Not unlike Sake and Haiku, Taki likes yarn balls. She loves to play with yarn, and unravel yarn balls. She also likes to play with the yarn that I am using when I am knitting, and that is very problematic. She is learning that "No" means "No." She is learning to accept alternative options for toys. But she is persistent. And my knitting activities are sometimes curtailed as I can not dissuade her to from playing with the yarn.
Oh well.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Gift Certificate
I have a gift certificate for a local restaurant, Orlando's http://www.orlandos.com/ons/. I received this in November, and I keep thinking about when I should redeem it. I had told myself I would redeem it during the Thanksgiving weekend, but as it turned out, that did not appeal to me. So, every weekend, I think I might want to redeem it. But as yet, have not.
I have the habit of going to a local buffet restaurant once a month: they have Oriental food, but they also have salad, fruit, and Mexican food (I fill up on the Oriental food.) Since November, I have not even been interested in that.
I want to use the gift certificate, which expires 1-31-2012. I am not sure I will use the gift certificate any time soon. But I am determined to use it before it expires.
I have the habit of going to a local buffet restaurant once a month: they have Oriental food, but they also have salad, fruit, and Mexican food (I fill up on the Oriental food.) Since November, I have not even been interested in that.
I want to use the gift certificate, which expires 1-31-2012. I am not sure I will use the gift certificate any time soon. But I am determined to use it before it expires.
Make Mine Milk
I used to love milk, and I suspect, the truth be known, I still do. But sometime in my junior or senior year of high school (1969 or 1970), I became lactose intolerant. The physical effects of lactose intolerance are not very pleasant. So, I stopped drinking milk. But I was able to continue consuming other milk containing products: pudding, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheese, yogurt.
As the years progressed, the limitations on what I could comfortably consume decreased. The household in which I grew up considered ice cream a primary, major and necessary food group. It was not unusual for there to be 4 or 5 different flavors of ice cream in the freezer at my house. Sometime in the late 1990's, ice cream started triggering the lactose intolerance symptoms. After that, cottage cheese started causing me problems. I can still tolerate cheese, yogurt and pudding.
So, I do not usually buy milk. I keep powdered milk on hand, so I can constitute milk for cooking as needed. This time of year, I do buy milk, for cooking, and for the outside kitties, so I can give them something warm on the freezing cold days. This year, the outside kitties have not always consumed the milk offered. I give sparse amounts to the inside kitties, and it usually disappears, but not always.
Milk is really a good food. I just can not tolerate it.
As the years progressed, the limitations on what I could comfortably consume decreased. The household in which I grew up considered ice cream a primary, major and necessary food group. It was not unusual for there to be 4 or 5 different flavors of ice cream in the freezer at my house. Sometime in the late 1990's, ice cream started triggering the lactose intolerance symptoms. After that, cottage cheese started causing me problems. I can still tolerate cheese, yogurt and pudding.
So, I do not usually buy milk. I keep powdered milk on hand, so I can constitute milk for cooking as needed. This time of year, I do buy milk, for cooking, and for the outside kitties, so I can give them something warm on the freezing cold days. This year, the outside kitties have not always consumed the milk offered. I give sparse amounts to the inside kitties, and it usually disappears, but not always.
Milk is really a good food. I just can not tolerate it.
My Bad Habits
I went to Market Street http://www.unitedtexas.com/, the yuppie supermarket near my house, before I went home from work tonight. I know better. I walk in for one thing, and especially when I am hungry, I can not leave without buying sushi and the bacon wrapped, shrimp and cream cheese stuffed jalapeño that I really like. Sometimes I buy other exotic or unique things that I can not get at Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com/, which is where I do most of my grocery shopping.
I do not have to succumb to these habits. But I do. I live alone. I can afford these things, and they are not the worst bad habits I could have.
I do not have to succumb to these habits. But I do. I live alone. I can afford these things, and they are not the worst bad habits I could have.
Mentally Tired: A Paradox
I really appreciated the four day weekend we had for the Christmas holiday. I had a good time relaxing during the time off.
I really did not mind going back to work, and I did not think I had a stressful week ahead of me, but I was wrong. One of my assigned areas is experiencing drastic changes, which creates turmoil for staff and patients, and requires me to learn about and get to know, almost an entire pod of new patients. This takes time, and in the meanwhile, we have to balance providing care with learning who needs what.
Add to that, a shortage of security which limits being able to see patients, and an area with a lot of behavior turmoil by one or more patients. It was a very long day.
Yet, when I signed out after 5:30 PM tonight, it appeared that there were still several clinicians in the building. So, I was not alone. One phenomenon that it took me until sometime in the late 1990's to realize, is that when I have a short work week, I still have the self-expectation that I am going to get 40 hours of work done during that week. I have had to learn to reduce my expectations of what I will accomplish in a short week, and consequently, do better. But this week was still difficult. I am mentally tired.
Having said that, I am finding that when I am mentally tired, if I exercise my brain anyway, I feel better. At the very least, I do some games such as jigsaw puzzles and sudoku that tax my brain. I also do crossword puzzles, and word jumbles. It is also true of physical activity: if I am mentally tired, but do some physical activity, I feel better.
Sometimes, I think I am too tired to try to knit, but after I get started, I find myself relaxing.
Being mentally tired is deceiving: you think you can not do anything else, yet doing relaxing things is really the best thing for you.
I really did not mind going back to work, and I did not think I had a stressful week ahead of me, but I was wrong. One of my assigned areas is experiencing drastic changes, which creates turmoil for staff and patients, and requires me to learn about and get to know, almost an entire pod of new patients. This takes time, and in the meanwhile, we have to balance providing care with learning who needs what.
Add to that, a shortage of security which limits being able to see patients, and an area with a lot of behavior turmoil by one or more patients. It was a very long day.
Yet, when I signed out after 5:30 PM tonight, it appeared that there were still several clinicians in the building. So, I was not alone. One phenomenon that it took me until sometime in the late 1990's to realize, is that when I have a short work week, I still have the self-expectation that I am going to get 40 hours of work done during that week. I have had to learn to reduce my expectations of what I will accomplish in a short week, and consequently, do better. But this week was still difficult. I am mentally tired.
Having said that, I am finding that when I am mentally tired, if I exercise my brain anyway, I feel better. At the very least, I do some games such as jigsaw puzzles and sudoku that tax my brain. I also do crossword puzzles, and word jumbles. It is also true of physical activity: if I am mentally tired, but do some physical activity, I feel better.
Sometimes, I think I am too tired to try to knit, but after I get started, I find myself relaxing.
Being mentally tired is deceiving: you think you can not do anything else, yet doing relaxing things is really the best thing for you.
Conflicting Sports
I try to follow some of the the Texas Tech athletic events, specifically football, men's basketball and especially women's basketball http://www.texastech.com/index-main.html. In fact, I have season tickets for the women's basketball games. At this time of year, sometimes there are conflicts in schedules with these sports. In the past, sometimes a football game occurred about the same weekend as a basketball game. And, at times, a basketball game time has been changed so as not to conflict with a football game.
Tonight, quite unusually, the men's basketball game conflicts in part with the women's game: the men are playing in Lubbock, and have a game that started an hour later than usual. The women are playing in California, and their game starts two hours later than usual here (although at 7 PM in California). The men's game is on radio and being live cast on ESPNU. I suspect I could watch it on the computer if I were not using the computer for blogging. The women's game is only being broadcast on the radio.
I will listen to the men's game until it is time for the women's game to be broadcast. I hate having to choose, but my allegiance is stronger for the women's team.
I wish the athletic department would do a better job of not scheduling conflicting games.
Tonight, quite unusually, the men's basketball game conflicts in part with the women's game: the men are playing in Lubbock, and have a game that started an hour later than usual. The women are playing in California, and their game starts two hours later than usual here (although at 7 PM in California). The men's game is on radio and being live cast on ESPNU. I suspect I could watch it on the computer if I were not using the computer for blogging. The women's game is only being broadcast on the radio.
I will listen to the men's game until it is time for the women's game to be broadcast. I hate having to choose, but my allegiance is stronger for the women's team.
I wish the athletic department would do a better job of not scheduling conflicting games.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Catching Up
I have written about this before, but I try to write a blog a day, and keep track when I fall behind. I am trying to get caught up, and it would be really nice if I could get caught up by the end of the year.
I have trouble writing a blog a day because my mental status gets very clogged by the end of my work day. I try to empty my brain in order to allow the creative juices to flow, but so often after a stress filled work day, creative juices just do not flow.
Today, I will work very diligently to keep the creative juices flowing so I can try to get "caught up."
I have trouble writing a blog a day because my mental status gets very clogged by the end of my work day. I try to empty my brain in order to allow the creative juices to flow, but so often after a stress filled work day, creative juices just do not flow.
Today, I will work very diligently to keep the creative juices flowing so I can try to get "caught up."
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
The All Lubbock High School Marching Band
For years, I have not watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade http://social.macys.com/parade2011/?cm_mmc=VanityUrl-_-parade-_-n-_-n#/home nor the Pasadena Rose Bowl Parade
http://media.roseparade.net/mediaGuideBand.asp?id=763
For some reason, this year, I was interested in watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was fun, and enjoyable.
And, let it be known, this year, it is my intention to watch the parade on January 2, 2012. There is a special reason for my interest: this year, the All Lubbock High School Marching Band https://www.facebook.com/AllLubbockMarchingBand will be performing at the parade. If you do not go to the link, the band is the combined bands of the four Lubbock High Schools: Lubbock High (where Buddy Holly went to high school, and Bill Clinton spoke in the gym), Monterey, Coronado and Estacado High Schools http://www.bandtravel.com/alllubbockband.html. The bands have been doing a LOT of fund raising to allow them to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade http://www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseParade/TheParade/Participants/Bands.aspx. The bands have also received a great deal of community support, which is only as it should be.
Maybe, this year, you will watch for the All Lubbock High School Marching Band during the parade.
One of my co-workers is the mother of a band participant. In addition to marching in the Rose Bowl Parade, my co-worker said the band will march in a Disneyland http://disneyland.disney.go.com/ Main Street parade, and they will spend time at Disneyland. In addition, they will go the Knotts Berry Farm http://www.knotts.com/. I believe they have other activities planned on their itinerary.
I know that for many young people from Lubbock, this will be an experience of a lifetime. More poingantly, for many young people from Lubbock, it will be their first trip out of the South Plains, unless it was involved in a band trip. What an opportunity to introduce young people to parts of the world other than Lubbock. This is a great experience.!
http://media.roseparade.net/mediaGuideBand.asp?id=763
For some reason, this year, I was interested in watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. It was fun, and enjoyable.
And, let it be known, this year, it is my intention to watch the parade on January 2, 2012. There is a special reason for my interest: this year, the All Lubbock High School Marching Band https://www.facebook.com/AllLubbockMarchingBand will be performing at the parade. If you do not go to the link, the band is the combined bands of the four Lubbock High Schools: Lubbock High (where Buddy Holly went to high school, and Bill Clinton spoke in the gym), Monterey, Coronado and Estacado High Schools http://www.bandtravel.com/alllubbockband.html. The bands have been doing a LOT of fund raising to allow them to participate in the Rose Bowl Parade http://www.tournamentofroses.com/TheRoseParade/TheParade/Participants/Bands.aspx. The bands have also received a great deal of community support, which is only as it should be.
Maybe, this year, you will watch for the All Lubbock High School Marching Band during the parade.
One of my co-workers is the mother of a band participant. In addition to marching in the Rose Bowl Parade, my co-worker said the band will march in a Disneyland http://disneyland.disney.go.com/ Main Street parade, and they will spend time at Disneyland. In addition, they will go the Knotts Berry Farm http://www.knotts.com/. I believe they have other activities planned on their itinerary.
I know that for many young people from Lubbock, this will be an experience of a lifetime. More poingantly, for many young people from Lubbock, it will be their first trip out of the South Plains, unless it was involved in a band trip. What an opportunity to introduce young people to parts of the world other than Lubbock. This is a great experience.!
No Biting
Taki is still a kitten. She has learned about "no biting" but still sometimes bites. She has learned she is not always allowed to play with yarn, especially the yarn with which I am knitting, but sometimes, she can not let go.
She is very active and playful. Her attention span is short. And, sometimes she gets into tough situations, involving the other cats, or on her own.
She loves to hide. She has learned that she can not fit into some of her former hiding places. I have a gaggle of sneakers on the floor, and she hides amongst them: I wonder if she instinctively understands the sneakers provide her some camouflage, but whether or not she does know that, it is true.
Like most if not all cats, she likes dens or caves. Dark hiding places. There are plenty in my house: under a single bed with floor length covers, the corner behind my nightstand, under the overhang of the foot of my bed, in the closets, even in the cat carriers.
Taki has learned to be subservient to the adult cats, Sake and Haiku. She does not mess with Haiku much, but likes the sunflower flavored food that Haiku gets at meal time, and she now knows to wait patiently for her own little stack. She may actually abandon canned cat food to seek out the sunflower flavored food.
She is growing and doing well. I hate that she gets underfoot so much, and sometimes because she is underfoot, I step on her or knock into her. The truth is, I still do that sometimes with Haiku. I am not sure why we mis-judge each other's movements, but we do. But even that has slowed down, some because I try to be more diligent, some, because the cats are less rambunctious.
I do not want to destroy Taki's spirit, but I do want her to be appropriately social and to allow me to do all the things I need to do.
She is very active and playful. Her attention span is short. And, sometimes she gets into tough situations, involving the other cats, or on her own.
She loves to hide. She has learned that she can not fit into some of her former hiding places. I have a gaggle of sneakers on the floor, and she hides amongst them: I wonder if she instinctively understands the sneakers provide her some camouflage, but whether or not she does know that, it is true.
Like most if not all cats, she likes dens or caves. Dark hiding places. There are plenty in my house: under a single bed with floor length covers, the corner behind my nightstand, under the overhang of the foot of my bed, in the closets, even in the cat carriers.
Taki has learned to be subservient to the adult cats, Sake and Haiku. She does not mess with Haiku much, but likes the sunflower flavored food that Haiku gets at meal time, and she now knows to wait patiently for her own little stack. She may actually abandon canned cat food to seek out the sunflower flavored food.
She is growing and doing well. I hate that she gets underfoot so much, and sometimes because she is underfoot, I step on her or knock into her. The truth is, I still do that sometimes with Haiku. I am not sure why we mis-judge each other's movements, but we do. But even that has slowed down, some because I try to be more diligent, some, because the cats are less rambunctious.
I do not want to destroy Taki's spirit, but I do want her to be appropriately social and to allow me to do all the things I need to do.
Other Directed
So, I did all the errands I wanted to do, got some DVDs from the library and worked on my project that I had to restart. I feel much better about my progress today and it will be forward progress from here.
I had no special plans for today, except to run a few errands, so I guess what I did was as good as anything. I guess I was not planning on spending most of the day on a project. However, I enjoyed it, and the movies were some of my favorite.
I will continue due diligence on my project.
I had no special plans for today, except to run a few errands, so I guess what I did was as good as anything. I guess I was not planning on spending most of the day on a project. However, I enjoyed it, and the movies were some of my favorite.
I will continue due diligence on my project.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Errors
I thought I was close to finishing a project last night, but imagine my horror this afternoon when I looked at it and realized I had to take some of it apart and redo it. I spent most of the day taking just the first part of the project apart. From there, it should go faster, and then I will begin to go forward with the project, but my hopes to have the project finished this afternoon are gone.
Oh well.
Oh well.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
A Mellow Cat Day
At some point in time today, I have had one or two cats on my lap. And , this has included all of my three cats at one point or another being on my lap or near me on the sofa, switching out. I am so very pleased when any one of my cats want to sit near or on me when I am in the living room on the sofa. To have more than one cat on or me is delightful...I am sorry my cats "switch off" and not all three can be near each other at the same time. But, my cats are cool.
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Cold Weather
It was barely snowing this morning when I got up, and started snowing a little harder when I went out to run errands early. The snowflakes at that time were singular, and each were star shaped in beautiful different patterns. Snow started accumulating on the ground and vehicles.
The flakes have changed and sometimes were very small, and sometimes large and fluffy. Currently, there are intermittent flakes, but never have they accumulated on the streets and sidewalks, and all the accumulated snow on the ground has melted.
It is cold, however. Mid-morning, when I made my second errand run, I saw two accidents in less than a mile on the Loop in Lubbock. The Loop includes bridges over the major streets. The first accident was on the bridge over Indiana, and the second accident was on the bridge over Quaker. The first accident involved a United States Postal Service truck, the back door was wide open, and it appeared empty. I am guessing the contents were on the ground. Obviously, the drivers were not paying attention to the fact that the air was cold and the roads were wet. The drivers going by were traveling much slower than traffic normally progresses on the Loop.
I think I have all of my errands run now. I do not need to go out anywhere, I believe, between now and Monday.
Let it snow!
The flakes have changed and sometimes were very small, and sometimes large and fluffy. Currently, there are intermittent flakes, but never have they accumulated on the streets and sidewalks, and all the accumulated snow on the ground has melted.
It is cold, however. Mid-morning, when I made my second errand run, I saw two accidents in less than a mile on the Loop in Lubbock. The Loop includes bridges over the major streets. The first accident was on the bridge over Indiana, and the second accident was on the bridge over Quaker. The first accident involved a United States Postal Service truck, the back door was wide open, and it appeared empty. I am guessing the contents were on the ground. Obviously, the drivers were not paying attention to the fact that the air was cold and the roads were wet. The drivers going by were traveling much slower than traffic normally progresses on the Loop.
I think I have all of my errands run now. I do not need to go out anywhere, I believe, between now and Monday.
Let it snow!
Nuts
As a Christmas treat, I bought some mixed shelled nuts. I set them out on a bowl on the table, and the first time that Sake got on the table, she picked out an almond and played with it on the floor until it ended up under the TV cart.
I will not be surprised if many other nuts will end up on the floor! What cats I have!
I will not be surprised if many other nuts will end up on the floor! What cats I have!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Crazy Shopping
I went to the nearby yuppie supermarket, Market Street http://www.unitedtexas.com/ , before going home today. It was crazy. There were vehicles parked in non-parking lanes. Yet there were plenty of places to park in the real parking lot, but further from the entrances than the non-parking lanes.
Inside the store, the lines were very long. There were lots of places where customers could sample food, and I tried a couple of things. I bought what I had planned to buy, including some items I can not buy at Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com/ , where I do most of my shopping.
The store was so prepared for the extra shoppers, they had added an extra cashier line.
Saturday morning, I plan a trip to Wal-Mart for my regular weekly shopping. I can not help it that my regular shopping day happens to be Christmas Eve. I could have gone to Wal-Mart tonight, but my experience is that many things I want to buy are missing from the shelves on Friday night. By going early Saturday morning, the shelves will have been re-stocked, and I can get what I want to buy.
Inside the store, the lines were very long. There were lots of places where customers could sample food, and I tried a couple of things. I bought what I had planned to buy, including some items I can not buy at Wal-Mart http://www.walmart.com/ , where I do most of my shopping.
The store was so prepared for the extra shoppers, they had added an extra cashier line.
Saturday morning, I plan a trip to Wal-Mart for my regular weekly shopping. I can not help it that my regular shopping day happens to be Christmas Eve. I could have gone to Wal-Mart tonight, but my experience is that many things I want to buy are missing from the shelves on Friday night. By going early Saturday morning, the shelves will have been re-stocked, and I can get what I want to buy.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Online Library Services
I have to compliment the Lubbock City Library system http://library.ci.lubbock.tx.us/. They truly do a very good job. We all expect libraries to have books. But, this library system has much more: they have art work, DVDs, videos, sound recordings, books on tape (or CDs) for loan.
They participate in inter-library loan, and have even set up so subscribers can request inter-library loans from their home computers. They have books subscribers can down load. Subscribers can request books to be placed on hold. Subscribers can get books at one of the four locations, and return the same at any of the four locations. If a book is not at the location a subscriber prefers to use, they will bring it to that location.
They send email reminders when books are close to being due, and materials can be renewed online. They have various community programs at the libraries. Their community rooms are available to rent for meetings.
They have non-reading activities, such as a knitter's group. They have reading groups, discussion groups, children's activities.
The Lubbock library has a very large and active genealogy section. Patrons can use library only computers to look for library materials, or can access the Internet at the library. They have free wi-fi access.
Years ago, when Tonya came to visit for the summer, and she thought she was too old for day care, she would spend the mornings at the library while I worked.
The librarians are friendly, helpful, courteous and pleasant.
The library did have difficulty dealing with the homeless population of Lubbock that used the downtown main branch as a shelter. I understand it was a problem. The homeless can still use the library, but the library officials have discouraged their loitering by setting up some rules that are reasonable, including no sleeping in the library.
I am so thankful for the library system in Lubbock.
They participate in inter-library loan, and have even set up so subscribers can request inter-library loans from their home computers. They have books subscribers can down load. Subscribers can request books to be placed on hold. Subscribers can get books at one of the four locations, and return the same at any of the four locations. If a book is not at the location a subscriber prefers to use, they will bring it to that location.
They send email reminders when books are close to being due, and materials can be renewed online. They have various community programs at the libraries. Their community rooms are available to rent for meetings.
They have non-reading activities, such as a knitter's group. They have reading groups, discussion groups, children's activities.
The Lubbock library has a very large and active genealogy section. Patrons can use library only computers to look for library materials, or can access the Internet at the library. They have free wi-fi access.
Years ago, when Tonya came to visit for the summer, and she thought she was too old for day care, she would spend the mornings at the library while I worked.
The librarians are friendly, helpful, courteous and pleasant.
The library did have difficulty dealing with the homeless population of Lubbock that used the downtown main branch as a shelter. I understand it was a problem. The homeless can still use the library, but the library officials have discouraged their loitering by setting up some rules that are reasonable, including no sleeping in the library.
I am so thankful for the library system in Lubbock.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Journaling
Today at work, my supervisor gave all of us in her department a notebook for journaling. I have journaled, off and on, since I have been in high school, and some where, in my collection of stuff, I have all of my notebooks in which I have journaled. The notebooks vary in description, and include books for journaling, spiral bound notebooks, and other kinds of notebooks. I am sporadic in my journaling, and for the last several years, have blogged more than journaled. But there are some things that are too private to put on my blog, so when that occurs, I put it in my journal.
Late Night TV Shows
When I was young, occasionally, my parents would allow us to stay up late enough to watch late night TV, which really meant, watching "The Tonight Show. http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/video/ " This was when Jack Paar was the host http://timvp.com/jackpaar.html.
Years later, I became a big fan of Johnny Carson http://johnnycarson.com/, and watching late night TV with Johnny Carson was my habit. And it continued to be my habit for years, until he retired . Then, Jay Leno was the new host. I continued to enjoy Jay Leno http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/. I never did like Dave Letterman http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/ as much as I liked Jay Leno, although I have watched him from time to time. . I do not like Conan O'Brian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show_with_Conan_O'Brien and do not watch his show at all.
I have not watched late night TV for years. I stumbled on it tonight, and I am enjoying it.
Years later, I became a big fan of Johnny Carson http://johnnycarson.com/, and watching late night TV with Johnny Carson was my habit. And it continued to be my habit for years, until he retired . Then, Jay Leno was the new host. I continued to enjoy Jay Leno http://www.nbc.com/the-tonight-show/. I never did like Dave Letterman http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/ as much as I liked Jay Leno, although I have watched him from time to time. . I do not like Conan O'Brian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tonight_Show_with_Conan_O'Brien and do not watch his show at all.
I have not watched late night TV for years. I stumbled on it tonight, and I am enjoying it.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Three Little Cats
This was Catholic Family Service, Inc. (in January, 2012, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Lubbock) board meeting tonight. I went home to feed the cats, then went on to the meeting, which often includes a Mass and a very good meal.
So, when I got home, I changed into comfortable clothes and started doing my computer reading and correspondence. About an hour and a half after I arrived home, I turned around and saw three cats just sitting in the computer room, staring at me. I have no idea what that was all about. Sake, I know wanted a treat. She had already been given a treat after I got home from the meeting, and did not eat it. Haiku and Taki ate their treats. But, everyone wanted something.
Hmmm.
So, when I got home, I changed into comfortable clothes and started doing my computer reading and correspondence. About an hour and a half after I arrived home, I turned around and saw three cats just sitting in the computer room, staring at me. I have no idea what that was all about. Sake, I know wanted a treat. She had already been given a treat after I got home from the meeting, and did not eat it. Haiku and Taki ate their treats. But, everyone wanted something.
Hmmm.
A Rude Awakening
I have written before about waking up and thinking it was a day off, then realizing that I had to go to work. I went through a spell, in November, when I spent Thursday thinking it was Friday, and on Friday, being disappointed about having to go to work.
This morning, when I woke up, I had no concept of going to work. Part of that has to do with my Sunday night: I usually at least think about work the next day, but did not, Sunday night. I watched sports and a movie, knitted, read, computered. And, when I went to bed, I did not consider that I had to wake up in the morning and go to work.
I have an alarm that rings every day, even the weekends. And, I snooze it or shut it off when I am not ready to get up. This morning, I did not even consider getting up. Until about an hour later. I woke up without the alarm, and realized I needed to get up for work.
This morning, when I woke up, I had no concept of going to work. Part of that has to do with my Sunday night: I usually at least think about work the next day, but did not, Sunday night. I watched sports and a movie, knitted, read, computered. And, when I went to bed, I did not consider that I had to wake up in the morning and go to work.
I have an alarm that rings every day, even the weekends. And, I snooze it or shut it off when I am not ready to get up. This morning, I did not even consider getting up. Until about an hour later. I woke up without the alarm, and realized I needed to get up for work.
The Continuing Saga of the Toilet Tissue Toy
So, when I came home from work today, there were trails of toilet tissue in the bedroom and the living room, and the roll was in the living room. Taki seemed to know that was a no no, but I did not get mad and again, almost laughed. I just picked everything up and put the roll higher up that it was before. Maybe we are competing for the honor of who can out do who.
Scrub My Neck
So, while I was writing the previous piece, Haiku came upon me and wanted some attention. In particular, she wanted me to scratch or scrub her neck. I am not sure what that was about. Of course, I accommodated her. Very strange.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
In Harm's Way
As did Sake and Haiku in their youth, Taki has an affinity for destroying rolls of toilet tissue. Today was no exception: there was a partial roll in the bathroom, and Taki rolled it around, and eventually brought it into the living room where she demolished it. (I thought I had placed this roll out of harm's way.)
I put a new roll in the bathroom, on top of the wicker basket that sits on top of the tank. I thought that was out of harm's way. Well, some 15 or so minutes ago, the new roll of tissue was being batted around on the living room floor.
I could not be angry, and instead just laughed out loud and long. I cleaned up the mess, and in the process, could see the look of bewilderment on Taki's face in regards to why this was not allowed.
I put a new roll in the bathroom, on top of the wicker basket that sits on top of the tank. I thought that was out of harm's way. Well, some 15 or so minutes ago, the new roll of tissue was being batted around on the living room floor.
I could not be angry, and instead just laughed out loud and long. I cleaned up the mess, and in the process, could see the look of bewilderment on Taki's face in regards to why this was not allowed.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Getting Along
I do not pretend to understand cat language, but I have to believe that my three cats are not friends. I know, from the way Sake and Haiku behaved for years, that they had struck an uneasy truce and tried to stay out of each other's way. With the inclusion of Taki, things have changes. I know I have written about Haiku's change: she is still a very mild mannered, gentle, compliant cat, but now she is not adverse to biting or otherwise complaining about what is occuring to her disliking, which is a departure from her previous demeanor.
Sake is still the "bitch kitty" and mostly in charge. She asks for special privileges, like going outside and getting fresh greens, and especially on the weekends, I try to acccomodate her.
Haiku is still very mellow. She will now occasionally "bite" but I think it is mostly attention seeking and she does not hurt with these "bites" if you can call them that.
Taki is a dervish. She has lots of energy, and loves to play, run, and otherwise be active. After the accident in the garage, I am not ready to allow her to return to the garage, and although, sometimes she sits at the door, she is not insistent about returning to the gararge, for which I am grateful.
Sake is still the "bitch kitty" and mostly in charge. She asks for special privileges, like going outside and getting fresh greens, and especially on the weekends, I try to acccomodate her.
Haiku is still very mellow. She will now occasionally "bite" but I think it is mostly attention seeking and she does not hurt with these "bites" if you can call them that.
Taki is a dervish. She has lots of energy, and loves to play, run, and otherwise be active. After the accident in the garage, I am not ready to allow her to return to the garage, and although, sometimes she sits at the door, she is not insistent about returning to the gararge, for which I am grateful.
Weekday Stress Tells
Due to a number of factors, work has become very stressful lately. I am finding it more and more difficult to get up early for work. Which is not bad: if I get up early, I go to work early, and put in overtime that I should not be working. So, going to work a little later in the morning is not such a bad thing, as long as I arrive for the morning meetings I am required to attend, usually, at 9 AM, and I am getting to work at 8 AM or shortly thereafter.
I also have a tendency to work too late, because there is one more thing I want to do. I have become better about this, especially when I have activities during the evening, and I need to leave in time to feed the cats, then arrive at my activity.
I just find it fascinating that during the week, it is difficult for me to get up at 5:30 AM, when my alarm first goes off. But, on the weekend, I am often wide awake and ready to rise before 5:30 AM.
Additionally, when I get home from work, feed cats, have dinner, read mail, read computer stuff, sometimes I am done in by 8:30 or 9 PM. Yet, on a weekend day, when I am often much more physically active doing housework, yard work and other chores, I am not ready for bed as early, and am ready to arise much earlier.
I have experiences this phenomenon before: when I am on vacation, I awaken earlier, and go to bed later. I know that this is a function of not suffering from mental stress. It just amazes me that the difference is so remarkable.
I also have a tendency to work too late, because there is one more thing I want to do. I have become better about this, especially when I have activities during the evening, and I need to leave in time to feed the cats, then arrive at my activity.
I just find it fascinating that during the week, it is difficult for me to get up at 5:30 AM, when my alarm first goes off. But, on the weekend, I am often wide awake and ready to rise before 5:30 AM.
Additionally, when I get home from work, feed cats, have dinner, read mail, read computer stuff, sometimes I am done in by 8:30 or 9 PM. Yet, on a weekend day, when I am often much more physically active doing housework, yard work and other chores, I am not ready for bed as early, and am ready to arise much earlier.
I have experiences this phenomenon before: when I am on vacation, I awaken earlier, and go to bed later. I know that this is a function of not suffering from mental stress. It just amazes me that the difference is so remarkable.
Christmas Decorations
I would love to have indoor Christmas decorations, but I am not sure I want to risk it this year: when I got out the lights to string outside, they became instant playthings for my cats, especially the baby, who was bent on chewing on cords and light bulbs. So much so, that as I had a string ready to bring outside, and left the others inside on the living room floor, I put Taki in the computer room, so she could not chew on light strings.
I am not yet brave enough to risk other l potentially dangerous decorations. Thanks to a sister, I have lots of Christmas towels and pot holders, and a brother sent a floor mat. I can set those things out.
Maybe, next year.
I am not yet brave enough to risk other l potentially dangerous decorations. Thanks to a sister, I have lots of Christmas towels and pot holders, and a brother sent a floor mat. I can set those things out.
Maybe, next year.
Christmas Lights
Some years, I have the mental energy to display Christmas lights, and some years, I do not. I had thought I would display lights this year, but did not get them out in November when the weather was fair, and the last two weekends have not been very pleasant. But, in the back of mind, I wanted to do some lights. Today was semi-pleasant, so I did get lights out. In the recent past, I have wrapped the Nandina bush and strung lights along the ivy in the front of my house. I decided this year that I would just wrap the Nandina. Two strings of lights from last year had large outages. So, I replaced bulbs in the rest, and bought one new string for wrapping the Nandina.
I keep thinking I want to do lighted candy canes, but have not found the sort of display that I want to do. I will keep looking.
I keep thinking I want to do lighted candy canes, but have not found the sort of display that I want to do. I will keep looking.
Easy Listening
I love what is termed "easy listening" music. It might be 40's, 50's, 60's and some later music, especially New Age. It is often big band style music, cabaret music, and sometimes musical music.
I am not sure why I like this music. Some of it has to do with remembering songs that my parents liked. Some of it has to do with enjoying music sung by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como. Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney, and others.
There are some folks who would say this is boring music, repetitious and uninspiring. That maybe true to some. But to me it soothes the soul. I am grateful that my cable company offers a variety of musical selections, and easy listening is one of them, only they call it "Singers and Swing."
I am not sure why I like this music. Some of it has to do with remembering songs that my parents liked. Some of it has to do with enjoying music sung by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como. Johnny Mathis, and Rosemary Clooney, and others.
There are some folks who would say this is boring music, repetitious and uninspiring. That maybe true to some. But to me it soothes the soul. I am grateful that my cable company offers a variety of musical selections, and easy listening is one of them, only they call it "Singers and Swing."
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Movies with a Message
I re watched Invictus http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index.html or http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/ tonight. If you are not familiar with the movie, it is the story of Nelson Mandela, newly elected President of South Africa, enjoining the forces of the rugby team to inspire the nation to a sense of unity.
I really like sports movies that actually have a greater good theme. And, many sports movies do.
I think it is important to recognize the influence of Clint Eastwood http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/bio in movies that have more than an entertainment theme. He has risen from TV heart throb Rowdy Yates in Rawhide to spaghetti western star to a very talented actor, producer, director of some very important movies. Yeah Clint Eastwood. And, in the process, he was mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
So, Invictus is just one movie with a message, and Clint Eastwood has supplied us many more.
I really like sports movies that actually have a greater good theme. And, many sports movies do.
I think it is important to recognize the influence of Clint Eastwood http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000142/bio in movies that have more than an entertainment theme. He has risen from TV heart throb Rowdy Yates in Rawhide to spaghetti western star to a very talented actor, producer, director of some very important movies. Yeah Clint Eastwood. And, in the process, he was mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
So, Invictus is just one movie with a message, and Clint Eastwood has supplied us many more.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Appeasing A West Texas Cat
The morning dawned balmy, what a pleasant experience this morning.
When I went home tonight, the air had a definite chill, much colder than the morning air.
When I got home tonight, Sake wanted to be in the garage, which was agreeable to me while I was feeding.
Shortly after, she came back into the house, and started to complain. She climbed on a dining area chair and tried to get on the window sill under the blinds. With the blinds down and the window closed, the window sill is all but non-existent. Basically, not available to her. So then, she tried to get on the window sills on the windows behind the sofa in the living room. Basically, the set up is the same as the window in the dining area: there are blinds on the windows, and no place for the cat to be. Unless we make a place by opening the windows. No place for Sake.
Sometime later, after much complaining, I took Sake outside. I showed her the cold and wet. I returned her to the house, and cut some rye grass from the front yard and brought it in for Sake. She just immediately settled down, chewed on some of the grass clippings, and later vomited, as she does, when she eats grass.
I am not sure why she eats grass and vomits so much, but I really believe it has to do with the amount of cat hair she consumes: She consumes so much, she needs help to expectorate it. I hate that it causes her so much distress, but I am not sure what else to do.
Well, today, Sake wanted out and to access some balmy West Texas air and grass. It did not happen, but Sake was appeased, somewhat, by having grass cuttings brought in.
And the truth be known, by the time I got home from work, the weather was no longer balmy, and Sake would not have enjoyed the outside air.
When I went home tonight, the air had a definite chill, much colder than the morning air.
When I got home tonight, Sake wanted to be in the garage, which was agreeable to me while I was feeding.
Shortly after, she came back into the house, and started to complain. She climbed on a dining area chair and tried to get on the window sill under the blinds. With the blinds down and the window closed, the window sill is all but non-existent. Basically, not available to her. So then, she tried to get on the window sills on the windows behind the sofa in the living room. Basically, the set up is the same as the window in the dining area: there are blinds on the windows, and no place for the cat to be. Unless we make a place by opening the windows. No place for Sake.
Sometime later, after much complaining, I took Sake outside. I showed her the cold and wet. I returned her to the house, and cut some rye grass from the front yard and brought it in for Sake. She just immediately settled down, chewed on some of the grass clippings, and later vomited, as she does, when she eats grass.
I am not sure why she eats grass and vomits so much, but I really believe it has to do with the amount of cat hair she consumes: She consumes so much, she needs help to expectorate it. I hate that it causes her so much distress, but I am not sure what else to do.
Well, today, Sake wanted out and to access some balmy West Texas air and grass. It did not happen, but Sake was appeased, somewhat, by having grass cuttings brought in.
And the truth be known, by the time I got home from work, the weather was no longer balmy, and Sake would not have enjoyed the outside air.
I Think My Car is Idiot Proof
The 2008 Saturn Vue I own is a very nice car. Not top of the line, but with some nice bells and whistles. One of the features I really appreciate is the OnStar Safe and Sound feature: basic Onstar that provides a monthly diagnostic, that includes oil life, reminders about maintenance, on demand diagnostics, and help in emergencies. For the money, it is a little pricey, but I have paid for it after the first complementary year subscription. I like the idea of having that safety feature built in. I do not do much traveling, but when I do, On Star is there if I need it.
I think I have written about the fact that my insurance company, State Farm Insurance, has coupled with OnStar to determine my driving patterns, with my permission and enrollment, and that has resulted in my getting a low mileage discount from my insurance. It does not pay for the cost of the OnStar, but I am going to pay for both, anyway, so if there is any way that OnStar can save me money on car insurance, I want to take advantage.
One of the features I have written about is the tire pressure sensor feature: more than once, I have been alerted to a slag tire. I get reports from On Star, but the vehicle also has a tire sensor feature that appears on the dashboard, when I have a slag tire.
My car has an alarm if I, or a front seat passenger, does not buckle the seat beat.
My car has an alarm if I do not shut off the headlights. Well, the headlights turn on automatically when I turn on the vehicle. So, I am not sure why I need to turn the headlights on, but the owner's manual suggests doing so, when it is time appropriate to turn on the headlights. Sometimes I remember to do so, sometimes, I do not.
Well, Monday night, after work, I had errands to run and did so before going home. It was grey due to rain, and the night darkness came a little early. So, driving home, I turned on the headlights. I am sure, when I parked the car in the garage, that the "headlights are on" alarm sounded, and I ignored it. I am not sure why or how I ignored it, but I have done that more than once. The car sat in the garage Monday night. I was in and out of the garage several times, Monday after I arrived home, to feed the cats and access the kitty litter.
Even after I was done feeding the cats, I walked back and forth by the door to the garage. There is a window in the door leading to the garage. Even after the garage was dark, I did not notice that the headlights were on.
Tuesday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I was loading the car with my lunch box, purse and a roadie drink, and noticed that the headlight control indicated the headlights were on. They were not. The car started immediately (I have a fairly new battery.) I have to think that my car has an idiot proof automatic sensor that turns off the headlights if the vehicle is shut off and the lights are not turned off. Because, Monday night, the headlights were not on!
Thank you idiot proof sensors.
I think I have written about the fact that my insurance company, State Farm Insurance, has coupled with OnStar to determine my driving patterns, with my permission and enrollment, and that has resulted in my getting a low mileage discount from my insurance. It does not pay for the cost of the OnStar, but I am going to pay for both, anyway, so if there is any way that OnStar can save me money on car insurance, I want to take advantage.
One of the features I have written about is the tire pressure sensor feature: more than once, I have been alerted to a slag tire. I get reports from On Star, but the vehicle also has a tire sensor feature that appears on the dashboard, when I have a slag tire.
My car has an alarm if I, or a front seat passenger, does not buckle the seat beat.
My car has an alarm if I do not shut off the headlights. Well, the headlights turn on automatically when I turn on the vehicle. So, I am not sure why I need to turn the headlights on, but the owner's manual suggests doing so, when it is time appropriate to turn on the headlights. Sometimes I remember to do so, sometimes, I do not.
Well, Monday night, after work, I had errands to run and did so before going home. It was grey due to rain, and the night darkness came a little early. So, driving home, I turned on the headlights. I am sure, when I parked the car in the garage, that the "headlights are on" alarm sounded, and I ignored it. I am not sure why or how I ignored it, but I have done that more than once. The car sat in the garage Monday night. I was in and out of the garage several times, Monday after I arrived home, to feed the cats and access the kitty litter.
Even after I was done feeding the cats, I walked back and forth by the door to the garage. There is a window in the door leading to the garage. Even after the garage was dark, I did not notice that the headlights were on.
Tuesday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I was loading the car with my lunch box, purse and a roadie drink, and noticed that the headlight control indicated the headlights were on. They were not. The car started immediately (I have a fairly new battery.) I have to think that my car has an idiot proof automatic sensor that turns off the headlights if the vehicle is shut off and the lights are not turned off. Because, Monday night, the headlights were not on!
Thank you idiot proof sensors.
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Winter Sky
There was a time in my life when, during Lent, my family would walk, as a family, to the Roman Catholic church in our town to say the Stations of the Cross. Those evenings are special to me, in my memory, for many reasons. One of the reasons is that during those walks, the evening sky was often clear, and we took great delight in identifying constellations.
I do not see those constellations in Lubbock, I think because the ambient light is too bright. When I lived in the country, we did see those constellations.
I still enjoy looking at the constellations in the sky.
I do not see those constellations in Lubbock, I think because the ambient light is too bright. When I lived in the country, we did see those constellations.
I still enjoy looking at the constellations in the sky.
The Night Sky
It was midnight dark well before 7 PM tonight. I have not noticed that lately, but of course, the last two nights, I was out and not paying attention to how dark it gets, and when it gets that dark. Tonight, the house felt enveloped in the dark.
That is strange. But we are moving towards the shortest day, and conversely, the longest night, of the year
In Lubbock, the day length change is very noticeable. Which is very interesting. And, very exciting as the day length increases!
That is strange. But we are moving towards the shortest day, and conversely, the longest night, of the year
In Lubbock, the day length change is very noticeable. Which is very interesting. And, very exciting as the day length increases!
The Moon at 5 PM
I left work at about 5:15 PM today. The drive out of the unit is to the east. As I drove east, I noticed a shadow of the moon in the eastern sky. It was full daylight. I can not remember if I have ever seen the moon that low in the eastern sky during full daylight. I am not sure how that happened, including if it was due to some reflecting rays off of snow or something somewhere. It was amazing!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Airing Up the Tires
Okay, so this is my fault and something I did not prepare for. A short time ago, I received a notice from OnStar that I had a slag tire. That day was cold, so I filled the offending tire, but did not check the rest. Bad move. They were all a little low, and as the temperature drops, the tire pressure drops. A matter of physics.
When I left work today, the indicator light for low tire pressure was on. I went to a free air/water dispenser at a local gasoline stop. I waited and waited and waited, circling around to get a chance to get to the air compressor. Finally, I was able to get myself in line to use the air compressor.
As I was filling the tires with air, a gentleman who was at one of the gas pumps nearby asked me if I wanted help... That was very nice. He was not pumping gas, and he was not in line to use the air compressor. He was just being gallant and gentlemanly. I was tempted to accept his offer of help, but there was no reason he should have been out in the cold filling my tires, when it is my responsibility to do so.
I took my time checking the tire pressure and filling the tires. I was on the fourth tire, when a young woman came up to me and asked me if I needed help. She was in a car waiting to use the air compressor. I told her I did not need help, I was just slow. When I finished, I turned the compressor hose over to another person who was in line before her. She was not very happy. I am sorry.
There was a line of cars, and I suspect they were all experiencing what I was; a marginally inflated tire was under inflated due to the cold weather effecting the air pressure of the tire.
When I left work today, the indicator light for low tire pressure was on. I went to a free air/water dispenser at a local gasoline stop. I waited and waited and waited, circling around to get a chance to get to the air compressor. Finally, I was able to get myself in line to use the air compressor.
As I was filling the tires with air, a gentleman who was at one of the gas pumps nearby asked me if I wanted help... That was very nice. He was not pumping gas, and he was not in line to use the air compressor. He was just being gallant and gentlemanly. I was tempted to accept his offer of help, but there was no reason he should have been out in the cold filling my tires, when it is my responsibility to do so.
I took my time checking the tire pressure and filling the tires. I was on the fourth tire, when a young woman came up to me and asked me if I needed help. She was in a car waiting to use the air compressor. I told her I did not need help, I was just slow. When I finished, I turned the compressor hose over to another person who was in line before her. She was not very happy. I am sorry.
There was a line of cars, and I suspect they were all experiencing what I was; a marginally inflated tire was under inflated due to the cold weather effecting the air pressure of the tire.
The Storm Blew In
The snow storm blew in over night. It was just a few inches of snow, but lots of blowing and bitter cold wind. If the temperature was above freezing today, it was not there for very long. By the end of the day, there was ice on the roads in spots, and driving was becoming treacherous.
I did not get up early but took my time getting to work. I got to work on time. It was cold, cold and windy walking out to the vehicle at the end of the day.
This is the kind of weather that requires us to be careful: to prevent exposure injuries (frostbite), to prevent needless vehicular accidents (skids and uncontrolled slides), and household problems: frozen pipes, power outages, careless fires.
Do prevention and be careful.
I did not get up early but took my time getting to work. I got to work on time. It was cold, cold and windy walking out to the vehicle at the end of the day.
This is the kind of weather that requires us to be careful: to prevent exposure injuries (frostbite), to prevent needless vehicular accidents (skids and uncontrolled slides), and household problems: frozen pipes, power outages, careless fires.
Do prevention and be careful.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Cat Comfort
Two of my cats sought repose on my lap today. I am always pleased and thankful when one of my cats wants to seek repose on my lap. But today, two did. This morning, Haiku climbed on my lap and stayed for more than three hours. That was thrilling!
Tonight, Taki was on my lap for about an hour. That, too, was thrilling.
In addition to having Taki on my lap tonight, Haiku was on the sofa, and Sake, was across the room on the futon.
So, my cats were all reposing with me in the living room. How wonderful!
I really enjoy my cats sitting on my lap. But some times, I have to disturb them. Even so, I enjoy their company.
Tonight, Taki was on my lap for about an hour. That, too, was thrilling.
In addition to having Taki on my lap tonight, Haiku was on the sofa, and Sake, was across the room on the futon.
So, my cats were all reposing with me in the living room. How wonderful!
I really enjoy my cats sitting on my lap. But some times, I have to disturb them. Even so, I enjoy their company.
Being Prepared
I grew up in New England, in a family that was practical and careful. One of the things I learned from my upbringing was to be prepared: We knew when there was a winter storm brewing, and we were prepared. That meant we arose early enough to dig out the drive way (or snow blow it in later years). We arose early enough to allow extra time to arrive at whatever destinations we needed to achieve. We were prepared.
We paid attention to the weather forecasts, and made sure we were ready for whatever occurred.
When I moved to West Texas, I was surprised. From what I could tell, people really did not plan for contingencies having to do with the weather. If a storm was forecast and blew in, everything stopped or was late. People did not seem to plan to start early because of a storm. Rain could deter activities, including going shopping, or going to the doctor.
Some people had tornado shelters, but not everyone did. Some people who did not have tornado shelters had plans if tornadoes occurred, but not everyone did.
The weather service, the municipal powers and the local media encourage people to have an emergency kit. As if this is a new and previously unheard of idea. Who would not have an emergency kit in case of a disaster. Mine is not elaborate, but includes provisions for myself and my cats. Because my "shelter" is the closet in my bedroom, I have a lot of stuff readily available with my emergency kit. If I had to take shelter, my purse with my ID, credit cards, my cell phone, and such would be with me.
For winter weather, I have equipment to "dig out." I have emergency equipment in my vehicle, including a blanket for warmth, in case of being stuck. I am not the most prepared person there is, but I have made some preparations.
Something is better than nothing.
We paid attention to the weather forecasts, and made sure we were ready for whatever occurred.
When I moved to West Texas, I was surprised. From what I could tell, people really did not plan for contingencies having to do with the weather. If a storm was forecast and blew in, everything stopped or was late. People did not seem to plan to start early because of a storm. Rain could deter activities, including going shopping, or going to the doctor.
Some people had tornado shelters, but not everyone did. Some people who did not have tornado shelters had plans if tornadoes occurred, but not everyone did.
The weather service, the municipal powers and the local media encourage people to have an emergency kit. As if this is a new and previously unheard of idea. Who would not have an emergency kit in case of a disaster. Mine is not elaborate, but includes provisions for myself and my cats. Because my "shelter" is the closet in my bedroom, I have a lot of stuff readily available with my emergency kit. If I had to take shelter, my purse with my ID, credit cards, my cell phone, and such would be with me.
For winter weather, I have equipment to "dig out." I have emergency equipment in my vehicle, including a blanket for warmth, in case of being stuck. I am not the most prepared person there is, but I have made some preparations.
Something is better than nothing.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Favorite Poems
I just finished reading the book A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. In it, some favorite poems of some of the characters were quoted. They were two of my favorite poems ( I have many favorite poems.) Quoted were lines from The Lay of the Last Minstrel by Sir Walter Scott http://scott-minstrel.cath.vt.edu/select.php?select=Canto.VI and from High Flight by John Gillespie Magee.
This is one of a series of murder mysteries, and in other volumes, other poetry is quoted. This time the chief inspector quotes these poems, and one of the deceased characters is attributed to quote The Lay of the Last Minstrel.
The deceased character who quoted poetry to his children loved his children dearly, but somehow, the family became dysfunctional. That happens.
My father quoted and misquoted poetry to us. I loved it. And, through the years, I quote and misquote poetry to myself. Poetry keeps me company. I am so blessed that my father instilled in me the love of poetry.
This is one of a series of murder mysteries, and in other volumes, other poetry is quoted. This time the chief inspector quotes these poems, and one of the deceased characters is attributed to quote The Lay of the Last Minstrel.
The deceased character who quoted poetry to his children loved his children dearly, but somehow, the family became dysfunctional. That happens.
My father quoted and misquoted poetry to us. I loved it. And, through the years, I quote and misquote poetry to myself. Poetry keeps me company. I am so blessed that my father instilled in me the love of poetry.
Tumbleweed
I have previously written about the wind storm which we experienced on November 26, 2011. One of the consequences of that wind storm was a major influx of tumbleweed. When I drove to work Monday morning after the storm, the tumbleweed were lined up all along the fences and intermixed with the plants along the entry way to the prison where I work. This is not surprising, as the prison is outside of Lubbock proper, in the open fields, with nothing to stop the tumbleweed influx.
I lived for a while in the country, and after a wind storm in the winter and spring, we did "tumbleweed management." It required a day with some wind. We would removed the tumbleweed stack up on everywhere: on fences, in hedgerows, along house walls, and where ever else something could stop a rolling tumbleweed. We would take the tumbleweed to an area that did not offer an obstruction, and release it to roll on, to gather at some other obstacle.
Years ago, I think in the winter of 2002, I was traveling northeast of Lubbock, and a windstorm blew in. The tumbleweed blowing across the road was incessant, with tumbleweed after tumbleweed after tumbleweed rolling past. It was just amazing!
The first year I lived in Lubbock, I was at the post office in early December mailing Christmas presents. The young man ahead of me had a large box: probably more that 24 inches high (I am thinking 30-36 inches high) and about 18 inches wide on each side. The postal clerk commented on how light it was. The customer said he was sending a tumbleweed home to a friend for Christmas, just to prove they really existed, and how big they could be.
As a youth, my family listened to country and western music, and I am always reminded of the song "Tumbling Tumbleweed." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbling_Tumbleweeds http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/sons-of-the-pioneers/tumbling-tumbleweeds-13413.html
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/sons-of-the-pioneers/tumbling-tumbleweeds-13413.html
Seeing tumbelweed, even in this day and age, when the west is not as isolated and lonely as it was, the song speaks to me of the isolation and loneliness of the prairie, the wide open plains, and the impact of the wind on this part of the world.
I lived for a while in the country, and after a wind storm in the winter and spring, we did "tumbleweed management." It required a day with some wind. We would removed the tumbleweed stack up on everywhere: on fences, in hedgerows, along house walls, and where ever else something could stop a rolling tumbleweed. We would take the tumbleweed to an area that did not offer an obstruction, and release it to roll on, to gather at some other obstacle.
Years ago, I think in the winter of 2002, I was traveling northeast of Lubbock, and a windstorm blew in. The tumbleweed blowing across the road was incessant, with tumbleweed after tumbleweed after tumbleweed rolling past. It was just amazing!
The first year I lived in Lubbock, I was at the post office in early December mailing Christmas presents. The young man ahead of me had a large box: probably more that 24 inches high (I am thinking 30-36 inches high) and about 18 inches wide on each side. The postal clerk commented on how light it was. The customer said he was sending a tumbleweed home to a friend for Christmas, just to prove they really existed, and how big they could be.
As a youth, my family listened to country and western music, and I am always reminded of the song "Tumbling Tumbleweed." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tumbling_Tumbleweeds http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/sons-of-the-pioneers/tumbling-tumbleweeds-13413.html
http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/sons-of-the-pioneers/tumbling-tumbleweeds-13413.html
Seeing tumbelweed, even in this day and age, when the west is not as isolated and lonely as it was, the song speaks to me of the isolation and loneliness of the prairie, the wide open plains, and the impact of the wind on this part of the world.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Wind Storm
Before I moved to West Texas, I did not think of a wind storm as a weather event. But I have since learned that a wind storm is truly a weather event. Today, we had a wind storm . The ambient temperature was not that bad, but the wind blew in incessantly from the north. This made the wind chill very cold. The wind persisted throughout the day. It was not so strong as to cause major damage, but it was so strong as to impact ambient pedestrians: it was COLD. It was CHILLING. It was UNCOMFORTABLE.
This is West Texas, and what a wind storm does.
This is West Texas, and what a wind storm does.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Indecision
Sake likes to sit in the garage in the mornings. More mornings than not, I have to herd her back into the house when I am ready to go to work. This morning, she was in the garage, and as I went in and out as my morning routine requires, she watched me, as if expecting me to tell her it was time to go into the house. She seemed to want to go in, but could not decide for a while. Eventually she decided it was time to come into the house.
Later in the morning, she asked to go out. But, then she was not sure. I carried her outside, and she sniffed into the wind. She does not like wind. She decided not to go out. A few minutes later, she asked to go out. She was not out 20 minutes and asked to come in. But even then, she was not sure. That is okay. She can go in and out today. One of the luxuries of a day off for me is to be able to give her that option.
Later in the morning, she asked to go out. But, then she was not sure. I carried her outside, and she sniffed into the wind. She does not like wind. She decided not to go out. A few minutes later, she asked to go out. She was not out 20 minutes and asked to come in. But even then, she was not sure. That is okay. She can go in and out today. One of the luxuries of a day off for me is to be able to give her that option.
Happy Thanksgiving
This is the greeting I sent to my family and friends this year. I hope they do not mind if I share it here:
To all of you, my wish is for you to have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving. Every day I am reminded about how much I have to be thankful for: Family, Friends, Freedom. Opportunities to enjoy and appreciate life. The opportunity to believe in God and express my beliefs safely. Health and the opportunity to seek health care if I need to. A community in which I can live without having to constantly worry about my safety, and to know that when I have a concern about my safety, there are services in place to help me. A country that appreciates these things, and those who safeguard these things for us, and sets aside times throughout the year to commemorate the people who safeguard these things.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Breaking Bread and Sharing Recipes
We have entered the Holiday Season. Some would say it starts with Thanksgiving, but I almost have to believe it begins with Halloween. I say that because Halloween involves a lot of traditions: scary costumes, ghosts, goblins, trick or treat. And trick or treat means lots of goodies: home made or store bought.
Then, comes Thanksgiving. The traditional meal for Thanksgiving has lots of variations, but most of them include turkey, gravy, potatoes, some vegetables, typically green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, dressing, salad, condiments of quite a variety, and pies, mostly pumpkin, pecan, and apple, but any, really.
After Thanksgiving, things really ramp up: Almost every group, organization, association, and work setting has some sort of recognition of the holiday season: lunch, party, spread, desserts, gala, whatever. We eat ourselves silly into the holidays.
Then comes Christmas, with another special meal. Often similar to Thanksgiving, but not always. Sometime during this season, families with Hispanic backgrounds make tamales for the delicacy of the season. Many families prefer ham to turkey.
A week later, comes New Years. Since many people party the night before, many families do lighter meals for New Years Day. And different people have different food traditions. Where I grew up, pickled herring was a tradition, as was kielbasa. In the south, Black Eyed Peas are an important food to be consumed on New Years, for good luck. http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/restaurantslocalcuisine/a/blackeyedpeas.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea. I have heard that Black Eyed Peas being good luck food was a marketing ploy for canned foods. The websites indicate the tradition may be older than marketing canned foods.
And, we share recipes during this time of year, so you can have something that is important to my family in terms of food.
I did not think about it until I was at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in the 1970's and a professor talked about the importance of sharing food and breaking bread: She talked about how our mothers make our favorite foods when we return from an absence. She talked about how people seem to negotiate, conversate, interact better over food. She was so right.
In addition to breaking bread with each other, the other thing that seems to bind us is sharing recipes. It makes sense: I want you to have the recipe that I have that I so enjoy. Even if we can not break bread together, we can be joined by common recipes. And, this is the season that recipe sharing and breaking bread predominates our social gatherings.
These are good things to appreciate and enjoy. But what is most important is to appreciate the people in our live with whom we do break bread and share recipes.
Then, comes Thanksgiving. The traditional meal for Thanksgiving has lots of variations, but most of them include turkey, gravy, potatoes, some vegetables, typically green beans, corn, sweet potatoes, dressing, salad, condiments of quite a variety, and pies, mostly pumpkin, pecan, and apple, but any, really.
After Thanksgiving, things really ramp up: Almost every group, organization, association, and work setting has some sort of recognition of the holiday season: lunch, party, spread, desserts, gala, whatever. We eat ourselves silly into the holidays.
Then comes Christmas, with another special meal. Often similar to Thanksgiving, but not always. Sometime during this season, families with Hispanic backgrounds make tamales for the delicacy of the season. Many families prefer ham to turkey.
A week later, comes New Years. Since many people party the night before, many families do lighter meals for New Years Day. And different people have different food traditions. Where I grew up, pickled herring was a tradition, as was kielbasa. In the south, Black Eyed Peas are an important food to be consumed on New Years, for good luck. http://gosoutheast.about.com/od/restaurantslocalcuisine/a/blackeyedpeas.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black-eyed_pea. I have heard that Black Eyed Peas being good luck food was a marketing ploy for canned foods. The websites indicate the tradition may be older than marketing canned foods.
And, we share recipes during this time of year, so you can have something that is important to my family in terms of food.
I did not think about it until I was at the College of Our Lady of the Elms in the 1970's and a professor talked about the importance of sharing food and breaking bread: She talked about how our mothers make our favorite foods when we return from an absence. She talked about how people seem to negotiate, conversate, interact better over food. She was so right.
In addition to breaking bread with each other, the other thing that seems to bind us is sharing recipes. It makes sense: I want you to have the recipe that I have that I so enjoy. Even if we can not break bread together, we can be joined by common recipes. And, this is the season that recipe sharing and breaking bread predominates our social gatherings.
These are good things to appreciate and enjoy. But what is most important is to appreciate the people in our live with whom we do break bread and share recipes.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
I Did Not Know
I took Taki into the veterinarian today for her spay operation. She did not complain about not being able to eat last night or this morning. She barely complained about the ride to the veterinarian. She hissed at the veterinarian technician who took her in. That makes me feel bad. She is a feisty little girl, but she passively accepted what I did to her. Oh, I feel so mean!
I did not know how much this was going to affect me. I have taken Sake and Haiku in for spay operations before. I hated leaving both, but this was different. I felt sick. I drove away, and about a quarter mile down the road, the seat belt alarm went off: this is me, who tells herself when she buys gas at Wal-Mart that she does not need a seat belt to move the car to a parking spot. But when she parks the car, has to undo a seat belt, anyway.
I was able to sink myself into work. But tonight, at the house, although I have spent time with Sake and Haiku, I miss Taki very much. This probably should not come as a surprise to me, but it does.
When Taki was very, very little, I did not let myself get too attached, because I was afraid she would not survive. So we are not a cuddly crew. But I do so love her. And, tonight, I miss her. I am so thankful for the companionship and love of Haiku and Sake. But there is room for Taki in my heart.
I did not know how much this was going to affect me. I have taken Sake and Haiku in for spay operations before. I hated leaving both, but this was different. I felt sick. I drove away, and about a quarter mile down the road, the seat belt alarm went off: this is me, who tells herself when she buys gas at Wal-Mart that she does not need a seat belt to move the car to a parking spot. But when she parks the car, has to undo a seat belt, anyway.
I was able to sink myself into work. But tonight, at the house, although I have spent time with Sake and Haiku, I miss Taki very much. This probably should not come as a surprise to me, but it does.
When Taki was very, very little, I did not let myself get too attached, because I was afraid she would not survive. So we are not a cuddly crew. But I do so love her. And, tonight, I miss her. I am so thankful for the companionship and love of Haiku and Sake. But there is room for Taki in my heart.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Difficult Aspects of Pet Ownership
Recently, a dear friend went through the hardest of aspects of having a pet. A long time pet had to be euthanized, and my friend and her husband had to make the decision. How do you explain that to a pet you love, when that pet is just no longer able to maintain quality of life, and has no chance for improvement.
Tonight, I have a much smaller difficult task: Tomorrow morning, I will take Taki to the veterinarian for a spaying operation, and she has to be NPO after 8 PM tonight. I had originally thought to put her in a crate for the night, but that is a bit extreme, especially because it means no access to a litter box.
So, I have decided to close her into the computer room, where she started her life in our house. So far, she has not been to distressed. I am currently in the computer room with her, and will be for a while.
But this is the difficult part. I am not sure how much she understands English. She does understand some, but I am not sure how to explain the concept of what will be occurring. I have talked to her about it, and I am hoping this will not be too distressing.
Tonight, I have a much smaller difficult task: Tomorrow morning, I will take Taki to the veterinarian for a spaying operation, and she has to be NPO after 8 PM tonight. I had originally thought to put her in a crate for the night, but that is a bit extreme, especially because it means no access to a litter box.
So, I have decided to close her into the computer room, where she started her life in our house. So far, she has not been to distressed. I am currently in the computer room with her, and will be for a while.
But this is the difficult part. I am not sure how much she understands English. She does understand some, but I am not sure how to explain the concept of what will be occurring. I have talked to her about it, and I am hoping this will not be too distressing.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Charitable Giving
At this time of the year, most social service organizations, and many other non-profit organizations step up their campaigns to increase the donations that they receive. This is a wise strategy: They are trying to capitalize on the spirit of giving that the holidays engender. They are also trying to capitalize on the tax benefit that people can obtain from charitable giving.
My thought is that these agencies or programs function all year round. Their need does not diminish before or after the holidays. It is ongoing. For these agencies to function, they need support all year round.
While I do not think their efforts during the holidays should be curtailed, I think it would be wonderful if people who give during the holiday season gave all year round.
My thought is that these agencies or programs function all year round. Their need does not diminish before or after the holidays. It is ongoing. For these agencies to function, they need support all year round.
While I do not think their efforts during the holidays should be curtailed, I think it would be wonderful if people who give during the holiday season gave all year round.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
What a Difference a Day Makes
What a Difference a Day Makes http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_a_Diff'rence_a_Day_Made
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBxVfQTuvI is sometimes so amazing to me. I can think of several events in my life when I was on one course, and 24 hours later, I was on another. Not all of my life changes have been that dramatic, but some have.
Sometimes, I think about what if I could go back 25 hours, and change what was, what happened, how I behaved, how I reacted. But of course, I can not make those changes.
Today, what a difference a day makes has to do with me and my house. Yesterday, it felt bleak, with no future outlook or plan. Today, I woke up with good vibrations and energy. I had just a few chores to do, but took to them quickly. Impulsively, I ran an errand that involved buying a book and some CDs that I have wanted for a while. I have reveled in good music, good conversation, a good book, and good food.
I am looking forward to the challenge of tomorrow, instead, as has been in the last 4 or 5 weeks, dreading the changed environment of my work.
I am thankful I know the importance of positive attitude, changed behavior, and the power of prayer.
I enjoyed the sunny day, in the back yard, watched the end of the NASCAR race, and had a good conversation with a friend.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmBxVfQTuvI is sometimes so amazing to me. I can think of several events in my life when I was on one course, and 24 hours later, I was on another. Not all of my life changes have been that dramatic, but some have.
Sometimes, I think about what if I could go back 25 hours, and change what was, what happened, how I behaved, how I reacted. But of course, I can not make those changes.
Today, what a difference a day makes has to do with me and my house. Yesterday, it felt bleak, with no future outlook or plan. Today, I woke up with good vibrations and energy. I had just a few chores to do, but took to them quickly. Impulsively, I ran an errand that involved buying a book and some CDs that I have wanted for a while. I have reveled in good music, good conversation, a good book, and good food.
I am looking forward to the challenge of tomorrow, instead, as has been in the last 4 or 5 weeks, dreading the changed environment of my work.
I am thankful I know the importance of positive attitude, changed behavior, and the power of prayer.
I enjoyed the sunny day, in the back yard, watched the end of the NASCAR race, and had a good conversation with a friend.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Cats and The Candles
I really like to have candles lit, and under other circumstances, would fill my house with candles all over, especially on these mellow nights when I feel bleak, or just want to chill and be mellow.
But, that is dangerous given the cats I have. I know I have told this story before: I had an open candle on the dining table, and Sake jumped on the table, swished her tail into the flame, and it stared on fire. I was sitting right there, and did not panic, but just grabbed her tail at the base, and ran it up to the end, extinguishing the flame. Later, Sake sniffed at her tail with disgust. She did not seem to even know her tail was a plume of flame. After this was over with, I had a delayed panic attack! But was mostly just grateful that I was there to extinguish the flame.
So, after that, I used jar candles on the dining table. Until the night that Haiku jumped up on the dining table and knocked over the jar candle. Again, I was sitting there, and again automatically responded by righting the candle before the wax and flame could spread very far.
I have resorted to burning candles on the counter stove top. The cats do not jump up to that part of the counter, although every once in a while, Sake will walk in front of it, to try to get into the cabinet next to it, where I start the inside grass in the dark.
The other safe place is in the big bathroom: the vanity counter has baskets of hygiene items in the front, and I have a small place in the back next to the wall for a candle holder. The cats do not bother that counter, as there is no space for them.
Having cats is more important than having candles.
But, that is dangerous given the cats I have. I know I have told this story before: I had an open candle on the dining table, and Sake jumped on the table, swished her tail into the flame, and it stared on fire. I was sitting right there, and did not panic, but just grabbed her tail at the base, and ran it up to the end, extinguishing the flame. Later, Sake sniffed at her tail with disgust. She did not seem to even know her tail was a plume of flame. After this was over with, I had a delayed panic attack! But was mostly just grateful that I was there to extinguish the flame.
So, after that, I used jar candles on the dining table. Until the night that Haiku jumped up on the dining table and knocked over the jar candle. Again, I was sitting there, and again automatically responded by righting the candle before the wax and flame could spread very far.
I have resorted to burning candles on the counter stove top. The cats do not jump up to that part of the counter, although every once in a while, Sake will walk in front of it, to try to get into the cabinet next to it, where I start the inside grass in the dark.
The other safe place is in the big bathroom: the vanity counter has baskets of hygiene items in the front, and I have a small place in the back next to the wall for a candle holder. The cats do not bother that counter, as there is no space for them.
Having cats is more important than having candles.
A Bleak House
My house felt unusually bleak today. I am not sure why. But, I was out last night for the basketball games, ran errands and did chores this morning and early afternoon while the resoundingly bad Texas Tech football game http://www.texastech.com/ was on TV. It was so sad. So, I guess after the football game, I did not have anything planned to look forward to, except to do some yard work. Which was not difficult. But I can not imagine having no plans has made this bleak feeling occur. Usually, I look forward to the part of my weekend that does not include plans so I can read, knit, play on the computer or watch mindless TV.
I sat outside and read, and even had dinner outside and read outside after dinner. Usually, when I come into the house, it feels warm and inviting. Tonight, it does not feel that way.
I have some music on. There was nothing on TV I wanted to watch, and I have several books I want to read: this is not unusual. What has changed is that I do not have the TV on while I am reading. But, I have moved to this habit more and more, and it has not made me feel so desolate.
There were clouds today, so it was a grey day, with some wind in the afternoon. It felt like a typical November day, as it should. But that should not effect the night. Of course, the clouds are obscuring the full moon. Am I that sensitive to the changes in light? I can not believe so.
I do not like overhead ceiling lights, and have area lights: floor lamps and table lamps, and tonight have them ablaze.
Candles help, and I have a couple of scented candles lit. I have to be careful with candles because of the cats. But that is another story.
I stayed up late last night, although I was very tired when I returned home. But I was too wired to go to bed. So, it will be a later than earlier night tonight.
Maybe tomorrow I can find some cheer in my house.
I sat outside and read, and even had dinner outside and read outside after dinner. Usually, when I come into the house, it feels warm and inviting. Tonight, it does not feel that way.
I have some music on. There was nothing on TV I wanted to watch, and I have several books I want to read: this is not unusual. What has changed is that I do not have the TV on while I am reading. But, I have moved to this habit more and more, and it has not made me feel so desolate.
There were clouds today, so it was a grey day, with some wind in the afternoon. It felt like a typical November day, as it should. But that should not effect the night. Of course, the clouds are obscuring the full moon. Am I that sensitive to the changes in light? I can not believe so.
I do not like overhead ceiling lights, and have area lights: floor lamps and table lamps, and tonight have them ablaze.
Candles help, and I have a couple of scented candles lit. I have to be careful with candles because of the cats. But that is another story.
I stayed up late last night, although I was very tired when I returned home. But I was too wired to go to bed. So, it will be a later than earlier night tonight.
Maybe tomorrow I can find some cheer in my house.
The Silence is Good
I got home late tonight, and have not turned on the radio, a music player of any sort, or the television. The silence is good. It rests my brain. It allows me to think, and in the process, to blog about my thoughts.
I try not to have noise on for the background all the time, but I am afraid I do that. I am so bad, I will leave the TV on while I go outside to do yard work or read!
The reality is, the noise fills the house. Which actually means that I do not always fill my house, if ever.
I like my solitude, but miss just visiting sometimes. Yet I do just visit. So I am not sure why I need the noise to fill the air.
More and more recently, I have not been having background noise and I am finding this very peaceful and stress reducing. I wonderful lesson.
I try not to have noise on for the background all the time, but I am afraid I do that. I am so bad, I will leave the TV on while I go outside to do yard work or read!
The reality is, the noise fills the house. Which actually means that I do not always fill my house, if ever.
I like my solitude, but miss just visiting sometimes. Yet I do just visit. So I am not sure why I need the noise to fill the air.
More and more recently, I have not been having background noise and I am finding this very peaceful and stress reducing. I wonderful lesson.
Veteran's Day
Yesterday was Veteran's Day, a Federal holiday. I had to work, and have had to work every Veteran's Day that fell on a week day since 1988. I do not think much about it. When I was growing up in the Northeast, Veteran's Day was an important holiday, and included celebrations, parades, and speeches. When I moved to Lubbock, there was little of that kind of commemoration, until after 9/11/2001, when we began cherishing our veterans and first responders as we should always have done.
I forgot to put my flag out today, and work was just another work day. But my saving grace was the fact that at the basketball games tonight, there was a Veteran's Day tribute. At least I participated in something, even if not of my own doing.
I forgot to put my flag out today, and work was just another work day. But my saving grace was the fact that at the basketball games tonight, there was a Veteran's Day tribute. At least I participated in something, even if not of my own doing.
Dry Skin Season
I suffer from dry skin, and have for years. It usually gets worse the deeper we go into the winter season. But it is early for me to be noticing that my skin is dry and itchy. It stands to reason, though. This has been a very dry year, and it lack of humidity results in the moisture being sucked from the skin. I do not hydrate well at work, especially on very busy days. And we have been very stressed and busy.
I can take some preventive measures that include body lotions, body wash with moisturizers, less hot water, and remembering to keep well hydrated when I can.
The effects of the drought are amazingly complex.
I can take some preventive measures that include body lotions, body wash with moisturizers, less hot water, and remembering to keep well hydrated when I can.
The effects of the drought are amazingly complex.
A Long Day
I shut the alarm off this morning, thinking it was Saturday and I did not have to get up. Imagine my chagrin (and relief) when I woke up about 45 minutes later and realized it was only Friday, and I had a 9 AM meeting at work.
Well, it does not take me long to get ready, and I went by to air up a slag tire before going to work. I was there well in time for the meeting, and later completed a full day of work chores.
After heading home to feed the cats, I went to the Texas Tech basketball games: a double header for one ticket. The Lady Raiders http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-baskbl/text-w-baskbl-body.html played first and won handily. The men's game http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-baskbl/text-m-baskbl-body.html was a close victory, but a victory, nevertheless.
Even before the men's game started, I was tired. I came home and tended to the email readings and Internet games I like, and decided to blog. I am very tired and my brain feels it. It will soon be bedtime. But I need some wind down time, and this is it.
Well, it does not take me long to get ready, and I went by to air up a slag tire before going to work. I was there well in time for the meeting, and later completed a full day of work chores.
After heading home to feed the cats, I went to the Texas Tech basketball games: a double header for one ticket. The Lady Raiders http://www.texastech.com/sports/w-baskbl/text-w-baskbl-body.html played first and won handily. The men's game http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-baskbl/text-m-baskbl-body.html was a close victory, but a victory, nevertheless.
Even before the men's game started, I was tired. I came home and tended to the email readings and Internet games I like, and decided to blog. I am very tired and my brain feels it. It will soon be bedtime. But I need some wind down time, and this is it.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Distance in Death
Dr. Elizabeth Kubler Ross did the pioneering work on "Death and Dying." I remember hearing a sermon at a Catholic Mass about her research, and being fascinated, and having to read the book. It was one of the events in my life that steered me into social work.
Dr. Kubler Ross identified 5 stages or phases of grief: denial, bargaining, depression, anger and acceptance. Over the years, I have used her information to help clients deal with death, in my social work profession.
Some years ago, I was stricken by the suicidal death of a coworker, not even a close acquaintence. I called our Employee Assistance Program, and was connected to a very empathic counselor, who almost word for word, gave me the speech I was used to giving to clients who were dealing with death and dying issues. Before the counselor gave me the speech, he had enough information about me to know who I was and what I did. When he finished the speech, I was smiling and he could tell, when I said to him "You gave me the speech I give to my clients."
He acknowledged that, and, the fact that when, we as human beings, not counselors, deal with death and dying, we need to hear the same speech.
I was reminded of this tonight, when I was speaking to a dear friend going through her own issues at the loss of a dear pet. I hope she does not find distress in the comments I will make, but comfort in the awareness that there are so many lessons to be learned from our lives and our sorrows.
I had an epiphany of sorts tonight: This has nothing to do with diminishing my cherished friend's very deep grief and loss. I am so sorry for her loss, and having known her pet, miss him myself, although we barely knew each other.
The epiphany for me, however, has to do with my life. My ex-husband and I had a nice house with an interesting back yard that my beloved Mack enjoyed. Before our divorce, my ex-husband and I sold the house and moved into a duplex with a postage stamp of a yard that was so boring.
I did a few things to make it better: plant a honeysuckle and feed the birds. But, eventually, I bought a house. I looked at the house on a Sunday with the realtor, and took Mack to look at it on a Monday. He did not want to get back in the car: it was his house. And so, it was. I bought the house, and put in a doggie door for Mack, which provided him free access to the back yard.
I called the house Mack's house; I even called one bathroom Mack's bathroom because he liked to lay on the floor, and I kept a water dish in there.
Life became convoluted, and I was in a strange relationship and Mack and I lived in his house and in the country. After many years, Mack's life gave out, and he was put to rest. I continued in the relationship that had me living in the country. I truly, sorely, sorrily mourned for Mack, but realize that the relationship that had me living in the country took the edge off, so I would not "go off the deep end."
The relationship ended, and when I returned to the house in town, it was no longer "Mack's house" and "Mack's bathroom" in my mind. What a life saving that relationship was, to give me the distance I needed to deal with Mack's death.
When I was in it, and when I was in the pain of breaking up, I could not see it. But painfully, clearly tonight, I could recognize how important that relationship was to me, to allow me to deal with the loss of my dear friend, Mack.
Dr. Kubler Ross identified 5 stages or phases of grief: denial, bargaining, depression, anger and acceptance. Over the years, I have used her information to help clients deal with death, in my social work profession.
Some years ago, I was stricken by the suicidal death of a coworker, not even a close acquaintence. I called our Employee Assistance Program, and was connected to a very empathic counselor, who almost word for word, gave me the speech I was used to giving to clients who were dealing with death and dying issues. Before the counselor gave me the speech, he had enough information about me to know who I was and what I did. When he finished the speech, I was smiling and he could tell, when I said to him "You gave me the speech I give to my clients."
He acknowledged that, and, the fact that when, we as human beings, not counselors, deal with death and dying, we need to hear the same speech.
I was reminded of this tonight, when I was speaking to a dear friend going through her own issues at the loss of a dear pet. I hope she does not find distress in the comments I will make, but comfort in the awareness that there are so many lessons to be learned from our lives and our sorrows.
I had an epiphany of sorts tonight: This has nothing to do with diminishing my cherished friend's very deep grief and loss. I am so sorry for her loss, and having known her pet, miss him myself, although we barely knew each other.
The epiphany for me, however, has to do with my life. My ex-husband and I had a nice house with an interesting back yard that my beloved Mack enjoyed. Before our divorce, my ex-husband and I sold the house and moved into a duplex with a postage stamp of a yard that was so boring.
I did a few things to make it better: plant a honeysuckle and feed the birds. But, eventually, I bought a house. I looked at the house on a Sunday with the realtor, and took Mack to look at it on a Monday. He did not want to get back in the car: it was his house. And so, it was. I bought the house, and put in a doggie door for Mack, which provided him free access to the back yard.
I called the house Mack's house; I even called one bathroom Mack's bathroom because he liked to lay on the floor, and I kept a water dish in there.
Life became convoluted, and I was in a strange relationship and Mack and I lived in his house and in the country. After many years, Mack's life gave out, and he was put to rest. I continued in the relationship that had me living in the country. I truly, sorely, sorrily mourned for Mack, but realize that the relationship that had me living in the country took the edge off, so I would not "go off the deep end."
The relationship ended, and when I returned to the house in town, it was no longer "Mack's house" and "Mack's bathroom" in my mind. What a life saving that relationship was, to give me the distance I needed to deal with Mack's death.
When I was in it, and when I was in the pain of breaking up, I could not see it. But painfully, clearly tonight, I could recognize how important that relationship was to me, to allow me to deal with the loss of my dear friend, Mack.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Stress Tired
Work has been stressful lately. Which means when I get home at night, although it is not very late, I am very tired. It is stress tired: from work. It is not physical tired. It is the kind of tired that causes headaches, or makes me not want to deal with difficult or work-like things. So paying bills, and doing chores are not interesting to me. Although I do some of those things. I am more interested in mindless games, easy crafts, light reading and word puzzles. Watching the cats and playing with them are good things, too. Those things do help me to de-stress.
Tonight, writing feels good, too. Being creative instead of plodding through tedious stuff.
So, I am tired tonight.
Tonight, writing feels good, too. Being creative instead of plodding through tedious stuff.
So, I am tired tonight.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Awesome Moon
It was late when I left work tonight, and dusk. There was an almost full moon in the East sky. It is awesome. I bright full moon on a clear night in West Texas with a wide open sky is just amazing. I love the wide open skies!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Vacations experiences
Last year, in the autumn, I took a driving trip to northeast New Mexico. It was a short trip, but filled with long hours of comfortable, back roads but good highway driving, sightseeing, good eating, comfortable hotel time, and in general just nice, relaxing time.
The leisure, release and relaxation I enjoyed on that trip sustained me for quite some time, and even now, as I recall it, I can also recall the relaxed feeling I experienced.
That is what a vacation should engender: nothing rushed, nothing stressful or hectic, nothing untoward.
This past June I took a trip that was very nice, but not as relaxing. There were some issues: driving an unfamiliar car, driving in a big city instead of small towns and country roads, an airline issue which was minimal from my perspective, but still, a little stressful. It was still a great vacation, but not as refreshing as my trip to New Mexico last autumn.
As we go through life, we can appreciate the changes we make, and what works and does not work for us. I know myself, and driving trips are so much more pleasant for me. Having control works for me. Back roads and country atmospheres work for me.
But, if I did not experience other environments, other changes, I would not appreciate what works for me.
The leisure, release and relaxation I enjoyed on that trip sustained me for quite some time, and even now, as I recall it, I can also recall the relaxed feeling I experienced.
That is what a vacation should engender: nothing rushed, nothing stressful or hectic, nothing untoward.
This past June I took a trip that was very nice, but not as relaxing. There were some issues: driving an unfamiliar car, driving in a big city instead of small towns and country roads, an airline issue which was minimal from my perspective, but still, a little stressful. It was still a great vacation, but not as refreshing as my trip to New Mexico last autumn.
As we go through life, we can appreciate the changes we make, and what works and does not work for us. I know myself, and driving trips are so much more pleasant for me. Having control works for me. Back roads and country atmospheres work for me.
But, if I did not experience other environments, other changes, I would not appreciate what works for me.
Time Change
Okay, I admit it, I did not set my clocks back last night. I am not sure it mattered. I woke up well before my alarm went off, and could not go back to sleep. I had planned to sleep in for the second day in a row: I did pretty good on Saturday, and slept in until 7:30.
But not so on Sunday. After struggling about 45 minutes to return to sleep, I gave up the ghost, and got up to start my day: at 4:30 AM, when adjusted for the time change. I do not mind, I got a lot done. And, it is not unusual for me to arise early.
I have frequently reflected to myself that this may not be a good thing. I am employed in a position that, for me, does not strictly adhere to times to start and stop work. I work in a 24 hour facility, so unless I have something specifically scheduled, I can start and stop work according to whatever schedule I keep.
My internal clock often dictates those start and stop times. If I arise early, a go to work early, and end my day at a time that works for me. I do not work 8 hours, specifically. I work to try to accomplish what is on my "to do list." And, yes, somedays, I have to alter my expectations, but mostly, I am able to accomplish what I intend to do. So if I work 7 hours one day and 10 the next, as long as I get my work done, my supervisors are flexible. It is a luxury I hope I do not have to ever give up.
So, with the time change, if my internal clock does not immediately make the adjustment, I do not have to worry about reporting to work at specific times. As long as I get my work done.
That is a luxury not many people have. I am blessed.
But not so on Sunday. After struggling about 45 minutes to return to sleep, I gave up the ghost, and got up to start my day: at 4:30 AM, when adjusted for the time change. I do not mind, I got a lot done. And, it is not unusual for me to arise early.
I have frequently reflected to myself that this may not be a good thing. I am employed in a position that, for me, does not strictly adhere to times to start and stop work. I work in a 24 hour facility, so unless I have something specifically scheduled, I can start and stop work according to whatever schedule I keep.
My internal clock often dictates those start and stop times. If I arise early, a go to work early, and end my day at a time that works for me. I do not work 8 hours, specifically. I work to try to accomplish what is on my "to do list." And, yes, somedays, I have to alter my expectations, but mostly, I am able to accomplish what I intend to do. So if I work 7 hours one day and 10 the next, as long as I get my work done, my supervisors are flexible. It is a luxury I hope I do not have to ever give up.
So, with the time change, if my internal clock does not immediately make the adjustment, I do not have to worry about reporting to work at specific times. As long as I get my work done.
That is a luxury not many people have. I am blessed.
Cats Games
This has been a deliciously wonderful weekend for watching my cats at play. As I have mentioned, the addition of the kitten, Taki, to my household has really changed the balance of power with my cats.
Taki is, as are so many kittens, very playful. She races around, playing with cat toys, grabbing at laundry, claiming toilet tissue. She climbs on the cat stroller, and loves to play in and around it. She can occasionally get the older cats to play with her: She and Sake play patty cake, or play around the scratching post. If she plays with Haiku, who does not have much of a repertoire of play, it is usually chase and hide and seek.
I spend a lot of time watching the cat games.
I think this must be obvious to people who know me, because I received this link for cat patty cake from more than one person: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iFhLdWjqc
Taki is, as are so many kittens, very playful. She races around, playing with cat toys, grabbing at laundry, claiming toilet tissue. She climbs on the cat stroller, and loves to play in and around it. She can occasionally get the older cats to play with her: She and Sake play patty cake, or play around the scratching post. If she plays with Haiku, who does not have much of a repertoire of play, it is usually chase and hide and seek.
I spend a lot of time watching the cat games.
I think this must be obvious to people who know me, because I received this link for cat patty cake from more than one person: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iFhLdWjqc
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Favorite Movies
I am watching a favorite movie, you know one you can watch over and over again. One you know the dialogue for. One that even though you know the plot, you find it fascinating, interesting, and delightful. I have several movies in that category:
The Desk Set
The Moon is Blue
West Side Story
Guys and Dolls
The Longest Day
The Desk Set
The Moon is Blue
West Side Story
Guys and Dolls
The Longest Day
The Wind Again
It was a windy day again. The wind came from the south, southwest, and there was a faint haze of silty dust to the south. The wind sounded like falling rain on the leaves, and hummed through the wires in the alley.
I have written about the wind before. It is predominantly from the south, southwest in West Texas. It occurs frequently, and can be very stout. It effects the trees, many of which lean into the northeast because of the influence of the wind.
It can cause a great deal of damage, and is the harbinger of dust storms.
It can be aggravating. I frequently find the wind takes my breath away. The dust makes me itch. This morning, I was very congested and had lots of drainage due to whatever was afloat in the air.
However, as it was warm today, the wind made the ambient air temperature pleasant. So, the wind had a positive impact.
I have written about the wind before. It is predominantly from the south, southwest in West Texas. It occurs frequently, and can be very stout. It effects the trees, many of which lean into the northeast because of the influence of the wind.
It can cause a great deal of damage, and is the harbinger of dust storms.
It can be aggravating. I frequently find the wind takes my breath away. The dust makes me itch. This morning, I was very congested and had lots of drainage due to whatever was afloat in the air.
However, as it was warm today, the wind made the ambient air temperature pleasant. So, the wind had a positive impact.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sneaky Stress
We are going through some major changes at work, and have known about this since the end of September, but only in the last week or so, have those changes started to be developed. And, they change every day, as the development is fluid until we find what works.
I go home everyday and am totally exhausted. During the transition, I am not working harder, but I am finding the uncertainty very difficult. I am not very organized nor efficient at what I do at work. I forget things, and have to redo things.
I do not think I am alone, as when I speak to my co-workers, they describe similar reactions. So, knowing we are not alone is helpful. We are meeting regularly to discuss the changes, and the networking and emotional support is helpful.
But, we are all surprised at how exhausted we are at the end of the work day. It is due to stress. But we know it, it is permissible, and explainable. However, the stress is sneaky.
I go home everyday and am totally exhausted. During the transition, I am not working harder, but I am finding the uncertainty very difficult. I am not very organized nor efficient at what I do at work. I forget things, and have to redo things.
I do not think I am alone, as when I speak to my co-workers, they describe similar reactions. So, knowing we are not alone is helpful. We are meeting regularly to discuss the changes, and the networking and emotional support is helpful.
But, we are all surprised at how exhausted we are at the end of the work day. It is due to stress. But we know it, it is permissible, and explainable. However, the stress is sneaky.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Trick or Treat!
Trick or Treat started late tonight. I have a jack o'lantern with candle on my front porch, the light is on, and the wooden door is open, so hopefully, the trick or treaters will feel welcome.
It is almost 7:30 pm and I have had only a few groups of children show up, unless I missed some soft knockers.
The most amazing thing is that the very little children are much more interested in the jack o'lantern with candle than getting candy!
It is almost 7:30 pm and I have had only a few groups of children show up, unless I missed some soft knockers.
The most amazing thing is that the very little children are much more interested in the jack o'lantern with candle than getting candy!
Sunday, October 30, 2011
I Don't Like That Smoke Smell
I decided today that I wanted a jack o'lantern to celebrate Halloween, so bought a pumpkin and carved it out this afternoon. I tried it out in my dining area: I had a candle, and the dining area is dark enough to demonstrate the effect with a lit candle. I did not need the candle to burn long, so extinguished it quickly. That resulted in a lingering smokey odor in the house. The cats spent a lot of time sniffing the air, and wandering about.
The behavior of the cats indicated to me that they were concerned about the smoky scent in the air. They did not try to engage me, so I am not sure that my cats would be very helpful if we had a fired occurring, but, on the other hand, they were very restless, and if I were not asleep, I would notice this restless behavior.
The behavior of the cats indicated to me that they were concerned about the smoky scent in the air. They did not try to engage me, so I am not sure that my cats would be very helpful if we had a fired occurring, but, on the other hand, they were very restless, and if I were not asleep, I would notice this restless behavior.
Sympathic Cold, But No Power Outage
It was cold enough last night for the furnace in my house to turn on last night. I am thankful for that, and I have a very warm bed in which to sleep.
The sun is bright today, the air temperature was never below freezing this morning, and has mightily warmed up, to 58 °. However, there was a very early, large snow storm in my childhood home area. In addition to the snow, there are wide spread power outages, and some of my family have informed me they are safe but without power (cell phones, ipads, etc.) I am experiencing sympathetic cold. The sun is brilliant in my back yard. The winds are from the north, so my back yard is protected from its full force. I will be able to enjoy my back yard today.
Currently, though, I am feeling chilled and have the space heater helping me to stay warm.
The sun is bright today, the air temperature was never below freezing this morning, and has mightily warmed up, to 58 °. However, there was a very early, large snow storm in my childhood home area. In addition to the snow, there are wide spread power outages, and some of my family have informed me they are safe but without power (cell phones, ipads, etc.) I am experiencing sympathetic cold. The sun is brilliant in my back yard. The winds are from the north, so my back yard is protected from its full force. I will be able to enjoy my back yard today.
Currently, though, I am feeling chilled and have the space heater helping me to stay warm.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Accidental Voting
November is election time, in Texas as in most or many states across the country. In Lubbock County, there are no local races, so the only voting is for amendments to the state constitution.
I peruse the local newspaper, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://lubbockonline.com/ almost every day; I do have a home subscription, and if I do not read it daily, I make a point to get "caught up" with the newspaper regularly. I get the headlines on line for the Austin Statesman http://www.statesman.com/ which helps me to keep up with the state political news.
I actually get news from other sources, not relevant to this posting.
Somehow, I had glossed over the fact that there was an election, although I had seen the propositions in the newspaper recently.
Thursday night, after work, I stopped at one of the local supermarkets to pick up some things I needed for work the next day; I use the side door, in an effort to get in and out really quickly, even in the rush hour crowd. In the course of shopping, after I wandered around the store for a bit, I decided I really needed a grocery cart. I went to the front of the store, and saw the voting area.
It was devoid of voters, although there were plenty of workers and voting machines. Obviously, the shoppers going by were not interested in voting. I had not thought much about it, but decided it was an opportune time to vote, and this would help me not to forget, as there had been very little publicity about these elections.
So, quite accidentally, I decided to vote. I am glad I did. I feel voting is a very important obligation of my citizenship. A duty as well as a right, that I should cherish and safeguard.
I peruse the local newspaper, the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
http://lubbockonline.com/ almost every day; I do have a home subscription, and if I do not read it daily, I make a point to get "caught up" with the newspaper regularly. I get the headlines on line for the Austin Statesman http://www.statesman.com/ which helps me to keep up with the state political news.
I actually get news from other sources, not relevant to this posting.
Somehow, I had glossed over the fact that there was an election, although I had seen the propositions in the newspaper recently.
Thursday night, after work, I stopped at one of the local supermarkets to pick up some things I needed for work the next day; I use the side door, in an effort to get in and out really quickly, even in the rush hour crowd. In the course of shopping, after I wandered around the store for a bit, I decided I really needed a grocery cart. I went to the front of the store, and saw the voting area.
It was devoid of voters, although there were plenty of workers and voting machines. Obviously, the shoppers going by were not interested in voting. I had not thought much about it, but decided it was an opportune time to vote, and this would help me not to forget, as there had been very little publicity about these elections.
So, quite accidentally, I decided to vote. I am glad I did. I feel voting is a very important obligation of my citizenship. A duty as well as a right, that I should cherish and safeguard.
Incense
I really like the smell of incense, especially the woody scents. There are many scents available in incense. Some of the light, fruit scents do nothing for me, but a scent like pine or sandalwood is really soothing for me. I forget to use incense, but when I do, I really appreciate it.
Accumulating Stuff
I am a pack rat. I have a hard time throwing things out. I have stacks of stuff for which I do not have adequate storage, but I think I am not quite a hoarder.
I bought some foot cream today. I noticed as I put it in the medicine cabinet, how much "stuff" I have accumulated: I have aspirin and other analgesics; I have analgesic creams, ace bandages, flu and cold medicine, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, antihistamines, medications for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, petroleum jelly, triple antibiotic cream, Mentholatum, Vick's vapo-rub, topical anti-itch compounds and pain-killers, gauze, bandages and what have you.
This is not bad. As I need something to take care of myself, I purchase it. I am blessed that I can have a well stocked medicine cabinet.
But sometimes, if feels like I am just accumulating stuff.
I bought some foot cream today. I noticed as I put it in the medicine cabinet, how much "stuff" I have accumulated: I have aspirin and other analgesics; I have analgesic creams, ace bandages, flu and cold medicine, witch hazel, hydrogen peroxide, isopropyl alcohol, antihistamines, medications for nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, petroleum jelly, triple antibiotic cream, Mentholatum, Vick's vapo-rub, topical anti-itch compounds and pain-killers, gauze, bandages and what have you.
This is not bad. As I need something to take care of myself, I purchase it. I am blessed that I can have a well stocked medicine cabinet.
But sometimes, if feels like I am just accumulating stuff.
The Best Deal in Town
Years ago, I remember reading a story in a magazine, I think maybe The Reader's Digest, about someone moving to Alaska from the lower 48 states. This person did some comparison shopping and discovered that mailing household goods by the United States Post Office https://www.usps.com/ was the best deal they could get.
I sometimes use private shipping companies, especially when I am shipping over-sized boxes (which may most frequently occur at Christmas time), but most often, I use the United States Post Office.
I have heard all the derision about the USPS. I have heard the complaints about poor service, lost mail, "going postal", limited access and hours, and the occasional dishonest employee. But really, when you think about the amount of product that this agency handles, daily, the few problems that this agency experiences pale in comparison. Where else can you get regular home delivery? And, the truth be known, sometimes mis-addressed mail actually gets delivered correctly, anyway.
I bemoan the rate hikes, as does everyone else. I use electronic funds transfer through my bank to pay many of my bills. I send email greetings instead of snail mail, with maybe the exception of greeting cards for special occasions. But, if the USPS was not there, I would really miss it.
I frequently purchase books, and mail books or media. The rates for this type of mail or phenomenally inexpensive!
For rapid service, priority mail rates are a little high, but insure rapid delivery, if needed.
I appreciate that I have a post office in my neighborhood. I am flattered that the weekday clerks do not ask me for identification, as they all recognize me as a regular customer. The weekday clerks at this post office are very pleasant and friendly. Sometimes, the weekend clerks unwittingly belie the fact that they do not want to be working on Saturday; I can not fault them for that, except that it goes with the territory, and they signed on for the territory.
The regular mail carrier for my neighborhood knows who I am by sight. He frequently exchanges greetings and pleasantries when I am home and he is delivering mail. Although I do not know him personally, I feel he is a very positive, neighborly ambassador for the USPS.
The USPS services have changed over the years: they now offer packing supplies and even sell greeting cards in the lobby locations in Lubbock. They have a kit to help if you move.
On line, you can purchase postage, either stamps, or for packages. You can check zip codes, and get a lot of other services, including tracking mail.
The USPS is where a citizen goes to apply for a passport. My experience with this process was positive.
So, all things considered, I think the USPS is one of the best deals in town.
I sometimes use private shipping companies, especially when I am shipping over-sized boxes (which may most frequently occur at Christmas time), but most often, I use the United States Post Office.
I have heard all the derision about the USPS. I have heard the complaints about poor service, lost mail, "going postal", limited access and hours, and the occasional dishonest employee. But really, when you think about the amount of product that this agency handles, daily, the few problems that this agency experiences pale in comparison. Where else can you get regular home delivery? And, the truth be known, sometimes mis-addressed mail actually gets delivered correctly, anyway.
I bemoan the rate hikes, as does everyone else. I use electronic funds transfer through my bank to pay many of my bills. I send email greetings instead of snail mail, with maybe the exception of greeting cards for special occasions. But, if the USPS was not there, I would really miss it.
I frequently purchase books, and mail books or media. The rates for this type of mail or phenomenally inexpensive!
For rapid service, priority mail rates are a little high, but insure rapid delivery, if needed.
I appreciate that I have a post office in my neighborhood. I am flattered that the weekday clerks do not ask me for identification, as they all recognize me as a regular customer. The weekday clerks at this post office are very pleasant and friendly. Sometimes, the weekend clerks unwittingly belie the fact that they do not want to be working on Saturday; I can not fault them for that, except that it goes with the territory, and they signed on for the territory.
The regular mail carrier for my neighborhood knows who I am by sight. He frequently exchanges greetings and pleasantries when I am home and he is delivering mail. Although I do not know him personally, I feel he is a very positive, neighborly ambassador for the USPS.
The USPS services have changed over the years: they now offer packing supplies and even sell greeting cards in the lobby locations in Lubbock. They have a kit to help if you move.
On line, you can purchase postage, either stamps, or for packages. You can check zip codes, and get a lot of other services, including tracking mail.
The USPS is where a citizen goes to apply for a passport. My experience with this process was positive.
So, all things considered, I think the USPS is one of the best deals in town.
It Started as One of Those Days
I had ordered an inter-library loan book, and received an email that it was available, but at the main library branch, and not the branch near my house, to which I had asked it be delivered. I did not call to verify this, as I had business near the downtown library, so checked there in person, only to be told the book was at the branch near my house.
No problem, I also had business in that part of town, so went to the branch library. But, they could not find the book: they check the inter-library loan bag, the hold shelves (where it should have been) the administrative shelves, and the stacks. It was not there. The book is not checked out to me, so personally, I am not concerned about this, except that it is a book I do want to read.
The check out clerk suspects the book will show up in an inter-library loan bag on Monday. I have reason to suspect she is correct: Usually, in addition to an email alerting me that the book is available, I receive a phone call from the branch library informing me that the book is available. I did not receive such a phone call on Friday.
I would hate for the book to be lost.
From the library I went to the post office, to purchase postage paid post cards. Frequently, when I order these, I am offered post card stamps. But, I do not want just the stamps, I want the post cards. The clerk had difficulty locating post cards, but found some; not as many as I ordered, but some. I use them for a monthly meeting announcement, and I actually have enough left from last month's meeting, so that is not an issue. The clerk told me this was the first time she sold post cards.
I have considered in the past purchasing post cards at an office supply store, and just purchasing the stamps. But the deal the United States Post Office provides can not be beat: each card only costs $.03 vs. about $.09 per card from an office supply store.
Things got better when I went to purchase groceries and supplies: I found everything that was on my list, and came in under budget.
No problem, I also had business in that part of town, so went to the branch library. But, they could not find the book: they check the inter-library loan bag, the hold shelves (where it should have been) the administrative shelves, and the stacks. It was not there. The book is not checked out to me, so personally, I am not concerned about this, except that it is a book I do want to read.
The check out clerk suspects the book will show up in an inter-library loan bag on Monday. I have reason to suspect she is correct: Usually, in addition to an email alerting me that the book is available, I receive a phone call from the branch library informing me that the book is available. I did not receive such a phone call on Friday.
I would hate for the book to be lost.
From the library I went to the post office, to purchase postage paid post cards. Frequently, when I order these, I am offered post card stamps. But, I do not want just the stamps, I want the post cards. The clerk had difficulty locating post cards, but found some; not as many as I ordered, but some. I use them for a monthly meeting announcement, and I actually have enough left from last month's meeting, so that is not an issue. The clerk told me this was the first time she sold post cards.
I have considered in the past purchasing post cards at an office supply store, and just purchasing the stamps. But the deal the United States Post Office provides can not be beat: each card only costs $.03 vs. about $.09 per card from an office supply store.
Things got better when I went to purchase groceries and supplies: I found everything that was on my list, and came in under budget.
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