a magical surprise!

 

 

I was supposed to post this blog last evening... that didn't happen obviously. What's better than a Friday blog posting? Why, Saturdays, of course. So, let's get started.

As you know, our beloved Tortellini, 19, passed away Wednesday evening.

 Thursday morning Jeff and I placed her to rest beneath her fav ancient oak tree that spreads it's massive, graceful limbs across the upper backyard. This is where the story begins...

                                                                         Gracie, out on a limb


Actually, not quite. We have to backtrack several years ago to when Jeff and I moved into our house.  Our elderly neighbors, across the street, had several cats. One of them was Tortellini. She would divide her time between their house and ours. In addition, we soon realized after moving in, that many neighbors had been transitioning away from the neighborhood leaving their cats behind who were literally in the process of starving.
Many were just bones and near death.

Well, we had to do something, so that's when I began the outdoor gang; feeding, grooming, caring for those pets who had been left behind by their owners. Vet appointments; neutering/spaying, etcetera. Anyway, Tortellini, became a regular member. At that time she was pregnant w/ our first litter. Beautiful kittens she would share w/ us. Shuttling them back and forth across the street. Out of that first litter, a soft yellow/white kitten, we fell in love w/ and named Dagwood-- sadly, 4 or 5 months later he was hit by a car as he was going home across the street. Over the years we've never forgotten him and will bring him up in conversation from time to time. It was in her second litter of kittens that she had Risotto, Simon, and Michel, who passed away last year. So, while, over the years, Tortellini would shuttle back and forth, giving birth to other kittens, it wasn't until her owner's passed away, that she decided to move in full time w/ us.

This is the part of the story where Risotto comes in..

 

                                                                                   Risotto


Risotto, is our guard cat extraordinaire. Seriously. She can be in the back of the upper back yard and will hear an animal that is not Anna Chan or the outdoor gang walking somewhere on our property and she will began screeching sounds that sound like the cries of a crazed banshee, it's unbelievable really, this proceeds the chase off the property w/ her in hot pursuit, biting clawing and scratching and will literally chase them down the street w/ the poor animal crying hysterically in fear. Ask any of the neighborhood labradors, coyotes, raccoons or possums, who have made the mistake to come on our property, they never make that mistake twice. Neighbors used to come out running to see what was happening, they now shrug their shoulders, realizing it's only Risotto.

Risotto and I have a great relationship. I would never make the mistake of attempting to pick her up. She will come and sit near me, I can pet her (occasionally).  She trusts me implicitly and loves me (on her terms). Well, she loves me to serve her breakfast and dinner, give her fresh water daily and make sure the birdbaths are filled w/ water... she would probably tear my face off if I attempted to go beyond that... it may not be that brutal, but why tempt fate?

Now, that we have that ALL out of the way we can FF back to Thursday afternoon. Arriving home from work I turned the key into the lock of our front door. Stepping inside the foyer, it was odd not having Tortellini welcoming me home. Glancing toward her fav chair in the living room, I could see sitting on Tortellini's chair, huddled together, were ALL of the indoor gang looking sadly forlorn missing their old pal. 

After changing into my scrubs and tank top, I walked barefoot from the master bedroom out to the foyer and into the living room. I stopped, sat down w/ the indoor gang and enjoyed some playtime. Thinking, isn't it amazing how one small animal can fill such a large part of our lives w/ their presence and how much they're missed when they are not here?

So, here's the first clue of what happens next. It will make absolutely no sense to you whatsoever, until the end of the story, but I wanted to hear the song now, and this was as good a place as any to insert it.

 

                                                                     Mellow Yellow, Donovan


Confused? Let's fix that. Getting up from sitting w/ the indoor gang, I told them I missed mamasan (my nick name for Tortellini) too. But, it was time for dinner.

Walking out to the garage to get the cat food, I was surprised to see Risotto, peering into the French glass door that leads out to the patio. I walked outside, greeted her and was more surprised as she was impatiently trying to tell me something. What exactly, I had no clue. She wanted me to follow her. She kept looking back making sure I was behind her. Then stepped aside as I reached the outdoor gang's food bowls, looking very pleased w/herself while waiting for my reaction.
 
What did I discover inside a food bowl? This is what I saw...

Saffron

 

Introducing: Saffron. A kitten that is an exact replica of Tortellini w/ the exception of having long hair. Risotto had waited until this exact moment to introduce me to this very special kitten who is Tortellini's granddaughter. She has 2 brothers. They are a very soft yellow w/white markings. One is an exact copy of Dagwood. So, of course we christened him Dagwood in honor of him. The 3rd kitten we named Bumstead-- both after the classic Blondie comic strip.

 

Life, if you wait long enough does come full circle and can be magical.

 

 

 

Risotto w/ Dagwood

 

left to right: Saffron, Bumstead and Dagwood

 

 

Risotto is graciously sharing Saffron w/me. Yesterday, after work, Saffron came inside w/ me, climbing on my chest, listening to my heartbeat, she fell asleep.

 

 

 

 

 

This morning Risotto was in the upper backyard leading the kittens to foliage, where they could nap. In the first pic they're all in line. The second pic Bumstead is falling behind doing his own thing while Risotto waits ahead for him to catch up. Poor Risotto, if you have more than one child (of any species) they will take turns trying your patience.

 

 

 

Batter Up!

 

A beautiful morning; sunshine, blue skies, temps balmy... somewhere in the mid-70's, rising steadily. Jeff was up early this morning having finished mopping the bathroom/kitchen floors. 
 
What woke me was the light twinkle of Gracie's collar bell as she frolicked through the dandelions that are scattered haphazardly across the front lawn-- she loves to run, jump and roll over them on her back- a morning adventure that signals that she is then ready for her breakfast. Rolling over I realized that Jeff had let Sam, our lavender Siamese cat in to the master bedroom when he and Anna Chan got up this AM. Usually, our bedroom is a no cat zone... w/exceptions. If a kitten or cat is ill and needs extra attention. Sam, was a birthday gift from a dear friend of mine and has always been one of my fav boys. He's a senior now and has symptoms of what we call 'shout-out' seizures several times throughout the day. These make him sound like he's barking and only last 60 seconds, at most, when they occur. He's my shadow and protector-- the indoor/outdoor gangs give him their love and respect as the older alpha male, in turn, he is tolerant and indulgent of their greetings, affection and attention.
 
We (Sam and I ) wandered outside to say hello and good morning to Gracie-- who rushed up to greet us before returning to the dandelions. As I settled into the Adirondack chair on the front porch, I was overwhelmed by the cacophony of sounds coming from our usually calm neighborhood: the loud cooing of pigeons, the non-stop chatter of quail, the whistle of turkeys, the endless crowing of my neighbor's young rooster (who hasn't quite mastered the theory of time). And, the unending interactive birdsong between the multitude of birds seen/unseen in the ancient oak trees and cool shade of the green foliage surrounding our property.

And then there was the human element of neighbors out and about as they power walked in groups w/lively ongoing morning conversation interspersed w/ laughter. Or, others who were out jogging w/ headsets on, their feet pounding against the hard surface of the street, or the heavy harsh breathing of dogs as they pulled their owners along behind them.

Gadzooks! This was more than either I or Sam could take in... we hurriedly rushed back inside to the quietness of our house, both mentally exhausted by what we'd just taken in.
It was then that I realized, that this was going to be one of those what I call 'pushing through' kinda days for me. Everything was going to take more energy than I have to give. So, it was time to suck it in and man up. Starting by taking my antibiotic for the day. And something to quell the ongoing cough of bronchitis that hasn't quite gone away yet.

Then it was time to do some weekend marketing w/ Jeff at our fav little local market in Angels. I had determined that it was my turn to cook this weekend for Jeff...

Back home: I put our large crockpot to use as it's slow cooking pinto beans, onion, etc. I also put a large pot of macaroni on the stove to boil for mac salad. One of my fav basic recipes when I'm not feeling too ambitious; olives, pimento, mayo, salt/pepper.

Dinner tonight will be served in a casual buffet; marinated carne asada chicken, beans and mac salad.

When the mac salad had cooled I put on more boiling water for eggs. Making open faced egg salad sandwiches for lunch; a slice of rustic French bread spread w/ egg salad, topped by thinly sliced cucumbers that have been marinated w/red wine vinegar.
 
Late last evening as both Jeff and Sam (the cat) were contentedly snoring, I finished reading Until I Say Goodbye. An insightful and adventurous read. The 3rd book I've read this week. All of them wonderful reads: Jackie After O, The End of Your Life Book Club and lastly the above mentioned.

This afternoon, in-between naps, I'm going to begin a great small-sized coffee table book, Capturing Camelot. Stanley Tretick's Iconic Images of the Kennedy's w/storyline by Kitty Kelly.

But, first... I have to serve up lunch. Time to call Jeff who is out in the garage painting.
Enjoy your Sunday!

                                                             Snoop Dogg/Pussycat Dolls, Buttons