Texeira Lane

This is kind of fun. You can go to the Draw a House site and draw a house and then your personality is analyzed. Now you can either do this on your own or you can draw your house on Texeira Lane. I drew a house and created Texeira Lane. If you follow this link --> Texeira Lane - you can draw your house and add it to the lane. If you want to view the street I made you can follow this link --> View. I hope someone else will draw a house & add it to the lane. I'm kind of lonely there by myself. Also I'm hoping your house will look better than mine & improve the neighborhood! I'm not a very good artist. Those are cats in the yard by the way! Give it a try - you really don't have anything better to do, do you? If so you should be posting it!

FYI - there is room for 20 houses on the street so get busy!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Silent Sunday

My cats got catnip filled fortune cookies from Santa Claus. Mellifera was completely flipped out!

FYI: These came from Santa via Jake & Micah, a terrific store you should check out! 

My Word for 2009

In an earlier post I mentioned that I was working on choosing a word of the year for 2009. I promised to share mine when I figured it out. I had a long list of words but none of them felt right to me. I was reading a post on the Zen Habits blog about thriving on a simpler lifestyle and it came to me what word I wanted - Simplify.

I have this recurring (weekly, daily, hourly recurring) fantasy of packing a bag and flying to London to stay. When I think about what I'd put in the bag I'm always surprised at how easy it would be to leave things behind. Which makes me wonder why I have so much stuff!

Simplify

To make simple or simpler, as:

a. To reduce in complexity or extent.

b. To reduce to fundamental parts.

c. To make easier to understand.

I like definition b best - to reduce to fundamental parts. My goal for 2009 is going to be to reduce my life to fundamentals - only those things which are necessary. I don't mean just stuff although that is part of it. I want to figure out what is really essential and keep only those things, emotions, etc that I can't do without. I read once that you should only keep what is useful or beautiful. I think that could apply to more than material things. I'm going to use that as a starting point. I'm not really sure where I'm going with this but it should be interesting!

So did anyone else choose a word? Please share if you did!

Robin, the lonely (but simplified) blog mistress

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

Silent Sunday

This is the Dark Doodad Nebula. I liked the name!

Inaugural Poet

President-elect Obama has chosen the poet Elizabeth Alexander to compose a poem to be read at his inauguration. Obama is only the third president to have done this. (The other two were Clinton & Kennedy.) Alexander is the author of four books of poetry and a professor of African-American studies at Yale. She was a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2005 for her book, American Sublime. Here is one of her poems:

Ars Poetica #100: I Believe

Poetry, I tell my students,
is idiosyncratic. Poetry

is where we are ourselves,
(though Sterling Brown said

“Every ‘I’ is a dramatic ‘I’”)
digging in the clam flats

for the shell that snaps,
emptying the proverbial pocketbook.

Poetry is what you find
in the dirt in the corner,

overhear on the bus, God
in the details, the only way

to get from here to there.
Poetry (and now my voice is rising)

is not all love, love, love,
and I’m sorry the dog died.

Poetry (here I hear myself loudest)
is the human voice,

and are we not of interest to each other?

Word of the Year

This is an interesting idea that I found, where else, on a blog! Christine Kane's blog is about inspiring creativity, change and other good stuff like that. One of her suggestions in lieu of long lists of New Year's resolutions that generally last 2 minutes, is to choose a word for the year. This word is a way of setting intentions for the year.

Anyway I really liked this idea and am working on choosing a word for 2009. I have a list of 12 words right now. When I started this I thought it would be easy but it really requires you to think about what each word would mean. It's easy to say, oh I'll pick the word change. But what exactly would that mean? Also it's a little broad and I want to be a bit specific.

Give this a shot - it's kind of fun! If you pick a word please, please share it as a comment or post! Once I decide, I'll share mine.

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Reading Blogs

I don't know how many other blogs you all read. Based on readership here, probably not many! Anyway, you may not be aware that there is a blog on just about any interest you have. Here are a few examples:

For our tea loving readers:
Bigelow Tea
Nice Cup of Tea
Uniquely Tea


Perhaps Webkinz is more your cup of tea (that was cute!):
Webkinz Insider
Webkinz Insider (different site - same name)
Webkinz World


Cats:
The Way of Cats
Catster Blog
Cats & Cat Health


Books:
BookForum
Littera Scripta
Powell's Books Blog

In my Google Reader I have 14 broad categories of blogs. Very broad - they could all be easily expanded. My point here, aside from wanting to write a post, is that you can find a blog on most anything that interests you. It is a great way to keep up-to-date on subjects, learn more about something and find out what other people think.

Now that I've piqued your interest I'm sure you are all wondering how you go about finding a blog on the weird subject you're interested in. There are two ways. One is to use a search engine. Go to Google Blog Search and type in whatever your subject is & click search blogs. You'll probably get a lot of results. One problem is that you'll find many, many blogs that mention your subject but aren't devoted to it. Another search engine for blogs is Technorati. It's a pretty cool site that can give you more focused results.

Or if all that sounds to complicated you can take the easy way out. Post a comment here and say, Robin I know you are bored and need something to do. I challenge you to find me 3 blogs focused on my esoteric interest. No guarantees but I'm pretty sure I'll be able to. Bear in mind, however, that I'll post those results. So if you have some really embarrassing interest that you don't want to share you can email me privately & anonymously. I have no idea how I can respond if it's anonymous but I'll give it a shot.

I should warn you that reading blogs can be addictive. Within my 14 categories are 232 blogs that I read. Not daily - many don't publish every day. Some I just skim or look at the pictures (stitching blogs in case you wondered!).

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Silent Sunday

Candle Warning!

I read this on a beading blog & thought I'd pass it along as a reminder to everyone. I don't know about anyone else but I light candles all the time. Unfortunately, I have a bad habit of forgetting that I lit them. I am constantly reminded of my lapse in judgment by my ever-vigilant daughter. I can't count the number of times I've rolled my eyes at her lecture about blowing out candles. They seem so innocent and small . . . We all know they can start a fire but a reminder doesn't hurt. Hopefully you all have a Jill around to remind you about your candles. I guess I'd better stop rolling my eyes at her!

Robin, the lonely (often careless) blog mistress

PacMan

Note the little PacMan game at the bottom on right-hand side. You can play it small by clicking on play game or click at the bottom on pop-out and play and you'll get a bigger screen. It's fun but I'll warn you all in advance - these guys are pretty fast!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Poetry Day

I really like this poem a lot. I'm not sure why, something about it just appeals to me!


Old Man Eating Alone in a Chinese Restaurant

I am glad I resisted the temptation,
if it was a temptation when I was young,
to write a poem about an old man
eating alone at a corner table in a Chinese restaurant.

I would have gotten it all wrong
thinking: the poor bastard, not a friend in the world
and with only a book for a companion.
He'll probably pay the bill out of a change purse.

So glad I waited all these decades
to record how hot and sour the hot and sour
soup is here at Chang's this afternoon
and how cold the Chinese beer in a frosted glass.

And my book — José Saramago's Blindness
as it turns out — is so absorbing that I look up
from its escalating horrors only
when I am stunned by one of his gleaming sentences.

And I should mention the light
that falls through the big windows this time of day
italicizing everything it touches —
the plates and teapots, the immaculate tablecloths,

as well as the soft brown hair of the waitress
in the white blouse and short black skirt,
the one who is smiling now as she bears a cup of rice
and shredded beef with garlic to my favorite table in the corner.

Billy Collins

Would you?

Today in history:

1936: Abdication of King Edward VIII

Edward VIII, failing to win acceptance for his desire to marry American divorcée Wallis Warfield Simpson, became the only British sovereign to voluntarily resign the crown, his abdication formally approved this day in 1936.

How many of you would give up being King/Queen of England for love? Obviously not an issue today (or in 1533) - witness the current Prince of Wales. However, in 1936 it certainly was. So what do you all think? Feel free to say you'd dump your spouse in an instant for the throne. I promise I'll keep your identity secret!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress (who would sell her daughter to be Queen or even to return to England)

As Time Goes By

This is pretty funny. I found it on another blog & thought I'd try it. If any of the songs seem strangely appropriate I swear it is how they they came up. Really I'm not imaginative enough to have paired them this way! Besides I have a witness - Pippin was with me the whole time! Anyway if you're bored give it a shot and then POST your answers here!

1. Put Your iTunes on Shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write down the name of the song no matter how silly it sounds!


If someone says, “Is this okay?” you say:
The very thought of you (Harry Connick Jr)

How would you describe yourself?
Concerto for Flute & Harp (Mozart)

What do you like in a guy/girl?
Concerning Hobbits (Howard Shore - LOTR)

How do you feel today?
Then you may take me to the Fair (Julie Andrews - Camelot)

What is your life’s purpose?
That made me stronger (Stevie Nicks)

What is your motto?
Willow weep for me (Art Tatum)

What do your friends think of you?
Guenevere (Julie Andrews - Camelot)

What do you think of your parents?
Dont wanna lose you (Gloria Estefan)

What do you think about very often?
The living years (Paul Brooks)

What do you think of your best friend?
They can't take that away from me (Billie Holiday)

What do you think of the person you like?
Do I move you (Nina Simone)

What is your Life Story?
Sorry seems to be the hardest word (Elton John)

What do you want to be when you grow up?
Don't let me be misunderstood (Nina Simone)

What do you think of when you see the person you like?
The long black veil (Johnny Cash)

What will you dance to at your wedding?
Let me call you sweetheart (Scooter Lee)

What will they play at your funeral?
Still crazy after all these years (Paul Simon)

What is your biggest fear?
I truly understand (Jerry Garcia)

What is your biggest secret?
Easy to love (Billie Holiday)

What do you think of your friends?
Greystone chapel (Johnny Cash)

What will you post this as?
As time goes by (Jimmy Durante)


Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Silent Sunday

Simple Gifts

I was looking for something on itunes and found the song Simple Gifts. It is one that I like a lot but haven't heard in a long time. (Serendipity!) I do love YouTube! & thought I'd share a video with everyone.



If you're interested, here are the words:

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'tis a gift to be free,

'Tis a gift to come down where you ought to be,

And when we find ourselves in the place just right,

'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,

To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,

To turn, turn will be our delight,

Till by turning, turning we come round right.

Well, I held out longer than I thought I would!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Greenhouse Update

You might take a look at Jill's latest post. She talks about her greenhouse and other things. Sort of weirdly interesting reading!

Greenhouse Effect

Not the one you are thinking of! Jill got a greenhouse and they put it up today. I thought I'd share pictures of it with everyone. It is actually pretty neat - I think I want one on my deck. I could sit inside it in the winter and be warm!

Has everyone missed me? I've searched my mailbox in vain for the letters with money begging me to return to the Texeira blog on a regular basis. I accused the mailperson of stealing the money. I think I'm probably not going to be getting mail any longer.

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

The Long, Lonely Road

The picture above is the road between Puerto Natales in Chile and El Calafate in Argentina. The five-hour bus ride went over maybe a total of two miles of paved roads. The remainder were like this. Beautiful, barren and bumpy. For those of you who, when you think of Patagonia, imagine long, lonely stretches of open plains, that's about it. There are a few scattered towns, but for the most part, the southern and central regions of Patagonia look very much like the picture above. There are, of course, the snow-capped Andes, but other than that, pretty flat. If you are interested in seeing more of my photos from our trip to South America, visit my photography page and click on the Vacations link.

I will be posting additional photos and write ups about the trip over the next few weeks. I hope you all enjoy them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Silent Sunday

Countdown

0

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Movie lines

I have a number of movie lines that I'm waiting to use in conversation. They are terrific lines that I feel would really impress people but I'm reluctant to throw them in. There have been a few times when they might have been appropriate but I hesitated & all was lost. Since I'll probably never get up the nerve to actually use them I thought I'd at least post them in the hopes that someone else may find them useful in a future conversation.

Many of my favorite lines are from Anne of the Thousand Days. This isn't surprising since it is my absolute favorite movie and I can quote much of it!

This line is from Henry to Anne when she begs him not to hurt Harry Percy: I try not, vengeful and bloody as I am, I try not! I've wanted to use this line in a conversation since the first time I heard it, probably 30 years ago. I'm not sure what effect it would have on the listener but I'm thinking it would definitely be a conversation stopper. Probably it has the most effect if you are a king who can actually do something vengeful & bloody like cut off someone's head!''

This is Anne's response when Henry tells her she's going to die (her head was chopped off with a sword - just in case you wondered). So be it. Only what I take to my grave, you take to yours. This appeals to me for some reason & I really want to say it to someone. Now that I think about it though, I'm really not sure what it means. Oh well.

Also from Anne of the Thousand Days. This quote is at the end of a long speech Anne makes to Henry before her execution. She is predicting that her daughter, Elizabeth, will be a great queen: And my blood will have been well spent! Now I'm not sure how I could ever fit that into a conversation but I'm working on it!

My second (third & fourth also) favorite movie is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. For some reason this line really tickles me. It is from the Fellowship of the Ring. The members of the fellowship are in Moria trapped by oncoming Orcs. Boromir looks out the door and says, They have a cave troll. I desperately want to say this some day but cave trolls are in short supply in my neighborhood so I don't have high hopes.

This one is also from LOTR when Aragorn is speaking to Frodo & asks if he is afraid. Frodo says yes and Aragorn replies: Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you. I just figure saying that to someone would keep them awake for many nights.

Last, but far from least, is the conversation between Frodo & Sam when Frodo is leaving the fellowship to travel on to Mordor. Frodo says: Go back, Sam. I'm going to Mordor alone. And Sam replies, Of course you are. And I'm coming with you.

Hopefully someone reading this will be in a position to use one of these in conversation. If you do, please let me know the result!

So this is pretty much it folks. Tomorrow is the 23rd and I've already scheduled the Silent Sunday picture. As I've said (repeatedly!), I don't want to do this blog alone. I appreciate the people who have posted and commented, I appreciate the people who have read & not posted or commented and I even appreciate the people who haven't read or posted or commented! I'll continue posting when something interesting comes along but not on a regular basis. I hope other people will continue and/or start posting. Hint: Here is the part where you all write me letters full of money begging me to continue. I'm feeling kind of sad about this actually. Anyway . . .

Wishing everyone health, happiness, prosperity and friends who will travel to Mordor with you!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Opinion Editorial

I think that is what these things are called. Anyway I had this idea and thought I'd foist it on everyone.

People always say that having a positive attitude can change things. Well they say it to me anyway. Yesterday I was reading a fascinating newsletter published by a reputatable marketing and communications firm. According to an article they shared, the healthcare industry may begin to suffer from economic troubles.

Now, as I read this, it is somewhat speculative as to whether it will happen. Which makes me think. If people keep saying negative things about the economy - which is all I hear - then pretty soon all those negative things are going to happen. Self-defeating behavior. We are jinxing ourselves. Instead, everyone should focus on saying positive things and stressing how the economy is going to improve.

If attitude can really change things then I think that everyone in the US should work on having a positive attitude and the economy, and probably many other things, will begin to improve. So I'm doing my part. Everyday I'm planning to spend 10 minutes thinking positive thoughts about the economy. If everyone did this faithfully, I'm sure we would begin to see positive change.

What do you all think? Feel free to comment. Say you agree, disagree, cry, moan, tell me I need professional help, just SAY SOMETHING! Final countdown here, give me a break people.

Robin, the lonely (somewhat demented) blog mistress

Mellifera

Mellifera was a little upset when she found out that I had posted about Pippin and that this was the last official week. She thinks that Pippin gets all the attention and that I was ignoring her. I really wasn't - it's just that Pippin, well I can't really explain it. Anyway, I thought I'd post some pictures of her because I don't want her feelings to be hurt.

Mellifera is actually a very sweet cat despite sometimes snarling and swiping at people for no reason. Almost every day she climbs onto my lap and cuddles with me. She lays her head down and tilts it to the side and reaches her paw up to pat my face. She'll give kisses also.

Jill & I went to a cat show a couple of times in the past year and we saw some really pretty cats. I think Mellifera is prettier than all of them though!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Your Tax Dollars At Work

So it is 10:21 am and I have returned from my IRS audit. My appt was at 8:30 - I was a little late the reason for which I'll explain shortly. I was back in my car by 9:34. Not bad. I think they took longer with Jill. Then again when they can get $1900 out of you I guess they are willing to let you leave faster. Not that they really got it out of me. That is what they decided I owe though.

This was an audit of my 2006 taxes and they billed me for 3 additional things: 1) disallowed my head of household status. 2) I had income from an unnamed source (initials wac) that I should have put down as self-employment income & paid taxes on. 3) I made $72 in interest that I hadn't declared. I don't even remember this. So I now owe, to be precise, $1937 to the IRS. I'm not happy.

However, I have a plan. Everyone who reads this should send me $1. They should tell everyone they know to send me $1. They can tell everyone they know to send me $1. I think between us all we should know 1937 people, don't you? The only flaw I see in this is that I figure the IRS would consider it income and tax me on that. Either way I lose.

I know you are wondering why I was late. I'm generally not late for appointments and I left in plenty of time to park and walk over to the federal building. I dutifully left my cell phone in the car because you can't bring in camera cell phones. Unfortunately there are many items in my purse that I don't know anything about.

My purse went through the security scanner and the guy stops it and looks closely at the picture. Then he brings it out and asks if he can look inside. Being an upstanding citizen, I of course said yes. The first thing he found was a manicure kit. He didn't seem real concerned about that. Then he found my little handy-dandy folding tool kit. This he was concerned about. It has scissors, pliers and a little knife in it. Now I'd like to point out that none of these are very sharp and I don't really know why I keep them in my purse. I think the nail file is actually sharper. He didn't seem to care. He said I had to take it back to my car. I said can't I just leave it with you? Nope. Knives aren't allowed in the building. So I had to walk back (notice all the walking I got in today) to my car and then back to the building by which time I was about 10 minutes late.

I really don't think that I look like a threat to security but you just never know I guess. Anyway you can all sleep safely tonight knowing that the federal building is well protected. (I'm being a little facetious - I realize they have to be careful but it was kind of funny.) The only thing that bothers me is that while I have to go through security, employees walk in without being checked. How often do you hear of an employee flipping out & shooting their co-workers? I think they should be checked also! I have one more question. What are they doing in that building that they don't want pictures taken of?


Robin, the lonely (and dangerous) blog mistress

A Joke for You

While visiting England, George Bush is invited to tea with the Queen. He asks her what her leadership philosophy is. She says that it is to surround herself with intelligent people. He asks how she knows if they're intelligent. "I do so by asking them the right questions," says the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate."

She phones Tony Blair and says, "Mr. Prime Minister. Please answer this question: "Your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or sister. Who is it?" Tony Blair responds, "It's me, ma'am." "Correct. Thank you and good-bye, sir," says the Queen. She hangs up and says, "Did you get that, Mr. Bush?" "Yes ma'am. Thanks a lot. I'll definitely be using that!"

Upon returning to Washington, he decides he'd better put the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to the test. He summons Jesse Helms to the White House and says, "Senator Helms, I wonder if you can answer a question for me."

"Why, of course, sir. What's on your mind?" "Uhh, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Helms hems and haws and finally asks, "Can I think about it and get back to you?" Bush agrees, and Helms leaves. Helms immediately calls a meeting of other senior Republican senators,and they puzzle over the question for several hours, but nobody can come up with an answer.

Finally, in desperation, Helms calls Colin Powell at the State Department and explains his problem. "Now look here, son, your mother has a child, and your father has a child, and this child is not your brother or your sister. Who is it?" Powell answers immediately, "It's me, of course, you idiot."

Much relieved, Helms rushes back to the White House and exclaims, "I know the answer, sir! I know who it is! It's Colin Powell!" And Bush replies in disgust, "Wrong, it's Tony Blair."

I have high hopes that our incoming President will pass the test!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Poetry Day

Chenjerai Hove is a Zimbabwean poet and novelist. His poetry collections include Red Hills of Home, Rainbows in the Dust and Blind Moon. Hove's writing provides insight into the horror and outrage caused by the historical suffering of rural Zimbabweans, particularly women and children. He is currently living in exile because of his political criticism of the Mugabe government. You can read some of his other poems at Poetry International Web. I particularly like Refuse.

You Will Forget

If you stay in comfort too long
You will not know
The weight of a water pot
On the bald head of the village woman

You will forget
The weight of three bundles of thatch grass
On the sinewy neck of the woman
Whose baby cries on her back
For a blade of grass in its eyes

Sure, if you stay in comfort too long
You will not know the pain
Of child birth without a nurse in white

You will forget
The thirst, the cracked dusty lips
Of the women in the valley
On her way to the headman who isn't there

You will forget
the pouring pain of a thorn prick
With a load on the head.
If you stay in comfort too long

You will forget
the wailing in the valley
of women losing a husband in the mines.

You will forget
The rough handshake of coarse palms
Full of teary sorrow at the funeral.

If you stay in comfort too long
You will not hear
The shrieky voice of old warriors sing
The songs of fresh stored battlefields.

You will forget
The unfeeling bare feet
Gripping the warm soil turned by the plough

You will forget
The voice of the season talking to the oxen.

Who's the Boss?

I occasionally entertain the idea that I am in charge of my cats. As soon as this heretical thought enters my mind, they quickly disabuse me of it.

The other night I went to get into bed and there was Pippin curled up in the middle of my bed up by the pillows.

I told him it was time for me to go to sleep and he needed to move so I could get my nightshirt (the pink thing his head is on) and go to bed. In the 2nd picture you see his response.

He let me have my nightshirt but refused to move. So I get ready for bed & figure once I lie down next to him he'll move. Nope. I explained to him that I was about 1000 times bigger than him & couldn't curl up into a teeny ball. He turned his head away from me and closed his eyes.

Anyone want to guess where I slept?

Robin, the lonely (and definitely not in charge) blog mistress

Cry for me Argentina

So sorry not to have posted earlier and more, but it's been a busy day. Next week I want to write about my recent trip to Patagonia, but for now I'll just post this picture of Evita's tomb.

Monday

I just thought I'd let everyone know it is Monday and that today is Homemade Bread Day. I even found a site where you can send Homemade Bread Day cards. A little odd but cute.

I don't know if our contracted poster will be doing anything today. He has returned from vacation but seems to do nothing but lie around and moan about being sick. Personally I'm starting to have doubts - no one can be sick this much & still be alive. Anyway . . . just to stay on subject, which is our lost Monday poster - I'm including a link to the site where he puts his pictures. I thought everyone would like to see the pictures from Jill & John's wedding party so the first link goes directly there. I'd also suggest looking at his other pictures. There are some really nice ones. If you click on the all pictures link you'll be at the main menu (which you can also reach from J&J Pictures but I'm trying to simplify things.)

I don't see that he has put up their recent vacation pictures yet. I guess it has to do with that fake sick thing. You can always check later. Ok, I don't really have anything else to say!

J&J Pictures

All pictures


Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Silent Sunday

From Melanie

Hi! If I think the kids are younger than they are, then I will be younger too. I don't even want to know how old Jill is. That will make me really old. I can't think of any secrets about Wendy or Debbie right now. Megan is 15 and has her drivers permit. Matthew is joining the Air Force in January. He will be going to Texas. Mindy is in Hawaii right now. Debbie doesn't have a computer to read these or to add to it. At my work I just sit in this trailer office and wait for people to come and buy car parts. Thats it for now. Melanie

Code of Practice for Cat Welfare

As in most things, the UK is ahead of the US in their concern for and treatment of cats. The UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) issued a controversial Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats this week.

The Code requires, among other things, that cat owners:

• ensure their cat has a place to climb
• have at least one litter tray per cat in different parts of the house
• control their cat’s diet so they are neither obese nor too thin
• provide means of identification such as a micro-chip or a special type of collar
• supply a suitable scratching post and toys,
• play with their cat regularly

The Code does not technically have the force of law however it can influence a court considering prosecutions under the UK’s Animal Welfare Act which imposes penalties of up to six (6) months imprisonment and fines of £20,000.

London's cat-only veterinary clinic, Kitten to Cat, supports the Code only suggesting it could have been stronger on the subject of neuter/spay. I would agree with that. I think it should be required that pet owners, unless they are breeding, have their animals spayed/neutered.

So cat owners, how do you stack up? I'm pretty good although I only have 1 litter box. In my defense I clean it a couple of times a day and we've never had any kind of problem so I think it is ok. Now, it has been suggested that Mellifera is a bit less than svelte. However, I think that the individual who said that was just jealous because she is so pretty. Aside from those two things I'm doing good. My cats have lots of places to climb, they are both micro-chipped, they have a scratching post & lots of toys and we play with them.

I don't know what you all got out of this story but my take is that I can easily move to London and bring my cats. There is even a cat only vet! I told Pippin & Mellifera about this. They thought it sounded like a good idea - the Code not the move. They weren't real thrilled at the thought of a 10-hour plane ride.


Robin, the lonely blog mistress

November 23, 2008

November 23rd is 10 days away. Lest anyone say I didn't give fair warning!

I'd like to point out (to the very few readers of this blog) that I've posted controversial posts, non-controversial, boring, exciting, lovely pictures and fascinating stories. Nevertheless readership is dropping and none of you comment anymore. Perhaps this blog has outlived its usefulness (assuming it had any)? Which is why after November 23rd - our 1-year anniversary - I'm not going to continue posting on a regular basis. Between now and then feel free to comment lavishly, encourage your friends to read the blog and do your own posts in an effort to convince me to change my mind!

Just to reiterate - this was never supposed to be a Robin blog. I think of it as a giant blackboard where we can all write our life adventures to share with one another. Then again, perhaps I started drinking too early.

Post, share, communicate! I truly am

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Now wasn't that pathetic? Aren't you moved to do something? Anything?

Just a thought

This video is pretty much what I was trying to say only far more eloquent! I'll tell you a secret folks, no matter your sexual orientation, it hurts to not be able to marry the person you love. I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy. Don't inflict it on your friends, family and neighbors.

I was thinking about all the religious arguments being thrown around about this issue. There are a lot of do's and don'ts in the Bible. I guess they've confused people for a long time. It is recorded in the new testament in various places that Christ was asked what the most important commandment was. This was his answer: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

C.S. Lewis, in commenting on loving your neighbor, said it doesn't mean you have to like them. What you must do is want for them the same happiness you'd want for yourself. I'm pretty sure marriage would be covered in that.

There have been times throughout history when people had the opportunity to stand up for something that really mattered. Not just to vote on whether to fund a program or elect a certain person, but to really look into their hearts and come up with an answer that defines who they are and what they believe. While, as I think I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm not a particularly logical person, I have a hard time believing that anyone can use religious arguments to dispute what I quoted above. In any language, any interpretation, version or whatever you want to use, it's clear: Love your neighbor as yourself. And I just realized that wasn't my logic. If you believe the Bible, it is God's reasoning. That really ought to make you think.

Watch the video. It's a little long but worth listening to.

Poetry Day

Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. Hughes, who claimed Paul Lawrence Dunbar, Carl Sandburg, and Walt Whitman as his primary influences, is particularly known for his insightful, colorful portrayals of black life in America from the twenties through the sixties. He wrote novels, short stories and plays, as well as poetry, and is also known for his engagement with the world of jazz and the influence it had on his writing, as in "Montage of a Dream Deferred." His life and work were enormously important in shaping the artistic contributions of the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Here are a couple of poems by Langston Hughes.


I, Too, Sing America

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.


Dreams

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Last Sunday I went to Mission San Antonio de Padua. This is a really cool mission! It is on the Hunter-Liggett military reservation near King City. Since it is a military base you have to show ID and they check your car registration & insurance before they let you in. Apparently I didn't look dangerous because I had no problem getting in.

This was the 3rd mission established in the 21-mission chain in California. As an aside, this was the 16th mission I've visited. I only have 5 left. Jill's been to all of them. Back to the mission story. It was established by Padre Serra himself on July 14, 1771. It was originally established in a different location but moved to the present site in 1773. The mission was named for Saint Anthony who is the patron saint of the poor and is called upon to help find lost items.

There are a number of neat things about this mission. The thing I like best is that it is easy to imagine how it might have been when the mission was established. Many of the missions today are in the middle of cities. San Antonio is isolated and you don't see "civilization" so you get a better sense of what mission life was like. Looking around you see mountains and miles of empty land. I was expecting to see Franciscans and Indians come walking up!

It also has a wine cellar. You walk down steep, narrow steps and you can see where the wine vats were kept. You can then walk up very steep steps and peer down - not easy if you're short - into where the grapes were crushed and dripped down into the vats. I really liked this part.

They also have a nice collection of Indian baskets. The mission person (I don't know what her title was), said they were donated in the early 1900's by a local ranchers wife who had been collecting them. The collection is worth quite a bit and contains some nice baskets.

You can walk around outside and see the ruins of a cemetery, the water mill, where the soldiers barracks were, the mill race and more.

It is a somewhat long trip from the Bay Area - about 3 hrs - but definitely worth it. Well, at least if you are interested in missions it is! I hope you all like the pictures. I took about 200 pictures. I didn't realize how many I'd taken until I put them on the computer. The funny thing is I felt like I missed a lot of stuff that I would have liked to take pictures of!

Melanie, an Oregon Cousin!

This is Melanie a cousin in Oregon. I have been married for 17 years to John. I have a son Chad who is 16 and a daughter Chelsea who is 13. Chad just got his drivers license on Halloween. Chelsea is in band at school. She plays percussion and doing well at it. She also has to get braces. I am working at a U pull it salvage yard. I work in the office. Thats where I'm at now. It is slow. It is good to read all the blogs to see what everyone is up to. I can't believe Elizabeth is 17! Wow! Not much going on up here. We don't have exciting lives.

Not So Silent Sunday

Because sometimes you shouldn't be silent. Which, of course(!), reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out--
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me--
and there was no one left to speak out for me. ~Martin Niemoller

On November 4, 2008, Proposition 8 was passed by voters in the State of California. It will amend the state constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. This overturns a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage as a fundamental right.

You know, as far as Prop 8 is concerned it really doesn't matter whether you are in favor of same-sex marriage or not. What matters is that Proposition 8 removes from a large segment of the population a very basic right. The right to choose the person you want to share your life with. The right to stand up in front of family and friends and make an official commitment to that person. The right to have the government recognize that union and provide you with the same rights and responsibilities heterosexual couples have.

You may be opposed to same-sex marriage. In my opinion, that isn't what the debate should be about. When I hear people talking about God being opposed to homosexuality and how same-sex marriage is a sin, etc., etc., I hear fear. I'm not quite sure what they are afraid of, but I honestly believe that is what motivates them. Well, actually I have a pretty good idea what they are afraid of but I'll save that for another day!

What we should be debating is how many rights we want to strip from citizens of this country. How long will we let fear guide our decisions and hurt people's lives? Where do you want to draw the line? If same-sex marriage can be declared unconstitutional, I've got news for you folks - so can heterosexual marriage. This isn't a religious issue, it's a civil issue. There are many laws in this country that various religious groups are opposed to. Should we repeal them all?

Check out this link to the Courage Campaign and sign their pledge. It's important - it really is. (And they even have a blog!)


Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Update: Last night on the news they showed people protesting in front of various churches because the churches supported Prop 8. I've also seen a number of blog posts attacking religious groups. I can't express how strongly I believe this is wrong. You don't show that you are right by attacking someone else. When people disagree with you, yelling at them doesn't convince them you're right - it convinces them you're angry. Anger doesn't change minds - Education does. Kindness encourages others to listen to you. I grew up being told that two wrongs don't make a right. I certainly think that applies in this case.

Rainy day pictures

It has been a gloomy, rainy afternoon here - I love days like this! Anyway I thought I'd share a few pictures. You can see the fog I think. I'd get much better pictures of the hills from my deck if my neighbors could lower their house a few feet. I suspect they wouldn't be interested in doing that though. . .

Dig Deep

This is an article I read some time ago and meant to bring to the attention of my loyal readers. In September the Telegraph reported that the Queen is in need of funds to repair royal buildings. Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle require at least £20 million to be spent on new roofs and updated heating systems. And that is just two of the many buildings in need of repair in our home country.

Now I am aware that money is tight these days, however, I think that we could all spare a little pocket change. At the end of each day, check your pockets and purse for extra change. Take that change and put it in a little jar and at the end of each month send it to me. I'll save what everyone sends and when we have a respectable amount, will send it on to the Queen.

You may all be considering this a sneaky way on my part to fund a trip to England. Well actually that just entered my mind as I was typing. But seriously my concern is for the buildings and I would never misappropriate funds intended for royalty. Start saving your change - England is depending on us!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Caring for your humans

I subscribe to an about.com newsletter on cats. As I was reading the most recent issue, Pippin was peering over my shoulder and laughing. What he found so funny was the article called How to Care for Your Humans. He wanted me to put it on the blog so that the rest of you humans could read it and understand how difficult life can be for a cat. He thinks you should let your cats read it also.

I pointed out that perhaps no one else was interested and what about those of you who don't have a cat? He unsheathed his claws and glared at me. Hence the post.

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Poetry Day

Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in 1892. Her first major poem, Renascence, was written when she was only 19. A poet and playwright, she was the first woman to be awarded a Pulitzer Prize in Poetry in 1923. The last poem I've included, Dirge Without Music, is one of my favorites.


First Fig

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends—
It gives a lovely light!



Second Fig

Safe upon the solid rock the ugly houses stand:
Come and see my shining palace built upon the sand!



Dirge Without Music

I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
So it is, and so it will be, for so it has been, time out of mind:
Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. Crowned
With lilies and with laurel they go; but I am not resigned.

Lovers and thinkers, into the earth with you.
Be one with the dull, the indiscriminate dust.
A fragment of what you felt, of what you knew,
A formula, a phrase remains, --- but the best is lost.

The answers quick & keen, the honest look, the laughter, the love,
They are gone. They have gone to feed the roses. Elegant and curled
Is the blossom. Fragrant is the blossom. I know. But I do not approve.
More precious was the light in your eyes than all the roses in the world.

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave
Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind;
Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave.
I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.

President Obama

He won!!! I feel like I should write an insightful post but I don't know what to say. I'm fairly cynical when it comes to politics but like most cynical people (at least in my opinion), I secretly want something to believe in. And in listening to Obama I come pretty close to believing -- that he can really begin a process of change that will bring people together and make some real, effective changes in this country.

When I listened to his speech tonight it reminded me of the quote below. Really great leaders have that ability, to teach people to long for something bigger than themselves and to work for it. And to keep on working despite set-backs and mistakes. As Obama pointed out in his speech, it isn't an easy task and there will be set-backs and it won't happen overnight. Nothing worthwhile does.

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.
~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Election Day

Don't forget to vote!

In the first voting of the day, Obama won by 15 votes to six in the town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire.

Dixville has a 60-year tradition of being first in the nation to vote and opened their polls at midnight, with a 100%turnout.

It was the first time the town had voted for a Democrat since 1968.

My cats voted in the Petplace cat voting poll. They both went for Obama. Mellifera had been a little uncertain but when it came time decided she'd vote for Obama. So far Obama is ahead by 500 votes. Cats do seem to favor him!

Monday Update

I don't know if our regular poster - ok, I think it is time to stop saying our regular poster, our Monday poster and all the other euphemisms I've used in the past. I think the time has come to tell the truth. The Monday poster is Stephen. I know, none of you suspected but it's true. Ok, back to what I started out to say. I don't know if Stephen will be posting as he & Kiko are in South America. Which you would have known if you'd been reading this blog. According to the GPS tracker they are in El Calafate now (now being 9:33 pm on Sunday night which is when I'm writing this post). I have no idea if the GPS thing is telling the truth.

Anyway, for a short time I thought they might have fallen off a mountain. I was on the phone with the life insurance agent trying to collect on the policy I'd taken out when my phone did that beepy thing that means there is another call. It was Stephen. You can imagine my shock and dismay. I hid it well and pretended I was glad to hear from him. Yeah, glad to the tune of losing $1.5 million. Oh well.

Ok, enough rambling. I don't even remember what I started out to say anymore. I think I was going to say that if he posts it will probably be more interesting than my update. He said they were having a great time and the scenery is spectacular. Hopefully we can anticipate some interesting posts with pictures over the next few weeks. So that's my story. The intrepid travelers (I've really been hanging around Jill too much) are fine and having fun. Well he did say they almost drowned. You can imagine the momentary excitement I felt as I once again saw that money fluttering on the horizon.

Just a reminder that it is now November 3rd. The 23rd is only 20 days away. I'd urge you to take action.

Robin, the lonely (and out $1.5 million) blog mistress

Proposition 8

Tuesday is Election Day. I think you can figure out how I voted for President by the logo on the right-hand side. As important as the election of a president is, there is another issue that will be voted on in California that I think is even more important. I rarely listen to the news because it annoys me. Tonight I happened to be watching when people were being interviewed who are in favor of Proposition 8. As usual I was irritated so I decided I'd write a post about it.

If Proposition 8 passes it would take away the right of same-sex couples to marry. In May of this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that limiting marriage to a relationship between a man and a woman violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and that same sex couples had a right to marry. Proposition 8 would take away that right and add a section to the constitution that states that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

There are a lot of rational arguments that can be made to oppose Prop 8. I'm not really good at rational arguments so I'll make a couple of irrational ones. Before that though I'd really like someone to answer a question for me: Why are people opposed to same sex marriage? I truly don't get it. Yeah, I've heard the religious arguments. What difference does it make? If God cares that much, I'm pretty sure that she/he can do something about it without any help from anyone else. I kind of suspect it isn't much of an issue though. Generally, I think people get this incensed about something because they are afraid. So what are they afraid of? Why do people care so much what complete strangers do with their lives?

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved. It contained the following statement: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Overall I'm in favor of this statement and I'm pretty sure that pursuit of Happiness would include the right to marry the person of your choice.

Honestly though, in my mind, what it all comes down to is pretty simple. You love someone, you want to marry them. Why should it matter if they are the same sex or opposite sex? It shouldn't be about laws and regulations, it should be about two people who want to make a life together. I heard one of the supporters of Prop 8 on the news tonight say it isn't about love but lust. Many of the same sex couples who have been married since May are couples who have been together 10, 20, 30+ years. I think that is more than lust and far longer than many heterosexual marriages last. And as Jill pointed out, if it's still about lust after 30 years that's pretty good!

Well, there you have my opinion. I doubt it will change anyone's mind (especially since no one reads this blog!) but I hope it will make you think. And at least I got to do something about my irritation with the news!

Vote No on Proposition 8.

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Silent Sunday

Some flowers to brighten a stormy weekend! Did anyone else have thunder & lightning? Don't forget to set your clocks back!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween origins are in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain is a celebration of the ending of Summer. It was celebrated on the Full Moon nearest Nov 1st. The word Halloween is a shortened version of All Hallows' Eve, based on the celebration of All Saints (or Hallows) Day on the following day.

It was believed by the Celts that the origin of a day was in the night, therefore the holiday begins at sunset of the previous day. This is also why Samhain was celebrated as the beginning of the New Year - the beginning is in the darkness as decay leads to new growth. The exact meaning of the word "Samhain" is uncertain, but may mean "Summer's End". In modern Gaelic it is the word for November. In later times it was adopted by the Church as All Saints' and All Souls' Days respectively.

This was a time to assess supplies and prepare winter stores. It is considered the third and final harvest of the season. The first is the grain harvest, usually around August. The second is the harvest of fruits such as apples and berries. The third harvest of Halloween is the blood harvest. Livestock that is too weak to survive Winter is slaughtered at this time. I've also heard that this is also when wild animals are hunted as well. Also, the cattle are moved from higher to lower pastures.

The Celts believed that at the festival of Samhain the dead are able to come back and visit with the living. This is a liminal time when normal boundaries do not apply. All sorts of odd and uncanny things can happen, as an examination of Celtic myth shows. The seasonal complement to Samhain, which also possesses these liminal qualities is Beltane (celebrated around May 1st). But Beltane is a celebration of growth and outward expansion as the light waxes and the Earth greens (at least in Northern Europe - May can be pretty parched in California) whereas Samhain celebrates the waning of light and dissolution and decay.

The Dia de los Muertos in Mexico is based on these European beliefs with influence also from indigenous cultures, which had their own cult of the dead. In some parts of modern Spain and Portugal similar cemetery visits are made as in Mexico. This holiday is a syncretization of both European and Mesoamerican customs honoring the dead.

I strongly encourage our readers to honor their ancestors on this day! Leave a Jack-o-Lantern in the window to guide them to your hearth and prepare traditional foods to welcome them home.

Note: Thanks to Jill for this educational and insightful post. None of you really thought it was me did you?

National Candy Corn Day

Today, October 30th, is National Candy Corn Day. Did you know that candy corn has been around for more than 100 years? Check out the link for some fascinating facts about candy corn!

Robin, the lonely blog mistress

Poetry Day

The Doorway

I wanted to stay as I was
still as the world is never still,
not in midsummer but the moment before
the first flower forms, the moment
nothing is as yet past--

not midsummer, the intoxicant,
but late spring, the grass not yet
high at the edge of the garden, the early tulips
beginning to open--

like a child hovering in a doorway, watching the others,
the ones who go first,
a tense cluster of limbs, alert to
the failures of others, the public falterings

with a child's fierce confidence of imminent power
preparing to defeat
these weaknesses, to succumb
to nothing, the time directly

prior to flowering, the epoch of mastery

before the appearance of the gift,
before possession.

Louise Gluck