Is The Whole World Cranky

It sure seems that way.  Or is it just me.  I wouldn't say that I am cranky but I don't exactly feel like I usually do.

It's still hot, TOO HOT !  Even though the outside air was very smoky this morning I spent four hours outside in the garden,  mostly just cleanup and maintenance and of course, watering , always staying in the shade of the many trees.

There is a row of Prunus Carolina shrubs/trees along one of my property lines that have been neglected and looking like they are suffering from lack of care - especially WATER.  Just happened to find this website that really describes what I planted years ago.

 Twenty Prunus Caroliniana trees were planted .

And, my trees are at least 20 feet tall.  During our rare winter snow some of the top limbs have been broken.  But , it still makes a nice privacy screen between neighbors (good or bad neighbors).  At the present , I  have only GOOD neighbors.  I am a lucky gal.

Someday, I may blog about "The Neighbor From Hell" that tormented/stalked me for 10 years.  Yup, he's gone - - - he died!                      How's that for a succinct sentence ?

The White Crape Myrtle is in full bloom.  More blossoms than ever in the past !

The TOMATOES are less than impressive this year, just like last year.  Each of the four plants have tomatoes, but only a few.  And, they show no sign of turning red.

I remember so vividly the beautiful tomatoes that I was able to grow the first few years I lived here when there was more direct sun .  That was when the large canopy trees overhead were much smaller.  There has been over twenty years of tree growth !

 Did you know that yesterday was International Cat Day ?  Do I know what that means - not really.

But, I do know that the Catio is a very favorite place where Ivy likes to hang out.  It seems like the location is always shaded by the trees.  Frequently, there is a soft breeze even when the temperature is HIGH.

This afternoon, Ivy has been a very frisky cat, running about until she tired herself out and then snuck into the cookware box to take a Cat Nap.  When I say frisky - I think she was chasing her tail while in the box because the big box was bouncing all about .  It was the funniest sight !  So, later when I bent down to see if she was in the box I was prepared with camera in hand .

                                Can you see that cute little face? You can click the photo to enlarge.

                               And, then I was able to get a couple more photos of her in her HIDE AWAY !

That's it for today.  Take Special Care.

Mary

The Weather Has Been Outstanding

Sweet Ivy continues to improve but still has some strange behaviors. I scheduled an appointment for her with the Vet for Wednesday.  She has not had very much veterinary care that I am aware of.  Along with her deafness it seems she may have a "strange, bizarre" disorder called Hyperesthesia .  The word actually means "abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin" .  It is also known as  rippling or rolling skin syndrome or twitch cat syndrome.  The skin ripples from the shoulders all the way down to the tail and sometimes up the tip of the tail. The movement has been clearly visible to me. Her behavior of trying to bite me seems to be always associated with touching her back or spine especially when petting her . She can be purring and enjoying being pet under her neck and suddenly growl and try to bite me. It usually occurs if I move my hand around her neck toward her back.  Most of the time she does not try to hurt me but it is more like a warning.  It's like she has "a no-touch zone".

Some of the other behaviors that I have observed include waking from deep sleep and running very fast around the house.  A couple times it appeared as though she was hallucinating ! Believe me, a couple days ago she stopped in her tracks, looked at the ceiling and down and up again and down and then jumped into a closed door and seemed to do a somersault jumping very high and she seemed very frightened, scared and in a trance before she calmed down.

There are many symptoms of the disease, some very serious like chewing themselves until bloody.  Thankfully, she only has a few symptoms which I think will be manageable once I understand them.  There is no cure, just palliative treatment. We will wait and see what the Vet says.

Flowers are really starting to bloom in the garden.  This is an Anemone that was planted here before I moved in 25 years ago.

This is another Anemone in magenta planted next to the white one.  They have bloomed every year since I moved here.

The Iris are starting to bloom and I am so VERY EXCITED.  All the hard work last year of replanting them in healthy soil may have been worth it.  I have already counted 24 blossoms that are starting to bloom !

But, it saddens me that I have NOT been able to clean the weeds that are everywhere I look.

These photos were all taken around 7 PM this evening so the quality is not very good.

Ivy really likes her Catio.  She spends a lot of time outside from morning until it gets dark.  But, she takes her afternoon nap in HER living room chair.  I just thought about this.  She may feel safe and secure in the enclosed small space outside.

Oh, I do hope I will be able to provide a good home for Ivy.  She really seems like a gentle soul and usually starts purring when I touch her.

Until we meet again.

Mary

Go Ahead - You Can Call Me A CAT LADY

Trust me, it is only a temporary condition.  But, I sure am enjoying my little roommate !  We are having a wonderful Spring Day and I really had to try to do some outside work .  So, out I went.  However, I did not like leaving Ivy inside all day, mostly alone.

Recently I had been thinking about  jerry-rigging a Catio for Ivy using the existing pet door and a small portable metal kennel.  Both of these items are from use with my previous pets.

Do you know what a Catio is?  A Catio is a patio for your cat.  I think it is nice, especially if your cat is an Indoor Cat.  I guess we could say that a Catio is something we did not know that our cat needs !

(example from google images)

They can be made any way you want them to look.   Just use your imagination !

Look at Miss Ivy's new Catio !

All I had to do was to place my kennel in front of the pet door that is in my bedroom and goes out to a little porch.

This photo is when she first came to check it out.  I put a couple little cat treats in the kennel and sprayed a tad bit of catnip essential oil.

She seemed to like it and stayed out until I went into the house.




She was so comfortable that she started cleaning herself.   Thereafter, she enjoyed a little nap in the sunshine .

Even after I came into the house she would periodically go out and sit in the kennel.  She likes it.  What do  you think ?

I'm tired and it is late.  It was a productive day and I must get to bed !

Mary