Live Simply
What a week it's been, I've had a wee bit of stress and the opportunity to manage my stress. Poor Miss Holly is on a strong antibiotic as a preventative measure since her suture site has slight fluid build up. Hopefully the ten days will go quickly as I don't think this medicine is making her that happy. I managed to get a same day vet appointment on Wednesday and then stressed out until I got there. Once Holly was thoroughly examined, I breathed a sigh of relief. I worried that I wasn't diligent enough with keeping Holly inactive (as if). The vet reassured me that I went above and beyond and this happens frequently. Phew.
My husband and I go back and forth on which is better a dog or a cat. I will defend dear sweet Frodo and his crazy idea of becoming friends with his nemesis in all the inefficient ways. A dog is trainable. I can catch a dog way faster than a cat. Giving a dog medicine is so much easier than a cat. I love how he adores me and is eager to please. Going for walks with Frodo has been one of my greatest daily pleasures.
Never fear my friends, I'm getting to the cat benefits! A cat is quiet. Ah, sweet silence! Kitten purrs are irresistible and oh so worth it. A cat is litter trained quickly and can be easily amused by themselves for hours on end. The way she slinks around the house and yes, going and poking her nemesis knowing full well she will be chased is to me a brave and crazy cat. I find that amusing.
Can you see the green sheen in my photos, SPRING is coming regardless of the cold weather. Gorgeous beautiful new life is sprouting right in front of my camera lens. I only had to set aside time with camera in hand to do my walk about to witness the arrival. As I sit here at the kitchen table tying away, the sun is shining after a full week of clouds and rain.
I've got a gym session this morning, boy oh boy am I seeing progress in the way I move and feel. I'm making friends at the gym so I don't feel all alone and awkward like I did when I first started. High school feelings in my mid 50's - totally weird.
I hope you live by my vase and 'life simply'. Go out and get some fresh air, take a walk, take some photos, move your body, eat a salad, call a friend. Oh the opportunities to life simply are abundant. Counting my gratitudes gives me the opportunity to think of all the simple life's pleasures I encounter all for free.
How do you life simply?
Yes. I'm all in for the savoring of the simple pleasures... the gifts... the wonders. Beautiful post, Karen! You captured some great photos! Love the ones of your "kids" and the new life coming in spite of the cold. Life affirming. Inspiring. Good. blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your lovely tribute to both dogs and cats; you've enumerated the good in both of them! I'm not sure I do live as simply as I could, but every so often I have to take a step back, consider what my time is worth, what is worth my time, and am I focusing most of my time to what really matters to me. I try not to waste my time on unimportant, unnecessary things, but that is often easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteI try to live simply by appreciating nature more and having less to do with modern gadgets. Of course I am typing on a computer! HA! I want to buy less and recycle more. I want to get rid of as much plastic as possible and replace it with glass, metal, etc. I just like old fashioned things.
ReplyDeleteThe photos of Holly and Frodo are adorable. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Get well soon, little Holly.
ReplyDeleteOh, cats or dogs, an ongoing discussion... I think they're so different you can't really decide. We never had dogs, but I fell in love with a dog that guarded the apartment we stayed in for a month in 2014. He was great. Then again, I miss every cat we ever had...
ReplyDeleteSimple living, oh my. I try. But I'm failing miserably right now. When I'm tired and stressed I spend too much time at the computer. Mostly reading about other people's simple lives. So silly...
Poor Holly. We kept our little girls in a big dog crate while they were recuperating from their operations. If you have to give her pill, try Pillpockets, they are tasty treats with a hole for the pill in them. Although some of my smart ones managed to eat the treat and spit out the pill. Hope you have a wonderful relaxing weekend. I am stressing a bit right now too, I think I saw a pregnant cat going into our shed. I hope not, but knowing my luck, here we go again, it has been almost 7 years since the last kitten adventure and I really don't want any more cats. :-) My simple living strategies have fallen a bit by the wayside in the past couple of years, too much stress, health problems, etc. have really thrown me off, time to get back to it.
ReplyDeleteYou question "how do you life simply?" And then the photo of Frodo just staring at the camera cracked me up. I try and live simply. We have been decluttering our home, getting rid of excess things thing and items that never get used. Why have 15 bath mats when you only use 3? Or why do we have kitchen gadgets that are still in their packaging? That type of thing. Pets are the best inspiration of living simply. All they ask for are food, water, shelter and love from their family. A soft blanket to cuddle with is pure luxury for them as are squeaky toys or a bit of catnip. We should take lessons from our furry family members.
ReplyDeletePrayers for Miss Holly's healing. Give her a chin scratch from me.
Living simply has been our mantra since our move and we have enjoyed every moment. Downsizing our home and decluttering was enlightening, there has been no looking back.
ReplyDeleteDog and cat comparisons usually bring out the same kinds of things. I can't really say I have a favorite, because I LOVE them both!!
ReplyDeleteFun post, Karen. Take heart, as Miss Holly matures she will spend lots of time just sleeping! Have a great and stress-free weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see the benefits of both dogs and cars, I am a dog lover but have had a cat or two in my life. They are beautiful and mysterious, dogs are just in your face all the time. Hope you enjoy some Spring this weekend.
ReplyDeleteWell first, this happened to PIE PIE after her spay. She developed a lump around the site. It got better. And as for dogs and cats. I love them both. A purring cat or a cat that sleeps with me is a huge JOY. I love that they catch and kill mice. I find them extremely social.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear Holly will be fine soon. While I see the benefits in both animals (and I've had both), my heart belongs to dogs! Spring is trying to arrive here, too. Maybe the skies will clear tomorrow and we'll have some warmth on the breeze.
ReplyDeleteAw, poor girl. Hope she heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteLovely post! I have always had cats as pets and absolutely love having them around. I think I will always be a cat person. Love the signs of Spring! I am seeing some signs here too and the weather is getting warmer hope it is here to stay this time. Hope Holly gets better quickly and have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteI sure hope Holly is feeling all better real soon, Karen.
ReplyDeleteI was never a cat person (always a dog person), until Miss Kitty showed up on my doorstep in the middle of a blizzard. She broke my heart. I started to leave food for her, and I am sure I don't need to tell you where this went. :-) She was with us for 6 years before she passed away. How I loved that little one, and I think part of that was specifically because having her was nothing like having a dog. Fiercely independent, and so indifferent at times. Until she wanted a head rub or a treat. Then she would turn into a complete marshmallow!
Happy Sunday to you!
Sending much love to your wild child Holly and hopes she heals quickly.
ReplyDeleteLove the beautiful greens that are coming up around you. As usual you capture them so beautifully.
I simply much like you, by being grateful for all the blessings the days hold.
Such a lovely post Karen. I’m so sorry to hear about Holly, I hope she recovers very quickly. It’s worrying when a pet is unwell. Dear Frodo looks so cute and gentle. Your cat and dog comparisons are spot on. I have had dogs for many years and had a darling little cat. I like both but don’t have a cat at the moment. I miss having a cat sleeping on my lap.
ReplyDeleteI hope Holly is on the mend! It's so hard when our four-legged friends go through rough patches. I liked your debate regarding dogs and cats. I love our Popeye but I know that I am more of a cat person at heart. Unfortunately, Rob is allergic so a cat isn't in our future. On the bright side, my daughter and her boyfriend plan on adopting two cats once they move into their new apartment, so I will get my cat fix whenever I visit! : )
ReplyDeleteThat last photo of Frodo is the BEST! I'm a 100% dog lover, but I love how you're embracing Holly and finding ways to appreciate her ... hopefully those 10 days are half over by now and you're seeing signs of improvement.
ReplyDeleteI hope Holly gets well soon. I happy for you that spring is coming to your neighborhood. I concur about how working out feels so good and makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteLovely post,think every pet has their own benefits as well as some negatives, they get us owners to fit into their ways and make us love them. Wishing Holly a speedy recovery, sick pet is such a worry and yes reckon cats are the hardest to get medicine in and I've had cats and fostered kittens for years and still struggle. Your vase reminds me of my favourite mug "enjoy the simple things in life" for me now that is watching all my seedlings growing happily on my window sills.
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