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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Life Can Turn on a Dime, a Ten Things of Thankful Post

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This week has been full and empty, enriching and impoverishing.


It has given me much cause to be thankful in the good places and much cause to be thankful in the hard places.


Last Saturday went well, i finally got to put the new vacuum cleaner together for Grandma's house and i was very thankful to finally get it done.  It's not as good as the one we had two models back, but it is better than the last one and got a lot of the dirt out of the cement floor crevices.


Mr. J giving Mr. Cal dog his arthritis med in the morning means the "old pup" is much happier on his Sunday morning walks, and Becca and i are thankful to see him so happy.


As always, watching my little Annie through the week brought me much joy and thankfulness.  She took her first unassisted steps this week!  Only once, but she is very close to walking on her own.





For a couple of weeks, my old tablet has been giving me fits, and i thought it was a goner.  Turned out it was the bluetooth keyboard which had worn out over years of use, and i was thankful i was able to pick one up on Monday and the old tablet works as well as ever.


Monday was supposed to be the start of a new schedule.  Because getting home from Ms. JAI's place is so much harder than Ms. D, the ladies had agreed to swap, I'd do Ms. D last and not have to fight traffic to get home at the end of a long day.


Thus i did Carl's place, then went to Ms. JAI.  She wasn't  home, wasn't answering the phone, wasn't answering the bell.  It's not like her at all to forget to tell me if she made an appointment, and i was a bit confused and worried, but was thankful i could go on to Ms. D and do the work there, figuring i'd catch Ms. JAI later in the day.


As i was finishing with Ms. D, Ms. JAI's daughter called me.  Ms. JAI, age 90, had fallen a few days before, broken her hip, had a stroke and brain bleed, couldn't have surgery, refused a feeding tube or any intervention and was taken to the hospice just up the highway.


I was thankful i found out before it was too late.  I rushed up there and had a good visit with her, and i knew she heard and understood as she leaned up to kiss me before she fell asleep again.


Tuesday i brought our little Annie up there with me and got to talk to her, although i'm not sure she was awake for all of it, and was thankful to speak to her daughter.


Wednesday started early as always where i do a shift at the cat shelter.  One very elderly cat which came to us recently went into respiratory distress while i was there, i was thankful the vet was in and had started the spay/neuter surgeries and was able to quickly help relieve her suffering.


Later, while at Ms. G's house, i got a call from my Sweetie.  He'd found our Charismatic Enigma SissyCat collapsed and rushed her to the vet.  There was nothing they could do, i was thankful she was helped so quickly, just like the cat at the shelter.


I'm also thankful our vet, Dr. Bea, buries the pets on her huge property out on the country, her husband uses the backhoe to put animals out there once they have a few ready so SisMiss is with Mikey and Dansig the Round and a few others.


I'm thankful i got out of work early for a Ms. G day so i had time to go home and comfort my Sweetie, who was devastated because he had to find her so sick.  I was also thankful to go up to see Ms. JAI one more time.


On a good note, we finally got rain, for which we are thankful, and the electricity went out for all of five minutes but we were thankful the generator kicked in, so we know it's working.


That evening, i was thankful for Bible study, i needed it.


Thursday my Sweetie and i had two cleanings to do, and i was thankful they both went well and we got done in good time, as i'm not so sure how much more i could have handled.


I also got word at Ms. GA's house, Ms. JAI had died very late Wednesday night.


Not long after, i stepped outside to shake out the dust mop and saw a hummingbird in Mr. BA's garden, the first one i'd ever seen there.  I was thankful, it was cheering.


Once again i was thankful for a church meeting Thursday evening also, it was very uplifting, just what i needed.


Friday morning i was thankful to get to prayer meeting and get errands run before taking care of Annie again.  She took a really good nap, and i even snoozed for a few minutes while she was out, which was a good thing.


The car rental went the fastest it has ever gone and i was thankful as it helped me get to the shelter early.  The cat shelter was busy with people looking and adopting, which was also a big thankful.



Please write up your own list and link up to Ten Things of Thankful, where Clark and his co-hosts always have a warm welcome waiting.   




You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter



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Today is:


America's Day For Kids -- sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America  


Birthday of the Sun -- Inca (date approximate; a few days before the Autumn Equinox, all fires, including that at the Temple of the Sun, were extinguished and 3 days later ceremonially relighted using only glass to concentrate the sunlight on cotton; followed by 8 days of feasting)


Eleven Days of Global Unity -- Day 10, Disarmament (sponsored by We, the World


Feast of the Ingathering -- UK traditional (also called Harvest Home; in Scotland, Kirn; in northern England, Mell-Supper.  Celebrations will be held in rural areas for the next few weekends, celebrating the end of the harvest.)


Feast of Orlog -- Scandinavian Deity of Destiny (date approximate)


Feast of Zywie -- Poland (goddess of longevity and health; date approximate)


Genesia -- Ancient Greek Calendar (festival to honor the dead, especially those who died in wars)


Idaho Spud Day 2025 -- Idaho, US, wants the 3rd Saturday of September as a day to celebrate their favorite crop


International Eat An Apple Day -- a celebration of the fruit of the season, on the third Saturday of every September


National Farm Safety Day -- US (can't find a sponsor, but farming is hard, and dangerous, work, so it's a good idea)


National Rum Punch Day


National Youth Day -- Thailand


Okuma-kabuto Festival -- Nakajima, Japan (Noto Peninsula's top autumn festival)


Pause the World Day -- because we've all wanted to do this at one time or another


St. Eustace's Day (Patron of difficult situations, fire prevention, firefighters, hunters, torture victims, trappers; Madrid, Spain; Poli, Italy; against fire and torture)



Birthdays Today:


Kristen Johnston, 1967

Guy LaFleur, 1951

Taro Aso, 1940

Sophia Loren, 1934

Anne Meara, 1929

Donald A. Hall, 1928

Dr. Joyce Brothers, 1928

Red Auerbach, 1917

Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton, 1890

Maxwell Perkins, 1884

Upton Sinclair, 1878

Rama V, King of Thailand, 1853 (eldest son taught by Anna, of "The King and I" fame)

Emperor Takakura of Japan, 1161



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"The Cosby Show"(TV), 1984

"Eubie"(Revue), 1978

"The Phil Silvers Show"(TV), 1955

"The Corn is Green"(Play), 1938



Today in History:


Atilla the Hun defeated at Chalons-sur-Marne by General Aetius, 451

Saladin begins the siege of Jerusalem, 1187

Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda with about 270 men on his expedition to circumnavigate the globe, 1519

Galileo Galilei is tried before the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for teaching that the Earth orbits the Sun, 1633

Maryland passes the first "anti-amalgamation" law to stop English women from marrying black men, 1664

The Negro Convention of Free Men agrees to boycott slave-produced goods, 1830

The American Association for the Advancement of Science is created, 1848

The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company, 1857

The first gasoline-powered car debuts in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States, 1891

The Otis Elevator Company unveils the first escalator at the Paris Exposition, 1900

Cunard Line's RMS Mauretania is launched, 1906

The first Cannes Film Festival is held, 1946

James Meredith, an African-American, is temporarily barred from entering the University of Mississippi, 1962

The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched, 1967

Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in The Battle of the Sexes tennis match, 1973

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam joins the UN, 1977

Walt Disney World hosts its 200 millionth guest, 1985

U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "war on terror", 2001

The US Military ends its "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, 2011

SETI researchers propose aliens may have left devices to spy on us planted on near Earth co-orbitals, suggesting these co-orbitals be investigated, 2019

A first edition of Mary Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein sells for $1.17 million, setting new world record for a printed work by a woman, 2021

Friday, September 19, 2025

A Farewell Tribute to The Charismatic Enigma SissyCat (Feline Friday), Friendly Fill-Ins, Nature Friday and Flashback Friday

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Feline Friday was originally started by Steve, The Burnt Food Dude (may he rest in peace), and i'm going to believe it's because he liked cats.

He handed hosting duties off to Sandee at Comedy Plus, and now she's entrusting it to me.


Feline Friday is simple to join.  All you have to do is: Post a picture, drawing, cartoon or video of a cat (they may be silly or cute).  Then add your link!


One thing for sure is this is a fun and easy meme to do.  So come and join us in Feline Friday.


What better way to start the weekend than with a feline!


This isn't the post i was wanting to write.


The Charismatic Enigma SissyCat became critically ill on Wednesday, suddenly and without warning.  Even the vet isn't sure what happened.


My Sweetie found her in distress while i was at work and rushed her to the vet, and they tried but really couldn't do anything.




We love you, Little Sissy/SisMiss/Enigma Cat.  You graced our lives for 13 years.






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Friendly Fill-Ins are easy to do. There are four statements: the first two statements are provided by Ellen of 15AndMeowing, and the final two are offered by Lorianne The Menagerie Mom of Four-Legged Furballs. They try to make sure the statements will be fun to both answer and share. The linky will be posted at or about 12:00 AM on Friday. Please head over to one of their sites, link up, and share your thoughts!      


Here are this week's statements with my responses underlined:



1. _________ was the best advice I ever received.


2. _________ was the worst advice I ever received.


3. If I knew how to _________, I would _________.


4. I thought _________, but it turned out _________.




1. Work hard, it will set you apart  was the best advice I ever received.


2. You can't have cats if you are pregnant  was the worst advice I ever received (and i ignored it).


3. If I knew how to   do some kind of desk job,   I would   switch careers in a heartbeat.


4. I thought   i had it all together,   but it turned out   i forgot where i put it!



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Nature Friday is hosted by LLB in Our Backyard.  Simply post a picture of the natural world, and link up!   https://llbinourbackyard.blogspot.com


This neighborhood works hard to keep their medians looking nice.





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Flashback Friday is hosted by FiveSibes Come hop along memory lane with us!  


I found a couple of older photos of Enigma SissyCat.


Sitting on the table disapproving of the way i sort mail.

Having a bath on her favorite kitchen chair.




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Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day Or meow or woof or squawk, or whatever noise your pet makes, give it a pirate flair and have fun.


Another suggestion, especially if you have children and you expect them to use their very good manners at the table all the time (you do, don't you?), tonight have Pirate Supper.  Cover the table with newspaper or a throw-away plastic tablecloth and have dinner pirate style -- no plates, no utensils, no napkins, all fun!


Thanks to Barb Kowalik and The Cat Blogosphere for the event badge.        


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Today is:


Armed Forces Day -- Chile


Chästeilet im Justistal -- Merlingen, Switzerland (dividing of the summer's cheese between the dairy farmers of the area, a weekend celebration that must be tasted to be believed!)


Clean Up the World Weekend -- it's a big challenge, but we can try   


Constitution Day/National Day -- Nepal


Cosmetic Bridge Day -- seems internet generated, but i'm sure your dentist will approve


Day of the First Appearance of the Slovak National Council -- Slovakia


Eleven Days of Global Unity -- Day 9, Freedom (sponsored by We, the World


Independence Day -- St. Kitts and Nevis(1983)


National Butterscotch Pudding Day


National POW/MIA Recognition Day -- US 


National Tradesmen Day -- US


St. Januarius of Naples' Day (a/k/a Gennaro of Naples; Patron of blood banks; Naples, Italy; against volcanic eruption) related observance

     Feast of San Gennaro -- NYC, NY, US (began on the 13th, continues to the 23rd; one of the highlights of the festival is this, the actual Saint's day)


Women's Suffrage Day -- New Zealand



Birthdays Today:


Alison Sweeney, 1976

Jimmy Fallon, 1974

Jim Abbot, 1967

Soledad 'Brien, 1966

Trisha Yearwood, 1964

Kevin Hooks, 1958

Joan Lunden, 1950

Leslie "Twiggy" Lawson, 1949

Jeremy Irons, 1948

Randolph Mantooth, 1945

Joe Morgan, 1943

"Mama" Cass Elliot, 1941

Bill Medley, 1940

Paul Williams, 1940

David McCallum, 1933

Mike Royko, 1932

Adam West, 1928

Duke Snider, 1926

Sir William Golding, 1911

Lewis F. Powell, Jr., 1907

Joseph Pasternak, 1901

Henry Peter Brougham, 1778

Charles Carroll, 1737

Jan Luyts, 1655



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"Skylight"(Play), 1996

"ER"(TV), 1994

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show"(TV), 1970

Funny Girl(Film), 1968

"Flipper"(TV), 1964

"The Virginian"(TV), 1962




Today in History:


Edward, the Black Prince, commands the forces which defeat the French army and capture France's King John II, 1356

Giles Corey is pressed to death after refusing to plead in the Salem Witch Trials, 1692

The Continental Congress passes the first budget of the US, 1778

Ephraim Morris patents the railroad brake, 1838

Bond and Lassell discover Hyperion, moon of Saturn, 1848

New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all of its women the right to vote, 1893

Funeral of assassinated President William McKinley, 1901

Mickey Mouse makes his screen debut as Steamboat Willie, at the Colony Theater in NYC, 1928

The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich, 1946

Nikita Khrushchev is barred from visiting Disneyland, 1959

Betty and Barney Hill claim that they saw a mysterious craft in the sky and that it tried to abduct them, 1961

The Solomon Islands join the United Nations, 1978

Scott Fahlman posts the first documented emoticons :-) and :-( on the Carnegie Mellon University Bulletin Board System, 1982

Ötzi the Iceman is discovered by German tourists, 1991

The BP oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico was declared “effectively dead” by retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the government’s point man on the blowout disaster, 2010

A joint summit between North and South Korea ends with an agreement from North Korea to limit its nuclear program and South Korea to cooperate economically, 2018

According to a study published in the journal "Science," since 1970 the number of birds in North America has declined by 30%, 2019

British monarch Queen Elizabeth II is interned at Windsor Castle, 2022

Scientists announce the discovery of the site of the Amazon's tallest tree, an angelim vermelho at 88.5 meters (290 feet) tall and 9.9 meters (32 feet) wide, at the Iratapuru River Nature Reserve in northern Brazil, 2022