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I keep hearing about sending aid to Japan. As with Haiti, the drum rolls and the hat passes. And, thoughtlessly, I pondered that. Who would I give to and how could I trust them. No, not just trust them to use the money for charity work but to make sure they were not, say, adding strings to it. For example, offering food but requiring condoms to be handed out free; to offer shelters, but require this or that which I find more than objectionable. Then it hit me, just as it did with Haiti, Katrina, and the other disasters. Great care has to be given in how much is offered. Too much and people go on the lam. Japanese culture could not withstand this. No. So, I am considering what to give if to give at all. Not that my sentiments are not with those people, much more than the people of Haiti or Katrina. Actually, that is a part of it. Sentiment, certainly. Prayers, of course. Money? Do they really need it, will it be used correctly, what strings will be attached? Careful.
On to cats. Strange creatures, to be sure. Intelligent? Yes. If you try to change a behavior a cat does, it may simply use that behavior to garner attention. Sassy is the best at this. Sam is older and more evenly tempered. Sassy does not care if I am yelling and chasing or petting and scratching, it is all good in her book. She knows the worst I will do is put her outside for ten minutes. Changing her behavior is... probably a losing battle. I hope she matures out of it. As is, she knows how to get popo going. As I said before, hitting a cat, even in the act, is nearly meaningless to them. The younger they are the worse the chance a connection would be made, so that is out. Water seems to work, but is just as meaningless to Sassy as hitting her is. The "experts" suggest spraying her with water while she is doing something unfavorable without letting her know it is you. Have these experts ever even dealt with a cat? Oh, my, what big ears you have. What a big nose you have. What fine eyes you have, kitty. Ah, dear owner, the better to know where you are at all times. So, drop the squirt gun and come out with your paws, I mean hands, up. Bah!
A window may have opened. To the ends to getting further into cleaning, I have turned the heat in the house up a bit. I hope to finish the dishes tonight, set beans to soak, and cook another load of rice. A more steady diet has been helping. It is not enough. So, rather than 66 F, I am running 68 F, and when I think I can get to things, 70 or 72 F. I truly despise heat, and 72 is hot. But that seems to enervate me, something I need. The thing is, that like caffeine, this only works on a short term basis. Too long in higher temps and I begin to become, of course, lethargic. I only have tricks that can sometimes work. Fear, if it is real. Physical discomfort works for a bit. Hunger and thirst, though a form of discomfort, work for small bits of time. Whatever would normally make one grumpy or angry or even to some lesser extent simply emotional can help me get to things. So, when I get windows of opportunity but am not quite there... bring on the pain.
Good night, or later.
re: swollen ankles. The owner of the health food store recommended taking Taurine. Said it helps with water retention without dehydrating. I've been taking two a day and noticing a difference. Upping the dosage to 3/day to see if that helps more.
ReplyDeleteI know it's time I adjust my sluggish lifestyle. Motivation and action is slow to come for me but I'm working on it.
I just looked up Taurine. Interesting. I saw nothing about water retention, but it is suggested for those with high blood pressure. I might just give it a whack myself.
ReplyDeleteIf your swelling continues, I must admit, hydrochlorothiazide works very well. I can't seem to take meds as often as recommended, even when I can tolerate them. This medicine does it's job even when taken as little as two or three times a week (though I do try and take it more like 4 times a week). I am sure my doctor hates me, but that is the way of it. Plus, if I can tolerate it, almost anyone can. I am highly intolerant of medications it seems.
I don't know that it is ever possible to train a cat in the same sense that a dog can be trained. They can be trained to do or not do something when you are there, and can be counted on to completely ignore the lesson when you're not.
ReplyDeleteWater works effectively to get their attention. Back in the Tucson house, all we needed to do was make a move in the direction of a water bottle to get the undesirable behavior to immediately cease. That and making the 'psk' 'psk' sound of a squirting bottle would do the trick if one was not handy.