Cat Spacing

I know Sake is feeling better, because her resting places include the middle of the living room floor, and one end of the sofa, rather than under the bed, in the closet, under the dining room chair.  She is not hiding  She is still fragile in some ways, and keeping her space is one of those ways.

For months, Haiku has wanted to sit in my chair in the computer room, rather than the spare chair.  The nylon folding chair we had, that she was sort of okay with broke, and I have a metal folding chair in it place. While Haiku will sit on the chair, she does not like it.  I understand. As with most metal chairs, it has a short back, and space between the back and the seat.  However, the seat is padded. 

Well, tonight, when I got home from work (I was late) Sake was sleeping on one end of the sofa, and Haiku on the other.  And, Haiku has spent a large part of the evening on her end of the sofa, although both she and Sake have moved around from place to place, depending on my activity, and I am not sure what else.

Once again, the last few weeks, there have been brief periods of time when all 3 cats were in the same room, usually the living room.  One morning, all three were in the small bathroom, while I was taking a shower. Sake used to love to get in the shower stall with me, stand outside the reach of the water, but be there. She did it that morning, briefly, but became upset because Taki was in the bathroom, although Taki has no interest in being in the shower when the water is running!

What do I know?

Could This Be True?

Surely I have written about the fact that Sake,Haiku and Taki all keep their distance from each other, with exceptions.  Taki and Haiku will eat together, and get into slapping matches.  When Taki was young, Sake would play patty pat with Taki.  I have not seen that in a long time. For years, Haiku and Sake would not be in the same room with each other. Until the addition of Taki who changed the dynamics of the relationships in my household. 

Well it is the rare occasion, even now that two cats, not three, will join me on the sofa.  Very rare. Today, because Sake was using the afghan I usually cover up with on the sofa, I took another one to use, and left it on the other end of the sofa. Tonight, Sake and Haiku were each laying on an end of the sofa, on a afghan.  I am not sure I understand this.  The sofa is soft and overstuffed. They both like to sit on an arm, or the back. but to sit on the seat, they like an afghan under them.  I could understand if they burrowed under the afghan. But, they just lay on top of it.

Well, whatever pleases them, pleases me.

Indian Heritage

I have been watching major league baseball tonight http://mlb.mlb.com/home, becausee it is the post season, and I am interested in who will progress on to the World Series.  The New York Yankees http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=nyy are out of it, but I am interested in how the Boston Red Sox http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=bos do.  The Boston Red Sox won against the Tampa Bay Rays http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=tb. Then, the Los Angelese Dodgers http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=la played against the Atlanta Braves http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=atl, and the Braves won.

Some years ago, there was some sort of public outcry about the Atlanta Braves using the American Indian or Native American name as part of there identity. Along with that outcry, there was public objection to the tomahawk chop and chant http://www.talkingchop.com/2012/4/30/2990244/how-the-atlanta-braves-adopted-the-tomahawk-chop-from-the-florida-state-seminoles.  Well for whatever reason, this was not determined disrespectful and therefore was able to be continued in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the fan support cheer of the Atlanta Braves.

I grew up in the township of Montague, Massachusetts http://montaguema.com/.  In this township were 5 villages: Millers Falls, Lake Pleasant, Montague Center, Montague City, and Turners Falls.  Turners Falls was the biggest village, and the site of a Native American massacre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Turner's_Falls. 

When we grew up, the Turners Falls High School sports teams were knows as the Indians.  This was not meant as a derision of the Native Americans who lived and died in the area, but as an honorific. The yearbook annual was the Peske-Tuk, but I can no longer recall what that means, but apparently refers to the falls in the Connecticut River http://www.americancenturies.mass.edu/collection/itempage.jsp?itemid=5729&img=2&level=advanced&transcription=1

I think the Turners Falls team is now still called the Indians, although there was some time when this was considered derisive instead of honorific.  I am glad the cooler heads have prevailed and the Indians prevail.

All of this to say that I think the Atlanta Braves honorific of Native Americans, including the tomahawk chop is just that, an honorific, and a tribute to Native American Indian Heritage.

Context is So Important

I know I have mentioned before how much I enjoy the movie "Desk Set" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050307/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm.  This is the story of a research department for a network facing computerization in 1957, and being concerned about computers taking over jobs. It is also a romance, and a story about not discussing take overs to prevent changes in stock values.  Do these issues sound familiar?

There is a line in the movie that did not make a whole lot of sense to me.  Peg Costello, the Joan Blondell character, is describing Richard Sumner, the Spencer Tracy character, who is the computerization fiend. She makes the comment that she thinks he is one of those men who had recently started drinking vodka. 

Today, I was listening to a story on NPR about soju, an alcoholic beverage from Korea http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2013/09/22/224522548/move-over-vodka-korean-sojus-taking-a-shot-at-america. The story reflects Korea's efforts to increase the market for soju in the United States. The story comments on the fact that until the 1950's, vodka was not very popular or common in the United States. I grew up thinking vodka was a common alcoholic beverage. What do I know.  But it explains the comment in the movie.

I think about this.  I wonder how much more rich a literary or cinematic  experience would be if the consumer has a thorough knowledge of the customs, habits, and culture of the times. If historical information and events are known by the audience. We miss a lot otherwise, but sometimes, it cannot be helped.

Togetherness

Over the past weekend, there were multiple times that all three cats joined me in the living room.  This is not the norm but seems to becoming the norm.  What was really amazing was that at least twice, all three cats staked out a place on the sofa, while I sat there. This is very unusual.

Tonight, Haiku sat on the wooden TV tray to the right of the computer chair.  And, Taki sat on the right end of the desk pull out.  She was crowding the mouse, but I did not move her.  I stirred, and Haiku left and Taki took up the TV tray. 

This togetherness is interesting.

Starting Out Early

My morning was filled with goal directed activities, but by mid-afternoon, things had stalled. I still needed to do some house work, which I accomplished.  There were no plans or activities slated for tonight in particular. I read, played on the computer and visited on the phone.  I think I have written before about having anticipatory activities to keep me interested and motivated. Although the book I am reading is interesting, I needed a little more tonight. Thank you to my friend who visited with me by phone tonight. It made a difference!

Anglicized Names

It was a sharing moment at work today.  A couple of my co-workers, who happen to be Hispanic, were sharing how some parts of their families have "Anglicized" their names, and the conflict or at least discussion it causes at family reunions.

I mentioned that my Polish grandparents had Anglicized the spelling of their last name, as had my French Canadian grandparents, and that this was not uncommon.  My co-workers, who are very well educated, seemed surprised.

We get so boxed into our little corner of the Earth that we do not realize how many common or shared experiences we have, and how much more alike than different we are.

I grew up knowing the name of my Polish grandparents was Anglicized. It was not something that was shameful or hurtful. It was explained as making it easier for Anglos to pronounce and ultimately accept. It simplified assimilation, or at least, attempts to fit in.  It made sense. I was an adult when I learned my French Canadian grandparents' name had also been Anglicized. But it also made sense, for the same reasons.  It was not an insult to the old ways, but a way of making things easier for everyone.

Anticipation

Last week, the Texas Tech football game was on Friday night. So, I enjoyed watching the game. But I was resting my sprained ankle, and was anticipating laying low, mostly reading, watching TV, and playing on the computer. It was a three day weekend. I found that I was at loose ends, because I did not have something else, more exciting or active, to anticipate that weekend.

Well, this weekend was not so bad: There was NASCAR, Texas Tech Football, and Red Sox at Yankee baseball.  But there was nothing to look forward to on Sunday night.  I am not hooked into the PBS Sunday night series "Silk"

But, I have realized that if I do not have something to anticipate for Sunday night, I am at loose ends on a weekend.  It is not like I have nothing to do:  I can work in the yard, I can read, I can do things on the computer, I can knit.  Tonight I really enjoyed a telephone conversation with a really good friend.  I think maybe I can plan better to give my Sundays something to anticipate.

Loose Ends

The last couple of nights, I left work a few minutes before 5 PM.  I usually do not leave work until 5 PM, or sometimes, much later.  But we have been on lockdown, and clinical efforts are severly restricted by that. 

I had done everything I could do within reason, and left close to the end of the day. Having said that, I put in well over 40 hours this week at work.

Last night, I had an errand to run on the way home. Even so, I arrived at the house much earlier than is normal.  As I did tonight.  However, because it was within feeding time for  the cats, and they are accustomed to me feeding  them when I get home, I fed the cats, did little household chores and then chilled out before fixing and eating dinner.

Last night, I could not get comfortable and found it very difficult to fall asleep.

Tonight, it is too early to think about falling asleep. I finished a book, and will start another soon, but am feeling at loose ends, and unable to settle down and really relax.

Part of the problem is the heat. We had had a spell of very pleasant weather that enabled me to open the house and sit in the back yard, in the evening, reading. I know it is too hot to open up the house. I think it might be too hot tonight to sit out, but I need to check that out.

Sometimes, I just feel "out of my skin." I dislike that feeling. But I know it is temporary. I do not know what causes it. I do not know what cures it.  It just is.

Changing Social Ideas

I am watching Guess Who's Coming to Dinner http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061735/.   I think maybe every time I watch Guess Who's Coming to Dinner I blog, but maybe not.  It was a very brave, heroic, and dramatic topic to address in 1967.  It tells a great story, has great actors and actresses, and gives us hope for the future.

I went to a workshop today. Slightly off the topic, but making a comment about social values, the presenter mentioned that 30 years ago, Iceland elected the first woman president of the world.  So, a generation of Icelandic people have grown up knowing that women can do anything they want to do .  She added that the Nordic people have no concept of racism, sexism, (and something else.)

The point is, she talked about the social change that can occur because of events in our lives.  We cannot legislate changes in emotions and ideas, but we can legislate changes in behavior, and those behavior changes can lead to changes in ideas and emotions.  

I have seen so many changes in my life time. I am so grateful that so many changes have occurred. I am so grateful that we have made so many strides for a more just and fair and equitable world.  I know we have a long way to go.  But I am glad to be living in these times.

I mean, we have an African American President, Barak Obama.  He was elected for a second term, so we know that his election was not a fluke.  He was elected a second time, so his biggest accomplishment during his first term, the Affordable Health Care Act, was not abhorred to the extent he could not get re-elected.

I am getting ready to watch Schindler's List http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/.  I had no idea that is was made 20 years ago.  It is a heart wrenching and moving movie, and another movie that addresses social change. Only this was horrible, wretched social change: the genocide of Jews in Germany during World War II.  And, the way one man defied the authorities.

There are other movies about saving the enemies of Germany in Europe during World War II.  One of my favorites is The Scarlet and The Black http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086251/, about a Roman Catholic priest who saves prisoners of war, downed pilots and Italians from the Germans. 

Recently, I read an article about South Pacific http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/.  The article said that when it played in Atlanta, Georgia, the reaction to the song "You've Got to Be Taught" was so outraged and negative that there were many who wanted it outlawed in Georgia. 

It is Oscar season.  This is the time of year when the TV channels show wonderful past Oscar winner movies. I really appreciate the movies that are about social change.

Television

If you asked me about television shows from the late 50's until the mid 80's, I knew all about what was on television. I watched a LOT of television. The first year I lived in Lubbock, I did not own a television, but I had a subscription to Newsweek http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek.html and my home town newspaper, The Greenfield Recorder, http://www.recorder.com/ both of which kept me apprised of television news.

As television expanded beyond the three, then four major networks and PBS http://www.pbs.org/, and cable/satellite came along, I could not keep up with all of the television shows, even the ones that were so popular.  Partly because I did not want to watch that much television. Partly because I preferred The Weather Channel http://www.weather.com/ and sports to series, sit-coms and the reality TV shows. And partly because I did not subscribe to premium channels.

So, when people talk about current TV shows, I am frequently at a loss in regards to what they are discussing.  I want to keep up but most of the TV shows are not worth it, and I just do not care.

I find that I am more and more interested in the programming on PBS.  I also like The History Channel http://www.history.com/, although the quality of its programming has vastly diminished.

I used to sometimes turn on the TV for the background noise.  I grew up in a home with 4 siblings, two parents, and for a while, a very quiet uncle. But, because of the number of people in the house, there was lots of background noise.

As I have aged, I find I like the silence, and sometimes, I prefer the silence to the background noise. I find I prefer music to the chatter of TV.  I listen to classical music, easy listening music, bagpipes, or Gregorian chants instead of the chatter of TV.

I am blessed at being able to make these choices about watching TV or listening to the radio or music.

So, I am no longer the television guru that I was 30 years ago. But I think that is good.

Ash Wednesday

I am not a practicing Roman Catholic, but last year I made a sacrifice for Lent.  I did not really think about it this year, but last night decided to do a meatless Ash Wednesday.  I am not a big meat eater, but the course of my usual day often includes chicken soup for breakfast (hot, aromatic, noodles or dumplings).  I frequently eat in the chow hall at the prison where I work, and the vegetables choices are sometimes slim and none, but there is usually a meat selection, but sometimes fish.

However, I have been bringing salad to work, and usually have some on hand.  I opted for boiled eggs for breakfast, cheese and salad for lunch.  I did not strictly fast: I had cookies for snacks a couple of times today.

So, tonight, I need to plan a dinner.  I have lots of non-meat options available, including seafood, or fish (Fish is not seafood.  Fish is fish.  Seafood is clams, scallops, lobsters, shrimp, squid, octopus, crab, etc. But not fish.) and cheese, including cottage cheese.

The problem is, I can not decide what I want to eat, and then, when I am really hungry, I fix something fast but not necessarily nutritionally appropriate. I have been trying to cook ahead (mostly on the weekend) so I have food readily and quickly available when I get hungry.

But, I will figure this out.

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season in preparation of celebrating the Easter miracles for the Roman Catholic Church.  The Orthodox and Coptic Catholic churches have slightly different schedules, but parallel closely to the Roman Catholic Church.  Yesterday was Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, which is a big deal in many parts of the world:  a last hurrah before Lent. New Orleans and Rio De Janero are two places renowned for their Mardi Gras celebrations. 

It is significant that Pope Benedict XVI decided the Monday before Ash Wednesday to announce his abdication, February 28,2013, from the papacy due to physical and spiritual health problems. The papal succession can and will occur during Lent. I wonder if the pomp and circumstance of the ordination of the new Pope might be curtailed during Lent, or if the new Pope will be elected, and prevail but not ordained until after Lent.

Any way, the Roman Catholic Church has a 2000 year history with mostly peaceful succession of leadership.  A much longer history the United States.  But the truth be known, there have been periods of upheaval and Popes in contention with each other in the Roman Catholic Church.  Also there was the breach which created the Church of England and the other Anglican Churches.  Close to Roman Catholic but not. And, there are the Greek Orthodox Churches and the Russian Orthodox Churches. And the Coptic Churches.

Many of the traditions and symbolisms exist in the Orthodox, Coptic and Anglican Churches, as well as the Roman Churches.  But each has it variations. 

These variations do not diminish the message of Ash Wednesday: a day of humbleness, humility, sacrifice, and preparation for cleansing and preparation for the Easter miracles. 

A New Lifestyle

I have had a newspaper subscription to the Lubbock Avalanche Journal  http://lubbockonline.com/ since I do not know when.  I had a subscription when it was an AM and PM newspaper. One of the things that I found so endearing about Lisenby was that he read the newspaper, front to back, and when it was an AM and PM newspaper, he did that twice a day.

Last year, when I received my subscription renewal notice, I was hesitant to renew:  The cost per year had increased by about $16.  Not bad, but the newspaper quality had so decreased I was not sure it was worth it:  the spell checking and proof reading was bad, the information was sometimes inaccurate, and the sports reporting was frequently inaccurate, including about sports game time and location information. I am a big sports fan, and relied on the newspaper for information about event times and broadcast information.  Sometimes, the announcements they printed about community events were confusing (this week, next week, when?).

But, I renewed.  Because, among other reasons, I used the newspaper as liner under three kitty litter pans, and also under the cat food and water dishes in the kitchen.  Well, I have decided I could purchase lined table clothes, cut them to size, and use them for the same purpose. Because, when I received the invoice for the renewal of the subscription for the Lubbock Avalanche Journal, the price went up from about $130 a year to about $180 a year.  This was much more than I thought the yearly subscription was worth.

I did not renew.  I continued to receive the newspaper.  I received a second renewal invoice, and I did not renew, but I continued to receive the newspaper.  Finally, I called the newspaper and told them I was not going to renew, but they were continuing to send me the newspaper.  I suppose I could have indefinitely received the newspaper, had I not called them. But I felt as if I was receiving the newspaper under false pretenses. 

So, now, I am having to develop a new lifestyle:  I do access the Lubbock Avalanche Journal on line.  I am watching more TV news, especially local news programs. I am accessing daily puzzles on line vs. in the newspaper. I am having to search and research community activities and events.

In the morning, as get ready for work, I am feeling unsettled.  I do not have a newspaper to flip through. Some mornings, I do get on line and check some things out. Some mornings, I do not. 

So, I am a creature of habit, and my habit has been drastically disrupted.  I am having to find a new equilibrium for my new lifestyle.

Working Together

The presidential election has occurred and we will have Barak Obama as our president for four more years. It is my hope that the Senate and House of Representatives will work to legislate and govern for the greater good of the United States.  I understand that each representative and each senator has an obligation to represent the constituents of that district/state as best they can. But I also understand that the greater good of the country has to be considered. These are fine lines and must be considered carefully.  We ask ordinary human beings to do extraordinary tasks in terms of the governance of our country.

But what a wonderful country we have.  There have been many struggles to create this country: Independence from England.  The War between the North and the South that "freed" the slaves. The suffragette movement to allow women to vote, to name a few.  The Civil Rights Movement.

We are, I believe, in an era that recognizes differences and still allows some people's rights: gender identity rights, disability rights, immigration rights (to a lesser degree), women's rights (hmm, there are still some restrictions). 

There are segments of our society in which affirmative action is still prevalent.  I think many of us hope that affirmative action is not necessary, and that merit on personal achievement is accepted, not withstanding qualifying characteristics that require affirmative action.

But the most important message is that we all work together as a team.  Thank you.

Trick or Treat

I never know what to expect on Halloween for "trick or treat."  Some years, I have lots and lots of trick or treaters.  Some years, I have few.  There are several churches and neighborhood groups in my area that host activities for neighborhood children, which decreases the number of trick or treaters.

Some years, trick or treat starts about 6 PM, while it is still light. Some years, as this year, it starts much later, after the sun has gone down.

Right now, I am mostly getting younger children at my door, but there have been some pre-teens and teens.  I will leave my door open, and my light on, until I am mostly getting older teens and adults.  It is a little after 8 PM.  Usually by this time, I am mostly getting older teens, but not this year.  I think it might be a function of the time.  We do not do time change until 2 AM November 4, 2012. 

I think most of the trick or treaters at my door are not from my neighborhood.  I do not "recognize" anyone.  Oh well. We shall see what we shall see.

Epilogue

At work today, there were very many people who checked with me about my well being, and how my car was doing.  I am so grateful that I work with such wonderful people. 

I know that part of the reason is that we are sometimes in very dangerous, or difficult situations. When people share these types of situations, especially repeatedly, they tend to form a bond.  We are not best friends. But we care about each other, and want to protect and help each other.

I was listening to something recently that discussed the psychological impact, on soldiers, of dealing with very dangerous or difficult situations, having no down time, going back to work as usual, and being faced with the possibility or reality of another dangerous or difficult situation. This is a recipe for post traumatic stress disorder.  It is also a recipe for people developing strong bonds with their group. I recognized this as what we have at work.  We do not have to be best friends. But when the chips are down, we are there for each other.

I see that in so many ways: we often have fund raisers to help people who are down on their luck.  My situation is not dissimilar to others who have had problems and need help. The players may vary, but we really are all in it together.  We  recognize and congratulate and celebrate.

This is a great feeling.

Sunday Morning

Several years ago, I was visiting my brother, who explained that he generally keeps Sunday as a day of rest and relaxation.  I was at a point in my life when I was go-getting every day of the week.  I thought about that, and over the years, I have taken more and more time on Sunday mornings to relax, meditate, and take time for myself.  That has become such a blessing to me. 

This Sunday morning, I am especially enjoying the time for relaxation and introspection. I am blessed to have this luxury in my life.

Cutting My Own Hair

Some years ago, I started meeting women who told me they cut their own hair.  I could not imagine it.  I wore a plain blunt cut, and thought if I ever cut my hair it would be so crooked it would be awful.

Some few years ago, my hair started getting wavy.  I changed my straight blunt cut to something with layers and waves. A few weeks ago, I the haircut I paid for was not quite to my satisfaction.  Over the course of a few evenings, I trimmed away at the hair I did not want,  and produced a cute cut for myself. 

This weekend, I cut my hair again. It did not come out quite as cute.  I need the nape of my neck shaved, and it is not as good looking a cut as I wanted.  But, it will do.  I will have to break down and get a professional cut soon.

Maybe I should be more concerned about the look of my hair.  I have never been fashion conscious, and it shows in my dress, hair, and lack of make up.  I am so glad that working in a prison supports professional but not necessarily attention getting style. And, it is nice that I am getting to the age in my life where I can say I have lived long enough, I deserve to be as individualistic as I want to be.

But of course, our age should not dictate that. We should always feel free to be as individualistic as we want to be. But for some reason older aged women are more able to get away with it!

An Amorphous Sunday

Yesterday was a pretty typical Saturday:  chores, errands, and an evening out.  Today, there was no real plan:  finish laundry. Day to day stuff. Read, knit, watch TV. No special plans.

It was sunny and hot, gray and cool, and sunny and hot. 

Sometimes, an amorphous Sunday feels good. Sometimes, an amorphous Sunday feels out of sorts. Sometimes, an amorphous Sunday feel at loose ends. That what today felt like. Not bad. Not great. Just so.

Regimented

I am a creature of habit.  And one of my habits is that I generally know how long things will take, and plan my activities accordingly.  Sometimes, I am surprised. Today was one of those days.  I spent much longer at the library and the check out line at the store than I had anticipated. I used to get antsy when I had to wait like that. Now, I just mellow out and enjoy the opportunity to watch people.

This is good.  I do not want to be such a creature of habit that I can not be spontaneous.