Gone Catty

It's been a mad, crazy summer!  Since the husband wasn't working last year, I didn't get a chance to do any traveling.  I guess I've made up for it this summer--I've logged over 6000 miles, going here and there!  In between all of my traveling, my husband decided Roscoe needed a friend--that he was going to get fat and lazy since he turned a year old and didn't romp like a kitten anymore.  He kept saying that we needed to get another kitten.  I was very undecided about it.  I saw the reasoning behind it, but we already have two 13 year old cats plus Roscoe, did I really want the mess another pet brings with it?  But he convinced me.  A girl I work with had a new litter and I told her I would take one when they were weaned.  She brought me updates and pictures, we picked out a name.  And then a week before we were going to bring her home, the kitten died.  The whole litter, actually.  They think maybe the mother got into poison and passed it on to the kittens.  The local vet mentioned she had some strays so we decided to take one.  Meet Jinx.  He's 4 months old.  He was almost dead when the vet got him, but she nursed him and he survived.  He's lively, cuddley and he and Roscoe bonded immediately, which, of course, was the whole point of the thing!  Now we are a 4-cat family--it's going to make me crazy!  I think the Christmas tree is in trouble! 

Schuetzenfest

Me: Schuetzenfest isn't what it used to be.
Daughter: Isn't it just a big drinking party.
Me: There used to be so much more to it.  They've taken out the "schuetzen".
Daughter: "Schuetzen"?
Me: Well, yah, they used to have a trap shoot, that was a big part of it when it first started.
Daughter: Oh, it was like our family get togethers!

Friend:  Do you know where I can get a pair of lederhousen for my son--he's going to be in the parade.

Me:  Honey, it's just sad that we know what lederhousen are!

 

         Schuetzenfest is a German heritage festival started in our small town in 1966.  By 1976 the crowd had grown to 50,000 people.  College kids would come in by bus loads.  For my 12 year-old self it was great, for the organizers it was a disaster.  That year was like Woodstock--complete with bad Acid!  Lots of arrests, big mess left to clean up afterwards.  The next year it was held in a secret location and only members were allowed to go.  It returned to the fairgrounds but it has never been the same.  Those of us that weren't of drinking age in '76 talk about it with nostalgia, wishing it had been like that in our late teens and 20's.  I used to have a good time, but I think it's dying a slow death.  I didn't even go this year--the bratwurst just isn't calling loud enough!

State of the Union

My husband had yesterday off and the weather was beautiful, so we decided to go to the St. Louis Zoo. Altho I've already been there twice this year with the kids, the husband hasn't. The boy started school this week and is in a less than happy mood and wanted to stay home and have some alone time. Off we went! I mentioned on the way there that we haven't gone to the zoo by ourselves since our honeymoon! That was 21 years ago. We had a dandy good time and it's nice to know we still can. We had some rocky times when I wasn't sure we would make it--times when I wasn't sure I cared if we made it. But I'm so glad we held on. I know people who have nothing in common once the kids move on, but I think if we make the effort to not get into a rut, we can have a really good life--just the two of us!

Fragrance in the Air

We planted this Mamosa tree when we moved here 10 years ago and it is huge now. This year it has stayed bloomed all summer. I don't know if it is because of the weather, or because there didn't seem to be many Japanese Beetles. For whatever reason, it has been beautiful and I noticed one night when I had stepped out after dark how good it smelled. A few days ago while I was outside I noticed several hummingbirds buzzing around it. I do so love that tree!

Follow Up

My son and I made it to Indianapolis as planned, but the trip got cut short. The boy is a worrier and he decided he was getting sick (I think it was lack of sleep) so the whole stay was only about 24 hours. But we did alot in those 24 hours (and spent alot of money in the process)! We went shopping and out to eat on Sunday evening. Then headed to the theatre to see the new Harry Potter movie (our whole reason for picking that particular weekend) and then we headed down town in the middle of the night to see the fountain. Way past my bed time, but it was worth it! If you are ever in Indianapolis, go downtown after dark! Then a couple of hours of (bad) sleep and up and out for breakfast. Afterwords we went to the Zoo. We are so used to the St. Louis Zoo that the Indianapolis Zoo seemed rather small. But it is really beautiful and the exhibits impressed me. The animals were all out and moving around. We really enjoyed it. But after we left there the boy decided he wanted to head home instead of travel around Indiana. I even offered to get us a hotel room instead of spending another night with the girls but he was adamant. He just didn't want to be away from home if he was getting sick. I don't blame him, except I don't believe he was sick--just tired. But it saved me from spending more money, so that's okay!

Oh, and Lucky showed up for a bit Saturday afternoon. Then she disappeared again. I don't know where she is going!

Lost Luck

My Dad was allergic to cats, so we always had dogs and I considered myself a dog person. Then I met my husband, who was (and still is) an avowed cat person. He converted me. I understand people's attraction to dogs because of their companionship. But I think I prefer cats because they don't need the constant attention. It's the same reason I enjoy my children now--they can take care of themselves! I'm apparently not a very "motherly" sort of person! Our oldest cat is Lucky. We found her when she was only around 10 or 11 weeks old. The prevailing theory is that she came in on a farm truck. I found her uptown stuck behind a planter. I think she probably got scared and tried to hide. She was half wild--I don't believe she had been handled much. She never wanted to be a house cat so she spends most of her time outside. When she was young she liked to get into fights! One fight resulted in an infection that almost killed her and she has had skin troubles ever since that has resulted in her looking a bit mangy. She is very affectionate with us, but never let other people pet her. And we haven't seen her since Monday. She has disappeared on us before, but never for this long. I'm hoping she just shows up again, but with each passing day I'm starting to worry.

Road Trip

My 17 year old wants to go on a "road trip" so I promised him one this summer. Problem is I've already spent so much money lately and this could get pricey. I worry about what my husband will have to say about it (and no, I haven't told him yet.) I think it's just going to be from Sunday to Wednesday, if I can get someone to cover my shifts at work. We plan on going to Indianapolis first. We can stay at my daughter's apartment, altho she has 3 roommates-- it may be a bit crowded. But it's cheaper! We plan on going to the Imax theatre to see the Harry Potter movie Sunday evening, and then maybe the zoo on Monday. I'm hoping to spend the night again in Indy and then take off early Tuesday morning for wherever. I just haven't figured out where wherever is! A motel that night, some sight seeing Wednesday morning, and back home by evening. It seems so simple, but I'm one of those people who likes everything planned and organized and scheduled. I'm just not very flexible. I so wish I was! I think the boy needs this break so I'm doing it for him. And, in a way, I guess I'm doing it for myself to see if I can! I'm trying so hard to break out of the routine. It's not easy.