Friday, May 09, 2008

I've Got Mail :)


"I get mail; therefor I am."

-Scott Adams

Ut oh. We forgot the mail. LOL. It has been hectic in our house lately, and somehow, in all the drama, Alan and I forgot to check the mail. When it finally occurred to us, almost at the same time by the way, it was already too late. Waiting for us in our PO BOX was a slightly sarcastic note from the mailman, implying that perhaps we really didn't want our mail at all! LOL. I think he must have felt neglected somehow. Here he was doing a perfectly fine job of filling my mailbox with all kinds of treasures such as my vast catalog collection, and an almost personally handwritten mass mailing from Hillary Clinton, but unfortunately, there wasn't anyone coming by to notice his hard work. Poor Mailman. I am sorry.

I think I blame the invention of email. See, 99% of the time, my correspondence seems to be from computer to computer, even with family members that I still keep in touch with. And with those I don't email, I call instead. Sigh. It's so weird. In the mid 90's I had a regular routine. I would grab my box of stationary, or my box of note cards, and head off to my favorite bagel shop to have a little snack and do some writing to friends and family. It was a nice diversion. Some fresh air, and a snack. It did this body good!

Somehow it seemed to help my thinking process, to do my writing in such a relaxing atmosphere. But one day, I am not really sure why, I stopped writing. Maybe it was the cost of stamps, or maybe because something shiny, like the Internet, distracted me. Shrug. Who knows? But the other day, when I retrieved my mail, I found among all the catalogs, special offers, bills, and mass mailings, there was a special little surprise. One that both lifted my spirits, and reminded me of how much a hand written note can make me smile. I heard from my friend Suzanne, who authors the blog, Living... New Suzanne R's Life.

From the postmark, it was clear that she had sent me the note way back at the end of April! Yikes! And accompanying the note, came a little package of cute little post it notes with my name on them! I LOVE things like this. I use post it's constantly, so now each time I reach for one of these special ones, I feel a nice little smile cross my face. Suzanne, your fun little gift is just perfect! :) I am so sorry I didn't acknowledge your gift sooner. It was so sweet of you to think of me. When I look around on my desk, I see that I actually have a lot of little snail mail gifts from pals I have met through blogging.

A pretty little candle, and a box of tea that Slomo sent me. A silver photo in the shape of dragonflies that came from Vivian, which holds some photos Steven shared with me by email. I have a black and white cat magnet, that looks a lot like Elvis, that was sent to me by Mara. I also have a pin that Karen sent me, which looks like Dorothy's ruby slippers. I put the pin on one of my collectible bears that sits on my desk, so I see it often. I consider all these items among my treasures. Someone cared about me the day they were mailed, and that is a nice feeling. I need to send more snail mail to my friends and family. I need to give back a little, to folks like Suzanne, who have taken the time to remind me I am not alone in this life. It's amazing how much we can touch someone with just a simple gesture of friendship, and a couple moments out of our day.



Thank you Suzanne, for making me feel special yesterday! :)

So tell me, do you do as much snail mail writing as you used to? Do you prefer email to snail mail? When was the last time you got snail mail from a friend or family member? Do you still send birthday or holiday cards? I would love to hear your thoughts!

-OndineMonet
"I've Got Mail"
Berkeley, California
May 9th, 2008
Afternoon

Thursday, May 08, 2008

I Am Elvis A. Gordon, And I Approve This Message

"I have come to the conclusion that politics is too serious a matter to be left to the politicians."

-Charles de Gaulle

Hello. My name is Elvis Aron Gordon. I am here to speak on behalf of all the house cats in America who support Hillary Clinton For President.

First of all, my mommy, daddy, and myself want to congratulate Senator Clinton, on her latest win in Indiana this past Tuesday. Way to go Hillary! You go girl! I will be crossing my paws for you to experience big wins in the remaining primaries, and we will be right by the TV waiting for all the updates! I am proud of you for not giving up. You are showing just how hard you are willing to work for this country, and that's why I am in your yard. It saddened my mommy to hear about yet another defection to the Obama camp, by someone who had previously given his endorsement to you, George McGovern. It made her sad to hear this news, because she had admired him over the years, and to see him jump ship because it seems as if the odds are against you, makes him nothing but a fair- weather supporter. We want to reassure you, we are not. Especially me, which is why I am writing this blog entry today. Well, I am not typing it of course, but I am dictating it to my mommy, so if there are any spelling errors... that's her... not me. Meow. :)

When I knew that we would be electing a new president soon, I was first of all relieved. LOL. President Bush... GRRRR... But then I talked it over with the two human parents I live with, and we discussed all the problems that need to be fixed. It's a long, long, long, long, list. ME--OW. The war is important, the lack of education is big, humans losing their homes is scary, because where will the house pets go? I saw on the news, that some humans are so desperate that sometimes they simply leave their furry friends behind alone, when they have to leave their homes. They couldn't even take their pets with them. Sometimes their pets were found alive, sometimes it was too late. MEEEEWWW. :( That makes me sad. I am lucky enough to have a place to live, and plenty of toys, and sometimes I am even able to get all the medication I need... I am luckier then a lot of humans are.

Recently, I found out that I have the big C... cancer. My cancer is Feline Lymphoma. Dr. B says it is more aggressive then we first thought. My mommy cries sometimes, and sometimes so do I, but we get up, and we get dressed, and we face the day as best we can. We have a lot to be grateful for, she has medical insurance, and I have the best veterinarian in the whole world, who is doing all he can to make me well. Some cats aren't so lucky, and some humans aren't either. If mommy and daddy didn't have any medical insurance, mommy would not be able to take care of her diabetes as well as she has. She and I both have diabetes, and it costs over $100 a month to take care of me alone, if she were paying full cost for her supplies, it would cost another $125.

What about all the humans without health care in America? From what I have seen by watching, Charles Gibson on ABC World News Tonight, people are getting sick like never before. Did you know that there are 12 million Americans living with cancer right now, and another 1.4 million will be diagnosed this year? Senator Clinton has tried for a long time to help bring affordable health care to American humans. She has a solid plan, and according to Factcheck.org, her plan has been lied about and misleading statements always seem to come out just before the primaries, which isn't fair.

I don't think the next president should be elected because he is something called a "phenomenon." I am sure he is a good guy deep down, but that isn't why humans should vote for him. You should be electing a human president who knows how to roll up their sleeves, and get down to the work that in store for you. Someone who has been working for years to improve the quality of your life. I know from having cancer, that when your health isn't good, it's much more difficult to put your toys away, or to chase butterflies, or even walk all the way to the corner of the yard, to sit in your favorite lemon tree. Mew. :(

My mommy said to my daddy the other night, "Alan, watching Elvis have to go through cancer, is the hardest thing I have ever done, can you imagine what it must be like to watch a human child face cancer? Especially if their parents don't have health coverage?" Mew. :(

I believe that problem can be fixed. And I believe Senator Clinton has the best ideas for getting the job done right. Here is a good article you should read...

Giving Hillary Credit For Schip

I have other reasons for supporting Senator Clinton for human president. And I might write another entry sometime, but for now this is what I have to say.


I AM ELVIS ARON GORDON... AND I APPROVE OF THIS MESSAGE. :)

-OndineMonet
"House Cats For Clinton"
Berkeley, California
May 7th, 2008
Afternoon

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Steven's Feline And Furball Friday: Elvis Update

"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart."

-Ernest Menaul

The business end of the cat you see here is Elvis, who had had enough of me at this point. We had a long day of grooming, and fussing about eating, followed by some gardening time, play time, and finally nap time. LOL. We have been together almost constantly lately. He has been following me around the house, and when I don't see him for a few minutes, I go looking for him! He has been really patient with his new special needs, like medicine that smells like bubblegum being forced on him, but sometimes he just needs to be on his own. I can almost hear him say, "Mommy, I need my ME time." Seriously, we need to stop worrying about each other already! He sees Dr. B later today, and we will know more then, but until then we are just enjoying our time, with lots of love, lots of kisses and lots of fuzzy smiles.



Elvis in his "Fortress of Solitude" under the blue wheelbarrow.



Elvis and I Feeling Fuzzy

It's fun playing Steven's Feline and Furball Friday! Friday is the day for pets. Stop by his blog for all the details!

-OndineMonet
"The Business End Of Elvis"
Berkeley, California
May 5th, 2008
Afternoon

Monday, May 05, 2008

How About A Meme For A Monday?

"Life is the art of drawing without an eraser."

-John W. Gardner

I found this cute little meme over at my good pal Suzanne's blog. Feel free to swipe the questions and play along!

1. Who were you named after?

Nobody.


2. When was the last time you cried?

Last night. :(

3. Do you like your handwriting?

Yep. Most of the time. Sometimes I don't when my hands hurt.
4. What is your favorite lunch meat?

Black Forest Ham

5. Do you have kids?

Nope

6. If you were another person would you be friends with you?

Hmmmm... not sure. I can be a pain sometimes!

7. Do you use sarcasm a lot?

Who wants to know???

8. Do you still have your tonsils?

Yep, but my appendix is in a jar on a shelf in my garage!

9. Would you bungee jump?

I would love to bungee jump!
10. What is your favorite cereal?

Special K Red Berries

11. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off?

Sometimes

12. Do you think you are strong?

It depends... sometimes
13. What is your favorite ice cream?

Sugar Free Butter Pecan... this week!

14. What is the first thing you notice about people?

Their eyes

15. Red or Pink?

Pink

16. What is the least favorite thing about you?

I am sooo opinionated!

17. Who do you miss the most?

pass :(

18. Do you want everyone to respond?

Only if they feel compelled to

19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing?

No pants, blue shoes

20. What was the last thing you ate?

Cantaloupe

21. What are you listening to right now?

The news

22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be?

Either "Mauvelous," "Wisteria," or "Melon"

23. Favorite smells?

PlayDoh, Baking Bread, Popcorn

24. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

Alan

25. Do you like the person who sent this to you?

Well, Suzanne didn't send it to me, I swiped it. But to answer the question, I adore her!

26.Favorite sports to watch?

Baseball
27. Hair color?

Brownish Red

28. Eye color?

Green Hazel with purple flecks

29. Do you wear contacts?

Nope

30. Scary movies or Happy endings?

Scary movies with happy endings!
31. Last movie you watched?

Astronaut Farmer

32. What color shirt are you wearing?

White

33. Summer or winter?

Summer

34. Hugs or kisses?

Kisses! Long messy kisses!

35. Favorite Dessert?

It's all good!

36. Most likely to respond?

Don't know

37. Least likely to respond?

Don't know

38. What book are you reading now?

I am between books at the moment

39. What is on your mouse pad?

A Kim Anderson design

40. What did you watch on TV last night?

Desperate Housewives

41. Favorite sound?

I agree with Suzanne, a cat's purrrrr

42. Rolling Stones or Beatles?

Beatles

43. What is the farthest you have been from home?

3,000 miles give or take

44. Do you have a special talent?

Nope, unless you count my photo taking

45. Where were you born?

Oakland, California


So, that's all about me, how about you? Play along so I can get to know you better. Come on, you know you want to! And don't forget to leave me a link back to your place!


-OndineMonet
Beautiful Vanessa cardui
Conservatory of Flowers
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, California
April 30, 2008
Afternoon

Sunday, May 04, 2008

Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge: D Is For Dessert

"Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."

-Erma Bombeck

Dessert? Yes please! How about a slice of White Chocolate Lemon Cake with Raspberries on top? Yes please!

I don't know which was more fun. Photographing this beautiful slice of cake, or eating it. ;) It was a treat to be sure! And somebody up there must like me a little bit, because my 2 hour blood glucose reading was a respectable 127! It's not something I indulge in often, in fact it had been 7 months since I had a piece of cake, but heck once in a while a girl needs to be a bit naughty. Too my delight, nothing is strictly taboo to we diabetics anymore, we simply have to put some thought into it. Plan for it. It's a little bit of work, but it's so worth it!

You should join Martha's A-Z Photo Challenge. It's fun. You can see what Martha came up with for the letter "D" and find the links to everyone who participated for the letter "C" just by clicking here.

-OndineMonet
White Chocolate Lemon Cake
May 4th, 2008
Berkeley, California
Morning