Saunter Saturday

Let me get this right. I drink my 74 ounces of water yesterday and somewhere along the way dog fighter Michael Vick signs on with the Philadelphia Eagles as back up QB. Sure, other folks that have broken the law, served time and got a second NFL chance Ray Lewis anyone? Even tho he didn't go to jail eventho he had serious charges against him-but did reach an out of court settlement.

When I listened to Michael Vick, I heard no remorse. He says he knows he has an opportunity. For me, it's all about actions. I hate what he did. Maybe I'm too much of an animal lover. Maybe I let it get to me too bad. Maybe I know when Michael Vick throws his first long TD pass, folks will cheer. While Pete Rose remains banded from baseball. I still don't get that.

It makes me sick enough to know 74 ounces of water won't make me feel better.

March 14, 2006 was Tuesday

I remember it well. Sorta.
The day of my open heart surgery to repair or replace my heart's mitral valve.
I was to be transported to the sister hospital where the heart surgeries were done.
The paramedics who were to do the transporting were an hour late.
The nurse to sign me in and get started in the prep was not happy.
Turns out the paramedics didn't start work until the hour they were suppose to pick me up.
I was just happy to get a dose of fresh air for the first time in almost two weeks.
Made it through the surgery unscathed.
In fact a nurse boasted how I tried to wake up faster than any one she'd ever seen.
Of course--I wanted OUT.
That night, my TV in ICU was on American Idol. I dozed off and on-mostly off.
Hooked up to every machine like from the Starship Enterprise.
The next morning around 7 am, a physical therapist told me I was going for a short walk.
Sure. Well, we did--with catheter and another jug hooked up to my belly to collect fluids.
My best friend announced my surgeon had said I'd probably have to stay 6-8 weeks.
Because of this 'stroke' which wasn't a stroke, per the neurologist, I had.
Don't think so. Surgery was Tuesday. By Saturday, I was asked how I felt about going home.
Don't to ask me again.
Fast forward to this day in 2009.
As Movie Man was there for me in 2006, he was there for me today.
Quite the adventure we had today--from morning til past sundown.
Rode the train to Ft Worth.

Laughed. Walked. Did a movie. Laughed more. Basked in the moments.
After dinner, back in Dallas, headed to his place to walk the dogs Movie Man's dog sitting for.
By this time it was dark. Couldn't see much.
To finish up the day Movie Man proved once again how he's a true friend.
He washed the dog poo off my shoe.
If not for my date with a surgeon 3 years ago, coupled with my trust in the One most High.
I would not have had today.
I am blessed.

Saturday Short

What a glorious day! Emmanuel and his crew mowed my lawn today. I do need to invest in a lawn mower--just not today. :) Also my ice coffee drink awaits me. So proud I've pretty much mastered its making!

Today was the first time, I could rest in my own house and watch the Iowa Hawkeyes (I'm a Big 10 gal) play on my TV. They were 3-0. Now they're 3-1. They played Pittsburgh, a team not played against for some 50 years. The Pitt coach use to be defensive coach of the Cowboys--back in the glory 90's. Iowa lost by a point. Watching Iowa made me think of another Des Moines chum. We went to a Iowa game and I'm the only one out of 65000 people to get caught with alchohol. We laughed about that as we sipped more alchohol that night! :)

Did errands, including a stop at PetsMart. A couple shelters had dogs and cats for adoption. My chums reading this are saying, "Oh, no...you didn't...." To ease their minds, I did not. Gotta be honest, I wanted to. Looked at the dogs. Would like a bow-wow buddy. Grew up with them. One I looked at was said to be friendly with cats. The bow wow buddy would have to be. Then I looked at the cats. I did think, "Wow--I could get another color!"

Instead, I bought the food, I came in for. Realized how much of an animal lover I am. No...no...I didn't bring anybody home. Sure wanted to.

So I realized I all ready see me purchasing another house....a bigger one. Already know what kind of back yard I want--one where I don't have any neighbors behind me. OK--the chums are saying, "You just bought that house!"

Well, yes...yes....I did. And I love my bungalow-which I'll love more when I get it all cute. One can always dream and think of that next step.

Which speaking of step ....gotta go walk.

Sunday Slow Down

Had a great walk tonight! A slight north wind made the 80 some degrees Dallas evening just right. Strolled around the park, s just up the street from my house. Lots of action there with families. Parents showing their little ones the ducks in the ponds. Helping with unsure steps. Dogs with their humans. Me loving every minute of my walk. Felt good. On my final lap I sat and watched the world around me.

A daddy held his daughter tight as she pointed to the ducks. Reminded me of my dad when we took our Sunday walks to the creek in our hometown. Walked a gravel road, which has since been paved. A house, on the way, had lots of ducks and geese in their yard. Dad and I always stopped so I could feed them bread. Dad always had a King Edward cigar in his mouth.

I do miss those walks with my dad. Those were the best daddy-daughter times. Our walks and talks. In the twilight of his life, diabetes grabbed hold of him and didn't let go until it stole his life. What walks we did share then, were just around the block--due to failing eye sight and amputation of his left foot. But we still talked. Talked about my cats, life and the football Iowa Hawkeyes. Our playroom/TV room was filled with Hawkeye stuff. When there was a chill in the outside air, we sported our matching Hawkeye jackets.

Yep, miss those walks-alot. So like today, I walk for us both.

I am blessed.

Tonight...

Walked tonight.

A storm blew through earlier, which cooled zapped the Dallas heat. Loverly! I headed to the park—again forgetful with the bread for the ducks, turtles, fish and other birds there. I promised I would bring it next time. I love to stroll outside. That is the one thing I do miss about the apartment complex I lived in: The park just next door.

During my recuperation, that park’s walk path (three times around equaled a mile) was my gauge for regaining strength. Benches were situated around it, so if I ever needed to stop I could. And did—often at first. As my strength increased, one bench was my reward after my laps. I called it my “Forrest Gump Bench”. I sat there so many times. Prayed. Cried. Wondered. Rejoiced. Strike up chats with folks, pet every dog, enough to know their names. I do miss that. Especially a little Yorkie, named Annabelle. She would see me, dash and hop on me, then love all over me. Her human said, “She has her favorites.”

I miss that park.

Yet, my new Park seems so much more infinite. The wildlife. The landscape includes inclines. Trees. I love the feel. There are some benches, if I need to stop. And I do. Often. I watch ducks waddle; the cranes scoop unsuspecting fish in the pond. Kids laughing. Young lovers basking in their young love. Smile at the woman who says she has to walk six miles, yet her heart beats so fast after just one lap. I look at the horizon. Just nice.

Now I sit here in my ‘office’—which so far includes my pc, and two cats crammed in the window. A light breeze floats through the window. Both cats are attentive to the cardinal's coo from the birdfeeder. I like the window-faces the street, so the cats and I can watch the world.

Yep, a storm blew through Dallas earlier. Cooled things off. So different from yesterday’s 100 degrees. I got to enjoy my park today. My windows are open for what fresh air we can savor.

I miss some things from my life, just a few months ago. Yet, I am so joyful for what I have now.

Not bad.

Cats, Men and me.....

"You have cats. No self-respecting Black man will want you because you have all those cats.’ This man told this more than once. He went on, “Would you give them up? The cats? If that was the only way you could keep the man?”

I replied, “Cats stay. If I have to do that to keep the man-he’s not worth having.”

“What if he’s allergic? Or just hates them?

“He pops Benedryl and/or gets an allergy shot. If he hates them? Well, can’t help that. Except the cat is 10 pounds—not actual lion size. The cats stay.”

“That’s why you're alone. " he announced. “You pick cats over a man.”

I sighed and rolled my eyes. “Nope. Always had pets. Always will have pets longer than I’ll have a man. Pets are the one thing I won’t let go of in this life. I love dogs, yet cats are my first choice of pet.”

He just shook his head. “You pick a cat over a man.”

“I compromise. In relationships, that’s what you do. Compromise. During my 20’s, and maybe even my early 30’s,” I explained, “I probably would have given up a cat. Heaven knows, back then, I gave up a lot of ME. Was afraid the man wouldn’t like what he saw and leave. That pesky little lack of self-confidence has vanished. Can't even see my 20’s or 30’s in the rear view mirror anymore. Astigmatism.”

He just stared.

“The whole package includes me," I continued, "with purr pals, and discreetly placed litter boxes. It’s all or nothing.”

He tilted his head. His eyes became slits.

Now, what if the guy brings something to the relationship that I hate?" I asked. "For instance there was a guy who had pet tarantulas. I do NOT do spiders, unless of course they're dead, but his weren't. Yet, they were his pets. They just had to stay in their glass house. You yourself, have a dog. What if I didn’t like dogs? And the dog and I didn’t get along? You’d get rid of him, right? To be with the woman you adore?”

Silence.

“Hmm. Yep didn’t think so. Why should a woman be expected to rid herself of something that’s special to her? When you won't even entertain the thought to give up your dog--- for love."

He blinked a few times and before he spoke, so I piped in. “Please don't say it's 'different'. I will always have pets. They stay. If the man and I are to be together, we’ll be together.”

He shook his head-as if I’d broken some 11th Commandment. “No self-respecting Black man will want you.”

“Then I’ll get one in another color.” I smiled. “Heard tell that men come in plethora of shades.” I winked at him. “Pretty much takes care of that, huh?”

No purr from him. Just a groan of disatisfaction.