Swimming Lessons

 

"What greater gift, than the love of a cat."

~Charles Dickens

Time for another adventure for Orange Cat Scully, and his nephew, Edgar. This time Scully teaches Edgar to swim! Oh my, where was Scully when I needed to learn to swim? LOL.

Here are my fellas, Tyler and Joey. I wish Simon had been in the photo, but I can't seem to get them all corralled at the same time. Oh my goodness, the sure keep us running! Such spirt, just joy, such and love that fills you!

Have a little fun. Visit the Purrallel Universe on Youtube

Could It Be, Satan? Nah, It's Just AI Tyler

 

AI should be judged not by what it replaces, but by the new human capabilities it enables."

~Tom Golway

Amplifying Human Experience Enabling Gain-Of-Function via AI

As I have mentioned before, my new phone is a lot of fun, and it is actually inspiring me to do more with my photographs, even if it's with some of my older photos! Yesterday, I was pretty much in bed all day with a migraine, and photography was not an option, but by the evening I was feeling better, so I did a few new photos of Tyler, and played around with converting some July 4th photos into AI beauties. AI photoshopping will never replace taking and editing my own digital photos, but it's kinda nice to see my photos in a new light. And that cute image above is definitely an accurate depiction of my beautiful pink eared cat, my gorgeous sweet Tyler! I am not sure how I feel about AI in general, I mean I know it will do some damage, and these data centers certainly border on evil. I just know that those centers were born of a musing of Satan, but playing with AI for fun, or to find information quickly is a good thing, I think. I love my cats, and imagining them in a new light is one way I try to help myself out of this depression I have been feeling. And it was fun to ask Alexa the other day, if Simon can have Brussels sprouts. He loves them so much. So, in that respect, thank you AI, now behave yourself!

And The Mighty Simon

The Mighty Simon

 

"In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this!'

~Terry Pratchett

What can I say, he is the Mighty Simon. But he's also, Squishy Face, Squish, Shorty, and just plan Simon. He loves to bite things, but he also loves to snuggle up to you, and allow you to pet him. He loves his brothers, and he very respectful of Joey in particular, and he runs from nothing. He adores brussels sprouts in butter sauce and ice cream. He falls asleep to smooth jazz, and has been known to drag around stuffed animals 4 times his size!

He is the Mighty Simon

My Boys

 

"What greater gift than love of a cat."
~Charles Dickens

My little boys... sigh. They love to sit by the door, and watch the world go by. Simon absolutely adores his brothers, but Joey was his first friend, much to Joey's dismay. Tyler came into our home with a fierce capacity for love. Sometimes he annoys Joey with his hugs and kisses, but Joey knows that Tyler is just happy to be in our home. Lucky for me, there is no jealousy between them, just love. Tyler is Joey's caregiver, he checks on him throughout the day. Just a year ago I had lost my little apple cheeked black cat, Hendrix, and his brother Dylan just 9 months earlier, so I wasn't sure I would ever hear tiny paws running around the house again, but here we are, a little under a year later, and so much fun exists with us. I feel younger with all my boys, including my hubby, filling our home with love!

Samsung S26 Ultra

 

"My cell service return all night, and all through the next day.

 It was like ancient times, with mead and beheadings and blacksmiths."

~Penny Reid

Homecoming King

My phone died a tragic death the other day. I bought it a couple years ago, and frankly I was sure it would die on day one. Let me explain. I had purchased a Samsung Galaxy 53A 5g from T-Mobile, it seemed like a good little mid-priced phone, but when I went to use it, there was a minor bit of trouble... it would call anyone but my husband! All other numbers worked, his wouldn't! For some reason, my new phone, hated his number! When I complained to customer service, several times, I finally received a replacement phone... a refurbished version, not a new one! I bought a new one, I should have received a new one, but deep in the contract, I had agrees to receive a refurbished version, if my new phone failed. Sigh. Two choices were in front of me... I could pay it off and go elsewhere for cell service, or I could deal with it, and keep a service I enjoyed! I am very happy at T-Mobile, so I took a deep breath and moved on. 

As I said... my phone finally went onto it's glory. It crossed the rainbow bridge. IT DIED! So, what to do?! Buy a new phone! Thank goodness I found a cell phone that finally, really, suited my needs... it features a phone with an amazing camera! The camera is probably the main consideration when when I buy a cell phone. I use at about the same rate as my Minolta camera, especially this time of year, as the Mexican Free-tailed bats return to Franklin Blvd. So far, I have been nothing but impressed my new phone, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I have been nothing but impressed! Here are some examples of my new cell phone/camera's awesomeness!

My first photo... a dandelion from the Cosumnes River Preserve.

The Many Moods Of The Mighty Simon

Photographed in a low light setting.

Color Vibrance in a low light setting.

Tyler and Joey taking a nap on my futon.

May 29th 2026

And my new Samsung S26 Ultra has tons of photo editing tools!

 I may make a comic strip featuring the adventures of the Mighty Simon!

Okay, so you know how I feel about my new cell phone,

 here's where you can read some opinions from the experts!

Good Housekeeping

Consumer Reports

CNET

So, that's my big news. I can't wait for opening night of the return of the bats! 

I will definitely be taking the video option for a ride!

The Dead Lights

Tyler, watching the lights from the emergency service vehicles

April 17th, 2026

This post has been updated. See the article below.

"One gun has more power to take a life, than a hundred surgeons have to preserve it."

~Abhijit Naskar 

The Centurion Sermon: Mental Por El Mundo

Friday night in Stockton, California.

Yes, that beautiful glow that my cat, Tyler, is looking at, is indeed a whole neighborhood of police, fire and who knows what else, dealing with yet another shooting, at the same corner that it happened two times previously. Basically, those lights are right under my window. The first time was on September 9th, 2025, when a young man was shot dead, by police, while fleeing from them. He had several illegal weapons in the car with him, and he ran, and two officers opened fire on him. He was 19. Here is the bodycam footage, released by the Stockton Police Department, in October of 2025.   

WARNING: IT'S DISTURBING TO WATCH!

The next incident happened Thanksgiving weekend, when, several persons were killed, 2 under 21, and 2 under 10 years old, plus it left 13 others injured. It was a child's birthday party. All the children there, are now victims of gun violence. They were either injured, or they witnessed a murder. It was more than a tragedy. It was vile, and monstrous and deeply sad. It left me depressed for weeks. Later that evening, five suspects were arrested in the same place, as tonight's drama, and the night Rocco Robinson was shot, and, like I said, basically under my bedroom window. Recently, on April 2nd, there was an update about the birthday party murders, but I haven't heard anything about it since.

And then there was last night. I don't know anything about tonight's events. I will update when I can. Or maybe I won't. Honestly, I am a little depressed. We hear all kinds of sirens in this neighborhood, but just about a week ago, one night in the middle of the night we heard several shots, and it seemed they were nearby. The next night we heard loud machine gun fire, and it was definitely nearby. I was scared to death. I had just got my nerves under control, and now there are nine police cars, crime scene tape, and I expect the coroner will be here soon. 

Honestly, I am so tired. The most comforting feeling in the world is my cats sleeping on the bed with us. Morning kisses are the best. But not if doing so might put them in harms way! One day, someone is going to shoot a gun, and the bullet is going to hit something unintended. I hope it won't be us!

Read The CBS Article Here.

  

My prayers are with the family and friends of this young man.

Cats, Easter Bunnies And A Peep

 

"Life is short... buy those shoes, have a sense of humor and take a break when you want."

~Unknow

Yesterday was Easter, and we had a good time. We enjoyed the boys having fun picking toys out of their Peep's Easter basket. Tyler immediately put his catnip toy mouse into his water bowl. He has a bug up his ass about that. He puts all his toys in his water bowl. Strange. It's like he's seen fish in a pond. I know he hasn't, but odd habit remains. Simon chose a little blue bunny to bat around. So sweet. Later they will get some nom noms and big snuggles. I am really in love with my little stress buster cats. I don't know where I would be without them! Mom and dad are made a special dinner of, roast chicken, stuffing and green bean bake! Delicious. Despite the awful things happening right now, history will tell the tale, we are had a good day. The way it should be!

Happy Easter 2026

 

"Easter is the one morning in all of history where dawn came twice;

 once in the eastern horizon and again in eternity."

~Charles Lounsbrough

HAPPY EASTER!

I hope your day is filled with peace and love. I will be spending the morning preparing an Easter Basket for the kitties. It's Simon and Tyler's first Easter, so I hope they will have a ball. I am filling the yellow chick basket I have, with all kinds of goodies. Plastic eggs with catnip toys inside, Temptations cat treats. Some Delectable chicken sticks, and Temptation's nom noms. And some tinkle balls. There is a little something for everyone! Hopefully pictures will come tomorrow, we'll see how well the basket goes over with the boys! Sometimes they are really into things like this, other times they are like meh. Everything is TBD.

Tyler Likes To Help

 

"I believe cats be spirits come to earth. 

A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud, without coming through."

~Jules Verne

Tyler likes to help. He loves my desk. He loves my chair. And he loves my computer. Simon does too, but it's my pink eared black cat that likes to be helpful in my office. All he wants in the way of salary is snuggles, a supply of catnip fish and tinkle balls, and, of course, nom noms.

 A better assistant I'll never find!

Just Remember... your cat likes to help!

Simon At 8 Months

 

"Cats randomly refuse to follow orders, to prove they can."

~Llona Andrews

Magic Strikes

That was my little puffball, Simon, 8 months and one day ago. He is growing into quite a beauty, don't you think? Quite the young man. My goodness, time has gone by so fast. I am so glad we brought him into our life! I am so glad that his momma gave birth right next door, so that we could once again, have the sounds of bells running through the house. When Tyler came along, life only got better! Something I didn't even know was possible! Now, however, Joey has a case of the Green-eyed Monster, so we are navigating that, but I know we will work it out, all of us, together, as a family.

Simon, February 6th, 2026

My Smooth Jazz Black Cat With Pink Ears

 

"It's difficult to catch a black cat in a dark room especially, if it isn't there."

~Chinese Proverb

Black cats are sometimes considered bad luck. Sometimes they are thought to be witches in disguise. And incantations of evil. No. That's just wrong on so many levels, but humans being humans, just have to have something blame their failures on. Superstitions like that, endanger these amazing animals, every year around Halloween. Cosplay dipshits like to capture black cats, and harm them as a sacrifice to appease whoever or whatever "god" they worship. I know it to be true, because my veterinarian's nurse described what has been seen. One day, last summer, she found a litter of kittens in her yard, so she brought them to the doctor's office, to hopefully find them good homes. She loved my Tyler in particular, and gave him as much attention as possible. She worried he wouldn't find a loving home, before Halloween, but I took one look at this funny, gorgeous, very loving little cat, and it was all over, I loved him. He had me at hello. So, we took 24 hours to consider it, and by the time we got home, we knew we had a new son.

He has pink ears. How funny is that? PINK EARS! In certain lighting they appear almost opalescent! Tyler has a lot of the same qualities of my last black cat, Hendrix. Tyler loves music, especially smooth jazz. He loves deeply, and when he wants a hug, he pushes his whole body into mine with all the weight in his body! He grooms my hubby, he checks on his brothers if anything is wrong. He loves stuffed animals and he can make a toy out of anything. Now what can be wrong with that! He has white ears in the front, and two bald spots over his eyes. He's also wily. He is quite the magpie. He steals things. LOL. But he also finds things that I thought I had lost forever! He is unique, and I am so lucky that he chose to love me. Cat's don't have to love you, and they will remind you of that from time to time! I think of my sweet Hendrix a lot, but Tyler was never meant to take his place, which is good, because I love getting to know Tyler for who he is, while remember the love I had with Hendrix.

So that's my Tyler. We have owned him since late August of 2025,

 and the future with him seems like the brightest of light, in all the worldly darkness.

The Undecorating Of A Christmas Tree

 

"As anyone who has ever been around a cat

 for any length of time well knows,

 cats have enormous patience with the limitations of the human kind."

~Cleveland Emory

The Cat Who Came For Christmas

There he was, our little helper, Simon, taking as many ornaments off the tree as he could. The soft ones mainly. The elves and the Santa Claus. And oddly enough, he wasn't playing with them or damaging them, he simply wanted everything off the tree, so off to the floor they went! Apparently he believes that trees should come down no later than January 15th, January 18th at the latest, and I I suppose he's right! It's time, but I had so much fun this Christmas, it was their very first, and it's a memory I will keep in my heart, but I wasn't ready until now. I still missed my other boys, Dylan and Hendrix, but Simon and Tyler brought their own magic, and it continues to grow every day!

1, 43, 26

"Every bird, every tree, every flower reminds me

 what a blessing and privilege it is just to be alive."

~Marty Rubin

Yesterday was day 1 of our birding year. Yep, we begin on January 1st, and it's perfect, because we encounter more birders, then the annoying, rude, downright nasty and dangerous who speed right by us, as we enjoy the birds. You might think I am being nasty myself, but it gets a little old when you are standing on a narrow road, which also serves as a narrow street that runs through the preserve, and some guy in a truck whizzes by doing 60, when the posted speed limit is 35! 

aqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqqwwwww.

By the way, the above sentence isn't me speaking in obscenities, it is, however, Tyler's take on things. Naughty kitty got on Mommies desk. Naughty Mommy forgot to turn her keyboard off before leaving to do errands.  LOL. We are having a good time in 2026, so far, and I am thinking more positive then ever, so to heck with speeding drivers, more naughty kittens is what we all need. And encountering birders on our travels. I have 43 new birds in my 2026 folder, and I am adding more tomorrow. My new favorite numbers are, 1, 43, and 26, so perhaps I should play the Lottery!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas!

"One of the most glorious messes in the world, 

is the mess created on Christmas day! Don't clean it up too quickly!"

~Andy Rooney

My boys, Tyler, Simon and Joey...

Just A Bird In Autumn Leaves

 

"I can hear a new story in each leaf that falls."

~Isabelle Izzie Meditates Baker

This gorgeous bird is an Audubon's warbler, but he looks very much like the Yellow-rumped warbler. You have to look closely, and know the differences to be sure. For me, the main difference is that Audubon's warbler has a bright, beautiful patch of yellow under his beak. That splash of yellow is a very much welcome sight, as we head into the dark days of autumn. Oh my, I am apparently already grieving autumn's death. I'm trying to take heart, because I have more beauty to share, like my sugar maple in the front yard, which will hit full autumn glory in a few days. What would I do, if I didn't have my birds, my maple tree and so much color, to look forward to?

The world's best husband, and the kitties are pretty nifty too!