Tuesday, August 14, 2018

IN THE MIDST OF AUGUST

 Goldenrods

I was forced to drive into town today, for the usual reason: completely out of cat food and cat litter. I actually ran out of litter a few days ago and was compelled to go outside and shovel up some sandy dirt as a substitute.

Did you ever see cats trying to use a litter box filled with sandy dirt? They looked completely bewildered and confused. Not to mention miserable.

I ran out of cat food last night. Tried to feed them a hot dog but they all hated it (so, what the hell - I ate it) 

This morning they were all anxiously waiting for me to feed them - with pleading, worried looks on their faces. It was unnerving.

Mid-August already, and I haven't had any time to savor summer. Far too many personal problems and health issues. Enough said.



I managed to take some photos today - just to enthrall you. 

 The narrow, winding road that leads up past the place where I live.

 One of the nearby cow pastures. I think the cows are vacationing in the Bahamas.

 Overhead

My back yard, ripe with summer
and resembling a science fiction jungle

This is only a few feet from one of my bedroom windows 

 Sunlight sifting through the leaves

I never walk through the forest in the summer - - too many creepy bugs and critters.
 

18 comments:

  1. You better keep those cats stocked Jon. I had one cat, and I learned they will put up with those shenanigans for so long before they scratch your eyes out. I also had to make sure this was your blog. For a minute there I thought I had on Cozi TV watching Little House on the Prairie.

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    1. Maddie - I should have posted a photo of myself in a gingham dress and sun bonnet. Actually, this place is much more wild and intimidating than Little House.

      I often have a feeling that my trio of cats are going to attempt eating me when I'm sleeping.

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  2. Beautiful scenery. i'm with you, no walks in the woods. wouldn't want to encounter a snake. creepy, indeed.

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    1. There are so many weird insects and creepy creatures here that I'd never risk a summer walk in the woods. I always wait until autumn - when things calm down.

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  3. Yikes! My ankles are growing itchy just gazing at your pictures … the exception being that lovely road leading to your home. Of course, now I'm humming Beatles' Long and Winding Road.

    I don't much care for hot dogs either. Have you tried soft-scrambled eggs?

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    1. My ankles aren't the only thing itching. I'm itching all over from mosquito bites. I like soft scrambled eggs and occasionally I put hot dogs in them.

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  4. Jon,

    Do to this infernal ALS runs out to get those heavy bags of cat feed and litter became too much. I now have it delivered by Chewy, which has proved cheaper than the store. My daughter usually has to come get it from doorstep to the storage bin, though. I can't life over 25 pounds anymore and that is getting difficult. I really miss walking in the woods of our state parks. Again, ALS. I do walk around the meadows of Bellevue State Park, but miss the little rough trails I use to love. Still, there is some wildlife. A family of deer seem to be getting to know me.

    Larry

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    1. I have a very hard time lifting those 25 lb. bags of cat litter. My bad back makes it impossible. And I always have to drag them up a slippery hill from the car to my house. I have resorted to buying the 7 lb. bags at Walmart.
      Having the cat litter delivered would be even better....

      ...or perhaps I could get the cats to buy their own litter.

      It's dangerous to walk around here because everything is slippery and on a slant. It's kinda like being in a funhouse - - except there's no fun and plenty of bugs.

      It's good to hear from you, Larry. Take care.

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  5. LOVE the pictures!! So lush there. Yes, a bit jungle-y.

    If I fell over dead I was never worried Karma would eat me. She was far too picky an eater and had the loudest howl. Quiet Annie, on the other hand, would start munching away as soon as she got really hungry. But I wouldn't care...willing sacrifice for her survival. I'd be dead, after all--LOL!

    With felines you can't get by for very long without food or kitty litter, that's for sure. ;)

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    1. The lushness and dampness can be rather annoying at times, but I prefer it after having been in arid Texas for so long. In west TX there were no trees, no fog, and no scenery. It's a pleasure to finally see those things!

      The cat litter situation can be a problem because, with three cats, I always need a lot of it. I have two litter boxes - one for Scratch (Kitzee) and one for Scruffy and Bosco (they like to share...).

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  6. Jon, I've been contenting myself with the outdoor company of treefrogs, squirrels, wild turkeys and 'possums so long I'd forgot how demanding a cat can be. There's one skinny one that visits the yard and I have granted him hunting rights but he does that cat-beg thing with his beautiful eyes and asks to live here. I tell him no, gently, and would show him a map to Tennessee but he wouldn't understand. Maybe after I get my stitches out tomorrow. Thanks for the stunningly beautiful photos --they make want to go outside again.

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  7. The company of outdoor creatures can be very satisfying - and they are most often more pleasant than humans. When I first moved here I saw lots of white tail deer, but now they are scarce. Probably because of too many hunters...??

    I have a big heart for stray cats, although I was intensely overwhelmed when my Texas neighbor moved and left twenty of them. But I won't complain if you show your stray feline a map to Tennessee.

    I'm glad to hear that the stitches will be removed. It's a positive step forward. Take care, Geo.

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  8. The little girl in me would love to tromp through those woods, but the grown-up part doesn't want any part of the ticks and chiggers. When our Tennessee friends were newlyweds, they thought it'd be good idea to "enjoy each others' company" in their lush beautiful woods. Bad idea. They got chigger-bit so bad, my gal pal won't set foot in the woods anymore.

    You really should consider ordering your cat litter and food from Chewy and let them deliver. If you have a hand truck, they might even place it on there for you to wheel it into the house.

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    1. I never knew what chiggers were until I moved to Texas - where I was assaulted and plagued by chiggers and fire ants. For some reason, the ticks disappear here in my area of TN by August and I don't miss them. I had three tick bites this year - - and ironically my cats didn't have any.

      I never heard of Chewy but I'll look into it. Thanks!

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  9. I must say it looks wonderful. I think you might be a little too soft hearted about the cats, though. Surely they're supposed to be able to catch mice and stuff if they are hungry? They would not expect you to do that for them....

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    1. Jenny, I have three cats and they've been trying to catch ONE mouse for the past two weeks - with no success. The mouse is too fast and has outsmarted them on numerous occasions.

      Are cats merely getting too "soft" and spoiled? Or are mice getting more physically/mentally powerful??
      I don't know....but I'll undoubtedly have to catch the mouse myself.

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  10. Beautiful, beautiful pictures Jon! That ""cheapo" camera of yours is pretty good! Always enjoy seeing your photos Jon, any season. I don't blame you for not walking in the woods, ticks. You don't need ticks sucking your blood.

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    1. Thanks, Ron. I think I hate ticks even more than spiders - but it's a tossup. My El Cheapo camera is over 15 years old, at least.
      Hope you're feeling better.

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