Purrs that signal

Our dear Purrkins’ burial spot

A few days after Purrkins, our 18 year old Siamese cat, died we received a condolence card from the veterinary clinic that included the following poem:

Saying Goodbye

Gentle eyes that see so much,
paws that have the quiet touch,
Purrs to signal “all is well”
and show more love than words could tell.
Graceful movements touched with pride,
a calming presence by our side.
A friendship that takes time to grow,
Small wonder why we love them so.

There it is again, my Mom’s voice reminding me that all is well.

(see my All is Well post for the back story).

Favorites

My mom loaned the book How to be a Christian without being religious by Fritz Ridenour to me several years ago and it has been in my nightstand waiting for me to finish it.  I’ve read the first many pages several times over the years but never seemed to make it through.  It’s on my mom’s list of favorite books and I’ve heard her talk about the concepts in it for as long as I can remember.   I’ve decided to read the books on my Mom’s favorite list.  So, with my cat purring by my side, I finished reading this book this week.  It’s an easy read and, for me, the concepts are what I was raised understanding.  When my mom described herself and beliefs in the “About” section on her blog she said:

Although I am a deeply spiritual woman and much of my writing will reflect that aspect of me, for the most part, spiritual or reflective blogging will be published on my other blog, Notes from Life’s Journey. Although I participate actively within the framework of a traditional Christian church, I chose to characterize myself as spiritual rather than religious. That choice was made due to my understanding of religion as an organized system designed to bring people into alignment with God [or whatever name the participant uses for deity]. I believe the Christian tradition is not so much about a religious system that leads us to God, but is about God reaching out to us. The best expression of this concept came from a book I read many years ago written by Friz Ridenour called “How to be a Christian Without Being Religious.“ — Donna Brown

I’m glad I read it and now on to another book on her list.

A November Weekend

We were in the southeastern portion of Oklahoma near the small town of Bennington with our son, daughter, her boyfriend and his parents and four dogs.  While it was cold outside we felt warmly welcomed and had a great time.

One of many ponds on the property.

Hiking down to the water’s edge.

Picking persimmons.

Kisses for Mazie

Ready to play fetch with a water bottle.

An October Weekend

Saturday we attended the second annual Oktoberfest in Muenster, Texas.

Kelsey wearing a chicken hat

Birds

Sunday morning stare

 

Deep Sleep

Our senior Siamese cat tucks his head in and hides much of his face.  Then he sleeps really deeply and sometimes you have to really shake him to get him to wake up.  It’s actually scary.

I’ve taken several pictures to practice what I’ve been learning in the photography class but they are pretty bad so I have limited choices to share this week.  I can share that I think you should be very thankful that I haven’t taken any photos of my mangled big toenail.  My toenail and a piece of furniture collided this weekend and the furniture won which resulted in my toenail being damaged enough that the doctor went ahead and took the nail off.  It will take about a year to grow back.

Quarter of a Century

We met at a Halloween party and this year we spent some time on our anniversary shopping for a costume for a Halloween party we’re planning on attending this year.  Our cat was not nearly as thrilled as we were.

September 23, 2014, our 25th wedding anniversary

To commemorate our 25th anniversary I combed through all of our photos and choose just about every one that had both of us or one or both of us with one or both of our kids.  The printed book will be arriving soon and I sure hope I like it.

Isn’t that a lick!

The blanket was thrown over him and rapidly lifted up.  Here’s Purrkins’ expression.

Attention!

Let’s talk.  Are you listening?  I missed you while you were having fun on the lake.

Texas and Kelsey

Now I lay me down to sleep

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray the Lord my soul to keep;
if I die before I wake,
I pray for Lord my soul to take.

These days he falls into a deep sleep quickly and then has many kitty dreams.

Driving Around In My Automobile

Gathering all of our essential items to go down to our storm shelter when severe weather threatens has taken on a bit more of a priority for me since the May 20, 2013 tornado.  To help us more easily keep our cat safe when moving around during times like that, I bought a pet carrier several months ago.  Soon after that, on a trip to the lake, I decided that Purrkins needed to get used to the carrier so I placed him in it.  I was thinking it would be a fight to get him in there but, to my surprise, he loved it! In fact, when I left it unzipped he walked right in a laid down.

Now, when we drive to the lake we get the pet carrier out and he easily gets in.  We place him on the console between the driver and passenger side in the truck so he has a good view and he is very content.  Historically without using the pet carrier,  Purrkins would find a place to hide and stay there.  Perhaps inside the carrier he feels like he’s ‘hiding’.  Or, maybe he simply feels safe while his curiosity is running wild.

We drove to the lake last night with Purrkins in his pet carrier.  See how content he looks.  Maybe he’s humming an old song “driving  around in my automobile“ and feeling comfortable with no particular place to go.