Thursday, June 29, 2006

Wham Bam, No Thank You Mam

Hope you're having a good week. As I said in one of my newsletters I was having one of those great days, moving along minding my own business, doing errands etc. chatting up the odd cashier and then out of no where a car turned into my lane.

There was nothing I could do but whack him with the van. Fortunately no one was hurt but it really puts a damper on the day and raises the stress levels. When it first happened I was pretty calm, cool and collected. Actually I said the f-word 10 times in a row then I was calm, cool and collected. After backing into the Taco Bell/KFC I asked him if he was ok, he asked me if I was ok. We were both ok.

He wasn't too concerned about insurance and the police because he didn't think the little dent in his car warranted it. I asked him if he looked at mine? He said no. I walked over to mine and Whoa! baby! A bit more damage than his. So I popped into the Taco Bell to call the police. Like I said I was calm, cool and collected. Until the manager handed me the phone. Waaaaaaa! So embarrassing. Luckily she had the number for the police station still in her head and dialed for me. She then handed me the phone so I could call Jeff. I was suddenly Ms. calm, cool and collected again. For 30 seconds at least when Jeff got on the phone. He was able to decipher through my blubbers what happened and where I was. He was on his way. What a sweetie.

Meanwhile, I went to find the gentleman who turned in front of me. He was sitting calmly inside the Taco Bell enjoying the view outside the window. I informed him the police were on their way. I went outside to wait for the police and Jeff. A man looking a lot like Kenny Rogers approached me saying he witnessed the accident and was just returning after dropping his son off at the dentist. He was nice enough to wait around to give his statement, collaborating mine... the guy turned in front of me. Ugh! I still can't believe it. According to the witness, the man looked in the opposite direction of traffic and not toward the oncoming traffic. Sheesh.

Anyway, the officer came, introduced himself to everyone and started taking statements. Want to hear something weird? The guy who hit me had the same last name as me. Freaky! As we were waiting our turn the sky decided to literally open up and dump buckets on us. After we were thoroughly soaked we went into Taco Bell to finish up. The officer said he was charging the other guy for an illegal left turn and his insurance company would be paying for the damages.

It was so nice to have two people confirm that I was not at fault but even now I keep going over in my head what I could have done. Part of the learning process I guess.

All the endorphins have worn off and I'm sleepy and achy. The van is having a spa week and will hopefully come back good as new. Hmm. Maybe I should send myself on one too. Right, like that's going to happen.

Jeff popped by the shop this morning to take some pictures of the work of art. To me they looked worse at the time it happened. Doesn't that tilted wheel look wild? Oh, guess what the gentleman did after he gave his info to the officer. He went and stood in line for lunch... still not having looked at the damages to my van.






Monday, June 19, 2006

Juneteenth

I have an automatic calendar on my computer that pops up every time the computer is started if there is something special or planned on that day. Today "Juneteenth" popped up. I thought it was a weird name and quickly disregarded it as there was no description with it. Later on when I restarted the computer it popped up again. Persistent.

A quick Internet search (what would I do without the Internet) provided this: "Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is an annual holiday in some states of the United States. Celebrated on June 19, it commemorates the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas. The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas; for more than a century, the state of Texas was the primary home of Juneteenth celebrations. Since 1980, Juneteenth has been an official state holiday in Texas. More recently, however, its observance has spread across the nation."

Why do I mention it here today? I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one not aware of this important day. Visit Wikipedia to learn more.

Saturday, June 17, 2006

IKEA or bust!

I hate shopping. But for some reason I can spend a whole day in IKEA. We drove to Ottawa today to get some covers for the couch and chair we bought last year before Jeff's Aunt and Uncle come for a visit. When I'm into something I'm into it. I went into every room and probably picked up or opened at least ten things in each designed space. I only wish I could walk into my living room and feel it's as perfectly designed. We definitely live in our space.

Jeff was very patient today. He hates shopping more than I do and he was my driver. I don't do expressways, over passes, major highways etc. Once we arrived he was a cute little butterfly going into each room and checking things out. His purchases today included three glasses to replace the ones I broke and a package of small spoons to replace the ones I keep putting in the trash for no other reason than I'm out to lunch. I only throw the baby spoons out, never any of the other utensils. This is particularly funny because they are my favourite utensil. Just one of my many absent-minded-quirks.

We couldn't decide on what colour covers we wanted. The dark brown we loved when we were there a year ago but today it didn't sit well with Jeff. He thought they'd make the room look too dark. This quickly became contagious and I couldn't make a decision either. We had to take a break, go for lunch (Montanas) before we came back, finished the section we missed earlier, discussed some more, tested some more and finally picked the sand soft corduroy because it also had a hassock (footstool) cover in the same fabric.

After another 2.5 hour drive (and a brief intermission at Tim Horton's for an Ice Cap) we made it home. Pooped. Dog and cat were very happy to see us. We're looking forward to being horizontal tonight. ZZZZZ.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Cats Cats Cats at every meal!

Or lack of something exciting or amusing to say I thought I'd share this little ditty from a friend in B.C.

Cat Haiku
---------

You never feed me.
Perhaps I'll sleep on your face.
That will sure show you.

The rule for today
Touch my tail,
I shred your hand.
New rule tomorrow.

Grace personified.
I leap into the window.
I meant to do that.

You're always typing.
Well, let's see you ignore my
Sitting on your hands.

Terrible battle.
I fought for hours.
Come and see!
What's a 'term paper'?

Small brave carnivores
Kill pinecones and mosquitoes
Fear vacuum cleaner.

Want to go outside.
Oh, no! Help! I got outside!
Let me back inside!

Humans are so strange.
Mine lies still in bed, then screams
My claws are not that sharp.

You must scratch me there!
Yes, above my tail!
Behold elevator butt.

My small cardboard box.
You cannot see me if I
Can just hide my head.

Blur of motion, then -
Silence, me, a paper bag.
What is so funny?

In deep sleep hear sound
Cat vomit hairball somewhere
Will find in morning.

I want to be close to you.
Can I fit my head
Inside your armpit?

We're almost equals.
I purr to show I love you.
Want to smell my butt?

Monday, June 05, 2006

Bird Brains

Yesterday after a long day of forcing my husband to do errands with me we came across a pigeon flapping haphazardly in the middle of a road. Jeff, immediately pulled over giving no thought other than protecting the bird from further injury from passing vehicles. Do I have a compassionate husband or what?

We brought the bird home and inspected it's injuries. Broken shoulder and lots of blood. It didn't look good. We couldn't set it and of course it wouldn't stop bleeding. What to do, what to do? Of course all the vets were closed, being Sunday and all. So I hopped on the internet. Guess what I found. "DON"T PICK UP INJURED BIRDS. THEY ARE DEATHLY AFRAID OF HUMANS AND WILL GO INTO SHOCK AND DIE." and "Taking wildlife into your home is against the law." Very helpful, no?

Luckily an online friend found the number for a Wildlife Hotline centre in
Toronto and they got back to me the next day and put me in touch with some preserves in my area where I could take the bird. Thank goodness. They were very helpful and invited me to drop the bird off.

So I spent the morning driving 45 minutes to find the place to hopefully save this bird's life. I was greeted by five war torn dogs, two cats and a couple geese and two young women who help care for the animals. Talk about a welcoming committee! They were very appreciative that we took the time to rescue the bird and drop it off.

For Jeff and I it's just the right thing to do. Cars are not a normal part of nature. It's sad that many do not think like we do. Even sadder is the people who don't keep an eye out for animals on the roads and highways, we are after all taking over their environment.

The preserve called us tonight to let us know the injuries were too great to repair so they put the bird down. We feel better at least knowing it didn't have to take days to die at the side of the road or worse.

We really questioned what we were doing but received a great email from another rescuer, "It is definitely frustrating to be in the situation of finding a creature that needs help, stepping in to help it, and then not being able to find another someone who can give it more help. But don’t let it prevent you from doing the right thing the next time or the next time after that. You did the right thing".

At least the next time we'll know who to turn to.