Saturday 11 February 2023

Saturday, the sun is shining

 This is going to be a "nothing" post. Which is a good thing! Today is finally sunny and I will take a walk around the little village in a bit. 

I took Scooter-the-cat-with-no-tail to the vet the other week. He has had an issue with his chin, looking "dusty, dirty" first, and then scabby and then loss of hair. We looked it up and thought 'feline acne' and tried some home treatment but it didn't seem to work so off to the vet he went. The vet's office is STILL saying we can't come into the building and you literally have to speak to someone through a crank out window on the sidewalk. Personally, I find this overkill, but I'm sure there are others who are still fine with it. A hundred and something dollars later I left with a cat in a cage and a small bottle of Prednisone (nasty-ass medication for humans, but hopefully not too bad for him in these small doses), a bottle of anti-bacterial soap (not likely to happen) and a bottom end injected with a long-dose antibiotic. (his bottom end, not mine). 

We've been putting his pill into a little softened up chunk of cheese so he will take it. I'm not a good pill popper of cats and Scooter is not a good patient. He is incredibly squirmy and strong when he wants to be. He's not a violent cat, in that he won't hiss at us, or try to deliberately hurt us, but he's impossible to deal with. With no tail, he's the shape of a furry football and he squirms like a larva. So cheese pills it has been. He seems fine now with the pills all done, he's eating and acting normally but his chin still looks like a bald, pink, lumpy mess with a few billy goat-like hairs coming through. 

Over Christmas, we had a decorative bunch of bells hanging from the doorknob to the porch on a fake leather strap. I suppose it's to make a jaunty sound when someone enters your home. Husband thought it would be fun to teach Murphy (the other cat, now fat, and stripey) to ring the bell to be let out. It worked, remarkably well and quickly. So much so, that like a fool, I bought another set of bells (dollar store) to hang on the doorknob to the other porch. Well, let me say I deeply regret all of it. We are slaves to the bells and he is abusing his bell power. Yes, I've removed the bells when it just is too much, but it's also such a cool thing that his cat has learned to ring the bell, that we always end up putting them back on the doorknobs. 

Abuse of power lies in the fact that he rings the bells to the back porch and when I get up to let him out, he veers instead toward the kitchen to show me his food bowl. I've been removing his bowl through the day, as his girth is now such that I refer to him as "Wide Load". Or even if there is food there, he needs me to jiggle the bowl to even out the 'dent' in the middle. Smart and manipulative.

I've been trying to cut back greatly on grocery buying, working my way through things in the pantry and deep freeze. We've had shepherd's pie, chili, a pseudo sweet and sour chicken stir fry with rice, canned soup and toast... Now that lettuce doesn't require a second mortgage to purchase, I'm including some salads with our meals, too. 

I had brought out my bread maker which I had not used in ages, thinking I should make my own bread (well, have the machine make my own bread) in order to save a bit on the ridiculous cost of bread. It was working well, but now a bit too well, as bread is something husband can't resist, so I think I may tuck it away again for a bit. 

Have you ever had issues with tiny little moths in your kitchen? I discovered in horror about a year ago, that the bird seed I had been storing in the mudroom was hatching out these little beasties and then they were flying around in the house. They eat wheat products. I then discovered that they'd gotten into the kitchen drawer where I keep my flour, sugar, and other baking supplies. I did a drastic clean out and put things into jars and sealed bags after that. I thought I had nipped the problem in the bud, but I've seen the little buggers again lately. I run after them like a manic, trying to clap my hands on them mid-flight. But I have yet to find the source. It makes me feel like an icky house keeper. I'm paranoid about sealing up things. I fold over the inner cereal bag and clamp it shut whenever I use cereal. I even cleaned out the toaster, thinking maybe the crumbs from the many pieces of toast were a food source. Ughhhh!! I do not, by the way, store bird seed in the house anymore. (and for those mystery solvers out there, I've cleaned the bread maker and always wipe the counters of crumbs).

Two days ago I did my first supply teaching day in a VERY long time. It was in a kindergarten class that I used to supply in last year, so I knew some of the kids, as they were in junior kindergarten last year, and are now in senior kindergarten (It was a JK / SK class). I also knew the ECE (early childhood education) person in that class. It was so nice to be back at it! It was a bus cancellation day due to fog, freezing rain that never quite transpired, so it wasn't the full class of 28 students, but instead only 15, which made it nice as well. I have booked myself 2 and a half supply days this coming week as well and I'm very pleased. It feels great to do what's comfortable and familiar and normal.

That's all I have. Hope everyone has a productive /restful / enjoyable / healthy weekend - whatever you require. 

45 comments:

  1. I really enjoy posts like this. So cozy and warm feeling to feel a part of a blog friend's every day home life. (Even if it does include those nasty little moths that are giving you fits.) I have never had that particular insect problem (did I just jinx myself?) but every now and then I think (or am I hallucinating?) I see one or two of those dratted fruit flies that sometimes try to make my home their home in the late summer months. It's nice that you're now enjoying doing a little substitute teaching (or "supply teaching" as you Canadians call it!) and that it feels good to you. I can only imagine how happy the schools are to have you to call on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fruit flies are usually an August / September thing with peaches and tomatoes on the counter. No, I doubt you’re hallucinating! Ha ha!

      Delete
  2. Take your bags of flour (or Any grain) cereals etc. and throw them in the freezer for at least 24 hours! That kills any bug egg that comes in All grains. No more flies.
    Love the bell ringing...lolol
    hugs
    Donna

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just like having coffee on the porch with you as I read this.
    First, that poor cat, and poor you. Have you tried wrapping him in a towel to do his meds? It kinda sorta works, but takes us both to get it wrapped!
    The moths, yes, I had them about 5 years or more back. They came in some stonegroynd cornmeal I bought at a fair, and it was the Dickenson to get rid of them. I did like you, tossed stuff, cleaned and cleaned, jarred everything I could, and put the rest in fridge or freezer. It worked, but what a headache.
    I am glad to hear that you are going back to work. Does a soul good to get out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are all done the pills, and we’ve tried wrapping previous cats… we had to put liquid treatment in Scooter’s ear a while back and it took both of us to do that. He dreaded seeing us coming toward him and tried to make a bee line out of the room!

      Delete
  4. Love reading about your cat(s)... Pilling a cat can be difficult. We had one that needed Preds and we used all the gimmicks to get him to swallow and thought we had it made... until one day underneath the tablecloth where we pilled him, we found several pills he had hid under there after we left. They are smart.
    And the bell thing is hysterical. I can see a cat 'abusing his bell power'! Our ferals do the same. They have food, water, a place to sleep, and toys out back. Still they come to the back door 'often' and know we will give them treats or cream or whatever - whenever they do this. Who's training who?
    I've only had the moth problem once... when I opened an old can of loose tea and moths flew out! And good to hear that you are keeping your hand in - in the classroom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh he’s definitely training us!! I actually waited and watched Scooter while he chewed up his “ cheese pills” to make sure he finished them, but we did have a cat many many years ago named Boots who was an expert at spitting pills out!

      Delete
  5. Amazon or a good pet store can sell you a pill popper or pill gun for your cat - mine is called a Bullseye. It's just a plastic tube with a plunger. You put the pill in, lets you get it far into their mouths, hit the plunger and you're done. If they bite it's the plastic, not you. $10 very well spent. Makes life much easier for cat and owner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember using one of those years ago for a different cat. Should see if we still have it. I’m not an Amazon purchaser, though. We are all done his pills for now, but good advice for future episodes!

      Delete
  6. I hope Scooter's medication does the trick! And clearly, Murphy has outsmarted you all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's pretty bad when your intellectual equal is your cat!

      Delete
  7. I just wanted to say that I had a bad infestation of pantry moths a couple of years back. They came in a packet of flour from the local supermarket and spread rapidly throughout my pantry. I had to discard a lot of food - flours, nuts, rice etc. I scrubbed everything, then made sure the new products were in properly sealed containers and set up Pantry Moth Traps (I used Dr. Killigan's but there are others I'm sure - just google it) and we also bought small cedar cubes to keep in the cupboard. It worked a treat and we have not had one moth since we got rid of them. I still keep the moth traps up as well as the cedar cubes just in case as I don't want them again - they were so persistent and I was at my wit's end, as I pride myself on a clean, well kept kitchen. Good luck with it - I know how disheartening it is, but I swear by the moth traps and cedar cubes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wait, there's traps?!?!? Ummm, I now have a mission in life! And yes, it's embarrassing to me to feel like I have an infestation. I've heard they can come into the home inside the creases on a flour bag! Cedar - also a great idea!

      Delete
    2. I’m adding this later in the day. We had to go into town and I found the pantry moth traps!! For a little more than $10 I got two sticky traps that emit pheromones. I put one up on my kitchen backsplash and I’ve already caught two moths!!! I have one more cupboard to thoroughly strip and clean out ( the lower corner lazy Susan cupboard- Ughh!) and then I’ll see how it goes! Thanks for the great tip!

      Delete
  8. Having a supply teaching day is a great idea, great for you and great for the children. Are you on some sort of list the Education Dept can call upon?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Yes,,when I retired from teaching in March of 2021, I informed the board that I wanted to be put on the occasional teachers list. There is a website/ phone app that you can use to see what jobs are open and you just click “ decline” or “accept “ and it emails you a confirmation of accepted jobs. You can also cancel if necessary. There is a phone system as well and you can receive automated phone calls letting you know about jobs. These are usually for the next day or even for that same day if a teacher realizes they need a supply teacher due to ill EAs or some other emergency early in the morning. The principal or vice principal of each school inputs the jobs. It’s a pretty slick system and it’s nice to book jobs ahead of time. You can even put in notice when you are not available so you don’t get phone calls.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have very little success with medicating cats. One of them would swallow the pill, you could see it go down, stroke her throat to keep her swallowing. Then an hour later she'd cough it back up. I used to hope at least some of it got down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The vet said I could even crush up the pill and add it to water and syringe it. I thought that would be harder!

      Delete
  11. Tigger is interested to know that another feline out there needs the dent in his food evened out. Tigger's alert system is a claw to the leg of the nearest 'seated but not focussed on the cat' person. For a laid back gentle cat he can employ remarkable shock tactics when he wants something.

    ReplyDelete
  12. When I lived in Arizona, I was advised to put all dry goods (food) in to sealed containers. I've continued to do this in Massachusetts and have had no problems. Murphy's bell ringing skills are amazing. He's one smart kitty. It seems he is also ringing the bells and asking for more dinner. So funny. My dog had a dry skin/itchy/fur loss patch and I used apple cider vinegar and water to cure the problem. Thank you google!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need more large jars! And a good pasta storage system!

      Delete
  13. I had the same problem with the pantry moths coming into the house with bird seed for our conure. I used the traps made by Safer and they worked great, but it took a while. I guess they have pheromones in them to attract the moths. I've never had them again, thank goodness. One of my cats now has to take pills daily for an overactive thyroid. We've been using the feline Pill Pockets made by Greenies and they work great. She's partial to the salmon flavor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, if you look above, I did find the traps and amazingly they are already working!

      Delete
  14. When we had our moth infestation, I was horrified to learn the little buggers can gnaw through anything. Well, excepting glass. Plastic cannisters? Probably an aphrodasiac. Plastic bags? In a heartbeat. Cereal boxes and waxed paper interiors--gone in a flash. Glass it was. Our cupboards rattled.
    It is simple, it seems, to teach pets to ring a bell. My sister's Cairn terrier has an amazing number of reasons to go outdoors now that he's learned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The trap that I stuck to the wall has attracted three now. I am on a mission.

      Delete
  15. I love your 'nothing' story.
    Those pesky moths are such a darn nuisance. I've had to sieve kilos of flour to get rid of moths.....etc. I should have just thrown it but there was too much to waste. Now it all goes in the freezer for a couple of days, along with rice to kill whatever's in there. I've had them gnaw through plastic too.
    Love your clever cats !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Freezer seems to be the way to go from now on. I don't buy my flour is very huge amounts, so it wouldn't be a huge loss. The first time I dealt with them, I threw out partial bags of baking things like nuts and raisins.

      Delete
  16. Lovely to hear that normalcy reigns. Keep a small sample bottle of aerosol hairspray handy, and zap those moths with it as they fly by. It sticks to their wings and they drop like flies. Having a stash of wool, moths are my nightmare. Love that Murph.

    ReplyDelete
  17. There is a distinct difference between the clothes moths and pantry moths, I have recently discovered. When you buy the traps (did YOU know there were traps?) they are specifically designed for one or the other (pheromones). It's the pantry ones that I'm presently dealing with. I do remember that every house of my youth had either a cedar chest or a cedar closet. Of course, before then, people had a great deal more wool than they do now.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I hope this gives you a smile. We had a cat who needed a shot three times a week for several years. The vet showed us how to wrap and immobilize her. It took two of us. I had to be away and my husband found it difficult until he hit on sliding the cat down one leg of my tights and wrapping the other leg around a door knob. He said it worked well although she bounced a bit. I still giggle when I think about it. She came to no harm and the shot was life saving so needs must.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had a visual of that!! Necessity is the mother of invention!

      Delete
  19. LOL, and people think cats can not learn.... Ours learned what time Harvey would be home from work and would sit in the window waiting for him to arrive and then run to the door to meet him. Every single day. She would also tap me on the leg when she wanted feeding.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh yes! Cats definitely have a sense of time. We used to call our Nelly “ alarm cat” as she would be there, helping to wake us up in the morning. Unfortunately she didn’t understand the concept of weekends.

      Delete
  20. I've never tried to pill a cat...I can only imagine how much fun(not) that would be. Good that Scooter will take ot on cheese.
    I've reduced my shopping to every 10-14 days. I have only the fridge freezer do not a lot of storage. Like you I'm happy to see the price of lettuce come down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I made a simple Caesar salad to go along with dinner the other night and it was just so nice!

      Delete
  21. I hope the meds help!! We've had cats and dogs that have had this same thing happen on their chin - For us, it was changing the use of a plastic bowl to a stainless steel one - Maybe something to consider if you're not doing it already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, yes, I knew about plastic bowls and we’ve only ever had glass or metal or ceramic. I think he’s doing a bit better. It may take some time for the fur to grow in again.

      Delete
  22. Poor Scooter! I've not heard of anything like this; hopefully the protocol will improve his appearance and health soon.

    I'm giggling at how your cats have gotten you trained so well with the bells! Lolo uses those for her dog Mattis and I tried with Peanut, but no luck so far.

    Never had the moth thing, but it sounds frustrating and yucky.

    I hope you are feeling well!! Loved this post.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love this post, Jenn. I laughed for the first time in a couple of days at the cat antics. BIG smiles. Thank you. I crush Lizzie's pills with a spoon and put it in a little food or a Churu treat and so far, so good. I've never been good at giving pills directly.

    Don't feel you are a bad housekeeper with the moths. Or, at least alone. I have the same thing going on. Had them once before and thought they were gone -- years later they're back. Hard to clap, but I'm getting proficient at it and Lizzie tries to help. I got my first batch the same way as you, with the birdseed. I have no idea how the current ones came in. Now all that kind of baking/dry stuff is in ziplock bags and much (like the flour) in the fridge.

    Between company last week, prepping for a Cork Poppers do, an ear and/or sinus infection, and then this week's mass shooting in our town, I'm so behind blog reading, I'll never catch up! I'll try to take a look at all but not comment and hopefully be back on schedule this week! If I've missed things or am slow to reply to comments, please forgive!

    ReplyDelete
  24. For a 'nothing post' it was the most entertaining read in blog-land this week for me.

    ReplyDelete
  25. We had a problem years ago with one of our kitties and acne. Vet said do not use plastic plates or bowls for your cats as We had been feeding with plastic bowls. Not sure if you use plastic.

    ReplyDelete
  26. My husband taught our dog, Ella, how to open the door from outside. It is hilarious when she comes in. She is so proud of herself. Wish he had taught her how to shut them.

    ReplyDelete