All Tuckered Out

Everyone with a cat has played this game, right?

It's coming to get you...

I am fierce, I am ferocious, I will eat you up...

Attack!  Grrrr!

And guess who fell asleep on the floor after this bit of play?

Wayne admits it himself, he either needs to get back to work or retire for real and hit the road.  When you're snowed in and playing with the cats wears you out it's time for a change!  He's been "on hold" with work since his minor back surgery last summer, they haven't decided what to do with him since he has been told his prior job was too physically demanding for his back now.  Until they decide what to do with him he is not allowed to travel or he forfeits his disability pay, so he is spending his days ice fishing and on kitty patrol.  When the snow melts they better get to deciding because you know us, we got places to go!

Tent Season for Kitties?

Tent season really hasn't begun in southern Wisconsin.  Maybe this is why.

But I ordered a new larger tent from Backcountry  to take with me on our upcoming trip to North Carolina and had to make sure it was the right one so I set it up in the kitchen.  The kittens seem to like the idea of becoming outdoors enthusiasts.

The kittens even get their own "tent" which has room for a portable litter box and dishes.  I plan on putting it in the back seat of my car for the drive and doing no more than 5 hours per day.  I'll leave a few days earlier than Wayne and Cory to make the drive less stressful for me and for them.  Here's the link for the One For Pets Cat Carrier/Show House.

Celia thought it made a nice ledge to help her explore the outside of the tent.

Jewel and I were impressed with the roominess of the inside of the tent.

I brought their favorite cat toy inside and propped it behind the cat carrier much to their delight.

If you're interested in the tent here a link for the ALPS Mountaineering Lynx 4 which is at a great price right now.  Lots of room for 2 adults...and feline companions.  Of course I'll review it more later after it gets some actual use.  But it seems to be plenty durable, their claws didn't seem to do any damage.  Check out the video and see for yourself!

Celia and Jewel

Our little family grew again today!  Now that Pumpkin and Katrina moved to Waukesha we decided it was finally time to get a kitten.  Cory and I went to the local animal shelter and of course when I saw all the adorable critters that needed a home...

Meet Celia

We ended up bringing home two!

Meet Jewel

Our other two cats are keeping their distance, they are not as excited about the new additions to the household as the rest of us are.

kitty hammock?

The kittens are for Cory and will go with him when the time comes.  When one of our older cats passes Wayne and I will finally take the leap and get a puppy again.  I'm not in a hurry, especially now that we have other young pets to amuse us.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

They haven't taken a nap yet and they've been here for 8 hours!

We open presents tomorrow.  What will they think when all the presents are suddenly gone?

Don't forget the critters in need this season.  I'm making a vow to mark my calendar and stop at the shelter with a case of canned cat food once a month from now on.  Speaking of those in need, if you didn't see Mandy Patinkin on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert reminding us to exercise our humanity, here it is!

A Cat is a Treasure Wrapped in Fur

So, if you haven't seen the clip from Saturday Night Live featuring Charlize Theron and Damian the Feline Sociopath you can watch it here.

Katrina sent me the link, not only because of the adorable kittens, but because I'm a big fan of labeling people sociopaths if it seems appropriate.  That politician who voted to take away money from domestic violence funding?  Probably a sociopath.  That man who would rather work jobs for cash than pay child support?  Probably a sociopath.  The kindergarten teacher who talked to her students like they were idiots for no good reason? The remorseless seducer who leaves a string of broken hearts behind? That cat lady at the end of the block who screams at kids who come on her lawn to retrieve their ball...well, you get the idea.  One in twenty-five people are sociopaths, meaning you know someone who is.  I know that I've known a few, the hard part is admitting there are some people who just don't care about others and it's part of their brain chemistry and therefore they are not able to be rehabilitated.

Speaking of identifying sociopaths, there's a great book out there on the subject called "The Sociopath Next Door".   Read it.  Or get a cute kitten.  It's your choice.

Goofy as a kitten!

We'll All Be Licking Our Lips

It's true!  Spring really has arrived in Wisconsin and even in northern Illinois too.

My running trail in Richmond, IL this week

We went from a high of 46F on May 1st to a high of 86F on May 8th.  That's the Midwest for ya.

My garden's growing like mad and I have rhubarb I could even start harvesting.  I've been busy the last couple of days getting it all mulched before the plants really take off.

I also picked up a couple of new Columbine plants because for some reason mine have gotten fewer every year coming back on their own from seed.  I've got about a dozen infant seedlings popping up, but they won't flower until next year so I needed some new blood.

I had a lot to get done around home and the weather forecast included the possibility of thunderstorms so instead of heading out to Kettle Moraine to camp I stuck around home.  I will head up there tomorrow morning for the wildflower hike, but to make up for not going today I stopped at Big Foot Beach State Park in Lake Geneva after picking up a prescription at Walgreen's.

This pretty plant was growing near the entrance.  It's Marsh Marigold, otherwise known as Cowslip.

Americans Indians used various preparations of the roots to treat colds and sores, as an aid in childbirth and to induce vomiting, and as a protection against love charms.  Yeah, vomiting would counteract love charms I would imagine.

Also seen on the trail were large groupings of May Apple, but none are ready to bloom yet.

I saw a few Trillium, but only one had a bloom on it.

Like me, it just couldn't wait to officially usher in spring, I guess.

We did have storms come through last night.  Seems like it's always wet when I decide to take a walk at Big Foot.

Makeshift bridge over muddy trail

There are plenty of plants that like it wet though.

Skunk Cabbage blooming (maroon "spathe")

I looked in the woods for Spring Beauty and the other wildflowers I saw last week up by Palmyra, but the conditions must not be right for them here.

I think the conditions might always be right for violets.

The Wood Anemone seemed pretty happy.  There was lots of it, and most of it was just starting to open.

I knew Jack in the Pulpit was easy to find at this park, and sure enough there was a ton of it just off the trail.

I wanted to get more shots, but the wind was making it kind of difficult.  You can always count on the wind in southeast Wisconsin no matter what the temperature is.  Click on the YouTube link in the bottom right corner or on the little "box" to see the video large.  I know John told me how to make it bigger here, but I'll mess with that later on after I find that darn email!

Spring in Wisconsin also means it's time to attack the Garlic Mustard.  I easily spent an hour making two large piles in the middle of the trail for the rangers to find later.  You can't tell by these two pictures but there is an insane amount of Garlic Mustard at this park.  It's even worse in the campground.  Speaking of the campground, they are putting in new shower and bathroom facilities...but they won't be finished until September.  Anyone camping here this summer better be prepared to use the portable shower trailer according to signs posted at the campground entrance.

Think they'll see my pile?

I think I'll have to grow my short haircut out for summer.  The wind and the humidity were wreaking havoc on it today and summer hasn't even begun.  It'll be ponytails for me again before long.

Gotta get it all....

I felt so good after my stroll that I stopped at River Valley Ranch to pick up some herbs for my flower bed.  My parsley and thyme come back every year, but I needed some rosemary and basil.

River Valley Ranch specializes in mushrooms, but they grow lots of other edibles as well as producing their own line of salsas, dips and spreads.  They make yummy scones and cookies...I forced myself not to buy, I put on a few pounds in Tennessee from all those cupcakes.

The cats were under the impression that I bought the herbs as some sort of treat for them.  Teeny just sniffed them, but Goofy took a couple of bites of the rosemary.

Katrina will love that picture of Goofy licking his lips!  I also stopped at Lake Geneva Country meats and picked up some steaks for the men and some jam for me.  We'll all be licking our lips before the day is over.

Camping Equipment Shopping Spree

It's been quite a week around here. While my mom made a couple of trips up to the ER to deal with a virus that turned into bronchitis and then pneumonia, my dad suffered a COPD exacerbation that landed him in the hospital for a couple of days.  While there they discovered his blood sugar level was quite high, which wasn't a big surprise as we've watched his A1C (and his weight) climb over the past year and a half.  For awhile he was following a diet plan that I outlined for them, and his A1C fell below 7.  Needless to say, the Diet Nazi descended upon their home again, cleaning out cupboards, buying groceries and making a few meals to hold them over until they get well enough to cook on their own.  I'll be back out to their house again on Tuesday to cook again and help get a weekly meal plan re-instated.  This time I intend to go by at least once a week for longer than the 6 week period that I did last time.  We're talking months, maybe even a year.  Accountability can make all the difference, and who wants their crazy daughter standing in their living room lecturing them about healthy eating every week? Shut her up by following the plan and get her talking about things that don't turn her into a  joyless nag, right?

That's a lot of orange.  I have an orange bike and water bottle too.  I don't know why.

As a break from all the medical drama I decided that today was the day to set up the tent I bought from Amazon a couple of weeks ago.  I normally shy away from spending money on myself, a habit left over from all those years staying at home with the kids.  This year we had a big surplus of funds when Wayne returned to work and the overtime was plentiful, so I decided it was time to get all those items on my wish list that I usually feel too guilty to splurge on.  I already told you about my new camera and my first ever laptop purchase, but it didn't end there.  After reading a lot of reviews I bought a Eureka Copper Canyon tent, too.  It's too heavy and bulky to take along on hiking trips, but it'll be great for having guests on my normally solo camping trips to Wisconsin's great state parks.

kit lens that wouldn't focus in use

Check out how tall it is!  And I set it up all by myself, after almost taking out the chandelier a couple of times that is.  No more changing clothes behind the car after checking to make sure no one is around.

Goofy wanted to "help"

In addition to the tent that I can't wait to use, I got a trekking pole, a serious Osprey backpack for some overnight camping on the Ice Age Trail here in Wisconsin this year and a Lowepro camera backpack too.  The trekking pole's knob-like handle detaches and you can mount a camera onto it, turning it into a monopod.  I bought the backpack and the trekking pole at REI along with a water reservoir and am very happy with the expert advice I got from REI's staff.

It almost killed me to put all this away after setting it up

The Lowepro Flipside Sport 15L AW backpack that I bought was very easy to use on my recent trip up to Menominee. (Click on the link and watch the video!)  I hated the one I had before, (see header photo) my back was always drenched in sweat, and it was difficult to access the camera.  Putting the bag on the ground to get at my equipment has led to equipment falling out onto the ground, or dirt getting in like during my recent trip to Reno.  I think I ruined my kit lens (no big loss) when sand got in the bag.  I'm still working at getting it to work right (autofocus won't engage) since I passed that camera body and lens down to Cory.  I wish the new bag had a touch more room for non-camera items, but I figured out that I can lash my Keen sandals onto the outside for water crossings which was a dilemma with my old bag as well.  It also has a spot for a 1 liter water reservoir and a place for a tripod.  By the way, in case you want to buy one too, the Flipside was way cheaper on Amazon than anywhere else, like $50 cheaper!  My only complaint is that I wish there was more padding on the straps.  If I find I need more padding I'm sure I can come up with a solution though.

When the Canon 70D and the ND grad filters go in it's full

Today I ordered a Canon 17-40mm lens online after reading a bunch of reviews.  I was tempted by the 18-35mm...but I just couldn't justify paying $1700 for a lens.  As it is the one I ordered still cost more money than my original Canon EOS DSLR did.

Now, if only the weather would co-operate so I can use all this stuff! Right now it's 19F and the wind is blowing so it feel like it's on 7F.  No camping weather in sight, I'm not that crazy.  But,  Mom and I are heading to Gatlinburg next month, and I'm so excited that I might even bring the tent if there's room in the car!

Happy Birthday Katrina!

While everyone else is thinking about the big election today, I've got my daughter on my mind because today is her 22nd birthday.  The year she turned 18 election day was on November 4th and she was devastated to be so close but unable to vote.  At the polling place this morning I held open the door for a young mother pushing a stroller and I was also reminded of the day I first voted in 1992 because I was pushing Katrina in a stroller myself.  Today Katrina is driving to St. Cloud, Minnesota to look into a grad school program...she's come a long way!

First sheep encounter....

..but not her last sheep encounter!

I've talked about Katrina and her adventures at college a few times on my blog, and the funny thing is while she is still the same girl in a lot of ways, in other ways she's the complete opposite of her childhood self.   As a baby she was usually content and eager to laugh to and play.  As she grew older she was unfailingly sweet and kind, especially to her little brother but also to the other children I took care of and her friends.

For the most part she enjoyed quiet activities like reading and playing dress-up, and when she went to school she was eager to make new friends, but also very shy. She was also a little nervous about trying new things that seemed a little scary, but we supported her and encouraged her to keep spreading her wings and facing her fears.

Meeting Alan Doyle from Great Big Sea at Irishfest in Milwaukee was a big deal!

 Joining 4-H was a turning point for Katrina.  4-H helped develop her confidence, and it wasn't long before she discovered she had a knack for helping and leading others.  At the age of 12 she was elected president of her club, and she learned a lot from the responsibilities that the club leader gave her.  4-H isn't all agendas and Robert's Rules of Order, and she made friends and had a lot of fun both at the club and at the county level.  I'm so grateful that we found 4-H because it helped her blossom into the confident young women that she is today.

goofy fashion for the Looking Good project

rainy County Fair day

The Cat Project was her favorite, she was a Youth leader at the county level and helped the judges one year, too.

Music wasn't her strongest area but she enjoyed participating in MusicFest.  When it doesn't come easy that gives us strength to keep trying new things! Learning dance steps along with singing carried over to her figure skating, which she also worked hard at during her early teen years.

The other skill that she took away from 4-H was acting through their annual Dramafest competition.  She participated a couple of times, and after leaving 4-H she eventually auditioned for local community theater through The Haylofters in Burlington.  Whether working backstage, acting onstage, or directing the children's production of Wizard of Oz one year, she enjoyed it all.

Katrina as Emma Duckworth in The Haylofters' production of Bus Stop

All these early experiences, along with homeschooling, gave her a strong sense of purpose and of who she wanted to become.  She chose Women's Studies as a major and Sociology as her minor in college, and along with her classes she participates in UWEC College Democrats and has acted as president for Advocates for Choice and the College Freethought Society.  Social issues are very important to her, and she has also interned at Planned Parenthood and a local women's shelter.  She's a senior this year and is eager to embark on a career helping others through employment in a non-profit organization.

It's the sense of enthusiasm, caring for others and big heart that has remained unchanged all these years.  She's had her share of obstacles: schoolyard bullies and adult figures who disappointed her with their lack of good judgment and leadership, but through it all she's retained her optimism and her determination.  Anyone who knows her is lucky to have the opportunity to see the world through her eyes, the world she is determined to help make a better place for others.

Today is my Katrina's birthday, and while I sometimes miss my little girl who danced around singing PBS songs in her nightgown I'm also happy to have such an inspiring adult daughter.  There's a possibility that I might be working less hours soon, and as I left the polling place this morning and watched that mother loading her kids into the car I contemplated how I might help others in my community if I have more time on my hands.  On her birthday she's given me a gift: I want to be like Katrina when I grow up!