SPRING IS INCHING IN

After work today I was filled with wanderlust. Since I had my camera with me, I headed out to the gardens area in back of Clackamas Community College to take a peek at what might be growing.  It was a little too late to head on out anywhere else. Slowly but surely, plants are growing, blossoming, and seeking the long-awaited sunshine. 

On some plants, buds are forming.  I can hardly wait to see them fully opened! What will they look like? What color will they be?  I did see some flowers blooming and they were vividly colorful.  I loved seeing the jeweling of rain on many plants!

I get so excited by the gentle beauty.

When I feel down or harried or just like life is too busy, a little visit in the outdoors is the best medicine.

Such lovely color and contrast!

Amazing texture!

How pretty! Some were so delicate and almost like blooming butterflies!

Colors leapt out from the green!

"Look at me!"

I loved how this plants leaves looked like velvet and was so alluring to touch!

I am in awe of the beauty and wonder that God provided for our enjoyment.

It helps me go home feeling refreshed!

Open your eyes and witness it all.

FREE-FALLING FELINE

Last Sunday morning around 6 a.m. two of my cats started their usual wee hours romp.  They seem to have to expend some energy each early morn and will chase each other around for a few minutes, even running across me, cuddled under the blankets.   I will usually tell them to 'settle down, I am trying to sleep' and doze off again.  Sunday mornings romp turned out quite different from previous ones.

I heard the pounding of pussy paws as they chased each other around the room, running across me at one point (of course!).  I heard romping cats, followed by a loud CLICK, and then a horrific howl/ scream from my cat, Kala.  I sat upright immediately and glanced at the second story window--no screen!  I ran to the window screaming, "KALA!!"

My heart was beating a mile a minute.  I saw the window screen below, all mangled, and glanced around for Kala, my black baby. 

Suddenly I saw her running towards the back door being chased by Mooshoo, one other cat, who happened to be outside at the time 

(My husband had let her out).  Kala ran inside and then I ran to the bedroom door in time to see her race full-speed up the stairs, and bolt under the bed, the whole time loudly crying, "Meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow, meow!"  

In my mind it sounded like she was  calling for her "mommy," which, of course, is me.                                                                                                         

I finally got her out from under the bed, called the 24 hour emergency vet, and told them what happened in an extremely panicky voice (and that is putting it mildly)!  The vet calmed me down, then talked me through an examination of my baby. 

She had me run my hands along her back, feel her legs, and then her tummy.  Kala was purring and not making any cries out in pain.  She also told me to see if Kala would eat food and drink water. I grabbed the kitty treats bag and Kala was thrilled to get those.  She even drank some water. The vet felt she would be okay, but I was told to observe her for the next several hours and to call them back should she quit eating or drinking or become listless.  I climbed back into the bed with Kala in my arms cuddled up next to me and was awake for about 3 hours watching her. Eventually I dozed off and slept, kitty cuddled close.

Needless to say, I did not go to church as I was a bit afraid to leave her, just in case.   

I think that because she is a hefty little kitty (see picture), her weight caused the screen to pop right out and she flew out either on it or after it!  Either way, it must have been frightening.

Kala survived her free fall from the second story window, I almost didn't!! 

She has avoided going near the window since that experience!

BABYSITTING BROGAN

Saturday, June 5th, I had a fun evening babysitting Brogan.  He is quite the character.  At first he showed me how all of his noisy toys worked.  When I pulled out the camera to snap a few pictures he first gave a look as if saying, "Oh no! She's got that flashing light thing again!"  But then he decided to ham it up for me.

He gave me a big adorable smile!

Then he decided to pretend that he was asleep.  When I asked, "Is Brogan sleeping?'  He said, "Yeah!"

Then he suddenly "woke up" and gave me a big giggle and smile!

 He "fell asleep" again, and this time he made funny noises, which I assumed were his imitation of snoring. So cute!

After a diaper change and donning PJ's, he was demonstrating one toy that played music, blows balls with air, and is noisy.  At first, he just kept filling it with the balls bouncing back out.  Then he did something odd and funny!  He put his hands over his ears and did a funny little scream.  Afterwards he laughed! He did it more than once!

He even did a whole facial expression.  I have no idea how he got started on this action and I forgot to ask his mom and dad about it when they came home.  It was funny, and he really hammed it up when he got the laughs from me.

Then he took his "sleeping" show to the bottom couple of steps on the stairs.  He was so coy about it.

He is quite an actor as he really did look like he was asleep!  Then I would say, "Ahhh! Brogan went to sleep. Guess I will put him in bed."  He would pop up and laugh. He had fun pretending.

But eventually he really did go to sleep and looked so adorable.  I had fun babysitting my buddy Brogan!