Winston hijacks the fan box! :)

Winston hijacks the fan box! :) a video by cherithsky on Flickr.

One of the things I love about cats is their ability to make me laugh.
In this video, Winston demonstrates his ability to completely ignore me while I am standing right in front of him. =)
What is it about cats and boxes anyway??

Grief

Grief, a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.
It's so curious: one can resist tears and 'behave' very well in the hardest hours of grief. But then someone makes you a friendly sign behind a window, or one notices that a flower that was in bud only yesterday has suddenly blossomed, or a letter slips from a drawer... and everything collapses. ~Colette
Very early on Tuesday morning my sister called me to tell me that my dad had passed away.  While he had been ill, we had thought he was improving and his passing was a shock to us all.
I find that I keep forgetting things.  My thoughts and memories are all buzzing in a tightly woven tangle and situated somewhere
in my left temple.
His funeral is tomorrow.
No matter how difficult and conflicted our relationship was , his passing has shattered something inside ....
It's too early for me to piece anything together, come to terms with anything, and any prayer I have
managed to say is only a, "please God"
Until later, I wish you all a lovely week.  Be thankful for the small things

Are you awake? (wet nose nudge) Hey, you awake? (whisker tickle)

Are you awake? (wet nose nudge) Hey, you awake? (whisker tickle), a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.

I'm so thankful for my furry alarm clocks =)
Sometimes, it will be a pitiful meow
other times, I sense the weight of an intense
stare, and, lo and behold, Winston's big blue eyes are peering over the top of the bed
Life with cats is rarely dull!

Hug Department: Always Open

Hug Department: Always Open, a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.

So-my dad's condition is stabilized for now :)
Though the "crisis" is over, at least for now, I feel more exhausted than I did at the actual
health scare. 
I've learned that I need to find someone who can care for my brat cats if I ever have to leave unexpectedly for a couple of days. I'm working on that right now-extra keys have been bought and am looking into potential cat sitters. In fact, check out the Just Cats Blog with Deb. She give a great article on what to look for in a cat sitter!
Trying to find something to be grateful for recently has been a bit of a challenge.  I have thought of a couple of things, though  =)
1.  When I was trying to sleep that first night after visiting dad at the hospital, and things were still "iffy",   Oscar curled up beside my head.  He then folded his front paws and placed them in my outstretch hand and began to purr.  Funny, nothing had changed, but somehow I felt better.
2.  A friend very kindly gave up her time to drive me out of town to visit dad at the hospital.  I know that her being there helped to settle me down and calm my thoughts.  
Will write more later .....
Hope you all have a great day!
Will try to catch up on some of your blogs later today!!

“We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone..."

“We're never so vulnerable than when we trust someone...", a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.

Last Thursday I had a family health scare. My Dad had 2 mild heart attacks. While he was in the hospital, we received a phone call asking us to come down. Dad's kidney's were not do so well. (he also has diabetes) They wanted to know if he got worse, should they put him on life support or just make him comfortable.

Goldfinch

Goldfinch, a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.

I am currently in the middle of a family health emergency-and so may not be able to post, or comment, on my favorite blogs.
Hope everyone is doing well.

The Furry ones demand breakfast

Early one morning, before our morning coffee... a video by cherithsky on Flickr.

Sure, sure-Winston has a sweet face.  He is soft.  Fluffy.  Big, innocent blue eyes.

He is really just an eating machine, though =)

If he is hungry, he pulls out all the stops...

Unlike his sister, Lucy, who waits patiently by her empty bowl, mews politely for a refill.

I enjoy my little cat chats.   

(Please tell me I'm not the only person who has conversations with their felines!)

“Some things have to be believed to be seen.” ― Madeleine L'Engle

bridge, a photo by cherithsky on Flickr.

I'm thankful for my early morning photo walks.
When the world is still quiet, fresh and new.
It revives my heart =)
I'm not able to get out as often as I would like but the few times I am able to go out--they are a gift ...
Have a lovely day!