Head ‘em Up and Move ‘em Out

Yesterday, when “He” and “She” arrived home, they found two of the cows in the yard.  The pasture surrounds the house on three sides and the driveway runs up one side, so there is about an acre of “yard” the house sits on.  Since there is a gate at the end of the driveway and the adjoining property on that side is also fenced, they couldn’t roam free, so it wasn’t a disaster.  But, there stood Maybelline and the newest calf in the backyard, looking at them like “what?”.

 It was a simple fix – he opened a small walk-through gate and pulled the car up to help them head in the right direction.  Then, she got out and walked them toward the gate.  They went right in, and the calf found his mama and started nursing right away!  Maybelline seemed happy that she had succeeded in bringing him back.

 ”He” found the opening in the fence where the “escapees” came through and fixed it, so maybe there won’t be anymore cows sauntering around in the yard.  But, if they do get out, “He” and “She” can round them back up.  He’ll repair the fence and she’ll herd the cows – heels, skirt, and all.

Alley

What Do You Think I Said?

The following is a conversation I recently overheard at The House of 9 Lives:

“She”: We need to be sure to get cat treats the next time we go out.
“He”: Aahii. (Unintelligible “alright”)
“She”: We need to be sure to get cat treats the next time we go out.
“He”: What do you think I said?
“She”: Huh?
“He”: (Exasperated) What do you think I said?!
“She”: (Exasperated & Irritated) I thought you said “Huh”!!

This was followed by them both laughing hard when they realized what had happened.  Boy, it is going to be fun to watch these two grow old!

Blossom

Pavlov’s….Cats?

For a little over a year, “He” has reluctantly been taking prescription medicines for Hypertension and High Cholesterol.  This means twice a day, he has to pop pills.  Because they are important medications, and it was hard to remember to take them at approximately the same time everyday, he has programmed a reminder on his cell phone.  Twice a day, everyday, the phone plays a lively marching tune, and that is his reminder to take his medication. 

This same tune also serves as a reminder every other day that Kosmo needs his medication.  Kosmo is pre-diabetic and has to take Potassium supplements.  So, for Kosmo to take his medicine, he is given his tablet “sandwiched” between two treats.  He then eats his treats and the tablet separately.  He’s good at taking medicine. I would not be so easy!  Of course, you can imagine in a house of nine cats, you can’t just give treats to one cat.  Therefore, we all line up and get treats. Because we have now associated the marching tune of the cell phone with treats, we think every time it goes off, we should be getting goodies.  So now, when the alarm plays, we come from all over the house into the kitchen and line up.  This is what Pavlov referred to as “conditional reflex”.  In other words, this is a reaction without thought.  It is automatic and almost involuntary. 

You could say it is the same reflex that causes him to give us treats when we are all lined up in the kitchen and yet he forgets to take his own medicine because we are so distracting! So… who is training whom?

Boomer

This Little Piggy Went to Market

Yesterday while out running errands, “He” and “She” had a unique experience.  While in the parking lot of a local shopping center, “She” spotted a girl holding a pet with a pink harness and leash.  “She” was very surprised when she realized the pet was in fact a pig!  “He” immediately stopped the truck and they jumped out to talk to the girl with the pig. Now, there’s a sentence you don’t say everyday!  Anyway, the little black and white pig’s name is Willby and he is 4 weeks old.  The girl said she had only had him for two weeks.  It was quite an experience – unfortunately, “She” hasn’t yet learned rule one of bloggers: Take Your Camera Everywhere!

Also on yesterday, “He” and “She” visited the local Humane Society to drop off some donations.  While there, they met Dee Dee, a sweet little black dog, and Scarlett, the office kitty, who had a great story of survival.  “She” is not usually allowed inside the shelter, because it is so hard for her to see the various animals that need homes.  “He” and “She” continued to talk all afternoon about “Simon” who was a lilacpoint kitten with blue eyes.  However, they both realize they are in no position to provide a home for any more pets. Whew!  I was glad to know that! It’s plenty crowded here, already.  They have decided they will just do what they can to help support the homeless animals at the shelter.  We here at The House of 9 lives hope our readers also do whatever you can to help support your local shelters.

Hopefully all those animals will have homes soon.  Having a home is a wonderful thing.  Speaking of home, I wonder if Willby said “Wee, wee, wee” all the way home?

Barny

Knitting for Nanook

It’s funny how knitting can sort of take over your thought process.  “She” admitted recently that when she heard the words “Block Party” she immediately pictured a group of people coming together to block thier knitted items.

She has one finished object to show.  An improvised MP3 player cozy that she just “whipped up”.  The cozy is simple, but the button is beautiful!

And, still underway is the the i-cord handle and trim for the green/brown felted bag which she hopes to finish before the colors go out of style!  Once the knitting is all done, she still has to get innerfacing and fabric for the lining, add the grommets and add all the finishing touches.

Plus, she’s begun this cute shawl/stole/wrap from the 50s:

 

It will be the biggest project she has taken on, yet! She plans to use it at work – she freezes at work.

On the horizon for more knitting is a pattern for wrist warmers.  When she gets all wrapped up in all her handknitted items, she is going to look like Nanook of the North.  In August!… In Alabama!… At her desk!!

Lilah

Return of the Jetta

“He” and “She” came home yesterday in a different car.  They had to take the Jetta in for a regular service visit and to have a recall taken care of.

They were taken to work by the dealer’s shuttle service. “He” was to be picked up at work in the afternoon and taken back to the dealer to get the car.  He called the dealer to confirm the car would be ready, and they said it would be, in about an hour.  So, he rode the shuttle to the dealer, only to find they were very far behind for the day and the car would have to stay the night.  Because “He” and “She” live out of town, the dealer arranged for a rental car.  This was a nice service, and completely fair, as they were essentially stranded without their car which they had been led to believe would be ready.

The rental car is a little four-cylinder sedan, and while that might not sound much different than a Jetta Wagon, they are worlds apart.  The Jetta Wagon’s TDI (Turbo Diesel) Engine has more power than you would expect.  The engine is responsive and runs so smoothly that at idle it seems the car is not even running.

The Jetta has a great sound system, even though it is original factory equipment.  The sedan’s radio sounds tinny.  Also missing are remote door locks.  Amazing how spoiled they have become!

They are looking forward to the return of the Jetta, but this car sure beats walking!

Jazz

Love is in the Air

Or, perhaps, not so much.  You may have read an errlier post about zee magneefeeceent baa-loon ”He” geefted to “She” for Valentine’s Day.  Las mons Jazz gave you an update of eets status.  Unforshunately, I am here to tell you, zee balloon ees no more.

Howev-air, zee condeeshon of zee baa-loon ees no eendeecashon of zee love between “He” & “She”!  Zay are steel floating! Leesten to Casanova, he knows true love when he sees eet!

Casanova