Baby, It's Cold Outside...

Yes, it is cold here in Savannah. Bitingly cold. (40 degrees at the moment.) So what do I do? Decide to go for a walk. No place new. Just around the condos, to revisit some of my usual photo spots. After all seasons change which in turn changes the weather. The result is always a visible one, too. Wanted to snap a few current pictures for the old blog here. Ansel Adams I'm not, but I work with what I got.

Walking is a peaceful practice for me. I really enjoy it. However, even though I threw on a sweatshirt, jacket, gloves, and a hat, the cold wind was able to knife its way in. Especially on my hands. I've really noticed that cold and my RA do not get along. At all. I've had to slip on my gloves when it was in the 50's. Next walk, I think I'll have to double up.

As expected, everything was brown. Dormancy and death fall over plant life...most of it will be reborn in the spring. Lots of cat tails over by the marshland stood tall and brown. The wind was particularly biting over there as there aren't very many trees and no buildings in the way. The ducks were paddling around on the pond, but this time they had company. A couple of herons, one white and one dark brown. Well, I know the white one was a heron...assuming the brown one was, too. After I left the pond, I walked around the end of a building to the parking area behind it and headed towards the mailbox kiosk. Wanted to check the mail before heading home. On the opposite side of the parking area are trees and vines. And cats. Couldn't see them, but I felt eyes on me. Think it's pretty much a given that anyone who's outside is being watched by a member of the local feral colony or 'clowder' (I looked it up and a group of cats is called a 'clowder'). I got proof that at least one set of eyes was watching me. An orange tabby with a white chest sat calmly watching me pass by. He didn't really flinch when I stopped to snap his picture, but I could tell he was coiled like a spring and would have sprung into the growth if there had been any sign that I was going to approach. Anyway, I finished my outting and headed home to thaw my hands out. They were so cold they hurt. Oh...and FYI...my orb spider friend, Spike, is still hanging in there. Was worried the groundskeeper crew would have trashed her web by now, but I've been pleasantly surprised.

Had a doctors appointment yesterday. Was just a regular check-up. I go in every couple three months because of my hyperthyroid condition. Yesterday was different. Met with Doctor Metz (an old southern doctor, and quite a character) and shared some things and asked some questions. He was quite pleased to hear that I 'kicked the habit'. (Something I have been afraid of was that I might have gained a few since I ceased with the stick gunning...I have. Guess what my next goal is...) We discussed a few other things and then he went over my meds with me. Had my bottles with me per usual, and he picked one up. The one that contained my PTU (propylthyoricil) for my thyroid. He then said, "I want you to stop taking these. Your thyroid has been looking really good." My heart shifted up towards my throat a bit. Stop taking my PTU? I said, okay, but I was slightly nervous about the prospect. I told him I was a bit nervous about doing that since in July of 2005 I was rushed to the UCLA ER in the throes of a thyroid storm that almost killed me. (I had been taken off of my meds by my L.A. Endocrinologist quite awhile before that and as I didn't have insurance and thought I was okay, failed to see her for a long time. Turns out I was far from okay.) I was all set to pick up a PTU refill I had called in once I finished with Doctor Metz, but apparently I wouldn't need to. He said to come on in if I have any problems, but to see him in two months. I still feel a little weird about not taking my thyroid meds. Don't get me wrong, if my thyroid is better...Yay! I'll be a happy camper. It's just that having a near death experience because I wasn't taking meds I needed to be taking, and now being told to stop those meds...I think you catch my drift. Knocking wood...

Mission Not So Impossible...

Finally, the timing was right. Had the camera with me, fresh batteries in the appropriate chamber. Had it in the seat next to me, so no fumbling with the glove box latch. Camera powered on and lens opened.

I was coming back from the morning paper run and as I came around the bend by the trash compactor, I noticed a couple of the skinnier and somewhat skittish cats of the clan looking at me with huge eyes and raised hackles. Poised to dash into the bushes at any sign of approach. Wasn't interested in them, but their presence made me a bit more hopeful that Vinnie might be hanging about somewhere. As I neared the small stand of trees between the driveway and the transformers, I saw Vinnie. It was almost like he was waiting there for me. (Of course, I know he wasn't...sheesh...) Couldn't have planned the photo op any better. He was casually curled up, tail curled around him, cleaning himself. I had been rolling up slowly and he did take notice of the truck. He froze for a second and looked over at me...quite uneffected by the whole situation, really. (He has such a mellow vibe about him. Think he's probably lived that life all of his life. As long as the big pale creatures keep a respectable distance, he doesn't really care what they do. That kind of vibe.) I turned off the radio and cranked the window down, and he resumed his cleaning. I was at least 25 or 30 feet away, so I had to use the zoom to get a decent picture. It's a bit fuzzy and doesn't entirely show his coloring, and I'm not entirely sure if the pictures will convey just how big he is...well...take it from me. He's big.

Okay, so I can now check that off of my list. Woo-hoo...

Sighting...

Had to venture into the outside world today. Had a doctor appointment. Before I headed out the front door, I made sure I had the camera with me. Didn't want to miss a photo op for my current mission...snapping a picture of the beast of the condos, Vinnie the Feral Cat King.

I took it a bit slow past the tree lined area near the garbage compactor scanning around for any sign of feline activity. I did see a skinny black cat dart into some bushes, but other than that...squat. My 'Vinnie' sightings had taken place earlier in the A.M., so I wasn't too surprised to not see him strolling around. The other times I saw him, I got the distinct impression that he was appearing according to a daily schedule. Figured that he was out for his morning consitutional and garbage dive.

After leaving my appointment and picking up a newspaper for Glenn, I headed back home. Came back down the freeway, hung a right, hung a left into the condos...and then it happened. I was driving past the cat sighting area and there, sitting on the cement slab by the transformer station, was the huge and imposing Vinnie. I mean, for a cat he's imposing. A bruiser. I was so excited. I was going to get a picture of him. Proof that this large specimen of a cat existed. I slowed to a stop and luckily no one was behind me. He was hunkered down chewing on something. Not really phased by the fact that there was a human in a big rolling metal thing frantically pawing at the glove compartment (that's where I had stowed the camera). Vinnie just continued chewing, glancing lazily at me a few times. So, I get the glove compartment open and get the camera out. I had some music playing rather loudly in the truck (Keane) and turned the CD player off so as not to spook him. Slowly I rolled the window down, glanced into the rearview mirror (still no one coming - yes!), and pressed the 'on' button. It appeared to light up, but nothing else happened. The lens shutter didn't open. It didn't make that ding-y sound it makes to say 'Hey! I'm ready!'. All I could hear was...(insert Pac Man dying sound effect). Damn batteries appeared to be dead. I looked up to see Vinnie wipe his chops with his paw and lift his large frame from the slab. I continued to push the on/off button a few more times with the hope that it might decide to work all of a sudden. No such luck. Sadly I accepted that my photo op had passed and watched Vinnie slowly walk away into the nearby trees and bushes.

Is this a portent of what's to come? Is photographing Vinnie going to become my quest for the Sasquatch or Yeti? Frustrating technical difficulties happening with each attempt? Will I ever succeed in capturing this creature on film? Am I being overly dramatic?

Yeah...I kind of am.

My mission continues...stay tuned...

Cat Tail...

I know I've mentioned the feral cat population around here. They all look different, but I'm sure they are highly inbred at this point...no definitive breeds amoung them. I've often wondered how many people who live here have lost their once human friendly pets to the pack...pride...whatever you would call a group of feral hou...cats. I started to call them 'house' cats, but I'm not sure if the bulk of them could be categorized that way as I'm sure they were born in the wild. At any rate, I mention the feral cats for a reason. As I've definitely mentioned more than once, I've been dealing with insomnia and a less than desirable sleep schedule lately. Each morning rather early (around 8:00 or 9:00) I venture out for Glenn's newspaper and sometimes a Mickey D's coffee (the hot mocha is quite tastey). The past couple of mornings I have seen a particular cat. A cat with presence. Bigger than the average house cat, he walks strongly along, ears flattened, and a look on his fuzzy face that says "nobody better fuck with me". The moment I saw him I thought 'he's the cat in charge'. I don't exagerate when I say that he's the size of a small dog. Not a tiny, shakey, Barney Fife Tea Cup Chihauhau sized dog...I can't even think of a breed that would be a good comparison. Lets just say that for a housecat, he's a big'un. His coloring says 'tabby', his ears tipped with white like a Lynx. Stocky in build, you can tell that he's solid. I'm sure that he keeps the other local cats in line. Shows them who's in charge. He lumbers around the area over near the trash dump like its his turf. (I don't have any real proof, but I suspect that the cat 'clan' lives in that general area. I see them around there most of the time.) Nothing seems to phaze him. He walks along with purpose. He just exudes 'tough'. The other cats I've seen in that area are very skiddish. That's why I think Vinnie is the head honcho. Yeah...I've named him 'Vinnie'. He seems like a Vinnie. Ya know, I've mentioned how I want to explore down Stephen King Trail. Believe I've also mentioned that when I passed by the mouth of S.K. Trail that evening right around Halloween, I heard the screaming and wailing of cats. Inhuman sounding and dark, I can invision what that cat fight might have been like. Vinnie either looking on, or participating...protecting his turf...knocking a challenger to his throne back a peg or two. A major contender in the cat world. (Maybe one day when I have the camera with me I'll have another sighting. I'll post a pic so you'll see what I mean.) I'm sure the scene I picture in my mind is more dramatic than the actual event. My creative writers' brain turns it into a scene out of a fantasy novel. Like 'Tailchaser's Song', or something like it. It's the only fantasy novel about cats I can think of...

Why did I mention this? For whatever reason, I thought it worth mentioning. I've always liked cats. Had them when I was younger. As I've gotten older, I've developed more of a fondness for dogs. Think a dog is the pet I would choose now. However, a cat like Vinnie...now that would be my kind of cat. The only drawback would be whether or not I could pet him. Something tells me if I tried to, I'd draw back a nub...

ALL SKATE!

I was listening to the radio in the truck as I was running an errand and they were playing some blasts from my past. Felt like I was back drinking a cherry coke at 'The Plantation' skating rink snack bar with my friends. They played the above song, "Band of Gold" (Boy, Freda really looks enthused, doesn't she? Talk about walking through a performance...can hardly see her lips move. Looks like she's going to fall asleep.), "Have You Seen Her" by The Chi Lites (couldn't find a YouTube video that featured the old radio play version of that one), and a few others I'm going to share. Thought I'd spread my 'skate' down memory lane via my blog...next!













I absolutely love that Badfinger song, "No Matter What". Have a feeling it's going to be stuck in my noggin for awhile. Actually that's not a bad thing...for days now I haven't been able to get "Tiny Bubbles" out of my head. It's been so ingrained in my brain cells, I catch myself singing it while I'm doing housework. ARGH!!! (No offence, Mr. Ho.)

How cute was K.C. back then? Dig that 70's feathered hair. I sported 'wings' myself.

I better stop soon...listening to the above songs is making others pop into my head. Need to show some restraint. The next one is REALLY terrible, but when it was popular the DJ at 'The Plantation' played the stuffing out of it. It's another one of those songs that gets stuck in the head...









Okay, I know...the above Rasberries song isn't really 'skate-able', but I like the song and...well, I posted it anyway. The Badfinger song made me think of it.

I encountered a whole plethora of serious cheese from the late 70's on YouTube that'll just have to wait. I'm greatly tempted to tack it on to this, but I shall refrain. It falls under a different theme entirely...the "Tiger Beat" and "16 Magazine" theme. But, that's for another day.

Next stop, the New Year...

Christmas 2009 is now behind us, albeit by a few days. As expected, it was very lowkey. We didn't go to any trouble with decorations, but then I personally haven't for several years now. I did string a ribbon to hang the christmas cards we received. Also got a small Poinsettia plant. ( This puts me in mind of a disagreement I had with someone I worked with a number of years ago. They were talking about how they just thought that the red blooms on a Poinsettia were beautiful. I told them that Poinsettias don't have flowers on them...that the red they thought to be flowers are actually leaves. Thought everyone knew that.) but those couple of 'festive' touchs were all we did. Was fine with me. I do love the smell of a tree though. Wouldn't even have to decorate it. I'd just smell it. Yes, I know...I'm weird...

Christmas Eve we ventured up to our usual haunt, The Islander. Shot several racks of pool. I did okay. My arthritis had been kicking up a bit, so I was taking it easy on my hands and arms. Didn't want to push things. Did make a number of shots I was happy with...and some I wasn't. The usual. Weren't very many people there. Glenn said that he's been up there on Xmas Eve when it was dead, and he's been up there when it was packed. 2009 was a dead one.

Christmas day was slated to be another lowkey one. However, Glenn's nephew was supposed to join us for a meal in the later half. Glenn gave him a ring and told him to be over at 4:00. That was a little before noon. My hands and right arm had been bothering me a bit, as well as my right leg and foot. Well, things got worse quickly. They usually do. My hands got so painfully stiff I couldn't use them at all, and the numbness was making my right hand feel dead. My leg and foot were cramping up, too. Had the charlie horse from hell and that kind of forced me into suggesting that maybe we could postpone having Wynn over until the weekend. I hated to even suggest it it being Christmas, but I was kind of stuck. I was in a lot of pain and I couldn't use my hands at all. Kind of puts a damper on cooking a meal. Plus, I knew I wasn't going to be much company. I've been experiencing a screwy sleep schedule for a number of days now (up all night, sleeping some during the day but not much) which can make one kind of 'poopy'. Glenn gave Wynn a call and we pushed his visit to Saturday or Sunday. Saturday was a little better for me, but we decided to make it Sunday. Sunday came and I felt even better, so Glenn called Wynn and told him to let us know if he would like to join us at 4:00. We never heard back. Was all for the best really...I ended up conking out in the recliner, and Glenn wasn't feeling well. I told him he had 'Christian Bale as Batman' voice. So there is my scintilating recounting of the festivities here in Savannah. You can wake up now...

So next up is the New Year. Need to do some reflecting. Some looking forward, too. Think that'll be the next entry. 2010 is going to be a great one....and it's about damn time...

Xmas is nigh...

Christmas 2009 is two...COUNT 'EM TWO...days away. It still doesn't seem possible that the year is at an end. 2010 is on the horizon. It's going to be a great one. After the past few years I damn deserve it. Not going to get into details...don't feel like spending the better part of the day explaining everything. (It's an extremely convoluted tale.) I also don't want to bore the buhjeesus out of anyone.

Glenn and I are planning a mellow Xmas day. As I mentioned in my prior entry, the holidays aren't really something I 'get into' anymore. Was more of a big deal in my youth. Back when loot was "important". When I was at the age where it was important for me to be able to return to school and share that I got that Mrs. Beasley doll, or the Easy Bake Oven I wanted. I did pick up a few small things to give Glenn. Nothing major, but a little something to unwrap. Some of it useful. Some of it silly. Expect there will be football on the tube for the better part of the day. I'm a hockey fan, so I don't have a clue as to the football schedules. Since football is in the cards, I made the announcement that I don't feel like cooking up a big meal like I did on Turkey Day. It'll be hot wings and nachos. Basic bar munchie fair. I imagine there will be the requisite amount of beer consumed, as well. Glenn will be extending an invite to his nephew Wynn. We had him over for Thanksgiving. Glenn is really the only immediate family Wynn has locally. The plan is for Glenn to find out if he's going to come. I need to know no later than tomorrow. I refuse to brave the Kroger after today. Christmas Eve day is historically a nightmare for grocery shopping, so I'd rather not participate in the madness.

What does today hold? Well, as I mentioned I'll be hitting the Kroger for a few things. I baked a ham over the weekend and I've now got a great meaty ham bone I plan to make a pot of pea soup around. (I've got a fantastic pea soup recipe that I grabbed from the Food Network web site.) Got a lemon bundt cake to make, too. I should just go ahead and refer to it as a lemon 'butt' cake cause some of it's going to end up as part of mine. Ya know, can't say that I can recommend to anyone to stop smoking right before the holidays. Balloon city. Well, I guess it could be worse. I haven't been chowing down that bad. The one thing I can say (with heaps of satisfaction) is that I haven't smoked since October 10th. I'm nearing two and half months without a cigarette sticking out of my face. Just stopped cold turkey. I do occassionally crave one (when I'm drinking coffee, when we're shooting pool at The Islander), but not to the point where I would consider sparking one up. Anyway, the holidays are pretty much a time of increased calorie consumption for everyone, and I'm no exception. Activity is the key for me. Haven't been the most active. Have been heading out for walks here and there (love taking walks), but not as much as I would like or as much as I should. A number of months ago, Glenn's mom gave me a bike she had here in Savannah at Glenn's brother Jeff's house. It's a great bike, and I'm really jazzed about starting to ride it. It's good to go but for one thing. The seat. It's got a racing seat on it. A narrow, hard, wedgie inducing seat. I've always had a wide caboose, so before I start peddling around I need to get a new seat. Did some looking online to see what's out there, and how much they cost. Not as expensive as I thought they would be...$15 to $20 bucks. A new cushier, wider, butt friendlier bicycle seat is really the only thing I need to get me riding around. There is a great bike path that passes through the entrance to the condos. I've walked sections of it on a couple of my walks...walked to the end of it in one direction, and have yet to explore the other direction. The unexplored portion looks like it passes into a pretty woodsy and viney area. Looking forward to that. At any rate, there are some good trails designed for bike riding. Earlier today Glenn was asking me what I want for Christmas, so maybe I'll ask for a seat. Anyway...

Okay, the grocery store at some point today, but what else? Probably some house cleaning..woo hoo... Maybe I'll get out for a walk. That talk about needing to be more active has motivated me.