Looking through some photographs...

I was looking back through my photos, looking for a specific set of photos...I came across these of the kitties...they were 8 days old in the photo above. Look at Bubbie...he is the one all the way to the right...the one underneath the other one is Puss Puss....and Cougar is the dark tabby one between his mommy's arms. Notice the size of them...Bubbie was the runt, and Puss Puss looks like she was one of the bigger ones.

I chose Cougar as my own I think when he was one day old...went to bring him home when he was six weeks old. My daughter told me a few days before that he and Puss Puss were extra close to each other...that you never seen one without the other. I didn't even think about bringing two home. But on the way to get him, I told Roger about how they were by each other.

So, we get there and visit a little bit, then start to leave....and I get Cougar...and he got Puss Puss...

I think it was the first night or two we got them home, they played and played and explored the area...and suddenly we realized we could not find the Puss Puss. We started searching...gave tbe house quick once over...and did it a time or two. Looking under the bed, behind anything she might fit. I can remember feeling like it was impossible for her to so disappear....but getting sort of scared at the same time.
About that time, Roger found her asleep in the kleenes box....
This is how they were by each other till Bubbie and Mama Cat came to live with us. They always slept together all balled up till it was hard to tell which head belonged with which body. Now you just never see it, though every now and then you will catch little actions till you know they are still each other's best pal....one will wash the other's face or some little sign.
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I was standing watching the birds....I had thrown birdseed on top of the ice since their feeder was frozen and I couldn't get it down. So all the birds come and go...and this cardinal lands right, and decides to hop/fly over a couple feet...if even that. You know how they flit about when there is food on the ground. Well, she flitted and when she landed, she slid about 6 inches...she did that jerk sort of like we do to catch herself. Only her wings helped her...I know this is not a good description, but it was funny.

I am getting very weary of this ice...I almost fell a couple times yesterday...and I did that jerk one does to keep from falling and my neck was so stiff and sore last night. and Roger did fall...but is none the worse for wear. I think there is at least 3 inches of ice everywhere. They showed on the evening news where some of the employees were out in the parking lot playing ice hockey on their break....

The view....

Yep, that is what the yards and sidewalks look like around here...not sure how deep that is....the truck does not make a dent in it. I almost fell I don't know how many times when I was out. So, I am not taking my camera out to get any of the lovely pictures I know are there for the taking. Instead I contented myself with taking a couple from the porch.
The sun was too high for this to be a good shot...if I had taken it a bit earlier I think the ice on the trees would have shown better.

But notice the sky!!!! That is blue sky....and we had it yesterday starting sometime up in the day. And water is dripping from things that are iced over. So eventually it will all be gone. And none too soon for me.

I even saw Bubbie sliding around a little bit while trying to walk out on this ice. The cats go out, but sure don't stay long...you can tell by their actions that their feet get cold. I sure feel sorry for animals that don't have a a warm place to stay.

Which reminds me of something I seen the other day.

We were in Terre Haute and on one of the corners at a stoplight there was a couple that held signs wanting work...saying they are homeless. Now some are used to seeing that, but I am not. There is probably more of it close to here but I am not out enough at the right time to see it. But I wonder where they slept....were they warm.

I also wondered about their life....wonder what led to that condition. Was it really beyond their means to avoid, or were they like some people with financial difficulties that won't do little things like give up their cell phone, do without cable, etc. Continually using a credit card as if it does not have to be paid back?

And I was thinking to myself that gee, we spend enough money on cats, we could cut enough out of that to at least buy them a meal...but I did not suggest doing anything....just drove on by.

But I have thought about them several times since...wondering how do other people handle seeing homeless. Do you feel a certain amount of guilt. Do you wonder if you offered them a job, if they might steal anything they could lay their hands on? Or do those thoughts never cross your mind?

One time we were in the hospital cafeteria down there and this old man came through....and Roger could tell he was homeless...the old guy got a cup of hot coffee and a doughnut or some little something like that. I don't think I even realized he was homeless till Roger mentioned it...now what Roger done was get out a little bit of money...it wasn't much but it was something. He got up and pretended to go get something and walked by the old guy and pretended he found the money on the floor, and gave it to him saying he must have dropped it.

The old man did say it wasn't his, but Roger just told him well, its not mine so you keep it. And the old guy went back through the line and got more food...I don't recall just what.

We left that situation and did not feel any guilt, yet ever since we seen that couple in Terre Haute, I have wondered what we should have done. I think anything would have been better than nothing. Kindness never hurts....no matter what the situation.

While I have the chance...

It is dark almost and the birds are still at the feeders; what is/was strange is that they hardly came yesterday. Usually they come the day before a storm hits. With them staying out there this late, it makes me wonder if really bad weather is coming.
We awoke to an icy world this morn...but it wasn't as bad as it could have been.
I eventually got dressed in warm clothes and ventured outside to take a few pictures. I love the one above...it is the 'smoke' on my smoke tree. Makes me think of a crystal chandelier.
I wonder what my dogwood will do when spring comes after this freeze.
I felt like I was risking life and limb getting out...everything is a sheet of ice. You better believe I was careful going down the steps...

The cable has blinked off and on a few times today...so far no more dimming of lights or anything since last night, but thought I would post these while I have the chance.