New Bowls for 2010

The keeper worked today but also went out and received gifts for us! Our friend MK and Molly the cat gave us new bowls! The keeper opened them up at the restaurant and so she brought them home to us. We inspected them carefully and after some consultation decided they were wonderful. Alice's bowl has a fat cat wearing a crown ( isn't that appropriate?) and mine is a very fat cat with a bird on his head. Thank you Thank you MK and Molly! And an almost happy new year to you too!

$15 Jeans!!

The keeper was more than a little excited when she came home from her shopping today. Yes, she brought the zucchini and the lettuce and soup, but she threw a blue sack on her bed, saying "$15!" Then she showed us the jeans. She had gone looking for jeans at the Lands End section of Sears because they always have sales after Christmas. She tried on dozens, and found only two that fit. So she was trying to decide which to buy--she had seen a sign which she believed said $15 off. Well, she went to the counter and the clerk said that all the jeans were only $15!!! So she got both. WOW. We guess she had been trying to order her size online, but they didn't have any. So, a good shopping trip. She is easily pleased. We stayed in. And slept, and picked on each other. I hope spring is coming soon. I just heard the tv man say it was snowing in Portland.

Holy Innocents Day

Today we slept in a bit and then the keeper was off to a baptism for most of the afternoon. Two beautiful babies belonging to two former parishioners--who were in high school when she first met them. She said it was a great celebration of "family church"--lots of extended family on all sides and friends from the church, followed by a reception where she caught up with the travels, accomplishments and work of some of these young people and their friends--everything to public policy in DC to Hollywood movie industry to ministry and teaching. They are all brilliant conversationalists--and have so much hope and so many plans for the future and changing things. Amazing. She also is trying to connect the high school neighbor with the one who works in Hollywood so the neighbor can get some advice about his desire to work in the film industry. Right now he has orchestrated a talk of the town film for his school.

We, from our cat perches inside, were struck by the sky, the clouds that had a purple, mauve Constable quality to them this afternoon. And then tonight when the keeper got home we all went out to sigh over the fireball setting sun and the way it painted the sky all shades of pink and purple and orange. Late tonight, the keeper went out to turn off the Christmas lights and although we would have gone with her, she wouldn't let us because she tells us she loves us....
She came back and told us about how clear the night sky was and how it was blue evening in Parish velevet salted with stars that glistened like diamonds. It was the "midnight clear" of the carol. We would have preferred to see them for ourselves, but we will take her word for it. We watched Julie and Julia. It made us hungry.

St. Stephen's Day

On the Feast of Stephen, we slept in very late. The keeper took a long walk and marvelled at the bright, clean glistening landscape--she could even see Mt. Rainier from her street. When she headed down to St. James to read tonight, she had to stop and catch the moon from the deck, and then the sunset from the St. James hilltop was breath-taking. She was relieved to know that they would not be using the reading fom Colossians for the second reading.

Merry Christmas!

Today, the keeper was back in church, she had to read. Then we got ready for the party. Candles, gifts, food, lights, crackers, dip, drinks, ice, music, fire, you know all the stuff. This year, the keeper added tattoos and British crackers that gave everyone-but us-- crowns and games. Santa had left stockings for everyone, and lots of gifts. One of the stocking stuffers was a set of 3 D glasses that let you see the angels at the ends of the Christmas lights and when you move your head, the wings flutter. Then there was food! J brought us a pork loin stuffed with garlic, artichoke tapenade and red roasted peppers, L brought an incredibly rich green salad, and tamales for all, and W made the best German mashed potatoes with carrots and chives and dill and sour cream. The keeper made sure there was enough to drink, there were enough appetizers, and plenty of desserts. We were thrilled that no dog showed up for this party.
But we will be eating leftover pork loin with the keeper for the next few days. Merry Christmas one and all!

Christmas Eve

Scenes from Christmas Eve's walk. The neighborhood was all lit up and the sun lit up the sky in the clear crisp air. The Cascades were brilliant on the horizon. It felt like San Diego without the heat, families out taking walks, people out water skiing in wet suits, and the trees are in bud. Such a switch from last year's clouds and being snowbound. Today we got ready for our Christmas dinner guests and Alice and I were a little excited. Stockings with our names on them! The keeper left for the Vigil Mass at St. James, and we waited by the tree. She said St. James was lovely and Fr. R's homily was wonderful. All of the youth readers and the children's choirs were enchanting, and the way they brought the crib characters in on decorated carts was magical.

She came home and after she went to bed, we slept by the tree. When we awoke, our stockings were full. So Alice and I ripped them open and dragged them around. We love Christmas. We don't think we will be getting the hamsters. That's ok. My vet bills are very expensive, and I would rather be alive than having a hamster. The Clavamox wasn't a mouse after all, but more medicine.

O Emmanuel

"O Emmanuel, come and set us free."

DO you all remember last year? This is me in the snow on the side yard one year ago today. The snow came up to the tops of my legs. This year it isn't snowing. But, Alice and I did not go out to play. I went out, yes I did. But not to play. I went to Dr. Smalley's again. She sang Tantum Ergo to me on the way there. That seems to comfort me.The keeper tells me that I am getting her more miles for her Hawaii trip. This time I had to stay most of the day. They took more fluids and did more tests. They gave me a big shot of antibiotics. They are nice there, but I howled all day. The dogs howled louder. When the keeper came to get me, they gave me presents, something called Clavamox, in two boxes. Clavamox--mox-sounds like mouse. Maybe it is a mouse. A prize for not biting the vet tech, a prize for being so good. We will see!

The keeper had some meetings and then had a lot of errands to do, even after she dropped me off at home with Alice. She said she drove all over, and even went to Northgate. The parking lot was full, but the stores weren't that busy. She finally mailed her packages, and bought the rest of the Christmas dinner. We wonder if she tried to get us those hamsters!!!??? Maybe they are in the Clavamox boxes. But those boxes are in the refrigerator. Most likely she needs to keep something alive.

So tonight we are all home, watching The Tudors and helping the keeper with her Christmas cards. When you get one, you will see our photos. They are good, we think.

Hey Biscuit, if you're reading this, hi! Same for Gabe! Happy night before the night before!

O King of All the Nations

" O King of all the nations, the only joy of every hunan heart, come and save the creatures you fashioned from the dust."

Today we entertained a creature from the dust. We have never allowed a dog in our home before. Of course, the keeper didn't ask us if we wanted to have a dog visit us. But we knew that when she started moving our food dishes around, and our catnip toys, that people were coming. We are used to that. But a dog! Not a big dog. A sturdy little one that sat in the dining room while we hid under the bed. I ventured out to see what it was--a mop-like animal, close to the ground, and Biscuit ( that's her name) started chasing me in my home. Of course Alice and I endured another hour under the bed. I think I could have taken her on, but she surprised me, and because of my bladder infection or whatever, I have been weaker than usual. And besides I am almost 15...that's 105 in human years. And she tried to eat our mice. She actually might have eaten the plastic body of one, but the keeper yanked the pelt out of her mouth.

The people were fine. They feasted on soup and bread and salads and memories of younger days. And they weren't in any hurry. The lady with the dog was very nice, but the dog needs one of those Dog Whisperers. We could volunteer. We would whisper some sweet nothings in those little ears.

After Biscuit left, we spent the whole afternoon re-marking our home. She sniffed and rubbed up against all of our marks. Perhaps we will go visit her house, and see what she thinks of that. We understand that she lives with cats. We are sure that they don't let her get away with anything down there.

O Dawn

" O Sun of Justice, now draw near, disperse the gloomy clouds of night."

Well, wouldn't you know it. It's the Winter Solstice, and she called the vet. The next thing I know I am in my cage in the car heading to see Dr. Smalley. He and his staff subjected me to x rays and to undignified poking. I spent most of the day howling. Finally she came and got me, and I hid with my back to her at the back of the cage. But, after being home a while, we started presents, and so Alice and I helped. She tested the bags, and I made holes in all the wrapping paper. Soon, the vet was forgotten, and we celebrated the solstice. The keeper told us that in her younger years, she would stay up all night until the dawn, and invite her friends to do the same. Sometimes they stayed home, other times went to cabins and retreat houses. One year she threw a party where everyone had to come dressed in summer clothes since summer was coming soon. we did stay up pretty late last night though. The keeper had a lot of present wrapping to do. We are thrilled to be one day closer to summer and to lengthening days again. Oh, how we need it!

Night at Pomodoro and St. James

Even though I had gotten sick, and was looking like I needed attention the keeper flew in from Lowe's and went right back out with her friend W. They were headed to a dinner at Pomodoro where Chef Antonin was decorating. After feasting sumptuously on Penne a la Vodka and Penne Pesto (the wait staff sees them walk in the door and starts preparing their predictable orders), they charged on down to the Cathedral for the children's' choirs Lessons and Carols. They said it was splendid. of course W visited with all of his old pals. When the keeper got home she finally just let me curl up in her lap while she read the NYT and watched Alfred Hitchcock. She knew I was sick. I had a feeling she would call the vet in the morning.

O Key of David

" O Key of David, come break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people to freedom."

Excuse us for being so late in getting these posts out. The keeper has just been too to busy between work and her social calendar. It's not that we didn't try.
Sunday was a wild day for us. The keeper ran off to the Eastside and then headed down with her pack of Young Adults to one of the Lowe's stores to provide hot chocolate and Christmas presents to the day laborers there. Most of the workers had not found jobs for the day and were still hopeful inspite of the onrishing dark. The kids stayed long after, visiting with each other and the men. They had brought truckloads of bags of food and gifts, especially toys for the children of the workers, but most of the workers' children were still in the home country. But they appreciated the presence of these young people who insisted on taking all of their photos with the big banner. They were going to go to several other Lowe's before nightfall to try to give away more gifts. We think it's very impressive what these idealistic young people are doing. They themselves are immigrants and have so little, but their hearts are so generous and so attentive to those in need.

Sister's Christmas Catechism

Tonight the keeper and friends attended Sister's show at the ACT theater. One of the friends got to be in the Christmas pageant. Some people got to dress up like asses, sheep and Magi. We liked Balthazar's lamp shade hat. The keeper won a candy cane for answering sister's question. But now she has to buy sister a birthday present. December 29th. The keeper also praised the kindness of the parking attendants at the 1 Union Square parking lot who gave her a reserved space.

Mail

Today we received our Wildlife Habitat sign for the yard. Whoopee. We have to stay in but the wild life get the whole yard now. Where is the justice?

Alice also studied the invitation to the Fulcrum dinner very carefully before knocking it to the floor.

O Flower of Jesse's Stem

"Come, let nothing keep you from coming to our aid."

Rain again. But the keeper got up early enough to finish putting up the outside lights in the backyard and on the rhodie bush which last year only needed one set of webbed lights. This year she had to buy two more sets. We suggest that this spring the gardeners prune it back! She finished up working on a newsletter and quit when all the keys on the keyboard played musical keys. They refused to type what they were supposed to. Dashes became commas, exclamation points, ampersands, etc. Time to pay attention to the pets, we thought.

But no, it was time to attend to the mail. and get ready to go out to Sister's Christmas Catechism.

We did get salmon for dinner, though.

O Adonai

"O Adonai, come, stretch out your mighty hand to set us free."

Again, you could say in a very trite way that this is the song of the captive felines who cannot go outside, but that would be dishonoring the last Advent days. The keeper went out though and told us she saw amazing things today--water skiers on Lake Washington, Group Health Capitol Hill calling Medic One ( not for her), a street busker juggling chain saws downtown, Lyndon LaRouche people on every corner, and people actually shopping again tonight. We saw birds and squirrels playing in our back yard. Most likely they were parading in front of the windows because they knew we couldn't get out. Alice chased a big fat fly. We did witness the makings of a bird house ( YES!) delivered to the front porch from the Wildlife Sanctuary people.

The keeper also found her little grey phone book tonight. She was in a bit of a panic. It should be digitalized, we keep telling her. Maybe this time she will listen.

O Wisdom

Tonight we wanted to make sure that you all got a chance to see how the keeper decorated some of our front yard. We think it's pretty, although she won't let us go out and enjoy it. We watch from the windows. Sigh, such good cats are we! She has more to put up but will wait till the weekend. Perhaps we will go out and help.

We begin the O antiphons today...."O Wisdom, come. You govern with strong and tender care." We could pray that prayer for a long time.

On other notes, the keeper finished her Christmas letter last night. Our pictures are on it in seasonal colors. She didn't go anywhere impressive enough to include hers. No camels or towers or views of magnificent skylines. Just us. We are impressive enough!

Decoration Monday

The little tree had been sitting naked for a week, but Monday, the keeper not only put lights on the outside of the house in the rain, but dragged in all the decorations from the garage and covered the little tree with them and with lights. Now it is decked for partying! She tried to tell us about each decoration, where it came from--country of origin, person who made it, etc. We grew bored, and played with the unused options on the floor. We only broke one-it was a cat made out of glass. She gets sooo into this once she starts. We have Christmas music now, and candles and creches all over. The creche below is our favorite. She puts nuns and flamenco dancers and manatees and guerilla fighters and shepherds and turtles and geese and lambs and hippos at the crib. We like the universality of it all. Every year it needs more space. So far, there is no cat yet, but there are no dogs either. Maybe next year. Maybe next year there will be a zhu zhu hamster! I forgot--Alice reminded me that we decided we will give our donation to Whisker City instead. SO no hamsters for the creche!

Advent Hope

The keeper caught this scene of hope and faith on her way home Sunday evening.

Bebe Brian, Jesu Bambino

Please forgive us for the dearth of posts of late The keeper has been too busy to help us. But, we want to take you back to the Third Sunday of Advent when it is tradition for the children of Rome to bring their creche bambini for blessing from the Pope. Well, we weren't in Rome, but the keeper was in Bothell with her young adult group, reflecting on the face of Jesus in the most vulnerable, and planning their next outreach to the day laborers at Home Depot when a family showed up with a broken car, a baby seriously ill with a heart defect, and a family in need. Jesu Bambino in need of a creche! She said the young adults surrounded this little family, and blessed them with prayer, car repair, and friendship. She thinks that Bebe Brian will become the youngest member of the group.

Madre de las Americas Marathon

The keeper left us last night and headed to Issaquah to the first of the Masses for the virgin of Guadalupe. It was very simple, but a lot of new people showed up and she had a wonderful time at the reception meeting people and finding new people to start projects. But she headed off into the starry night back to Bothell where she connected with all of the folks who had just finished their Mass and were eating but were also starting an all night vigil which would end at 5 am with Mananitas (the morning salutation prayer to the virgin) in the church. She said they showed her all of their new handmade dance headpieces and told her how good their story telling had been this year.

After visiting there, she headed to Bellevue and found the St. Louise crowd heading down after their Mass to the hall for the play and for sweet bread and hot chocolate. They had so much sweet bread that they sent

boxes of it back with her to Bothell for the all night visitors.

Before she left Bellevue, after greetings hundreds of her favorite people, she stopped in for the Midnight mananitas in the church above the hall, and it was standing room only all the way to the curb while the mariachis sang their praise and love to the virgin, children and men crawling on their knees through the crowd to place their roses at the feet of the image of the virgin. There must have been 2000 people all standing quietly, while more poured in, many just getting off of work, but all carrying bouquets of roses.

She landed back in Bothell around 1 am with the bread and the vigils were preparing pozole, tamales, and hot chocolate. She sat in the church for a while. Parents had made beds for children in the pews, groups were singing heart felt songs (albeit off key) and praying the rosary at the image of the virgin, others were lying prostrate in from of the Blessed Sacrament. Others sat out in the narthex chatting quietly. She left around 2, with a promise to return for the 5 am mananitas.

We were happy to see her. We get anxious when she doesn't come home at night, and we had opened some boxes of Christmas ornaments and had strewn the packing paper all over the living room to express our anxieties.

We have a confession to make: When her alarm went off at 4:30, we didn't budge or bother her, we just ignored the sound and her. She slept until 9, missing the mananitas at 5. She had to work the rest of the afternoon, so we thought we made a good choice for her.

It is supposed to snow. The sky is still pretty clear though. when it snows she stays home with us. And we are happy.

Crisp and Starry Nights

The sunsets these chilly nights have been made for movies. We got to watch them from indoors.

The keeper tried to capture them for us, but we know they don't say it all.

However, we found a wonderful U Tube link for you all to enjoy, thanks to our friend Judy.

Here's a little duet by Rossini from us to you! Happy Guadalupe day! See if you can go to this link, we loved it! Maybe we could ask the St. James' Children's Choirs for a special performance!

Copy this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjtVDG0drG0&feature=related

and enjoy!

Dreaming of the July Heat

Greetings from the home. We haven't really been out for 9 days, a novena of sorts. The good news is that the keeper went out and bought suet and seeds to hang for the birds. She is putting one of them up near the deck so we can watch them. It should keep us occupied for a while. The fur mice and catnip are getting stale. The keeper was at work all day and when she came home she shot some photos of the lake with these pink clouds and tangerine horizon. She said it was very beautiful and we had to be there to appreciate it. Well duh, we were stuck inside all day.

St. Juan Diego Day

The keeper left her downtown meeting to have dinner at her old favorite place now called El Farol, and visited with her friends who own it. Meanwhile we were faithfully waiting at home for our dinners. We always save a little from the morning meal in case we have to fend for ourselves. Actually, Alice taught me this. She had been a starving mother cat and knows how to ration food. She also knows how to steal it. But the keeper did not return to us for quite awhile. No, she was off to Bellevue and to a church who was celebrating Juan Diego and La Morenita with an outdoor procession ( quicker than usual), storytelling, prayers, dancers. and a pinata party.

She stayed around and had good conversations and treats and finally came home to us. She said that the night sky was sooo clear and that the waves looked frozen on the lake. We told her that was nice, but asked for our dinner. Alice and I are thinking that perhaps we should not ask for the hamsters any more but we should ask to donate funds to Whisker City, the shelter that took care of Alice. That sounds pretty noble, doesn't it?