Some people believe that black cats are bad luck. You know what my little black cats has to say about that?
This picture says it all. He sticks out his tongue and says those people are dumb.
If you have a black animal just know that you are a lucky pet parent because they are the best. Also keep them indoors and safe tonight. There are cruel people out there who will do terrible things to a black animal or any animal if given the chance. Another reason why I typically like cats better than many people.
Here’s another look at Scout, dressed up a few years ago.
Scout has had a rough time these last six weeks or so. He has an ongoing issue that seems to flare under stress like when I leave for too long at one time. Since this problem is related to litter box performance, I have spent much of the last several weeks hyper focused on his potty habits.
While I always try to keep his box clean, it’s immaculate if I’m awake and present to tend to it. This fall, he has grown accustomed to a certain level of attention where I praise him for going potty and then immediately clean up after his royal highness.
Yesterday morning he evidently was disappointed that I wasn’t awake to tend to his box at 3:30 a.m. I didn’t hear when he scratched at the wall after completing his business. I didn’t hear when he pulled the scooper out from between the box and the wall and heaved it into the middle of the bathroom floor. I also wasn’t conscious when he set to work kicking litter three feet across the floor with the zeal and skill of an Olympian headed for the kitty winter games.
When those things failed to rouse me from my slumber, my house panther jumped up on the bathroom counter and used a well manicured paw to open a cabinet door and then slam said door.
It started slowly, of course.
Then he picked up the pace, opening and then SLAMMING, opening and then SLAMMING, over and over again.
By the time I stumbled into the bathroom and turned on the light, he had abandoned his revelry and was sitting so prim and proper waiting for my prompt attendance to his concerns.
He watched carefully while I swept up the litter, scooped his box, and tied up everything in a TJ Maxx sack before dropping it in the trash can.
He jumped down, sniffed at the box and, evidently satisfied, followed me back to bed. He was snoring in minutes. I was awake for an hour wondering if he’s always been such a little maniac or if he is worse now.
Oh, the things a pet parent will do for their children. It’s a good thing he is cute.
This week’s photo scavenger hunt theme was Something To Eat. Here is some of what I found!
Pumpkins I liked the logo. The light and shadows of this carton of eggs is nice.One of my favorite summer snacks. More product packaging. See a theme?Biscuits are one of life’s great small joys. Candy is always so colorful and pretty!This is technically something to drink.
The week three theme is Something Clean. I will need to ponder on this one. Wish me luck!
Want to play along? Here’s a photo of my challenge.
It looks a little rough and wrinkled because I dragged it around for four days back in the spring but never did anything with it.
We had some good meals along the way on the Stockbridge trip but one of my very favorites was this lunch in the courtyard outside the Red Lion Inn.
Fish and chips. Diet Coke. A good friend. A delicate breeze beneath an umbrella. Blue skies above.
It was divine.
There was a little bird, politely hopping around looking for something tasty. He finally found a french fry, happily flying off with his found treasure.
Whether it’s when we travel or just a stolen moment during our week, this is what it’s all about. Quiet moments with someone who understands us, fresh air, and time to slow down – even if for just an hour – help us to recharge and remind us that life is more than schedules and busy work.
Oh, to be as happy as a bird with a french fry! Now there’s a life goal I can get behind.
Once upon a time, I walked at Lake Alma after work almost every day of the week. I wouldn’t go if it was under 20 degrees or if there was ice on the ground. Sometimes I would skip if heat stroke was a risk.
Otherwise, I was there all the time.
I’m not sure exactly when or why I fell off the wagon but I have missed being there.
Yesterday I had to leave Scout and have some blood work done. Afterward, I grabbed a quick breakfast and then went to the lake. I was surprised at how many people were there on a Tuesday morning but it was gratifying to see so many people using the park.
Lake Alma is a unique state park here in Ohio. It’s beautiful but kind of compact. There’s a nice campground, boat rentals, playground areas, and places to picnic. There’s a paved walking path along the one-way road that goes around the lake. There are also rugged hiking trails that I don’t especially enjoy because they tend to be too steep but I know lots of people who love hiking there for that very reason. There is also a trail around the island that I adore.
But the accessibility of this place is really special. If you had a mobility issue but still wanted to camp or spend some time in the woods on a paved path, this is a great spot. If you want a place to ride bikes with your family, the lake bike path does into nearby Wellston. it is not uncommon to see little kids learning how to ride.
It was a refreshing 48 degrees when I arrived and the sky was a beautiful bright blue. In the first mile I saw a deer, countless squirrels and this salamander.
My apologies for the quality of this photo. Capturing a dark black creature in the shade when they’re on the move is essentially impossible. But you get the idea.
Google tells me that it’s a Northern Slimy Salamander. Evidently, the damp wooded hills around the lake are prime real estate for these guys.
They are land loving creatures that breathe through their porous skin. They like leaf litter, rotting logs, and stones. It was crossing the road and headed toward the lake but Google says it likely wasn’t headed for the water.
If you see one, picking it up with your bare hands is a bad idea. Not only is it troubling to the salamander, they secrete a mucous through their skin that is hard to get off your skin.
One of the things I always liked about walking here is that I regularly have close encounters with turtles, walking sticks, and funny little new-to-me creatures like this salamander.
The other thing I like about regularly spending time in the same place is that you get a front row seat to the way nature changes almost every day.
There’s always something new to see even when it’s familiar. you just have to go looking for it.
