Making it Through in Everyday Ramblings

  • June 22, 2021, 4:20 p.m.
  • |
  • Public

This is one side of Mrs. Sherlock’s garden fence, with the area newly cleared as they begin the process of separating their property from the one next door that they partially owned until recently. The garden is full of touches like this.

My birthday was lovely, the weather was perfect, and it was wild to be back in the garden unmasked with folks I know well. The food was good, Mrs. Sherlock clearly enjoyed making a fuss, so there was an almond cake (with whipped cream and berries), a candle, and much to my embarrassment, signing. I enjoyed the walk over too as I haven’t done it since early last fall and several homes have new paint and landscaping upgrades.

Kes came up the next day on her own for a few hours and we chatted, went to the garden and she took me to the grocery. My niece sent me a box of beautiful organic avocados. I’ll get them for another two months, as well.

We are having an unusual heat wave, but really, what is usual about the weather these days?

We are looking at blistering heat over the coming weekend. So far the air quality is okay and that is what I am going to focus on.

Yesterday I talked to the Business Guys live about my idea for the PT club and they were extremely helpful in clarifying a bunch of stuff and it makes sense. It means I am still going to do it starting the 5th of July, but I am changing how it is structured a bit and I need to make one 25-minute high-quality video before then of the joint mobilization practice.

And later in July I am going to teach an online class for the Wellness Club worldwide for United Airlines. What that does is give me a date and a deadline for getting the website functional. It is not like I don’t have things to do.

I finished reading The Broken Earth Trilogy this afternoon. I totally understand why she won the Hugo awards for these books. Wow.

The netting is working well enough in the garden that I was able to harvest and eat a bunch of greens and give away some fragrant nasturtium flowers so that is a win.

Did you know there is a supply problem with wet cat food in the U.S? I sure didn’t until the place I order mine canceled the order the day before delivery. Too many spoiled pandemic cats and disruptions in shipping and supply. Probably the ransomware attack on the meat supplier didn’t help. There was a bit of a scramble finding it and what I did find was more expensive.

Everything feels kind of sort of normal, but it isn’t really. The weather, these things we have always taken for granted getting when we want them and then there are the subtle signs of wear and tear as we begin to see more of the folks we haven’t seen in a good long while. The physical changes from aging and stress and the diminishment of um, social skills.

The last part was clear with Mr. Sherlock. Other than medical appointments he really hasn’t been out or been forced to interact with anyone other than his wife for almost a year. That and the fact that he is facing down a pair of dentures has taken his natural irascibility to an intense level. I did get to learn the genesis of his interest in caving, something he did a lot of back in the day and it is tied to all those books we read as kids about…treasure.

But boy does he like to argue.

Me…not so much.

Charity hates the heat. She is tuning nocturnal. Until we get through this patch of scorching weather, the only way I will be walking with her is if I am willing to go out after dark. And as we just had the solstice, the days are long, and I have things to do in them.

So here we are, settling in for the slog through summer. I am lucky I have a lot to keep me busy and engaged. It is helpful to remember too, what we have all been through and how resilient we, in fact, are.

Those of us that made it through.


Last updated June 22, 2021


mcbee June 22, 2021

I just tried today to order some sensitive systems wet food for my kitties and was shocked at both the price and poor availability. I had to buy duck and I have no idea if my cats will eat duck.

noko mcbee ⋅ June 22, 2021

It is crazy. I had three different types I chose canceled. After the orders were placed. I hope they will eat the duck. I got Wellness Signature Selects Poultry Variety Pack and they love it! That was a relief but I can't afford it for the long hall.

Marg June 23, 2021

That’s a very good point - there were many casualties from this pandemic and we need to remember that. Coping with new dentures is a real irritation - on top of social isolation for so long I’m not surprised he’s irritable! Can’t be nice for Mrs. Sherlock to have to live with though - or you to put up with. I thought of you last night when I ended up walking through the middle of what must have been at least 30 allotments - beautiful, flourishing allotments at that! I kept thinking of the happiness all that work must have brought their owners :)

Jinn June 29, 2021

I know you all have been suffering intense heat . :-(
I only give my cat’s dry food .

noko Jinn ⋅ June 29, 2021

Thanks. There has certainly been an evolution is feeding cats in my lifetime. We used to only feed dry food but particularly for boy cats it is better they say to give them some wet each day. My guilt ridden neighbor believes that only feeding dry food to her beloved Calico shortened her life. I know there is a cost element in feeding both but my experience has been they are a lot healthier with both.

Jinn noko ⋅ June 29, 2021

I do not know what the deal is with mine and wet food. Every time I have tried to give it to them , they suddenly develop litterbox issues ( as in stop using it )and they throw up more than usual. I have tried several kinds . Finally I gave up . They love it but it does not love them. Now I give them a little tuna now and then or mackerel . They seem ok with those but I use it as treats , not a regular thing . Al, my white cat is 16 . He is starting to move very slowly and once in awhile pees where he shouldn’t ( but it’s rare). Caleb, my other cat is 8 and does fine ( other than purposely annoying the dogs non- stop ) . I can hardly believe he is that old already . The time goes so fast !

Jinn noko ⋅ June 29, 2021

I do not know what the deal is with mine and wet food. Every time I have tried to give it to them , they suddenly develop litterbox issues ( as in stop using it )and they throw up more than usual. I have tried several kinds . Finally I gave up . They love it but it does not love them. Now I give them a little tuna now and then or mackerel . They seem ok with those but I use it as treats , not a regular thing . Al, my white cat is 16 . He is starting to move very slowly and once in awhile pees where he shouldn’t ( but it’s rare). Caleb, my other cat is 8 and does fine ( other than purposely annoying the dogs non- stop ) . I can hardly believe he is that old already . The time goes so fast !

noko Jinn ⋅ June 29, 2021

Litter box issues are so frustrating. Finding the root cause is such a challenge. Poor guy, and poor you.

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