Monday, April 16, 2012

Bird Watcher


When you left the Rascal and Lil Bear in my care, you were probably hoping I would keep up your tradition of dressing them up. I just can't. But I am keeping Lil Bear healthy and flea free and spoiling her with wet food (only a little!). She doesn't know how ridiculous she looks with the infamous lion cut so we won't tell her when we get it again this summer.  Rascal is gone and can't hiss at the haircut cat she didn't recognize.
When you brought them here with Baby Kitty, they were all such indoor, stay out of the snow and away from the bears and eagle talons, pets. But Rascal took to the outdoors in this beautiful weather immediately. Not so much with Baby Kitty and Lil Bear.
Remember how long it took for Lil Bear to even go outside and walk in the grass? She put her paw on the grass one step per day for weeks. Now she loves the yard and goes out to meander. She stalks birds and squirrels all the time but never is successful in catching either. I thought she was too old to out run them.
Well, today, Lil Bear, at the grand old age of 12, caught her first bird!
Lil Bear on my lap! 

She was sleeping on my lap when, out of nowhere, a small bird flew across the room, banged into one window, then another. Lil Bear leaped off my lap and into the air and took the bird down in the corner by your hope chest in less than 4 seconds. I really didn't know she could move that fast!  I'm yelling and telling her to let go, (she didn't seem to hear me over her guttural growling), Kenton came running, picked her up right off that little bird and put her in time out. We both ran around looking for an open door or window or some way the bird got in the house. Nothing. Maybe she was hiding in here for awhile as the screen door was open for a bit yesterday.
There were a few little feathers around but the bird seems fine, although I can't pick her up. She moved under the hope chest so I am hoping she'll come out soon. She's probably terrified. I know it got my heart racing!
Lil Bear is now banished to the kitchen and is crying to come back in the back room.
So, where are you when I need my little animal whisperer?
Lil Bear will probably have a renewed interest in trying to catch those little birds at the feeder outside the window.

Update:
The tiny bird finally came hopping out this evening. I sat and quietly watched to make sure it was okay, then I slid open the window and knocked out the screen so it could fly out. Well, it hopped up onto one of my planters with the large ficus tree where a small ceramic bird sat on the edge. The bird cocked it's head from side to side as if to ask it how to get out of this place. Not getting a response, it jumped over to the other planter and, of course, there was another little wooden bird perched on that one. Again, it tried to communicate but didn't get anywhere. I thought I was torturing this poor little creature and he must have thought he landed in Bizzaro World amid all the bird decor. Finally, I moved over near the little bird and it jumped onto the windowsill where there were, yep, three little bird statues. After a few seconds of looking at them and getting no response, it flew out the window.
I let Lil Ber back in the room and she is still hunting for her catch of the day.

Don't Dress Your Cat in an Apron
by Dan Greenberg

Don't dress your cat in a apron
Just 'cause he's learning to bake.
Don't put your horse on a nightgown
Just 'cause he can't stay awake.
Don't dress your snake in a muu-muu
Just 'cause he's off on a cruise.
Don't dress your whale in galoshes
If she really prefers overshoes.

A person should wear what they want to
And not just what other folks say.
A person should wear what she likes to-
A person's a person that way.


Saturday, April 14, 2012

Dancing Queens


Whenever I heard this song, I thought of you. It's what I hoped for you, what I prayed for you, what I so wanted for you. It feels so empty now, as if my Pollyanna dreams for you discounted how deep your pain was rooted. I know you didn't lose many of these things while you fought the battle. I just wanted them to help you heal. Naive, once again. Now the song reminds me of all the joys in life I've experienced and guilt shadows the glaring reality that you never will. 
But now, in your honor, and to my great chagrin if anyone were ever to see me, I dance for a few minutes ever night with wild abandon to whatever oldie is playing at the moment. It's ironic how many of the songs, no matter the time of night, have a message that seems to come from you to me or from me to you.  I'll take it...
 The Hitchhike   Age 16  LVHS Yearbook 1968   


I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give fate a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance 
                                                 Music and Lyrics by Mark D. Sanders/Tia Sillers




Wherever you are, my little ballerina, I hope you're dancing...

Friday, April 13, 2012

Out of the Blue

As the rain tapped on the window against the backdrop of the sunset, I thought how stunning it was, but how these moments are always sadly tempered because of not being able to share them with you. I was feeling melancholy and missing you all. Then, out of the blue, Robin called. I think there should be a new definition for the phrase "out of the blue" because she took me right out of it. We went for frozen yogurt. As I was getting out of the car, I unexpectedly told her about Kameron's new tattoo. As we walked through the door of the shop, I was explaining that the numbers came from the "Donnie Darko" movie. Guess what song was playing? I hadn't heard it since your celebration of life because I change the station when it comes on or bypass it on itunes.

Of course you know what song it was, as this was another Kennasent moment in a Mad World.

They come at the most unexpected times, just out of the blue.










Donnie Darko Trivia


Interesting

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Curiouser and Curiouser

The year you were born, Easter seemed to come early, although Easter means "moveable feast", not fixed in relation to the civil calendar. Hence, many of the gifts we received had a rabbit or bunny theme. They were everywhere; stuffed animals, blankets, a small rabbit hooded sweater, rabbit slippers, ribbons, a rabbit planter with a small plant, even wrapping paper. It seemed as if you had a theme before you could even choose one! And all throughout your life, they seemed to make an appearance just to keep us on our toes.


                                               

And of course, there is always the crazy Alice in Wonderland connection we share still.

"Why, sometimes I've imagined six impossible things before breakfast!" 




Albeit it a rather large one, Donnie Darko has a rabbit in it. 

Last week, after a very trying 36 hour trip in a car, a train, a taxi, a Greyhound bus, another bus, then Dad and Pam's truck, we pulled into their home in Baja and a rabbit ran across our path, slipped under the gate to their backyard and just stood there. It actually appeared to look over it's shoulder, inviting Rosie to give chase, which she did. We all agreed it was you, stopping to say everything is going to be alright. And from that second on, it was. On the morning we left at 5:00 AM, there you were again crossing the road in front of us as we left their little town to begin the long trip back in reverse, alleviating my fears. I listened to your ipod on the bus to the border and was comforted by the eclectic choice of music. I loved every song. Most made me cry because I know they were the last songs you heard.  It is so painful to know that. It hurts to write the words. I knew I would have to hear them someday and that day seemed to be beckoning.

Sweet dreams, my little Rabbitrella.