Dear Minnesota: Second Notice!!

Daffy's Tip of the Day:  Fleece jammies make great pillows!

PATTY:  Apparently, Minnesota won't take its crappy weather back and we have had s-n-o-w again!  And it is brain-bucking cold, the kind where your fingertips burn even if you're wearing gloves and there can't BE enough layers between your skin and the air.  I should head south, like Ann of Zoolatry; although I hear it's not so warm down there, either! 

Daffy can't wait for the morning when Poppy takes off his jammies and puts on his day clothes.  He has the softest, warmest fleece jammies and as soon as they're off, she jumps up on the bed and kneads her way into a blissful day-long nap.  She'll be up at 4 for her next major feeding.  What a life!! 

Today is Martin Luther King day and I realize there are generations of folks who have no idea who he is or what he did.  "The time is always right to do what is right."  "We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools."  The dream persists in so many of us, but the reality pains our souls.  So, if you pray today, don't pray for health, wealth, success, or romance.  Pray for peaceful coexistence and an end to hatred and the violence it spawns. 

It's also a day off, which for me is not a very profitable situation since if I don't work I don't get paid, so I will be enjoying my sewing mojo, which recently returned.  I've been working on the North Wind quilt using Kaffe Fasset fabrics and just need to design the borders and then it will be a quilt!  Hope you all will have a happy, productive day!! 

xoxo

Dear Minnesota,

Trying to stay warm on the Missouri Start quilt.

Dear Minnesota,

We received some of your weather by mistake and would like to send it back as soon as possible.

Best,
Patty & Daffy & Sab

Who teaches their kid to be a bully?

PATTY:  Okay, this topic has nothing to do with Daffy, but I include a photo of her magnificent belly just to placate her fans and satisfy the terms of the blog.   I have to say that, unlike Bhu who was all fur and no fat, that is mostly poundage under those furs!  For me, picking her up is almost impossible; she's like a greased pig (although I've never picked one up; I just imagine).  So, TADA:

Notice her left leg straight up in the air.  She's a roly poly!

So, back to the topic.  I just visited Instagram and saw a photo of my grand-nephew in which he is wearing one of his kissmess presents (an Adidas hoodie) and a black sweatband covering his forehead.  Nothing unusual you say.  Except, the sweatband is there because back in September someone in his class at school made fun of him, saying his forehead was too big.  Since then, he wears a sweatband all the time.  I always associated a high forehead with high intelligence.  But what do I know?  I'm not a bully.  So who raises kids like that, who are hell-bent on being mean and hurting people?  They're everywhere; no one region has an exclusive on them.  And kids are committing suicide.  It's very sad.  How do we stop this??

xoxo

Kissmess Eve

Daffy on her "throne."  She prefers not to be disturbed by the outside world.

PATTY:  It snowed this morning and it is cold.  I suppose it's a "picture-perfect" version of Christmas that we have come to expect but I'd really rather be warm. 

DAFFY:  Fussy, fussy.  Maybe if you'd grow some furs on yourself you'd feel better.

PATTY:  Well, actually, a friend told us that kitties do get cold.  Everybody thinks that because they have furs, they don't get cold.  Maybe you could enlighten us. 

DAFFY:  I get cold.  My body temperature is only a couple of degrees higher than yours, so if you feel chilly, so do I.  This is one of the reasons I like to sleep in the laundry basket with the high sides to block the draft.

PATTY:  Well, I see the sun's out now, so I'll pull back the drapes and you can lounge in a sunspot.

DAFFY:  Mmmmm, warm!

Merry Kissmess!  xoxo

Mourning Day

Two Buddhas view the world

PATTY:  One year ago, Bhu crossed the Bridge.  He didn't want to go, but physically he didn't have the capacity to stay.  We did everything we could, sparing no expense, to keep him with us.  But it was not to be and we had to let him go.  We miss him so much.   My heart is broken.  Sabryin's heart is broken, too, still . . . after a whole year.  xoxo
 

Happy Grateful Day!

Daffy's "grateful" pose.

PATTY:  Here we are at the end of the year already!  What happened to 2017??  As you can see, Daffy is a bit grateful today since she found a forever home with people who cater to her every whim.  YES, we have been through multiple searches for just the "right" food (Chewy.com can verify this for you, as can Petco); YES, we have spent thousands of dollars already on vet care (she has asthma and we have to give her a shot of tuna-flavored meds every day); YES, she has chosen her favorite napping spot -- which is the bed, which we have to share with her; and YES, she could care less about us unless we are late in cleaning out the litter box or putting out the Fancy Feast Tuna and Shrimp with vegetables Broth.

DAFFY:  Everything is almost purrfect!  Except why turkey?  Why no TUNA?

Close-up of "grateful" pose in which you can see that "purrfection" has not yet been achieved. 

PATTY:  Have a Happy Day and no fighting over the wishbone!  xoxo

Eclipse Fever

It's all good!

PATTY:  I'm reading this now and it's good--very, very good.  Here's a quote I want to capture:

Moneymaking doesn't satisfy the artistic yearning, doesn't satisfy the search for meaning, doesn't equal the personal reward of discovering tiny gems among stones.

That pretty much sums it up for me.  I'm always a little squirmy when people start talking about their houses and furniture and possessions because none of that means much to me.  I don't drool when the conversation turns to personal wealth and I don't aim my energy in that direction either.  But if I hear a tree frog in the dusk, I am in ecstacy.

Daffy is doing better than well!  She runs the operation now, of course.  I will be posting more news about her soon and hope some of you are still interested in the goings on at the Skypants B&B.   xoxo

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Meet Daffodil, who we brought home from the Humane Society yesterday.  She's quiet, shy but definitely not going to put up with any garbage, and doesn't seem to like us too much (but she doesn't hate us, either). 

She's a little over three years old and had some gorgeous green eyes and glorious muff furs.  Unfortunately, her former pawrents had her declawed, which is okay for an indoor kitty.  We're taking her to the vet next week to make sure she doesn't have any after effects that are causing her pain.

Daffodil will have her own blog Daffodil and Patty and we hope you will visit and subscribe. 

Patty xoxo

The Day After

Beautiful graphic by Ann Adamus.  xoxo

Life is so different without Bhu: not so rich, not so fun. But this morning as I was making coffee I looked up out the window and saw big, huge, puffy white snowfluffs! A message from Bhu; he knew how much joy the first snowfall brings to me. He is saying to me, "It's okay mom; I'm good!" 

Reading the comments on yesterday's post, I'm really challenged to find the best words to communicate just how grateful we are for your love and sympathy.  So many of you have gone through this at least once and you know the deep sadness.  I love that we have this community that cares and supports each of its members, human and feline (and canine).  xoxo Patty

au revoir, doux chaton

We loved him and he loved us.

PATTY:  We had to say au revoir to our sweet kitty this morning, just about an hour ago.  Some of you are very familiar with this particular kind of sadness and grief; it's a heartbreak.  I will miss my bud.

Everything that could possibly be done for him was done, but he was just not going to get well.  There were too many issues.  We were so lucky to live close to a major veterinary hospital where the absolute best state-of-the-art care was given.  We had the chance to spend time with him, give him noms of chicken,  and bid farewell before he proceeded on his journey.

Thank you, furrends, for your purrayers and concern.  It made a difference and we love you!  xoxo

Today: Not So Good

Bhu wants to know "Why you takin' my picture?  Take me home!"

Poor Bhu appears to be tethered on both sides.  He is not having a good day.

Getting lots of attention, but none of it feels good.



Lance, the Vet, holding Bhu while his bedding is being replaced.

PATTY:  I think a picture is worth a thousand words.  Today Bhu is getting a transfusion and if he is not feeling better after that, we don't know.  We visited today and he is just sort of in a stupor, but he did respond to pets and ear scritches.  If you can, please keep him in your heart and purrayers!  xoxo

ICU Update

PATTY:  We were able to visit Bhu today and it was quite comforting to be able to see him and touch him.  The ICU is a noisy place and he was the only feline there. 

Bhu in his ICU "Suite".

He has some very impressive medical bling to which he is attached and while we visited he was intently grooming himself.  I guess he knew Poppy was going to take his picture! 

Hooked up to all his medical "bling"

But the story is not so rosey.  Bhu has severe diabetes, severe kidney damage, and certain heart damage of unknown severity.   He will be there for at least two or three more days while they perform additional tests and attempt various treatments.  But, it's only a matter of time.

 

"Hey, mom, that's some amazing static in your hair!"

We'd like to bring him home, but the doctor tells us if that happens he will need a feeding tube and he will have to wear a collar to keep the tube in place and possibly a cone.  He will need insulin twice a day and who knows what else.  But, in the meantime, we can visit him every day and see how he is progressing.   Bhu is an amazing boy and I wouldn't put it past him to rally and get better. 

Your good wishes help a lot!  Purray if you can; we would do the same for you!  xoxo

Bhu in ICU Tonight

PATTY:  Bhu hasn't been doing well for the past few days and what was supposed to be just an appointment to get his claws clipped and his mats removed turned into an overnight stay in the ICU!  The vet says he has diabetes and he is in Stage 4 of CRF, plus he developed a heart murmur and that's the reason for the ICU.  He had to have an EKG so they could determine how to treat him without killing him.  Hopefully, we can buy him some more time with us and let me tell you it isn't cheap.  Nevertheless, we love him tons and don't want him to go yet.  I don't think he's ready to go yet, either.
If you have time, please say a little purrayer for him.  I'm sure he's gonna be lonely for us tonight, as we are so lonely for him.  xoxo

P.S.  Pet your cat!! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BHU!!!

PATTY:  Well, Sab and I are so thrilled to be celebrating this BIG birthday with Bhu!  We love him with all our hearts!  Here are just a few photos of Bhu through the years.  Unfortunately, I lost one of my jump drives that has most of the photos from the first ten years. 

BHU:  Stellar work, Mom! 

In the beginning:  just a little kitteh with a happy future!! 

The Adolescent Bhu was just as confident as he is today!  Quilts make the mancat!

In the spotlight:  in his Purrfessional acting role from As the Paw Turns!

Demonstrating one of his many yoga positions.

His favorite place and constant companion.

BHU:  What a long, strange trip it's been!  The nips on me!!  xoxo