Day Thirty-five

At 5:30 this morning my online bank showed that my Social Security check had been deposited, so I left to purchase gasoline and food for the kitty kids and me. Outside the apartment I heard Sugar meowing, so I called her. She came out from behind a bush, would allow me to approach her but not pick her up. I opened the apartment door (through which she had escaped outside  two days ago), but she wouldn't go inside. She meandered onto the patio, I went into the apartment, opened the patio door, and sugar pranced inside. Now, almost 3 hours later, she had had her breakfast, lots of water, a double portion of kitty treats, and is now curled inside a canvas box, napping. Silly cat!

My response to the GOP and it's neofascist, right-wingers:

I purchased a large bag of cat food at the grocery this morning. A clerk helped me load it in my CR-V. Now I must figure out how to unload it and get it into the apartment without falling on my ass. I do have a cart I can use if I can find where my previous caregiver stored it.

I just received ia phone call informing me that a refund check will be mailed to me within the next 6 weeks. Hmmmmm, maybe it will arrive in time for Christmas?

Why can't these selfish right-wing idiots understand that Medicare isn't a give away to us old folks? I pay well over a $1000 a year for it and more considering the high cost of Medicare co-pays. That is a hell of a lot of money on my limited income. Bastard GOP fascists want to kill us elderly folks. Why not just put us in gas chambers the way Hitler and his crew who they seem to emulate did? I am pissed to no end.

Sugar and Little Girl played a bit today...

but most of the day Sugar spent napping.

Meanwhile, Alex ignored both of the female felines.

Day Thirty-four

This morning Alex published 17 photos of Sugar, Little Girl, and himself in his blog: Alexicon. The photograph above is one of them.

Sugar has not come home yet. [SIGH]

I refuse to watch the GOP convention. Although I don't have high blood pressure, the assaults on the poor, elderly, women, and gays, their outright lies, fabrications, deceit and dishonesty of those self-centered lackeys of the One Percent enrage me to the point of near cardiac arrest.

Day Thirty-three

For over 25 years my morning routine including contemplated and being reminiscent of how this text has been true in my life:

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

when you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you. 

For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your savior.

~ Isaiah 43: 1b—3a

When I have been in deep depression or experiencing great anxiety or feeling unworthy, I have forgotten to include this text in my morning routine.  

My new caregiver, although doing an first-rate job, made a major blunder today: she left the door open and Sugar escaped outside. I hope she comes home when she is hungry. 

Earlier today Sugar got her paws on a roll of paper towels:

Later, Little Girl joined Sugar in her play:

One must look closed to see Sugar in the above photo: Little Girl has her wrapped in parts of the paper towel.

From a quick glance at the news, it appears that powerful winds in Louisiana have upstaged bags of hot air in Florida.

Day Thirty-two

It's been a grand day!

• I have a new caregiver who, if today is an indication, is 1000% better than the one I've had.
• My 6-month-checkup by my VA doc went exceptionally well. No new meds and compliments on my weight-loss and blood sugar control.
• I mailed back to Direct-TV the control box. Not paying for a second TV connection will save me about 20% of the total bill.
• I received a confirmation email of my terminating the Care-One program: I had been paying $30/month to save $22/month in credit card/loan payments. I have been promised a partial refund.
• The email I send yesterday Jim Brown Auto Sales may have resulted in Anne getting the kaput truck she purchased repaired by the dealer at a reasonable price. (I'll know more later, after I talk with Anne).

There were only 2 negatives today:

• The time at the VA was much longer than I expected and the battery of my portable oxygen compressor ran down before I reach home. Thankfully, there was little pollution and the temperature was in the mid-80s F, both of which helps my breathing.
• Someone (Alex, I think) vomited on my desk while I was gone. My little buddy hasn't been feeling well the past few days. He spent much of the time since my return napping by me. (At the moment he is about four inches from my right hand).

My prayers for the Gulf Coast and New Orleans. CNN reports that Issac has made landfall with 80 MPH winds. 

I have decided not to watch the GOP convention. Doing so would raise my anger and blood pressure as the lackeys of the 1% pretend they care for anyone below their own elevated class. I may not watch the Dems convention either; my mind is already made up:

Day Thirty-one

Over the weekend, I took a bunch of photos of the cats. Here are a few:

Alex

Sugar

Little Girl

Little Girl, Sugar

Little Girl

Alex

Do you notice how the scenes seem to repeat themselves with different cats?

I have about $2.00 left until my pension check in deposited into my account (which I really hope i this coming Friday). Now... do I use it to purchase a loaf of bread or a bag of kitty cat treats?

I attempted to shower and do all of those grooming actions I would do every day if I had the strength and energy. I couldn't stand so I sat on the commode; I'll try again after napping a bit.

Anne telephoned. The used truck she purchased won't run and it is estimated that the repairs will cost more than she paid for the truck. Damn it! I hate the she was ripped off by Jim Brown Auto Sales by purchasing as "AS IS" no warranty vehicle. She has one chance to recoup her loss: evidently the used car dealer did not provide in writing the Federal Trade Commission's used car rule. 

The rule requires all used car dealers to place a large sticker - "Buyers Guide," in a conspicuous place in each used vehicle they offer for sale. The Buyers Guide will state:

• whether the vehicle comes with a warranty and, if so, what specific warranty protection the dealer will provide;

• whether the vehicle comes with no warranty ("as is");

• that you should ask to have the car inspected by your own mechanic before you buy;

• that you should get all promises in writing; and

• what some of the major problems are that may occur in any car.

I sent this email to Jim Brown Auto Sales:

I believe that your company has taken advantage of a young woman who is mentally disabled, by not explaining the FTC's Used Car Guide to her. Putting an "AS IS" sign on the truck may have met the letter of the law; however, ethically it is I believe it is corrupt not to explain all of the elements required by the FTC Rule when selling to one whom Social Security has determined to be totally and permanently disabled and thus lacking the rationality to make knowledgeable decisions.

Thus far I have had a very productive but intensely stressful day. I have been pissed off at agencies, people, machines, and cats much of today. Perhaps that is why this has been an usually productive day?

I have removed my hearing aids. I suddenly realized that Sugar and Little Girl running, jumping, wrestling, and constantly meowing was driving me nuttier than much of the rest of today's craziness.

Day Thirty

Last night I noticed Sugar and Little Girl snuggling on my chair; Sugar was even licking Little Girl's coat (grooming?) I've never see these two behave to friendly toward each other.

Later, I noticed that Sugar was attempting to mount Little Girl. That was a great surprise: I didn't know that female felines could have Lesbian inclinations.

A FaceBook friend reminded me of what I have seen on nature programs on TV: animals mount one another not only for sex but also to show dominance. Sugar was evidently showing Little Girl who is boss.

It was also suggested that Little Girl may be coming into heat, which makes sense: she presents her rear and meows just the way Sugar does when she is in heat. In September Sugar has an appointment to be spayed ($12.00 charge at Humane Society clinic). I wonder if I can get Little's Girl's owner to get her spayed soon?

Alex doesn't concern himself with the doings of the girl cats,

Paul writes:

You know, there were a lot of things that were nice about the Middle Ages. I am going to brush up on Medieval History becaue the GOP wants to take us back there.

To which I reply:

Lots of things the GOP would love about those times:

• church equal to/more powerful than state;
• pogroms;
• majority of population peasants;
• no democracy;
• divine right of kings (Bush family would sit on throne);
• women had the rights of, and treated, like cattle;
• majority of population illiterate;
• witch burnings;
• the Black Plague;
• etc.

Let's honor Neil Armstrong's family's request that we give the moon a wink in his memory ~ Ron Howard 

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