Good morning from a dark and chilly, plus seven, Interior. It is 8:07 AM here, and I've showered, fed Farrah and am on my first cup of coffee. Farrah will come over to me, then to her toys and back to me again because she understands I have to turn them on. I turned on the mouse under the blue skirting, and she had been lying next to it, peeking underneath to capture the mouse. Then Farrah would leap at it trying to catch it between her two paws. Lastly, she would head a little ways off and then run to jump on it. Like the old Timex ads of old, no matter what she did, that mouse kept on ticking!

I have my classwork to finish today before Thanksgiving break and need to get to a small get together today, so I need to get to it. The class finals will involve providing a description of various types of deviant personalities, and there are a couple I seem to confuse, so I need to do some studying.

Larry, The foster who has Shelby and Lizzie has been doing this for ten years and now both are up for adoption. This is a kitten that repeatedly climbed over a two-foot fence at eight days before she could walk and at six weeks was climbing up and over or balancing on a four-foot fence. Her mother, Shelby, had a problematic litter with four were stillborn while one survived for five days before dying. On the day that the fifth died on the way to the vet, Lizzie was born during that car ride. Something I had never heard of and to me a miracle kitten.

Shelby, at roughly two years old was found with an earlier litter of kittens that were about three months old, feral, spayed and neutered and were sent to a charm school, (A prison program that puts prisoners with kittens for socialization.). When she was at her spay appointment, Shelby was found again, pregnant which is why she went to the foster home and how Lizzie came to be.

She hasn't bonded with Lizzie mainly because Lizzie insists on comfort nursing when the "milk bar" is closed, those teeth hurt, and she has been a mother too many times for her short two years. They will have other pregnant cats and kittens on the cam, others were before, but I don't know if I would watch after this. I could never be a cat foster.

Time to start studying, enjoy your day, everyone.

Patricia, I suppose because the two cats have not bonded that they will not be adopted together.  If they were close, it would be nice, but I guess that is not necessary now.  Poor Shelby, being spayed, she can now have a rest of bearing litters. 

We are at 40 degrees and that isn't far from where we will be at the top today.  I think we didn't go above 40 yesterday, either.  I will go for the mail shortly and I'll have to wear my winter coat.  I hate to get started with that, but winter winds and snows ask for it.  Today we've had some sun and it comes in the window beside me and shines on my computer screen.  Then I go to something else. 

Tom told me yesterday that Alicia wants to make the entire T-Day dinner and we don't have to take a thing.  She and James have been married nearly four years and I think we've had a big family T-Day since then and she hasn't had a chance to show her cooking skills.  If I were Dot, I'd take something, even if it was cookies.  That is Dot's way and you can't tell her to not bring anything because she'll find something to bring.  She came from a big family and that is the way they did it.  It's a nice trait.  I'm not so generous.   

I think I'll put on my coat and go after the mail.

Mary Ann

Marilyn - 1:25 pm here and surfers are in the water again.

Mary Ann

MaryAnn, they are saying that an ideal home for Mama would be with another young affectionate and playful young cat. Mama Shelby would make a wonderful lap cat.

While for Lizzie, at least one home with a similar age kitten that is also active would be ideal. However, that depends on the applications. THe fostering Dad has just posted a video using them to show how to pill a cat and how to pill a kitten. It is really amusing altho I'm not sure that was quite the intent! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjePHvgs4hw&feature=em-uploademail
 

Mary Ann, 1:35 central time and the surfers are still there.  The lake is gorgeous and the leaves on the trees are gorgeous.

Our family is like Dot's.  We always bring food to family gatherings.  No one in my family ever goes hungry .

Mary

Mary Ann - I didn't look in again until about 11:15, Pacific time, which would have been 2:15 in Michigan.  No surfers in the water, and I didn't see any on shore either.  I notice that the trees that are blocking our view, will soon lose their leaves, so we'll be able to see the beach more clearly.  I hope they trim the trees this Winter, or they may grow tall enough in the Spring, to completely block our view.

Patricia - That is really interesting, that the kittens are sent to the prison "Charm School", to help socialize them.  It sounds like a great program for both the cats and the prisoners.   

It is Marilyne and it is also interesting that many of the participating prisoners are "lifers."

http://purrfectpals.org/about/our-prison-foster-program/


Well, I finished my finals. Now to wait until December first to find out how I did. There are both free and paid courses, college level or just for fun at Udemy.com.

That was an interesting video about prisoners working with the cats.  It showed a gentle side of the prisoners, too.

About the time I finished the video, it was time for my nightly TV so I watched almost to the end of "This Old House" when the doorbell rang.  Who was ringing the doorbell at 9:30 pm!  It was Annie and her friend's daughter; Annie comes every so often to empty the litter and put it out for tomorrow's trash pick up.  I got the regular trash ready so she could take that out too.  Tom will take care of the recycle in the morning.  She also cut the cat's toenails which needed doing badly.  She's a good kid.  A nearly 22-year-old kid!

Mary Ann

Hi Everyone. Again we have a beautiful morning and will be seeing the mid-60's today.  The housekeeper called last night and said it would be around noon before she could get here today rather than around 10 am as normal.  So I will have an unhurried morning and then plan on making a short trip to Aldi's for some vegetables and eggs and then make the circle from downtown over to Augusta and up the Riverwatch Parkway and make a brief stop at Costco for two or three items.  I will probably get one of their inexpensive lunches while there unless Pat feels up to going out to eat later this afternoon. 

Yesterday she had two shots in her back, not the spine but in nerves connected to the spine.  She seems to be feeling pretty good this morning.  However, I prepared her breakfast as would like for her to stay feeling better and not overdo so she gives the shots time to work.  I have nothing else on the schedule for today.

Mary Ann, it sounds like the surfer had to go into the water to warm up since the air temp was colder than the water. 

Marilyne, I have never lived around water and never really learned how to swim very well.  It sounds like your brother was a real pro on the surfboard. 

Patricia, it sounds like Farrah has not yet tired of the mouse and shirt toy.  It must be a real challenge to her hunting skills. It does sounds like Lizzie is fortunate to have made it into this world alive. That sounds like a great prison program.  I think I have read about similar programs involving training dogs to be service dogs.  Hope you studying went well yesterday and that your finals were not too hard.  I am going to look at that web site you mentioned for the courses.  It sounds intriguing but probably won't try to take any classes.

Mary, I don't ever remember going to a community or family event that had a pot-luck where there wasn't plenty of food.  My mother always fixed several dishes of food to take to such events.  Her side of the family used to have an annual summer reunion at a park.  Mother always took her multiple basket of foods but one of her aunt had a reputation of only bringing a can of pork and bean.  It became sort of a family joke.  I don't think it was that she couldn't afford more but that was just her.  That was Aunt Ethel.   

Good morning one and all.  We had rain all day yesterday and into the night.  It ws one of those Pineapple Express storms that comes across the Pacific from Hawaii, so the temperatures remained in the mid 60's all day.  We got one inch of rain here, in the South Bay Area, which is a lot for us.  The North Bay, where the fires occurred last month, got enough to cause a lot of problems with run-off and clogged drainage, etc.  Such a sad mess in that area.  The new count is approximately 5,000 homes and businesses, burned to the ground, in those fires.  People are still living in shelters because there is no where to go, and children are being bussed to schools outside the burn area.  A major disaster, just like hurricane Katrina. 

Larry - I hope the back injections work for Pat.  I feel so bad for her, as I know how those back spasms ruin your quality of life.  I don't think I was nearly as bad as Pat, because the Flexiril seemed to work for me after a couple of days.  As I mentioned before, the water therapy was very soothing and relaxing.  The main problem for me, with the water therapy, was struggling to get out of the wet bathing suit, when it was over and I was back in the dressing room!

Mary Ann - interesting that Annie trims Kendrick's nails when she comes over.  In all the many years that we had Winnie, his nails were never once cut/trimmed.  It never occurred to me, and the vet never mentioned it.  He had many different carpeted scratching posts in the early years, and then seemed to prefer the corrugated cardboard scratchers.  He used to really tear into those things!   

Marilyn, Kendrick does use the corrugated scratch pads frequently, but when he jumps on my bed onto the blanket, he claws the blanket and I can see that his nails need trimming.  One day his claw went through the blanket, then the sheet, then onto my arm.  He did not dig into my arm, but he left a spot where he touched me.  In the past once he did draw blood.  Maybe I should get some sandpaper!!!

I do get a backache at times, but nothing like what Larry's Pat has or what you, Marilyn, have had.  It's a good thing because I can't swim so I don't know what the water treatment would have done.

Tom's lady friend's dog is ailing.  He is a rescued dog and was about 12-14 years old when she got him.  She lives in a questionable neighborhood so wants the protections of a large dog.  He is some kind of spaniel with mottled black/grey/white fur and he slobbers a lot.  He's quite a contrast to her previous dog, who was a huge retriever type with a name of Bear.  This current dog was Duke when she got him but he is now Luke.  I would not want to be alone with him but he's OK with Tom or Robin there.  Tom goes there occasionally to walk him in her back yard.  I think Tom is going to spend some time today with Luke.

The lawn guys are here probably for the final time this year and I hear their blowers blowing leaves into piles which they will then put in a truck to cart away.

Mary Ann

Good morning from the Interior where it is just beginning to lighten and today will be plus eleven with a low of eight or so they say. Next week is expected to dip into the minuses with one day, Thursday, predicted to have a low of minus fifteen. We have had twelve inches of snow so far in the valley this winter with perhaps twice that in the hills. However, only three inches remained.

I was surprised last night that everyone enjoyed my sangria as much as they did. While I was expecting to bring the reserve home, all six quarts were consumed. There were around fifty or so people as it was a sixtieth wedding anniversary and I think everyone showed up. The twins that I guess you would call them now that they lost a brother were there and were the hit of the party. They are such cute little boys and very friendly and curious.

Larry, both Lizzie, and Shelby are lovely smart cats but whereas Shelby loves attention and petting, according to what I've seen. Lizzie views being held as being restrained and is more into exploring and playing. They announced they had been adopted and will be leaving Sunday for their new homes. I'm going to miss seeing them on the cam, and the foster parent says he has no idea when or how he'll have another cat or kittens. He only knows it will probably be abruptly.

Patricia - Happy to hear that the cats have both been adopted, but sorry we can no longer follow their antics.  Sangria is good!   It's been many years since I've had a glass, but I remember it well.  Glad yours was a hit.

Mary Ann - Yes, Winnie did the same thing when he jumped up onto my bed.  It's a high bed, so he did use his claws to get a good grip, and did leave some marks on my comforter.   Fortunately, he never scratched or damaged the living room furniture. Not that it would have mattered - I hate to think of how old that couch is!  I hope Tom's lady friend's dog will be okay?  keep us posted. 

Marilyne, no word yet whether they will be going together or not but I will miss watching the videos before bed. Evidently, the foster who has a job of three days work at home for two days at work as a computer programmer has been a foster of cats in need or unexpected medical issues for some time. His son also will sometimes show up on the cam.

That was my first homemade sangria; I did use the slow cooker way and then chilled it. The party was very nice with some funny gag gifts among the more serious ones.

Next month, Alan and Dora leave on their cruise and will be gone a month. Bonnie and Duchess will stay home with a neighbor popping in and out to care for them.

Some of my cats have had to be declawed as it was the only way a landlord would accept them. Several, like Farrah and Sarah before, never liked scratching posts. Farrah preferrs the carpet as I've seen many cats here do. She doesn't scratch me unless it is by accident and other than sleeping against the wall or wandering around me to awaken me in the morning, is rarely in my bed. She prefers the couch most of the time.

I want to say that the two times I remember Kendrick clawing me were both accidental.  He has taken a swipe at me on purpose a couple times, and missed, when I have finished petting/scratching him at night and I would get up to get my nightclothes - and he wanted MORE! 

Annie had bought him a couple of toys with feathers and I put some catnip on both of them and he went crazy for a few minutes.  He knows where the catnip is kept and I am sure he'll open the drawer one of these days. 

One thing Kendrick has clawed was the side of the upholstered chair.  He probably was alone when he did it because I have never seen him clawing any of the furniture.  The chair was reupholstered years ago and probably should be done again, but I don't see it in the immediate future.  He does a very good job with the cardboard scratch pads.

Mary Ann

Mary Ann, I noticed the same thing here regarding apartment regulations for cats. It used to be you just paid an extra fee each month, but now they not only want the extra fee, they want a large deposit up front and that the cats be declawed. That stops any thoughts of me going into an apartment for at least another eight years. I refused to have Lucy (7) or Oscar (6) declawed. I am thinking of it for Shan, although I don't like it at all, just in case I must go into an apartment. In the end I will probably not do it. 

Hi Everyone. Once again it is a beautiful fall day here in South Carolina and we will get into the 70's this afternoon.  There is not a cloud in the sky.  I did get to Costco and then on to Aldi's as planned yesterday.  The housekeeper didn't get here until after 1 pm but now we have a nice clean house.  The only think I plan on doing today is to go to a meeting this morning as haven't gone for a couple of weeks. We may go out to eat later today as Pat seems to be feeling better today.  I am hopeful the shots are helping.  She didn't need to use the walker to get from the bedroom to the family room this morning.  I did go ahead and fix her breakfast as want her to stay feeling as good as possible for as long as possible today.

Marilyne, it is hard, if not impossible, to understand the full impact of those terrible fires and how many of the people will be able to rebuilt considering the cost of things in California.  Years ago Pat did do the water therapy.   

Mary Ann, it sounds like Kendrick's claws can get pretty long.  We did trim our cat's nails.  Speaking of nails I am happy to report my big toes have now healed up and I no longer need to treat them or wear a band aids on them.  Isn't it a relief not to hear the lawnmowers after a long summer.  We will be going to an every two week lawn cleanup, whether needed or not, starting in December through the winter months. 

Patricia, when I read of your expected weather it sends a chill through me.  It sounds like your sangria was a big hit.  It seems that little children are always a center of attention.  I am glad you have enjoyed watching the cats on the cam.  It sounds like Lizzie may be a handful for its new owner. A month cruise seems like a long time to be away.  I hope your friends have a great time.  We did have a problem with our cat clawing at our furniture and we did have him declawed so had to be very careful that he didn't get out of the house since he couldn't protect himself very well without claws.  However, he did know how to use his teeth.   

I’ve never lived in an apartment so it never occurred to me there would be restrictions on cat’s claws but I can see why.  I don’t know of any apartment dwellers anyway, with or without cats. 

Tom went out driving this morning and it was so-so; he is back home now and napping.  We are going out for lunch today, since we haven’t eaten out all week. 

Larry, I’m glad to hear your toes are healed so no special treatment for them.  I am sure it is a big relief. 

Mary Ann

http://www.jigzone.com/puzzles/daily-jigsaw

The puzzle this morning was a cat and its coloring is like Kendrick's.  The expression is not Kendrick's; he has a much more pleasant expression.  He probably also would not be on anyone's shoulder because he's not that kind of cat!

Incidentally, I change to 48-piece classic for easier doing the puzzle, in case anyone wants to try.

Mary Ann

Having a cat declawed is considered animal cruelty in California, and apartment or house owners, are not allowed to require such a thing from renters.  It is actually against the law in the county and city of San Francisco, and other counties specific counties in California . . . in other words, a vet is not allowed to perform the surgery!  Of  course you can take your cat to other cities in CA, and have it done if you're determined.  in my lifetime, I don't know of anyone who has ever hd it done to their cat?

I don't understand WHY an apartment owner would ever require such a thing, unless maybe it's a furnished apartment? What would a cat scratch in an apartment, besides it's owner's furniture? 

Anyway, I'm shocked, that people are still willing to do this to their cats. (The same applies to having a dog "de-barked".)  I would much prefer to not ever have a cat, rather than to agree to such a thing.       

Having Kendrick with claws has really presented no problem and that is why I have several scratch pads for him, including the one he loves to sleep in.  Right now he is on my bed, probably sound asleep.

Mary Ann

Good morning from a still dark Interior. It has been an unusual, (or new normal?); winter so far as we are just getting into periods of minus degrees. Everyone is up, showered and fed so ready to face the day. Later this morning, I will be delivering those three food boxes and then I have the rest of the day free.

Larry, remember it is dry and not wet temperature here so it will not be as cold as it would be in a more wet climate. The cruise will not take up the entire month as some will also be traveling and sightseeing. I do not know exactly how long the cruise is or its itinerary as while I'm sure I was told several times, it was casually. Today is when they will be leaving, Lizzie and Shelby, and yes I will miss them.

In the sixties and seventies, the majority of apartments that allowed pets insisted on cats being declawed to protect their investiment. I wouldn't do it on my own.

Tom and I just returned from our lunch at Applebee's.  It is not a nice day today, rainy with a constant temperature of 40 to 41 degrees.  I'm glad I don't have to be out in the rain. 

I upgraded my Firefox and now I can't find my bookmarks.  Grr.  I've saved some again and I still can't find some things but maybe tomorrow will be better.

I'm going to do more computing, but I think I am ready for a nap which will follow my computing.   zzz

Mary Ann

Nowadays, many apartments here are restricted in regards to children, pets and or smokers. In this building, the owners allow one pet, twenty pounds or under, a one time  $200.00 pet deposit, vet paperwork and also require copies of a yearly vet exam and current shot records.

I just came from periscope viewings of the adoption. There were 2,994,223 worldwide viewers, so there are a lot of cat people out there and Shelby and Lizzie fans. They were adopted together by a woman who already has two adult female black cats from a previous Critter Room adoption. She has a Facebook page for the earlier two, so Shelby and Lizzie will be on that altho with probable name changes.

From what was talked about on cam, Sparky, the female kitten who lived for four days, was in the car with momma Shelby on return from the vet. The foster, who happened to glance back, saw two little kittens in the carrier instead of the expected one and Momma cat. He was undeniably shocked and pulled over ASAP. Lizzie was still attached to the placenta. Two hours later, Sparky passed. So, Shelby's last litter as a feral was four stillborn, one in distress and four days later, a healthy miracle kitten.

MaryAnn, I have that app and saw the puzzle. Marilyne, I wish declawing was illegal everywhere! Alaska doesn't have good animal cruelty laws and any efforts to fix that don't seem to go anywhere. All of my cats have been indoor only because I believe in it firmly. I do wish we were allowed a second pet as cats and kittens do so much better in a duo, both health and enrichment wise. However, that isn't always workable.

Out of curiosity, I did a little research, and found out that the declawing of cats is against the law, in almost all other First World countries.  Here's a list of countries that I copied online,where it is not allowed at all:

Declawing is already banned in the following countries: England, Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Australia, New Zealand.. Canada is in the process of passing a law to ban it throughout the entire country. 

Why is it that most civilized countries, except the US, have good solid laws on gun ownership; have banned the death penalty; have excellent food and drug safety laws, and now have outlawed cat declawing and also the debarking of dogs? We can't seem to do any of the above here in the USA.  I guess it's because we have individual States Rights?  That's a good thing in many ways, but is bad in many other ways. I read that New York, Washington, Oregon and California, are all trying to pass laws that totally ban declawing of cats. Most of the major cities here in CA already ban it, but of course in smaller cities and outlying areas, it is not against the law. 

The thing I wonder about, is people who have their cat declawed, when they own their own home!  WHY is a material object like a couch or chair, more precious to a person than their cat?   

Patricia - in this metropolitan area of Silicon Valley, which includes San Jose, San Fran, Oakland and dozens of smaller cities, a tennant does have to pay a Pet deposit. Also many apartment owners tack an extra amount of money on the rent every month, if you have a dog or a cat.  Many owners don't allow pets at all, just to avoid the hassle.

You might also mention that the US has dropped from number one to number six in world rankings according to economics, medical, education, happiness ratio, and other criteria. Germany is number one followed by France, UK, Canada, Japan, USA, Italy, Switzerland, Australia, and Sweden in tenth place compiled by the Latest, October 2017, Nation's Global Economic ratings. The US dropped six places since Spring.

This was reported widely in the European press, but I don't think it has gotten any attention here. Look for Euronews on the web to see the full rankings, hows, whys, and specifics. This is widely used among nations as an investment, economic indicator.

I think many groups get around some restrictions because of "free speech" which gets expanded often.  I happen to think "militia" is an army, but many people think it means private ownership of guns.  Who am I to argue?  I don't know, but I think educationally we have slipped (I just looked and saw Patricia included that). 

I hate to blame progress, but with TV and the phones so many people have (I don't, but my family members do), we have become a nation of couch potatoes.  I should include the computer, because with all of its conveniences etc, we don't move out of our chairs (I'm a good example). 

Tom and I were talking about his daughter, Annie.  She does not have one friend her age and it is all her fault (with parental permission).  For high school, she went to four different high school and the last one was online.  She would sit on my couch to study.  She now lives with her boss/boy friend, who is twice her age.  I doubt they do much socializing and if they do, it is with people his age, not hers.  Tom says he doubts she has read any book since high school.  She's really a sweetheart and she does keep in contact with him, coming here often.  Kendrick is her cat so she does things to take care of him.  Unfortunately, Annie is not alone and I wonder where we're headed.  I'll say it again - I'm glad my future is behind me!

As for James, Annie's brother, I don't know about reading, but he has friends his age, is active in church, is married and is the father of the twin girls.  He's much more outgoing than Annie.  He also is a sweetie.

I just looked at Lake Michigan and saw several surfers in the water.  BRRR.

Mary Ann

Oh, I like that Marilyne, laws against declawing and debarking. I didn't even know people debarked dogs. Anyway, you pay extra money in many (most?) apartments to pay for possible damage and/or clean up made by pets. I can't see the necessity to declaw cats on top of that.

Mary Ann - I've looked at Annie's Facebook a couple of times, and it does look like she's very happy with her boss/boyfriend.  Some young women prefer men who are much older.  One of my granddaughters married a man who is twice as old as she is.  They have one child, a daughter who is 10 years old, and a nice house in San Francisco.  She seems very happy to me.   Just wondering - does Annie see her mother often? 

Mars Gal - No matter your circumstances in the future, I'll always be hoping that you never have Shan declawed.  Maybe by then, they will have passed a new law, making it illegal in your state for vets to perform the surgery!  I hope we will soon follow in the footsteps of the European countries, Australia and NZ, and make it illegal across the entire country!

Marilyn, yes, Annie does see her mother, but her mother lives on the peninsula north of Traverse City.  Annie goes up there occasionally, but she works seven days a week, altho her boss/bf does let her have a weekend off every other week (I think).  She doesn't make a lot of money in her job because she does get room and board.  She also keeps house.  As far as we know her boss/bf is very well off. 

Her boss/bf has two children.  They boy is not too cooperative and spends a lot of time at his mother's (I'm not sure, he may live with her).  The daughter lives with Annie and her boss/bf and is 12 or 13 years old.  I think she is in the 6th grade which doesn't go with her age, but I think that's what she told me.  She is a very quiet girl, but friendly enough.  I'm not sure if Annie is to be a companion to the daughter or a baby sitter. 

Their house is about five miles from here and when you walk in, it definitely is a man's house, very plain and sparse.  There is a huge deck out the back of the house with steps down to a landing and more steps down to a pool.  There may be one more landing, I've only been there once.  Since I don't swim, the pool doesn't interest me, but I could never walk down the steps to the pool or, especially, walk back up.  It's in a wooded setting although there is another house on the drive to their house.  Very secluded.  Annie is artistic but I don't think she has decorating privileges, however, Tom referred to a new sectional they bought as "Annie's couch". 

This is more than you want to know so I'll go give Kendrick some attention.

Especially since Kendrick is over four years of age, I would not have him declawed now.  He's really good, even if he did claw the side of an upholstered chair.  He keeps his clawing to the carpet, the scratch pads and the blanket on my bed. He claws the blanket, trying to get it into place for him to be comfortable. 

Mary Ann