Eva’s Friends

[lightm]

This faith, charity, hope picture is calendar worthy!

 

[Callender Girl]

I am sorry about poor Prudence -- both for her and for you. You've lost so many in such a short time. I've never thought of them as "celebrations of life," either. I think it's just a euphemism substituted to try to lessen the pain that comes with mourning. Grief is inevitable, no matter what you call the ritual.

It's good that the door is still open on the job you turned down.

My sister and I got home from our trip to northern Minnesota. After dropping off me and all my stuff (we are serious rock pickers and always come home with "treasures" we've gleaned from Lake Superior), she drove to her home in southern Iowa.

The good news is that all of my critters are alive and well. I am not planning to use the pet sitter again. Although I left detailed notes about what to do and how, and walked her through everything, when I got home all the birds were in their runs, not their coops. Most were pretty safe but the ducks' run is simply 3-foot wire fencing; any predator could have attacked them. Also, one of the chicken runs isn't predator proof, and I would be heartbroken if something got to Camille, my last of the Salmon Faverolles and one of the oldest girls.

When I went to close the white coop's pop door, I found the wooden door had literally spilt in two, vertically. At least she could have left a note so I could have enlisted my sister's help in repairing it before Carolyn drove off. The mechanism that opens and closes the blue coop fell off in my hand; I'm guessing it was forced once or twice too often.

In terms of cleanliness, I'm sure she wasn't cleaning coops every day. The Omlet's pull-out tray wasn't just dirty, there were maggots in it. Dottie's indoor kennel was filthy and the basement cats' litter boxes were overflowing with the smell coming clear up the stairs. And, whatever she cooked in the microwave had to be soaked and scraped clean.

But, again, we got to take our trip and everyone survived. The trip was great. The owner of the place where we stay said she considers us "visitors," not tourists and hopes we always feel like we're coming home when we're there. Our room has a fridge and microwave but no kitchen sink, so she lets us use the sink in her she shed, which she leaves unlocked during our stay, just for us.

We crossed the border and spent a day in Canada. I hadn't been there in years, and it was my sister's first time. My sister is really into Tibetan-style singing bowls and we attended a session on those. We shopped at the weekly downtown artisans market. I've never before gone into one of the art galleries because I know I can't afford the art. But, this year, I bravely entered and bought a nice calendar, a beautiful greeting card that I'm going to frame and a bookmark decorated with one of my favorite paintings there. Maybe if I save enough money, I can actually buy a small print next year?

I got to see lots of old friends at the rendezvous at Grand Portage National Monument and stopped in town to visit a couple I've known for more than 20 years. He is 82 and not in good health, so I'm glad we could make time to see them.

So, a great trip until I got home to chaos. There had been a storm last week that dropped lots of branches, 2.5 inches of rain and knocked out electricity, so all the clocks in the house were blinking -- and had been for days. Everything is fixable, so I shouldn't complain but I'm disappointed because I was hoping this would work out well and I could use this person again for a few shorter trips this fall. Guess not.

Have you started your EMT classes yet? Hope they go well.

 

[lightm]

Congratulations on your page being on the Frontpage of BYC! I'm about to read it.

 

[Callender Girl]

I just read it. Great article! And, I love that you included a photo of Prudence!

 

[Evadig]

Nothing at all was going on last week, so I skipped posting.

However, apparently everyone in the Muddy Run now has mites, so I have to work on eradicating those this week.

I've been sleeping poorly. I think it's because, frankly, I'm so mind-numbingly bored. I am ashamed to admit it but I spend most of my time scrolling BYC, reddit (I don't have an account, though, thank goodness), or youtube. Some days I'm more productive than others. I try to get at least one useful thing done per day (not including caring for the animals) and after listening to Admiral McRaven's speech, I most always make my bed.

Thankfully school starts this week, so I will be busy studying. The instructor has made it clear you don't get to attend class unless you've done your homework first. And I'm still on the lookout for a part-time job, but even those are hard to come by in my area. Maybe I'll try driving school bus!

To my credit, I have successfully passed all female fitness standards for the Coast Guard: 15 pushups, 1.5 miles in 15 minutes, and 1:09 plank. Actually, I have passed the men's standards in pushups and running, as well. So I haven't been totally useless. Still waiting on waivers, though...of course I had to pick the branch with the longest wait time!

Other than that, I started cutting out a dress, and my sis and I went to the antique store for a last outing before classes begin. I got a Bible from WWI, a History of the Navy from 1884, and a Hymn-Book from 1848! Also a vintage can opener and a pair of candlesticks.

The good news is that all of my critters are alive and well. I am not planning to use the pet sitter again. Although I left detailed notes about what to do and how, and walked her through everything, when I got home all the birds were in their runs, not their coops. Most were pretty safe but the ducks' run is simply 3-foot wire fencing; any predator could have attacked them. Also, one of the chicken runs isn't predator proof, and I would be heartbroken if something got to Camille, my last of the Salmon Faverolles and one of the oldest girls.

When I went to close the white coop's pop door, I found the wooden door had literally spilt in two, vertically. At least she could have left a note so I could have enlisted my sister's help in repairing it before Carolyn drove off. The mechanism that opens and closes the blue coop fell off in my hand; I'm guessing it was forced once or twice too often.

In terms of cleanliness, I'm sure she wasn't cleaning coops every day. The Omlet's pull-out tray wasn't just dirty, there were maggots in it. Dottie's indoor kennel was filthy and the basement cats' litter boxes were overflowing with the smell coming clear up the stairs. And, whatever she cooked in the microwave had to be soaked and scraped clean.

Oh, my. She ought to be ashamed of herself! Even an 80-year old lady who watched my animals a couple times with minimal directions could do a better job than that!

But, again, we got to take our trip and everyone survived. The trip was great. The owner of the place where we stay said she considers us "visitors," not tourists and hopes we always feel like we're coming home when we're there. Our room has a fridge and microwave but no kitchen sink, so she lets us use the sink in her she shed, which she leaves unlocked during our stay, just for us.

We crossed the border and spent a day in Canada. I hadn't been there in years, and it was my sister's first time. My sister is really into Tibetan-style singing bowls and we attended a session on those. We shopped at the weekly downtown artisans market. I've never before gone into one of the art galleries because I know I can't afford the art. But, this year, I bravely entered and bought a nice calendar, a beautiful greeting card that I'm going to frame and a bookmark decorated with one of my favorite paintings there. Maybe if I save enough money, I can actually buy a small print next year?

I got to see lots of old friends at the rendezvous at Grand Portage National Monument and stopped in town to visit a couple I've known for more than 20 years. He is 82 and not in good health, so I'm glad we could make time to see them.

It sounds like you had a wonderful vacation!

Congratulations on your page being on the Frontpage of BYC! I'm about to read it.

I just read it. Great article! And, I love that you included a photo of Prudence!

Thank you, and I'm glad you liked it! I can't believe it actually made the home page!


The books:

The Stinkers

Milkweed

Sunset in the city

A cat at the shelter

 

[lightm]

The good news is that all of my critters are alive and well. I am not planning to use the pet sitter again. Although I left detailed notes about what to do and how, and walked her through everything, when I got home all the birds were in their runs, not their coops. Most were pretty safe but the ducks' run is simply 3-foot wire fencing; any predator could have attacked them. Also, one of the chicken runs isn't predator proof, and I would be heartbroken if something got to Camille, my last of the Salmon Faverolles and one of the oldest girls.

I am so glad your critters are all fine despite the sitter's bad job.

I've been sleeping poorly. I think it's because, frankly, I'm so mind-numbingly bored. I am ashamed to admit it but I spend most of my time scrolling BYC, reddit (I don't have an account, though, thank goodness), or youtube. Some days I'm more productive than others. I try to get at least one useful thing done per day (not including caring for the animals) and after listening to Admiral McRaven's speech, I most always make my bed.

I am so sorry. You can consider taking Maganisium as a supplement. It is good for you regardless. Take before going to bed to help you to sleep.

I am glad that you will be occupied this week. Good luck with everything.