What a Muddle

Muddle had to go to the vet today. He has something wrong with his digestive system which causes food to go straight through him.
This has been going on for a couple of years now and he has had antibiotics, steroids, probiotics, blood tests, faecal tests.
Muddle was never really the same after his big pal Loofah the Lurcher died. Muddle was born in the wardrobe upstairs along with his five siblings.
His mother, Hopje, was due to go in to be neutered but a local Tom cat managed to get the cat flap out of the back door, get in, impregnate a rather surprised Hopje with the result of six kittens.
Loofah watched the kittens being born and was incredibly tender with them. One day Hopje decided to move the kittens downstairs and Loofah picked up Muddle in his big old Lurcher jaws and carried the, then, four week old Muddle downstairs.
From then on they were inseperable and when I gradually found homes for the other kittens, Muddle was hidden from view!
All his siblings are still alive and I keep in touch with their owners - they went to Sheringham, Aldborough and West Runton. When we walked Loofah, Muddle would join us. He would sleep with Loofah, wash Loofah, play with him and their bond was so strong.
Then one day Loofah became weaker and weaker and could hardly breathe. We took him to Wessel who said he had fluid on the lung which could be drained but would keep coming back and it was a painful and prolonged exercise. It could not be done under anaesthetic because Loofah would die.
We took Loofah home - he couldn't walk by then and we sat with him. We called Wessel and he came to the house and Loofah was euthanised. After that Muddle changed - he wanted to be by himself, was not sociable with the other cats, wouldn't eat and did not want to go out. He used to sit gazing out of the window or sitting at the front door waiting.
Who says animals do not have feelings? His whole personality changed and nothing we could do has changed it back. He is a very solitary cat, he tolerates the other cats but doesn't befriend them, he ignores Treacle the dog, he likes to walk around the neighbourhood and he visits the old and lonely.
I believe this emotional stress has caused his illness and the next step for him is to have more blood tests for liver function etc. The vet suggested a biopsy but we declined as we feel he may die under anaesthetic. He is not in any pain - he has been poked, squeezed, stuck with needles, things up his bum and has never complained.
He purrs, sleeps next to Hubbie, loves his heated bed and can't wait for the spring time so he can go and slaughter half the garden life (he's the only cat I know who eats frogs!).

New Year's Eve

Here we are on the edge of 2010 and I look forward with excite and anticipation as to what each new day will bring. When I look back over the year I see triumphs, sadness, loss and from each of these I have learned something. My third year of living with Lupus and HMS - what a learning curve that was.
What wonderful people I have met through these diseases and what things I have done that I may not have done without the illnesses.
Then a stroke. However these three illnesses have completely changed my concept of what is important in life - the small things - not the huge things. Just like Virginia Woolfe in The Waves what is considered to be of great significance is in brackets and the microscopic stream of consciousness things and the tiny things have become of great importance.
I have also shed unhealthy relationships - family and friends - and this has benefitted me so much that I can hardly believe it. I feel free of the burden of other people's guilt, neurosis and insecurities - I felt I had to carry them through but no more. I have made some beautiful friendships and re-kindled friendships with people who have moved away and then come back.
There is nothing that has happened that I regret, nothing that I have done or said - would I change - no. There are people that have hurt me (or I have allowed myself to be hurt) but that is only because they are so hurt themselves that they lash out at me.
The greatest thing is it is all in balance - every occurence - be it painful or joyful - has balanced out. There were times when it was all too much, when I couldn't cope, so I sought solace in nature and the natural world - and I always find it. Whether it is sent to me such as the kestrel and the robin or I just catch a glimpse of that beautiful golden hue just before sunset, hear a birdsong, come face to face with a roe deer in the woods - these mean more to me than a new pair of shoes or the latest telephone.
There are those I think of at these times that have died and I miss them so much - especially David, Pip-Pip, Maurice and so many others that were so important to me. Then the new ones come in - Grania, Helene, Hazel, Pete and they gradually fill up these empty holes with their joy, their honesty, their integrity and fun.
Of course, those that have moved away Karen, Claire, Liz and more who I can keep in touch with so easily by technology or just go there. I am thankful for all of this.
I look forward to 2010 - a day at a time, an occurence at a time, each one moving me towards another new learning.
I welcome each day be it a pyjama day when I can hardly think because of pain, an over-the-top day when I do something off-the-wall and spontaneous, an ordinary day of shopping and lunch, a day of naughtiness, a day when tragic news come along, a totally surprising day, a lonely I don't want to go on day - whatever it is each one is precious.
So 2010 - bring it on. Whatever is in store I am here to face it and embrace it.

When the red, red robin ....

Feeling a bit crap today - lots of aches and pains. However look what flew into our lives. Hubbie found her at the bottom of the hedge in our garden. She was just really tired and she slept next to me for half an hour and then flew onto Hubbie's shoulder. What an end of year blessing.

When the red, red robin comes
Bob, bob bobbin' along, along,
There'll be no more sobbin' when
He starts throbbin' his old, sweet song.
Wake up, wake up, you sleepy head;
Get up, get up, get out of bed.
Cheer up, cheer up - the sun is red.
Live, love, laugh and be happy.
What if I've been blue,
Now I'm walkin' through fields of flow'rs.
Rain may glisten, but
Still I listen for hours and hours.
I'm just a kid again,
Doin' what I did again,
Singin' a song
When the red, red robin comes
Bob, bob bobbin' along.

Style!

Thought I would have a new look for 2010.

It's party time!

Tonight am going to party at Helene's - she has just returned from New Zealand where she worked as a Vet and is now working back in the UK. Then tomorrow it's off to Brian to party and admire his brand new 10 foot high Swedish wood burner which, according to him, weights 2 tons. He did mention something about blue and white tiles but I can't quite envision it as yet.
Then it's New Year's Eve at Grania's which will be interesting - 18 people in the medical field coming up from London (the picture does not represent their mode of travel). Went into town today - it was perishing cold and windy and purchased a hat, some socks and a boucle cardigan.
Got me hooters honked by Brian as a New Year greeting - so I thought it only fair to honk his hooters too. So all of you consider yourself honked. Have a Happy New Year whatever you are doing - and here comes 2010!

Five slogans that say it all about 2009

Disused building

Visited a disused building (old workhouse) today to take some snaps. Spooky.

About bloody time

I've always disliked religious buildings. Their size, waste of space, under-utilised, monuments of the past. Now Quebec has come up with a brilliant idea :

A Roman Catholic Church in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada is facing a rocky future, but the archbishop of the diocese feels that's not such a bad thing. Archbishop Roger Ébacher will perform the last mass in the 65-year history of St-Raymond Catholic Church on Sunday.

After that, a developer plans to build a rock-climbing wall inside the building. The church was on the market for two years before a recent offer was accepted from the developer, who plans to turn it into the rock-climbing centre.

Although rock climbers are a long way from the people for whom the church was designed, Ébacher is happy the edifice will still be a place for people to gather. "For me, the important thing for this building is for good use — good for people. It's possible to have very different uses, very different possibilities.

"Jesus liked to have fun, when he walked into the temple and started teaching the high priests, so he was having fun. So I'm pretty sure the people that are going to come into this church for recreational activities, I'm sure the Lord will be watching from above and say, 'Yeah, I like this.' "

St-Raymond is not the only church in the area that is becoming something other than a house of worship. The diocese has sold two other churches. One is now a palliative care unit for cancer patients. Another will become a residence for the elderly.

Fan-bloody-tastic.

Tumeric

"An extract found in the bright yellow curry spice turmeric kills cancer cells.” Tests released by a team at the Cork Cancer Research Centre show turmeric can destroy gullet cancer cells in the lab within 24 hours. That’s no small deal. Now the question is, are you getting your fill?

Turmeric is a wonderful spice that shows up in a host of ethnic dishes. I use it mostly for curries but it does show up in other recipes. Make sure that your turmeric has not gone bad as can often unfortunately be the case for our lesser used spices.

Great Ways To Include Turmeric

Turmeric Seared Pears with Arugula, Goat Cheese, Goji Berries, and Pine Nuts. Serve the pears atop a beautiful bed of arugula or leave the greens out and have as a dessert. Seared pears are especially great if you’re looking for something sweet that you won’t kick yourself for eating later.

Coconut Thai Rice Curry: The original recipe was not vegetarian, but I decided to leave the meat out. The dish just doesn’t need it. This dish also highlights the season by including loads of root vegetables that add a sense of warmth. The miso paste is so important to this recipe.

10 1/2 oz brown basmati rice
1/4 cup organic coconut milk
2 cups roasted root vegetables, cut into 1-inch cubes (sweet potatoes, rutabaga, beets, etc.)
1 shallot, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
1 tbsp curry powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
3 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp organic miso paste
1 tsp cardamom

1. Cook the rice based on directions in the rice cooker. 2. After about 15 minutes, start cooking the rest of the meal. Warm up the coconut milk along with root vegetables, shallot, garlic, ginger, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick in a medium to large-size pot over medium heat for 3-5 minutes. 3. Add curry powder and turmeric and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook 3 more minutes. 4. Add cooked rice along with soy sauce, miso, and cardamom and combine. Simmer for five more minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and bay leaf and serve.

Who is your heroine/hero?

You know the kind of person I'm talking about. They might not have super-human powers, but, in many ways, they're even more remarkable. The Heroine/Hero Next Door is an ordinary person who embodies compassion, kindness, dedication and inspiration and lives each day with devotion to a cause. Often, these heroes are unsung. How about doing something for your heroine/hero on 1 January 2010.

Perhaps your Heroine/Hero Next Door has dedicated her/his life to help injured animals, and has even taken the incredible step of opening up a wildlife sanctuary. Maybe your s/he has actively campaigned for child welfare and helped inner city youths escape violence and gang culture for a life full of promise and possibility.

Alternatively, perhaps your s/he has overcome personal difficulties such as a disability or illness, and has gone on to create a charity drive to help other people who are in a similar situation. Whatever her/his outstanding contribution, let them know you are grateful and show them you care. Offer them practical help, make a donation to their charity, take them out to lunch/dinner, see what they need to keep going. So who do you know who has a positive impact in her/his community.

Not a close friend or family .... that's too easy ... have a look around and see who you can find. You may be surprised or you may already know ... and let them know.

My heroine is a person who lives nearby who struggles with schizophrenia and manic depression has six children (one in prison), lives on the breadline and contributes to society with her art and compassion. My small contribution to her life is to buy one piece of her artwork a year(anonymously) when she exhibits.

Christmess Time

That's another one over with. This one was rather enjoyable. Better than the last two. Now a peaceful week and then it's New Year.
Apparently I am going to be surrounded by gay men which is my idea of heaven. Talking of Heaven I went to that club on its opening night. I digress.
'Tis dark now and after 1am and I am still wide awake. Chuck another log on the fire Chevvie.

My happiest moments during 2009

Twenty years married (The Netherlands)
Beautiful kestrel (UK)
Being silly in Karen's kitchen (France)
Splendid sparrowhawk (UK)
With Ada and Margo (The Netherlands)

Design a cover competition

http://www.lupusuk.org.uk/latest-news/design-the-cover-competition

LUPUS UK would like to recruit the younger generation to take part in a drawing/colouring/painting competition, the winner of which will see their contribution as the cover the spring magazine and also receive a gift voucher for £25.

The theme for the cover is butterflies and the competition is open to children and young people up to the age of 16. Entries must be A4 portrait style and must be received at National Office by 25 January 2010. Unfortunately we are unable to return the entries.

There will be one overall winner whose design will become the cover of the magazine and an additional winner and runner up in each age group as follows: Up to 7 years. 8 to 11 years. 12 to 16 years

Winner's prize £25 gift voucher, runner up £10 gift voucher of their choice. The judge's decision will be final. The competition is not open to LUPUS UK employees' friends or family. Please print in block letters the artist's name, address, telephone number and date of birth on the back of the picture.

So come on Molly, Jim, Rosa, Finn - it would be wonderful if one of my family or friend's family won this competition.

PS My next tattoo (different colours though) I don't want to look like a LibDem! Colours will be pinks, purples, blues, turquoise, reds

Here he is looking perky and full of fun

Happy as a kestrel should be. Chatters away nicely when I rub his underbelly.

Some nice comments

What a lovely idea. Sounds like we have both had an incredible year for the better and worse. Hoping that 2010 is a bit more level for both of us. xxx Jess (UK)

LOVE the Twatter launch. Tabbi goes Twatter!! Yess it sings, but Gawd, you HAVE got too much to write about already??!!!!!! Karen (France)

"love it! x :)"  Amanda (UK)

what a wonderful tale to read on christmas morning Tabi..i hope she
makes a full and quick recovery and thank the goddess she arrived at
your home. Festive greetings to you and Kees, all love, Claire &
Kerrie xxx (Australia)

Lots of Love and remember to be nice to each other!! Grania (UK)

Thank you to everyone who follows this blog .... 13,000+ .... are you all bonkers???

...andthe animals came in one by one

Treacle under the table hoping for some more food
Cozy the Cat withdraws into the sanctuary of her bed awaiting service
Lucy, finally defeated, conks out in front of the Aga snoring.
Charlie the cat pretending to be a chandelier because my batteries ran out.

The Munch Bunch

Six hungry people
Sitting down to lunch
Gobble gobble gulp gulp
Munch Munch Munch

Thank the goddess lunch was served at the same time as the queen's speech and we didn't have to listen to that drivel.

Brusseled out

I confess to drinking a combination (not in the same glass) of the following: Shloer, Martini, Whiskey, Flat Champagne, Red Wine, Sherry, Grolsch, Water, Goat's Milk. I confess to eating: too much chocolate, too much cheese, too many smoked salmon sandwiches. Richard is attempting to open some rather old bottles of Moet but all corks had disintegrated and Moet had turned to vinegar.