February 2026 – Site Title

Day 3

Time sure does fly. It is day three since my son came by, brought his cats here, talked for a while and off he went to start his new life.

DAY 1:

It was chaotic. I had three cats here and I felt like my world was being turned on its head! Shiro, the Persian cat, and Gallahad, the British long-haired cat were not too sure about what had just happened. Dad, (my son) was gone and they were with this lady they recognized but not quite. I hadn’t seen them in a long time and we were practically strangers. They watched me cautiously and no amount of talking to them seemed to make them look at me differently.

SHIRO: “She thinks she is the cat whisperer. What is the gibberish coming out of her mouth? Where is daddy?!!”

GALLI: “I think she’s nice. I remember her from long ago but that Little Macho over there thinks he can take us both down! I’ve got news for him.”

CHACHI: “Don’t TOUCH my things! Look at my teeth, they mean business!”

ME: “Lord, have mercy! Where and how do I start?”

I made sure their room upstairs was made to order. It looks like cat paradise up here. I even put blankets on the bed in case they got cold. Everything was spotless and the toilet was CLEAN and smelling like flowers.

SHIRO: ” This is what I’m talking about! Dad, I love him but the toilet was never this clean. I’m going to enjoy this!”

GALLI: “Who cares? A toilet is a toilet and anyway I never pay too much attention as to what I leave behind.”

Exactly the problem! Galli thinks that doing the big stuff is one thing and covering it up with litter is another!

DAY 2:

All was quiet. The two survived the night with no problems. I kept Chachi in the bedroom since I didn’t trust them playing together. Chachi had and has an attitude. He’s all about his things. Don’t touch this and don’t touch that! If you so much as look at me cross-eyed, you’re looking at trouble!

Chachi also decided that he hates me! I’ve brought some strangers in to take his place. Every time I picked him up, he hissed to show his displeasure. Instead of purring when I put him next to me at bed time, he was as quiet as a mouse. The message was clear. Get THEM out of here!

Galli decided that he was going to give the cat whisperer a chance. He purred every time I came close and even let me stroke him. He also started rubbing up against my leg. He is all about the food, as long as his stomach is over full, he’s a happy camper. There was hope yet. Shiro wouldn’t have anything to do with me, cat whisperer or not. Her whole stance was, “WHERE IS DADDY? Get me out of this place!”

DAY 3:

So far, so good. The cats have settled down, they are eating and drinking and letting me pat them on the head. Chachi is still in his pissed off mood. He keeps shooting evil eyes in my direction and hissing at them every chance he gets. My son has been constantly texting asking for pics and sending messages, “I miss them.” I’ve been working tenaciously to keep them all happy.

Now, I AM POOPED!

Will it get better? I can only hope but running behind the three of them is going to take coordination and some planning. I know it is a challenge and it will be a challenge. First thing, I need to work on getting Chachi on my side. So, I’ve been whispering, “You know you are my little love, don’t you? No one can take your place.”

CHACHI: “Stop your cat whispering with me. I know you better and you need to beg, maybe it will work but for now, no way in hell!

Let’s see what the days going forward will bring.

Fingers and toes crossed.

Figure It Out

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“You don’t need to have it all figured out to take a step forward.” Unknown

This is the absolute truth. You don’t need to know everything before you take the next step forward but you have to trust in the process to move forward, one step at a time. You’ll get there.

“You don’t have a right to the cards you believe you should have been dealt.”

“You have an obligation to play the hell out of the ones you’re holding.” Unknown

This is where we go wrong I think. We want what we think we deserve but life has other plans for us. Go with what you have, work with what you have and make it the best set of cards for you and you’ll come out the winner. I have to remind myself of this as well the next time I moan and groan at the unfairness of it all!

“What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how it’s supposed to be.” Unknown

The stories we tell ourselves can be the road to disaster. It screws us up. How it’s supposed to be and what you do to get there are two different things. It’s not going to fall into your lap, whatever it is that you want, it takes hard work and that is the truth of the matter.

“You don’t have to figure everything out today. You don’t have to solve your whole life tonight. And you don’t have to tackle everything at once. You just have to show up and try. You just have to focus on the most immediate thing in front of you. And you have to trust that you’ll figure out the rest along the way.” Daniel Koepke

Nice piece of advice that. Just keep moving, show up and you’ll be on your way.

“My life has a superb cast but I can’t figure out the plot.” Unknown

Okay this one speaks to yours truly! I can’t for the life of me figure out the plot. Perhaps it is best not to ask but to just trust that I have what it takes to make it and the rest will fall into place. Easier said than done!

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Michael Jordan

This special piece of advice is what life is about. Giving up is not going to do it and as I often say, bite the bullet and keep on going.

TODAY

figure out what makes you happy and do more of it, figure out what doesn’t, and do – less of it. –

Mandy Hale

YOU WILL FIGURE IT OUT!

Have an amazing day.

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to when I was a wild child running around barefoot, playing in duck puddles and letting my mind roam where it wanted to was a hard one. I never wanted to grow up.

I was a tom boy and I embraced that phase of my life with my whole being. It was a time when I felt free as a bird and “life” was forgiving and nothing was taken too seriously. It was about having fun, drumming up new things to do and having an island as my OWN to do as I pleased is a feeling I can’t describe. It was freedom at its best.

It changed when I was pulled back to earth unceremoniusly and reminded in a no nonsense fashion that I was a girl and it was time I realized that and acted accordingly! I rebelled but when I saw that young boy, the one who had moved into our neighborhood, things changed. I liked the way he looked and it was time to pack my tom boy days up, put them to sleep and MOVE ON!

However, if I had to go back and do it all over again, I wouldn’t hesitate one minute. It was the best time of my life and will remain so.

Daily writing prompt

Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.

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Someone Else for a Day?

I can say a lot of things here and pick some influential people who changed life for the better but I’m going to go with someone who makes my life a joy and one who is there from the moment I wake up to the time I turn off the lights and go to sleep.

If I could, I would like to be Chachi, the cat, or rather Little Einstein as he likes to be called. Some might say pick a person but this little furball is a person to me. I would like to see life through his eyes for a change. Sometimes I wonder what he thinks as he looks at me with those big green eyes, I see love but it might be something else altogether! I want to see what is missing in his life and what could be made better.

The little bundle of joy has me wrapped around his paws in more ways than one. I think a cat’s life can’t be beat, well, I am speaking about HIS! There is nothing to worry about, life is a breeze and now that I’ve removed the big Japanese cherry tree from blocking his view in front of the kitchen window, Chachi has a wide-screen TV! He spends his days following me around like a second shadow and his needs are taken care of. When he is bored, he sleeps the day away and when he feels like company, it’s Mommy time! Cuddles, hugs, and kisses are all part of his daily existence and he gets plenty of those. So I say, I would like to be Chachi for a day. The laid-back existence is appealing and “no thinking” and “no worries” makes it a life I would like to experience for a day.

Daily writing prompt

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be, and why?

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SOTU Babbling

The man of the hour showed up looking feeble as if he needed to be shored up. He got plenty of support from fellow Republicans. They acted like the Messiah had showed up or was it Hitler? Anyway, the accolade was loud and boisterous as they welcomed one of their own.

The address took almost two hours to get the message across. The “babbling” took off the minute he opened his mouth and it just kept on going. It didn’t matter if it was fact-based, that was never his strong suit. Myth, untruths, and factless assumptions were all there. Nothing new here, he has always adhered to “tactics” to push his agenda and has done so with little knowledge of any one subject. This is his expertise. Take something that is not true and push it as the absolute TRUTH!

He droned on keeping the Republicans captivated. What were the Democrats doing? They were silent for the most part except for Rep. Al Green, the lone crusader, holding a sign that read, “Black People Aren’t Apes.” He showed bravado and courage as he stood alone in a sea of Republicans willing to do battle and to stand up for what’s right. We need more people like him.

However, Trump was in his element. His fantasies and distortions were on full display and so were his lies and racist assumptions. The rambling two-hour address encompassed all of the above and more. One source called the address, “heavy on falsehoods, ad libs, and digressions that sometimes seemed like bids to kill time – and remarkably light on policy substance.”

That has always been the case, light on substance, I mean. He went on to denigrate immigrants, tarring and feathering them all with the same brush. According to him, they are criminals, inferior, and they bring crime into the country. He had or has believers swallowing that line, hook, line, and sinker! He also blamed the Somali-American population for importing corruption to the United States. “There are large parts of the world where bribery, fraud, and corruption are the norm, not the exception.”

The pot calling the kettle black?

The State of the Union address lacked truths, had very little substance, furthered divisive racist talk and didn’t do much to bring “the people” together. That’s just my opinion.

Mandy Hale

New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and creator, Mandy Hale inspires women with her writing and I find her quotes to be exceptionally uplifting. If you’re feeling down, turn to them and they are bound to give you a boost in the right direction.

Here are some of her best quotes:

“You’re beautiful, just the way you are. Shine on, and dare anyone to turn off your lights.”

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

“If they want to be in your life, they’ll find a way to be in your life. Otherwise, they’ll find excuses.”

That’s the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

“There is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.”

A smile, a kind word, or a soothing touch is all it takes to do just that.

“The most beautiful day is the day you decide you’re good enough for you. It’s the day you set yourself free.”

A good one but putting it into practice is the hard part.

“A busy, vibrant, goal-oriented woman is so much more attractive than a woman who waits around for a man to validate her existence.”

Women tend to do that but I think we are learning that our existence or rather our validation does not depend on a man. I hope so!

“To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care.”

Perfectly said!

“No matter how much you stress or obsess about the past or future, you can’t change either one. In the present is where your power lies.”

This one knocked some sense into me. I love stressing and obsessing so a definite reminder to pay attention and to do different.

Too easy to get = just as easy to forget.

Absolutely and one to pay attention to.

Finally, I LOVE THIS ONE!

“You’ll learn, as you get older, that rules are made to be broken. Be bold enough to live life on your terms, and never, ever apologize for it. Go against the grain, refuse to conform, take the road less traveled instead of the well-beaten path. Laugh in the face of adversity and leap before you look. Dance as though everybody is watching. March to the beat of your own drummer. And stubbornly refuse to fit in.”

Have an amazing day.

Most Ambitious DIY Project

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I think it was to renovate one of the rooms upstairs. The door needed some painting and the walls as well. I wanted to turn it into a nice guest room and instead of getting a professional to do it which would have cost a lot of money, I decided to give it a try. A “TRY” is the main word here since I had no experience doing what I was about to undertake.

I Googled and than YOUTUBED to get some knowledge on how and where to start with this project. It seemed like a monster undertaking but I had time on my hands and ambition on my side or so I thought! The beginning went as planned. I got the “stuff” I needed and was pleased as punch with my progress. Then it went downhill from there! Nothing seemed to be going right and I was covered with paint from head to toe in no time at all! I had forgotten to put a plastic cover on the floor to protect the carpet so I had another mess going. Halfway through the day, I gave up! It was time to call in the people who knew what they were doing. An amateur was no match for this huge DIY project.

Long story short, the guys came in, took one look, laughed and got the job done in record time. I spent the next week trying to get the paint out of my hair, fingers, arms and everywhere else! Lesson learned and I kowtow to the people in the know. DIY is not for me, I am a klutz in more ways than one!

Daily writing prompt

Describe the most ambitious DIY project you’ve ever taken on.

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Farewell My Son

Tomorrow is the day that I’ve been dreading for a week now. I thought it would take its time getting here but we’ve got a day to go before you take off to start your new life.

I’ve been walking around like a zombie doing things I need to get done to prepare for tomorrow. Your cats will be here and there is much to prepare to make sure that their needs will be met. I think I’ve got it down pat now, the “needs” bit but not how it will be with three cats running around. I am a little nervous.

Then your dad called earlier today and that brought it all home. You are leaving and there is no turning back. It is onwards and forwards. I’ve been brave or rather trying to be brave and I succeeded until dad said, “I’m at his place. We are loading the stuff into the car.” It hit home and the move is taking place.

What can I say that I haven’t said already? Sometimes, I wish I can turn back time. I want to go back to when you were a five-year-old and you needed me. I was there to take care of all your needs and to keep you safe. I want to go back to when we played that game, the one where you asked, “How much do you love me?” My answer, “To the moon and back and again to the moon and back!” That always brought a giggle and a chuckle from you. Those days are gone but they live on in memories.

The reality is that a lot of things have changed and they are changing. Tomorrow, I will hug you tight, kiss you on the cheek, make sure you have everything you need, knowing full well that I’ve forgotten something in my rush to make sure you have everything you need. I will try not to break into tears as I stand there and watch you walk out the door. All of that will come later as I retreat indoors and try to deal with this situation as well.

I think mothers and fathers are different. Your dad seems to be fine but I’m sure he heard the “break” in my voice as I asked, “Is he alright?” Let me tell you something so you know without a shadow of a doubt where you stand with me. I want you to know that I love you. You are very important to me and no matter what, I will always try to be there for you. Life is taking you away and I hope to a better future. I also hope that it will be kind to you and the new people you meet will care about you as you form your new circle of friends. Most of all, I hope you stay safe.

I want to tell you not to do these things. Don’t do your long walks with your headphones on so that you are not aware of your surroundings. Be careful because you will be in a big city and there is much you have to learn and look out for. I KNOW that you think you know everything and I should let you live your life BUT I still see you as that little boy who I nurtured and walked with holding that tiny hand in mine. I guess I will always have that picture in my mind.

I know that you are a young adult now and I should treat you as such. It is hard but I will try. You, my son, are fully capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. You are strong, you are intelligent, you are goal-oriented and like your mother, a very strong person.

This will be another challenge for me. Another one that will require my strength and my belief that all will be well. It’s not to say that I won’t freak out from time to time wondering if you are fine. I’m going to say this and leave it at that. I trust and believe you will be fine and you will make your way as I did a long time ago.

I WILL MISS YOU.

The Guy?!!

Got your attention? I think those of you who read my articles regularly know that I’ve been looking for the needle in the haystack and it hasn’t been easy being out there. Where? Out in the dating world.

I’ve come across many who claim to be Prince Charming but in actuality are frogs in disguise. I know, I know, you just have to kiss them and they might turn into the man of your dreams. So far, no luck. They’ve remained frogs! Around the middle of last year, I came to a screeching halt and decided to pull the plug on dating. However, at the beginning of this year, I decided to give it another try.

Out of the eight who showed up wearing hopeful smiles, I narrowed it down to two. One was a Biochemical Engineer, nice enough guy in the beginning but a total full of himself j**k. Maybe, it was me but never mind. After two dates, I decided to call it off. I tried to be nice, which is my problem, but he hung up on me showing his true self. The last man standing was just a simple guy who grew up in these parts, the farmers are his best friends, doesn’t speak any English but has decided that he has only eyes for me. Nice guy? Hold on.

On our first date, he was very attentive and as he walked me to the door, he stole the kiss. It was totally unexpected. I pushed him away before he took it further and later when he called he asked, “Did I shock you?” My answer, “Yes, you did.”

Anyway, I decided to pull the stick out of my you know what and to give him another chance. Nice guys don’t come around too often, that was my reasoning. Second date went just fine. We had lunch and went for a walk. It was nice and it was my kind of date. Third date was supposed to be a breakfast date and he decided to take another huge leap.

HIM: “My sister wants to join us.”

ME: “Why?!!”

HIM: “She wants to meet you.”

ME: “Why?!!”

HIM: “Because she asked.”

Oh God. Things were moving like a train on a collision course! Then he began using the “we” word whenever he talked about us. If that wasn’t enough to give you chills running down your spine, he started sending early morning messages, like at 5 in the mornings! Then he started hammering the nail in the coffin as quickly as he could by calling me, “Mein Schatz.” In German, my darling or my treasure, whatever the case may be, you get the picture. My signals were all going off and you know I have plenty of them where men are concerned. Anyway, still I persevered. I met the sister and we hit it off. He told me that she thought I was five or ten times better than his other girlfriends. So, he went, “Welcome to the family.” Lord, have mercy!

I also found out that he smokes which is an absolute no-go for an hypocondraic and a health nut like me. I did tell him that but he promised that he wouldn’t do it in front of me. However, I Googled, my steady companion who never fails to come up with answers said this,

“It doesn’t matter. Third-hand smoke is a killer too. Smokers have toxins coming out of every pore and some of it will wear off on you causing heart problems and a stroke at times.

Lord, help me! I like the guy. He is caring albeit a little touchy feely. He thinks he has found the right person for him after three dates and I think he has “forever” showing in his eyes. Me? Not so much. He stole a kiss and he has hugged me and held my hands. That is about it although he keeps talking about spending the weekend together. Knowing me, that would be a big, big, hurdle to cross. Plus those “toxins” are not helping matters much.

Another one bites the dust? Maybe, I don’t know yet. Still thinking on that one. Thinking is my problem too, I overthink things. I told a friend yesterday that at this rate, I will go to my grave as a single woman. He was nice and said, “I think you are very nice and there is nothing wrong with you.” So, why do I wind up in these situations? A more pertinent question is, “Where is my Prince Charming? The one who will be an almost perfect fit. Where is he?!!”

The universe in its wisdom is saying, “All in good time, my child. He’ll show up when you least expect it and I’m working on it but you are not making it easy!”

Back to walks in nature, I suppose.

Cuss and Slur Words

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Sometimes we need that duct tape over our mouths! There is not just one word but several that I would like to see permanently eradicated from usage simply because they do not add but detract from the English language as a whole.

Their use is easy to those who have a limited vocabulary and to those who think some of those words are “power words.” I detest the “F” word. Listening to someone using this word like confetti strewn throughout a sentence makes my skin crawl. I grew up in a household where cuss words, swear words and racial slurs were not allowed and if caught using them, there was hell to pay. A younger brother rebelled against such restrictions and the “F” word became his favorite word to get his disgust, anger or whatever else he was trying to get across. I heard him using it one day and told on him! Yes I was a tattle-tale but it was for his own good. Dad read him the riot act after hearing about it and we didn’t talk for a long time after. He did forgive me at a later point in time and I never heard him use it again or maybe not just around me!

If I have to cuss or use a swear word, I SPELL it out. It seems to take the sting out of it or so I think! A former boyfriend asked me, “Why can’t you just say the “F” word and be done with it?” My answer, “I can’t!” Fortunately, there are not many occasions where I’ve had to resort to such words and I can count them on one hand! Coming back to cuss words, George Washington once said:

“The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.”

However, Mel Brooks had this to say: “I’ve been accused of vulgarity. I say that’s bulls**t.”

Two sides of the coin right there. I think eradicating such words especially of the hurtful nature such as racial slurs is a must but I can wish and hope and stand on my head and turn blue in the face but change will be a long time coming if ever!

Daily writing prompt

If you could permanently ban a word from general usage, which one would it be? Why?

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