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Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Cat in the house, thrift store crazy, Health insurance woes


She decided to come in. Not so much for our kindness and charm  but for "Temptations"  the number one treat for cats on the market. The name is not a lie. She has been with us for three days and two nights. Very affectionate and mellow, this cat!

I have contacted  every service  and social media, except the humane society because they are off line at the moment. Clearly she is somebody's darling. 

I bumped into a woman who fosters cats and  helps the alternative humane society in the county. I was shopping for the best food available for kitty in the feed store. She gave me multiple tips and advice. I must get the cat to the vet ASAP to be chip searched and given a once over. 

I need a cat carrier. she offered to drop one off next time she is in town.I am not in a hurry as you can well guess I love this cat. She is a gem of a girl, anyway, that is being selfish, I know. 

Dennis is fond of her as well. She slept on his bed one night and he didn't even make a fuss. He even had a tray and litter in the garage "emporium"  where everything under the sun is housed!

She follows us around too closely - accident- I  flipped her with my sock this morning while sorting out leggings and the sock flew out .  Flummoxed, she looked at me like WTH  unpredictable human?  I  also tripped over her in the kitchen not realizing that , in her ninja silence, she was at my heel. I remember Joanne having to get rid of her cat for that reason. Old people tripping over quiet  pets can end up in the worst health "care" system  this side of the Rockies. Especially this year- the year of insurance companies bailing. We are going to go straight to medicare alone. Heaven forbid we trip over a cat  or if we get ill - hope to just  die. The odd thing for me would be that medicare would cover my eye treatments, Medicare advantage insurance did not. Might be the best move.

We are keeping cat  indoors. With cougar and coyote, and mad dogs out there in nature she is  vulnerable.  All cats are -not to mention the murder  of birds  by outdoor cats .  Indoor living for her .

Be careful where you sit- she likes to nestle  in the cracks.

While out of course I stopped in for senior day at the thrift store. I met an artist friend there having not seen her for a while. We have the same problem. Mental...We create and  see possibilities in everything . We create more "stuff" on the planet that is not needed. I am trying to reassemble nature, which can be composted after the thrill is gone. Like the little twig chairs. 

That said, however, I can't seem to be able to resist the "possibilities" in the thrift store. My friend is same same. An addiction I would say. Of course the dolly bin is a serious downfall for me.
 

the freakier the better. Creepy dolls sustain me. 
Bisque head with glass sleepy eyes and little porcelain teeth from the late 1800's. Her fragile threadbare silk dress barely clinging to her. Her jointed limbs loose enough to fall off. I will dismantle her , keep her head in a jar , and her limbs  for   assembly art.

This weird little home made doll in the style of  Kathe Kruse German dolls  did not get left behind but I am not particularly taken - just the work of building this doll is admirable.  I may try to improve her wool felted face, mend her frock and then send her on her way.



In the fabric area I found an Afghanistan belt in perfect nick. exquisite beading and coining- on silk with silk cord. Two bucks with a senior discount of 30%- which is- I dunno, math? Nearly free.

A large-ish   framed fashion watercolor signed in pencil with  tiny sketch at the bottom. I tried to find the artist online in the "SI" library - no luck. Anyway, I will remove from frame and send to my friend in NYC. Just because we were all about fashion in high school. She sort of resembles this model without the bulging rib. 


 There was an entire nativity , four sheep, two bovine, a goat, the three wise guys,  an angel, an adobe manger, (mache), All of the usual characters . Caught and released, put back on the shelf, several times. Finally ended up in my basket , because , in full addictive behavior, there is no stopping me.  I got the lot for a pittance and I must admit- not sorry. Partial to Mexican art.

I especially like Mary with her antennae looking sensational having just birthed god, blond white Joseph , sleeping larva baby, and the  all important midwife. I could not put it back on the self a final time.  The workmanship is great, tiny birds painted on their backs.  Probably Jesus doves. Anyway, this is a photo of the main characters.  I won't bother you with  photos of the entire work.The bovine and sheep look like album graecum so , not all that pleasing, the adobe manger resembles a bad cake made by thumbs.

I bought things for others who may curse me for it. That is the price one much pay, having a broken ,mental , addict friend. 

The cat found her happy place this morning- there will be no brushing of teeth or washing of hands in this little bathroom off the hallway. I can hear her purring from the other room! All is well with this one. 



Today is a day of not wanting to do what I must- clean poopy rain water bucket, take kitty to Human society for check, gather my wits. I think I will just cuddle up in a throw and read. I am reading  a rough draft of a memoir a friend has written, asked for  possible editing,  so far- it requires more than I can  possibly offer. 


 
 



 


 

 

 


 

27 comments:

  1. Hard to know what to hope for with green eyed kitty - a chip that reveals a home desperate to find her, or that she can stay with you all and make you happy.

    ceci

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    1. She is such a lovely animal, I am pretty sure some one is missing her terribly, though I have yet to see any response . Anyway, know that she is well cared for and is happy and does not go to the door to be let out, to find her other home. If she is chipped we can find her humans.

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  2. Miss Temptations has the most gorgeous mascara around her eyes! She's a star alright!

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    1. Thank you for noticing , her eyes are effortlessly Captain Jack. She wakes up in the morning looking like that! I haven't seen where she stashes her eye makeup but when I find it my eyes will look just like that. I will be Jack sparrow beautiful, too.

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  3. The kitty has chosen you and seems very comfortable and content. She is very pretty and her eyes are amazing. Her purr tells you she's loving you and Dennis. I hope she stays with you.
    Today was a very good day at the Thrift store. The dolls are good finds. The belt from Afghanistan is lovely. The watercolor portrait has a simplicity that speaks to me.
    I do share your thrift story shopping hobby and have no guilt at all.
    Susan

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    1. Friday I will take her in to be checked and , fingers crossed, there will NOT be a chip. There will not be a sad family missing her, worried sick, wondering if she had become a snack. She may have health issues, for sure needs to be de--wormed, I saw evidence!
      So you are one of US- thrift shop insanity. That makes me feel so much better.

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  4. What a gorgeous cat! She came to the right house, a win win, if she has owners that you can find she will go home but , more likely, she will be yours forever! JanF

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    1. I do hope so. She is the most perfect little animal. Soft as a cloud, She eats she sleeps she cuddles. She is so polite she makes the day brighter.

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  5. The cat is gorgeous! You are going to have to get in the habit of looking before you step. All of those dolls would still be in the thrift shop if I were there, not a single one appeals to me.

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    1. Yes the dolls are totally creepy- That is their appeal. That is what I like about them.
      The cat is as soft and friendly as she is beautiful. The best of the species, i reckon.

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  6. You are so lucky to have been adopted by the cat distribution system - the ones that choose you are keepers for sure. I hope in ways that you don't find she is chipped. I'm definitely not into creepy dolls but hey 'whatever floats your boat'!

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    1. I fell lucky! I hope that she can stay with us. She is a winner!I understand- you are most people. Dolls are creepy enough just being dolls -not everyone's delight. in fact there are very few of us.

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  7. I remember when I took Maurice to the local vet to be chipped and when it was found that she was chip-free, the woman said, "Looks like you have a new cat."
    I was so delighted. She was still acting like a normal cat at that point, affectionate and loving.
    Sigh.
    But i can tell that your girl is the real deal. She is gorgeous! What are you calling her? Temptations are indeed crack for cats. Dennis can get the variety package at his beloved Costco. He probably already has. I bought one for Maurice yesterday. It will last months as I only give her a few a day. AND one of those lickable treat things which I put on the grocery list as "yucky cat goo."
    You know me and creepy dolls. There are creepy dolls I do not care to have around but if anyone calls my beloved Dorothy Anne creepy, I will fistfight them. She is just very well loved.

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    1. Maurice was once a normal cat? Wonder what brain damage she suffered? I am using Temptations as a ploy to get her used to the carrier I got overnight from Evil A. I don't want to freak her out. It was enough to get her to trust coming into the house. Temptations to the rescue.
      Creepy Dolls and fun- unloved, unspoiled and un fussy.

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    2. Perhaps Maurice is just pi**ed off about being chipped.

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  8. The cat distribution system at work. She's very pretty, a long hair tortie. I used a vet many many moons ago who only saw cats. She recommended just putting the cat in a pillow case and tying off the end for transport.

    Creepy dolls is right.

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    1. A pillow case??? That would be dumb! Cats have sharp feet and would think thaey are being hauled off to slaughter in a bag. Crazy! yeah, Creep dolls- Taking them apart is interesting.

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    2. It worked fine. It's like a dark cozy place.

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  9. Oh she’s a beauty! And sweet! Hope you get to keep her. Once again I’m envious of the treasures in your thrift stores, I would have brought it all home! Can’t wait to see your assemblage art.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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    1. The abundant thrift store here is just too damned good. You would spend all of your coins! Assemblage art requires patience and thought- short on both here.

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  10. although not a cat person, that is a most wonderful cat who appears to have chosen you. i always buy vintage looking mexican pottery items. the newer stuff is not as well-made. and a nativity scene to boot is fantastic. my mother had one she bought in mexico during the 70's but later sold it. rats!
    this past weekend i was at an estate sale and found a vintage postcard album for $8. the postcards were from 1890-s and early 1900s germany and in immaculate condition. i think they underpriced it!
    kirsten

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    1. underpriced at an estate sale is mighty rare! Good find!
      Shame about our Mom selling the Mexican art. I really love the older stuff too. It could be a phase- a phase that has gone on for many years now...

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  11. That is a gorgeous cat! Looks like a tortoiseshell. Look out Linda Sue, she has adopted you, and vice versa, hope she isn't chipped, you might not recover if you have to give her back Those creepy dolls would give a small child nightmares. Yikes!

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    1. I had creepy dolls when I was little, I loved them more than the pretty ones. The pretty ones make me uncomfortable. they have no imagination. The bisque 1800's doll is very creepy and I am not fond of her except for her teeth. I looked her up and she sells on ebay for $200.00 , no hair!

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  12. That cat is so pretty, I can't get over how gorgeous she is. I really hope there's no chip and you get to keep her. The Afghanistan belt is also fabulous, your thrift stores are soooo much better than anything I have been in. I can see why so many things jump into the cart.

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    1. I am hoping fingers crossed that there in no chip and that she can live out her days with us. Dennis likes her - that is a major plus! She loves Dennis! I bought a little carrier- it is too small but will have to do- to take her to get checked. Getting her used to finding treats in the carrier so that the trip might not be traumatic.
      Safe travels, you two!

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  13. You always find such great stuff. I love the Mexican nativity and the Afghan belt especially. I will be eager to hear what happens with the cat. She certainly looks comfortable there!

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