Happy Noo Yeerz Effurrybuddy!

Goma, Minna, Annabelle, Zuzu, Muddy, Myst, Sweet Praline, Maggie, Zoey, Billie and all our Floof & Furr furrends! We hopez U haz lotsa LUV an' fancee feest in 2009! xxoo Patty, Bhu and Sabryin

50 more pleez!

Happy Birthday, Sabryin! You don't look a day over 39, honest! The World's a more Wild, Wonderful and a far better place for you being in it!! We love you! Kiss, kiss, hugahuggy, smooches!

Happiness and Peace

Me, mai mom and papa hopez U haz a pawsatively happy, healthy, peaceful holiday! xxoo Bhu

Hepper WAVE!

"Wai U movez me from mommie's bed? Me waz SLEEPINGZ!"
"Waitz! Wat's dis? Feelz purrrrrrrr-fect!"
"Fanks mommie! Me LUVS dis!"
Bhu hopes your mommie gets one for you: Hepper!

The Creek Cats Got MeMe!

Sixth folder, sixth photo: very bad camera work, but a lovely memory. Sabryin is holding Bhu next to a vase that was made especially for me by Jane Moore of Jerome, AZ(see link in sidebar). That's Bhu's image on the vase. It was my birthday some years ago. I love this vase because it is very heavy and Bhu cannot knock it over.

Now I'm supposed to tag others to do the same. Let's see, who will I choose?

On Infamy Day We Make the Beds

It's "Infamy Day" and we are making the beds. Bhu loves the fluttering sheets and jumps so high to "catch" them in flight! It doesn't matter where he is in the house, when he hears the crisp sheets snapping, he flies into the room and catapults onto the bed, stubby claws poised for the "capture."

"They iz bats or boids in therez!"

I don't think so, Bhu. Do you think they are still under there hiding?

"They iz quietz. Maybe hiding, uh-huh. Maybe me takez nap."
Well, but I have to make the bed, Bhu, so you're gonna have to move your big butt outta here for a minute.
"zzzzzzzzzzzz." xxooo Patty

More Geek Romance

My husband won't play Scrabble with me unless it's online. Bhu sez "U Beans is goofy. Me is waiting for fanzy feestz."

Snow Ho Ho!

First, we got snow! Second, my gouty foot is less swollen and less painful. Third, I decided to get my crochet hand back and started this scarf last night. I ran out of yarn, so I plan to make a run to JoAnn's to see if they still have it (yes, I bought it two years ago -- isn't that always the way?). Bhu showed only minor interest in the yarn, but as you can see, he owns all things.
"Fanks, mom, for mai nice new butt rug!"

xxoo Patty

Got Gout

I told my dawtah I would send her a picture of my gouty foot and she went "EWWW!" So, I've chosen to show you instead, lucky people!! Personally, I think my little feet are kewt, but not the one with gout. It's horrible! I have this stabbing pain every 60 seconds or so and I don't have any shoes that are two different sizes, so it's a bit of a dilemma. We were gonna go out for dinner, but THAT's not gonna happen (unless it's a beach party, of course; but what are the chances of THAT in November?). Happy Anniversary, Sabryin! Love You! xxoo P

A Paws for Thanks

"Mai mom's been sick since Sunday. She used whole boxa tissues and now nuther one. All she duz is blow nose, sneezes, couffs, blow nose more. But me say thankx for alla pets, treatz, faancy feestz, Bhu limo and Josie visits."
I'm glad you're thankful, Bhu. Would you like to give the kittehs at the shelter some Fancy Feast for Thanksgiving? "Um, um, shure. How it get there?" I will ask Papa to buy some and put it in the shelter's donation bin at the grocery store. "Keh!! Guud idea! Put some Greenies in thair, 2, keh?" Okay.

Happy Thanksgiving to all you cool cats and floofsters out there from Patty, Bhu, and Sabryin! xxoo

Flannel Jammies

Bhu, do you want me to mail you to New Jersey for Xmas? "No, me stay here wit U! Don' mail me mommey, keh?" Okay, you can stay here with us, but you have to get out of the box now. It's that time of the year! After next Wednesday, we don't go anywhere near malls, Wal-Mart, or any other centers of mass consumerism. I like to make gifts, even if it just a handmade fabric envelope for a gift card. All our gifts have to be mailed to various parts of the world, so we have to plan and get things done early.

Whatchu want for xmas, Bhu? "Hammick laik Maggy and Zoey hasz." Whatchu want for Thanksgiving dinner? "Buttah 'n olive juice n' carrotZ 'n Fanczy Feazt."

'NaVERSary!

Today is our Anniversary. Here is my knight on a white horse. He makes me happy because he is very smart, happy, kind, sincere, and has the most incredible, infectious laugh. Plus, his soul is golden. And he loves and cares for Mr. Bhu.
Who, by the way, had another visit to the vet today. He behaved so BADLY! OMG, I was so embarrassed by all the hissing, growling, clawing -- he was SO mean, they had to get an assistant who covered him with a towel and hunkered down on him so he wouldn't bite or claw. I'm mortified!! So, the boy's got fleas and we are going to have to treat him for that.

Veteran's Day!

Two pages from my father's war journals (there are four volumes filled with some of the most amazing mementoes, drawings, photos and writing). Click on the photo to enlarge it so you can read what he has to say. All the printing, drawing, and watercoloring is done by hand. The only thing that's missing from these is the emotion. He must have been freaked out!! I wonder what ever happened to William Jewell of Boise, Idaho?

My father was proud of his service and his friends treated him as if he was a great hero and I think he probably was. But combat changes your life and I wonder why we still force people to participate in it. Sweet Praline has a video clip on her blog of WWII veterans being applauded at a DC airport -- it's really cool! I don't think there is enough applause or medals big enough to express my appreciation. xxoo Patty

Kids in the Whitehouse!

The last thing I heard Tuesday evening before I went to bed was some old-enough-to-know-better network news anchor saying "blah, blah, blah . . .there will be children in the White House for the first time since the Kennedy era." HUH??? So what was Amy Carter? Technically, Chelsea Clinton was only 12 when she moved into the Whitehouse! Plus, Bhu wants to know "Watz all dis 'bout a PUPPY!" True, Bhu; I guess they're just not very enlightened. Anyway, isn't this a kewt, kewt photo of little Miss Amy and what a bewtiful kitteh!! As I recall, Chelsea had a kitteh, too -- remember Socks? xxoo Patty

Day after election Blues

Well, unfortunately Goma's fantastic, almost perfect campaign promises of Cheezburgers for ALL did not glean the votes required to be elected Purresident. Bummer! Oh well, there's always 2012.

About the holly bushes: Yes, there are male and female bushes and you don't get berries unless you have both. The nursery people will tell you it takes one male for every three or four females (isn't that always the way?), and my male must have been particularly active this summer!!! Actually, I remember there were lots of bees this spring and I was very excited about that because they are, of course, the pollinators.

Holly and that's it

About ten years ago, I planted four holly bushes out front -- three females and one male. Since the second year, the females have been producing bright red/orange berries, but THIS year they have gone into a FRENZY of berry production and the male plant has grown taller than me! I mean, the thing is so puffed up . . . like the HULK or something.

Octopuss

So Bhu has had quite a month! First, we thought he was going to die and then he literally bounced back and had his 11th birthday and now he is running around the house, jumping on the bed to visit us, and climbing down into the basement to help me quilt. We still don't know what caused his pain, but we know we can't stand the thought of losing him! Love this boy!! Love him LOTS!
And then, just so you know I haven't slacked off that much, I did finish the second Amy Butler fabrics quilt. I think I might like this one better than the first. I have nine print football shapes left and I'm thinking I will create patchwork background strips for the next one. I can't decide, however, if I want to use strips from the Charm or Midwest Modern line. Also, I'm fascinated with and inspired by Sachi Tani's designs and would love to make a fiber version of at least one of them.

Homecoming today! Some silly TV star is in the Parade. The University is too lame to get Brad Pitt. I shouldn't be so critical. They do the best they can (NOT because they haven't got a clue what "best" is). Oooooo, I'm just MEAN today! Hasta la vista, babies! xxoo Patty

Happy Purrfday, Bhu!

Look at what Kelly at Floof and Fur made for Bhu's birthday! What a great group of furriends! Many big birthday smooches to you all!!

And thank you for the basket of treats! Bhu doesn't want me to tell his age, although I think he should be proud! He seems to be completely cured of whatever ailed him last week and I hope we are all able to celebrate many, many more purrfdays! Bhu sez: "Me want to share treatz wif Billie so maybe she getz better!" Okay, Bhu, we will do that. Keep purr-aying for Billie! xxoo Patty

Bhu Better!

This morning he was running around the house, jumping on the beds, purring like a wild mancat and looking perfectly fine. The Vet confirmed he has no broken bones, no visible joint deterioration, back problems, or organ problems. So what was wrong with him?????? He was unable to walk for over a week.

I think whatever happened was purged by all the wonderful purrayers and purrs and good wishes and blessings we received from all the gorgeous Floof and Fur felines and beans! WE LOVE YOU! xxooo Patty and Bhu

Scary Monday

A couple of days ago, Bhu decided to take up residence in this box of receipts from 2007, and Grey furry mouse was there to greet him. Poor Bhu! I called the Vet Med School clinic trying to get an appointment for tomorrow morning. I also called Bhu's regular vet to ask her if she checked him for Iliac Artery thrombosis and to find out if we can get more painkiller meds for him. The purr-ayers and good wishes are really comforting to me, so thank you to all who care about Bhu! xxoo Patty

Purr-ayers for Bhu

Goma and Sachie sent this wonderful get well message to Bhu and it touches my heart so much! Thank you, sweet ones!!

Friday morning Bhu could not walk at all; it was too painful for him. He would start and yowl and hunker down. He finally gave up and moved into his little box by the closet in the corner of the living room . . . his safety spot since he was a kitten. I called the vet and she gave me four hypos of pain killer and I gave him one and after about seven hours he was able to get up and walk to the food bar and take advantage of the litter box. I don't know what I will do when the final hypo is gone. Should I take him to another vet and get another opinion? We have a fine Vet Med School here with a small animal clinic. What if he has to be on pain killers the rest of his life? I'm just not sure what to do. He is our family . . . our little mancat. Thanks to all who have sent blessings and purr-ayers! xxoo Patty

Bhu in Distress!

He's tooo purrity to be in pain, but he is at the Vet right now getting x-rays. Seems to be having trouble with take-off and landing gears. Ann of Zoolatry created this portrait of Bhu and I'm just sorry I have to debut it with this bad news. Please ask Ceiling Cat to help my baby heal! xxoo P

Goma fur Purrrrresident!

Finally! A candidate I can believe in! He's got MY vote!

Sept. 27 -- A Sad Day

Last year, on this day, at 10:45 a.m., Pretty Sofie died. She was born in May 1989 in our bedroom closet and I chose her from the litter of four to say with us. Her siblings (Magellan, Everest, and Winston) were adopted by a pumpkin farmer. She was the best lap cat ever, but she had a nasty habit of thinking the world was her bathroom. I remember taking her to the vet early on and the woeful telephone call: "I have good news and bad news. She's a very healthy kitty, but she has behavioral problems." He might as well have been talking about ME! She hated Bhu and he hated her, but their evil games were fun to watch!
So, Bhu, do you miss Sofie? "No, me do notz! Okay, maybe a little. Me liked to jumpz on her back and chase her thru house. Me liked jumping on bed and scaring her so she HISSSS at me! She hiss and growl, very meanz to me. Where she goez?" We'll talk about that later Bhu. "See mah belleh? Happy Birthday, Sweet P!"

God rest the soul of Paul Newman. He was super hot in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.

Quilting this one right now. I get really hung up on trying to do continuous line quilting, but I can't seem to work that out on this one. Doesn't matter. If I was quilting it by hand, it wouldn't be continuous line either. I have about 50 more of these blocks, so I guess I will be making more of these little quilts!

Finally, a sobering note: half the people who are going to vote in the upcoming presidential election don't know that if something happens to the president, the vice president takes over. Think it can't happen? Remember Harry Truman, Lyndon Johnson and Gerald Ford? Peace Out, Babies!

Fun in the 'Hood

Three beautiful ladies from the 'hood and the tree they planted in the park. Their beaming faces say it all: triumph!! Making the world a better place. Many neighbors got together today with Treekeepers and planted shrubs and trees, composted and mulched them, and resurfaced the nature trail. Glorious team work! Glorious project! Bhu slept the whole time.
I like doing things like this on the weekend cuz during the week at work nobody cooperates, it's all for none and none for all, and we only have successes in our own little cubicles. I talked to my boss about having a staff meeting to try to foster communication to get a little team work going, but it turns out that only certain staff can attend because some of the supervisors think their staff are more important and shouldn't have to gather with the rabble (the rest of us). So in my real life, I can do things to benefit the whole and there isn't even one person who tries to make me feel badly about it.

Bhu's Elegant Belleh

Here is the sequence of events. Mark and I are eating breakfast at table and Bhu must be part of every family gathering. "Me bringz orange crochet mouse and we play for a while." "Uh,oh! Belleh furz a little messy. Me fix, turn over on back.""There! Belleh fur fixed! Me Hansom again! Love U Mommy!" I love you too, Bhu!

Stuck in a moment

We were all standing in Dana Baker's office doorway . . . she had a TV she used to entertain her son Kal when she brought him to the office. I spent the morning calling family to make sure no one had gone there that morning. Meg said she knew someone who was trapped, so a rescue of some sort was important to me. Watching from the back of the assembled viewers, I saw the tower crumble and it was inconceivably all over. I did not cry then. I waited seven years and then I sobbed, loudly and dramatically, in the parking lot as I left my car and walked to my office. But it will never be over for me, no matter how much I cry and no matter how much anger and sadness I feel.

Fall Cleaning

Going to do a little work on the blog sidebar. I'm taking the Mark Lipinski link off because he just isn't blogging much anymore and when he does it's pretty boring. I joined his group for about fifteen minutes, but it wasn't my cup of tea; I thought it would be more exciting and inspiring. Toodles, Turtle!!

I'm adding a link to Jane Sassaman's blog, which is like MIND BLOWING!! She's a true artist and I wouldn't say she has a lot of humility, but she is mature, productive and inspiring.

You will also see Wanda's blog A Frayed of Fibers. She's got great photography, the triangle bag tutorial, and inspiration galore.

I'm also adding a link to the Made in Jerome Pottery website where you can order and purchase kitteh-inspired pottery designed by Jane Moore. She has made for us coffee cups, a vase and a plate using Bhu's image. Of course, there's plenty Moore on the site (pardon ze puny pun). I will blog about the wonderful work she's done for us in the very near future, but for now, go there and browse!

Hope you're all having a wonderful three-day weekend! xxoo Patty & Bhu

Prince and the Pea!

"Look, see throne bedz mai mom makez for me? Me comfy, sleep now, go awayz!" Truly a lucky boy, but he doesn't know it. If there was a pea in there, do you think he'd feel it? Bhu never knows when a pile of quilts is gonna show up and he is always ready to "test" it. This one looks slightly tipsy, but I think he's figured out exactly where his butt should be so he doesn't fall over!
The compost tea harvest has slowed down a bit as the weather cooled off. It's hot again, so I'm reserving some empty liter bottles for the next harvest. I gave someone a bottle of the Skypants Compost Tea (Undiluted) and she put it on her office plants and exclaims that over the weekend her plants grew two inches. This is unconfirmed, but I have no reason to not believe it. Nevertheless, you can see the composter is in a cozy spot; very unobtrusive.

Overnight our town has grown by 30,000, all under 22. Suddenly, there are traffic accidents everywhere, it takes 15 minutes to drive a block and a half, and the boom boom never stops. Mark reports the tailgate tents were up already last night.

Feeling a little better! Love & Hugs to you all! xxoo P

OMG! Goma Comix!

I have been so sick and I went to Goma's blog and there is the cutest comic that Sachie has created! It was like a Get Well card for me! Yes, I am so very self-centered. Go there and enjoy! Sachie is so talented; I think she could publish children's books about Goma's adventures and greeting cards, too, to bring cheer into people's lives!
Madonna lilies blooming in the yard. Gorgeous, big stands of them! I can see them from the window.

Hai! Mai Mom is Sick!

She's been in bed for three days. All her muscles ache and joints throb with pain. "Even my eyebrows hurt, Bhu." Hope she gets better soon. I try to make her feel better by tickling her face with mai wiskers and asking for pets, which she always loves to give me. I sleepz with her sometimez, but it's boring after a while!