Wake up, Cutetropolitans! It’s a beautiful spring Saturday, and you know what that means: Time to tackle all those weekend projects you’ve been putting off!
And to show us how it’s done, here’s our old friend Mutz (rhymes with “puts”), courtesy of reader N. Fritz. Come on, Mutz! Let’s go, up and at ’em!
It’s going to be a busy but fun day, first we’re going for breakfast, then to run errands and buy groceries for us and cat food for the babies.
Then we go visit my mother-in-law at the convalescent home where she has to practice walking after she had 2 toes amputated due to gangrene and after that we’ll go for diner at a little Italian restaurant we haven’t to for a long time.
I hope everyone is doing good this weekend, I’ll be reading your post tonight.
Gigi, I had to read your post a couple of times before I realised that the babies for whom you’re buying cat food are furbabies. I hope your mother-in-law is making a good recovery from her surgery.
I’m looking forward to hearing the St John Passion at York Minster tonight, and this time I really must wear warm clothing. The Minster tends to be cold even in August!
Meanwhile, I’m hard at work on the pantomime book once again and have reached the year 1870. Only another 34 years to cover (1904 being the cut-off date as it was the last year in which music hall star Dan Leno appeared in panto).
As promised, here’s an extract from the book. At Christmas 1843 the patrons of London’s Olympic Theatre were treated to some unrehearsed hilarity:
“ON Wednesday evening last the following singular and ludicrous circumstance occurred at the Olympic Theatre. During the performance of the pantomime of “Harlequin and Old Cocker”, one of the attendants upon Dame Interest in the early part of the pantomime has to be pursued by Multiplication, and as this pursuit was being carried on, the attendant, unable clearly to distinguish through his mask the path he was taking, slipped from the stage into the orchestra, where, falling upon the drum, the parchment covering gave way with his weight, and he suddenly disappeared from the sight of the audience. The audience seemed to consider this occurrence as one of the most amusing incidents in the eveningʼs performance, and the laughter occasioned by it was almost unbounded when the fact was discovered that the poor victim of pantomime frolic had got so wedged in his mask and other characteristic encumbrances that his extrication from the drum, as it then stood in the orchestra, was a matter of utter impossibility. In this dilemma, the drum and its occupant were hoisted on the stage, when, with considerable difficulty, the unlucky attendant was literally shaken out, without having, as it afterward appeared, sustained the slightest injury from the occurrence. The performance of the pantomime was then resumed.”
The Era, 29th January 1843
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The amazing thing about this passage is the care with which this mishap is described. That’s what’s funny.
Totally wanna hang out with Mutz today! My to-do list this weekend is about 50 items long, no fewer than six of which are highest priority. But I wanted to post this link for fans of Klaatu42, aka King of Dub.
klaatufilms.com/submit/
He’s staging a casting call for mice and *bunnies* (NTMTOM, MurrayC, 6Rabbits, etc).
Mutz is so cute, the content smile in the second picture <3
I hope your MIL does well with the walking, hopefully they’ve given her a cane or walker to help her with balance And you and hubby can be there cheering her on, maybe she can image them playing the theme from Chariots of Fire to inspire her.
We’ve got a busy weekend ahead for us too – today we’re heading to Legoland California to celebrate our friend’s twin girls birthday. OMG, they turn 12!! Almost teenagers, wah. Then off to an arcade restaurant for dinner. Tomorrow we might go visit another friend who hasn’t been feeling too good. And somewhere in amongst all that, need to do the usual chores.
More good news from our property manager – instead of waiting around for the gardener to do something, anything with our back yard – we can do the landscaping ourselves and bill the owner (as long as we don’t go too crazy). Whoopeee!!! Now I can grow grass and not dirt, weeds and rock. Still debating if I want to put in a small flower or herb garden or put them in raised beds or just have grass. We’ll also clean up the front yard a little bit and change out the plants. Got a few busy weekends ahead of us to get it all set up before it turns hot.
Enjoy the lovely spring weather!
Having a gardening option is lovely!
Gigi, best wishes to your MIL as she recuperates. AJ, if you’re not overburdened with water, try a xeriscape Garden in a Box–much easier to maintain than grass and easier on your water bill too. Alice, I’m so envious of your concert in the Minster; plus you gave me a great mental picture of a man in a drum. NFritz, I’m your sister in busyness.
Mutz has the right idea!!! Wish I could just curl up in bed. But the mosaic tile awaits–no more slacking! That means pulling the car out of the garage to set up the tile saw. And at last I’ll change my car’s air filters, since it will be sitting in the driveway. After my shopping and spinning binges last weekend, I’ve got to get back on track.
Thanks Deb for the suggestion about the xeriscape. We have a sprinkler system in the back but yeah, it takes a toll on our water bill. And if might need to be taken out anyway as I think it has been damaged over the years. It’s a small yard (maybe 15 x 30) so we might do a small area as grass right by the patio and xeriscape the rest. Definitely need to talk with the garden center on what would be best to grow back there. And good luck with all your projects, you’re much more ambitious than me!
Don’t forget about the option of diverting rain water to your plant area. There’s a neat plastic sleeve system that fits onto drain pipes. Or rain barrels? Not always a practical option but it is an idea.
Happy Caturday! It’s been a long week. Yesterday was the first day all week (including last Friday) that I actually left work on time (anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour late every other day).Yesterday was rainy and I actually saw some snowflakes (or teeny-tiny hail pebbles) on my way to work; it’s still damp but it’s clearing up and supposed to be a nice day. I’m forcing myself to get my house cleaned up because I have to get my dryer vent cleaned and made an appointment for the 17th. So that’s my plan for the day. (After mocha hot cocoa and Grey’s Anatomy.)
Hi everyone!
I have been lurking when possible, but this is the first morning to sit down at the computer (with the cat on my lap, of course) in what seems like forever. I just have errands for my Mom and apartment-cleaning on my agenda. We have a rainy Saturday going in the Pacific Northwest, but the flowers are blooming and it is a “warm” rain. There’s a joke about how you tell the seasons in Seattle- by the temperature of the rain. 🙂
Other than that, I am kind of taking stock of where I am after a year of so many changes. An unwanted divorce, moving, my son off to Uni, my dad’s health, a new job… Last year seems like a long time ago, in a very different world. Because it was.
Mutz is lovely and definitely has the right idea! Gigi, best wishes for your MIL. Aj, enjoy legoland! Alice, thank you for the fantastic story, it made me smile. NFritz, DebG, and Allein, good luck with your to-do lists. And a wave to DUBRA! Of course, as always, a thank you to NTMTOM.
Wishing you all a good weekend. This really is an awesome place.
Maia, it’s so good to hear from you! I sympathize with all your big changes–I’m still trying to readjust 4 years after switching careers, moving to another state, etc. etc. You’ll get to a comfortable mental place if you give yourself time and space to grieve and revel in the new stuff.
How’s your son doing at college? Has he found his place yet? You mentioned it was a tough transition for him, so I keep sending good thoughts his way.
It is so nice to see you again, Maia! We missed you.
I can totally relate to “the rebuilding of your life after a shock divorce” part even if my shock was a few years ago, so definitely not a recent one. I am sending you a big hug and wish you a lot of strength to cope with all these issues.
Thank you for sharing Mutz with us, N. Fritz! That’s about how I feel this morning!
I’m thankful last week is over and it’s finally the weekend- woo hoo! In addition to having one of my busiest weeks ever at work, on Tuesday my mom had another episode of severe abdominal pain/vomiting (after not having any for two weeks, which was the longest stretch yet) so I had to leave work early and get her to the hospital. For the most part these episodes have been resolving on their own, but this one wasn’t. And she had a procedure done last Friday to examine the intestines for adhesions that might be causing the partial blockage episodes (none found) so they think that might have irritated her system into another episode. A CT showed a blockage this time so they went in Thursday night to operate but by the time they got in there it was pretty much resolved. So frustrating. Anyway, she gets out of the hospital today but my aunt (her sister) is picking her up since the hospital they transferred her to for the surgery is closer to my aunt than to me (and I need a break, to be honest).
But this weekend looks good, in spite of the rain Maia mentioned. I have a few projects that can be done in the house or garage so I won’t get wet, except when I go to the Sounders soccer game tonight. I’m starting to get into wood burning, and I’m going to make a couple of signs to put down in our woods to direct people to the trail that goes out to a ridge overlooking the pastures below our property (I just re-read that last bit, and I think it may have set a record for the most prepositional phrases in one sentence, ha ha!). I have a very nice neighbor who cut some wood into rounds for me so I can use them for the signs. I need to get better equipment, and a few accessories, but as I told my husband, at least wood burning is a less expensive hobby than photography. 😛
Soccersue, so sorry about your mom. You’re wise to take care of yourself while you’re caring for her. Sending purrs to you both.
Plus you can turn less-than-satisfactory projects into kindling! There’s a moment in Little Women where Amy has tried woodburning and that’s what they did with her failed attempts.
I admire your energy and dedication, Soccersue. After a week like yours I would just sleep like a wooden plank 🙂
Duckie asked me to let you know that she has pneumonia. She’s at home, and okay-ish, but she can’t come out to play.
Hubby
Oh no! Thanks for letting us know. I hope she feels better soon, although I’ve had pneumonia and it does take a long time.
🙁 Tell her we hope she feels better soon!
Thanks, Mr. Duckie. So sorry to hear she’s ill. Sending healing purrs her way.
Thank you.
Tell Duckie I’m sending her lots of healing purrs from my kitties and I wish her a speedy recovery.
So sorry, Duckie! We’re all sending our best healing wishes to you!
Thank you, DH! Appreciate the update. Please give her my best.
I’m so sad to hear it, feel better soon, Duckie!
Hope Ducky can come out to play soon! ☀️🌷🦆
Sending healing thoughts Duckie’s way!
I have been lurking lately, mostly because of problems signing in. Also painful back and hip problems. I’m using a cane for the first time and haven’t got the hang of it, yet.
Hope everyone else keep getting through it all!! My cats send purrs! Especially to Duckie!
I’ve been using a cane since last summer and it’s a godsend – I should have started much earlier. I saw someone using a very sporty looking one, sapphire blue aluminum, and got one just like it. It’s also good for hooking items on the top shelf at the grocery store, and reaching up to close the back of my Honda hatchback.
Who could say no to that face?
I have the WeRateDogs daily calendar at work. I love it so much. BRB, gonna go follow on Instagram.
I have been busy with a zillion doctor/clinic/wound care appointments. Wound care is an all day thing, the doctor who is in charge is also a trauma surgeon, she started the wound clinic when she was unable to do surgeries because of surgery on her own hand. She is back to work in trauma, but still runs the wound clinic. She is always busy, and quite frankly, there are so many steps to wound care, it takes several hours. The wounds on husband’s foot look a lot better though, so it is worth it. He is still on infusion therapy (IV antibiotics), but Tuesday is the last day of that. Monday is the day they are going to inject bone cement into his broken back, he is looking forward to being more pain free. I have been making name doilies for those friends who helped us get through this, the retired preacher who bought groceries, the friend who paid for a water heater when ours broke, and a few others. Fortunately, I have a large stash of crochet thread and a ton of time waiting for doctor appointments, and I work pretty quickly. Next week is full, appointment with the cardiologist, the orthopedic Dr (maybe get the cast off his wrist), the bone cement, the disability phone interview, and at some point I need to get the taxes done. The husband listed his father’s 37 ford for sale (FIL got it brand new in 1937, for like $600). We’ve had a few calls from people who need to think about it, but nothing solid yet. It’s sad that he has to sell it, but we really need the money, and he will never have the money to actually restore it like he wanted to.
It is so nice to see you again, Patty. I am glad that there are friends to support you in these difficult times.
It’s really lovely to have that kind of support. The emotional part is almost more important than the practical.
Patty, sending you hugs. You and your hubby have been through a lot. I’m glad you’ve got friends to help out.
Patty you have been handed a whole lot of burden. But it sounds like maybe you are coming out the other side now? Here’s hoping for peace and comfort for you both. The value of emotional support is inestimable. Take care.
Dramatic seal is dramatic!
These rolypoly babies are killing me ded. Especially that kitten face! No, wait, the blorpy seal! No, wait, the slidy puppers.
Great little “belly flop” at 8 secs!What a brave kitten!
He’s so clever it’s like watching a junior Maru. Anyone else notice the butt-wiggle as he prepares to jump down?