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A Maudlin Ten Year Anniversary Post

Ten years ago this week, a sleek black cat entered my life.

Miss Bitha

The decision to adopt a cat took at least six months to make. My life was starting and having a cat would limit some of my choices. For me, pet adoption is for life. Going through the motions of adopting and then giving it all up sometime down the road wasn’t something I could see myself doing. I either committed wholeheartedly, or not at all. I’ve never been good with people, so a pet was the only way I could guarantee I’d have something to come home to and it would force me to take on some much needed responsibility.

I decided to adopt from the local Humane Society and the process was grueling. Being a student, I had to provide proof that I was an independent adult who wouldn’t be going ‘back home’ at the end of the semester. I had to show that I could financially provide for a pet. There was a background and reference check and even a home inspection! Oh, and my landlady had to provide a letter saying that it was okay to get a cat. It was definitely not a process to take lightly!

After all that, I brought home Peggy in October of 2000. I didn’t bond with her at all and took her out of a sense of duty. She was older, obese, and had some health issues. As it turns out, she had feline leukemia and she died about eight weeks after I took her in, at home, in my arms. I saw it as a sign to rethink my decision; I’d been given an out. I didn’t take it and I contacted the Humane Society to let them know what happened.

The background check must have turned out okay because they didn’t question the fact that Peggy had died under my care. Instead, they offered me another cat at no charge. They had a two year old they considered unadoptable, but felt would be a good match for me. What did I think about black cats? The superstition didn’t even come to mind, I was just so excited that they had another cat for me. I promptly left for the shelter and along the way the name Tabitha popped into my mind. It was the weirdest thing. I just knew that was to be her name.

When I entered the cat room, she was sitting on a ledge watching the snow fall outside. I whispered her at-the-time name and she turned, assessed me, and jumped into my arms. Tabitha latched on to me with a loyalty I have only ever experienced with dogs. I am her Person, there is no doubt of that. She has warmed to a few other individuals in the ten years I’ve had her, but it takes time. Our bond was instantaneous.

I know Tabitha is a cat, but I have a relationship with her that I’ve never experienced with the other cats in my life, and I’ve had a lot of them! It’s like she is more than just a cat, like we understand each other on a different plane. She’s so much more than just a pet to me.

My baby girl is an old lady now at twelve, and this boggles me. I know that we’re at, or past, the halfway point in our relationship. I can’t even think beyond her lifetime right now and I enjoy each precious day we have together. She had a health scare just before I hit the road that reminded me of just how ephemeral are relationships. Savour each moment together.

Tabitha has been with me through six moves, a college program, three jobs, two additions to the family, and the transition to the RVing lifestyle. She has adapted to the changes with the grace and dignity of a crone, needing as her only constant a place in my bed at night. She is a very special soul indeed and I am glad that I chose to walk this path with her.

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Solo Cooking Tips

Tip One:

One of the things I dislike about cooking for one is having to eat the same thing for several days. What I do now is make several days’ worth of plain brown rice in my rice cooker, and then I jazz it up every night with my sides. I might add Moroccan spices and throw in some chickpeas and raisins. Or I’ll add salsa and chicken cooked in fajita mix. Sometimes it’s lentils with Ethiopian spices. Whatever. I’ve learned that rice is the carb I can eat daily without getting sick of it. Making a big batch at once and reheating it uses less energy, and time, than making several small batches. You could do the same thing with pasta. I don’t like reheated potatoes (unless they’re made up into hash browns!), but I know folks who do.

Tip Two:

Since I started eating chicken again, I’ve been buying boneless, skinless, chicken breasts on sale and freezing them individually in baggies. Invariably, I forget to take one out first thing in the morning. They cook up very nicely from frozen, but won’t take on any flavouring. I tried an experiment last week and it works beautifully: I add the flavouring to the chicken breast before freezing it. This way, the meat marinates as it freezes and as it thaws, infusing it with flavour. Tonight, I had one marinated in VH Asian five-spice sauce, and in the freezer I have one with mustard, one with balsamic vinegar, one with BBQ sauce, and one with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder to be served up with gravy. I just transfer the frozen chicken breast to a bowl filled with water and let it sit in the fridge for about a half hour, then I slice it up and cook it. It comes out tender, juicy, and flavourful.

Tip Three:

Frozen vegetables are at least as nutritious as fresh ones. Keep different kinds on hand and throw a handful in with your carb of choice while you’re reheating it. Too easy!

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Wanting and Having a Dog

It’s been two full days now that I’ve had Donna‘s dog Midnight with me. This dog is perfect for me and exemplifies all the reasons why I want a dog even though I am not a ‘dog person.’

Midnight in his turquoise sweater (warm enough for afternoons, he has a coat he wears at night)

I want a dog as a pal to do things with. The cats are great at home, but I love the idea of having a critter to take with me wherever I go, on hikes or in town running errands. I had this idea that if I had a dog in the house, I’d be more motivated to go out and get some exercise. What I have trouble with is getting my shoes on. Once I’m outside, I’ll gladly turn a dumpster run into a 5K walk. Since a dog has to go out regularly, there’s my motivation.

That’s the way it’s been since Midnight came here. We go out for a frolic first thing in the morning, then he comes out and putters with me during the day. I went down to the office for propane this morning and it was the most natural thing to invite Midnight to ride shotgun. He loves going for car rides! After dinner, sometime around nine, we head out for a loop around the park and then we do one more quick business trip before bed.

He is just so sweet and obedient. I can’t stand dogs that are in your face all the time and obnoxious. Midnight’s fun because you can spend time interacting with him instead of disciplining him.

I’m surprised by how well he has integrated into the household. There was no animosity to speak of on the part of the felines and they all respect each others’ turf. He’s not in the way and having a third body to take care of doesn’t feel like extra work at all. He’s not afraid of asking for what he needs, whether it’s fresh water or a cuddle, and he understands “Midnight, go lie down!” the odd time he’s underfoot (I have a small kitchen!).

In short, Midnight’s going to be a tough act to follow should I take the plunge and get a dog. There are some major things still holding me back, smoothly as this experiment is going, and I  am actually more convinced now than ever that getting a dog is not a path I’m meant to follow.

1) Full-time commitment

Right now, Midnight’s fun because it’s not going to last and he isn’t interrupting any plans. A dog isn’t like a cat, you can’t leave it at home for a full day, much less a weekend.

2) Life span

I estimate that I have about ten years left with my two kitties. I will have by that point lived my whole adult life with pets and half of my life with Miss Bitha. I might want to try life without pets for a while, especially if I go forth with my plans to do Europe by RV one day. If I were to get a dog, it would have to be an older one whose lifespan fits within that window of time.

3) Cost

Dog ownership is a lot more costly than cat ownership. I don’t think I’m solvent enough to bring a third critter into this house.

I’m really grateful to have this week with Midnight and thankful to his parents for trusting me with their precious little one.

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Officially Retired!

I got some great news this morning; my retirement from the civil service has been finalized at long last!

It was just a couple of months over six years ago that I took my oath to serve and protect the Queen, naively buying into the myth that I was getting signed on for the best career this country has to offer. For some, it is a good fit and I do miss the financial security I had back then, but I need to be challenged. The reasons why I left are still valid and I do not regret my decision.

Because of a kerfuffle I really should not get into on a public forum, I do not trust the pension plan administrators. So I had a lump sum pension amount transferred to my RRSP where I will be able to keep an eye on it, allowing for a clean break.

It has taken just over year to finalize my retirement and I am so relieved that I can finally shut the door on that part of my life. It’s a huge gamble that I’m taking, but I have faith that it will pay off.

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Propane Usage for Fall 2010

I ran out of propane this afternoon, pretty much on schedule. I used up my full tank in exactly 72 hours, which means I’ve been averaging 10lbs of propane per day, or $8.90. At this rate, propane would cost me $267 for a 30-day month. The forecast is worsening and we’re going to be below minus ten for the week. Until that magic number, I have no problem keeping a comfortable ambient temperature. Below that, my heating costs rise exponentially.

I’m seeing a lot of frustrated neighbours who have lost their water. I’m not suffering at all. I set up one of my flexible jugs on the counter, so it’s easy to heat a little water in the kettle for washing up. I’m especially grateful that the tap water here tastes good, so I can use that jug for drinking, too.

Last night, I added the sleeping bag to my bedding and slept well, even with the furnace cycling on and off. It tends to keep me up because I find myself waiting to see if it’ll turn off again. If it doesn’t, then it means I’m out of gas and need to go turn it off myself.

The RV park sells propane, but I haven’t checked the prices or availability. I like going to the Shell station at the north end of town. Prices are competitive, staff is always cheerful, and they are open late. Going there gives me a chance to get out for a bit.

On the way home this afternoon, I stopped at the McDonald’s for a coffee; they’re having their annual free coffee event. I won’t go there just to get a free coffee, but I stop in if I’m driving by. I love their coffee, it’s my second choice after Starbucks, so the free coffee event is a real treat.

I have a cold weather dressing tip for the gals: get a heavy, full, ankle-length skirt. This way, going out involves pulling on the skirt over your longjohns and/or flannel jammies for instant warmth and a touch of glamour that will have others exclaim “OMG, you’re wearing a skirt! Aren’t you frozen?!” to which you will smile coyly, knowing that you’re warmer in your skirt than they ever will be in their slacks. 😀