Did You Actually Think You Were In Control?

It eventually takes it all back.

Just when you think you have a grasp on the game....   When you think you can handle or are handling life's curve-balls with a certain level of  competence;  life reminds you how insignificant your efforts truly are.  Allow me to extrapolate.

So,  it is a nice day.  No ice storm yet, and the winds and temps are holding to comfortable levels.  It was a great morning to squeeze in a run before the storm.  


Cheryl ran through the woods and up the hills.   A shorter route, but hilly and challenging.  Sometimes a little change from the usual routine is a good thing.

While on the run,  we discuss our plans to travel to Boston for the Marathon.   We have ruled out the plane.... so it is down to train or bus.   We Briefly considered taking the car.  But Cheryl correctly, in my opinion,  listed all the things we would have to take into account and the time and costs that would not be immediately obvious.   Subie is old.  The distance is long.   Tolls!  Traffic.  Parking.  etc...

So,  to remind us and firmly assure us that Subie does not want to make that trip,   he decided to have an "episode."   At first there was a "starting issue".   Similar to a car that has been flooded.   This is not normal.   But he started up just fine after a few attempts.  But then his acceleration  was lacking.


After a quick moment of panic, it reminded me of several previous car issues.  My jeep, Gremlin, and Mazda all had similar feels to them.   Each one was different and both the Gremlin and Mazda were fatal!

check out the rusted cable...

So it could be anything!  Fuel pump, Spark plugs, Distributor,  O2 sensor, who knows?  My personal guess is it may have something to do with the cables that lead to the fuel pump. One of the cables has cracked and rusted through.   Still,  looks like a trip to the mechanic.

He's so proud....

He "thinks" he's made it better.

When we arrived home,   The cat had shucked off his cone and groomed his wound.   Goodbye Scab!  After a week of diligently guarding that area and allowing it to heal and close up,  Hiro undoes it all with that Sandpaper tongue!    I'm sure he thinks he has done us a service by cleaning up the matted fur and ugly scab.  But now the wound is open again!   Cheryl seems more freaked out about that than the car.   Everyone has their priorities, I guess.

So clean and sparkly,  but now Exposed 

Ah well.  Kids will be kids; cars will be cars; and cats will be cats. What can we mere mortals do about it other than limit the damage and pay for the broken bones.

Hope everyone else is having a fun weekend.   I hear it is a Holiday....MLK day I think.   And the Ice storm is supposed to hit later today.   So we shall most likely stay home and try not to breathe too much air.

Saturday Chill Time. With Six Stockings

How fast before Ethan hits the Floor?

I finished up the majority of the work painting the hallway.  I didn't really use the ladder that the Landlords provided because it simply was not the right type or tall enough.   I really needed something that would lean against the wall.   Ah well,   I still managed to get stuff painted; although I would have liked to have been able to go around the top most trim without dripping paint on it.

Putting the handrail back on. 

I finished putting up the hand rail and light switches.  All that is left now is the area under the stairs and the laundry section.  I'll see if I can finish that next week.

Almost completely closed.

Hiro is feeling better and his open gash is finally closing.  Most of his medication has been used up and now we simply have to run out the clock on his antibiotics.  The bad news is that he will have to continue to wear his fashionable collar until it has fully scabbed over.   With a little luck,  he will be able to remove it by the next weekend.

Hiro sporting his favorite collar.

He seems to be handling it better than imagined.   He bumps into things and has some trouble trying to jump up on the couch.  But, for the most part, he is able to eat, drink and use the litter box without any problems.

A few cuddles here and there 

This episode seems to have awakened a cuddly side of Hiro that even Cheryl has noticed.  Normally he is more aloof.  But lately,  he climbs on laps and sleeps cuddled up with us on the bed.  I could get used to that.

Ok, That's enough....

I should also note that we sold and completed 6 stockings today.  The "After Christmas" orders continue to trickle in and we have had something to do just about every day this year.  Thankfully the orders are small and we can knock them out rapidly.  After that Christmas Rush,   we are thankful for the break.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.  Tomorrow, it is supposed to rain and then freeze.   A good day to hole up and hide out in sleepy little Wellman Iowa.  Stay warm!

Hiro's Check Up, Cheryl's Long Run, And Ethan's Hallway Painting....Update.

Cheryl and Hiro in matching outfits.

He looks quiet now,  Just wait...

 Yesterday was Hiro's vet visit to make sure he was not being killed by his owners.   Cheryl packed him up in the new matching travel case and off we went.  An unsedated cat is a BEAR to have in the car when you are traveling to the vet. ( I should say a broken record of nails on a chalk board.)   Hiro has never been much of a travel cat.... And I'm sure that his recent memory of the midnight vet visit is still fresh in his mind.  He voiced his protest  on volume 10 with hardly a breath in between....for the entire trip!

After the Vet, Hiro retires for the day! 

Sunny and warm still,  Let's run!

After arriving,  he shut up.   And we pretty well behaved.  The Vet got him current on his shots and made sure his wound was looking good.   Everything checked out and we were ready to head back home.


The warm-ish weather held out for us and we decided to fit in our long run at the Kewash Trail.   There are a few things to remember when running in warm-er weather that is above freezing.   That is:  the ground melts.

Looks like the bike needs a bath

Kind of muddy...

We were both feeling fatigued after our early vet visit, so we kept the run to 10 miles.   But that was plenty of time to get our "muddy"on.

Cheryl says I can't go inside like that.

Looks like I do too!

We were so muddy we decided to undress in the hallway so we would not track in all the caked-on dirt.  The clay in Iowa has such wonderful properties.... ( sarcasm)  The corn may like it, but anyone who enjoys a clean house probably does not.

And today,  I spent a little time trying to paint the hallway.  I was supposed to work on this on Monday,   But the cat and the Universe got in my way somehow.  Typical of all of my best laid plans.  Like that time I was going to be an astronaut....  (Why do people ask children what they want to be wen they grow up?   Just to laugh? )

The extension helps with the high stuff

Only one side for now.

I managed to make some headway.  I'll have to work on the other side later...and possibly break out the ladder for the high edges.  So far things look ok,  so I'm encouraged.

Hiro's wound: Looks bad, but is better.

Hope everyone is staying warm.   The temps have dropped almost 20 degrees from yesterday.   The good news is that the ground is frozen once again.  It matters not, since my bike is still covered in mud from before.  The vet says we can take our Cat care down a notch now and let the cat take over.   Good news because the constant attention was wearing both of us down.  It's about time the Cat's natural healing process kicks in.

Running in the Wind and Rain.... and Pizza?

Yesterday...cold weather.

Today...   Almost 50 degrees!

Almost a 30 degree increase today!   With rain....  and wind....

No matter,  with temps approaching 50 degrees,   Cheryl wanted to seize the moment and run in ...Shorts!

Running in the rain

And wind...avoid the puddles!

Now,  people dressed inappropriate for the weather conditions is not something new here in Iowa.  I have seen "fashionable" teens dressed in shorts in the snow....or flipflops!   ( ugh!  Flipflops...) But for people looking for an actual activity outside...and not an afternoon of  "hanging out" in the mall.  The cold might actually be a factor.

A little colder and wetter than before, but she survived.

With a Hello Kitty Bandaid

The rain let up for a touch, but the Wind was pretty serious today.   Even now it rages like a tornado.   But Cheryl only paused for a moment and limited the run to three miles.   Our long run will (hopefully) be tomorrow at the trail.   With a little luck, the warmer temps will hold and the rain will stop so we can have a dry path to run on.

I divide and conquer the Hallway.

As side from that,  I have been trying to paint the apartment hallway a little bit at a time.   With everything that has been going on here,  I have found my time and patience limited.  I also currently lack a ladder to reach the high ceiling.  Once the Landlords bring me one, I will work on those parts.   But for now, I will focus on the "easy to reach" stuff.  There is no rush on my part,  And I'm sure they are just happy it is getting another coat of paint.

Pears and Grapes?  On Pizza?

We continue to make fancy pizza that can not be found anywhere else.   Cheryl's latest creation:   Pizza with Pears and Red Seedless Grapes!  You may think it sounds bad, but the pear's sweetness is subtle and the grapes cook down to almost no texture.  The only thing wrong with is was that she forgot to add the salmon.

Hiro... AFTER the pain meds kick in.

I'm no vet, but I think it's looking better.

Oh!...and the cat.   Well,  he is still alive...so I guess that is a good thing.   I'm not a vet, but I think he is getting better and his wound is healing.
 We continue to do the DIY stuff and Hiro is being more accepting of the process.  ( namely,  less claws and screams!) A neat little trick we learned...   Wait for the pain medicine to kick in before hosing down his open wound with stingy solution.  He is much calmer when he is feeling no pain.   Tomorrow we will take him to the vet for a check up and find out the verdict from the professional.  I'm aiming for a gold star in "DIY Home Cat Care And Medicine Application."   And that she says Hiro is getting better.   The two do go hand in hand I guess....But I know where my motivation lies.  ( It's all about how awesome I am, after all. )

Running in Deep Snow....Not fun.

The temperature has dropped back down to freezing currently...and the wind continues to howl.   I really am ready for that warmer weather they promised.  Hope everyone is staying warm where ever you live.   I should be grateful that the snow has held off as long as it has.   It could be like 2015 when we were forced to run on plowed areas because the snow was deep and everywhere.   Thanks for checking in.

Hiro's Outside Adventures.... Complete with Vet Visits.

Cheryl  in the waiting room.

Emergency Vet in Iowa City

 I have determined that the difference between a Drama and a Comedy is simply the way the story is told.  Much has happened over the last 16 hours and most of it is not very good... for ME!   Because I find myself lacking in the sleep department.   What could have happened that would deprive me of of my normal relaxing slumber?   One word:   Hiro.

Our HERO!  I mean...Hiro

Flying HIGH as a bird.

Hiro the reluctant shop cat has been more than a handful this stocking season.  Instead of supportive,  he drives us crazy with his constant demands to be let outside.   We,  under loads of stress from stockings,  relent;  and allow him free roam of the outdoors.   I check on him often and I know most of his territory so I know he is usually safe from harm.

Owning a cat that loves the outdoors is a lot like having a kid who skateboards.  You know it is simply a matter of time before he cracks his skull or breaks an arm or leg.   And they only make you aware of these matters on weekends, holidays, and ALWAYS after 5 pm.

Disaster waiting to happen

I noticed a bulge on his rear end above his tail. He was very sensitive about it.    I told Cheryl about it and she noticed that  later that evening he had licked all of  the fur off that spot.  He had been acting lethargic   After several  minutes of discusion, we chose to take him to the vet.

2 AM and only half way done. 

The Emergency vet is in Iowa city.   At 12:00 A.M.,  we head over there.    (25 miles away!)   Hiro is surprisingly calm.    As luck would have it, we were the only folks there at that time of night.   Hurray for us!  The Vet is awake and polite.  ( unlike that time with Red!)  She shaves him and we discover a Bite Wound!

All from that Small Puncture on top.

The vet was pretty calm about it...  Apparently, this happens all the time.    I ask what could have done this and she tells us just about anything.   The small puncture looked more like a cat claw to me ( perhaps fighting with the locals)   But the vet is convinced it is a bite.  And it was infected.

Time to head home.

We weigh our options and price points.  Hiro is a good cat... but there is no reason to break the bank on him.

You do surgery on your own cat!

The vet takes him in the back and drains the abscess that has formed around the wound.  She calls us in the back and shows us what she is doing and asks if we would be able to do this over the next few days.  Now, I pride myself with being a "Do it yourself-er",(  And I have a degree in Fish and wildlife...  Heck,   we worked with cats in anatomy!)    And if there is a way to  save money by doing the work myself, I'm all in.

He's gonna love this type of collar.

The difference is that Hiro was fully sedated when they were showing us.   We get back home at a little past 4 A.M. and have to begin the "do it yourself process" at 8 A.M.   After 4 hours of almost sleep,  I wearily attempt the flush. However, by this time most of the "happy cat drugs"  have worn off!

He can almost see over it.

Hiro, now in almost complete control of his body,  lets us know just how strong he is.  It was fortunate that the Vet Tech trimmed his claws.   For this reason alone, I still have both of my arms attached.  But,  we somehow managed to get the pocket flushed, the pain pill administered, and the antibiotics inside him.  We get to repeat this three times a day for two more days!

Time for some PAIN!  I mean medicine.

So now we have to keep Hiro's new fancy collar on at all times.  He does not like it very much.  And we get to have a follow up visit on Wednesday.   Judging by Hiro's new Mojo,  I'm guessing it will not be a very fun or easy time this time.

Bite?   I don't bite anything.

A side note:   We were trying to guess what could have caused this.  My first and main guess is that it was another cat. ( lots of farm cats around here) The vet said it could have been a coon or possum.  ( we have those too, but they usually run away from everything.)   The idea of a coyote came up.   We certainly have them,  but the idea that we would have one in town here attacking cats seemed unlikely.

I still have my doubts, but I guess it is possible.

MERE MOMENTS after leaving the vet....  I'm not kidding here.   We see a Coyote in the middle of a parking lot.   I even pull in to make totally sure.   There is no doubt!  In the middle of Iowa City!

Deer in the city .   

We also saw 4 deer and an owl on our way home.  The deer were also in the middle of the tall buildings.   (Very strange what you see at 4 A.M. here.)   If a Coyote can be found in the middle of Iowa City,  the possibility of there being one in small, rural Wellman seems more probable.

Looks like a fashion Trend.

Hope everyone is having a better Monday than we are.   The Cat is back to his annoying self so I'm taking that as a "good" sign. ( even though it is bad for us)   I guess the alternative would be far worse.  I'm hoping this little wound will heal up fast and we can take that bothersome collar off him.  I'm sure he wants that even more than we do. I'm also hope this little adventure curbs Hiro's  "Outdoor Spirit" that caused this all in the first place.  We shall see.