On Such a Day Many Things Occured....
Well, this has certainly been a day of surprises! Some good, some bad, and some, quite frankly a little un-nerving.
Let's get the bad out of the way first. We lost a hive. Not the angry Kitty hive, we did some work there and that was as much fun as it ever it is, haven't moved it yet, looking at next month. The problem was at the other hives. When I took the Magnetic Fields down to the hives on Saturday, there was clearly something wrong with the Mimko hive.
The bees were few, lots of drones and no one was doing anything very much. I didn't go into the hive, but called Sharon and said Something was not right. When we went today, we found the honey had all been robbed by other bees, and the hive was mostly weird looking drones, which is what happens when workers lay eggs. The Queen was long gone. Just empty crumbling comb.
We don't know what happened, perhaps the Queen was not strong, that hive had never done very much and we got no honey from it at all. Perhaps the stronger hive killed her and robbed the honey. Perhaps she died and for whatever reason the worker didn't make new Queen cells. But the hive is dead.
Ok, well, now that you are all cheerful....
The dressage meet was very fun. It was weird, a lot of the women were, well, I can only say "Snooty" There is a saying that goes something like "Take your work seriously and yourself not at all. The first is essential, and the second disastrous." Too true. They made me want to laugh, kind of, like HELLO? This is meant to be FUN! Are you being too Cool for me? Spare me your coolness.....
Then there were the rest of the women. Ah. My tribe. Loved 'em. They can't wait for me to start riding again, and come and hang out with them, and HAVE SOME FUN with horses. One women in particular, the best rider of the lot, was amazing, besides being magic on horseback, she was wonderful fun. These would be my friend Melissas's friends.
(just found out tonight that Melissa is a lurker here! HA! Melissa...come out and de-lurk.....)
Melissa trains and teaches riding for her art. I am starting back tomorrow night. It seems there is a sport, or form of riding, called "Bareback and Bitless" which is pretty much what you think it is. THAT is the sport for me. Melissa says I have a year, and will perform this magic at next years event. Melissa has great faith in me.
And this just in. I have my next foster lined up. He came to a shelter across the state today, who wouldn't touch him, and called the rescue group. Not sure if he can be helped or not, he has had three homes in his short life, and all gave up on him, poor Kitty. He has some peeing issues, among other things, but there is a Cat Behaviour Women in California who has had some success in these sorts of things who will help me. And a breeder who may help as well.
I am not sure I exactly want this, but I am just as sure I want to try. Because Someone needs to do Something, or he will end up in a sanctuary for un-wanted rescues, and never have a chance at life and love. He is scared and lonely right now, and doesn't trust anyone, or have any reason to. Can I help? I don't know. Can I try? Yes.
He is, of course, an F1.
Gotta love it.
Life and Death and Love,
Lorraine
posted by FabulousLorraine @ 7:26 PM
65 Comments
65 Comments:
Oh Fablo, said it before and will say it again, you are amazing. I am so touched by your reasons for taking the F1 kitty. Poor guy. I hope that you are able to do something for him, something good and long lasting. At least he will be loved and cared for, even if the difficult behaviours are not completely cured.
And I'm so sorry about the hive. How puzzlingly sad. Wonder what happened . . .
And yay for you ignoring the snooty women and finding the good ones!! And bareback and bitless?? Oh my gatos. You are brave!!
FabulousLorraine, you are such an inspiration. I haven't ridden for over 20 years and I'm not sure I'd get on a horse now. A couple of friends of mine have copped a fair bit of damage from their horses in recent years.
Sorry to hear there are "snooty" ones. Although, it's their loss, those sort of people never realise just how much fun the miss out on it trying to be cool. Yay for the fun ones.
Good luck with the new kitty, sounds like it's gonna be a fun ride!!
What a shame about the hive, and the fact that you'll never know what happened.
You made me laugh describing the snooty women, because I can just see and hear them so clearly. Bareback and Bitless sounds challenging and fun.Reminds me of being young and just jumping up on the horses in the paddock with friends. Why else would a horse have a mane if it wasn't for a bit alternative?
It sounds like this Foster will be a challenge. You really are a gem for taking on such a task, I wish you the very best of luck with hi
Doh! I thought I was going to be first (just kidding). That will teach me for reading stuff before I hit the send button!!
It's also a bit sad about the bees. Interesting to hear the other nest may have committed beeicide.
Thanks for the support, if this guy comes to me he will be a challenege. I have been e-mailing with our foster co-ordinater tonight, and one thing she said, hit me, she said " If you do this , you will never be the same"
I was talking with someone a couple months ago about the fosters and she had asked me why I would bother and do this, after I explained why, she said, no I mean, why do you bother you don't have to...Why is this your problem.
Because it has to be someone. Can't save them all, but I can do something for one. Or two. And that to me, is something.
The Snoots, as I call them are their own worst enemies, hee-hee. I have seen woemn like this before who take them selves WAY too seriously.
Maybe I will shake them up a little, hee-hee.
I am excited about this bareback and bitless! It was so lovely! I saw someone amazing doing it on ELLEN a couple months ago and never deleted the episode, and then saw it tonight. I am so there! I used toride bareback all the time as a teenager, loved it.
Oh, Fablo, I am so glad you are going to try with the new foster kitty. Hopefully, he can be salvaged.People are such idiots.
An f1? refresh my memory, aren't Venus and Mim f4"s? So this poor little one is One Step from Wild? How sad she/he has been bounced from home to home. Hope you can save her/him! (too tired to go back to the post to see if you mentioned gender). What a drag about the hive - no ideas from sharon on what might have happened? Can you clean it out and start over next year? Humph, dressage competitions - I remember seeing that type of personality as well. but no saddle? and no bit? you are bold and brave - here i thought i was being a Big Brave Dog giving up the horn on a western saddle, for the sleek English one! :) and sidesaddle is scary. oh yeah, we are talking dirt in the ear for months scary...
Watch the Birdchicks blog for more Bee Info. She was pretty shaken up, she loves these bees so much, hard to lose a hive.
I think the Queen was just not strong enough. Happens.
Ok I am no longer lurking as you put it. I had a great time tonight and look forward to your riding lessons!!
The Kitty is a He. And yes, F1 means Mummy or Daddy was a Leopard. Not a good pet at all, people are idiots. F4 are enough of a challenge, and not many people could deal with even an F3. Ihave been talking and reading up on this.
I can try.
I am going to learn sidesaddle too! Melissa says she will teach me, I think I am going to buy the saddle in exchange for lessons in it. They also run a sort of Dinner and riding sort of thing, and I am going to fiddle for them, in exchange for Horse Time.
Not going to buy my own horse, don't have that kind of time, but I do love riding and it is clearly time for that to be back in my life.
Horse Instructer! Melissa!! You de-lurked! And welcome, you can post on my horse blogs and tell them the Real Story, hee-hee....
In my mind I am taking to this like a duck to water, I am sure the truth will be a far better story...
I had a great time too tonight, thank you so much for taking me, and getting me back in the saddle (or not) as it were!
aww, that's too bad, Sharon works hard on the hives, and so quickly educated herself on the art of beekeeping. I've always kept up with her blog - she is a fount of knowledge in all things flying, she's very impressive. and her rabbit is quite cute too :). Ugh, snooty women. why, why, must some act as tho they are "better" than the rest of the populace?
I will make sure they get the whole story on your riding... I am sure we will have lots to tell! Maybe even some pictures will be posted too.
In my humble opinion, horses and cats are truly beautiful creatures. I could look at horses for so long and just love every detail. Their velvety ears, their sensitive nostrils, huge eyes and strong, broad forehead. I was so crazy for horses as a kid. But it's been years and years since I last rode a horse . . . had a scary experience as a 6th grader (out with a friend, a storm started, it thundered, her horse freaked and kicked my horse, who freaked and reared up and I fell off and he fell on top of me, and amazingly the only damage was a hairline fracture in my femur and being 11, I healed like in two days -- kids heal so fast! -- but it scared me away for literally years and years...). Go Fablo and Horse Trainer! My horse love is now transferred to you two. :-)
Ooops, Horse Instructor. My apologies!
LOTS of pictures!!!!!! Oh yes, This is going to be some fun, and Melissa will give you the full scoop on my riding adventures!
I've been off myself, always a risk, but horses are so truly beautiful, and I really want to do this.
I've been talking tonight about my Boy who is coming with our coordinator, and the Expert in CA feels the sooner the better, so we are going to try and up the departure of the Girls so he can come here.
Need to do LOTS of work on the room for him, make it pee proof. HELLO HANS!!!! HELLO MERRY HOUSEKEPER!!!!
Apparently he has no claws and would do very badly in sactualry with other cats, and it would be so cruel to send him there to be a wild animal, after being with people.
Our Foster Coordinter wrote me the sort of honest note that was kind of a Full Discloseure sort of note so I would know what I was getting into, and I almost thought she didn't want me to do this and wrote her back why I wanted to and just got a note saying..
"Consider yourself HUGGED! I threw out the worst an you want to try! I am so happy!"
Me too....
Ok, I've just read up some more on Bengals and the classifications and my awe for you has grown even more Lorriane. To take on a F1 cat, that others have given up on is truly wonderful.You deserve lots of ♥ ♥
How ever do you pee proof a room? I'm thinking linoleum?
Plastic, I think, lots of plastic, and duct tape, mostly I am going to ask Hans and he will help me, he is very good at such things....
Hans?
I don't want to wreck the carpet, but think I can save it. If not, carpet goes.
It is truly a challenge like I have never faced. F1's are hard. Heck F3's are hard. I mean, let's be honest F4's are not exactly cats.
But he needs someone. And I seem to be it. I will learn.
Impressive commitment to the needy bengals, Fablo. It is inspiring to hear you talk about your motivation.
We all can't foster bengals but there are things out there in the universe waiting for people to do them. If that makes sense. We all have a part to play. Sometimes, for me, it is too easy to just not see (close my eyes to) the bits that are mine to do. Your way of thinking about these begals reminds me.
Thanks for the light.
That's exactly it, I don't mean to preach, but if everyone did SOMETHING wouldn't it make things better?
You might not be in a posistion to take in an F1 Bengal Foster, (who is???) but can you take a bag of food down to your local shelter? Some litter? Toys? Bleach? Paper towels?
They need so much and if everyone did a little...It might make a difference to someone....
I am so sorry to hear about Mimiko. This is truly disheartening news & I can imagine how upset sharon must be too. You lot work so hard and it's just sad that the hive didn't make it. I'm truly sorry.
About horseback riding! You GO girl; sounds like fun! Horses are such magical animals aren't they? Do you ride a different one each time or do you get to know just one in particular?
Well; get some rest; sounds like you'll be working harder again w/the Boss' Italy junket cancelled. Hope Cabal is doing better too.
Oh no-- the news about Mimiko is very sad. :( They were the mellow bees! I'm so sorry about that.
The F1 is good news, though! It's testiment to your courage and sensibility that you make it your problem. I think it's great that you do it! Can't wait to hear how it goes with him-- when do you meet him?
Feh to Snoots. Just feh. Possibly pah and ptthh as well. ;P I'm glad there were fun people there to make up for them.
Hello to Horse Instructor Melissa! And Bitless Side Saddle! That's perfect for riding with bagpipes and a big cape! :D Hooray for stuff in my head coming true!
The one time I attempted to ride a horse, at Girl Scout camp, it Wouldn't Go. Didn't help that the other girls got to ride the lovely black and bay horses, and I got the grumpy grey one.
You have a generous heart Lorraine, and I'm betting you'll win over this F1 boy if anyone can.
Sad news about MimiKo. (is it bad that I was relieved that it wasn't the Kitty hive?;) I never knew it was possible for bees to rob and kill other bees, here I thought of them as peaceful!
YAY for riding lessons! Bareback and Bitless sounds like fun. I always preferred bareback to a saddle..for some reason I have a better "seat" bareback than in a saddle. You'd never get me to ride sidesaddle though..too scary! Sad you had a run-in with the snooty types. If only they knew how tedious they were maybe they'd get over themselves?;)
And welcome Horse Instructor! We love delurkers here:)
I really ought to be leaving the house instead of reading this, but I couldn't leave without checking back for an update. So sorry to hear about the bees, (Do you think one of th eother hives may be strong enough to split, to repopulate the hive, maybee in spring?)
Yay for delurkers, and bareback riding,and fostering.
Maybe the snooty women are really really insures and feel they need to 'look down' on other people to feel important? I'm so glad you didn't let it spoil your day (And I feel sory for them. How much more fun they would have if they got to know our FabLo . . )
Re: Pee proofing for new foster kitty - maybe a camping groundsheet over the carpet and then possibly some card over that (to avoid holes being bitten in)
And good luck. And what Aleta said. I think sometimes you just have to do the thing, istead of walking past thinking ' it's not my problem' . .
Big hugs :-)
snooty women are insecure, is what I meant to say. And I previewed that comment, too... *sigh*
Morning. I too am so sorry to hear about the hive.
Riding without bit or saddle sounds like an amazing thing to learn. It would be great to be in tune enough with a horse to be able to ride in cooperation and not force.
OK, so, F1 boy. You rock! I'm sure it will be challenging (to say the least) and I bet you will eventually decide on linoleum or tile. I'm sure it will be a long road but I have a lot of faith that you will do wonders for him. And yes, people are stupid. But you are working on making up for them.
Ach, the hive looks so bleak. It looks like a horde of barbarian has gone through and pillaged.
How terrible. I really feel for you girls.
Good Morning , Fiends!
The Birdchick did a Bee Post over at her blog, if you want the full details, in all it's sadness.
I wish I hadthe money right now to get someone in to do lino or tile in that room, but it's not in the budget right now, sadly, soI am thinking plastic, with something over it. He apparently has no claws, poor guy.
No more details yet on whe he is arriving.
I am so going to have Melissa take pictures tonight.
I am so not going to be able to walk tomorrow.
I think the Snoots are shy and insecure. I will see what I can do there. I'm pretty shy myself.
Boss does come home tomorrow. Poor tired Boss. I know he feels badly about having to cancel Italy, he's never had to cancel before but he needs the rest.
Right, off to work.
It seems so cruel that someone declawed this little guy, but since he is a F1, maybe it is best for you...
Horsey people here do have a reputation of being snooty to Non Horsey people (AKA the peasants).
I am sure you'll show them what cool really is all about!
The Italian festival looks like a cool event, but he would have been in NO condition to enjoy himself.
(I'd never heard of it though and it took me ages on their site to figure out where it is - probably - happening). He'll be better off at home with his loved ones. And it will do Cabal a whole world of good.
Bummer about the Mimko hive. :( Poor little bees.
Poor little F1 Bengal; what's his name? If anyone can bring him around, it's you, Quiche. I agree; it's important to give back something, in whatever manner suits us.
Now, on to more cheery topics -- riding! Hello Melissa; the riding posts from both the teacher and student perspectives ought to be a riot to read. :) (Though how I will get through reading 'bareback' without sniggering, I don't know. Ahem.)
I used to ride a girlfriend's horses, bareback and bitless, but was spectacularly bad at it. She could ride as if she and her horse were a centaur, effortlessly managing trails, jumping, dealing with snakes… I was nowhere near the born rider she was, which mystified her, because my grandfather's family was Oglala, so of course I should instinctively know how to ride, right? Well, the only thing my genes passed on to me as far as riding went, was landing upon the method of slipping off the horse's back and hanging on for dear life to its neck, draping a leg over its back, ending up on the side of the horse. This, when done by a skillful rider, was the way to use the horse to shield oneself from arrows or bullets. When I did it, it was because I'd lost my balance as the horse was careening over rocky hillside paths and I was desperately trying to not die. Saddles are lovely things, I decided, and I'm not ever getting on a horse without one again unless for some reason my life is in danger. Actually, no, I'm still not ever going to get on a horse without a saddle, because my life will still be in danger, just a different sort.
He doesn't have a name, poor guy, we don't even know what his names were. I think I will call him Cuddles.
Maybe.
Here's some tour blog from the Magnetic Fields done by Emma, (Peter Straubs daughter, recently married to Mike from the band)
http://airplanesdonutsdistortion.tumblr.com
That was a short and sweet post...
:)
I was sad when I read about the loss of the hive. But I was 100 times more sad when I saw the pictures and the video on birdchicks blog :( Especially the video, poor bees!
I'm glad bosses coming home, he's so incredibly exhausted. He was going to run himself down to the point of being ill.
You are amazing for taking in the F1, I read up on them last night as well. It seems like people have to go out of their way to acquire an F1 to begin with, do people just not understand they're wild animals? So they just give up on them?
I tried to drop off the marriage license from Saturday's wedding at the courthouse today but had no idea it was Columbus Day...d'oh! I guess I have to do tomorrow. I'm not sure why we celebrated day the guy who "discovered" somewhere else!
I'm so bummed the magnetic fields aren't coming our way this tour!
Hee! Those are fun pics.
I haven't heard Magnetic Fields yet. I'm so behind all the other cool kids. I need to catch up!
I just watched the video Sharon posted of what's left of the Mimiko hive-- the buzzing they made was very disturbing. Poor little bees! :(
Cuddles is a good name, but only if he is cuddly.
Hmm. there are those clear rubber mats they always put down in new houses, to keep people from wrecking the carpet while they're looking around-- I wonder where you might find something like that? They're pretty sturdy, and they don't slide around.
Listen to them on last.fm, Jess!
(A few of my main blog posts also have them as soundtrack - like this one I like the out of synch mood of the lyrics with respect to that of the music).
Snuggles would also be nice as a name for the little F1.
I had a hamster called Snuggles, once, who would try to bite me every time I stuck my hand in the cage. We were pretty sure she was a little nuts. :/
He is NOT Cuddly I am sure of it.
I think "Tas" might be a better name.
These cats are amazingly expensive. I can't imagine someone who doesn't know what they are getting into spending that kind of money. They can range from 5-10 thousand $$
Hans and I are going to my place later today to fix the room up for him.
I got sad all over again when I saw the Birdchick blog.
Right.. Time for Nathilie and French I believe.
I know, Columbus day. Lame. I mean who gets it off except for government offices? Causing great inconvenience to us all!
And they're bred for show, as I understand it? I could go off on a rantypants tangent, here, but I won't. Except to say that I think it's terrible to abandon one's responsibility toward any animal one acquires. Boooo. }:(
How is French coming along? Fiends demand mp3's of French-speaking and bagpipe shenanigans. ;)
Alas, french is being skipped again - for a good cause - will our little fiends ever manage to have a chat? we will find out with our next adventure of "Zeee Amaazeeeng Lorraine"...
Columbus day has one main advantage: I get the day off. Hah!
But don't think by that that I have a life of ease. I don't get off the day after Thanksgiving, or New Year's Eve, or any of those other more common days off. Just the federal holidays, even the weird ones.
Still, with the judicious use of vacation time, today is the final day of a five-day weekend for me. Hooray! I could use a few more days off, but too much to do. I've been playing in the studio and suchlike.
Alas, no parle francis today. I think I may be making negative progress here. Rats.
Hans tho is here with me and we got the foster room cleaned out and we are plasticing it , the entire floor and up the walls, so Tas/Cuddles doesn't destroy it.
I may be getting him very shortly. Fingers crossed.
Might not make my ride tonight either. Foo, I say, foo.
FIVE days off???????
Is that a new Avatar, Phiala?
Yup, five whole days! I took Thursday and Friday off (had to go somewhere on Thursday, and wasn't sure when I'd get back), Saturday and Sunday, and then today is a holiday.
Nice change from those 70-hour week. :)
And yes, that's my "Mistress of Skulls" shirt photo. :)
Very cool!Both the photo and the five days off.
Well, having decided firmly that no matter what I would be going for a ride tonight, Riding Instructor Melissa called and had to cancel.
Ah well, it is cold and raining, not that we ride outside, but I can get a lot done at the house instead. And feel virtous and cozy doing it.
Virtuous and cozy is good. ;)
Love the photos in the MF post! Great bee keeping shots and all the rest.
Bought my tickets to Amanda Palmer this weekend. Planning ahead for once.
The bee photos over at the birdchick's blog are very sad but as always also really informative.
Feeling the connections to/in/with life today. Bees. Bengals. The woman who looked lost on campus last week. My grand niece. last fm. Awareness and connection are themes for me this week I think.
Oh and horses too. Something so powerful about the whole horse thing. I was sorta scared of them when I was a kid. Road a wee bit mostly with other people when I was very young.
But looking at them and pondering their wonder -- that I do!
Sorry I am in an odd place today I guess. Not a bad place at all but odd.
Wish I could edit comments on blogger to fix my silly spelling errors.
It's such a good thing to know that the unloved and unwanted cats have a hope. With you Q!
I can't imagine why it is that humans feel the need to cross breed such animals in FULL knowledge that there will be generations of that animal that are not viable as domesticated animals nor left as wild (because the 'intermediate generations' don't fit into either catagory). The hubris of our race never ceases to mystify and apall me.
Thank Fod; there are those like you Fablo who make valiant attempts to pick up the pieces and heal the wounds.
I can hear the husband of the prior F1 saying to his wife "I don't care HOW much you paid for the damn thing; if it pees on my bed one more time..." --purely fictional characters--
I think it is the cold and grey and rain, Aleta.
Amanda Palmer is coming here? WHen? You'd think I would know that somehow..
The F1, F2 and some F3 males are sterile, can't breed. Very beautiful, but you HAVE to know what you are doing. F4's are a handful. I've been looking today and there are SO any in foster care, really lovely cats, all needing homes.
I just want to help as many as I can.
Condolences on the bees and missed riding lessons.
Hope your evening is nice, cozy and relaxing as you deserve.
Taz/Cuddles is very lucky to have you :)
Ms Palmer is coming around in December. I need to figure out how to catch her show and who with. Either hubby comes and we need a sitter or I need to quickly convert someone to being a fan so i have someone to come with me!
Oh, actually, maybe mistressmousey is going??? Are you reading this? :)
Amanda Palmer will be at First Ave on December 5. wOOt!
Tas/Cuddles name is apparently "Leo" (Not in my house) and he has escaped from his cage and is currently hiding somewhere in his temporary foster home.
He is very scared.
His room is ready, just waiting for word on when I can hand off the girls.
In December? How cool is that? I can't wait!
Wait, that was a reference to Amanda Palmer, not the foster cats.
HEY! So I did a new post like an HOUR ago and no one has been there, Or here for that matter.
Where are my fiends? Have I become dull and cat obsessed? Am I a crazy old cat lady and no longer worthy of chat???
Ok, so I am home now and having trouble settleing down, I keep DOING things. Need some chat, go and see pics of mynew friend, or fiend, I mean the guy is an F1...
Surprise!
My condolences on the kitty hive, and congratulations on the Kitty!
Thanks Danguy!!!!
How are you feeling? All better now?
Fingers crossed it works for my new Guy...
The death of the hive is very sad. They are our friends these bees.....
I'm sick again this weekend, alas. But it's been the best long weekend ever!
A new post? Weird, my RSS reader is ignoring it. Strange. No, I have not been ignoring you, just working, then driving home from work. And now I am starving, and Cat and Dog are saying that they have not been fed in ages, the lovable liars.
Back in a bit.
Oh and Dan- you really must stop using yourself as a test subject for your experiments! Get better, or I and the Cabal Cabal will lose our best adversary!
Weird Val...I so did post, well feed your friends and join us,if you can...
I just watched Sharon's post - it made me so sad too. I really hope its not that nasty disease. Its such a bummer that they were the friendly bees.
I agree with what Stacy said about breeding and ownership. we have had a big problem here with 'puppy farms', where unscrupulous B....s breed designer cross dogs. All are kept in appalling conditions and its just heart breaking
We have the same problem here with puppy farms and such...no good..
Pour les Amantes de Jongle, ce n'est pas _adieu_, c'est au revoir! Je suis sure que tu les visiteras.
I think I should look into fostering after I get a job, so I can be responsible if vets were involved. My own cats know they don't have permission to get sick. I can't expect foster-kitties to know that.
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