Baxter on his first Buggy Ride

 

Blairsville, Georgia  (high 78, low 54)

Yesterday was one of those picture perfect days with the most beautiful blue sky I’ve seen in a long time.  I guess the rain on Saturday cleared the air, because it was absolutely gorgeous yesterday.

So what did Al do on this beautiful day?  He played poker….INSIDE!   Not only did he miss the beautiful day, but he lost $3.00.

I sat outside on the deck, camera in hand and watched the hummingbirds frolic.  It seems that the rain brought more to our feeders and I’m sure we had at least 10-12 yesterday.

I got my first ever shot of hummingbird tongue and feet and maybe even a little butt!

The black thing the hummer was sitting on was one of those small plastic zip ties.  Only a hummer could sit on one of those and not have it bend!

He sat there for the longest time and preened. 

At one point I saw a gnat flying around and actually saw the hummer grab it.  Unfortunately, I didn’t catch it with the camera.  I keep wanting to say “on film.”

See his little feet?

Can you see his little tongue on the next picture?  It’s actually quite long, but this photo only shows a part of it.

I think this little drop on his beak is a droplet of the sugar water.

I sat outside all afternoon, with Baxter and Chatty beside me, in their cage.  They enjoyed it and I tried to read, but the hummingbird antics kept interrupting me.  They were so noisy kept buzzing right in front of me.  I should have taken a picture of that beautiful blue sky.

Around 4pm, I realized we had some DVD’s to return and since Al was playing poker, I decided to attempt to find the video store all by myself.   I am extremely “directionally challenged” and had NO CLUE where the video store was, even though I had been there with Al several times.   I have a terrible sense of direction, and unless I actually do the driving, I pay no attention.  Over the years, with the invention of GPS, I have managed to get around.  Of course, getting back home is a whole other problem.   :)    Jeanne, I know you can relate!

I didn’t even remember the name of the video store and of course it wasn’t on the dvd label.  I searched my phone for video stores and found two, one of which I thought was the right one.  Long story short, I went to about 5 places before I stumbled on the correct video store.   I was pretty proud of myself for finding it though, even if it was by accident.  

When I got home from town, Al was home, so we decided to take Baxter for his first ever buggy ride.

I wasn’t sure how he would react, so we went real slow until he got used to it.

His cage fits perfectly on the back of the golf cart, with even a little room to spare for some trash.

He’s such a calm natured cat and not really afraid of things, so I felt sure he would enjoy the ride.

He did.

At first, we stayed on the campground road, but once we felt he was comfortable, we ventured out on the back roads, where there were a lot of interesting sights and smells. 

The river is pretty loud and he was a bit nervous when he first heard it.

His nose was sure working overtime.  Lots of new smells.

Soon, he met a couple of friends.

Meet Pepper (grey kitty) and Bo, on the right.  Their chauffeurs take them for a ride every night.   They only have on a collar and a leash and apparently do not attempt to jump down. 

Okay…I have to confess.  I’m not sure of Bo and Peppers chauffeurs names.   We think he is Duane, but we’re not sure of hers.  Too many people….too many names to remember.  :)   I know their last name is Lipp because their license plate on their car is “tulip”   You know  2 Lips.  Cute, huh?

We drove around for over an hour and Baxter did fine.  He met a lot of new friends along the way.  There seem to be more cats here than dogs, which is very unusual at a campground.

 

Al and I have decided to purchase another lot here at Rivers Edge, for investment purposes.   We got a good deal on a site near ours, so we will be renting it out, cheaply, to our friends, so if you’re going to be in this area, let us know and we’ll leave the light on for you!  I’ll post some pictures of the site later, but it’s similar to this one.

 

the end

Another Visit to the ER

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida

We ended up back in the ER yesterday afternoon, but it was the animal hospital instead of the people hospital.

Baxter was not doing any better and was still refusing to eat.  He was acting like he was uncomfortable and it seemed like his tummy was hurting.   We were trying to wait until Monday to see the regular vet, but we knew the animal emergency room was an option.  An expensive option, but an option.

Finally, after watching him squirm as if in pain, and not being able to sleep, we decided we would bite the bullet, and run him over to the emergency veterinarian.  We’ve done that before with different kitties and it can be very, very expensive.  One nice thing about these emergency animal hospitals is that they have 24 hour nursing care.  If you bring a very sick animal to them that has to stay overnight, they are monitored all night long, just like in a human hospital.

We were concerned that he may have eaten something he shouldn’t have. Several months ago, Al dropped a rubber band and before he could pick it up, Baxter ate it.  He managed to pass the rubber band with no problems.  We are VERY careful about leaving things around like strings, thread, rubber bands, and anything kitties might ingest.  I don’t know what it is about cats, but they like rubber bands and they like to eat strings, tinsel, thread, that sort of thing.

The vet checked him out and when she palpated his abdomen, he didn’t seem to be hurting, and actually acted pretty normal while he was there. 

The vet did some x-rays and didn’t find anything visible that he might have eaten.  I was concerned we might find a twisted colon or something wrapped around it, and I was prepared for surgery.  She said certain things  may not show on an x-ray, so we aren’t 100% sure he didn’t eat something he shouldn’t have.

We opted to have some blood work done and that turned out fine.   He got an injection for pain, some subcutaneous fluids and was released. 

While we were there waiting for Baxter, a couple things happened that really bothered me.  This animal hospital works with animal rescue people, and if you find a baby bird, squirrel, raccoon, or anything like that, you can bring it there and they will  treat it and then release it to one of their local rescue people.  We brought them a baby bird a few weeks ago.  We like the place, despite what happened next.

In the main waiting room they have some cages where they have some kittens up for adoption.  We noticed their kitty pans were disgustingly dirty.  When the vet came back out to talk to me I mentioned it to her and shortly afterwards one of the two female receptionists came over to clean them out.  This was the same one that was a little snitty when we checked in.

She bitched the whole time she cleaned their cages, and kept saying how she was going to get all itchy handling the kittens.  These were not mangy kittens, but adorable and healthy looking babies. (I could easily have taken them home). I went over to help her (mostly to make sure she didn’t let the kittens get loose) and she commented that she didn’t know why they had to tip over their water.  I said, because they’re kittens, that’s why. They were just playing.  I was getting angry at her.  She kept complaining the whole time. Then before she put the water dishes back in the cage she tipped it over and had a mess to clean off the floor!  Served her right.  She had inch long plastic fingernails that really made it difficult to do anything.  Obviously, she was in the wrong job.  I didn’t want her anywhere near Baxter.

As upsetting as that was, what came next was even worse.

There was a lady that came in after we did. She was teary eyed, and appeared to be very upset.  I guess they were working on her kitty in the back.

A while later, one of the tech’s came over to her and gave her a box and told her she was sorry or something like that.  I knew what that meant and instantly started crying with her.  I’ve been there and done that, and in fact this was the final place that we had to take our little kitty Squeaky two years ago.  I was feeling a bit fragile just being in that place again.

As the lady proceeded to open up the box, I turned away, not wanting to see what she was seeing.  Then I heard her say, “this is not my cat.”   OH MY GOD!  They gave her the wrong dead animal.    I was really crying by this time and so was she.  Immediately after she said that, another lady that was in the waiting room, went right over to her, looked into the box and realized it was her hamster that apparently was their to be euthanized.  She took the box with her hamster and tried to calm the first lady down. She had been expecting a box containing her hamster.  A minute later,the technician who brought out the hamster and handed it to the wrong owner, came back and apologized.  Evidently, the first woman’s  cat was not dead, and was still being treated.  Can you imagine, sitting there waiting for news on your pet and to be handed a cardboard box?    The poor woman.  She was there all by herself and I felt so sorry for her.  I was certainly thankful I had Al with me.   I think her cat was in serious condition, but when we left at least it was not dead.  What a horrible thing to happen.  It was careless, and should not have happened, but I understand things happen, but man, was that a bad one!   They were extremely busy at the time and I guess a mistake was made.   I sure hope the woman’s cat is okay.

We brought Baxter home and following doctors orders gave him some broth a few hours later.  He ate some and didn’t throw up. I went to bed feeling he was doing better.  This morning, he didn’t look too good and at first refused any food, but finally he licked some turkey baby food off my finger.  No vomiting so far.  We’re hoping for the best since we really still have no idea what has caused this.  His appetite seems to be improving. 

We’re hoping for a quieter day today!

Mountains in our Future?

 

Cross Hill, Sc  Lakewood Greenwood Rv Resort (high 94, low 73)

 

It’s getting warm here and since we’re on the top of a hill with no shade, it might be time to get out of dodge and head north to the Georgia mountains.

We had intended on leaving today, but we couldn’t find a place to go that didn’t involve driving the motor home up into the mountains.   We were looking for a nice campground with easy access, and big sites that was at the foothills with lower elevations.   I figured we could then take the truck up into the mountains for a day trip, and leave the motor home tucked safely at a lower elevation.  Less nerve wracking for me.

I know, I know…..you are all thinking what a wuss I am.  Al recently told me I needed to “ grow a pair”.

We have had very little experience in mountain driving, since we’re Floridians and we don’t even have hills.   It’s not that I’m worried the coach will make it up the steep grades, but  I don’t like those windy, curvy roads with nothing but a big drop off on the sides.    We’re also not fond of those steep descents  back down the mountains, but we’re feeling better about that since we’re learning how how to use our exhaust brake.   Any tips are always appreciated!

I have a fear of accidently getting on a road that is not meant for big rigs, so I am going over the GPS and Streets and Trips maps to try to avoid that.  We also have a truckers atlas, but of course it never quite matches up with the Garmin Truckers Dezl GPS and the Streets and Trips programs.

Between the weather and mountain driving, I really am such a worrier.  Al wants to put me on a daily dose of Valium!

 

Speaking of weather, Monday turned out to be another day of of thunderstorms and another tornado watch.  Not my favorite way to spend the day, but it turned out we had very little rain and the wind wasn’t bad.  I survived another day!

We haven’t been doing much, just a little laundry, and a trip into town for a few groceries, and of course we’re making sure to get to the hot tub for happy hour.  We ended up deflating and storing the kayaks without even using them. Once the tornado watch went out the second time, we decided they would be safer stored away. 

Mr. Baxter did get to go outside on his leash the other night.  He normally goes out in his stroller, but it was buried in the back of the truck, so he got a treat and got to go for a short walk on his leash.  We don’t normally like his feet touching the ground because the fleas absolutely love  him.  We are constantly battling fleas which apparently get in on our clothes.

 

The red thing is his harness but we call it his “dress”.   He wouldn’t sit still for a minute, so he didn’t get to stay out very long. It was pitch dark, and I was afraid he would slip out of his harness and run off.  

That’s an ugly picture of Al, but Baxter looks cute, so he said I could post it.

As I type this, Al is busy making our morning green smoothie.   Baxter is eating bok choy, spinach, and dandelion greens.  He’s quite the vegetarian, isn’t he?

Al and I are about 11 months into our mostly vegan way of eating.   He has lost 24 pounds and I’ve lost 22.  It’s been a little up and down, but we got a pleasant surprise yesterday when we weighed ourselves.  Of course, after that we went to Ryans Buffet and ate way too much!  We won’t be getting on the scales today.

Tomorrow, we are either heading to Dillard, Blairsville, or Cleveland Georgia.   We are deciding on which campground we can get to the easiest and with less stress!  Wish us luck!   Any campground suggestions?

 

the end

It Was a Cornhole Day

 

Wesley Chapel, Florida  (high 61, low 37)

The watchword for Florida for the next few days is “blustery” or “raw”.

The plan for Sunday is to head south to Fort Desoto Park to watch the paddle boarders take off for their 300 mile  trip to the Florida Keys.

Yes, they plan to use a stand-up  paddle board (SUP) to go to the Keys!

Did I mention the cold front that’s moving in today?

Burrrrr…..

If you’re interested in a very interesting article about their trip, read about it here.

Shane Perrin is a 37 year old kidney transplant patient, who has completed 3 of the most grueling paddle board races in the world. We’re wondering if they’ll still leave tomorrow. It’s going to be pretty chilly and windy.  I guess we’ll go over and see….if that warm bed doesn’t feel too good.

 

There was a sad story on the news yesterday.  In Seffner (where Lazy Days is), a man was sleeping in his bed, when a sinkhole swallowed him, his bed and his bedroom.  He called for help, his brother rushed in, jumped down in the hole but couldn’t see his brother. The brother had to be pulled out of the sinkhole by the first responder, otherwise he would have perished as well.  The sinkhole kept growing and they haven’t been able to find any signs of life.  They have to wait to stabilize the house before they can attempt to recover the body.  I’ve heard about a lot of sinkholes here in Florida, but this is the first fatality I can remember.  It’s surprising no one has been killed before now.  Poor guy.

 

 

Our Canadian neighbors have their own “Cornhole” game.  Pat, our other neighbor from Tennessee got hooked on the game, so she bought her own game.  It finally arrived yesterday, so it was game on…..all day long!  

The neighbors have all told Pat that she absolutely can NOT start playing until 10:00 am!  It’s now 10:01….and I dont’ hear it.  Yet.

It was Al’s first time playing the game and he really enjoyed it.  He played all afternoon, and came home pretty tired.  It’s a lot more tiring than it looks, I guess.   No way was I going to play with the problems I've been having with my shoulder, so I stayed home and did some vacuuming and cleaning.  We rarely spend any time away from each other and I think it was good for him to have some time without me.  :)  

As it turned out, I might have well played, because I ended up hurting my shoulder a little anyway. 

There is an old car “cruise-in” in nearby Dade City this afternoon.   Al kind of wanted to go, but I’m voting for a trip to the gym and then a movie day at home.  Let’s see who wins!

 

And in case anybody misses seeing Mr. Bax….here he is in all of his 16.5 pounds of glory.

He has quite the fur coat, doesn’t he?

You wouldn’t think he’d get cold, but he does and likes to be covered up.  Hey….he’s a Florida native!

From what I hear, Maine Coon cats will continue to grow until they are 3-4 years old.    I can hardly wait for him to outgrow his kitty pan……   : (