Friday 4 March 2022

🍀 Marching along...

 We've been pretty much confined to barracks. The walking is horrid. The sun came out yesterday, which was lovely. The snow alongside the sidewalk has melted and frozen. Treacherous walking. This morning it was -20 C. and it is a brisk way to start the day. Yesterday, I planted some squash, pumpkin and zucchini seeds in my seed tray. I have more seeds coming on Monday. It'll be a nice hobby. Or a pain-in-the-arse. Could go either way!

The news is horrid, and my heart breaks. If you want more news, you know where to go. There comes a time to turn it off, but I have to bear witness. The inhumanity is shocking, as well as the disinformation and spinning of lies by Russia, and it is just awful. It is 2022. Poor New Zealand with flooding, as well. 

"When it all feels overwhelming and you check out, that is the ultimate act of privilege... Bear witness to the struggles of others. That’s as much as the world can ask of you." (@caroloffcbc; Tweet audio, Feb. 24)

There are many reporters in Ukraine, as well as much information. Lesia Vasylenko is a Ukranian MP, very vocal, and on many news shows. She is amazing. As well, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Look for the heroes.

Happily, we have something to look forward to. Son Jesse is coming for a visit from Vancouver. He flew in for his stepmother's funeral on Wednesday, and is going home Saturday. (His father, Pat, passed away 8 years ago in 2014, right after JB's cancer surgery.) Sharon had dementia all this time, and was in a care home. 

The last time we saw Jesse was for JB's 70th birthday, in November, 2019, when they all came for a visit. [70th birthday; part the 3rd] Here is Jesse with Bryony, and me with Isabelle. 

 

😼Oregano    

This is the back story. I don't know why we named our tabby cats Nutmeg and Cinnamon. It was based on their colours, I think. Or a weak moment. 

Then, along came our outdoor (feral/wandering/visiting/strange) cat, and he needed a name. Oregano is what we named him. They are all local tabbies, so they might be related in some weird way. 

Someone commented on 'Oregano' being a funny name for a cat. I don't know if I explained! There is a really cool MLA on Twitter, Janis Irwin, in Alberta. She is a cool character. Janis is the Official Opposition Deputy Whip and the Critic for Women and LGBTQ2S+ Issues! She has a cat named Oregano. After I'd spotted said feral cat, it occured to me that it would be a fitting name for our visitor. We couldn't keep calling him 'strange cat!'

Tuesday, March 2nd, I tracked him. He travels a fair distance, for a cat, crossing the highway. He sticks to the driveway and roads.  

OK, the day begins anew. All the best to you and yours.

17 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

I wish RH would run again, so he could see how little support he has and how little we think of him.

Tom said...

...I'd rather be confined to barracks, it beats the hell in Ukraine.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

awe, so cute. i love the couch (sofa) snuggles so fun. it is chilly again today. the snap happened overnight. i think it is amazing how the temps can change so quickly and dramatically. so wild. happy weekend for you all. ( ;

Barbara Rogers said...

I love creative names - for pets and humans. But you'll laugh about the spices...my son used to be married to Cinnamon, and they named their daughter Cayenne. I kid you not!

Kathy G said...

There's something satisfying about planting seeds when the outside weather is frightful.

DrumMajor said...

So nice your son can come visit. I think your "Spice Cats" naming is cute. One dog assistance organization, breeds some of the Goldens too. They name each litter of pups on a common theme, like names of snack chips, names of comic heroes. So Dorito and Pringle come from the same litter. How do you track Oregano? Does it have a microchip, tag or collar considering it's feral? Cool mapping. Linda in Kansas

Nancy J said...

Our day begins too, just after 6 a.m. and still very dark outside.The summer seems to have been so short, maybe with all the flooding here in the South Island, and in Australia Hugh's brother has not been able to leave their home as the driveway was covered with rushing water.Twice i 2 weeks!!Then Ukraine, too heartbreaking to watch that news.Oregano, you are the intrepid, fearless traveller, and a visit, Jenn, even though for a sad event, peace , and a time for you and Jesse to be together.I love the names, they could well be " The Spice Felines" !!!

William Kendall said...

Seeing the cats is a welcome respite.

Red said...

I really like Janis Irwin. She is full of energy and tells it like it is.

Kay said...

I'm so glad you have some happy times to look forward to, Jenn. There is so much bad news now and it just breaks my heart to see or hear it. I keep hoping for a miracle.

Jeanie said...

That's great about Jesse coming home. And three cheers for your cat names -- I thought it was because you might like to cook with spices!

Cloudia said...

Thank you for this important post dear!

Phil Slade said...

Try this for another point of view?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10581335/PETER-HITCHENS-saw-coming-Thats-wont-join-carnival-hypocrisy.html

Jenn Jilks said...

That is another point of view, but I don't think a valid one, Phil. I don't think Hitchens has any skin in the game. There is that old adage, three sides to every story.
Either way, duly elected officials are running the country, and Russia wants the land back. Might doesn't make right.

Jenn Jilks said...

I think what really bothers me is Russia not allowing media to report what is actually going on. How many displaced, how many killed, the refugees...

David M. Gascoigne, said...

The tragedy in Ukraine stretches us all to the limit. The fact is that we are powerless, and unless we are prepared to enforce a no fly zone, with all the potential horrors that might entail, we have given Putin carte blanche to obliterate every city in Ukraine. It is beyond imagining that we could have come to this again. I feel so sad. And I feel angry, very angry, when I see fanatics like Pat Robertson claiming that Putin is being directed by god (his version of god, of course) and that Putin will soon turn his attention to Israel, and that Armageddon will have arrived. Religious zealots will latch on to that as divine will, therefore good, and of course they are receiving validation from Trump and his sycophants.

Jenn Jilks said...

Why did the Russians invade Ukraine? sums up this new Cold War.