Molly Cat, my favorite cat.

For those of you who don't have the pleasure of knowing Molly, you're really missing out on a simply delightful kitty.  My dad and I adopted her Christmas, 2004 for my mom and she named her.  So already knowing that, you've got to know this cat is very special, especially to me.  She has many traits of a dog.  She always greets me at the door when I get home from work, rubs herself all over me, meows chit chat, loves to play, licks a ton, and is extremely social with strangers.  Conveniently for me, she can eat on her own schedule, use the litter box when needed, and can be left alone without a second thought.

Wednesday morning when I woke up, Molly was lying next to me as usual, but she had a bit of blood on her mouth and her chin and jaw was extremely swollen.  She would try to yawn, open her mouth a few centimeters, then give up and close.  The pain!  When I was telling my grandmother about this, she commented, "Bless her heart!"  Only my grandma would say that about her grand kitty.  When I could see into Molly's mouth, her gums at her teeth were inflamed and it appeared that's where the blood was coming from.  I was able to leave work in the morning to take her to the vet and turns out she has gingivitis.  I have her on antibiotics and thankfully she's improved or else we could have had a much more serious issue on our hands/paws.  She has a dental appointment for Tuesday and I really hope that they don't find anything major or untreatable.

Since the visit to the vet yesterday and medication, Molly has her spunky spirit back which is a relief.  "Molly Cat" is a treat for me, my friends, and strangers alike.  I can't imagine being without her.  Every trip I take when I'm away from her, I tell whoever I'm with how much I miss her.  She's the best, and so was my first cat, Annie.

Weekend Getaway!

I was lucky enough to be invited to spend the weekend in Chicago with Leslie!  A visit was long overdue, but we made up for it by having a splendid time together.  I can't even go into all the details of how I was a spoiled guest.  We talked and talked and talked over tea, meals, walks, and in bed; like two girls having a sleep over!  It was the best.  Too bad Dario wasn't there to enjoy the fun, but all the better that we got some precious girl time.

We rode the train into downtown and Leslie showed me the Marshall Field's windows.  I wish Halls, or someplace in Kansas City would create old fashioned holiday windows.  Hopefully someone does and I'm just not savvy to it.  We wondered in and out of stores and then met her parents (who I absolutely adore and always look forward to seeing) for a very nice Italian dinner in the 900 Michigan Ave. building.

We walked around Lincoln Square, right near Leslie's neighborhood and explored interesting local shops.  The weather was "mild" while I was there which made it so great for walking outdoors.  Low 30's, but that feels so much better compared to the 10 degrees it is in Kansas City right now.  She made the best breakfasts for me.  Saturday morning it was pancakes (from scratch) with fried plantains with yogurt.  Sunday morning were old fashioned muffins (also made from scratch) along with the best French Pressed coffee I've had.  I don't know what she's doing differently than I do, but her's is always so much better than mine.  It could be the bean grinder, so perhaps I should look into getting a better quality one.  I highly doubt it's the Starbucks beans compared to my Kansas City Roasterie beans.  I also doubt it's my runt sized French Press.  Anyone have any ideas?

We dreamed about living more conveniently to each other and creating festive meals for house packed family and friends.  Oh maybe someday we'll only live minutes away from each other again.  Until then, I'm glad it's an easy Southwest flight up to Chicago.

Priorities

Last night when I got home from work, there was a man sitting on my front step mumbling something to me.  He most likely was homeless and it was so cold last night.  The wind was blowing hard, it had been snowing, and I was making a beeline to get inside.  I continued thinking about him; how cold and miserable it was outside.  I knew that if I gave him something to eat, he could come back, even harass me.  I risked it anyway.  I put in a sack, almonds, my last two Honey Crisp apples (my favorite!), a hunk of cheese, crackers, and two beers.  I got to the front door, he was there still but now there was another person with him.  I opened the door really fast and put the bag between them and went upstairs.  I got to thinking about people who are looking for their next meal, warm bed, where they're going to go to the bathroom, etc.  All that's been on my mind for the past few weeks is a Miu Miu handbag and how I need to practice my saving discipline.  It's such a stupid, frivolous thing to want.  But silly me, I still want it.  Think: perspective.

On the side of the road

I can only think of one person I've ever shared this with, so thought it'd be a good thought to blog.  Whenever I'm driving and I see really personal item along the side of the road, it bothers me, and my mind starts to make up stories about it.  I remember in Rochester there was a certain part of the inner loop that I saw a gray stuffed animal on the shoulder.  I felt so sad every time I saw it because in my mind, I thought about the child who it belonged to and who was without it now.  I think about that when I see shoes too.  Usually, one shoe is on the side of the road and I wonder how could a person loose one shoe on the side of the highway and still have their other.  Sometimes you see a pair of shoes tied together and then hanging on some city wire, high above the street.  Who did that to the owner of the shoes?  They're barefoot now!  That was not nice.  If someone did that to me I'd be totally pissed.  When I was driving home from the Briarcliff today, on 169 South, there was a baby play gym on the shoulder.  Not upside down or on it's side, but sitting up right as though someone actually placed it there.  I can't imagine.  It's such a strange thing to see and curiously, some baby or parent is without it.  Do they even know?