Chain Of Love- A Story For Thanksgiving

 This last week.  It really started on Tuesday.  My good friend Matt came over to my house to help me with the project of the week.  We were going to build a lean to for the Von Trapp family, group of 3 Feral Cats another friend and I have been caring for.  The time spent with Matt was super great and the lean to is amazing.  That evening my friend Ute called me in distress.  She had just returned from feeding our cats and one of the new renters unloaded on her about getting the cats off the property (we had okay from the landlords).  We had been working to re-home our family, but no luck.  Now with our feet to the fire, we had to send up S.O.S. signals.  The energy moved at lighting speed.  Within 3 hours we had locations for our family in two homes with experienced and loving women, who knew feral cats.  We had cages to house them in.  We even had 3 humane traps.  It spun my head the number of positive and generous people who stepped forward.  We had donations for food, cages, litter, litter boxes and most importantly places to take our lovely cats.
Ute and I are not new to the rescue cat and dog world.  Between the two of us we know boats loads of stuff.  I want to add that we are also smart, resourceful, strong and creative.  When the world has to move we move it.  Yet there was some nervousness as we moved forward with our plans.  Tons of  "what ifs" and plans A, B, C, D, E and Fs hung in the balance. We were emotionally attached to these very special cats.  We both wanted so much for them.  It was my lesson on trusting the process and being in the moment.  All along this journey, remarkable people, strangers and near strangers stepped up. Hugs were shared. Bonds of community, created.  New things learned.  I shed tears of joy as the weekend unfold before us.

The evening of trapping rolled round.  We worked in darkness and feeling fortunate that the mean renters were out for the evening.  Bait was set with stinky mackerel.  The poppa cat, Capt. Moe Von Trapp appeared, we walked backed to Ute's house to wait.  We returned.  He calmly sat in the trap, next to him was a domesticated  black cat (not one of ours) thrashing around.  We released him.  Capt. Moe was gently placed in my car and taken to a new friend's garage for holding over night.  We repeated this processing two more times.  All were calm and quiet. We peeked in the traps, they all looked at us with so much trust and love, it was overwhelming.
We had our baby boy, Winn Dixie and his mama, Trixie.  We didn't see that black cat again.

The next morning, we transported Capt. Moe and Trixie out to the country.  We were greeted by another new friend.  She calmly and lovingly placed them in their cages.  It was beautiful, like a smooth dance.  We all sighed relief.  Capt. Moe gave me the "I love you" blink as he relaxed in his cage.  That was my reward.
Trixie quickly fell asleep in her little bed.  They will be able to be warm and inside all Winter.  Come Spring, if they decide they want to go outside, they can.  They are on a very loving and protected property. Really an outdoor "summer" camp for cats.

As Ute and I drove back into the city, we were ready to transport Winn Dixie. We commented on how this situation for them was beyond anything we had expected.  Little did we know that there were some more miracles to come.

That same evening we took WinnDixie to his foster mom's house.  He was placed in his cage, he quickly settled in.  He blinked at us, purred and we were able to pet him.  His new foster brother cats, of which there were many, came by, one by one to greet him and say hi.  Not a hiss in the group. Just pure welcoming love for him and he returned it.  He played through the cage.  We were all surprised.  He's doing fantastic!  And will be ready to have a forever home. He will do best with another kitten. He's not a feral cat.  He's just one amazing cat.

Exhausted from the week.  Yet filled with joy, love, friendship, community and magic.  Those three wonderful and amazing cats taught me to trust.  Trust that things will work out. Trust that I know a whole lot more than I think I do.  Things do get taken care of. Love. It's a complete sentence. Work from a place of an open heart. Be calm and strong.  Be still and allow the energy to work in ways that you can't even begin to imagine, as it will be better than you can imagine.  I'm grateful for this journey and for everyone involved.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Until next week...create to feel great!

44 projects complete! 8 to go!

The lean to...it's in my basement for now.  It was build for the Von Trapp Family, but now it will get used for some other wonderful cats in need.

You Better Work

I heard several times this week, from various people, "that's going to be a lot of work.  You aren't going to want to do all that work."  These folks don't know me at all.  I'm a hard worker.  I've never mind doing work or hard work.  When did people get so shy of doing the work and making the effort?  There really is joy in hard work and putting the effort in. 
Many times when I hear "that's going to be a lot of work", I hear fear.  Fear of failure.  Maybe.  I can't say what their fears are.  I do know that one way of addressing the fears is to get in and do the work.  The real hard work.  Trust yourself enough to know you can do it.  That if there is something you don't know how to do or what to do, the teacher and the information will show up.  Instead of being steeped in fear, you'll be able to celebrate your accomplishments.  You just might even surprise  yourself.  It will feel good.  I encourage you to give it a try.  Next time hard work presents itself in your life, stare down that fear. Roll up your sleeves and do the work.

Until next week...create to feel great!

43 projects complete! 9 to go! 

This week's project...a cute little baby elf hat.  For you guessed it a cute baby elf!

Zen And The Art Of Upholstery

I'm taking a really fun upholstery class at a local community college.  I've been doing really bad upholstery on my own for years.  The furniture looked okay.  I have a chair that has been in Broadside's family for years.  We call the chair of the ancient cats, because every cat we've known for the last 40 years has slept on it.  The chair is super sturdy and if the springs were tied and the bad slipcover I did was replaced, it would be a wonderful chair to have in our house.  So, instead of just having someone do the work, I decided I wanted to learn how to do upholstery the correct way.

I had no idea that this class was being taught by the Zen Master.  He's really an unlikely Zen Master.  A hard working, rough around the edges, wise cracking, New Yorker.  Yet every week, I not only learn how to cover furniture in an expert manner, but little wisdom on life.
,
This week as he was showing us placement of fabric on a fellow student's chair, announced to the class of timid women..."Never be afraid to pull out the staples.  You always have to be willing to pull out the staples.  You don't like how it looks, you have to pull the staples.  If it's not going the way you want it...pull out the damn staples and start over.  Never be afraid to pull out the staples.  It's like life.  If you stand there being afraid, you'll never get anywhere.  So, shoot the staples and if they land where you want the first time great.  If not.  Pull the staples.  Just like life.  No one ever gets anywhere being afraid.  You gotta act.  You gotta take a chance."

He's so on the mark.  Often times folks don't act, because they are afraid.  Afraid of making a mistake that can't be fixed.  So, they don't act.  They don't move forward.  We have to be willing to make a mistake, when a mistake happens or something doesn't go the way we planned, we have to willing to pull the staples or fix the mistake and keep moving forward. 

Great reminder.
Are you willing to pull the staples, as needed?

Until next week...create to feel great!

42 projects complete! 10 more to go!

This week's project is an sweet little bow tie for my kitty boy Sam.  Gus has a bowtie he likes to wear at Christmas time, and now his little brother has one as well.

Lining It All Up

I've written a few posts on energy and going with the flow.  Fighting it causes frustration. Frustration can cause anger and negativity.  At very least, it's not a comfortable place to be.
In the month since my wonderful friend and long time kitty, MickeyGrrrl passed, I've had so many lessons on going with the flow, lining up energy, going with the flow and engaging my creativity at every turn. These lessons have not given me time to worry, over think or allow fear to step in and stop me.  Accepting these lessons, really allowing my myself to be schooled and showing up for the tests has created some amazing result.  I've never felt more connected to myself and the world.  Clarity is coming in each moment.  My outlook is positive without even having to push it, it just is.
I'm realizing I'm seeing a purpose for things and my life.  It's all simple.  It's a BIG deal, but not a big damn deal.   This is an amazing place to be at. 

The main challenge I faced this month was in rescuing a senior kitty named Gabriella (now Gabby).  She had been abandoned three times, when we got to her.  She was a lovely cat.  My first gut feeling was to fix this, take her to my home and shower her with love and attention like I do with all my kitties.  I also knew that my boy cats wouldn't like it and that deep in my heart, she just wasn't my kitty.  She was here to help someone else and teach me a few lessons about showing up in the world.  She had a foster home she could be at for a couple of months.  With time ticking, fear struck me!  Dear Lord.  Finding a home for even a kitten can be monster challenge.  Finding a home for a senior cat.  That's going to take a act of God.  Broadside told me that he didn't think it was a good idea to just give up and take her in.  At one point it felt like a losing up hill battle. 
I got very quite and mediated.  That's all I could think to do.  The answer came to me.  You aren't here to fix this.  You are the energy conduit. You are to move energy.  I know energy gets energy.
So with my job to move the energy and connect Gabby with her person accepted.  I went to work. I stopped worrying and when I got to that place, I'd just tell myself that I was the conduit.  It worked!
Gabby connected with her new mom/girlfriend.  It was almost too easy.  Gabby is now in a very comfortable, loving home.  I know she'll have the best life ever.  As she is her mom's cat.  I just brought the energy together.  Amazing and powerful stuff!

Are willing to be the conduit in your life.  Moving and making those energetic connections to create the results you desire for your life?

Until next week...create to feel great!

41 projects complete! 10 to go!

This week's project...a new doughnut bed for Gabby...I wanted to make her something for her sent off.  Not that she's wanting for anything in her new home, but I wanted her to have some love for her launch.  Yay Gabby!

Time To Roll Up The Sleeves!

"Hard work spot lights the character of people.  Some turn up their sleeves. Some turn up their noses and some don't turn up at all!" ~ Sam Ewing

Or as my Granny would like to say..."Set out a plate of hard work and some folks dig in right away.  Some folks spit it out, and most folks run away from it as fast as their feet will carry them. What these folks don't know is that the plate is full all sorts of tasty good stuff."

I'm not one to shy away from the hard work of life.  I rather love it.  Hard work gets my blood pumping. My heart, mind and soul get fully engaged. I'm usually having so much fun in the moment that the hard work doesn't feel like hard work at all.  I learn about what I can do.  I meet new people or get to interact with folks in my life I haven't been in contact for a while.  I often hear that I work too hard.
I don't get it.  I think I do my fair share of sitting around and hanging out. 

"If it was easy...everyone would do it.  It's the hard that makes it great."~ Jimmy Dugan, A League Of Their Own.

Yep. I believe that.  So it is worth the effort.  Even if I fail or I'm less than successful at whatever I set out to do, it's rewarding to do the work.  It's taking on life.  It's living life. (Note to folks who like to control things...it does give you a bit or control...over yourself.)
I'm not talking about struggling or pain.  I'm talking about really digging in. Not taking the easy way out or avoiding those situations that help us grow and evolve as people.  Doing the work, builds us up. It brings joy to our life.  I can only speak for myself...it makes my entire outlook on life happy and feels complete and strong.  Besides, what else am I going to do with all this God given energy I have every day?

When I don't roll up my sleeves and get to work on whatever in my life needs to be done, I feel depressed, anxious and angry.  Not good for the rest of the world.  So, I'll continue to roll up my sleeves and to the work of life.  Which is good for me, and I like to think good for the rest of the world.

Until next week...create to feel great!
40 projects complete! 12 to go!

This week's project...My old cement wall.  I live in a house that is 100 years old.  The flat roof and cement wall were starting to age and starting to leak.  Yikes!  So, my project challenge...Stop the leaking.  Sealed with the stuff they seal swimming pools with and then coated with a UV protection.  Bring on the rain!  But not too soon.

The Big Connection

"You are being blessed by every beneficent thought of any of your brothers anywhere."    ~A Course In Miracles

With MickeyGrrrl's passing there came an out pouring of love and support.  I knew she had effected and changed my life in the most wonderful of ways.  I had no idea she had done the same for so many others.  People who had never met her or experienced her presence were grief stricken.  I read somewhere that the grief is the pain of a loss and the mourning is the outward expression of the grief.  Who she is and her life is being celebrated everyday.  Her energy has connected and continues to connect people.  I don't have her in my life physically, but she is working her love and energy.  This connection of energy is bringing with it a flood of wonderful outcomes.  This week was a wild ride for me and all the folks she has connected to The Delicious MickeyGrrrl Fund.

Monday started with trapping a mama and baby feral cat, in order to have them spayed and neutered.

Tuesday brought the project of the week (see the end of this post).

Wednesday we released the mama and baby back into their turf.  They are doing great.  We need to trap poppa next.

The Dear Sweet Gabriella...she needs a forever home.

Thursday, we had a celebration of MickeyGrrrl's life, and also rescued a wonderful lady kitty named Gabriella, whose person could no longer care for her.  She is in a foster home, and we are looking for a permanent home for her.

Friday, we installed the project of the week.

Saturday, we installed our new trap in order to catch Poppa cat

A big week for animal rescue and taking care of cats in need of a little help.  All along the way, I was connected to and came in contact with people who were wanting to help.  The positive energy was off the chain.
I not only feel MickeyGrrrl's energy and blessings, I'm feeling the blessing of all beings in the world.  Really I do.  I know that might sound like a bunch of who-eee.  How can I be feeling blessings from every being in the world.  Well, be still, you'll feel it as well.  It's all energy.  We never question electricity working for us.  Why would we question blessings from all the beings in the world.  It's all energy.
All it takes is being still.  You'll feel it.  Everyone can use some blessings.  They are waiting for you.

Until next week...create to feel great!

39 projects complete!  13 to go!

This week's project...Winter Shelters for a colony of feral cats.  I went to the Re-cycled building materials store and purchased some old kitchen cabinets.  I lined with cozy space blankets, poly batting and straw.  All for $15.00 for two! We are putting the money being raised to good use.

This week we almost hit the $500.00 dollar mark in donations, truly grateful for all the support.  We are going to help a lot of cats and kittens with this money.  If you want to help please go to www.youcaring.com/MickeyGrrrlfund    Thank you!
 

                                                                 

Good Night, MickeyGrrrl

This is the last photo taken of MickeyGrrrl.
 I snapped it on Monday afternoon
 

On Monday September 23, 2013, I shared the best afternoon with my dear beloved MickeyGrrrl.  She sat on my lap and purred, while looking at me.  On that afternoon, I really came to appreciate all we had shared in many years together.  I know now it was her way of saying thank you. I love you.
About 9 pm that evening she headed down to her bedroom.   As I've done on many nights before I shouted after her..."Good Night, Mickey."

The following morning, Tuesday September 24th, I found her sleeping on the futon couch in our TV room.  She didn't wake up.  Gus had been sleeping next to her and had washed her head.  His lovely face was the last one she saw as she drifted off.

When I was a kid I remember asking my Grandma about how a person dies.  Her answer has always stuck with me.  "Folks go to bed at night.  Go to sleep and wake up in heaven."  My dear girl passed in love and comfort after experiencing many years for love and comfort, she was 18.

Her lessons for me are many.  All are simple.  All concern love and strength.

Here are a few of the many lessons she has taught me.

Be still...you'll see and feel love everywhere.                        


Love is all we got.

Before there was Eat, Pray, Love...MickeyGrrrl taught...Love, Eat, Nap

When people are mean to you.  Love them.  You'll always come out ahead.

Strong people love strongly.  Love is the source of strength.

A nap is a gift of love you give to yourself and others.

There are so many many more.  I will miss you my sweet friend.  Thank you.  I love you.
Good Night, MickeyGrrrl.


Until next week...create to feel great!

38 projects complete. 14 to go.

This Kanzashi Flower wreath is to remember
MickeyGrrrl.  18 gold flowers in a heart wreath.
We started working on it the last afternoon we spent together.

Also to honor MickyGrrrl there is a You Caring Site to raise funds to help Orphan and Feral Cats.
Any donation is greatly appreciated will make a difference.. Please go to
www.youcaring.com/MickeyGrrrlFund   Thank you!