Life Before The Kattery!

Before I returned to live in my home town, I had lived in a rented flat in London, where I was allowed to have numerous cats as long as other tenants didn't object.

The first one I acquired was  PIXIE, a large queen, black and white, who was very affectionate. Eventually she was joined by two other queens - PETRA and SHUSHU [named after Princess Shushila in MM Keyes book 'The Far Pavilions']. Petra was all black, whereas Shushu was a tabby/Burmese mix. The owner of Shushu's mother had been unable to spay her, so I was given the opportunity to adopt a kitten from the next litter - some grey and some black. Unfortunately the grey ones had abnormalities, so GEMMA, a black queen, came to join the feline family. And soon after PANDY, another black queen joined us, to be the last member of the family.

Unfortunately, Petra was unhappy with sharing the home with four cats, and showed her displeasure by weeing on carrier bags, magazines or other items on the floor. After discussions with friends who were also cat custodians, Petra went to live with a friend of theirs who ran a cat sanctuary in a flat. Funnily, Petra was very happy there - despite having to share with at least 20 other cats!

My Mum would often visit for a holiday, and one such time was very interesting. I had been to the pet store where I bought cat litter, and saw a new system which would cut down on time and mess. Based on a special tray with plastic pellets on top, meaning urine would go straight through yet solid stuff would stick on top of the pellets. Bought one tray and two bags of the pellets, removed the normal cat-litter tray and there were few problems through the remainder of the day. The next morning, before it was time to get up, I woke with an uncomfortable feeling behind me, and Pixie there as well. The cheeky cat didn't like the new system so she had wee'd on the bed between Mum and myself! Washing bedding, etc, and a frantic trip to the pet store, taking back unopened pack of pellets and having  our normal cat-lit delivered. A friend of a friend,  received the other parts. This episode came to mind after buying special cat-lit at the vets in order to retrieve urine for testing for my current cat, Bracken [24 July 2013].

Twenty years ago I realised that my arthritis no longer made travelling into London and then to Cambridge feasible, so had some very, very difficult choices to make, mainly about my cats. Moving into rented accommodation meant that I should be able to take two cats, so with a heavy heart I managed to have Pixie and Pandy re-homed. Shushu and Gemma, who took a lot of time to accept people, came up North with me. Initially we stayed with my parents, then we moved around for a few years before this house was offered to me to rent. That same year Juniper and Bracken came to live with us. The rest has already been recorded in The Tail of the Kattery!

Second Chances!

How things change very quickly!

Just a few days ago, I was convinced that I would be taking Bracken to the vets today and saying a very tearful 'Goodbye' to her. Then on Thursday morning I found she was very hot but, within an hour, her temperature was back to normal. From then on all she wants to do is eat and NOT the small cans we had changed to. But more than the pouches of wet meat she ate before.

Instead she wants a particular cat food - and is very pleased to have the same flavour all day!! That is a minor miracle as, until Bracken's change last week, no cats would ever do that!! In fact, she is eating more than she ever did before. Is my newly skinny cat going to pile the weight back on? Or, has she entered a new phase leading up to the end? Ah, if only I knew a vet personally so could get some answers! We shall go to the vets in the near future, but Bracken will return home with me. Thank goodness she doesn't seem ready to go to the Rainbow Bridge - yet. I am so happy that my lovable bossy-boots is staying around for however much  longer she is meant to be with me! 

Lasting just over 16 months longer than her brother so far, the runt is the strongest!!

She is back to normal when I take photos with my phone - posing like mad!

Life Without Facebook - Part II

THIS AND THAT AND A PUSSY CAT!

As I pressed the publish button for Life Without Facebook, words flew through my mind - words I had hoped to write! My fault, shouldn't have taken so long to write the blog!!

The thoughts were finally lost when I made my astral journey to Perth recently. Only way I could attend the Biggest Vintage Afternoon Tea Party for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, with my favourite food blogger Peggy, of Cake Crumbs and Beach Sand. 

I am trying to ignore the fact that Bracken is losing weight. She is eating well, 'posh cans', and not drinking more than usual. Having had other cats plus the Kattery's visiting felines, I know a fair amount of what could be happening, but am trying to ignore it. Why? because I do not want to lose my lovely here.* I know when she goes to the Rainbow Bridge and I have recovered from my loss, a tabby female kitten is coming to live with me - Thyme - but I don't want to lose Bracken. Inevitably I shall have to say goodbye, and that is going to be so very, very hard. There will be a bonus, though, in that Thyme is not going to be allowed to go outside! It isn't necessary but impossible to do with Bracken - has been used to going outside throughout the day because the other cats here did, as an only cat there will be no interest for Thyme in going outside. And Bracken is a strong-willed cat, VERY noisy with it, so no chance of her becoming an indoor cat. Even Mrs Blackbird yelling at her isn't going to make her stay indoors; the noise is so loud that I would love to close the door all day! [*= The Runt of the Litter, just in case the link doesn't work!!]

Life Without Facebook would be a big drawback when it is time for Bracken to leave, as I know the Oz Bloggers I support will be there for me - for which I thank you in advance. I have never had children, but cats aren't a substitute - just recipients of love and attention not spent anywhere else, unconditional love going both ways. Hopefully Thyme won't have to check all the food I eat - Bracken liked avocado over the weekend! Let her smell a small piece which she decided to consume, luckily I don't have them regularly.

Bracken aka Little Flirt
Enjoying the sun

With past cats I have been able to grieve their passing beforehand, hopefully the same will happen here, although Bracken may stay alive until late this year/early 2014.. I haven't been cat-less for over 25 years, it is going to be peculiar to be alone for any length of time. Even though I know Thyme is coming, I don't know where from.

I didn't mean this blog to be about 'me and my cat', but think it was meant to be - writing from the heart!! Thank you very much for reading to the end. Virginia 

Life Without Facebook

What Would Life Be Like Without Facebook?

April 27, 2012 is the day I decided to join Facebook. The phone shop said to play with the mobile phone I received on a 2-year contract in September 2011, so I did - YouTube [personal concerts were lovely, although the sound quality on a phone is poor]. Then came Emails and, finally, Facebook.

Facebook, to my mind at the time, was exciting but due to limitations just wasn't like that. Initially, my friends were all family in the UK then a male cousin in Australia became friends. I had met him several years ago when he came over and spent time with my Dad, even taking him on holiday. Towards the end of May my life changed drastically - in a nice way! In my news feed there was a post from an Oz blogger - don't think I'll ever know how that happened. From there I tried to support over 60 bloggers, but eventually had to be a lot more selective about what I wanted from the experience, as I just didn't have the time to cope with that number. Now I support AND receive support from 13 bloggers. One of my lucky numbers!!

One thing I do miss is reading. Have at least 20 books untouched as yet, and I am going to make sure I have at least two hours for reading. Unfortunately, I tend to find other things to fill my time other than reading - word searches mainly! Have to be stricter with myself or the pile of books will grow - charity shops are hard to pass by when I know they will have some of the books I need to complete collections, etc.

Bracken has been posting her own blogs - crazy cat! Don't really mind as it has given me the break I needed. Still do not know what will be next, but know writers from all aspects experience blocks, when the time is right the muse will take off her gag and I'll know what to say.

Bracken's cat house!

The box was one Bracken played with regularly for well over 15 months, but I moved it to the bottom of the stairs - and she jumped in of her own accord. No doubt she will take over more of the blog as time passes, just hope she doesn't try to use the keyboard while I do as her claws are very sharp!!

Until the next time - with purrs from her and love from me! xxxxxxx

The Boy!

WARNING - SOME SEXUAL CONTENT!!!

Juniper - the Boy

I was reminded this morning that when strange cats were nearby Juniper used to sing a yowling song, meaning he was frightened and needed back-up - me! Then as I arrived the "go away" cries took over. My beloved scaredy-cat!

A very large cat, he wasn't a lap cat - but would sometimes stand on my lap, which was very painful. He preferred to sleep at the bottom of my bed and, while he didn't mind my listening to cds or the radio, any attempt to watch tv in the bedroom resulted in very loud snorts! Luckily it was a rare occurrence as trying to watch a portable tv from about 16ft away was very difficult. I never encourage my cats to mix with humans - to save them from being taken by miscreants - but Juniper had three human friends from whom he would accept attention. [Bracken is much more reluctant].

Over the years he lived here, we had some funny times. Especially about 6-7 years ago, when he started trying to mate with Bracken - both were neutered at 6 months - and he didn't really know what he had to do! Stretched out, Bracken was too long so he developed lots of ruses which failed. On the whole, I let him do what he wanted but when he tried the Missionary position, he had Bracken's throat between his powerful jaw so that was quickly stopped. He hadn't had a miraculous regrowth of the necessary, I put it down to gonads! And was pleased to discovering he wasn't delivering anything, but 'shooting blanks'! He sometimes 'humped' the blanket on my bed, and there was nothing untoward there afterwards. Thank goodness.

Unlike his sister, Bracken, Juniper didn't care to have his photograph taken very often - so those I have are all quite special. I took lots of snaps of him shortly before he went to the Rainbow Bridge, but only for my private viewing.

Trying to escape without anyone seeing!

Juniper loved suet cake, so would eat whatever the starlings and jackdaws dropped. One day he decided to help himself from the holders, but discovered it was too difficult for a big cat! Cue a slow escape, pretending he wasn't interested in the cake at all.

My Sponsored Daughter

FLORENCE - A JEWEL IN MY LIFE

In the early 2000's I became the proud sponsor of a young girl in Uganda. A shy 6-year old, Florence was the only child of peasant farmers, and my sponsorship meant she would be given supplies for School, a uniform and be able to attend School. Florence, and her parents, also had access to medical treatment and help with sanitation projects, plus help with drought-resistant seeds. Amazingly, the children have to walk to and from School, which can take 45 minutes each way! The whole community decide what they need help with, in conjunction with the Ugandan representatives of the Charity. In the years I have known Florence, a Health Centre has been built - very modern looking, and a borehole to provide safe water was developed.

Florence in her School uniform!

The very first photograph I received! She looked cute and very wary at the same time! Later photos show her in ordinary clothes, a nice change from the uniforms. Probably the only decent clothes they had to wear initially.

Children have no access to drawing equipment until they go to School!

I haven't heard from Florence herself for a few months, apparently she is studying outside of the community. Initially she wanted to be a nurse, but of course her parents will decide what she does. I am desperately hoping that she is involved in some training to do with a medical career of some type, but worried about what may have actually happened.

Until about 2010 sponsors were able to send small gift packets to 'their' children. However, the children themselves requested it be stopped - apparently the number of children who even received letters from their sponsors was really, really low - to stop jealousy. Apparently some sponsors never wrote at all, not even upon receipt of annual review and new photographs! And, of course the powers-to-be were concerned about global footprints - a lot of the items arrived in the UK from China, and then were being sent to Africa, Asia, etc. Luckily, there is no embargo on sending a sheet of stickers, blank paper and cards attached to a letter. Or postcards with all the contact details, so the children can still feel special.

Health Centre, built 2007

Several years ago I made up a folder of vegetables we grow in the UK, and explained the [old] importance of crop rotation. A local shop allowed me to take photographs of their wares and Florence was really excited when she received it - said she would like to see the items up close and in person. If I had won the Lotto I would have sponsored her to come to the UK and learn about various methods of planting and nurturing vegetables to improve the yield in Uganda.

Borehole - no more trekking miles to rivers!

When Florence turns 18, I shall no longer be able to sponsor her and I think we shall miss each other a great deal. I don't think I shall sponsor another child, it will be time for me to retire.

June 2015 - my last correspondence from Florence! She was 18 last year and I thought a mistake had happened with her date of birth. Not to be! Along with the letter, etc, there were details of a young girl [around 7-8 years old] in Senegal, who is my new 'daughter' in Africa. There was a huge surprise - a lovely smile!!! It is very rare to see anyone smile - not even Florence did in all our years together!

I was very pleased to learn she is studying to be a Nurse - she wanted that from the very beginning!

Life Begins at

Life begins at 63 years and almost 3 months of Age!!

For several months I had a desire growing in my mind that I would like to be a Blogger! Accidentally - as accidentally as things can be - found myself on a form to set up a blogging account. Did I think twice? No! Quick brainwave on the name and [dreaded] password, filled in all parts but then a question  about having the account come straight up when logging onto Facebook or an alternative choice. What are they talking about? Every time I tried one of the options was sent back up to password. Left the form and went back to my Timeline where, of course, I passed a message on to Techie Mum for help. As one does when totally clueless!

The following morning, light dawned - the password choice wasn't accepted! Why can they not say that?? Decided to wait until I knew more about what I was doing to try again. Which meant Techie Mum could download lots of helpful advice, which was read and better read. Aha! Need to get the email account on a different browser - all the messing around had caused problems on my mobile's account!

This extra time has meant the original name had to be replaced as it wasn't quite right, devised another password and worked out my About : This and that and a Pussycat! Also prepared some blogs, which was very useful as I'm currently experiencing writer's block!!

The first blog almost wrote itself - Gratitude Greetings
 - see http://www.kopskattery.blogspot.com/2013/04/23/gratitude greetings 

I still owe all those mentioned big time! Especially Techie Mum for marvelous headings! Need to send her a container of best quality champagne!!!

Once I had a few more blogs written, I decided to have a mini launch to see if people liked my work. No adverse comments, so need to get prepared for the link. Comments needed verification, so have hopefully sorted that so any comments don't have to go through the ordeal of proving they are not robots.

On Sunday, 5 May, I was supposed to be arrange the Facebook link to get my blog out into the blogosphere. I Flunked it, was worried I'd have no support and would never have more stories to tell. Luckily at 1 pm UK time yesterday, I decided the time had come to launch Kop's Kattery - it was so easy I was embarrassed that I had left it so long!

If you know a blogger who may be interested in what I write, please pass my details on. Thank you very, very much.

Techie Mum's hard work to have a header which really appealed to me, using a photo I supplied as  the basic idea.

New header, bearing in mind the 20% rule. Then we lost the words to fit in with some writing on the blog page. I love them all - so difficult to choose!!