Life's happy surprises...

Hello again! How's your day? We seem to have fast-forwarded through spring and ended up in summer here. Today's the fourth day of record-breaking or near-record-breaking heat! I'll just say that of the four seasons, summer is my least favorite! I hear there's snow in Calgary though! Okay, that must be a shock.

I've been experiencing happy surprises this week. On Saturday I found a book I really wanted at Borders (I had a gift card that I'd been saving for something really special!) and I was happily surprised to find they had a 25% coupon!

Here are a few of my other happy little surprises...







These gorgeous flowers were a wonderful birthday surprise from my friend Susan in California. The amazing thing is she had no idea that yellow flowers are my favorite! I especially love yellow roses!

Two of our ferals...posing as bookends. I guess cats know how to parallel park! :)

A couple of years ago the large tree in our front yard died and had to be removed. Before going to the nursery to purchase a replacement, I walked around the neighborhood and picked a blossom off a tree I admired. We showed it to the guy who sold us a scrawny little tree...I thought it would never bloom. Then over the weekend I suddenly noticed that we have color! WooHoo! In case you're wondering, this is a Flowering Crabapple tree. The blooms are a deep magenta although they look more pink in these pictures! It's gorgeous.

It's always a surprise to find Toby cozied up in the carrier because he hates to travel! The few times he's had to ride in the car he howls with every breath he takes! One of us is going to need drugs when we move!

(I love how he crosses his little paws!)

Thanks for stopping by to visit. I hope you're enjoying life's beautiful little surprises wherever you are!

Musketeers at the Bridge

Hello and welcome. I'm so glad you're here. As you've probably noticed by now, most of my blogs are just general ramblings about whatever subject appeals to me at the time. Today's post is different. This one has been a week in the making. Today's blog is dedicated to three special ladies and four magnificent cats.


Please allow me to explain. In September 2008 Tyler was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) which is entirely too common among cats and almost always terminal. It was truly heartbreaking news. Although my vet was helpful, I still didn't feel like I understood what was going to happen. I contacted my former vet in Florida who was kind enough to answer all of my medical questions. The weeks passed. In November I started noticing changes in Tyler that I didn't know how to handle. Those of you who know me know I "google" for all sorts of information. I turned to the Internet and found an article called the "emotional roller coaster" - this was definitely what I was feeling. Fortunately that article was posted on a tremendous Web site for Feline CRF. While there I discovered a guest book which I signed, leaving information about Tyler and his current situation.

Days later I received an email from Barb in Calgary. Barb had recently bid farewell to her darling Forrest. Her kindness, compassion, and understanding were tremendous gifts! Having already traveled this painful path, Barb understood. Whenever I was uncertain about Tyler's appetite (or lack thereof) or his fluids, she answered my questions - sharing my concerns and her own experiences with similar situations.

The day I realized it was time to bid farewell to Tyler, Barb was the first I turned to - knowing she would understand my heartbreak. Now - I must say here that I'm extremely blessed with many good and caring friends. Friends I know would do anything for me. But someone who has actually experienced CRF knows it in a very different way! And so I'm forever grateful to Barb for being there for me.

On Tyler's final day I told him about the Rainbow Bridge and assured him that Forrest would be there to greet him and show around!

Through Barb I came to "meet" Leigh and Sasha both of whom live in New Zealand and who have sadly also had to say goodbye to their dearest friends, Lacy and Uncle Bully, due to CRF. We have decided that our four boys are enjoying the magnificience of the Rainbow Bridge and I have dubbed these four special guys The Musketeers at the Bridge. Barb, Leigh, and Sasha have generously allowed me to share their boys' stories and pictures.

I'd like you to meet Tyler's new friends...

Forrest (January 1993- October 31, 2008)


Barb describes this as Forrest's "Gargoyle photo." She writes: The photo captures the essence of Forrest, looks like could have a halo and wings, but got "that look" in his eye that says he could go off on one of his mad cat dashes too, where he'd roar around growling and having a great old time.

What a handsome boy!

Forrest showed up at Barb's home years ago and I'm sure he knew that they were destined to be family even before he arrived that day! Barb calls him her "gift from God!" Through the months, I feel I've come to know Forrest through Barb's stories. He was obviously a very special and a much loved boy! On January 8, my cats and I celebrated Forrest's birthday with a cupcake (as was his and Barb's tradition). The picture shown of Tyler in my April 7th blog was made at that party! I hope they are enjoying lots of peanutbutter cupcakes now! (Peanutbutter was Tyler's favorite treat; Cupcakes were Forrest's special celebration food!)

Lacy (September 1, 1991 - April 15, 2008)

Leigh titled this photo "Lacy with Attitude" - the plaque beneath his feet in this shot says "Here Lives a Very Fine Cat Indeed." I must agree! Truly a "fine cat!" What beautiful markings.

I haven't had a chance to really get to know Leigh or Lacy so I asked her to tell me a bit about Lacy. She writes: "Lacy was my best mate, through the ups and downs of my life, my furry friend was always there. As a tiny wee kitten with a little pink nose that got tatooed at 5mths so he wouldn't get cancer to the nearly to nearly 17 yrs, I couldn't have loved him more. He loved to jump on the bed when I changed the sheets and also ride down my back with me walking around the house half bent over with him purring away. He had the finest taste in foods enjoying crayfish, chicken, roast lamb and ham on christmas day, later to be nicknamed by Barb as "The King of the Crayfish".

Uncle Bully (November 1992 - April 2, 2009)

I asked Sasha to tell me about Uncle Bully and she wrote:

"Uncle Bully was the man of our family and definately the "old man", he ruled the roost but not in an arrogant or dominant way, he was just a wise old head who had the great knack of finding the sofest warmest beds, he was well known for finding anything black and lying all over it and leaving his cat hair behind infuriating many!... I absolutely adored my mate, he is still my bestest friend. He gave me light and hope and love at times in my life when Ineeded it the most and Ihope he knew how much he was loved, appreciated and is missed." (Oh Sasha, I'm certain he did...your love and appreciation shows so clearly in your words! I'm sure he felt it every minute and feels it still!)

She told me that he was originally named Uncle after the character from the Muppets. It sounds like he earned that by his nurturing. When her other cat had kittens and would leave the box temporarily, Uncle would step in to comfort the distressed kittens! How sweet is that? The "Bully" part was added later and was a reference to a character in a movie in New Zealand but that Uncle Bully was in fact "placid and affectionate and definitely not a bully!"

What a sweetie. I love white cats!

Tyler (February 15, 1994 - April 7, 2009)

This picture of Tyler was made when he was about three months old. As with most kittens, he had two speeds...full and off! He had been playing so hard that he was simply exhausted. I hope that he, Forrest, Lacy, and Uncle Bully are playing just as hard across the Bridge. As Leigh says, "you go, Boys!"

Barb, Leigh, and Sasha - here's to Forrest, Lacy, Uncle Bully, and Tyler! Here's to their return to good health across the bridge! I bet they are having such fun: running, playing, and kicking up their heels, then finding comfy beds, sunny spots and their favorite foods in abundance! We'll see them again!!! Thank you all for your support and sharing! I think of your boys each and every day!

I honestly wouldn't wish the loss of an animal on anyone but I recognize it's an inevitable part of loving such pure creatures! I can only say thank goodness for these incredibly special boys, dear friends, kind people, and cherished memories!

To quote a Kenny Loggins song these guys are "forever in my heart!"

Going door to door...

Happy Saturday! The weather here has been perfect today. I hope you are enjoying nice weather wherever you are today! I think the weather has given me a boost of energy. This morning Randy brought down all of our storage boxes out of the attic and I sorted through them to determine what can go out in the yard sale next week! I was finished with that before 9 a.m. so I went out and ran errands! With the sunroof open and the sun shining I was enjoying driving around, getting things done! To take further advantage of the beautiful temps, I went for a walk. As you probably have realized by now, I don't often take walks without my trusty side-kick the camera! Hey, remember how when we were young we always named our cars? I think I should name my camera. Suggestions, please? So...these pictures came from different points around the neighborhood.

I know this picture is blurry but I kinda liked it that way! It's in my next-door neighbors' yard so I could go take a clear one but decided this is my interpretation!

I like the designs nature has created on these two tree limbs!

I can't imagine how this made its way to the hilltop on the walking path! It's under a tree and at first looked like some sort of marker!

Look...an Easter Egg tree! I didn't know Easter Eggs grew on trees, did you? The homeowner was working in her garage. When I asked if I could photograph this tree, she asked if I wanted her to shut the garage door! Our neighborhood is pretty big and the people I talked to today were total strangers!

You may remember I recently mentioned my neighbor's Zen garden that I was so impressed by? While walking today I saw Matt (as he introduced himself) outside working on his car, so being the shy one that I am (I really WAS shy as a kid...hard to believe now, I know) I asked if I might take pictures. He was so sweet...walked me in to the yard, offered to move things around to make the shots easier, answered questions, and left me with permission to photograph anything I wanted! Aren't people nice???

Hey, Mavis...the official name (not the Latin one) for this tree is a "swamp Magnolia!" according to Matt!

Are they still "daffodils" if they are white and yellow? Someone recently asked me and I don't know! Guess I'll have to google, unless someone here knows!

Do you remember the lovely summer sound of the ice cream truck? There have been a few times this week that I've heard it passing through the neighborhood but thought it would be unseemly to go chasing after it like I did as a kid! After seeing the sundaes listed here, I might change my mind! No boring ice cream sandwiches on this truck! He promised he'd be back in the neighborhood next weekend!

"What is it with you and that camera, mom? You just keep interrupting my naps," Dolly said grumpily!

Okay, so not everyone enjoys my pictures but I hope you did! The lesson I learned today is that people around here are very open and friendly. I wonder what it would be like to do a blog in a less friendly area?

I hope you're doing something that makes you happy this weekend! I look forward to hearing all about it!

It does the heart good...

Happy Friday! I hope your week has been a happy one! Spring is here!

Yesterday Mavis and I did a day trip to Delaware. We went to the Delaware Museum of Art and visited the exhibit titled The Possibilities of Pause: Delaware Women's Conference 2009 Juried Exhibition. I really enjoyed it. While there we also walked the labyrinth! If you've never walked a labyrinth, I highly recommend it. You can find a labyrinth near you on the labyrinth locator!

It's important to me to discover things that do my heart good like...


...to see people enjoying the simple things in life. In historic New Castle the road ends at the river. These four gentlemen were just sitting along side the road watching people and visiting! They seemed pleased when I asked to take their picture!

...to find kind, compassionate people! Rachel was Tyler's vet tech and became a very dear friend! She always treated him with love and tenderness!




What are some things that do your heart good?

An abundant day...

Today a "wave of abundance" went around the planet. Jo Dunning (http://www.jodunning.com/) hosted a project to send out thoughts of abundance! I believe that no matter what we have going on in our lives we can find some way in which we are abundant. Do you agree? So at noon today she urged participants to sit quietly and think about all of the abundance in their lives! It was a very powerful experience!

In addition to this project, I received a lovely package from Journey today! If you were to look up nurturing in the dictionary I believe that Journey's picture would be there! There were so many treasures included that I had to force myself to limit the number of pictures!




"Does this box make me look fat???" Toby wasted no time claiming the box for his own!

"You make my heart smile" This adorable pin was going to be a banner photo for the blog but I couldn't figure out how to make it fit! Pointers anyone?

"Wanna play?" This was one of several positively adorable note cards! As soon as I saw it I laughed. How darling is this little guy?

"She's cute!" Toby seemed very impressed with this little girl! I wish he liked his sisters this much!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope the pictures have given you a smile & I hope you have an abundant day!

Sunset Blues

This week has been a sad one around our house. Our appointment to have Tyler put to sleep was at 6:30 on Tuesday evening. By 7pm we had said our farewells and our sweet baby had crossed the Rainbow Bridge. In a way it was a fitting time...just as the light was leaving our day so too was the light of my Tyler leaving our family! Each day since I've found myself growing sadder as dusk approaches. I know that Tyler is in a much happier, healthier place and that he would not want me to experience the Sunset Blues. So today I decided to take a walk. One of the things that always provides me with pleasure is taking pictures. Here are a few things that I saw...





This tree is in a neighbor's yard. Every year I take a picture of it. They probably wonder why I don't just get my own tree!



















I admit that I can't tell the difference between a crow and a raven. Whichever one this is, it was beautiful against the blue sky.







The largest cluster of daffodils I've seen blooming together. It makes such a dramatic statement to see them like this. The Dutch say that Americans always want to plant flowers like "soldiers in a row." I agree this is more striking!








During meditation recently I had the thought that "it's all in my hands" so when I saw this petal lying on the ground it caught my eye! Interestingly enough I couldn't see a tree nearby that would have this bloom! (I know...I know...I need a manicure LOL)






It's hard to tell but this is a bicycle tire way up in the crook of a very tall tree! Somedays I feel equally out of place!

I'm not sure what this tree is but I love the pureness of its white blossoms!

The many colors of Dolly


Thanks for stopping by and for all of your love and support this week! Have a wonderful Easter, or as my friend, Susan, says "wishing you chocolate smiles and jelly bean grins!"

The love of my life

Sweet Dreams Darling Boy

Tyler

February 15, 1994 - April 7, 2009

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... Author unknown...

"Joy Points"

Happy Monday! I hope your week is off to a fantastic start. My friend, Mavis, recently coined a phrase that I love: "joy points" are the moments in a day when you feel...Joy! It can be something small or something large, but when you get the feeling of "ahhh, that was a happy moment" then you have encountered a "joy point" (forgive me if I don't do the phrase justice in explaining it Mavis!)

I wanted to share some of today's joy points...



I went to the grocery store and made my usual pilgrimage into the flower section. I was admiring an arrangement of white daisies that were in a bouquet with a blue hydrangea. As I turned to leave the section I spotted a bouquet of yellow daisies! They made me smile so much I had to bring them home with me! There were enough for two arrangements! The one on the left brightens my living room. Some of the smaller stems were lost in the vase so I cut them and put them in a smaller vase. I love the way the yellow flowers and cobalt blue vase brighten my kitchen window sill. It was a dreary day and they added some much needed color!




A new, decadent treat I discovered at Borders...Lindor dark chocolate, raspberry truffles! They are joy points for the mouth! And since I had a gift card, I was able to purchase an entire bag - which I will be rationing out!

One of my "themes" for the year is "Freedom" so my friend Journey suggested that I keep a freedom journal - to clarify in my own mind what freedom looks like to me. I purchased a plain drawing pad and used scrapbook paper and stickers to create My Freedom Journal. I love the paper with bubbles on it! Blowing bubbles is a joy point moment for me & I had a lot of fun creating this journal.

I took a similar book and made a

Journal of Possibilities (like Queen Latifah's Book of Possibilities in the movie The Last Holiday)

I enjoyed looking through my stickers and papers to find the decorations for this journal!

Another joy point for me is this candle I have sitting on my desk. It has a honeysuckle fragrance. When I was a kid we always had honeysuckle growing on an area by our driveway. The smell of honeysuckle reminds me of early mornings playing outside! I guess I've always been a morning person!

And of course...one of my greatest joys...Tyler. He would probably tell you that one of my joy points is annoying him with the camera! Since I bought my digital camera the cats' naps have been disturbed much more frequently.

So those are some of my joy points for the day! What things have brought you joy today? I hope that every day is full of joy points for you!

Fieldtrip!

This morning I decided to visit one of my favorite "local" attractions, Longwood Gardens. It's not actually local - it's about an hour away, in Kennett Square, PA. Longwood Gardens was once part of Pierre DuPont's estate! Talk about "living large" -it's a gorgeous place! The weather was perfect for an outdoor stroll. Maybe it was the joy of being outside, knowing that winter is behind us, or something in the air but it felt like Nature's church! Care to stroll the park with me?

The steps lead to an open-air theater where they offer a variety of performances throughout the year.

There weren't many tulips blooming yet but the pansies were so pretty & fresh! In the midst of all the purple ones there was a single yellow/purple bloom! Dare to be different!

Among the few tulips that were dressed up and showing off their glory, these yellows were so festive!

There's a temporary exhibit of tree-houses at Longwood Gardens this spring! I love the windows on this one. As I was looking at it I had to wonder...why is it that little boys are more likely to have tree houses than little girls? Did you have a tree house when you were a kid? I never did even though I lived beside a huge wooded area. My boy cousins had a tree house though! I would have loved a place to take my books and be far away from everything else!

There were signs by all of the tree houses describing them as "Nature's Castles" - and like any self-respecting castle, this one had dragons to guard it!

Inside the tree house...

The meadow walk was pure bliss...in some areas I didn't see another soul. The only sounds were birds and breeze! It seemed like a form of meditation!

Another tree house:
And another....

It didn't even bother me to be that high up!

Potted tulips outside the restaurant serve as a sign of coming attractions!

In the conservatory...(I know...doesn't that sound like it should have a "Mrs. Green with a knife" in the sentence???) If you don't know what I am talking about get a "Clue" (the game, that is!)



I had never seen such green flowers! At first I thought they were shamrocks but the sign says "Hellabore." Aren't they pretty?

More of the conservatory...

And still more...someone said the flowers were 'hydrangeas' - they were gorgeous...in all different colors but my favs were the blue/purples.

Blue/purple/pink was the color theme of the conservatory right now! Lucky for me because I love these colors! They change the color theme around frequently. I'm sure the next time I visit it will be very different.

The sign identified these as Great Pacific Delphiniums (sorry for any misspelling!). The blooms had blue and purple in varying shades. Gorgeous!

I hope you enjoyed the photos. It was such fun taking them. I wish you could have been there with me since I was unable to capture the fragrance! It was magnificient.

Don't you love spring? What does spring look like where you are? What captures your imagination or makes your soul soar?

Being outside in a beautiful setting and surrounding myself with color makes my heart smile. Of course I can't end a blog without a 'whiskers' moment. Lacey sends her love...

Have a wonderful week! Thanks for visiting.