Schpringa

Spring started with an all-day snow. It was beautiful, but better enjoyed inside than out. The first daffodils sagged under the weight of the heavy, wet snow. Today it's all melted and the daffodils have perked up again.

RETIREMENT: Last day of full-time work was Friday. Sunday, Sabryin and I took a class with Jessie Lawson, one awesome artist who specializes in paintings and collages featuring kittehs. She's got a shop on Etsy and you will find it delightful! As usual, I neglected to take my camera but it was so much fun and so energizing and inspiring.

Today is my first day of not working full-time. I'm actually "on vacation," but I've already placed an order for office supplies, changed the supervisor for one of the students, and answered/forwarded a score of e-mails. That's my way. Don't criticize. Whatever makes the transition smoother, right?

What I can't get used to are the neighbors' dogs. Why don't people train their dogs to bark only when there is an intrusion? Oh, yes, I know: LAZINESS. Open the door in the morning, out they go and out they stay, barking barking all the way. The difference between a "pet" and a DOG: pets get walked, their humans play games with them, occasionally you will see a human in the pet's venue. DOGS JUST BARK. NOBODY CARES ABOUT THEM. THEY'RE JUST DOGS, not pets.

Have raspberry canes and asparagus to plant and I imagine it's going to be a battle between me and THE DOG for supremacy in the back yard. Sorry, but I'm going to win, even if I have to intervene with the lack of human attention he gets. Patty speaks.

Functionary Blues

Kitteh Belleh is the most effective and organic anti-depressant I know! Bhu Belleh is a prime example! This weekend I have been suffering from the Functionary Blues and I got it BAD! I usually reserve this space for happy little chipper messages about life with Bhu, but today I will bore everyone with a sad little tale of woe: What will I do with the rest of my life?

Last summer I had lunch-side conversation with friends Corelots and Ann. Ann, retired for about two years at the time, was pursuing free-lance art gigs. Recently, she moved from NYC to a lovely resort town in the mountains of Mexico, a place known for its arts and crafts scene. I asked Corelots, currently a professor, what she intended to do after retirement. This question was not popular, but a reasonable response (tutor) ensued. Corelots (San Francisco) and Ann come back here in the summer to visit a friend who used to be a professor, but who moved back and became an artist and currently co-owns an art gallery. I don't know if "became" is the right word; many of us ARE artists who have had to work as functionaries just to pay the bills. Wages are a drug to which we easily become addicted. It might be stressful, but it's easy and certain: If I do the time, I get the paycheck.

So I am sitting around my house this weekend pondering that question: what will I do? Not "How shall I play?" but "What will I DO?" Cook, clean, launder, iron, pay bills, reconcile bank accounts, go to market, garden, run errands, do chores, make quilts, make other things to sell to people (maybe art), open a booth at the Farmer's Market, pet Bhu.

"Yes, petz me. Petting me is good fur ur soul." xxoo

Laundry Bhu

Yep, it's Sunday which means it's laundry and ironing day. Bhu has planted himself on top of a very large pile of pants and shirts "so they don'tz fall down," or so he says! "Some of the rinkels goes away if me lays on these clothes long enough." Hmmm, unfortunately you're right. Also, unfortunately, you,re coating all the clean clothes with a lovely layer of luxurious kitteh fur! "zzzzzzzzzzz."

So, what happened to February???? Whoosh! Here's what I can remember. Annabelle & Zuzu got a new brother! There were earthquakes and snowstorms that wreaked havoc on the planet. We were able to hire someone to replace me at work and the next five days will be my last as fiscal officer for the school(YAY)! Sabryin and I made French Onion soup from scratch yesterday, including the most necessary finishing touch: gruyere melted on crusty baguette! Oh YUM, it was good! We had a mysterious power outage last night for 90 minutes (probably in sympathy for all the 'hoods back East that still have the problem today), but it was fun getting out all the candles and opening the drapes to capture the blue moonlight. Fortunately, it was not a bone-chilling night . . . very mild. We had the True/False Film Festival in town, with thousands of folks from all over the world gathering to watch documentaries and independent films for three days. We discovered a wonderful goat cheese flavored with lavender and fennel ("Purple Haze") and started a new tradition on Friday nights (no dinner; just plates of fruit, cheese, meats and bread/crackers accompanied by wine). I'll invite you along next time, which won't be next Friday but the one after. We ordered some of our seeds and plants for the garden, but I have many more to order. If anyone knows of a good, cheap source for caladium bulbs, please let me know. I want to put some in my window boxes this year. Most of February was filled with unimportant and work-related business so it's just as well it's over.

We have had difficulty visiting blogs lately, and Bhu is very upset with me because he is longing for glimpses of Sweet Praline, Maggy (his valentine), and GJ (his pal). He has heard a rumor about the many valentines Sweet Praline received, but is always resigned to the fact that she is the sweetheart of the Kittehnet and rightly deserves the attention. Bhu, you are so laid back and handsome, I'm surprised you don't have more ladycat admirers. "Don't need more. Maggy's plenty fur me!" Ahhhhh, how sweet! xxoo Patty

True LUV

"Me gotz a valentine furrum Maggy! She is so purrity and has a BIG HEART! Mom, will U teech me hows to make valentines fur Maggy?"

I will do my best, but I'm not very talented in that area. Sabryin made a beautiful watercolor for me (love, love, love it) and informed me that he is the November 2009 main member 2 Battleboats Plus Tournament Champion! "Wow, do U getz prize??" Just a kiss from Lovee, Bhu.

I was trying to think of romantic/love songs this morning and the one I remember most from my childhood is Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly singing "True Love". I actually still have a 45 rpm of it; wonder if it would play? No doubt it could be downloaded to the ipod. "I give to you and you give to me, love forever true." xxoo Patty

SooPURR Bole Sunday

"Hey, mom! Does we has enough Fancy Feest Appetizers fur today??" Uh, yes, I think so, Bhu. Are you having a party? "Well, me furgotz to invite mai kitteh furrends, but just in case GJ and Sweet P stops by . . . " Don't worry, Bhu. If we run out, I'll go to the store and get more.

As for mom, she's gonna try to get over her adult-onset agoraphobia and head out to Satin Stitches for the fat quarter sale (10 for $20). Then, chores as usual: laundry, ironing, baking cookies, roasting a chicken and root veggies for dinner and working on Valentine's Day cards. "Ooooh, mom, don't furrget about mai valentine!" Ok, Bhu, I won't. xxoo Patty

Got My MOJO Back!

Finally forced myself to do something with the 30's repro bowtie blocks. I was stalled for a year on this one because I couldn't decide how to set the blocks . . . I think I must have googled it ten times during 2009. Finally found one I liked a couple of weeks ago, Sabryin gave it his dominus vobiscum, and I started sewing them together. I'd like to spend more time on it today, but I have 25 shirts and 12 pairs of pants to iron, plus laundry and cooking. Watchu doin', bhu?


"Y U bothurr me? Me iz hasin' a mindfullness moment." Oh, sorry, Bhu! What do you think of the new quilt? "Iz makin' me DIZZY!" Hmmmmm.

Crappy January

Never been my favorite month. Granted, it is possible that it would be better in a different hemisphere, but there is no opportunity for me to test that theory. Highlights of my dissatisfaction this month include (a) general fatness; (b) a temp that is out of the office more than she's in; (c) a work-load that waxes rather than wanes, due largely to the temp's rare appearances; (d) gloomy, grey days. There are a few bright spots, though. Interviews for my replacement are going well, but that leads to (e) fear of losing my job -- which, of course, is the PLAN but I've never really ever been unemployed.

"Iz there any fluffy onez to inturvue?"

Well, there was one I thought would be fluffy, but it turned out she fictionalized the fluff and was really just plain, old slick. But there's a couple more we will talk with next week, so there's still hope. Maybe in a few months I'll be able to spend more time with you, Bhu!

"Good. U can givez me Appetizers any time me wantz then!"

Right, Bhu. xxoo Patty

Bad Bhu, Bad Bhu, Whatcha Gonna Do . . .

when they come for you! I've always wanted to catch the little booger in the act and here he is on the counter licking a plastic bag. He'd climbed all the way over the counter, across the stovetop, past steaming pots and other dangers too horrible to tell JUST TO LICK THIS BAG!! Oh, and I have video of him actually knawing on the bag, too, officer. Yes, he is guilty! Take him away!
"Nooooo! Leavez me alone! Me just has a little problemz with plastic."
"Maybe you need rehab, Bhu."

brrrrr brrrrrr brrrrrrr

Forty-eight hours ago, Bhu was perched in the window fascinated by the snow falling. He is no longer amused. "Too cold. Me snooze. zzzzzzz." I have never seen a photo that captures the feeling of cold as well as this one my friend Ricky took. Wherever you are, stay warm and feed the birds. xxooo Patty

New Year Fluff

Happy New Year, Bhu! Got any resolutions?
"Yes. Sleep in sun as much as possible. Eat lotsa Fancy Feest Appetizers."
That's it? How about Be a good boy for your mommy?
"Me close mai eyes now and go back to sleep. zzzzzzzzzz"

The first day of 2010 is frigid, as usual, but sunny after a week of very deep cloudiness. Bhu is very relaxed in his patch of sunshine, his white fur glowing and his little sleepy eyes opening a little bit, then closing. He is a joy.

Normally, I don't do the resolutions thing, but this year I am going to try to be more organized in my attempt to live a healthy, fun life. I might even go as far as to create a "goal" or two: diet, exercise and self-awareness. Couldn't be bad, right?

Sabryin, Bhu and I hope your new year and new decade will be rewarding! xxoo Patty

Mike

passed away the other night in Astoria, Queens at his daughter's apartment. We are so sad. He was our friend; we loved him. He gave the BEST hugs! xxoo Patty

Gouty Kissmass Eve

Here is a really cute portrait of Bhu and his furrends Sweet Praline, Ginger Jasper and Romeo that Ann of Zoolatry created. Wish I could work the software like she does! I am having a very gouty day . . . very painful, so I'm a bit distracted.
"What's new. U iz always disturracted."
What do you mean, Bhu? I have the capacity to focus, although much on which I must focus is terminally boring and makes me want to scream.
"Like U said Monday that me needs another dose of Frontline and it's Thursday and no Frontline. These fleas is bitin' me! HALP!"
Okay, okay! I will do that right after we finish up here. I wanna tell people that the vet said you do not have any major health problems, but you are losing weight. We don't know why, so she is gonna do more blood work.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! No more needle sticks!"
Fraid so, Bhu. Oh, and I want to tell everybody about the new treat we found for you: Fancy Feast Appetizers!
"Oh, yes! These R purrity much YUMMMY. Me don' knows wich is mai fafurrite yet. Wish me could eatz them alla time."
Well, you still need to eat your regular Fancy Feast food, too.
"Don't furrget."
Don't furrget what?
"Don't furrget to wish effurryone MERRY KISSMASS AND HAPPY NOOOO YEER!"
XXOO Patty & Bhu

Ho Ho Ho!

Huh?
"How U likez new banner?"
Well, I notice MY name is gone! Are you kicking me off the blog?
"No, U kin stay. Ann of Zoolatry made this fur us and the purrfday card, too!"
I know! She is so talented! I Love Love Love my birthday card.
"Did U has good purrfday?"
Yes, I got to spend all day with my two fluffy boys -- Bhu and Sabryin.
"Me hasta go to Vet today. They put a muzzle on me."
No kidding? You were BAD? Maybe now you can be in the Naughty Kitty Club with Sweet Praline and Ginger Jasper.
"Akshully, it was the VET that was bein' BAD! Stickin' me with needles and pokin' around mai bottom and private parts! SHE was bad, not me! Me was just protecktin maiself!"
Well, I hope everything is okay, Bhu. You've lost a lot of weight lately and seem a bit lethargic. Come here so I can give you a big kiss. smooch, smooch

Happy holidays to all with much love and big hopes for Peace on Earth!
Love, Patty, Bhu, Sabryin

Winter.

My dotter took this photo -- her backyard Monday. We don't have this much snow, but winter is definitely here. What to do on a day when the temp is 14 and the wind is gusting up to 50 mph? Clean your house and give yourself a facial.

"U gonna pet me, too?"
Purrrrrhaps, Bhu. Purrrrhaps.
xxoo Patty