Pelicans, Swans and Buffleheads in New Immigrant

Yes, that hallowed migratory time is upon us. Week long warm spells (50’s and 60’s) have teased us outdoors waiting to see our first robin, listening to new bird songs and inhaling country freshness. Then Iowa played its usual nasty spring trick, dumping a whole twelve inches of snow on my little corner along the river. Tom, in Cedar Falls, got nothing. Prior to this surprise I’d been saying it would come (but one whole foot!) and blah-blahing about spring storms being okay and, after all, we need moisture. With mud spattered clothes from walking Jack and bone-chilling wind hurting my ears, a less pleasant voice is now speaking. And I shouldn’t, really, because the steep driveway was slick for only a few hours and by next Tuesday it’s to be in the sixties again

The six traveling cats and I officially moved in on March 8th. Tom, the man I prompted gently and smilingly each day for two weeks prior to the return to the river, stood up enraged as I packed for the move! “I thought we were only going for two days! It’s too early! I’m not ready! ”

Which brings me to the anniversary card Tom purchased for his Sister and BIL which pictures an old couple sitting on a bench, talking. The wife says, “Well, here we are together for another whole year.”
The husband replies, “Sure, I could go for another cold beer.”
Inside comes the summary: “Listening and understanding…
the keys to every great relationship.”
We laughed for days!!

Tom would have been back by now but he (sadly) caught my killer cold and has only been “up and about” for a few days. Meanwhile, poor Zipper, our three-legged cat, had a painful urinary blockage and has been in the hospital all week. He came home after the first visit but plugged right up again. He’s been one uncomfortable boy and we hope he’s able to come home tomorrow.

Of course that occurrence makes it obvious that I don’t want to leave the three non-traveling cats alone any more so before Tom does reappear, I need to purchase housing for the extra cats. There is not agreement on the best thing to do, as is the way in marriages of “listening and understanding.”

Before moving on from our challenges, I want to note a bright side. If there is someone you wish not to visit, tell them you have nine cats and mice.

Yes, when we two humans and six cats arrived there were eight mice in traps, one drowned and another racing under the couch. Pyewackett got that one the next day and we haven’t seen any more, not that I would kid myself that there aren’tmore lurking about.

The toxic clean-up is still underway. I need a HAZMAT suit!! My mask and gloves leave me feeling naked. The amount of intestinal fortitude required to drag out mouse debris can be overwhelming. None of the cupboards are safe. All the dishes I use are either in the fridg or closed, plastic containers.

Ironically, the mice survived on cat food, the only thing available to them.

I want new cupboards. I know I’ll not return anything to these until they are clean then painted!

Now that I have lost several of you with testy stomachs, I’ll add that I still have no hot water. I went to the hardware store to buy a new water heater but they were all too large to fit our space. They think it sounds like a thermostat problem but inertia has kept me from
scheduling a repairman. Hence my misery over the icy, cold water that hurts my hands is worse because it’s my own stupid fault. So much for my little experiment in Third World Living. My empathy has grown though, that’s for certain! And not having water all winter, hauling in
our own, that is an equally profound lesson.

Jack, the dog, is as thrilled to be walking again as I am. I didn’t take one walk during the winter. Well, I lie. I am not thrilled to take my sore feet, aching shoulder, testy knees and back out to walk, but Jack is exuberant about his brief daily run. In fact, I’d better head up to see him soon. He lives twenty-five minutes away.

Quickly, an update on the Illinois situation. On Saturday Jack returned home permanently. Wife Penny and daughter Jen will care for him in addition to several nurses, yet to be scheduled. So far, so good.

Jack does get depressed because he wants a job. Do you know if giving him something to do would help? One job he Has taken on is negotiator/referee between Penny and Jen’s arguments. He’s good at that!

Nephew David returned from another mental health hospitalization on Monday. He also allowed his wife, Heather, to be allowed to know what treatment and meds he was given and to talk to his psychiatrists. She was an inch from divorce, particularly about the latter.

Lila is seeing a counselor about bed-wetting but is her silly, busy, sociable, dancing self.

Violet is living in Jen’s townhouse in Loveland, CO and working at PetSmart in hopes of returning to UC-Boulder in the fall. She hasn’t written me yet but most communications are open again.

It feels wonderful to be far away and separate from it all. Penny drives me crazy with her self-centered ways. Perhaps she’ll be able to forgive people eventually but for now she is merely unpleasant and intolerable.

On a happy note Heather, Lila, Violet and other relatives are together for a long weekend of hugging and good times. Mental illness as it is
handled in America is heart-wrenching.

I don’t want to end on a sour note. I’ll look around for more laughter and be back.

Meanwhile, I hope you are all healthy and happy!!

I’m grateful:
For the many beautiful cardinals at the feeders.
For the laughter dear Mary and I share whenever we talk.
That doggie Jack has the exuberance of a five year old boy.