Archive for February 2011

Recent Reads, No Gluten Involved

Since everything in today’s America must start with the phrase gluten free, I thought it necessary to throw that in. But that’s not what this post is about.

I’d say being sick means I have more opportunity to read. But I prefer my nose in a book whether I’m sick or not. There are some moments when it seems like I’m on a winning streak with books, and February was one of those months. Grand slam. A vast array of genres passed before my eyes, all fantastic, all worth the recommendation.

Hunger Games Trilogy

Hunger Games, Suzanne Colins

This trilogy caught me off guard a bit. I was expecting something a bit more clandestine, rather I got a more post apocalyptic feel out of it. Which was fine, it was a fantastic series and I’d read it 10 more times in a heart beat. Truly could not put it down and loved every moment of it. Great character development, which is very important. I found my self absorbed in the story, the injustice of their world and the emotions each of them had to deal with on a moment by moment basis.

These are classified as “young adult”, which I don’t understand. I studied young adult literature when I was in college, and from what I remember the fiction that was typically classified as young adult was due to the fact that the plot and characters more aligned with a young adults world rather than a contemporary adults world. Meaning more teenagers and younger could relate based on the fact that they had not yet met full adulthood. Now however, I think if there is a teenager in the book and there isn’t explicit sex, it gets lumped into this very broad genre.

I digress…

Greatest Knight and Scarlet Lion

Greatest Knight and Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick

I mentioned this in my post on what kept me sane while I was sick. This series was a mental gift! I am so glad I stumbled upon it and blame many late nights and many shed tears on this series. The story of William Marshall, known as one of the greatest knights in 12th and 13th century England. Marhall (where we get the rank Marshall from) served under the realm of King Henry II, King Richard, King John and King Henry III.

A fascinating blend of history and historical fiction Chadwick does a great job pulling the reader into the lives of Marshall, his family and those that serve him. Scarlet Lion begins where Greatest Knight leaves off and delves deeper into his personal life with his wife Isabelle. Overall the book spans about 50 or so years and is a fantastic read. And yes, you will need tissue for the end.

Sick Woman’s Guide to Sanity

Like most right now I’ve been sick. Most people aren’t pleasant when they’re sick so I’ll not make the cliche excuses for my behavior, suffice it to say it’s best that I’m left alone in my cave. Which is fine because my cave is one of the most pleasant places to be even when I’m not sick. I have made sure that my bedroom, cave, has all the comforts I should ever need…minus the mini fridge, I haven’t gone quite that far.

So during a week coughing, sneezing and blowing wasn’t the most fun, it could have been worse. I made several fantastic discoveries and new favorites and was able to indulge in some old favorites as well. For me a sick woman’s guide included.

Old Favorites Like…

Basically a fruit smoothie without having to stand in line and wait for it to be made, wonderful treat and old favorite.

Was nice to drive through and stock up, no cooking necessary.

Tom Yum Gai is THE comfort food for the sick, no chicken noodle nasty please and thank you. The lemon grass and spices are perfect.

The fourth in one of my favorite historical fiction series, this one takes place in Istanbul Turkey. I have a personal love for that city and Alexander nailed it. It’s also fun to follow favorite authors on Twitter because I was able to tell her so, and she responded…swoon

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I love my Roku, steaming Hulu, Netflix and Pandora is a sick woman’s angel.

New Favorites Like…

This by far helped more than anything else.

I stumbled upon this series on Netflix. FANTASTIC. I love the characters and the drama within a English household in 1912. It’s a good balance between the lives of the family and the servants. Season 2 will be filmed this spring, and I’m sad there were only 7 episodes in season 1.

This was  free book on Nook’s free Friday’s. I took a chance and am glad I did. It’s the story of William Marshall, an historical fiction account of his life based on a biography his oldest son had done after Marshall died. William Marshall served King Henry II, Henry III, King Richard and King John. It spans 1167 -1197. Highly recommend for history buffs. (Elizabeth Chadwick). I’m currently reading the sequel which is also fantastic, spanning 1197-1221

Sable

Tango

Being the weather has warmed up, we’ve all taken advantage of the windows. It’s easy to be lazy when you have the laziest partners in crime. Occasionally they would move, but just to stretch or yawn. Very serene.

She’s a Healthy Lady

So today Mow – and yes that is officially her name, as of well a while now – went to the vet.

And indeed she is a she. I finally braved it and put my hand under her belly yesterday, was pretty sure I felt some titties (never thought I’d get to type that phrase in public), and the vet confirmed it. Though for some odd reason she swore it was a male, b/c she’s “healthy” aka fatty is going to get her portions cut down cause she’s almost 14 pounds!! Though she was moving alot on that scale and she’s got tons of hair and she’s a woman so I’m going to make excuses for her.

First off let me tell you, getting to the vet was a bit traumatic for both of us. She was very good, but she made this pitiful horrible crying sound that I swear to God sounded like “nooo, nooo, nooo”. It was awful! We were only a block away from the house when I started thinking this was a bad idea. I talked to her the whole time, which praise the Lord it was only about a 7 minute drive because I was quickly running out of cat conversation.

Once we got to the Wellness Clinic (which another praise because it’s super cheap!!) we were greeted by an empty waiting room, praise again – there’s going to be a lot of praising in this post, warning you know. I put my name on the list and filled out the paper work.

Of course they asked what her name was, so despite the “amazing” names the internet provided I stuck with Mow. She just looks like Mow to me know, I couldn’t change. Well she was a hit. She was so sweet once we got her out of the crate, everyone loved her. On top of that they LOVED her name. I promise you, I could even hear them in the hallway saying “guess what her name is, how cute is that”.

So we proceeded with the exam and shots, they tested her blood and surprisingly she’s 100% healthy.  They found a scar from where she was spayed, praise. They shaved what was basically the biggest hair mat I have ever seen off her back leg – that was actually the most traumatic part of the trip next to the “nooo”. I just wanted to shout to the nurse “hurry up what are you doing back there, giving her a perm?” Of course they noticed all her battle scars, they felt sorry for her. I wanted to say “no really, you should see the other guy”. Cause I’ve seen her fight and she is fierce.

The crazy thing is she was so sweet the whole time, she didn’t swat her paw or hiss or anything. And she ate up the attention, the vet and staff were very impressed. It confirms the theory that she may have been someone’s pet at one time and they dumped her or they moved, bastards.

So Mow is healthy, has all her shots and is now on round the clock survelance to make sure she doesn’t get a fever from the vaccinations – yeah shoot me, why did I pick the coldest day of the year for this project? Oh and I have to go back in 3 weeks for the conitnuation of booster shots, I’m telling you I don’t put this much medical attention on myself! Lord!

I can kinda see why people stop treating pets – but places like the Wellness Clinic are awesome. An exam is only $10-$20! And shots are $10-$14. So if you find an animal or if you are in a financial bind – keep treating your animals – just find a discounted vet. Cities routinely provide these clinics so that people will continue to treat their animals.

Austin Clinics

Wellness Clinic – http://www.animaltrustees.org/ATA/site/wellness.asp

Emancipet http://www.emancipet.org/wellness/

You can also find loads of spay and neuter places for $25-$45 which is great!

Miss No Name aka Mow

So this stray has been hanging around this neighborhood for years. I know because when I would come over to Sandra’s house it was always around. It always seemed kinda scroungy and smelled like pee – blech. But of course all it takes is me moving in for it to decide, I like you, you’re my new owner.

And so it is I’ve apparently adopted a cat. Now normally, I’m not a big cat person. I mean I’m an animal person so I love all animals. Note, rodents do not fall into this category. But when I think of a pet, I think of dogs. But the stray was just so cute and sweet and helpless of course my heart melted. Yes I have a heart.

Plus she’s a Maine Coon or at least has a lot of Maine Coon in her, and from what I’ve researched they are as close to dogs as you’ll get in a cat. Even tempered, sweet and loyal. No wonder she has “flipped” on me and decided she wants to claw my eyes out!

Winter came, and I softened even more. She now has a little house of luxury in the back yard, complete with blankets and a butler.

But she still has no name. I started calling her “mow” because her meow’s are very clipped and different. But that seems to get a resounding no from the public. So public what should I name her. I’ve taken the challange to facebook. So far we have

  • Tigre
  • Fred Loya
  • Taco
  • Cat
  • Roscoe
  • Jagger
  • Ninja
  • Phil, Bob and Frank
  • Valentine
  • Isis
  • Selena
  • Cha Cha
  • Kenya
  • Sasha Fierce
  • Emilio Valdez Quintanilla – yeah right
  • Pablo Escobar
  • Simba
  • Mrs. Featherbottom

Apparently she or he looks Spanish. And so far “Mow” doesn’t seem so bad