so am I young or old?

Interesting stage of life that I'm in. I'm old enough that my body is starting to wear out, yet I still get those occasional breakouts that are oh so familiar to teenagers.

My chiropractor tells me that if it hurts to sit cross-legged, then I shouldn't sit cross-legged. It actually doesn't hurt to sit that way -- in fact I find it to be a very comfortable way to sit. It's the uncrossing and standing up that hurts. It's awesome. (note the sarcasm) I feel like my grandma. I have to stand up slowly and endure a little pain as my knees adjust to supporting my body again.

There are actually many ways I'm caught between young and old. Talk with my 14-year-old students: feel old. Talk with my colleagues: feel young. Talk with college students: feel old. Think about starting grad school: ... yeah that one makes me feel old somehow too.

That brings up another interesting topic. Grad school. It's settled that I'll be taking a class this fall, but what that class will be is still up in the air. I need to email some professors. There's another situation where I feel young: interacting with professors. Maybe it's not necessarily 'young,' perhaps naive, uninformed, or out of place. It'll get better. At least that's what I tell myself.

I am going to leave you now to do some reading that is of my own pleasure. The "real" school work starts tomorrow, and I will have to say goodbye to much of the time I have been using to do "my things." I'm glad to be going back, though. I was in the building today for a few hours, and it energizes me in a way. That's always a reassuring sign that you're doing the right thing for this moment in life. (Being in the building also made me realize how much there is to get done in the next couple days, but that comes with the job).

parenthood of a different kind

Being responsible for the care of 2 cats has made me realize how much having pets can make you feel like a parent. It has been very apparent to me this past year that Sophie believes I am her mother, or at least has adopted me as her mother. But it wasn't until recently when I walked into the apartment and was greeted by two furry faces that I realized how much it warmed my heart to be around these two.


And dare I say that I love them? I worry about their health and I enjoy watching them play. I can list off their usual habits and the idiosyncracies that make them each unique. Me... the person who often wants to tell the owner that is pampering a pet, "it's just an animal," and knows the life expectancy of most pet spieces so that when one passes on I can say "it lived a long time."

Now yes, I've always enjoyed the company of animals, and I've even felt quite attached to a few. There's even been a cow that I really missed when she died. Currently, I feel I have a special connection with one of my parents' dogs Comet. But Sophie and Miles bring it to another level. Perhaps it's because they are the first pets I've actually shared living quarters with. Probably more so is the knowledge that I am responsible for these critters.

So, as my sister and I say, I really am a "kitty-mommy" now. Maybe its those maternal instincts sneaking in again, telling me that if I don't have a real kid right now, maybe adopting these furry ones isn't half so bad.


Did I just write another whole post about the cats? Yes, I believe I did. I start real work tomorrow! It's genious how it works out, really. After teaching summer school, I spend about 2-3 weeks out of a real job, which is just enough time for me to get really bored and ready to go back to work!

Another New Baby

Another addition to the parent's farm -- meet Sierra's filly...

basking in the sunlight


sticking close to mom

I now have an internet connection set up in my apartment, so possibly I will post more often. I also don't have a lot going on right now (hence the posts about the recent animal additons to my mom's clan), but school duties begin this coming tuesday!

Amazing, really

I think they may have broken some kind of record.

Sophie and Miles, after only one week of living together, tolerate each other to the point that they will eat next to each other separated by a measly foot of space. They also chase one another around the apartment in a friendly manner with no hissing or scratching.

For two cats who both assumed him/herself to be the king/queen of the world, I'm impressed.

Strange cat

I think the picture speaks for itself.

Mom's new baby

Those of you who know my mother know that she can't resist anything cute and cuddly. This includes babies, young children, and furry critters of all kinds. And if you really know my mother, you know that if that cute and cuddly creature is in need (sick, wounded, or just without a home), mom will do everything in her power to make the situation better. So during my life time we've nursed kittens, puppies, birds, goats, calves, guinea pigs, rabbits, and a rodent I still don't know the name of back to health. We've also adopted animals of all types to live on our farm, and more recently, to live in our house.

The newest addition to the family is a pocket-sized puppy. She's a mix of a few small dogs, and as a result, she looks like a miniature beagle with a long body. Adorable? Why yes, yes she is. But go ahead and check her out for yourself--

Leaving the cockroaches behind

Moving time has finally arrived. I'm transferring my belongings from my roach-filled apartment to my new, sunny, spacious 3-bedroom in a quiet Madison neighborhood. Doing my best to make sure no stowe-aways come with me, but I've already spotted (and annihilated) 2 of the nasty little bugs in my new room. My new landlord is going to spray the apartment, so hopefully any of them that manage to transfer with me won't have time to reproduce.

Other exciting things that accompany this move -- Miles the cat! My friends Tim and Jessica are leaving for Israel this Saturday. They will be there for a year as Tim attends school in Jerusalem on a scholarship (he is a graduate student in Hebrew Bible). Since Miles couldn't go with them, he's spending the year with me and Sophie. How are the kitties getting along, you ask? Well, they are choosing not to. The apartment is big enough that they have been able to avoid seeing each other. Miles is still unsure of the place, so he spends most of his time under furniture. Sophie, being the princess that she is, made herself at home as soon as we walked in the door. She's enjoying running around the large rooms and sitting in the window watching people, birds, squirrels and sunshine. We've only been in the apartment since Saturday, so the cats still need more time to get acquainted. Sophie seems like she would like to play with Miles, but currently he has no intention of coming out from under my dresser.

Speaking of furniture, I'm excited about my new desk. I found it at a garage sale for $5. It had been a child's desk, so I had some sticker-peeling and crayon sanding to do, but after painting it like my dresser, I'd say it looks pretty dern schnazzy. You can decide for yourself :)