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“Cats know how to obtain food without labor, shelter without confinement, and love without penalties.” ~ W.L. George
Dear little Sissy Kat appeared about three weeks ago and before we could take her to get spayed, we spotted her 4 kittens following her out from under our construction scrap woodpile!
They've finally gotten brave enough to climb up on the porch. Mamma Sissy Kat has moved them to our side porch is a sheltered area we made for them. That sounds so fancy! It's actually on top of our old washer and dryer from Texas. Ha!
Now I have photos!! The gray and white male is Jack Benny; he's identical to our indoor cat, Sophie, except with short hair. The black and white female is Freddie; she looks a whole lot like her mama, Sissy. The solid gray female is Ashley with bright green eyes. The gray and white female with the pink nose is Pinky.
We cannot bring them all inside. We have two Border Collies and a cat inside now. So they are going to be porch cats. I'll probably worry about them every day, but hopefully they'll be fine.
I had forgotten how cute kittens are! We will be bringing them and their mother for spay/neuter services as soon as they're old enough.
They've finally gotten brave enough to climb up on the porch. Mamma Sissy Kat has moved them to our side porch is a sheltered area we made for them. That sounds so fancy! It's actually on top of our old washer and dryer from Texas. Ha!
Now I have photos!! The gray and white male is Jack Benny; he's identical to our indoor cat, Sophie, except with short hair. The black and white female is Freddie; she looks a whole lot like her mama, Sissy. The solid gray female is Ashley with bright green eyes. The gray and white female with the pink nose is Pinky.
We cannot bring them all inside. We have two Border Collies and a cat inside now. So they are going to be porch cats. I'll probably worry about them every day, but hopefully they'll be fine.
I had forgotten how cute kittens are! We will be bringing them and their mother for spay/neuter services as soon as they're old enough.
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“When gardeners garden, it is not just plants that grow, but the gardeners themselves.” -
Ken Druse
Ken Druse
We finally had a garden! I loved my garden in Texas so much. I worked for years getting it into shape, making it beautiful and lush, and loving every minute of doing so.
One year our neighbors cut down all their cedar trees and fed them into a chipper machine. They had a HUGE pile of cedar chips and said I could have as much as I wanted. I drove our old Chevy truck up to that pile, loaded the truck bed, and shoveled those chips onto plastic sheeting, making walkways all through the garden. I'm not talking one truck load; I'm talking about 30! I did most of it myself, I'm proud to say. It was worth it for my garden.
I also built an "Aggie" compost bin, named after the bins that Texas A&M University developed from cement blocks. Of course, I painted grape bunches and flowers on mine!
I cried big, old fat tears when I had to leave that Texas garden and I've been missing gardening ever since. But now we've made one here. It's out by the barn, so a bit of a hike to get there, but it has a great view and good soil. What more can you ask?
One year our neighbors cut down all their cedar trees and fed them into a chipper machine. They had a HUGE pile of cedar chips and said I could have as much as I wanted. I drove our old Chevy truck up to that pile, loaded the truck bed, and shoveled those chips onto plastic sheeting, making walkways all through the garden. I'm not talking one truck load; I'm talking about 30! I did most of it myself, I'm proud to say. It was worth it for my garden.
I also built an "Aggie" compost bin, named after the bins that Texas A&M University developed from cement blocks. Of course, I painted grape bunches and flowers on mine!
I cried big, old fat tears when I had to leave that Texas garden and I've been missing gardening ever since. But now we've made one here. It's out by the barn, so a bit of a hike to get there, but it has a great view and good soil. What more can you ask?
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"A skunk is better company than a person who prides himself on being frank." - Robert A. Heinlein
We had a beautiful Christmas dinner party for close friends and their visiting family. Everything was perfect! The meal was delicious, the wine flowed, dessert was delightful. After dinner, in the holiday spirit, everyone gathered around the piano, singing Christmas Carols. The scene was marvelous - straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting or a Hallmark Christmas movie!
Then what to my wandering eyes should appear - certainly not Santa and reindeer. I spotted Grace, our Border Collie, on the back porch. (She was supposed to be inside!) I opened the door. Gracie dashed through the house, running right past the piano. Moments later instead of caroling, I heard yelling and shrieking. "What is that smell?" "Ewwww..."
Then what to my wandering eyes should appear - certainly not Santa and reindeer. I spotted Grace, our Border Collie, on the back porch. (She was supposed to be inside!) I opened the door. Gracie dashed through the house, running right past the piano. Moments later instead of caroling, I heard yelling and shrieking. "What is that smell?" "Ewwww..."
Yep, an unexpected guest for our Christmas dinner party had arrived. Last name: Skunk!! Gracie had been skunked. She must have mistaken the skunk for our outdoor cat, Sissy, whom she kisses frequently. No amount of pine boughs or Christmas candles could compete with Gracie's stench.
Party entertainment quickly switched to watching my husband bathe Gracie outside, near the front porch. The men all sat on the porch and watched, while we women (smart creatures that we are) sat indoors out of the way and drank large amounts of wine.
Party entertainment quickly switched to watching my husband bathe Gracie outside, near the front porch. The men all sat on the porch and watched, while we women (smart creatures that we are) sat indoors out of the way and drank large amounts of wine.
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"Dear Santa—All I want for Christmas is blue water, soft sand and warm weather." - Gracie
We started a new tradition last Christmas Day - going to the beach! It's summer in Uruguay and doesn't feel very Christmasy. However, give me a handsome guy, a furry Border Collie, some sand, and the ocean and I'm over snow and stockings.
Our Border Collie, Gracie, loves the beach and loves playing fetch in the water. She's no spring chicken, but the water seems to make her young in spirit. Sam, our Border boy, HATES all things beach. He walks in the sand like he's avoiding land mines. We just leave him at home...
Still no Christmas tree for me. That is a tragedy. I am a world-class lover of all Christmas decorations, but our fake Christmas tree remains buried somewhere in the barn loft. One year...
Our Border Collie, Gracie, loves the beach and loves playing fetch in the water. She's no spring chicken, but the water seems to make her young in spirit. Sam, our Border boy, HATES all things beach. He walks in the sand like he's avoiding land mines. We just leave him at home...
Still no Christmas tree for me. That is a tragedy. I am a world-class lover of all Christmas decorations, but our fake Christmas tree remains buried somewhere in the barn loft. One year...
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“One cat just leads to another.” – Ernest Hemingway
Sophie, our indoor cat, adopted us in June. Now I'll introduce Sissy! She wandered up onto our porch one day and was so snuggly and friendly. We planned to bring her inside - she's the half-sister of Sophie. There is a Mama cat and a Tom cat the neighborhood, producing litters. No one can catch them for spay and neuter.
Shortly after Sissy appeared on the porch, we decided to bring her to the vet for a spay and then indoors with Sophie. The same day as her vet appointment, we saw her going under a pile of scrap plywood from our construction.
Shortly after Sissy appeared on the porch, we decided to bring her to the vet for a spay and then indoors with Sophie. The same day as her vet appointment, we saw her going under a pile of scrap plywood from our construction.
Wouldn't you know it? She emerged from the woodpile with 4 kittens following her. They looked to be about 1 month old, but at first wouldn't show themselves long enough for me to snap a photo. Oh my, the joys of living in the countryside. We now have 6 cats.
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Update: Our dear friends moved from Uruguay and the husband passed away in (2022). These memories of sweet Thanksgiving holidays at their home are even more precious now. Somewhere in Heaven, he's driving that Mule!
Gluten-intolerant? Here's my delicious recipe for
GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD DRESSING.
GLUTEN-FREE CORNBREAD DRESSING.
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"Once when I had remarked on the affection often found between cat and dog, my friend replied, 'Yes. But I bet no dog would ever confess it to the other dogs."' ~ C.S. Lewis
When Sophie Kat came into our lives and household in June, we worried that our two Border Collies, Grace and Sam, might not accept her. We gave Sam (who is more aggressive) a job: "Guard Sophie!." That worked like a charm, he was gentle with her and loving.
HOWEVER, Border Collies tend to take things one step forward. When Gracie showed any interest in Sophie, Sam would bark at Gracie and get angry. We had to change the command to: "Love Sophie." Border Collies are so darn smart that they can distinguish between the nuances of words. "Guard" means keep safe and "love" means to cherish. Sam figured the differences out in a day or two!
Sam and Sophie are famous friends, but also let Gracie in on some of the love!
HOWEVER, Border Collies tend to take things one step forward. When Gracie showed any interest in Sophie, Sam would bark at Gracie and get angry. We had to change the command to: "Love Sophie." Border Collies are so darn smart that they can distinguish between the nuances of words. "Guard" means keep safe and "love" means to cherish. Sam figured the differences out in a day or two!
Sam and Sophie are famous friends, but also let Gracie in on some of the love!
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"I was 32 when I started cooking; up until then, I just ate." - Julia Child
I adore food, cooking, and coffee - served in very big cups. Growing up in the Deep South as a spoiled brat, I only learned to cook the "fun stuff." Of course, that meant desserts!
I compiled a family cookbook when I was in my 30's, but I really didn't know how to cook. (I typed that book on a TYPEWRITER!)
The family joke back then was, "Aunt Pam cooks a great salad." The review came from my adorable 10 year old nephew and his experience with my culinary skills.
I adore food, cooking, and coffee - served in very big cups. Growing up in the Deep South as a spoiled brat, I only learned to cook the "fun stuff." Of course, that meant desserts!
I compiled a family cookbook when I was in my 30's, but I really didn't know how to cook. (I typed that book on a TYPEWRITER!)
The family joke back then was, "Aunt Pam cooks a great salad." The review came from my adorable 10 year old nephew and his experience with my culinary skills.
When I hit the big 4-0, I realized that maybe it was time to learn to cook. Two good friends and lots of family were the lab rats to my trial runs of recipes. As long as I kept the wine flowing, there were few complaints about the food. Shortly after, I compiled another family cookbook; this one was titled, "Pam Actually Cooks." Emphasis on ACTUALLY.
Years later, I cook 2 meals a day, experiment with recipes, and play with food. I even organized many of my tried and true recipes this winter (June, July, and August in Uruguay). I also went through those two family cookbooks written years ago, added newer recipes from years since, and created a website: MissCookbook.com.
Please visit the site, have fun with the recipes, and put some love in that spoon! I can't guarantee that every recipe will be perfect, but it's all shared with joy and love.
Years later, I cook 2 meals a day, experiment with recipes, and play with food. I even organized many of my tried and true recipes this winter (June, July, and August in Uruguay). I also went through those two family cookbooks written years ago, added newer recipes from years since, and created a website: MissCookbook.com.
Please visit the site, have fun with the recipes, and put some love in that spoon! I can't guarantee that every recipe will be perfect, but it's all shared with joy and love.
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Major Strasser: "What is your nationality?"
Rick: "I'm a drunkard." Casablanca - Rick (Humphrey Bogart)
In the United States, there seems to be a new debate over the political correctness of the term, “American.” I'm not on the politically correct/or not bandwagon. However, this is a dilemma for international travelers who hail from the good ole U.S.A. - There is no exact term to describe our nationality to others, such as Canada – Canadian; Germany – German; Chile – Chilean.
For example, while in Uruguay, if asked my nationality and I respond, "American," the questioner may be puzzled. Rightfully so. Technically someone from Uruguay (or any other North American, Central American, or South American country) could be considered “American” too. The term, "American," can actually be used for 55 different countries in North, Central, and South America.
Usually, because of my English, the Uruguyan will continue with, "Oh, North America? What country?"
I must say, “I'm from the United States." I don't have another term to point out my exact nationality. Over time, I've found it's much easier to answer with, "I'm from Texas." Everyone nods and smiles, thinking of the familiar cowboys, horses, and cattle that made Texas famous.
United States - United Statesian?? U.S.ian?? Those two just don’t sound right. Any ideas?
Rick: "I'm a drunkard." Casablanca - Rick (Humphrey Bogart)
In the United States, there seems to be a new debate over the political correctness of the term, “American.” I'm not on the politically correct/or not bandwagon. However, this is a dilemma for international travelers who hail from the good ole U.S.A. - There is no exact term to describe our nationality to others, such as Canada – Canadian; Germany – German; Chile – Chilean.
For example, while in Uruguay, if asked my nationality and I respond, "American," the questioner may be puzzled. Rightfully so. Technically someone from Uruguay (or any other North American, Central American, or South American country) could be considered “American” too. The term, "American," can actually be used for 55 different countries in North, Central, and South America.
Usually, because of my English, the Uruguyan will continue with, "Oh, North America? What country?"
I must say, “I'm from the United States." I don't have another term to point out my exact nationality. Over time, I've found it's much easier to answer with, "I'm from Texas." Everyone nods and smiles, thinking of the familiar cowboys, horses, and cattle that made Texas famous.
United States - United Statesian?? U.S.ian?? Those two just don’t sound right. Any ideas?
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“The cold never bothered me anyway.” Frozen - Elsa (Idina Menzel)
Cold weather is upon us in South America. Yes, June, July, and August are winter months below the equator in Uruguay.
I'm not sure I will ever get accustomed to cold weather in July. Around the 20th of June, my head starts ringing with "Jingle Bells" as my brain says, "Christmas is almost here." On July 4th, as I read on Facebook of friends and family celebrating Independence Day with picnics, sunglasses, and fried chicken, I looked outside to frost on the ground. Topsy turvy is this world south of the equator.
Cold weather is upon us in South America. Yes, June, July, and August are winter months below the equator in Uruguay.
I'm not sure I will ever get accustomed to cold weather in July. Around the 20th of June, my head starts ringing with "Jingle Bells" as my brain says, "Christmas is almost here." On July 4th, as I read on Facebook of friends and family celebrating Independence Day with picnics, sunglasses, and fried chicken, I looked outside to frost on the ground. Topsy turvy is this world south of the equator.