good Friday morning

 You can see the bank of fog out there which keeps SF so pleasant this week. But it is warm enough that we are here in the back room again. No fireplace for two mornings in a row. Annabelle is discombobulated and sitting on the laptop, making my morning reading and writing a bit difficult. I spent all of yesterday afternoon in the dental chair and today will be ever so much better. Back to Matisse!

update on Annabelle

 There isn't a lot to report, as you can see. This girl can sleep. It's hard to believe that we have been together for almost eight years. I do neglect to photograph her when she is following me around and god forbid that I should close any door because she wants full access to everything and everywhere. And her appetite is exceptional. Perhaps you can tell that I am still besotted with her?

the return of the manicurist

 Our next door neighbor, Cristina, was in Italy for two months and we depend on her to clip the nails of Annabelle. Yesterday they relaxed in the warm (!) sunshine and we were all relieved to have short cat nails again. Yes indeed, we love our neighborhood.

morning productivity issue

 Some mornings my constant companion does not want me to use my MsBook Air, as you can see in the bottom photo. Then she relents reluctantly, top photo. We work things out, bur Annabelle rules.

we love the aroma

 I bought some overpriced green sprigs (technically probably little branches) to bring the smell of the holidays into our home since I don't DO the tree anymore. Annabelle was a bit too appreciative and I keep an eye on her after watching all the fun videos of cats and xmas trees on Instagram.

animal world

 I did some dog sitting for Jen and Stacie's two rascals (Charli and Birdie) yesterday afternoon and that worked out well as a delicious tuna sandwich was included in the deal. Then last night Lynn next door (who is visiting from Puerto Rico) brought me yummy miso soup. Annabelle adores Lynn and managed to knock her coat to the floor and snuggle there which is unusual behavior for my cat, but sweet for sure.

book club in Marin

 We met at Shelly's beautiful home in San Anselmo. Our book? Let the Northern Lights Erase your Name and we all had a lot to say about this unusual novel. Some good, some not so. When we got home we were all invited to Heidi's for Rob's fabulous paella. So a very social day for this blogger. The cat known as Annabelle was not pleased with my long day away and today already she clings.

the unvarnished truth

 

we love Sunday morning

 Fireplace (yes, it's still cool here), cat, newspaper, classical music and I'm starting to pre-pack for our trip to Ashland, Oregon on the 15th. Lists, reminders, anticipation. Annabelle is exhausted just thinking about it, as you can clearly see.

the card, the cushion and you-know-who

 Thanks to the Blogmaid for sending the sweet kitty-in-front-of-fireplace greeting card. Our mornings here are peaceful, predictable and perfect. Purrrrfect. 

the yearly check-up

 Heidi (left) helped me cage-and-carry Annabelle to the SPCA Vet Hospital yesterday for the yearly lecture on how I should be brushing the teeth of my feline who is now considered a senior. What? Hoe dd that happen? Annabelle is healthy and just a tad overweight and yes, about the best cat ever.

still kittenish

 My constant companion and I have been together almost seven years now. Some mornings Annabelle is so full of "let's drive Mary Ann crazy" energy that I bring out this silly battery operated toy and she attacks  it with gusto. This is one such morning. I never tire of watching her and once she settles in front of her fireplace we will be back to what passes for normal here.

the rains are here

 “A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.” –        Benjamin Franklin

So glad I "did" Costco yesterday and I have a lot of food and supplies and I will probably stay in today to catch up on my reading and I will avoid sloshing about in our much needed rain. I did get a good walk with Jen and the Two Dogs yesterday afternoon so maybe some exercises and stretches today will keep me somewhat OK. Motion is Lotion, or so my acupuncturist tells me.

back to cats (mine)

 My neighbor brought me a morning latte and her cat nail clippers for Annabelle who calmly tolerates the mani pedi as long as I sit in front of them and feed her (the feline) that Churo paste stuff. I just am sooooo fortunate to have the BEST neighbors and we all help each other in big and small ways. So much for those Uncaring Big City stories, right?

winter in SF

 I did get out for a walk yesterday, between rain drops, honest! But in the meantime...

speaking of cats

 Some of us are ALWAYS speaking of cats. My neighbor, Cristina, is back from her home town in Italy and Annabelle was ready for a mani/pedi. She tolerates this beauty treatment nicely as the manicurist talks to her a mile-a-minute in Italian. Bella, bella, Annabella, etc.

but what about ME?

 Every early evening I set up the straight backed chair so I can watch the news and some TV before going to bed. Then I usually have to make other plans because when a killer cat is sun bathing, she does not want to be disturbed. No need to ask who is in charge?

feathers

 Annabelle's tiny front porch seems to be a mouse and bird magnet. Why do these helpless creatures come under the gate when she is right there? Yesterday it was a poor little bird and once again Heidi came to our rescue. These captures shock both Annabelle and her way too sensitive cat lady house partner. Argh. Once again, nature red in tooth and claw.

The phrase “nature red in tooth and claw” originates from Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poem In Memoriam A. H. H. (1850). In Canto 56, Tennyson writes:

“Who trusted God was love indeed
And love Creation’s final law
Tho’ Nature, red in tooth and claw
With ravine, shriek’d against his creed”

back to the everyday

 Annabelle and I have a day to get organized and here she is atop the bread box in her back porch, keeping guard over her treat jars. She and I have been constant companions now for six years and I often wonder how I could have kept my sanity without her. She is not purrfect, but that's OK.

a rough two days

 Annabelle and I rescued each other almost six years ago. She is a healthy, feisty girl, but for the past two days she has been vomiting (barely making it to the best carpet) and I believe it was probably hairball related, even though I brush her. I'm not sure, but I think she is about 8 years old now and so I bought this treat for her and I think it helped. Today she seems to have recovered and she is, as usual, famished. Thanks to the Blogmaid for helping me through this "crisis".