An Imperfect Mother

May 8, 2011 by 27 Comments

 

Random thoughts kept popping-up in my head last night as I sat here vainly trying to put together a post for Mother’s Day.  Everything I typed ended up being backspaced off the screen and I continued to stare at a blank page.

Why was it so difficult to lapse into some grand celebration of thoughts that would form meaningful sentences about this special day for all mothers?  Possibly because my late mother was far less than perfect and the memories surrounding her aren’t what I see so many others sharing about their moms.  Well, it is what it is and if it wasn’t, in part, for my mother, I wouldn’t be here writing this.  Because of her, I’m a survivor and developed the determination to live life on a more positive path.

I’m an imperfect mother as well, always wishing I had done many things differently but, my four kids make me absolutely beam with pride.  And, rumor has it that I’m a pretty terrific Gramma.  That, is a very good thing!

Right now, I’m enjoying reading so many wonderful posts from other bloggers about their moms along with special tributes spread all over social media; my heart is heavy for those who have lost that special lady in their lives.  I hope that, when I depart this hectic life, my children remember me with similar fondness and focus on all things positive that I leave behind…especially when they start dividing up my obsessive collection of Snowmen!

Enjoy your mothers, cherish their memories. 

I send heartfelt wishes to every woman who is a mom, waiting to be one or someone who is important in the life of a child.

      Happy Mother’s Day!

                                                    

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Happy Tails!

March 9, 2011 by 22 Comments
                                  
Just felt like departing from my norm, whatever that is, to write, once again, about my daughter Jill, the animal lover/rescuer extraordinaire`!  Did a blog about her a while back…take a peek to better understand where I’m heading today.
 

 

Oh, you’re back?  Good, now you understand the method to today’s writing-madness.
 
I cannot say enough about unwanted, abused, discarded animals; most of us probably feel the same.  Each day one more horror story unfolds on the news and it’s damn heartbreaking.  When people opt to lay down some heavy cash for a pricey pedigree, I often wonder if they realize just how many perfectly wonderful animals languish in shelters or are euthanized due to overcrowded rescue facilities; cats and dogs who would have been so grateful to live in some forever home.
 
Hey, I’m not scolding anyone owning some fancy-schmancy little fu-fu dog or cat, just suggesting that maybe more people could broaden their pet horizons and open their hearts, and homes, to some animal in need.  There’s always room for one more.

Sharing some photos of my Jill’s many, many animal successes….

“Bluto”…..a male Pit Bull found severely abused and emaciated; this poor boy was so badly beaten that he lost one eye.  Jill fostered him with love and much care and found an extraordinary family who adopted the dog.  He’s dressed up as a Pirate, eye patch and all, for Halloween, goes everywhere with his owners and is one incredible, happy dog today.
       Then….

   Bluto today….on a camping trip!          

“Mia”…..this pretty blue-eyed girl, another Pit Bull, was rescued by a representative of a highly reputable animal shelter who purchased Mia and her litter-mates from some dirtbag who was selling the tiny puppies outside of a local Wal-Mart.  Jill fostered some of the babies and fell in love with Mia, adopting her shortly after.  All of the dogs went into terrific homes.
                                  
“Iris”……this little “Schneltie” (Schnauzer-Sheltie mix) was a surrender from an owner who could no longer care for her or her mommy.  A little ball of yippy, cuddly, wiry fur, Iris became a permanent member of Jill’s household; how could she resist?
                                        

 

These two kittens were very young rescues; Jill bottle-fed and weaned them, finding a loving home for them when they were old enough to be adopted and……after both were spayed and neutered!  Both have extra toes that make their feet look like catcher’s mitts….
Babies………..

All grown up…..

If  only more people would be responsible and remember to….Spay and Neuter, this figure would drop, significantly…..
                  
“Walter”…..another Pit Bull who Jill recently pulled off a Brooklyn, New York, shelters’ “death row”.  This poor guy was found tied to a fence in freezing weather and starving to death. 
 
This is his picture, taken at the shelter,  just before Jill brought him home for fostering.   
“Walter” is now one happy boy, as you can see, and is ready and waiting to be adopted.
A few more photos of happy endings……..
Matt, Emma, Mia and Iris, out for a ride….
An armful of puppies, each one adopted and thriving today!
Think about it, please, if you’re looking for a pet….rescue animals and those from reputable shelters… have so much love to give!

 Share a story about a stray you took in or an animal you once rescued.

This story is about someone near and dear to my heart, my middle daughter who is an animal lover/rescuer/advocate.. extraordinaire`.  Jill is the Dog Control Officer for our town and works tirelessly to reunite lost pets with their owners as well as removing them from situations of abuse and neglect.  Many of the animals she rescues are never claimed by their owners but Jill constantly manages to find new, loving, forever homes for each one after she runs extensive background checks and makes several home visits for a perfect furry/human match.  She also makes it a point to stay in contact with every new adoptive family to be certain that the animals she places are thriving and happy.

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Sayin’ NO to V.D.!

February 14, 2011 by 37 Comments

Big Ben doesn’t run with as much accuracy as my spouse.  The man is predictable as fog in San Francisco.

Why then am I surprised that, on one more Valentine’s Day, his usual remark of “oh, I forgot what today was” still managed to piss me off, big time?

Come ON now!  Like, for weeks, the dayum syrupy commercials haven’t been running their sickening sweetness over radio and television, hawking every idiotic piece of cheap jewelry that some celebrity put her name to…like this one?

Sorry, to me it looks like tiny boobs and a big butt hanging from a chain.

Bitter?  Moi?  Nah…just annoyed that, after all these years together, nothing really has changed with the man.  Sure, there are obligatory flowers once in a while along with a complaint about how much they cost, especially after I cut some very long-stemmed roses to fit into a vase and he commented that he could have spent less on shorter roses had he known I was going to hack half of them off.

Hey, I’m not looking for sympathy here, just venting.  It’s a carry-over from a major dispute over the week-end about gloves that HE misplaced, forgot about, and blamed me.  Most men would be looking to smooth things over, especially with Cupid’s arrival today but not His Hineyness and from where the second Virgo sits in this relationship, Hell will freeze over before I make any move to forgive, forget, and buy him a card or some candy.

For everyone else who isn’t married to someone who views any occasion as a Hallmark-generated holiday,  I hope you have a fabulous day and evening with the love of your life.  Truly, I do.

workshop-button-1From Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop… Write about a memorable Valentine’s Day.

I cheated a bit here.  I mean, why not share this again, regardless if there have been at least a few notable Valentine’s Day memories?

Seriously though, after 52+ years of being together, nothing much has changed since I first wrote this, oh so many years ago, in 2011.  As far as Valentine’s Day, no celebratory activities will be on the table and I’m long over trying to change, even soften, his sarcastic outlook.  Maybe he’s right, after all, the scenario that surrounds VDay which has a small, fat, toddler pointing a weapon in an attempt to share some love kind of sends a mixed message.  It’s way more important to shower love on every other day of the year, whenever possible, something we often overlook or…take for granted.

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