The Sleepytime Cat

I was feeling kind of low
Some few days ago
When I spied my cat
Who jumped upon my bed and sat
To stay with me a while
Ah, and I began to smile

Eyes half closed, full of content
She waited for another long moment
Before graciously walking to the blanket’s end
Where she lay down, then got back up again
Circling, purring, pawing the softness
Finally settling comfortably into the darkness

I smiled and sighed at this beautiful sight
Oh, it brought me such delight
Her softly purring with deep content
I greatly relished this quiet moment

Time for bed-bye, time for sleep
I won’t be needing, the counting of sheep
My eyelids closing, my pillows are calling
I won’t be awake ‘til the light of the morning
When the sun starts to rise
In the crisp autumn sky
And the birds sing their songs
All to waken the dawn

Alternate Last Verse:
Getting better, feeling mended
Always helped more by a bed friend
With furry tail and soft white paws
This cat is welcome all night long

KT 11/17/08

]]> http://kathrynturyna.com/blog/2008/11/18/sleepytime-kitty/feed/ http://kathrynturyna.com/blog/2008/11/08/pooh-latch-hook-pillow/ http://kathrynturyna.com/blog/2008/11/08/pooh-latch-hook-pillow/#comments Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:26:15 +0000 Administrator Knitting & Crafts http://kathrynturyna.com/blog/2008/11/08/pooh-latch-hook-pillow/ Besides going crazy with crochet, I also am almost finished with the Pooh Latch Hook Pillow I started many moons ago. The lesson learned: Sometimes in life, things are not as scary or difficult as they seem!

Completing the backing went perfectly quickly, even though I had to sew it by hand. When doing a project such as this, one thing to remember: Always, always measure the canvas and leave extra room to accommodate for a nice pillow when you are cutting and sewing the material piece for the backing. While there is some extra room, I didn’t leave quite enough for the pre-made pillow form and will thus be using stuffing to complete the project. All in all though, it turned out very well. (PS: It’s great to use a slightly stretchy fabric for the backing, as it is more forgiving when it comes to measuring everything.)

To find more Pooh latch hook kits go to: http://www.caron.com/latch/lhpooh.html

Here are the details of the changes:

Ears – used Size ‘H’ hook instead of ‘I’ and made them as follows: Ch10, Connect chain together (making sure to have the side with the Top Ridge facing outward), SC in Top Ridge for 1 round, b/o

Tail - I added a tail using an ear made with the ‘I’ crochet hook.  If you don’t have an ‘I’ crochet hook, I would just add a couple of chains - say 12 instead of 10 - when using the ‘H’ hook to make it bigger.  It turned out to be really cute!

Glasses – Use light weight craft wire (make it a weight which is easy to bend but readily holds its’ shape) and bend it into the shape of a pair of glasses using needle nose pliers. You will need to do some ‘double wrapping’ unless you get a wire which you can soder. This way you can make the glasses out of one piece of uncut wire.

Oh, I nearly forgot, I’m making a ‘book’ for the sheep to be reading – or maybe it will be a newspaper ‘The Daily Newes.’ This is instead of a pair of knitting needles (as was pictured in the original pattern.)

While many may think that she does no work whatsoever, I say that she does much. In return for bringing joy, laughter, and ample photo opportunities, she receives premium kibble, has a wonderful cat tree, and plenty of toys All in all, I’d say that it works out rather well. Of course, there are always those moments….’Sophie, no, don’t eat that!’ or ‘Sophie Louise, get off that table!’ or even ‘No Sophie, that’s my water!

This year is the first year that I have planted tulips. Every year I have said to myself, ‘Oh, I’ll get to it.’ Well, unless you pick up the shovel and start to dig, it isn’t going to get done!

I find that gardening tells us a lot about ourselves and our life. The seasons don’t wait. If you don’t give a seed ample time to grow before the weather changes, you won’t get a good harvest. If you don’t pull out the weeds or take care of the health of the plant, it will wither. By listening and paying attention to the rhythms of the seasons, one can find a sense of peace. Instead of an endless flow of ‘go go go’, there is a time for hard work followed by a time of rest.

Then, there is the aspect of waiting, especially from fall planting. Through the rest of the fall, and the long winter, it will seem as if you will never see the fruits of your labor. You may even forget about the digging and the effort that you put in as the leaves were just beginning to change. Nevertheless, the seeds were planted and not forgotten by the Earth. Come springtime, little green shoots will begin to deliciously appear, signaling an end to the colder weather and a beginning of new life. While all seemed to be sleeping, there was much happening under the moist brown soil teeming with life ready to break forth towards the warmth of the growing strength of the sun.

 (Photos:  www.tulipworld.com)

Speaking of the changing seasons, I’ve heard people say that they heard it was going to be a cold one. As for me, I just watch the squirrels. I personally have been noticing that the squirrels are getting rather fat this year which, in winters past, has indicated an upcoming cold winter. On verra….

It has been a very restful and quiet weekend. I have spent time knitting and watching movies, one of which is entitled ‘Five People You Meet In Heaven.’ Look for the review under ‘Dramas.’ The other thing I was very happy to watch was ‘Hamish MacBeth – Series Two.’ I watched it a bit out of order (first series 3, then 1), and would say that’s it’s best to watch them in order if possible. If you enjoy crime series and the scenery of the Scottish highlands, as well as an interesting cast of characters, you will like this show.

Besides watching the television, I also finished reading ‘Chicken Soup For The Horse Lover’s Soul,’ a wonderful collection of stories for us crazy horse loving humans. I highly recommend this book, even for those who are parents, spouses, or friends of those bitten by the horsey bug. It can give you insight into what makes us tick and why we may prefer the smell of a barn to that of a fine cologne.

I just finished reading ‘Just Gus,’ a book about a stray dog who got adopted by a young woman going through cancer treatments. You can read more on the Animal Book Reviews page.

I also just finished watching the Disney movie ‘Eight Below.’ It was hard not to cry during the film. There were many ‘wet hanky’ moments. Based on a true story, it features a team of sled dogs which have to be left behind at the science station in Antarctica during a winter storm evacuation. The film alternates between how the dogs fight for survival out in the wild and how the head of expeditions keeps trying to find a way to return in order to bring them home.

My cat Sophie has been ignoring all the movies and books about dogs. I did, however, get a book the other day entitled ‘Pet Speak – You’re Closer Than You Think to a Great Relationship with Your Dog or Cat!’ by the editors of Pets. Somehow I don’t think the Queen will be amused when I start on Chapter 29 – Four Step-By-Step Training Lessons for Cats. The first technique….Sit. According to the book, ‘Flatter First, Teach Second.’ I think a cat wrote that last part! On verra.

I also got to watch a bit of the closing ceremonies for the Olympics. I happened to just be cleaning my fish tank when they were on, so in between changing the filter I stopped to see the fireworks and the grand tower. It was stunning.

This past week we got to harvest some more of our corn. It turned out to be very good and I’m looking forward to planting it again next year. We have been uber-blessed with tomatoes and have given many away to neighbors, friends, and anyone who has come by! What a wonderful crop this year.