Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

LOVE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT






































LOVE IS WHERE YOU FIND IT

by Lynn Perrier
This is a love story.
The love story of my cat, Sophia. She was truly smitten.
Unfortunately for Sophia, it is more like a Greek tragedy.
I wasn't much worried when Sophia, my youngest cat, fell in love
because I am a responsible cat owner and she had been fixed months
before her infatuation took hold.
Still, it's sometimes hard when a mother has to sit by and watch
her little four legged baby grow up. I guess it happens to the best
of us. That was how I was feeling when I realized Sophia, my little,
almost-grown 10 month old kitty, had fallen in love for the first
time in her short life.
Now you should know that I am a strong advocate of spaying and
neutering pets. There are too many unwanted animals in this world
and the only way we will eventually conquer the problem of homeless
and abandoned animals is to make sure we pet owners do the
responsible thing. Still, being spayed didn't prevent Sophia from
falling head over heels.
It all began when I went out shopping and came back with what
turned out to be her new love interest. I didn't expect Sophia's
reaction to the newcomer. I set it down on the floor when I walked
in and went about putting my other purchases away.
When I came out, Sophia had already made her presence known to
the object of her affection. As a matter of fact, she was in a mad
embrace and completely oblivious to my presence. She was rubbing it
all over while her four paws held on to it for dear life. There was
no way anyone was going to separate them.
Sophia was purring so loud I could hear her from the doorway.
She was in the throes of absolute and complete ecstasy.
Now Sophia has a brother by the name of Fellini. I have had
them both since they were two weeks old. Until now, they were
inseparable and Fellini is very much Sophia's big brother, protector
and constant playmate. It now appeared this was about to change.
Poor Fellini stood off to the side looking totally dejected as
he watched this salacious scene between his sister and the
interloper. Totally unimpressed and obviously feeling left out, he
moved his attention to the container in which this newcomer had
arrived. Just like any rejected male, he found it necessary to show
his displeasure and proceeded to bat it around the room with a fierce
resolve. It was apparent he held it responsible for alienating
Sophia's attention and was intent on demonstrating his disapproval.
I guess he thought that trashing the container would, in some small
way, alleviate his hurt feelings.
I watched with fascination as Sophia continued in her attempt to
attract the attention of her new friend. She was kissing it and
gazing at it with longing in her eyes as she held on for dear life,
her paws wrapped around its neck like she would never let go.
Unfortunately for Sophia, her new love interest didn't feel
quite the same. In spite of these amorous overtures it just laid
there and refused to react. It didn't respond to Sophia at all.
Although Sophia bit it and rubbed is some more, purring her heart
out, it just refused to return her affection. I wondered how long it
would take her to realize the feeling wasn't mutual.
I wasn't looking forward to watching her inevitable rejection.
Visions of my first dance came to mind. The boy I thought was the
coolest cat in school never asked me to dance. He just ignored me
too. I understood how Sophia was feeling. I could see the writing
was on the wall and I was afraid she was in for the let down of her
young life.
Why?
Well, you see, her new love interest was my newly purchased toilet brush!
I may have to buy another one just to make sure she doesn't
romance this one after it has already been used for the purposes it
was meant for. Poor Sophia.
This story does have a happy ending, however. I have no doubt
that as soon as Sophia realizes her affection is not going to be
returned, Fellini will regain his position of favoritism in her life
and the episode of Sophia's unrequited love will never be mentioned
again.

--Lynn Perrier
petpntr@yahoo.com

I received this story from a friend on one of my chat lists. As usual, it appears to be making it's way around the Internet. I think it's very cute -- I would love to have a picture of Sophia with her temporary love interest. ;-)

*****

I heard from my DIL Kamie last night and it appears that my trip to see her, my son Tony, and grandsons Michael and Alex is on for May 16-19. I am very much looking forward to that!

Previous to that, DIL #1, Kris, had mentioned the possibility of the kids and grandkids in this area taking me out for lunch or dinner for my birthday, although due to scheduling conflicts, that will likely need to be in May, too. I think that will also be enjoyable.

I love my family!

*****

I couldn't help but catch the story last night on CNN about the 400+ children that had been taken from the polygamous compound in Texas started by imprisoned polygamist Warren Jeffs. This caught my attention and concern for personal reasons related to my family history as well as my wondering where they are going to put all of those children to get them into safe settings. I really can't help but believe the whole situation is just a mess. I will be watching for developments.

*****

I have hardly been watching any of American Idol this season, even though there is a girl from southern Oregon who has made it through thus far. Somehow, I couldn't get interested in it. I have caught little bits of it now and then, when I had nothing else to watch that held my interest. This week is the American Idol Gives Back show that did so well last year. I may not view it this time but I think it's a very good cause. Besides, it's nice to see Simon acting like he has a heart. ;-)

Monday, April 7, 2008

A Child Learns...If a





































A Child Learns...


If a child lives with criticism...
He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility...
He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule...
He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame...
He learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance...
He learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement...
He learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise...
He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness...
He learns justice.

If a child lives with security...
He learns to trust in himself and others.

If a child lives with honesty...
He learns what truth is.

If a child lives with approval...
He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and love...
He learns to find love in the world.

Author Unknown

I received the above from an online friend, Mary Jane, in New Jersey. I had seen it and may have had a copy of it longer ago but not in recent years. I loved it from the first time I read it. It explains so much about nurturing parenting and also the opposite. I thought I'd post it in case there were those of my readers who had never read it before.

*****

I received my first birthday gift today -- from my friend Edith in Toronto. She wanted to get it to me before I went to the coast on Sunday. It is the book "Dreams of my Father" by Barack Obama. I will take "The Good Husband of Zebra Drive" by Alexander McCall Smith as well, and read that first as it's a short book.

Edith's birthday card to me was soooo funny - it really cracked me up! It's very true-to-life, too. The front has a cartoon dog on the computer saying, "Just found this cool new WEBSITE for people YOUR AGE!" Then on the inside it says, "www.NAPQUEST.com" and down below, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY". LOL! And, of course, I am feeling just about ready for my early afternoon nap. ROFL!

*****

The cartoons above just happen to be especially disgusting today. I hadn't planned it that way; I received them and wrote them on my daily calendar at different times. Just consider them my contribution to the weight loss plans of those readers who are dieting. Hee hee!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

MY LITTLE SISTER'S 50THIt's difficult for me


















MY LITTLE SISTER'S 50TH


It's difficult for me to believe it, but my youngest sister, Kathy, turns 50 today. You would never know she's that age by looking at her, as the picture below, taken near the first of January with my Uncle Lincoln and Kathy's and my niece, Sarah, shows. (She is on the left.)

















I was almost 10 years old when Kathy was born. My mother became terribly ill with an initially-undiagnosed bleeding stomach ulcer and almost died not long after that. We had help from church people at first as Mom recovered slowly but people get on with their lives and so I was pretty much left to take care of this infant at a young age. I loved her very much and I felt very nurturing towards her. I remember stroking the side of her face when she was crying to try to help her go to sleep, and that generally worked. As she grew, we became fairly close. That has continued.

Here are pictures of her when she was young:


















We do not live very near each other, as she is in San Francisco and I am in northwestern Oregon. We did see each other at Mom's funeral in Idaho and northern Utah near the first of January, as I have related here at that time. She was a good support to me as I know now that I was basically in shock at that time.

She was able to go back home and pass her nursing boards, and now she is looking for work. She has the compassion and understanding of people to make an excellent nurse.

I will likely send this to her, so I will just add to the wishes I have already sent, a big Happy Birthday, Sis!