Notes From ABroad

All Kinds of Good Luck

2020-07-27T13:30:00.001-04:00

Once upon a time,there was this girl ,who had all kinds of good luck. She grew up in a beautiful place,with the help of loving parents she went to live in California,she met all kinds of fun,amazing , cool people and then ended up in a city where she met a man and they didn't live "for ever", they certainly did live happily for a long time. They had children,various dogs and cats and everyone was happy. Sadly....Happy doesn't last..there is always something that comes along and takes it away from you. I'm getting over a series of events...of loss ....and I am living in Florida,which doesn't have a very exciting supply of stories to tell. But sitting here on the floor,with a nice breeze coming in the windows,I wanted to say hello..I'm fine,cats are fine,the condo is still very nice and I am hoping to return to the place where I feel most at home.. New York. Today's adventure will be finding out out to get water stains out of White carpet.. Yes...3 cats,me,white carpet. Enjoy your day...Wish me luck! C🐈🐈🐈

Change

2020-04-23T16:04:00.001-04:00

Boy, talk about Change of Life ....mine keeps changing and I am finding it more difficult to keep up and stay sane...or even stay nice/polite /pleasant/civil...not a complete and total b**ch.
The little gizmo in my brain that whispers....Don't Say It!! Just sleeps and waits for what happens next.
You know what happens next...I say it...I offend someone, there is an argument,hurt feelings,anger...
Truth is though...it feels good (sometimes) to finally say it..say those words you hold back,

I wonder,why do some people say anything they want and think it's ok...but melt down when answered the same way.

I have been abandoned.
Not for anything I said but I'm not fun anymore...
I'm bored...boring...bored.
Living in a gated community is boring..living in Florida is boring,living in a condo is boring...
Worrying about Crime is boring..

Well we have a Tornado Warning...
I need to change my address,

NY would be nice...
The cats want a dog.
Like the one next door....I haven't explained "Pitt Bull" to my cats...why give
Them nightmares?

Time for a change.....

Honey

2020-04-07T14:57:00.000-04:00

Here we go again...Honey asked me if she looked fat. She's depressed.

Greetings From Wherever

2020-04-07T14:56:00.000-04:00

I have not been blogging because I am not doing anything to talk about.
You can only hear a funny cat story so many times before you change your name and address and go into hiding... Not even my cats are that interesting..
well, maybe for a few minutes but then it is time to talk about something else.
I have been staying in for all the reasons that everyone else is staying in...Germs!
I see no one and talk to no one..well,if you don't count the cats.

About the cats...
Merlin is fine,beautiful and still slightly cranky but purrs like a maniac when I pick him up and bury my face in his neck.
Minette waits her turn and I get my little bitty kitty bites with a lot of purring and then Honey sweetly bumps her head against me and says Don't Forget Me Mama...

They are keeping me sane (if I really am sane) during this time when I am alone all the time..
When I was friendly to a new neighbor and really really regretted it...
When I miss "home in NY, when a family member passed away and I wasn't there to say goodbye..

My son will come get me,rescue me from what was a good idea for a while but now it's time to go ..Home.

A Note To You

2020-03-24T11:56:00.000-04:00

In contrast to my previous Whiney post........

The sun is bright,not one cloud to be seen,the leaves on the trees in the forest are sparkling ..butterflies are flitting around. Birds are everywhere and being quite vocal.

I want to go buy some flower bulbs to put in a big pot or plant by the front step...or both.
I am working on staying cheerful and positive...who knew it could be such hard work?!

Photos coming soon...
Take care, Stay well, Be kind...
C

They sang Happy Birthday! To me!!

2020-03-23T13:03:00.002-04:00

Just A Note

2020-03-23T12:35:00.000-04:00

To my friends who write and call to check if I am alright,

Yes, thank you..I am fine ,staying home and "socially distant".bored,boring and irritable.

When this is over,I might be living out in the woods with my little friends...although my gorgeous old Merlin cat has a low opinion of raccoons.

So does the cr*ppy neighbor who keeps an eagle eye out for anything I might do that she can report me for...ho hum,cursed with the most boring twit living a few feet from my house.
I would rather have the raccoons ...

Stay well,stay safe,stay in touch...Un grande besito
C

Thank You to the Firemen

2020-01-27T10:24:00.003-05:00

I am limping because I bruised the arch of my foot.
I'm going to be a lazy baby and do nothing all day..I did enough last night.

Sounds interesting but No Fun was had..
Unless you're a fireman .......a very bored fireman.

The condo that I live in is built like a loft,sort of.
Very nice, I really like it.

Until a faulty smoke detector goes off.
Then the swinging a broom at it technique does no good,no ladder is high enough and then the
Fire trucks show up.

Pause:
Ever notice how handsome Firemen are?

So they came in, calling me M'am and checked out the entire house then left.
Oh yes,a couple of terrified cats got some attention and one of them (cats) decided she would like to sit in a firemans lap every day.

Those poor guys,they don't get paid enough!
Although that little cat might not have a bad idea.

No fire no damage All Is Well..
Thank you Bartram Firemen!!

Used Mascara Wands

2020-01-26T23:52:00.001-05:00

Used mascara wands are helping treat and save wild animals
CNN
The Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, a North Carolina based non-profit organization, use the soft, compact bristles to gently remove fly eggs, dirt, fleas, ticks and larvae from animals' fur and birds' wings. Read the full story

Shared from Apple News

i have started my collection to mail in a couple of days.

Highlanders and all....

2020-01-15T20:05:00.000-05:00

Across the street from my house, when I lived in New York,there was a rickety looking big old barn.
The field where the barn was located was pretty,rolling hills and sheep dotting those hills, it was always quiet.
I was in the barn once and got to listen to a new baby lamb ....barely walking,all wobbly and tiny and fussing for mama to feed him.
Also in the barn were the Highlanders.
I grew up in the South and cattle and horses were ordinary sights but a big old barn full of sheep..Highland cattle and 1 little baby Highlander calf just grabbed me..
The sounds, sights and scents,were familiar but as an adult with no one expected to yell at me to get away from those smelly animals! I could stay there as long as I wanted..
I don't want to live on a farm but after living in such a totally opposite sort of location and atmosphere,as I am now,... I realize how charmed I was, by the familiar yet totally different.. I think I might like being there again.

2020-01-12T21:32:00.002-05:00

Peter Gabriel -lIn Your Eyes

Life Goes On

2020-01-10T11:17:00.001-05:00

Once upon s time there was this girl who lived in all kinds of interesting and beautiful places.
She had a husband who loved her, who was adventurous and , fun .
They had a. lot of fun and enjoyed their life together.
But as they say, "All Good Things Come To An End."

I learned many lessons...
Grief can make a person behave in ways that they never would have behaved..say things that they regretted.
There have been many instances of Wishing I could take that back.
The people I considered "friends " left me to be sad and mean ..sadly there is a real difference in "Friends " in Real Life and Online.

Sad and lonely times seemed to be my Future.
Then a combination of Time and Healing helped me get my new self together.

I started a new life,which,sadly,involved more loss.
I left the house we had bought in. NY and I moved to Florida...where snow was not a worry, where I would not be so isolated ,alone, but not isolated.
Shortly after moving into the townhouse with my little cat and my gorgeous old man,Merlin the magical cat..my mom died suddenly.

I guess I am proof that you can live with a heart that has been irreparably broken....
The help I got was my daughters caring help and Time ...my heart was broken, it's still healing but I think I have myself a lot more together than I was.

I just have to Stop and think before I blurt out something that might not be taken well by someone else.
The cats don't have a problem with me so I think we can keep fumbling along...

I am going to see if I can have a more interesting life,the cats and I,on to new adventures...
Just us....you are welcome to come along.....

Notes From ABroad: Winter

2019-12-06T19:03:00.001-05:00

Notes From ABroad: Winter: Thank you to https://www.batravelguide.com , who posted this amazing photo on her blog. I had to borrow it, I just keep going back to look at it.

Winter

2019-12-06T18:58:00.001-05:00

Thank you to Sandra G , who posted this amazing photo on her blog.
I had to borrow it, I just keep going back to look at it.

Christmas in Florida

2019-12-05T16:42:00.001-05:00

I can tell you about Christmas in NC, Ca.,Hawaii,Arizona,NYC,Argentina,and now....Florida.
I have spent all but last years with loved ones,
Christmas is better when you spend it with people who love you,people you love, or at least with friends.
Include the cats and or pups if possible.

I remember the time that we were awakened by a puppy,madly tearing up gift wrapped gifts under the tree...he had SO much fun.

I remember the year that a dog we had, lifted his leg and blessed everything under the tree.

I remember Tate waiting like a Good Boy all eager and wiggly because I was holding a gift wrapped squeaky toy..I would squeeze it, it would squeak and he would whimper and scoot closer to me.
I remember how he slept with that toy for years.

The cats are confused by all of it but the young ones catch on fast and kill all the new stuffed toys and take naps , and the old one enjoys the cuddles and treats...

I never thought about how Christmas might change as the years would go by..I miss the Christmas that I used to have..last Christmas I had no Christmas...no nothing...
This year will be different...
🎄🐈🐈🐈
Wishing you and your loved ones , pups and cats and all!
A Merry, Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!
❤️

A Good Idea

2019-11-18T10:02:00.000-05:00

If Donald Trump used some of his millions to help Venice, Italy repair the damage from the latest floods.

Priceless paintings and books and manuscripts have been lost but there are still many treasures that can be saved.

All these gazillionaires can get together and save real treasures..

Purrfect.

2019-11-13T20:10:00.004-05:00

I wonder how he would cope if we were back in New York...the heat is on here...in Florida.

He sleeps with me...
There's nothing like waking up in the dark night and wondering what that sound is...then realizing that it is purring...He is content...muy contenta....and so am I.
But I don't purr.
But sooner or later,Minette and Honey join the snuggle and there is plenty of purring.
When I get sad and feel so alone, I just listen for a purr....
Honey

Minette

Merlin

Baby Baby

2019-11-02T10:50:00.000-04:00

Yes, 3 cats is quite enough .
For most people.
So I want a puppy.❤️💕

A Change Has Got To Come

2019-10-04T15:18:00.000-04:00

October ?
It is hot. Sunny , ,no clouds and no breeze...just HOT.
The cats are appreciating air conditioning. Me too.
Last night I walked a couple of blocks in the dark but not far from my house and now I have several bites on me today.
And weirdly I have what look like bites on my neck and chest but no itch.....Vampires??

Today I went to Marshalls but nothing begged to go home with me.

I totally get the idea of living up North-Summer/Fall and in Florida for the winter.
But Florida summer has no appeal.
It is 90 ... The cats are napping .... inside .... with A/C.....

Thank you to the brilliant person who roasted a couple of chickens and sold them in the grocery store.
Tonight's dinner:
Chopped lettuce & tomato salad with black olives and red onion and topped with roast chicken...

I can't remember the last time I had Pizza.

My life is getting more and more boring.

A Change Has Got To Come
PS
The vet here charged more to check on my cat then a doctor charged to check on me.

Twisted

2019-09-29T19:32:00.000-04:00

I was walking across the room..wearing flat shoes....and suddenly twisted my ankle,the twist and pain goes all the way up to the top of my thigh.
Walking is very painful so I am trying not to.
I had a couple of pieces of this and that,veggies for dinner but it's not appealing to eat anything.
I know it will get better but it's times like this that I really hate living alone.
I'm being a baby but I feel like just lying here weeping.
My foot and ankle are fine but from the knee up is bad.
Where is a good Ladies Maid when you need one??
Where is a good pup when you need one?

My Good Boy, Tate

Let's play!!

Add caption

Buenos Aires - Taking a walk

2019-09-28T15:33:00.001-04:00

I miss taking a walk in the neighborhood.

Blue

2019-09-26T16:59:00.002-04:00

That's it!
I. Am Getting A Puppy!

Lazy Cat Days in Florida

2019-09-23T16:18:00.000-04:00

Friday the 13th

2019-09-12T00:25:00.000-04:00

My Friday the13th wish is for everyone reading this to be safe and happy .
Let me know what you did,where you are,weather?

Be Safe , Be Happy
C

18 years

2019-09-11T14:13:00.000-04:00

18 years ago today, I stood in my bedroom,looking out the window.... watching something that just made no sense...a plane....the skyscrapers in Manhattan,the black smoke.

Dashing to turn on the television,calling my husband,trying to make sense out of something completely senseless.

The days, months and years have blunted the shock and horror, the pain that came later,the loss that so many recovered from...and never recovered from.

I weep at the memories....

I feel like the time has made us better,safer...but there seem to be few signs of Times being better.

I want to grab the children,any children! And hold them tight,keep them safe,

Whether it's the animals who sit and hate and plot death and destruction or some idiot with a job or the ability to make things worse, not better.

Ignorant men who think they are all mighty and powerful and only increase the possibility of things being worse.

We have to be vigilant..and use common sense.

And know what you want next time we vote.

And know what is important....

Hold your loved ones close...