So, when I work in the garden, I wear these gardening gloves that I picked up at Lowe’s. My hands still get a little dirty, but not nearly as dirty as they would if I didn’t wear gloves at all. I have two pairs of gloves, because I am JUST THAT FANCY. When I’m done working in the garden, I hang whichever gloves I was wearing on the clothesline so they can dry before I need to use them again.
If you are thinking to yourself “Robyn, hanging gloves on the clothesline for days at a time is just askin’ for trouble!”, you might be right, you damn know-it-all.
Yesterday, I went out, grabbed a pair of gloves off the clothesline, put them on, and continued across the yard toward the side gate. And then there was a vibration against the pinky of my right hand, and an angry buzzing sound coming from the same location.
If I possessed my very own set of testicles, I can tell you that they would have crawled as far up into my body cavity as possible at that moment. There was this long pause of incredulous disbelief as my brain scrambled to catch up with just what the holy hell was going on, and then I went into a full-body dance across the yard, my feet barely touching the ground as I frantically pulled the glove off and threw it to the ground.
Just thinking about it gives me the willies.
I threw the second glove to the ground too just in case, and then I stomped on both of them several times, as hard as I could (did I mention that I wear an old t-shirt, old shorts, and my boots when I work in the garden? I am always a vision of loveliness, if you were wondering. They write poems in tribute to my loveliness.) When my pulse was back to something approaching normal, I turned the gloves inside out, and found a dead baby bee.
From now on I’ll be hanging my gloves inside to dry.
I have a YouTube video from almost two years ago, when Kara’s babies were still here. Those babies would occasionally nurse until they were 4 months old – and she let them. Now, I know they didn’t NEED to nurse at that age, they were just taking advantage of her, but she let them do it sometimes, and it didn’t seem to bother her. She certainly didn’t mind getting up and walking away when she felt like it. I felt like it was up to her to cut them off, and she did eventually. They weren’t doing it all the time, either, just every now and again.
Every now and then I get an annoying comment on the YouTube video telling me that those kittens should NOT be nursing, that kittens should be weaned by then, WHAT AM I THINKING?!
And it drives me fucking nuts. Every fucking time. Finally, after the latest comment, I logged in and shut down comments on that video.
But I’m still feeling very stabby on the topic. The video is TWO FUCKING YEARS OLD, am I to go back in time and make the kittens stop? ARRRRGH.
I do kind of think it’s funny that you were checking them out when they were next door, curious about who they were, but then didn’t open the door to find out. Not that I would have either, but I think it proves that you weren’t really all THAT curious.
I was curious because I’m nosy like that – but I’m also too nice to say “no” to salesmen, so I solve that problem by not dealing with ’em.
Don’t they make some sort of directional microphone that I could keep by the sink and point toward their deck when my nosiness overcomes me?
(I’m KIDDING!)
(Mostly.)
How you keep yourselves from wanting to keep all your foster kitties is beyond me…those who have come here, have stayed…young and old alike…I love them all!! But kittens…how do you hold yourself back : )
These days, I’m walking a thin line between “I LOVE my Bookworms!” and “TOO MANY CATS UP IN MY SHIT!!!” Because when the cats swarm, they are crazymaking. I know I’ll miss the hell out of the Bookworms, but I really am looking forward to having them find their forever homes and making mine a little less crazy.
(That said, I can admit that when I think about taking the Bookworms to the adoption center, whenever that happens, I tear up. MAH BABIES!)
I guess I’m paranoid, but I don’t think the few bucks you make on eggs is worth dealing with nosy strangers on your property when you’re home alone. Just my opinion, of course.
I think you’d be surprised at how the money from those eggs adds up. Saturday is our day for eating dinner out, and most weeks the money that buys our dinner out comes from the sale of eggs.
Plus, when I’m home alone and have to deal with unknown egg buyers, I’ve usually got a gun in my pocket.
Three years of walking around the property armed, and I haven’t shot anyone. YET.
::crazy eyes::
I have a food question that I thought someone here might be able to figure out. Remember that glowing, almost fluorescent yellow chicken gravy from back in the day? I’ve been wishing I knew how to make it, but I have no clue, and my searches have been fruitless. Can anyone help me in my quest for creepy gravy?
I’ll be interested in seeing if anyone has a response to this one. I am not remembering the fluorescent yellow chicken gravy, but I’m certainly curious about it!
I don’t know if you are aware of a new group here in Alabama for getting legislation passed to help companion animals, cut down on kill shelters? If not, here’s a link to their website:
Alabama Voters for Responsible Animal Legislation (AVRAL)
Please pass it along to other rescue people/shelters, etc. that you know. Maybe we can create enough interest for some serious activism regarding abandoned/mistreated companion animals!
I hadn’t heard about AVRAL – thanks for the tip!
Do you like smoked salmon/lox? My favorite way to have fresh dill is scattered over a plate of smoked salmon, over which crème fraîche (or sour cream) has been (HEAVILY!) drizzled and a handful of capers sprinkled on top. Even better if all of this is on top of freshly made blinis, but that’s asking a lot.
You know what’s sad? I don’t know if I like smoked salmon! I don’t believe I’ve ever had it. I’m going to have to change that, I think, because 99% of the recipes I came across when I was looking for a way to use up that dill were for salmon.
Here’s something else that’s sad – I’ve never had capers! What are they, y’all? Will I like them?
Have the cat/kitten adoptions slowed down since the economic depression hit? Sorry if you’ve addressed this before. I don’t skim, I’m just senile.
Right now adoptions are really slow, but I think they usually are at this time of year. This area hasn’t been hit nearly as hard by the economic downturn as other parts of the country – between the defense and aerospace industries, Huntsville is the place to be!
Is that really Spanky snuggling? He must be mellowing 🙂
That was, indeed, Spanky sleeping next to Reacher, but it was more a matter of Reacher sneaking up and laying down next to Spanky while Spanky was sound asleep and unaware of what was going on, than Spanky deliberately being within touching distance of another cat. The kittens are such sneaky little brats.
You live out in the country… so I know that is going to play a role… but is there a limit on the number of animals you can have on the property? I’m thinking that pretty soon you and Fred need to consider setting yourself up as a Kitty Rescue yourself. — God knows you are well equipped for it.
There are no restrictions on the number of animals we can have on our property. As long as we take good care of our animals, we can have as many as we’d like. And if we didn’t take good care of our animals, one of our neighbors would notify animal control. She loves animals as much as we do, and she’s always got an eye on the animal owners in the neighborhood.
May I suggest a counter in the header to keep track of the animals? Something like “X chickens, Y cats, 3 dogs, 2 pigs and a frog.” ;D
I just might have to do that.
BUT THE FROG DOES NOT BELONG TO US!
(Famous last words, right?)
Your chickens have such beautiful feathers … do you gather them up and do anything with them? I “collect” feathers (beautiful feathers) … and basically just look at them, no crafty-stuff involved …:-D
No, I don’t really gather then up. I ought to, though, I could make cat toys with feathers hanging off them. The cats would love that!
Do you rotate what is planted in your rows? That might be an issue. Plus, the weather was weird this year. Too cold, too wet, too hot … for too long.
We do. We’ve never gotten a decent crop of regular-sized tomatoes, either. Next year we’re planning on raised beds, and we’ll see how that goes.
It’s very odd – the white scalloped squash, which was planted right alongside the yellow summer squash, came in like gangbusters this year. The yellow squash, on the other hand, didn’t do so well. Which annoys me because I much prefer the yellow squash – it’s got more flavor than the white.
Bad news, good news, and a happy ending for two Challenger’s House cats!
Bad news: Franco and Garrity are going back to the adoption center. They were adopted by two roommates last Friday, and as it turns out, one of the girls has allergies. I’m sad for the kittens, but I know their forever homes will come along, and hopefully soon.
Good news: Gavin and Lieu have both been adopted! Not together, but to very good homes.
The happy ending: Monarch is 7 years old and Georgia is 10 years old. They’ve been residents of Challenger’s House since they were days old, literally – Georgia was 5 days old and Monarch was 3 days old.
Earlier this week, they were adopted to a great guy who works at Petsmart. Monarch’s still a scaredy-cat and hiding, but Georgia has been out and about and has been hanging on one of the two cat trees their new daddy bought for them.
I love a happy ending, no matter how long it takes to come!
Yesterday, of her own volition, Melodie came down and not only approached me to pet her, but even played with a toy I rolled across the floor for her!
Baby steps.
In the evenings, at bedtime, Fred goes upstairs before I do, and has some time alone with the kittens while I putter around downstairs. As it turns out, not only has Melodie approached Fred for petting, she’s been very aggressive about demanding the petting.
Why do all the scaredy-cat girl kitties love my husband so, I ask you?
Moxie loves me, at least. Right, Moxie, you love me?
“Sure, lady.”
Melodie eyeballs me from atop the cat tree.
Caught in the act! Martin and Melodie, snuggling.
“See mah feets?”
For a time yesterday, this box was verrrrry popular with the Bookworms. It’s been sitting there for a couple of days, I’m not sure why it was the place to be, all of a sudden. This is Reacher, enjoying a little quiet time. (I like to call him “Reacher Creature” because I’m a dork.)
Rhyme suddenly realized he was being followed. (“Rhyme time!”)
Bolitar leapt in to try to gain control of the box. (I call Bolitar “Buster” and usually say something along the lines of “Buster Brown gets around!” Did I mention I’m a dork?)
This did not go over well with Rhyme, who just wanted to chase his tail in peace.
::CHOMP::
Bolitar fled for friendlier pastures. (Yes, I removed the strap from around his neck and tucked it out of the way so he can’t strangle himself.)
::smooch::
“You been eating crickets again? Your breath – whoa.”
Previously
2009: DIDN’T SAY THAT ON MY ITINERARY, FUCKERS.
2008: Creating a Monster.
2007: Now THAT is a signal I understand.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
2004: My crap, is my scalp FRIED.
2003: I’m still thinking of killing her.
2002: Getting impatient, because Fred hadn’t carried the bag of food upstairs and poured some fresh food for his majesty, Tubby started bitching “Give me food, damnit!”
2001: “Remember when you moved that dresser? That was cool.”
2000: No entry.
“Plus, when I’m home alone and have to deal with unknown egg buyers, I’ve usually got a gun in my pocket.”
Dayum. And I thought you were glad to see me! 😉
“If I possessed my very own set of testicles, I can tell you that they would have crawled as far up into my body cavity as possible at that moment. ”
That is the funniest thing I have read in a long-ass time. I’m that moron cracking up at the internet at work right now. Awesome. Glad no stings, but awesome.
Robyn, I just have to say every time I see Newt I tear up. He looks JUST like my kitty “Yellow” (ironic since they are “buff”) that we lost 2 years ago to an illness. I just want to grab him and snuggle into his fur. Is he really soft? He looks like he would be.
I just admire you so much for having such a big heart to take care of all of these babies. Keep doing what you do best momma!!
Ugh. People get so up in arms about extended breastfeeding, I can’t BELIEVE people are trolling YOUTUBE to criticize kittens for occasionally nursing past a certain age. People are truly, truly ridiculous.
I think that neon yellow chicken gravy is a result of something called “chicken base”. The Amish here use it in chicken pot pie (the soupy kind not the Swanson frozen pie kind).
(see the link above – not mine – for explanation) She doesn’t seem to use chicken base in her recipe but it could be added.)
When my mom makes this, we’d eat it with raw onion since it can be a blandish dish.
About the bee in your gloves….always good to check your shoes too before slipping them on. Someone was spider-bit by not checking their shoes first. That kind of freaks me out, so I make it a point to shake my shoes before putting them on (even if I do look like a dork doing that!)
I’ve always wondered about the mama cat weaning thing because I tend to think kittens are taken away from their mothers too early a lot of the time.
One of our cats, who wandered into our lives as a 5-month old stray, used to climb up on our shoulders and suck on our earlobes (cute while he was small, but thank god we got him to stop before he hit 15 lbs). We had to pretend to be mother cats and ‘wean’ him ourselves.
Another of our cats, who came from a ‘pet store’ (kitten mill), WILL NOT COVER in the litter pan. He also has major separation anxiety problems.
The kicker to all that is the third cat, who we got at 4 months from a cattery. She was in a ‘nursery’ setting with several mothers and kitten litters, and she’s like the social director around here — she gets along better with the other five cats than she does with us humans.
I’ve always wondered how a mother/kittens would do if they just stayed together. So much of the ‘crazies’ cats develop as adults might be that they were disrupted as kittens before they were ready to move on.
Yes, I highly recommend trying smoked salmon! If you can get to Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s, you can get some there. Otherwise, fly up to NYC for a visit and I’ll make sure you get nothing but the best! 🙂
Capers are actually berries – they’re small, salty, and tangy. I add them to almost everything savory: leafy salads, lamb stew, tuna salad, chicken salad, and as a kicky garnish to deviled eggs (OBSESSED with capers on deviled eggs). They pack a real flavor punch, so you don’t need a lot of them – I’d put 3 or 4 on top of a deviled egg. You can get tiny “nonpariel” capers but I love the larger, more toothsome ones a bit better.
Okay, now I’m totally craving deviled eggs and am going to have to go to the deli downstairs for their caper-covered ones. Thanks!
I would sell the hell out of those eggs to make dinner out money! Is the gun thing a joke or can you really shoot? It’s a skill I’d like to develop but first I’d need a gun.
Since Michael has been home Elphaba is totally his cat. She will lay with him and sit on his lap when he is on the computer. I am just the food source and the litter box changer-sigh!
According to About.com “Capers are the unripened flower buds of Capparis spinosa, a prickly, perennial plant which is native to the Mediterranean and some parts of Asia”
According to me “they are pickled gem that enhance recipes with a nice burst tartness & spark”
Me likee the capers.
Chicken Gravy- I have seen recipes that include yellow food coloring (which is what is in chicken base, if I am thinking of the right thing)
This doesn’t make florescent gravy, but it’s yellow and it’s really good. It also makes excellent chicken soup. http://www.watkinsonline.com/productdetail.cfm?Product=21176&gCatalogLocale=USA
You need to try smoked salmon. Come visit Seattle and I’ll make sure you get a good introduction.
Why why why are people compelled to pass judgment and dole out completely unsolicited advice?! A friend of mine frequently sends this missive out on twitter:
“I can’t come to bed now dear, someone is WRONG on the internet!!” As if that fact gives one free reign to be an anonymous ass. Oh wait, apparently it does!
And the bee thing? Hi-fucking-liarious! Thanks so much for sharing!
I’m glad the bee didn’t sting you. That said, I wish I could watch a video of you shaking that glove off. Now THAT would be a great video.
You carry a gun with you when you sell eggs? That’s awesome – seriously. You’ll probably never, ever need it but it’s better to have it than not. Thanks for letting us know, too, because some of us have issues and would have continued to worry about the strangers-buying-eggs thing (ahem). Now I can go back to worrying about other pressing matters like whether or not Harry and David will still have that cherry-vanilla Moose Munch in stock next time I visit.
At least Franco and Garrity are being returned because of the wannabe-owner’s allergies, and not because THEY have problems. Whoever takes them for good will adore and spoil them.
Have you tried buying lady bugs and preying mantis to help with bugs on yer termaters?
Also, check out the cute as a button kitten that Ree on thepioneerwoman.com’s site just got. Cute!
Your bee story killed me. KILLED.ME. All that was missing was the string of curses.
So you denied the frog but not the third dog?
Interesting… Verrrrrry interesting!
It sucks that people are so negative and accusatory on Youtube.
I personally think nursing babies (human, cat, or otherwise) are some of the sweetest things on this planet. I can assure any of the asses on Youtube that Kara wouldn’t have nursed if she hadn’t’ve wanted to do so.
I had a cat (Mama Cat was her name, actually–we found her when she was pregnant) who had two litters and promptly weaned them around eight weeks. That was HER choice. I neither stopped her from nursing nor did I encourage it. I doubt anyone could control a mother cat (or any cat, heh) that way.
So basically what I’m saying is…SHUT UP, YOUTUBE COMMENTERS!
Have a good weekend. 🙂
Oh, also, because you tend to describe yourself as flaky/flighty, I’m both surprised and impressed by the fact that you carry a gun. My husband has been itching to take me to the range, and I am totally fine with guns and their owners as long as they are properly secured and trained. I still can’t quite picture you toting, though!
I love those cafeteria restaurants. I always get the turkey/dressing/yellow gravy combo. Bonus points if it has diced hard boiled eggs sprinkled over the top! Yep, I’m a foodie.
I make gravy like this:
Roux – roughly equal parts butter/marg. melted (1-2 Tbsp.?) and white flour whisked while heating in frying pan over med. heat
When I like what the roux looks like (a shade lighter than peanut butter) I’ll add some water (1 cup, or so) and I’ll add one Knorr Chicken flavored bouillon. I’ve tried other, healthier bouillon and chicken stock, but none of them have that overly salty, not-quite-real-food taste I go for! Heck, those other brands don’t even have MSG as one of the first ingredients! I’ll add more or less water, just whisk like crazy. When my hub’s beloved hot peppers are flourishing I’ll mince one and add it,too. This gravy is not quite flourescent, sadly.
Robyn, you know, those kittens look like they’re far too old to still be nursing – you should separate them from the mother right away! It’s not healthy!
*snickering*
Around here, you ALWAYS knock your shoes on something before you put them on, and shake the living hell out of anything that’s been outside – we don’t have many bees but we’ve got metric shit-tons of scorpions.
Amanda beat me to the punch about the third dog… heh.
Christina, don’t know if you knew this already, but the “someone is WRONG on the internet!” thing comes from an XKCD comic, and the gist of it is to point out how foolish it is to waste time that way. If your friend is using it to justify perpetuating “informative discussions,” and not poking fun of him/herself for getting drawn into the pointless exercise of online arguing, s/he’s missing the point, AND the joke.
Last but not least, Robyn, can you please ask Melodie to keep her eyes closed? They are giving me nightmares.
Some days, the only time I laugh is when I’m reading your site and seeing your wonderful kitty pics. Thanks, Robyn!
Thanks for the gravy tips everyone!!! I’m going to try making some this week!