Friends

17 June 2018

MORE NEWS IN BRIEF



1.   Charlie, the cat, makes me laugh. Lately he has got into the habit of leaping on the kitchen counter, right under the cupboard where his bowls are kept. He gets up there and paws the cupboard door as much as to say ‘this is where they are, now get the blue bowl and fill the damn thing.’

2.   Great excitement when I saw a pair of colourful goldfinches in the garden. Not seen any for about three years so I’m hoping they’ve made a long term comeback.

3.   I never thought I would be comforted by a cat. No longer do I sleep in a lonely bed now that Charlie spends the latter half of night-time fast asleep by my side, or my face, depending on his mood!

4.   I have said it before and I will say it again. Television is partly responsible for the violence we see, hear and read about. So much anger and violence is taking over the world. Who needs guns when the now popular way to kill and maim is with knives. I live in a respectable area; never did I think we would be targets.

5.   Lately Charlie has refused a particular brand of ‘goody’, his preference lying with a well tried and loved biscuit. Guided by price, I thought he should have a change, but he refused to eat the new variety. Rather than throw it away, I put some out for the birds, selecting a special rock that is always used for feeding purposes. Well, Charlie didn’t like the thought of birds eating the food so he got stuck in to eat it himself, closely watched by a magpie. Some food was still there when I realised Charlie wasn’t there. It was then I learned the wiles of a cat. He had gone into hiding, behind some greenery, close to the rock, waiting to pounce. Needless to say, no more biscuits will be put out in the garden.

6.   Trying to think of something to write that doesn’t include Charlie…………

7.   Lunched out this week with my good friend. Lovely! Only fault was the cost of taxi fare there and back. Friend paid for my lunch to make the taxi fares more tolerable. How nice was that?

8.   Looking for a gardener now. The bushes out there are growing upwards and outwards, taking over the lawn. The garden certainly lives up to the name ‘wild’. The past month has seen spectacular flowers from self-seeded plants but the bushes need sorting. Did manage to cut some lower branches off the apple tree since the mower man has to bend double to get to the second lawn. 

9.   Gone back to skirts. Jeans were too hot with our rare bout of hot weather. Two extremely hot days and now back to cool day. Thinking again about the jeans!

10.  That’s all. Bye for now!

15 comments:

  1. Agree about that on Television. Even simple stories are laced with violence.

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    1. Hello Haddock. I could have written more but have already covered the subject in a longer post. Only trouble is, the subject gets worse.

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  2. What a fun read, Valerie! Don't you just love cats? I thought the same thing before ever having a cat, but soon discovered that they are a great comfort. One of my favorite things about Jerry is that he would get under the bed covers and cuddle with me at bedtime. And I used to love to hear his gentle purring because it would lull me to sleep.

    They are picky eaters though, aren't they? They love what they love and don't like to change.

    Glad you had a great time with your friend. And how nice that she paid for lunch. Yes, taxi's are so expensive; especially in a city. I noticed a lot of the people here use the car service, Uber or Lyft, because they are much cheaper than taxi's

    It's been hot here as well. Tomorrow is supposed to hit 97 degrees. Yikes!

    Have a lovely Sunday, my friend!

    X to you and Charlie

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    1. Hi Ron. I often wake up to find Charlie slumbering next to me. It's rather nice, isn't it? Yes, my friend and I often complain about the way cats turn their noses up if we try to give them something new.

      I wish it was hot here, although we have been promised a couple of dry days. Big deal, it's June and so far we've had just three days of hot weather. Oh well, I guess it could be worse. Have a great weekend x

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  3. Charlie is quite amusing and such great company too.

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    1. He is indeed, kden. I often laugh at his expressions and actions.

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  4. That was a lovely read Valerie. I remember my old Ginger Tom, he was my heart but remember him being a bit choosy too :) Always nice to get together with a friend. A lot going on in the world right now, the media repeats, repeats, repeats. It really is a form of brainwashing. There is a certain news channel I just refuse to watch. I think it is atrocious. I must admit, I don’t watch much news anymore on the TV. I do read a lot more about what’s going on, and I cross reference the facts so I have a pretty good idea what is going on. Sometimes though it is good to just tune out for a while.

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    1. Denise, I am totally switched off now that World football is on TV, and I never thought I would say that. it proves what I think of all the ridiculousn programmes.

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  5. I couldn't agree with you more Valerie about the violence on TV programming and don't get me started on the ridiculousness of some of those "reality" shows...whose reality? My cat was named Sambuca and she would also get into bed, but only would sleep at the foot. I enjoyed reading about Charlie's antics and glad he is such a good companion. How nice when friends give us an unexpected treat as yours did for you!

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    1. Beatrice. My cat really makes himself comfortable, he even likes to lay his head on a pillow. I had to fish out an old one for him. The things we do for our pets!

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  6. You need to develop a "cat brain" Valerie! :) I am wondering if your council has a subsidised taxi scheme? I'd imagine you'd have thought of that, but just thought I'd mention. How nice of your friend to pay the taxi fare!

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    1. Re: cat brain.... I'm getting here!As for taxis, I believe there is a scheme but its for regular use. I don't have enough rides to qualify.

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  7. Wish I could help with the garden Valerie. Gardening is my job most of the time. You make some good points.

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    1. I wish you could help, Dave. Perhaps if you moved house.... giggling.

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  8. I'm spending every day out in the garden at the moment, it's pretty exhausting, but at least I've lost a few pounds in weight.

    Charlie sounds like a lovely companion.

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