...politics...the Ford-Kavanaugh Hearings

Watched the entire bloody affair...

OMFG!

Most of it LIVE. As it was happening.

How on EARTH have we sunk this low.

Full Hearing

https://youtu.be/SVGIiiZXdl4

You can too...

And after you finish the 9+ hours of it you might find yourself asking

"What the HELL is wrong with these people?"

As the committee listens to a woman detail/relive the most humiliating, horrible experience of her life. Quietly. Shakily at times. Not coming forward for revenge, or politics...but simply because she felt it her civic duty and the right thing to do. Given the position the Kavanaugh is seeking is a lifetime appointment to the SCOTUS.

But civic duty and the right thing to do seemed a lost commodity today during the latter half of these hearings.

After several hours of quietness, her trembling and gut-wrenching opening statement and at times almost a childlike meekness it was time for Brett Kavanaugh's testimony...

His opening statement was angry and full of fury. Belligerent. Lashing out at everyone. Angry to the point of tears. Especially when he saw that nobody way buying the bullshit.  Look at the faces of the women behind him.

He was THE VICTIM here. Those woman that spoke out were Democrat operatives. Worked for The Clintons. Hated Trump. He was a choir boy. Never drank to excess. His former room-mate was lying. Everyone else was lying. The inscriptions in  his yearbook weren't what they seemed. The Devil's Triangle was "just a drinking game...like quarters"  Boofing was another way of saying fart and FFFF was a joke about a friend with a speech impediment.

Except...even on these...he was lying.

And everyone who grew up during the late 70's and early 80's knew it. 

The Devil's Triangle refers to a three way...two men and one woman.

Boofing is administering drugs or alcohol anally (for an immediate buzz or high)

and FFFF was used back in the day by both males and females (Find her/him, Feel her/him, Fuck him/her, Forget her/him.)

Find someone who didn't come of age during this time to tell your lies to...okay.

and he had his calendar from 1982...because..yeah...everyone has their calander from Highschool, right?

(...I must admit I found this fascinating...and then I wondered how hard to would be to buy a 1982 calendar unused on eBay and then distress it...turns out not hard at all...face it..you can find anything on eBay...)

And although he kept shouting his innocence he refused a polygraph, to have his friend Mark Judge (who was also said to be in the room when the rape attempt occurred) subpoenaed as a witness on his behalf, and refused 19 times during questioning (point blank) about wanting the FBI to do a full investigation on these allegations...which now number 5. 

Although Ford has already passed a polygraph and asked for any/all of her statements to be investigated by the FBI. 

So have three of the other accusers.

 After the hearings were over the GOP glad-handed themselves and let the rest of us know that there would be a vote on whether or not to continue the confirmation in the morning at 9 AM.

"You're fucking kidding me, right?" 

Sadly. no.

Then they herded the still dissident members of their party (Collins, Murkowski and Flake) into a separate room to "get them back in line" before tomorrow's vote.

Without at least 2 of them Kavanaugh's Nomination is DOA.

And it should be.

And I hope two of them have the intestinal fortitude to put Country Over Party and do the right thing...and refuse to let this be the new norm.

But I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

The phrase that keeps passing through my head is

"Cui Bono"  (who benefits)

Why would any of the five unrelated accusers turn their lives upside down, relive a horrible piece of their  lives, be subject to the insane death threats from the far right...for...what?

and why would GOP Congress even pretend (after today's display) that Kavanaugh was the best they had to offer. That someone, whose complete background files couldn't be released, even before these allegations and now has allegations pending of 5 sexual assaults...at least 2 of which are with high level credible witnesses...why would they stand by this nomination? Why would they not DEMAND further investigation. A polygraph. A subpoena of Mark Judge.

Why, indeed.

Took a hot bath and drank a glass of wine.

Hoping against hope that a couple of the three GOP Senators will break rank and file and STOP this travesty.

More determined than EVER to help make real change in November.

More as it comes...




Addendum:  It was moved out of committee this morning 11-10 with Jeff Flake's addition of the caveat that Kavanaugh must submit to a week delay and FBI investigation. Otherwise he will vote no when it comes to the floor.

By early afternoon Murkowski, Manchin, and Collins had agreed to the same.
No FBI investigation...no confirmation.

The FBI will be limited to the multiple sexual accusers.

By the end the investigation...(which neither Kavanaugh or the GOP wanted) the problem may be moot...and Kavanaugh may choose to withdraw or be withdrawn.

Here's hoping!

And thank you, Senator Flake...for forcing this delay and investigation.

First Day of Fall...and the Week's Update

Woke to 58 degrees and warm biscuits with apple butter.

Happy Fall!

The apple butter procured earlier in the week as Diane and Sharon and I plundered Rockville and the surrounding area, including a trip to Peachy's
(Amish Store) 

It was great to see the Square again. Fun to wander through G.C Murphy's Five and Dime, and brunch at Benjamin's together.

Slow morning here...because...yeah...politics. Watched the debate between Ted Cruz and Beto O'Roarke (contenders for Texas Senator) last night.

Cruz spent his time attacking Beto.

Beto spent his time outlining how he would serve the people of Texas.

O'Roarke reminds me of another young senator...the (then) Junior Senator Barack Obama.

I was fortunate enough to hear him speak at the 2004 DNC convention, well before any thought of a Presidential run.

I remember turning to my husband-person and saying

"One day, this man will be POTUS."

In 2008 it came to pass.

I believe that Beto will, someday, be as well.

He is genuine, real, cares about people.
Texas will be lucky to have him as their Senator.

A class act.  Stood there as Ted hammered away and did not get negative or rude back...just stated facts. Called him out when he lied. And stayed focused on what he wanted to do to make Texas better.

Very impressive.

Also impressive...

We BEAT Washington last Sunday!!!

21-9

Even sacking the Quarterback...which results in 2 for 1 Big Macs!

~lol~

We are 1 & 1 going into this weekend.

Tomorrow we play The Eagles.

Capt. Andrew Luck

Dearest mother — There has been little time to relish our victory over the Washington unit as we must move out again. A convocation of Eagles in Philadelphia seeks battle. Scouts report their captain — who may or may not be British royalty — returns to field command. — Andrew


Dearest mother — I have received your care package of blue jay jam and owl tonic. The unit continues its march to Philadelphia to face these Eagle men — the reigning victors of the great battle at Bowl Valley. The specter, Cpl. Hilton, appears most primed for success. — Andrew

Dearest mother — The unit inches closer to the Philly land by the day. Gen. Reich — once a high-ranking officer for the Eagle men, aiding them at Bowl Valley — has been tracking their unique trail of feathers and cheese. I estimate we shall arrive by Sunday. Anxious. — Andrew

Dearest mother — The unit has reached the outskirts of Philadelphia. The men marched double time, expecting to be met by Capt. Wentz’s Royal Guard. But, alas, there is only a large, cracked bell. While still on alert, I will take some time to polish my trusty sidearm. — Andrew

Looking forward to tomorrow's game!

Go Colts!

Shelby and Sofi have now teamed up on me...and yesterday I realized I may be "their game".

Shelby, who loses her mind, if I fail to turn in by 9:30.

"Got to go, John...the cat's EXPLODING."

and now Sofi...who makes sure the entire house is up by 6:30.

My life. Reduced to warding off impending feline detonation.

Sofi and Shelby routinely engaging in the tail game now.

"Got it!" ~Sofi

"Okay kid...that's enough"  ~Shelby

"Fine..I know when I'm not wanted..."  ~Sofi

I've been decorating for Fall and have a few more leaf vines for my trellis. Left in a pile on the floor they immediately became a tiny leaf pile to jump in...

"That was GREAT!"  ~Sofi

"You are so easily amused...that is why mom keeps you around."  ~Shelby

I may have to buy a couple more strands and let her keep these.

Her favorite new game is a result of my renovation of my bedroom though.

While I declutter and clean before opening boxes of new bedding, mattress topper, wall art...etc...

Sofi has been using the growing stack of unopened packages as her personal "Lion King" platform.

Yes...has this entire SIMBA groove going...as well as using the elevated position to facilitate her attacks on Shel.

"Thrilled."  ~Shelby

Never a dull moment, here.

So impressed with James this week. My tattooed bad boy of a son who has still got a heart of gold.

While helping work on a house he found a small dog chained to a tree. A Pomeranian missing an eye. For several days he shared his lunch with the cowering and obviously neglected animal.

Finally he asked the woman who owned the house about the dog. Turns out she fed and watered it...but it was her sister's and had been left. Bottom line...nobody wanted him or cared and he had literally been chained up and left for almost 3 years.

To make a long story short...she gave "Nacho" to James...who brought him home to join the menagerie.

Introducing Nacho!

Nicole says he is so thrilled to be rescued, and is so loving and happy! 

I'm just impressed with what large hearts they both have.

Still waiting on the new Woodward:Fear

and interested to read 

Stormy Daniels

new tome

Full Disclosure.

(...because of this book I will always know that 

Trump's naughty bits resemble a toadstool...bleah.)

Anyway, this week's book

A recent release.

Definitely past the season...but still very enjoyable.

(...I am almost ready to start my fall bulbs now...)

But learning a few tricks for

next year.

The Movie

Crazy Rich Asians

Nice love story.

Chinese "dragon-lady" Mom.

Feel good ending.

Better than I expected, and definitely want to read the novel now.

Worth the time. A bit draggy and stereotypical in parts...but overall it
is good.

Now it is time to wrap up the week with

AND NOW WHAT????

(...which really should be entitled Rapists and Pedophiles and Liars this time...)

The has been one of those weeks politically that just leaves you shaking your head...

or maybe just shaking.

The big news this week, of course, that SCOTUS nominee Kavanaugh
has been accused of attacking Dr. Christine Ford when they were at a party. He was 17. She was 15.

Did the Congressional GOP insist on a full investigation?

Apologize to Dr. Ford ?

Withdraw his nomination (especially in light of the fact he had already been found to lie under oath about unrelated things)?

You're kidding, right?

No...what these bozos and Kavanaugh did was reprehensible...including

Kavanaugh: I never met her.
                     
                    I was never at that party.  (...this was stated before any date/time or specific party was indicated...)

                    Okay, I was there, but it was only horseplay.

(...shoving her in a room with a male friend...shoving her down and climbing on top of her while his friend turned the music up and he covered her mouth with his hand so she couldn't scream...)

Horseplay???????????????

 

and Congress was as bad if not worse...

"Boys will be boys"

"At least he didn't go through with it (the rape)"

"She must be mixed up...maybe it was somebody else."

Even Trump chimed in

"Why didn't she report this 35 years ago"

and

"There is no proof now"

"He shouldn't be held accountable for something that happened when he was 17"

Except Dr. Christine Ford has struggled with this all her adult life. Including telling her husband about the attempted rape years ago...and her therapist (...in 2012...) taking detailed notes about it while trying to help her patient deal with it all. All long before Kavanaugh was a nominee.

Fun Fact:  Maryland has no Statute of Limitation on Sexual Assault. Ergo she could conceivably file suit against him in her state.

Then the "good ole boys" decided to give her and her lawyer a deadline for having a hearing about the attempted rape...or they were going to go ahead with the vote and confirm Kavanaugh.

Mitch McConnell came out to say it really didn't matter to him because he has THE VOTES to confirm anyway...

What the actual FUCK???

This is a LIFETIME appointment to the highest court in the land
and whether or not your nominee is a Sexual Attacker isn't something you are worried about....not relevant????

Yes...in case you thought that maybe the GOP had some red line or a low point....

Apparently not.

But these guys aren't the only ones doing the GOP "How low can you go" Limbo this week.

There is also the GOP incumbent that withdrew from his race when his daughter came forward claiming childhood molestation.

And the GOP aide that had an affair with a stripper for months while married...got her pregnant...then drugged her Smoothie with the Morning After Pill killing not only the baby...but also nearly killing her in the process.

WTH is it with you guys?

SERIOUSLY.

We are voting all of you out between 2018 and 2020.

You know that, right?

(...shaking my head...and taking the rest of the weekend GOP-Free...)


More Anon...

Virtual Australia: Mitchell River Waterfalls WA and Shark Bay

Today's Virtual Adventure takes us to the Kimberly Region of Western.

Specifically Mitchell River National Park and its river and falls.

Winding serpent-like through 445 square  acres, the river and park are habitat to over 50 species of mammals, 220 different birds and 86 unique amphibians and reptiles.

This gives the park biological significance in Australia.

Established in 2000...there are still 3 tribes of aboriginal people living within its vast area.

Helicopter Tour of the Park and Falls

https://youtu.be/-7cbP3NZIT0

https://youtu.be/-zMngUAEUIE

and

Shark Bay

Shark Bay was deemed a World Heritage Site in 1991.  It encompasses
5,438,550 square acres of which 3,200,000 is covered in water with an average depth of 30 feet. There are three Marine Biologist Parks located here. Many peninsulas and islands and nearly 190 miles of limestone cliffs overlooking the bay.

Additionally stromatolites can be seen in Hamelin Bay.

These are considered the oldest living fossils in the world. Hamelin Bay is only one of three sites in the world where these still exist. 

They are formed of layer upon layer of rock formed by cyanobacteria some dating back over 3.7 billion years ago.

The type of bacteria which still causes the stromatolites growth in Shark Bay is called Chlorophyll f.  looking like this

It uses water, sunlight (from the red end of the spectrum) and carbon dioxide to provide its own food source.

These stromatolites grow at a maximum of 0.3 mm a year...and some of the larger ones are over a meter tall.

Hamelin Bay Museum also has one of the ONLY living stromatolites (in an aquarium) in the world and has recorded its growth through the years.

Stromatolites

https://youtu.be/mgmFCDRtAkY

Diving among the stomatolites

https://youtu.be/uzwvjOSS2Pc

What Are Stromatolites

https://youtu.be/N-G7IJCkyvg

Shark Bay

https://youtu.be/mzMz0dBuoOI



More anon...next week Willie Creek Pearl Farm

Florence...September's Getaway...Fall at J. Evelyn's...and More

Long week, this one.

Complicated on the East Coast by the arrival of Florence.

Good because instead of blowing ashore as a Cat. 4 or 5...she managed to weaken over the Atlantic to a Cat. 1.

Bad because she is so full of water and moving oh-so-slowly at 2 mph...dumping incredible amounts of rain on North and South Carolina and Virginia and causing devastating flooding.

Here in landlocked Indiana we aren't even going to get blow-back from this one.

And I am okay with that after last week's rains.

Working on John's black and white portrait now.

We had a wonderful midweek getaway together...through
Greenfield, Shelbyville, and East Indianapolis.

Finally able to meet several of his now-day friends...his grown son (Robert)...and his GINORMOUS cat- Gizmo.

Make our waitress laugh until she cried. (...yes...we are now one of those restaurant customer stories...I have no doubt...)

Made a Fall trip to J. Evelyn's...the BEST candy shop ever!

and got chocolates, of course.

And just had some quality US time.

It was perfect.

Sofi has almost doubled in size since she first came home and she and Shelby are adjusting to each other. Even playing together a bit.

The Tail Game.

"Seriously...just KILL me now."  ~Shelby


"This is soooooooooooooooooo much fun!!!"  ~Sofi


Still waiting for the Woodward book...hopefully next week. No new books or movies experienced this week.

Although the Colts lost last Sunday to Cincinnati in the 4th Quarter...it was a well-fought game and up to the last few seconds could have went either way.

And today we beat Washington!

Capt. Andrew Luck:

Dearest mother — I write with stupendous news. Our unit was victorious in battle. The feeling is thrilling. My sidearm was true and my soldiers brave. I shall celebrate with a bath and a bottle of Squirrel Oil. Our journey is bright. I miss you. — Andrew

Chris and Tina spent the weekend at Irish-Fest

I spent today with James and Nicole and The Grands.

Nicole outdid herself with Roast Beef French Dip sandwiches...and I baked  Pumpkin Cranberry Nut Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing and Spiced Pecans for afters.

Per James' request we brought a tote full of photos from...basically his whole childhood...hundreds of them...and sat together revisiting 30+ years of his life with Nicole and his own children.

It was great.

Even ran across some I had forgotten.
 
Settling in this evening after a long but happy week.

 More Anon...

 

Virtual Australia: The Pinnacles WA

Like an other-worldly landscape...The Pinnacles (literally thousands of them) rise out of the yellowish sand of Nambung National Park in Western, Australia.

Created from eroded limestone. Once the millions and millions of bodies of tiny sea creatures...compressed over time to solid rock.  It is hard to conceive that this was once the floor of a vast sea.

Many rising taller than 6 feet.

Now. not only a popular tourist and photographer's destination, but home to wandering emu, kangaroos, and a variety of Australian Desert wildlife.

In an area of the park know as The Pinnacles Desert.

At night it offers beautiful star-gazing.

Tour of The Pinnacles Desert

https://youtu.be/7SVUrY2JXBg

and a drive round by motorcar (the best..and shows the vastness of this desert first person)


https://youtu.be/gj9zo1j_ydI

I hope you have enjoyed this virtual adventure of The Pinnacles!



More anon...

Virtual Australia: Lake Hillier, WA

Okay...call me an unwashed heathen.

Until this virtual adventure I had never seen or heard of a pink lake.

Now I find that there are quite a few scattered around the world...including a couple in Western Australia.

Hillier is deemed one of the best.

Lake Hillier with its Peptol Bismol pink hue is best seen from the air. On land the waves appear more clearish pink.

The white shoreline, appearing like pristine beach sand, is actually heavy salt deposits.

Dried and crystallized.

The pink color remains evident even if the water is containerized.

Hillier was discovered on the edge of Middle Island off the coastline of Western
Australia in 1802. It is 2000 feet in length and 820 feet in width and aside from the microbes which make up its pink color...it is completely devoid of life.  The waters are heavily saline (comparable with The Dead Sea) and for several years after discovery the site was used as a salt mine. The dried salt on its shore so pure at the time it was discovered this was written by the captain of the ship:

In the north-eastern part was a small lake of a rose colour, the water of which, as I was informed by Mr. Thistle who visited it, was so saturated with salt that sufficient quantities were crystallized near the shores to load a ship. The specimen he brought on board was of a good quality, and required no other process than drying to be fit for use.


Hillier is safe for swimming. The microbes, giving it the pink color, non-toxic.

Six miles away...another pink lake once existed (Lake Spencer) In 1966 the waters changed from pink to white and now it is clear. Since salt mining continued at Spencer but was halted in a very few years at Hillier speculation is that the microbes which cause the odd color (and must have a high volume of salt to water) could not live in the lowered salinity.


Tours

https://youtu.be/Qal38Bq1dyw

https://youtu.be/idkwZ-t1DVI 

 More anon...

Fall...Decorating...New Scents & More

The last Summer Brunch with Chris and my "Seasonal Buddy" this week.

A nice quiche, strawberry scones with butter, sliced watermelon and lots of political pontification (...he, a lapsed staunch Republican and I- an Independent turned firmly Democrat...)

Both the lapse and the turning have to do with this current Administration, I should add. 

Once during the conversation when we both agreed on the promise of a

"Biden-Kennedy III 2020"

run as possibly the best hope for the election-to-come outcome.

Time stood still for a Moment.

"Did we just agree on politics???"

"I think so." 

"Feels weird. I think I need a shower or something."


Yeah...that only took 30+ years.

~laughing~

But Summer is DONE here.
We parted with "See you in Fall"

Now dragging out the boxes and boxes of Fall Stuff and what shall I put up...and what gets left behind. Since I have decorated seasonally since 1978 with my first hole in the wall, half-double away from my parents...that covers a lot of stuff.

I REALLY THINK I HAVE TOO MUCH FALL DECOR

WE HAVE WAY TOO MANY SUNFLOWERS

I'M NOT GETTING PUMPKINS OR MUMS THIS YEAR

                                                                        -Said No Woman who Decorates
                                                                         for Fall...
                                                                                        EVER.



So, I've reboxed the driftwood and seashells. Closed NPB and stowed the summer sign. Removed the silk roses and hydrangeas. Used the last warm sunny day before the rains to deadhead the summer flowers and potted a few of the many mums to come.

The table is strewn with faux leaves and vines and baskets and sunflowers. Resin pumpkins and bare grapevine wreaths to be redecorated with an autumn motif. Some with make this year's cut. Some will be returned to my Fall box. Better luck next year.

My buffalo china cup is filled with orange spiced tea, and it's matching bread plate with crusty bread and fig jam. Fig jam is a newly acquired taste...and I quite like it!

Already Bath and Bodyworks has provided the bathroom scent du jour of "Falling Orchard Leaves" in liquid foaming soap, lotion and body spray. Very nice.

The nail polish has morphed to a metallic pumpkin shade LA Colors refers to as "Soulmate" .

A jarred candle compliments of Sprawlmart has home smelling a lot like Candied Caramel Pecan.

Yes. I take FALL very seriously. 


"Idgy" who also carries The Decorating Gene sent photos of the beginnings of autumnal decorations at her shop.

                                                           

And I am absolutely loving that wall of cast iron stuff!

It is looking wonderful, hon!


The store is doing well and she sounds very satisfied.  She also has some of her art on the walls now and has made space for local artists...and donated a booth to the local animal shelter!

(...all proceeds go directly toward the care/feeding of the animals...) 

From time to time she even "baby-sits" a rescue for a few hours.

It was good to have brunch with Chris this week...who has been slammed with work and the Cisco Course. He and Tina are fine and, of course, getting plans together for their Spring Wedding.

Lennon is busy with work and his grandmother and just saw a lot of heavy winds and rain from Gordon in the Gulf...the backwash we will be getting for the next few days.

James is busy being Mr. Mom this week.

Wrangling kids ready for school. Listening to Aiden (now 4) until his ears fall off....lol! Getting meals, homework and baths & bedtime.

Because...

Nicole's weight loss (size 24 to size 6) was such an inspiration to Nancy (her Mom) that she decided to go for the bariatric sleeve surgery as well!

Nicki has been camped at the hospital this week with her. The surgery now done and helping her Mom with laps around the nurses station and tips on eating/life post Sleeve Surgery.

"Welcome to the bright new beginning of the REST of your life!!!"

She is going to feel so much better once she has lost the weight.

And be so much healthier.

Oh, and my honorary great-grandson (and Nicole's grandson) Brantley (Brittany's son) who will be one soon...took his first step!!!

There will be no stopping him now!

John and I getting ready for another short getaway in days!

"Love in the Age of Arthritis"

And it is wonderful!

Like being 20 again.

Texting like kids. Afternoon phone calls just to say or hear

"I love you" (bigly or muchly)

or

"I'm thinking about you."

or

"I had to share this with you!" 

and sometimes

"I want you."

Which we both know...but it still feels nice to hear it.

The first "Good Morning" of the morning...if you don't count our cats...and the last "Goodnight" every night.

Both of us widowed for years...never looking/expecting to ever feel like this again.

Me, remembering when his hair was all there, and beard was still black.

Him, remembering when I was a size 5 and could STILL walk.

Inside, we are still the same as the day we first met in 1982.

Silly, smart-asses, romantics and snuggle-bugs.

 and maybe Football.

Actually going to follow The Colts together this year.  Sorry, New Orleans Saints...I'll be back...really. 

First game of this season tomorrow at 1:00.

Go LUCK!

John turned me onto Andrew Luck's  Twitter Account

Capt. Andrew Luck

Written in Civil War Letters Style from Pre-Season and continuing through the Season Games.

Hilarious!

Dearest mother — And so ends our exercises. The unit bested the Tiger men, but the damage is not permanent. Now, the hour upon us. Our true campaign begins. Where it shall take us, I know not. But I believe in my men. I believe in Gen. Reich. And I believe in my sidearm. — Andrew

Dearest mother — The unit has returned home, but we have no time to relax. The Tiger men are looking for another battle — and this time, the stakes are real. Scouts report their unit marches our way, guided in the night by the glow of Capt. Dalton’s fiery crown. Anxious. — Andrew

Dearest mother — The Tiger men have reached the outskirts of town. We hear growls in the distance, see the faint glow of Capt. Dalton’s crown. There is no mistaking it now: battle draws near. The men are confident. I am ready. My resolve is as strong as my sidearm. — Andrew

 This Week's Book:

 I may even become adventurous and try Orchids, Succulents and Bromeliads next year!

Very good read and nice to see container gardens, succulents, air plants and terrariums making a comeback.

Informational, inspiring and well written.

This Week's Movie:

Another film I had actively avoided for a while, actually.

I don't know. I was fearing another version of Deep Water I guess. Didn't want to spend another night waiting (hopefully) for sharks (Meg or otherwise) to eat the cast and end the damned thing.

Boy, was I EVER wrong.

A beautiful love story, and a story of survival. Of doing what you KNOW needs to be done...even though you never thought you could.

A true story about a couple whose sailing vessel is badly damaged in a storm at sea and 41 days on the open ocean...alone.

I loved the way they intertwined the story of their meeting and love affair with the boat wreck and afterward...giving you a sense of the couple they once were. Invests you in the love they shared.

No spoilers here...but see this film.

You'll be glad you did. 

Shelby and Sofi doing well together now. Shel will even sit still and let her play pounce the tail game...twitching it back and forth for her to pounce and watching her all the while.

"OMG...a tail...must pounce it!" ~Sofi

"Fine...but if you bite it...I WILL eat you."  ~Shelby

Sofi growing a bit. Almost completely litter-box trained (thankfully) and more bunny-like every day.  Manx are very un-cat-like I've found.

She loves water and will play with bubbles in her bath.

The bigger she gets the more she boings around the house...just like a rabbit...hopping.

She is so smart. Remembers things. Fetches things like a dog.

When I call her now she immediately hops as fast as she can to me...and when she gets there she turns (stand sideways) to be petted...just like a dog.

It is weird.

The only Manx drawback I can see is that having no tail at all

(she is a rumpy...with only a bit of fur...not even a stub)

she tends to not recognize having a butt at all.

In short...I have to use wet-wipes on the kitten.

Hoping this resolves itself as she grows...because...yeah it is a bit disgusting.

But not so much that the rest of her Manx Cuteness doesn't counter-balance it.

Researched the breed a bit since I have had her. Extremely interesting.

All of the Manx that were...are..or will ever be, are genetically linked to the Isle of Man where they originated. 

Any cat that has any percentage of Manx genetically will give rise to some Manx kittens in a litter (...this applies both to male and female...) the gene is very strong and dominate.

Although I am going to finish Virtual Australia first (still have the rest of Western and 2 more states) afterward I am definitely going to explore the Isle of Man (off the coastline of Ireland) and learn more about the origin of my "cabbit".

Making progress on finishing the last room of my Apartment the way I have always wanted. Should have it together by the end of December.

Montgomery Ward has provided a thick mattress topper, new pillows, a complete bed set with sheets, cases, comforter and decorator pillow...and soon a large piece of wall art.

It is a work in progress!

Still want the freestanding oval walnut jewelry box/mirror combo...and another silk tree or faux palm.

But this weekend...

It's all about Fall.

More Anon...