65 is sick

About 16 years ago, Barbara brought home a little kitten found at the pound. I really wasn't interested in having a cat, but she was a beautiful kitten.

The flea collar she was wearing had the number 65 handwritten on it, and I thought that maybe that indicated her place in line for a trip to the door at the end of the hall. I 'd never had a pet with a number as a name, so the kitten was named 65.

Our dalmatians thought she was a toy for them to play with. Some rather traumatic incidents made 65 shy and reserved. Until out last dog died, 65 was more or less invisible around the house.

Last November she had a polyp removed from her right ear, and when she came home she acted like a different cat. She followed us around, she meowed at us, she sat on our laps, she was very different. (The picture above is with a soft collar to keep her from scratching at her stitches.)

Last Wednesday she had a seizure in the living room. The earliest vet appointment was for Saturday morning. On Thursday she had another seizure, scratching and biting Barbara's foot.

Yesterday morning the vet took some blood and did some tests. We'll have to wait until Monday or Tuesday for the results. 65 does not appear to be in any pain. Barbara and I are probably more uncomfortable during the seizures than the cat is.

Sixteen years with an animal can help a bond develop.

The beginning of Spring

The image above is rainy Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida, March 12, 2010.


Astronomically, Spring usually begins around March 21.

The Earth is tilted on its axis, relative to the plane of its orbit around the Sun. Sometimes our northern hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun (that's our summer) and sometimes we're leaning away from the Sun (our winter.)

In between, we find Spring and Fall.

So around March 21, the Sun reaches the celestial equator on it's slow slide higher in the sky. That's the official beginning of Spring, the Vernal Equinox.

But this week I got to attend my first Spring Training games of the baseball season. While we focused on the Cardinals and Mets, we got to see other teams, too.

Monday: Mets 11, Marlins 2
Tuesday: Astros 8, Mets 4
Wednesday: Nationals 4, Cards 6
Friday: Red Sox v. Cards Rainout

The image at the top is rainy Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter, Florida, March 12, 2010.

("Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains. Think about that for a while." Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in the movie "Bull Durham")

So for me and Barbara, experiencing game-time temperatures in the 70's, our Spring began this week.

My Grandfather

The end of one year and the beginning of the next seems an opportune time to look back and look forward.

My paternal grandfather, Raymond Cornelius Hands, Sr. was born in Independence, Missouri on the 25th of March in 1896. The first son of William Oscar Hands and Bertha Frances Mills, my grandfather (R. C.) served as a civil engineer during World War I, and later became an active leader in his church. He died in St. Louis early September 1978.

My father, Raymond Cornelius Hands, Jr, was born June 19, 1927 in St. Louis, the oldest son of R.C. and Elizabeth Pearl Archibald. Dad served in the Navy during World War II and afterward became one excellent salesman. He and Mom live about 100 miles away. I like to take my guitar and play for Mom and Dad as we visit.

Even though Dad’s memory of me seems to fade quicker every time I see him, I think he enjoys singing along with me. We started with my first song, “Wild Thing.” “You Are My Sunshine” and “Love Me Tender” have been added to our repertoire. I try to have a new song each time, but he also enjoys singing the older songs.

Several weeks ago I drove down and played the guitar for him. Dad and I had a good time. The next day Dad told my Mom that his father had come to see him just yesterday. I became my grandfather.

That metaphor seems so simple, yet so wonderful.

I became my grandfather.

I love my Mom and Dad and I’m thankful for every minute I get to spend with them.

Happy New Year, Mom and Dad.

Happy New Year to everyone.

May you all be in touch with your inner grandparent.