Slipping Into the Holidays in Everyday Ramblings

Because we have such a wide variety of trees here, our leaf litter often makes beautiful patterns. There is a kind of beauty in decay.

I wish I could feel that way about my aging face. This morning I went for my semi-annual skin checkup and I am extremely grateful to have had no reoccurrence of the melanoma now for a year. Yippee.

My dermatologist is a hoot. I was telling him I wasn’t too crazy about the new age spot on my face and he said of this particular kind there really isn’t any way to prevent them. But that sunblock keeps them from getting darker. I could have it removed but it would be cosmetic surgery and I would have to pay for it.

Carlo and Diego had their well kitty vet visit yesterday afternoon. Everything went swimmingly with that too. They have their rabies vaccine and are licensed and their microchips are registered. Diego’s eye surgery area is healing well and they were not shy at the vet’s office. There was much exploring and investigation in the examining room. Having two cats in there at once was interesting. They were curious about everything and a little uneasy about the door but friendly enough.

Diego is hyperactive still. He is also not shy about wanting attention. He just comes over and either knocks the computer mouse out of my hand or jumps up on my lap and then knocks whatever he can find off the surface in front of me. Oh, and he will mouth my fingers (no teeth) if those two techniques don’t work.

Carlo is more the ambassadorial type. Mr. Diplomat. Very relaxed (except when there is open food in his vicinity) and easy going, he observes and then judiciously decides if he is going to participate in what ever is going on around him.

So the good news is if everything goes well, and I am planning for it too, we don’t have to see the vet for a year! All done. The kids are formally and fully adopted now. I’m healthy, they are healthy and in four weeks the days here will start getting longer again.

I’ll be working this week except Thursday, our actual Thanksgiving holiday. My oldest sister is coming back down from Seattle to spend about five days with Kes and Most Honorable. It is so great she has this opportunity.

My niece, my oldest sister’s daughter and Miss E.’s mother, usually spends Thanksgiving at her older boyfriend’s condo while he is visiting family. Miss E. and her mother laze around and make pizza from scratch and binge watch movies. But this year the boyfriend said he had had enough of her crazy schedule and broke up with her. Much to the relief of the boyfriend’s family I might add. So this means no condo so they will stay home and have encouraged my older sister to leave for the holiday.

So graciously, Kes and Most Honorable are available to take my weak refuge sibling.

With the illness, my oldest sister’s personality is changing a bit and I admit to finding her abrupt opinionated manner a bit more challenging to deal with than ever before. We are having trouble finding common ground.

She is still having some discomfort from the surgery months ago and I understand that this is affecting her ability to concentrate and communicate. Kes can manage, both with her and my brother and I admire her ability to do that.

They’ll all be having a sumptuous holiday dinner together on Saturday with pies and lots of leftovers to savor later. I am grateful to know I am welcome there but can choose not to participate. I’ll be home with wild man Diego and the calm Carlo.

My vet says that they have another set of brothers named Carlos and Diego. So for everybody’s sake I am glad we decided on the Italian Carlo. Who knew?

We are having an oddly warm very cloudy day. I’ve enjoyed the break from the Polar Vortex but it does feel a bit disconcerting.

At least the finches at my feeder are well fed as well as getting more colorful by the day. We still have months to go but spring is thrumming underground getting ready for its command performance. I am thankful for that too. :)

Last updated November 25, 2014