Dads Page

Dad Pete's Meandering Mumbling of Mind


11/03/2014
***********
First if you look at the top menu you will see the new Feline Asthma page. I hope to have some helpful information on this condition posted soon.
I am now a full month past the injection of my L shoulder. It is somewhat better but I do need to take a full day or more off every couple of days. Work makes this difficult and this is why I am not visiting as much as I would like. Just sitting can cause pain if I do not hold my arm in the right position. Really great. Thanks for understanding and I will visit as much as possible. Thanks so much for the purrs and prayers.
**********
09/12/2014
**********
Keeping the larder stocked with cases of wet cat food is no easy task and requires that I indulge in that all too common pastimes, work. This week I have the wonderful opportunity to present five hour trainings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On top of my regular duties of course. The class was engaged so I made it through alive, if a bit tired. This is why I have not been visiting. I shall make up for this post-haste my friends.
Now if I can find time to get a few x-rays of my shoulders and then see Mr Orthopedic Shoulder Guy I will be ready for...
Opening those cans of cat food, of course.


08/17/2014
**********
Mr Phantom has again gone into hiding so life is better. I need something done about my left shoulder but am hoping a steroid injection will keep things going. I have no idea why I did not think of this before as it helped my wrist greatly. Hope it can be done.
In the meantime sitting on several pillows while having my keyboard at a tilt seems to allow short periods of typing to visit my friends which is the high point of my day. Hope to visit you all soon.
Thanks so much for the prayers and purrs. They help immensely.
08/12/2014
**********
I had the return of an old friend the past few weeks. The Phantom.
My particular phantom limb pain comes mainly late at night. I wake up wondering what woke me and as I reach around the bed feeling for which cat is close BANG! I know what woke me. Phantom is visiting. Again. I was going to go into a bit of detail but... it takes too long and seems dramatic so I will not. Just let me say I am so glad we are removed from the
neighbors so they do not call the police due to my vocalizations.
This along with my shoulder pain has kind of wrung me out.
Timmy and Buddy are right by my side purring during all of this and the others also. All amazingly empathetic.
See you soon.
I pray.
Ouchie
06/26/2014
**********
Ouchie! The old shoulders, and I do mean old, are still causing a compendium of consternation. I am going to try and visit our blog pals during work. If I can get a second.
That said Einstein seems to be past his first brush with a cat cold.
Ouchie!
The little tyke has been curling up in my lap on the couch and following into bed since we have been under the weather. Last night he was noticeably more active and at bed-book time he ran in bounced off the bed, ran up the small cat tree, leaped down, jumped to the top of the armoire, leaped to the floor, ran out the door, ran in the door, jumped on the bed, gave me his eyes-all-big I am a wilding-wildcat look, leaped in the air and bang out the door again. Yes feeling better. Rumpy is too.
The tailless one cornered Fitz who gave a grand performance. She shrieked like a banshee. Of course she does this if one of the boys bumps her accidentally as she knows I will put my two coins in.
They say not to  yell at them but my fellows do stop, instantly, well, most of the time they do. Oh ok, Rumpy not so much. Buddy and Toby maybe a bit less. I admit it feels empowering to feel as though my voice counts for something around here. I mean really.
Maybe being empowered by cats following command is an endeavor doomed, before the start really, but, I purrsevere! Ouchie! Ouchie!
06/21/2014
**********
Hi friends and furs.
I just wanted to thank all who come by to visit and comment on our fur family blog.
That said I want to apologize for not being able to visit much in the past week or so and I do hope I will be able to come by again very soon. Let me explain.
Some of you know I am handicapped due to an accident that occurred back in 99. I really enjoy saying 'back in' like the old westerns. My favorite is 'back in aught-five when I left that slug suckin dang nab...' meaning my divorce but I digress. I was in acute hospital for some months and 22 surgeries that left me with my right arm intact which is much faster than the listing what parts no longer work.
One part that had been working, a bit anyhow, was the left arm. Unless of course I hold it at a bad angle whereupon it hurts like 'ell younin, like bleedin el, just like back in aught...' Sorry, like I said, I enjoy that. Where was I, oh yes. The darn shoulder hurts like 'el' if I move it wrong and keeps it up, usually, until I sleep and it resets, or, whatever it does in the wee hours. Maybe it runs off to a Jersey Casino. OK as long as the treat money is left alone. I am trying to preserve it as long as possible so I can work and feed the crew.
I am working out how to position pillows and such so I can have some time at night to visit. Hopefully, this too shall pass.
Thanks so much for all the support and love you have shown us all.
**********
*** Update post 09/2013: Thankful Day before Thursday ***


My week started well but then went skidding off to the gutter. Not horribly mind you but there were a few of those “what next” kinds of things, not insurmountable in isolation, but, line them end to end, or, speaking of a cat home nose to end and they grew in that strange way emotional stress may. The additive impact grows as each rubs an increasingly raw nerve beyond tolerance. Those nudgy crusts that peel off the walls and lay on your particular path needing to be scooped into the bin so we can continue or begin some given journey anew.
Of course these things look much darker when one has just had some success. My weekend work on the cat-perches, and, a small shelf, went winningly so lets have at it.


The Cat Perch Project:
Before starting I had checked for materials. Amazing but true. The mind boggles. My normal is coming home with a bag, box, crate, semi-trailer a bit smaller than my smile which wanes as I find duplicates of everything, or missing items, so, no running out to get the materials I should have or wasting time thinking what to build next. And that was not all!


The excitement was added to by: No. New. Tools!
Hah!
You red blooded fellows, and ladies of course, know what I mean. Those constant skirmishes with neat gizmos or upgrades on what we have. They sneak into your cart all the while sniggering with their pals on the shelves:
'see you poor schlubs! I have broken out of this joint!',
'slip under that board Charlie, never see you there. If you get to checkout you have it. No one can admit a mistake!'
Yeah, verily, though I walk through the tool aisle my vision clouded by escape from sight of my too-high-cost, moment of happiness, days of despair, stud-finder and laser-level. Ye brethren who cast your eyes... sight... um... want to get into my cart beware as I shall banish thee to some shelf of my choosing where you will lay until sent to the hateful half-off shelf. You are warned!


The last boost was those years of construction work are still floating in the old brain: Knocking with knuckles to find a stud through drywall still felt like second nature and brought a grin to the fore and I was living large just sitting back and watching my crew explore their new toys. I had a new tea was simply wonderful and adding a touch of honey seemed like some secret lost art of the tea ceremony, rediscovered.
Yes a great weekend and now a fine night that was going just right and... YEOW! WHAT THE... Good lord that HURTS! It was one of those pains that just freezes you in position. It was a cold sweat pain. A real eye opener. If you have never had one of those you are a youngin and I send my regards. This was an odd one though a cramp to end all cramps. The old Galoot over done did it. Well no biggie. Yeah no biggie until it returns like some sneak theif coming to snatch away that most elusive jewel of healthy living, a bit of the old shut-eye.


11PM Ouchie! 12PM Ouchie! 1AM Ouchie!
Ouchie!
Ouchie!
Ouchie!
5:45AM Zzzzzzzz...
6AM: RUMPY! Git outta mah face or you go inta mah bellah! Razzum frazzum bazzum lazzum gittum grrum CAT!


Drag to work. At home luckily. Ah, yes and... what the? I just love when Monday starts off with deeply stimulating case notes. Stimulating as a bit of new art you must contemplate deeply to catch what is being said. The color and flavor always better when the author has not been tainted by those banes of modern education such as spelling, grammer, punctation. Interrupt the code breaking with that toast of modern corporate life, the highly stimulating, always educating, time wasting, mind numbing mandatory meeting. And the Monday clock keeps on... tap... tap... tap... is this thing working... tap... oh yes, it is CRAWLING.


End of work and this, that, the other. Monday night came and yeah man that bed looks so comfy... Yeah that is just... RUMPY! OK, ok I will read to you all and, and, and, and too tired to sleep. 11PM, toss! 12Midnight, turn! 1AM, toss. 2AM, turn. 3AM Zzzzzzzz.
6AM: RUMPY! Git outta mah face boy-cat iffin yo know whats good fer ya! Razzum frazzum bazzum lazzum gittum grrum CAT!


Tuesday dragged more than Monday. Yes there was more but what the heck why mention it. I was feeling weary and Worn and Unborn??? Was that a crappy movie?? Sounds like a title of one but I digress.


That night I thumped in (the prosthetic leg thing if you must know) expecting to start another night of... What’s this? The whole crew is running in? Forget the sheets I had to slide between the cats.


Here, was Fitz, there was Toby, Buddy what do you want with that meow, hey Tim hi there Buttons. Rumpy, are you going to behave, That roll over and belly must mean yes.


What, is all this then?


I pull the sheet up and grab my e-book as every cat takes their position. Tired I read a little ahd look at Tim who looks back with that smile and he blinks. Thankful are the little things. Paying attention to how good a nice cup of tea with a bit of honey can taste. How amusing a turn of the word or an interesting plot can be. And most of all, how special it can be to live with a loving cat. Or 7...


Wednesday morning I was well rested and was ready to take on the day. The coffee tasted really great. I got up to make my lunch and... RUMPY! He knocks a half a cup of coffee on my new carpet. Funny thing is, I still feel very thankful.
Dad Pete

19 comments:

da tabbies o trout towne said...

pete...

it's always the smallest things in life that make us all realize what we can... and should be thankful for....

thanx rumpy for being....the "bright spot" ...literally and figuratively...in pops week 7/25/2013 !!

laura =^..^=

Brian's Home Blog said...

It is good to be thankful for so many thongs. Besides, no use crying over spilled coffee...oops!

Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal said...

Last week was my mom-person furry angry and thought that efurry idiot in the whole wide world was coming her way. But then she calmed herself down and just like you could enjoy the small thing´s. the things that really matters :)

The Island Cats said...

Yep, it's the little things to be thankful for...though 6 cats sitting on you isn't such a little thing!

The Cat Chat said...

Ya know I used to have 6 cats and thought that I would be called a crazy cat lady. I went thru the knock over the beverage on the new rug routine, and blotted it up and used resolve to get it out. And I dealt with the MOOOOMMMMM I have a white spot in the bowl. We are all going to starve. I'm too weak to even paw you on the arm. Please lift my widdle head and feed me by hand.
Now I have 11 cats. And They knock over everything, and do what they feel they should. I am a crazy cat lady. But it's ok. They are a happy, healthy, bunch that gets along mostly and we love them more than anything. The 2 legged kids are all gone to their own lives and Poppa and I have 11 kittees and a crazy Rat Terrier that we love. I think about you often. Glad to know you are doing well and that you have a great family to take care of you too.

M Dawson said...

Glad you made it, it hapoens doesnt it - life and cats

Anonymous said...

Hello Pete: I have been wondering how you were doing! Do not stress out about not visiting blogs. We understand. Sometimes it takes me a whole week to get my blog replies done...people DO understand.
A coincidence: Your accident was 1999 & my Skeletal hyperostosis got so bad I was in a wheelchair for 3 months of 1999.
"Partying like it was 1999" (Prince) was a great idea that never happened for us, lol.
If there is anything I can do plz feel free to email me ok?
I hope you can figure out a pillow propping system...
Best wishes, Sherri-Ellen

Anonymous said...

Blog friends are very forgiving. Don't worry over us. Take care of yourself and those fur babies there. Hope your pain eases up some

Winter and Mom

Oui Oui said...

Don't worry over not visiting, we all have those spells. We're glad everyone seems to be doing better, it's rough being sick and having sick kitties too. It sounds like you deal with it very well. Sending you purrs! Can you hear the windows rattling? That's us!

Kitty Cat Chronicles said...

No need to feel bad about not being able to visit! It happens to all of us sometimes. Sorry to hear you and a few of the kitties haven't been feeling well, but we are glad to hear everyone is getting better. Take care of yourself and the fur family, and we will be sending purrs and purayers your way!

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

Hoping and purring that the naughty/nasty Phantom gets outta there.

While she can't relate to this issue purr-sonally, she has worked with many residents at her job who experience this dude too. Sheesh, he is BAD.

Get well, stay well, and don't worry about taking your Dad time...

Anonymous said...

Hello Pete! Sherri-Ellen here. I am sorry 'the Phantom' has not settled down nor that pesky shoulder. Please take all the time you need & get some rest & sleep & I will send you white light of healing! The 'Phantom' is horrid & I remember my friends suffering with it in the Rehab Centre....
Here is a Great BIG virtual {{{{{{HUG}}}}}} to let you know I care!!!
Sincerely, Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue (who sends her purrs to you)

Meezer's Mews & Terrieristical Woofs said...

Ouch! Shoulder badness is not a good thing, sheesh you do have a lot of things, yet you keep on keeping on. Wow! Kudos!

We will purr hard to make things easier. Hope the steroids injection will do the trick.

CATachresis said...

Sending sympathetic "ouches" and healing thoughts to dad Pete! So glad that things have improved lately :)

This is the first time we've come across dad's page!! Living with pain is no joke. We are honoured that you are part of the cat blogosphere (and particularly Cat Scouts:) and are always so cheerful and supportive of everyone. Caro and Austinxx

MissyofMissylandia said...

We are purrrrrrrrrrring that the injection helps.

Anonymous said...

Weez know yous busy Mr. Pete and weez had ow own mess of fings dat got us behind. Weez almost caught up and now weez fixin' to get behhind again, but weez will all make it fwu. :) Yous just take cawe of yous selff and da fur babies and weez will see ya' when we see ya'. :) Weez be purrayin' fur ya'.

Luv ya'

Dezi, Lexi and mommy Audra

Anonymous said...

I hear you Pete! We MUST stay in shape to cater to our beloved felines....or else suffer the consequences....like muffin theft ;)
Wishing you a peaceful & (hopefully) painfree weekend....
Sherri-Ellen & Nylablue

Katie Isabella said...

Pete, gonna be in a painful position with my own compendium of consternation here before long. I had to smile at your blogs though. The grace and humor in which you express what is going on. Take good care, new friend.

Katie Isabella said...

I'm back in case you aded to your blog. But the kittens gave a fab 4th Pawty!