Only 32 More Days!

[bunchofgrapes]

I really can't wait for summer to end. I hate this season with a passion. The only redeeming thing about the season is farmer's markets (I have perfected my ability to choose a good watermelon) and all the fresh fruits and veggies. Other than that, I hate the heat, the humidity, the gnats and mosquitoes, and the annoying neighborhood children. Today I was outside putting some fresh mulch over the places that the work crew destroyed and suddenly the smell of wood smoke wafted my way. I love this smell. Despite that it was hot and very humid today, this smell is Fall to me. It takes me back to certain memories of my childhood: hay rides with my Camp Fire girl troop (my mom couldn't afford Girl Scouts), camping at the lake, a trip to Mountainburg, Arkansas to visit my stepmother's family in the Ozarks. I hate wishing for days to pass quickly because I'm older now and each day is, well, another day closer to the grave. But damn, I really can't wait for those cool, damp, fall days and the smell of wood smoke hanging in the air.



So in my last post I mentioned that they think that part of what triggers Tucker's FIC is environmental stress. I then went on to say if that's what triggers it, then he's probably going to have another episode shortly because the house has been invaded by workmen. Well, I couldn't have pegged it better because I had to take Tucker back to the vet last Wednesday. The first clue was all the drops of blood on the downstairs bathroom floor. Honestly, it looked like someone had washed their hands and then dripped pink water on the floor on their way to the hand towel. Second really obvious clue was finding him on the floor near the litter box, growling in pain. Luckily, I caught all this before I headed out to work so I was able to call the vet, tell my boss that I'd be a little late, and get him in the carrier. After having the inside of his bladder described as looking like a snow globe, it was decided that Tucker would stay overnight so he could get pumped full of snow-globe killing drugs and then have another ultra-sound. Second day he was doing much better. Snow globe had disappeared considerably but not entirely so Tucker is now on his permanent special diet of canned food as well as an antibiotic and something that stops his urethra from spasming. Fortunately, Tucker likes the CD cat food (both canned and dry) and both medicines are a transdermal gel that is applied on the inside of his ears. Very cool! If you have pets who are horrible about taking oral medication, ask your vet about the gel. The cat isn't bothered by it at all. He's been on his medicine since Thursday and he's doing better but he's not over it yet. At least he's not having the spasms any more.

The past two years that I've been going to Colorado, one of the things we do is check out a couple of arts and crafts festivals. One is in Breckenridge and I have to admit the beauty of Breckenridge and the mountains surrounding it are the big draw for me. I love it! The festival in Breck is pretty good but the better one, and the one I always end up dropping some cash at is the Cherry Creek Arts and Crafts Festival in Denver. That one is one of the top rates A&C Festivals in the country but it's not number one. My dad was looking online and surprise, surprise, the #1 rated A&C festival is just up the road from us in Lancaster, PA. And it's over Labor Day weekend. And I have a good friend who lives outside Reading. So guess where I'm going over Labor Day weekend? Unfortunately, with Tucker being on medication, I'm going to have to limit my stay but it'll still be fun to go to the festival and to see my friend. We always say we'll spend a lot more time hanging out together each year but it never seems to work out. Probably a good thing though because whenever I'm around her, I drop some cash. Last time she came down here, I bought the iPod Touch after seeing her iPhone (I'm on Verizon so that wasn't an option). This time I'm pretty sure I'll walk away with a new iPad and a strong desire to by a Mac.

I've been on this massive Ken Stott kick lately. I blame tos_lover for initially bringing him to my attention ;-) So far I've viewed 5 episodes of Rebus with another 5 to go, then it's on to The Vice. Last night it was Rebus and a pretty good, if not too short, movie called Spivs. I love finding a new actor to follow, especially when they've got a long list of credits. Unfortunately, a lot of stuff he's done isn't available in the US. And yes, he's another short, stocky guy with a big nose and a great voice.

Decided to watch Deadwood over Glee and what a great decision that turned out to be. I'm only four episodes into the first season but I was hooked immediately. But seriously, seeing Nick Offerman peen really is going to make me look at Ron Swanson in a whole different light. Lost S6 comes out on Tuesday so I'll have to get that back into the treadmill rotation. I need to get all caught up on these because once hockey season starts, I'll watch that while I'm on the treadmill.

And speaking of hockey, I got 1/4 of Caps seasons tickets (11 games). Went in with a few people from work to get two club level seats. They are in the Acela Club and the perks include the buffet, all we can drink (excludes alcohol), and a parking pass. The seats were freaking expensive but having all that does make it better. Plus, one of my friends who also bought in asked me if I wanted to go as her guest to some of her 11 games so I'll probably get to see about 20 home games. Sweet!

I'm having my house painted soon. Yes, it's another opportunity to stress out the cat, but here's my dilemma. My sofa and over-sized chair will not go with the new paint colors but I can't decide if I should sell the set I have and buy something new or slipcover what I have. So far, I haven't been impressed by what I've seen in slipcovers. I especially hate the ones that have those ties in the front. So my question is, have any of you ever slipcovered anything and if so, how'd it work for you?

And finally, while it's 32 more days until Fall officially starts, it's only 31 more days until the Caps first pre-season game. Yeah, I thought you'd all be excited.

Comments

[laura27md.livejournal.com]

I hear 'ya, I hate summer too. I'm wearing a long-sleeved shirt today, just hoping I can will the weather to turn cooler.

Glad my namesake (Tucker!) is on his way to getting better. :)

[bunchofgrapes]

Not sure if your office is as bad as mine but some days it's so cold, you have to wear long sleeves even if it's 100 degrees outside. But I'll take that over the heat any day.

Glad my namesake (Tucker!)...
HA!

[boubabe14.livejournal.com]

Well, as weird it sounds ayin' it, I am glad cooler weather is ont he way as well. After being in the dark cold of AK for 9 years, I never thought I'd tire of heat, but FL summer has been intense. I might not mind so bad but I love working outdoors after work to get the office stress out of my system and it's just too hot to do that here. Plus, I can't take Tug for a walk due to him overheating. So, we swim, but it's not the same. Anyway, congrats on the Caps tickets. I'm still in the baseball pennant fever with the Reds leading their division a the moment. I'll enjoy hockey with you after the World Series :-)

[bunchofgrapes]

When I started playing softball back in the early 70's, my coach told us to find a favorite player and watch how he played the game. So who was the player I latched on to? Tony Perez. Then around 1976, when he left the Reds, I discovered Carl Yastrzemski and the Boston Red Sox. But there for a while, I was a huge Reds fan.

It has to be hard on both you and Tug going from one extreme to the other. Would have been nice if you could have eased into it with a job in say, Wyoming or Colorado. I know at some point the golf cart police show up to take old people to Florida (or Arizona, if you're on the West Coast) but I can't imagine ever being at a point in my life where I would willingly live there.

[snowydragon1776.livejournal.com]

Glad tucker is on his way to feeling better.

OMG I want Fall NOW!!!

Also Deadwood is the shit.

It's very nice to hear from you.

[bunchofgrapes]

I have learned ways to curse that I never knew existed before. I do love me some Deadwood.

This week isn't Fall-like but it definitely looks to be an improvement over what we've had.

[snowydragon1776.livejournal.com]

I loved Deadwood since it aired. I think it is one of the best shows ever. How many other shows can put cursing in iambic pentameter.

Sadly, it is not fall yet, but I agree the weather has improved.

[(Anonymous)]

Okay, I'll be the odd duck and say, I want summer to stay and I like it hot. I'll admit, we don't get the terrible heat that you get, but this summer has been very hot and humid, even for our area, plus we've had some real wicked rain. Still, today, it was 87 degrees out and I went golfing. I do love the fall, not so much for the cool weather, but for the colors, football, bird hunting, and I love the smell of fall. Only bummer about fall is that winter is right behind it. Ugh!

Hope Tucker gets better soon.

N.