Kitty-Pantry-Zot-Home :: One Hundred Ninety Five Six Seven Eight

A Picture a Day? Not today! Today I am breaking form and posting four moments from this very busy 24 hours...

Neo Cairo Nepenthes had his first check-up. He weighs three whole pounds! He is playful, affectionate, and healthy, and we aim to keep him that way! We love our veterinarian. We love how nicely our thee kitties are getting along.

We found our pantry! Seriously. Sometimes even an organized space falls victim to entropy and neglect, but thanks to a big push between William, Maria and me, we have a restored, and picture pretty pantry, again. What a relief! What a massive effort!

And while we were taking care of kitties, and deep cleaning the kitchen, Max was away for orientation at his new school. First overnight stay in dorm rooms, and lots of familiarizing himself with what's ahead. He even registered for classes. Humanities, physics, Calculus III, more physics? Good news: He likes his schedule. He likes the bedding Maria and I found him, and he'll appreciate the fan we got him, too. The better news: Geoff and I got to join him the next day, and together we could appreciate what's going to work, what he can figure out in time, and what will be alright, eventually. (There won't be quite that much cheering and pep, when classes get rolling, don't worry, mi'jo.)

All in all, I think we are happy to be a Zot family!

zot
(US) The characteristic sound made by an anteater's tongue or by lightning.
Usage notes[edit]
Associated with the UC Irvine Anteaters.

Back home again, and we find all the love and support of Maria, William, Alex, and Bambi, who wanted to welcome Max home with a theme dinner, and everything set up for a night of game playing. That's a peek at the retro-style dinner they planned: Burgers, fries, fancy-frothy pineapple and pomegranate drinks! And a lemon meringue for dessert. Everything was chosen to be favorites and enjoyable for Max, after his new venture.

Can you see why I couldn't pick just one picture? And now... I am going to put up my feet, enjoy the game playing, and breath deep, thankful sighs, because I love all I see, in my heart, and in these pictures.

(Stacy, Diana... my midnight helpline: Thank you. Everyone deserves a support group as understanding, funny, and helpful as ours. I love you, Mamas.)

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Evening Walk :: One Hundred Ninety Four

Back to the beach... for a walk, for the air, and waves. To build another castle, and sing songs.

It goes too fast... this family time, when we are all together. It's not over, I know. But changes are here, new schedules and plans, growing, moving forward in different directions. Would I be better prepared, more readily accepting, if I weren't so very happy with how our life has been, what we have? I was sadly reminded, too, in yesterday's news, that there are more ways to face change than growing up, new schools... there is tragic loss, and senseless violence. All of which made me feel both thankful for what we have, and like holding tighter, anxious. So, back to the beach, where we can make our time count in nature, with friends, laughing, and feeling the pleasure of our family life, now.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Two Memes & A Thundering Nerd :: One Hundred Ninety Three

"Stop! Don't move." The gravity and urgency in Geoff's voice was too compelling to disregard. I stopped in my tracks, but had to ask him to clarify, "Did you just say 'danger noodle?' He continued in the same agitated, concerned tone, "Don't move... you are in danger."

Seriously? In the market parking lot? With a cart of cereal and milk? On this comfortable summer evening, in our comfortable suburban town, I am in "danger?" And I hear him behind me fumbling and tooling with something... and then it dawns on me: He's doing it. Geoff is a trainer, a Thundering Nerd Gamer, happily engrossed in his element: Play!

I had to stand still, because there was a Ekans on my @ss. Literally. Or not really, but literally virtually. Here... I'll post the picture, so you can judge for yourselves! And for the record, I would like to add that, Geoff takes my picture about twice a year, more or less. This most unflattering image has been lovingly archived, a precious memory for him to keep.

"Danger Noodle," from the meme of alternate animal names. (I love pant-less thunder goose, and formal chicken,) and of course, the Pokémon Go meme. We're all thundering nerds for something, so I won't get caught up with the haters. Some people need their coffee, then wine, others are all about baseball stats, or Fantasy Football. Whether you are hooked on yarn, or running, crushing candies, or buying shoes... you know you find a happy space, a healthy release when you can play your thing. Get out there, play nice, stay safe, and let your own thundering nerd flag fly!

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Water and Light :: One Hundred Ninety Two

Water, light, sand, and friends... the beach has everything you need for an agreeable afternoon. For extra enjoyment we brought limeade, crackers, cheese, a ginormous fruit salad, and fire wood.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Three Hundred & Thirty Posts About Gatos

According to the archives of CB, I've posted three hundred and twenty-nine times about cats... about Nena, Bongo, Chango, and Diego, about Anna Banana's Patrick El Gato, Benjamin Franklin ThunderCat, and Ferris, Foo, and Neo Cairo Nepenthes. And this post brings the count to 330 posts about kitties, cats, gatos, misifus, muffins of love.

Why?

Because...

Because they are adorable.

Because they remind us to relax, to trust, to let go.

Because just when we think we know someone, they can show us a whole new point of view, a different side.

Because their antics can be hilarious, and inspire exuberance and wild abandon.

Because whiskers, paws, pink noses, and ruffled manes.

One more post about gatitos, because son tan ensimosos, preciosos, cariñosos.

Even when they grow up and become big gatos, they will make any spot their own, and still be endearing doing it. And precious, and charming, and affectionate, and selfish, and greedy, and rude, and absurd.

Because naps.

Because if you have to stay in bed they will find you, comfort you, distract you, snuggle and heal you.

Because, according to Gretchen, fanny-packs will never go out of fashion!

We have three kitties, and they are dear and weird, messy and tidy, peculiar, predictable, mischievous, smelly, then sweet, wicked, then tender. They make us laugh, give us joy, and we love them.

Reading Aloud :: One Hundred Ninety One

They're on the second book in the series, Operation Red Jericho. While Alex is reading these aloud, Maria has another series she is immersed in... Abarat, by Clive Barker. Chango enjoys a good book, too. We all do.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

Garden Pizza :: One Hundred Ninety

That's what they call it, Garden Pizza. And it's the best in summer, fall. It's best with fresh basil, zucchini, onions, garlic, all those tomatoes, and some cheese. We made these for dinner. I once called it Lazy Pizza, when I shared the recipe, but I think I like the sound of Garden Pizza, better.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.

The Apprentice :: One Hundred Eighty Nine

It seems we have another Geek in the Bird House, and he's applying to be Geoff's apprentice. So far, his "best" skill is gnawing on wires, but that is definitely not anything we want to encourage! Geoff has other things in mind for his latest creation, The Marionette.

With Infinity More Monkeys, a picture a day.