smartcakes

I need to get back into art journaling.  Here are some excerpts from one of my old art journals, from, oh, three or so years ago.  It is really interesting to look back and see the themes and symbols that appear again and again. 

I feel as though I've pretty much shut down all winter.  I've had a hard time trying to figure out if I'm super depressed, or totally content with my life.  Isn't it bizarre that they might be confused? 

By being content, I think I've stopped hoping, stopped thinking about the way things might be in the future.  Living 'in the moment' can mean not looking forward to anything, not having any goals.  I need more balance, methinks. 

I'm going over to Shae's tonight for dinner.  We try to get together for a potluck type dinner every Monday night, along with another friend, Olivia.  How wonderful is it that I'm now part of a community, that I have friends?  I've been avoiding people for most of the winter, getting out of plans, or just not showing up.  I sometimes become really afraid and overwhelmed at the thought of being around people, even though I know it'll be a good experience.  I just shut down.  After I have been around people, I need Alone Time when I get home, to recover and process.  My oh my, don't I just sound like the life of the party?

I'm working on all this, and really, I've improved dramatically.  I even make eye contact with people, if I remember to.  I doubt I'm doing it "right" - it doesn't feel natural - but maybe it helps to convince people that I might not be a weirdo.

How telling is it that the one group activity I participate in is silent meditation? 

Well, I'm off to dish up some homemade chicken noodle soup for my little guy who has the sniffles, then I'm going to make some pumpkin raisin muffins to take over to Shae's tonight.

kitty spot

Zoe seems to be over her urinary issues, and I am SO relieved.  I didn't get her to the vet, just really pushed fluids into her, and that seemed to set things right.  I fed her watered down canned food and chicken broth - luckily, she never lost her appetite.

Miss Bea has two more days of antibiotics left, and so far, there is no sign of her breathing issues returning. 

Violet (left) is the only cat who has not had any recent medical issues, but he's the next to go to the vet, as he needs to be neutered.  I need to make him an appointment at the low cost spay/neuter clinic. 

Dusty and I are off to the park today, to meet my friend Rebecca and her four month old son Julian.  The weather has been especially mild over the past few days, and I think I'm very ready for spring.  I'm dying to get into the garden and do some serious work.  Unfortunately, I do live in Colorado, and snowstorms in May are not unheard of.  Sigh.  Ah well, in another few weeks I can start my peppers and such under lights. 

So.  Last week, my fifteen year old cat Miss Bea (formerly known as The Cat Who Likes To Pee On Things - she's now cleaned up her act, so to speak!) started breathing in a very strange manner.  Loud and laboured.  You could hear her breathing from across the room - I kid you not. 

So, with much eye-rolling from the husband who refuses to admit he likes the cats, off we go to the vet.

Three hundred-some dollars later, Bea is breathing just fine.  X-rays showed no pneumonia, or anything like that.  Bloodwork showed no infection.  The vet gave her a steroid injection, and a round of baytril.  My fingers are crossed that whatever-it-is does not come back - the vet is rather stumped.  She said that there is the possibility that it could be some sort of tumor somewhere, and the steroids helped to reduce the swelling or something. 

So.

Zoe, the little calico, is now under the weather.  I suspect there is something going on in her urinary tract - she's trying to pee in weird places (such as, uh, the box of my kid's playdough accessories - ew.), and has a bit of a discharge.  I know she needs to see the vet - alas, I do not have Any More Money after spending it all at the vet LAST week.  I'm trying to sell some artwork and hand sewn pillows, etc., but nobody else has any extra $$$ these days, either. 
In the meantime, I'm feeding her canned food mixed with water, and chicken broth - trying to get as much fluids as possible through her poor little system.  She's eating and drinking just fine, and seems much more comfortable over the past few hours, so maybe that's a good sign.  My poor little girl - think good kitty pee thoughts for us, would'ya?

In other cat news, we've spotted a big ol' long haired black and white cat hanging around in our yard lately.  I have a feeling it might be Zoe's babydaddy.  Little Violet does bear a striking resemblance... I'll try to get a photo of him next time he's around.

Oh, is anyone else on Goodreads?  If so, add me as a friend!  http://www.goodreads.com/profile/smartcakes
I've been spending too much time there today - I am a giant book whore indeed.

Violet
Originally uploaded by smartcakes

Here's my little guy Mr. Violet when he was about eights weeks old. He's about six months old now, and almost as big as his mama Zoe.

Holy moly!   I'm back.  Not that I went anywhere interesting - life just had me hoppin' for a little while.

strawberries

Things are looking up in the garden.  It's June, and the June-bearing strawberry plants are producing!  I have a feeling that not many strawberries will even make it into the house - not if the (almost) four year old has anything to do with it.  Face it - strawberries are for kids, and I knew that when I planted them!

My garden program is now up and running.  People can purchase a handmade market bag from me - made from recycled fabric.   They can then come and fill the bag with organic goodies once a week for ten dollars - what a steal!  You wouldn't be able to get that much at a farmers market or grocery store for that price.  I hope to make a little bit of money, but even more so, I want people to have a place to come for a wide variety of fresh local organically grown food.

lettuce

As of late, our biggest meal of the day is salad and raw veggies.  We have so many different kinds of lettuce and other greens to choose from - mustards, baby swiss chard, cress, arugula, mache, baby pak choi.   I love to add sprouts (sunflowers are my latest favorite!), raw sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, and roasted soy nuts.  Raisins and different fruits also usually find their way into the salad, and maybe a little parmesan cheese...  hungry yet?

I love growing lots of less conventional herbs.  I have sage, oregano, basil, and the like, but I'm also growing stevia, lemongrass, fenugreek (methi - great for Indian cooking!), lovage, and more.