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Love come softly, brush against my heart
Yearning for its closeness, not ever to depart
In God’s Infinite Wisdom, I place my life,
And trust for tomorrow, what be, what might
Whatever path this love may go
It carries with it the willingness,
to let it go
And hope that one day, it will again, brush against my heart ....
To stay forever.
Karen A. 05/30/06 
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A Girls best friend is her cat - Chapter 6
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Apr 12, 2006 10:00 am
1580 Views
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A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 6
In the summer of 1980 we moved again. This was to be your last home, but we lived in this home together for 12 years. The house was located on Stark Street, a busy active area and right across the street from a cemetery. The cemetery was a beautiful, well-manicured place and I use to go over there and walk through it, occasionally leashing you up and taking you with me. Fortunately, you were a smart and logical thinking cat and never once did you attempt to cross the busy street to follow me or go over by yourself. I know it must have been tempting because there were a lot of squirrels over there.
We were both growing older and becoming more sedate. One thing I miss is how you would climb up and lay on my chest while I sat and watched TV. Sometimes it felt as if you were pressing down on me as hard as you could as if you were hugging me.
Once in a while, even in your old age, you would go a little crazy and run up and down the stairs and through the kitchen to the living room like a wild cat. You were like a big burst of energy. I never could figure out what brought that on, but it always gave me a good laugh.
During this time, I met Elaine. She became a very dear friend and since she lived out of town, would come up and spend an occasional weekend with me. The unfortunate problem was that she had a very serious cat phobia. I did my best to keep you away from her, but it wasn’t easy. I could not leave you locked up in a room during the whole of the time she was there, it just didn’t seem right. So, you were allowed to come out and roam around periodically. You were somewhat friendly, but it was not your habit to get to cozy with anyone but me. However, just your presence was hard on Elaine.
On one of her weekend visits we decided to get some movies. For reasons I don’t recall, I had to leave for a few minutes. When I returned, Elaine had this very worried look on her face and told me she was concerned about you and that I should go find you and make sure you were okay. Apparently she had been down on her hands and knees trying to plug in the VCR. As she turned her head to get back up she came nose to nose with you. My, oh my, what a sight that must have been. She said she let out a scream that shook the rafters. You took a flying leap into the air and without touching the floor, made your escape into the other room. Elaine was certain she might have caused you to have a heart attack. Fortunately, you survived, and so did Elaine.
I use to take you with me when I would visit my folks. I’m not quite sure you enjoyed your visits up there that much. Mom and Dad had their own cats and you were pretty snobbish towards them. You wouldn’t have much to do with them, nor me, and usually stayed upstairs, or roamed around outside. Tom Henry and Bobby tried to make friends with you but you just wouldn’t have it. I thought I had taught you to be courteous to others, but you didn’t do so well with that.
Tomorrow, the final chapter: Saying Goodbye
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A Girls best friend is her cat - Chapter 5
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Apr 11, 2006 8:46 am
1538 Views
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When my cat Sissie died of old age, I decided I wanted to write her story. It was my way of getting through the grief of losing her. I thought it would be fun to share that story here and hopefully to your enjoyment. I will spare you having to read it all at one time, and submit it in chapter form. It's not real long, but probably more preferable for reading in a little shorter format. I hope you enjoy the story.
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A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 5
After about a year living in Sandy, I decided to move back to Portland. It was getting difficult for me to drive the forty-five minutes into work each morning without getting drowsy. I was afraid I would end up in a ditch sooner or later. So when one of my coworkers told me her mother was looking for someone to rent the small apartment on the second floor of her home, I went for it.
The place, located just off 82nd avenue and Clay Street, had two bedrooms, a bath, kitchen, and very small living room quarters. Mrs. Trusty was a real nice lady to rent from.
Although things went along pretty smooth while you and I lived there, you again created a problem I was sure would put me out on the streets. While Mrs. Trusty went on vacation she had asked me to take care of her many plants and you usually came along with me when I went down to water them. I never paid much attention to what you were doing while I was there (I didn’t think I had to). One day I noticed that the leaves on most of Mrs. Trusty’s plants looked like they had been chewed on. To my horror I realized you were the culprit! I couldn't believe the damage you had done to her plants! I was scared of the repercussions I would get from it.
When I think back on it now, I should have faced her when she came back, and offered to pay for the damaged plants, but like the chicken I was, I just pretended nothing happened and she never mentioned anything when she came home from vacation. I felt guilty about that for a long time, and I’m still not proud of the fact that I didn’t say anything.
The house on Clay Street is also where you learned to use MY furniture as a scratching post! I had been pretty fortunate with you so far, and my furniture was unscathed. However, your “Uncle” Houdini came to visit. You remember Houdini? He was Mom and Dads cat. Well, while I was off working, Houdini showed you the tricks of his trade and pretty soon I began to notice the evidence of your addiction - shredded furniture! By the time I realized what was going on, it was too late. You were hooked! I'm sorry, this isn't a very nice memory of you is it? Well, I loved you in spite of your faults.
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To simplelady ... regarding your blog about giggles
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Apr 10, 2006 1:31 pm
1507 Views
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simplelady, Laughter is the best of medicine.  I have to share with you a "giggles" story.
When I was in high school, there for a very short period of time I referred to myself as "giggles" when writing a note to one of my classmates. Well, I used the name one too many. In one of my classes, there were four of us who would pass notes back and forth. One day our teacher made an announcement that he had found this note and was unable to determine who the author of it was. As he read it I began to squirm and feel a little uncomfortable. Fortunately the note was not too incriminating, however, I knew it was one I wrote. Since I had used a "handle" that only those select three knew, I felt fairly safe in my anonymity, thinking there was no chance my three friends would give me away.
When the teacher finished reading the note he said, "and it is signed, giggles" Without missing a beat, at all, one of those "dear" friends, shouted out "Oh, that's Karen!" I was mortified! Needless to say, I never passed another note, nor did I use the name "giggles." I figured it was best just to stick with my real name, they'd eventually find out anyhow.
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A Girl's best friend is her cat - Chapter 4
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Apr 9, 2006 11:39 pm
1528 Views
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When my cat Sissie died of old age, I decided I wanted to write her story. It was my way of getting through the grief of losing her. I thought it would be fun to share that story here and hopefully to your enjoyment. I will spare you having to read it all at one time, and submit it in chapter form. It's not real long, but probably more preferable for reading in a little shorter format. I hope you enjoy the story.
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A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 4
One major incident I remember while living in Sandy was the time when the place almost caught fire. We were having a very heavy snow and ice storm and the only heat I had was from a small wood stove. It did a wonderful job of heating the place up, sometimes to the point where I’d have to open the front door just to let some of the cool air in.
I had come home from work and quickly stoked up the fire. While talking with a friend on the phone, I glanced up where the stovepipe met with the ceiling and saw ashes coming out of the holes of the plate around the ceiling! I immediately hung up the phone and called the fire department. Keep in mind, this was during a blizzard and not only were the roads icy, but we lived at the bottom of a steep and curvy road! Needless to say, it was treacherous for the firemen to travel and I don’t think they were too happy about that! They came and took care of the immediate problem, but I was told I could not build a fire in the stove until it was fixed. Apparently, the stovepipe had been inserted incorrectly and creosote was dripping down around the pipe. When it got hot, it caught on fire.
So, there I was, unable to build another fire, and it was getting very cold. I realized I couldn’t stay there that night and quickly made arrangements to stay overnight with a friend who lived about twelve miles away. During all of the excitement, you had become frightened and took off somewhere to hide and when it came time for me to leave I couldn't find you. I frantically kept calling for you, to no avail. I was so worried about you being out in the freezing weather and was beside myself as to what to do. Finally, I couldn't wait any longer. I talked with my neighbor and he unenthusiastically agreed to keep an eye out for you. Somehow, I didn't feel very good about depending on him. As I got into my car I took time to say a prayer for protection while I drove the icy roads and I prayed for your safety. No sooner had I started the car up and turned my headlights on, then out you came from the dark, meowing away at me. I can't even explain the relief I felt. God answered my prayer. I don't know how cold it turned out to be in my little house for you, but I'm sure it was much better than being outside!
Shortly after all that happened, my landlord installed a wall air heater for quick heat up in case of another emergency. Fortunately nothing that drastic happened after that, but it sure was nice to come home and turn that wall heater on to get the nip out of the air right away.
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A new way to lose weight
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Apr 8, 2006 9:35 pm
1593 Views
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A blonde is terribly overweight, so her doctor put her on a diet.
"I want you to eat regularly for 2 days, then skip a day, and repeat this procedure for 2 weeks. The next time I see you, you'll have lost at least 5 pounds."
When the blonde returned, she shocked the doctor by losing nearly 20 pounds.
"Why, that's amazing!" the doctor said, "Did you follow my instructions?"
The blonde nodded, "I'll tell you though, I thought I was going to drop dead that 3rd day."
"From hunger, you mean?" asked the doctor.
"No, from skipping."
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A Girl's best friend is her cat - Chapter 3
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Apr 8, 2006 10:37 am
1508 Views
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When my cat Sissie died of old age, I decided I wanted to write her story. It was my way of getting through the grief of losing her. I thought it would be fun to share that story here and hopefully to your enjoyment. I will spare you having to read it all at one time, and submit it in chapter form. It's not real long, but probably more preferable for reading in a little shorter format. I hope you enjoy the story.
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A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 3
Jan eventually got married and you and I were once again faced with having to find other living arrangements. As God's blessings would have it, we moved to Sandy, Oregon into a place that belonged to a friend of mine from church. It was a small A-frame house with a loft bedroom and it was nestled in amongst the trees, with a small creek just a little ways from the front door. From the first day there, I felt a real peace. It was cozy and woodsy and you, of course, loved it because you were now able to roam freely outdoors.
I enjoyed this place for the solitude and at the same time, didn't enjoy it for the solitude. In many ways, I was becoming a part time hermit out there. All my “human” friends and family lived at least 12 miles away and some even further. It was just you and I against the world. We got to know each other a lot...you weren't much of a conversationalist, but you were a good listener. I remember too, the many cold winter nights that you would crawl down deep under the covers of my bed to sleep. Your purring was always a sleep tonic for me.
Living out in the woods, there were plenty of rodents of various types for you to "play" with. One night, after roaming around outside, I heard you scratching at the door to be let in. To my horror, when I opened the door, the ugliest tiniest shrew I had ever wanted to see came rushing in ahead of you! I let out a scream and leaped to the ladder that led up into the loft. You proceeded to chase the ugly monster around the room, in and out of the kitchen and bathroom. I don't know what ever happened to that shrew. I never did find any evidence of it afterwards, dead or alive, but that night I kept awake thinking it was going to some how find its way up in the loft, crawl up my covers from the foot of my bed, and attack me!
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A Girls best friend is her cat - Chapter 2
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Apr 7, 2006 9:38 am
1482 Views
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When my cat Sissie died of old age, I decided I wanted to write her story. It was my way of getting through the grief of losing her. I thought it would be fun to share that story here and hopefully to your enjoyment. I will spare you having to read it all at one time, and submit it in chapter form. It's not real long, but probably more preferable for reading in a little shorter format. I hope you enjoy the story.
*********
A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 2
From the place on 42nd, we moved in with a friend named Madeline. She had a duplex on 41st & Francis and you and I took up residence in her basement. I fixed it up real cozy, putting curtains up to divide the bedroom from the living area and kitchen. It was certainly not the Ritz, but it was our home.
While we lived there you lost your virginity! One day I came home from work and found you gone, the curtains crumbled on the floor and a large hole in the basement window (previously a small tiny one created by someone shooting a bee bee gun) where you had made your escape. Your hormones were really kicking in! I couldn't find you and I was frantic. Well, you could have cared less how I felt! You were out walking the streets! I thought I had raised you better, but alas, you tossed everything to the wind. You finally came meandering home, with a satisfied purr and a belly full of baby kitties!
We stayed at Madeline’s for almost a year until she got married. After finding homes for all your kids, we set off to share an apartment with another friend, Janice.
Now, living with Janice was great, but like my friends Sue and Vickie, she wasn't too happy about having a cat around. Having grown up with outdoor cats, it didn’t make sense to her to keep you inside. Naturally, you wouldn't go for that, and of course, neither would I. You were an indoor cat all the way and I said to her...love me, love my cat. Eventually, she got use to you. However, there were a few times you got me in trouble. Like the time I was in the kitchen preparing something to eat when all of a sudden I heard this blood-curdling scream coming from Jan’s bedroom. She came stomping out, red-faced, cursing you with words I could never repeat and promptly left the apartment, slamming the door behind her.
I instantly got this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach and went to check out the cause of her sudden outburst. Well, to my horror, you chose to poop on her beautiful bedspread. I was mortified! How could my precious Sissie do that? Unfortunately for me, there was no other “being” around, cat or otherwise, to blame it on. Fortunately for you, Jan stayed away long enough to give me time to pull the spread, wash and dry it and get it put back on her bed. It was also long enough for her to cool down to an even temper, otherwise I think your days (and possibly mine) would have been numbered.
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A Girls Best Friend is her cat
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Apr 6, 2006 12:08 pm
Mood: nostalgic,
1632 Views
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When my cat Sissie died of old age, I decided I wanted to write her story. It was my way of getting through the grief of losing her. I thought it would be fun to share that story here and hopefully to your enjoyment. I will spare you having to read it all at one time, and submit it in chapter form. It's not real long, but probably more preferable for reading in a little shorter format. I hope you enjoy the story.
*********
A LETTER TO MY CAT SISSIE, A girls best friend.
Chapter 1
You were born in June of 1974 during a significant transition in my life. My two best friends, and housemates for the past four years, were both getting married and I was faced with living alone for the first time in my life.
Your mother’s name was Pascha. I brought her home as a kitten after spying her in a box marked “free” at a huge rummage sale. My heart melted as soon as I laid eyes on her and there was no way I was going to leave her behind. Of course, this was much to the dismay of my housemates. I managed, with pleading and stubbornness, to talk them into letting me keep her. Although she was an indoor cat, she managed to slip away for a period of time and met up with a vagabond traveler. Thus, your life began. This took place, as I mentioned, during the time both housemates were making wedding plans, and packing boxes to move to their respective new homes. I was hoping you would not arrive until I was able to get settled into my new apartment. Unfortunately, that was not the case, and you made your entrance into this world in Vickie’s bedroom closet. Of all people to choose, your mother chose the one person who was most unfavorable about having a house cat in the first place.
You and three others were born in that closet: one black, one mostly gray, one had a lot of gray and white, and you, my little black and white beauty. You reminded me of a childhood TV character, “The Cisco Kid.”, a cowboy who dressed in black and white, and so I named you Cisco. However, when it became apparent that you were a little girl, I decided the name Sissie was more appropriate.
I moved you and your siblings into my new apartment, a small duplex on S. E. 42nd and Washington. Your first months of life were spent doing the basic kitty type activities; like tumbling and scurrying around, playing and fighting and hiding in my shoes. I eventually found good homes for all but you. A man I was dating at the time promised to take you as soon as he found a new apartment where pets were allowed. However, our relationship ended before that happened and I was stuck with you. “Stuck” you say? No, I’m just kidding. I had already become quite attached to you and I let my heart rule out, deciding to keep you. I felt you would be a good companion for your mother too, but sadly, she didn’t live long after that and you became a blessing to have around, helping me cope with the sadness of losing her.
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Response to Meeks blog about love on the internet
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Apr 5, 2006 12:23 pm
1604 Views
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This is to comment on Meek's blog about love on the internet. I had a few things I wanted to say and figured it would be better just to do my own blog, and not use up someone else's space.
I had a long distance relationship that began on line. We met in a Christian chat room, and for the first six months of knowing him it was just through the chat conversations in the room. Then we exchanged emails and the relationship went into full speed. The relationship lasted about five years and during that time he traveled to visit me and I traveled to see him, but they were few and far between visits. We spent a lot of time instant messaging, and talking on the phone. I fell in love for the first time in well over twenty years. We were making plans for a future together, and I was happy and content.
I honestly do not know what the true cause of the break up was. He blindsided me. He was due to arrive for a visit, and we were going to take a trip together. When he didn't get in touch with me, and should have been on his way to see me, I began to worry. The day before I expected him to arrive, he finally called and told me he didn't want to continue any longer. I had no clue that anything was wrong.
I can speculate, but it doesn't matter. It won't change anything.
Has this soured me on finding true love here on the internet? No, it hasn't. However, I think (hope) that if it happens again, I will approach it in a different manner.
Number 1: Don't let the words "I Love You" come too soon. Wait until you have at least had a chance to meet them in person. Caution is not a bad thing, so keep your emotions checked. It is so easy to fall in love with who you "think" the person is.
Number 2: Communicate, communicate, communicate! You may be a good communicator, but be sure that the other person is too.
Number 3: Know exactly what you want from the relationship and don't settle for less.
Number 4: Be sure you both are wanting the same things from the relationship.
Number 5: And most importantly I learned from this relationship: As a christian woman, with a deep faith and desire to be in the will of God, it is very important to me that our spiritual awareness is on the same page. If it is an important part of your life, be very sure it is with him as well. Don't rush into something and then ask God to make it work Consult Him first.
Long distance relationships take a lot of hard work, and a commitment to make them work. In my case, in retrospect, I don't think he was ready to do that. He was newly divorced when I first met him, and it would have been better for him if he had taken some time to "breath" before getting seriously involved with another person. He was hurting and needed to feel wanted and loved, and there I was.
Emotionally, I still have my moments. I am not sure that it is that I miss him, as much as it is that I just miss being in love and being loved. That's a fine place to be.
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What's in a name?
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Apr 4, 2006 7:33 pm
1565 Views
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Some of the handles on SFF are very interesting. Is there any special reason behind your handle? Did you just pick it out of the blue, or give some long serious thought to it. Just for fun, it would be nice to hear from you about your handle. Is it a nickname you have had for years? Share with me if you will
By the way, my handle is the middle name of a family member. No thought really given to it. I had tried other names, like "Princess" and "Hot Mama" but they were already taken.
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To link to this blog (Ola2006) use [blog Ola2006] in your messages.
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