Audacious Audrey & Ed
                                     Ages:        10     18                1                  24

hugs, Deb

A day to remember

Let's back up just a bit. These photos are too cute to not show you.
This is Riley yesterday morning after mommy went in to the hospital.

 She was dressed. She was waiting for the news.

We thought we should go out for a good breakfast because it might be a long day.
"Let's eat like truck drivers, Ry."

She enjoyed that.
Then off for a walk in the bush with Kane to get some fresh air.

She only tripped once.

 We weren't there long before the cellphone rang. "He's here". I couldn't believe it. It had not been 4 hours. Off to the hospital we went to meet Riley's little brother, Bradley.

Now she is enjoying the 'Big Sis' role.

As soon as I come down from 'nana planet' I'll be off to collect keys for a busy weekend. I have some new kitties coming up for care so I'll be showing you those beauties.
It's cool here. Autumn is here and not about to leave. The trees look gorgeous and there is always a cool breeze now. Sweaters, woolly socks, light gloves & a scarf at night are just perfect for this time of year. Love it! Time to freshen up the wardrobe an I'll be looking for little blue mittens for someone very special.

hugs, Deb

A touch of white on White Wednesday

Yes, I'm back at the cabinet again. All the blue and white have moved into the kitchen where it looks best.
Cream and white stays in the dining-room cabinet with just a touch of Fall.
My helper today is Audrey. What's new? She didn't see much of me yesterday and I'm paying for it now.

I have a new tea-cup and saucer that my daughter, Jess gave me this week 'just because'.
The unexpected gifts are always the best. My kids know how to get on my good side :-)
Pretty little cup and saucer. It looks right at home here.

It looks so nice with my blue and white transfer-ware, too.

I'm still floating on a cloud today. That new grand-son is just the sweetest little cuddle-bug ever.
Of course, I have to high-tail it over to see him again and get a few more cuddles in.

I'm joining http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.ca/ for the last White Wednesday.

hugs, Deb

Welcome Bradley

                       Welcome Bradley
Our gorgeous, new grandson arrived today at 11:20 weighing 9lbs, 7oz.
His name is Bradley John Andrew Steckly.
We are 'over the moon'. 

                                                            Nan & Gramps

                                                                My proud son, John.

He's a little snuggy-bug.

                                        Congratulations to John, Brit & little Riley.

                                               hugs, Deb

Falling for Kane

Fall 2001

He's just my dog. He's my other eyes

that can see above the clouds

My other ears that hear above the winds.

He has promised to wait for me

whenever, wherever, 

in case I need him

and I expect I will, as I always have

He's just my dog.

Fall 2012

My sweet,  precious old dog.

Still Falling for you.

hugs,

Deb

Still waiting on baby....

Adding some colour and hoping today is the day.

Up early, kitties still cuddling and I'm in the dining-room changing things up. I think the white poppy was the deal-maker when I brought this print home. To me, Fall is a time to add some colour to my rooms and the little bird plates, well, I just love them and want to look at them every day. Now it's time to change up the china cabinet to all white. Yah!

My company this morning in the dining-room is little Audrey. She's just getting over a cold, along with Cali but both are feeling better today. That makes my day.

I have keys to pick up today for cat-sitting, a scheduled long walk & I'm off to Pakenham to do some shopping.

It's sunny & cool. Gorgeous, perfect weather. All I need  to make it better is to meet my expected grand-son. Here's hoping today is the day.

hugs, Deb

A house..not a home

Today I vacuumed, and when I say vacuum, I mean top to bottom. It started with an unsightly ball of fur under the table. Once I realized it did not have legs and a tail my afternoon turned into a 2 hour clean-fest. If there is one thing I love to do it is vacuum. Good thing with all these furry ones around. This time of year you can also find spiders way up on the 11 ft. ceilings. If I don't see them Annie does. Oh, I don't mind them but they must live outside.

                Annie says I don't know what I'm missing. They are delish. "YUMMO!"

So after cleaning from bottom to top I hung a few little tea-cups in my china cabinet. Now I think it looks complete.

But you know I'll change it again soon.

Everything for tea in one place.

Maybe this will hold honey.

This is my newest tea-pot.

Not transferware but pretty, nonetheless.

Add a touch of Fall

I suppose there are days when I think my life would be so much easier without the furry ones and my house would certainly stay clean longer but to me it would be a house, not a home.

That's not for me and that's that!

Still waiting on the baby :)

I'm linking up with http://bernideensteatimeblog.blogspot.ca/ for Open House

hugs, Deb