Unutterably Silly So what are you doing RIGHT NOW?

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Thanks. She isn't shivering, but I still worry. She gets medicine three times a day and it's transdermal so that makes her ears a little cold because it's gel rubbed inside her ears. When I clean her ears normally that leaves them wet so I have to be careful.

Sounds like a good reason to indulge in kitty hugs. If she's a lap cat, keeping her off the floor is a good idea too.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Sounds like a good reason to indulge in kitty hugs. If she's a lap cat, keeping her off the floor is a good idea too.

Right now she is helping me stay warm! She lays on my chest so it's helping my nose stay warm. Good kitty!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by dreams

A dry 30 to 33C is perfect weather for me.

Stitchawl - The water throwing is a tradition? Where did it originate and why?

Water 'sprinkling' is a traditional part of Buddhist blessings. The operative word being 'sprinkling.' When a Buddhist monk blesses you (as as he did my bike last week,) he will dip a bundle of long grass into the water bowl and flick it at you (or the bike) while reciting sutras. You get a few drops on you.

For the New Year, the more reserved Thai Buddhists will walk up to someone, and dipping their fingers into a silver bowl filled with water, 'sprinkle' a few drops on the other person's shoulder while wishing them a happy new year. That's the real tradition... But as the New Year day arrives near the end of the hottest, driest part of the year, following several months of blistering heat and unremitting sun, someone somewhere must have said 'gee, that water sure feels cooling. Would you sprinkle me some more?' The rest is history...

In every city in Thailand, this huge water throwing party lasts anywhere from 3 days to a full week. The idea is to have a MUCH water thrown AT you as possible. The more water you receive, the better the blessing. Often the water is mixed with flour... As you can see from those photos, people line the streets with hoses, water canons, and buckets, throwing them at the people in the cars and trucks who are busy throwing water back at the people lining the streets! My city is famous for its "Songkran Holiday" happenings, and it goes on longer here than anywhere else in the Kingdom. If you want/need to get anything done in town during the week, and not get wet, you have to go out early in the morning and get back inside before about 11am. Usually the Thai's are VERY aware of who wants to stay dry, and will not throw water at them. Unfortunately, the thousands of foreign tourists who come to Chiang Mai never seem to learn this, and will drench anyone and everyone within range...

Try a Google Image search for Songkran and you'll see hundreds of photos taken all over Thailand, everyone having a wonderful time... except the people who need to stay dry. I keep my camera in my diving underwater housing, and keep my cell phone in a waterproof case. Even the police have to wrap their guns in plastic bags during this holiday!


Stitchawl

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Fingers crossed for your power to return.

You should have crossed your toes too. My new estimate is for Sunday night at 11:00.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

You should have crossed your toes too. My new estimate is for Sunday night at 11:00.

Yikes! Is there any place you & kitty can go to? Or are you roughing it all weekend? Stay safe! And bundle up!

[crossing fingers, toes, wings ... *crash* ... well, maybe not wings]

[dreams]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

You should have crossed your toes too. My new estimate is for Sunday night at 11:00.

I hope it really isn't that long and that you and kitty stay warm and safe.

Originally Posted by Stitchawl

In every city in Thailand, this huge water throwing party lasts anywhere from 3 days to a full week. The idea is to have a MUCH water thrown AT you as possible. The more water you receive, the better the blessing.

Thanks for that explanation Stitchawl. It is always interesting to hear about different cultures and see your photos.

[poohbear_nc]

I'm exhausted!

Why?, you ask. It's Saturday, the sun is shining, the lights are on, and there's no snow or ice on the ground.

Well, today we had an appointment for Sammie cat's annual 'wellness visit' with the vet, which today included a rabies shot & a senior blood panel.
All was calm this morning until I stuffed her into the traveling crate. She began yowling (I'm not exaggerating) at the top of her lungs .... during the entire drive to the office, in the waiting room, in the exam room, while the doctor tried to listen to her lungs & heart, while she got her shot, while they drew her blood, in the waiting room checking out & paying for the visit, all the way home in the car, in the driveway ..... She got herself so worked up her ears were hot & glowing red (her ears are black).

I had to leave the exam room for some peace while we were waiting for the vet to come in -- it was one of the most tiring, stressful experiences I have ever had taking Sammie to the vet. Normally she just stuffs her head into my coat sleeve and becomes 'invisible'.

It's a good thing she's so cute ....

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by dreams

I hope it really isn't that long and that you and kitty stay warm and safe.

Me, hubby, and two kitties are nice and warm at a hotel right now. Both kitties are under the bed, but they did look around a little. My male kitty was up on the bed with me but I think he went under the bed to keep the old lady kitty company. She's scared of everything and everyone.

My next door neighbor had electric as of 3:00 pm today. Unfortunately it usually works that way. Once we had electric and he didn't, but usually I'm on the wrong side. We're now supposed to have electric as of 11:00 pm today. There's still a pole down, so I don't know how accurate that is. At least we're warm and watching the Olympics now.

[Purple Lady]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

I'm exhausted!

Why?, you ask. It's Saturday, the sun is shining, the lights are on, and there's no snow or ice on the ground.

Well, today we had an appointment for Sammie cat's annual 'wellness visit' with the vet, which today included a rabies shot & a senior blood panel.
All was calm this morning until I stuffed her into the traveling crate. She began yowling (I'm not exaggerating) at the top of her lungs .... during the entire drive to the office, in the waiting room, in the exam room, while the doctor tried to listen to her lungs & heart, while she got her shot, while they drew her blood, in the waiting room checking out & paying for the visit, all the way home in the car, in the driveway ..... She got herself so worked up her ears were hot & glowing red (her ears are black).

I had to leave the exam room for some peace while we were waiting for the vet to come in -- it was one of the most tiring, stressful experiences I have ever had taking Sammie to the vet. Normally she just stuffs her head into my coat sleeve and becomes 'invisible'.

It's a good thing she's so cute ....

I hope her bloodwork comes back ok. My 15 year old has been on three medications for the past 5 years. It's pretty expensive because we get the meds specially compounded so we can rub them inside her ears. But she's my sweetie so she's worth it.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I hope her bloodwork comes back ok. My 15 year old has been on three medications for the past 5 years. It's pretty expensive because we get the meds specially compounded so we can rub them inside her ears. But she's my sweetie so she's worth it.

Yeah ... in spite of today's 'serenade' she is worth the hassle ... and the expense. Sammie's only 'medical' condition right now (she is 10) is she's a bit overweight - but we are working on that - the blood work is something our vet recommends once a cat reaches 10.

Goldie cat has been on 2 meds all her life - she was born with a congenital heart condition - we've had special compounds made too (she adores orange flavor) to get them inside her without stress - so I know of what you speak about expense.

I'm glad you found a hotel that will allow your cats - stay warm!

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

I hope her bloodwork comes back ok. My 15 year old has been on three medications for the past 5 years. It's pretty expensive because we get the meds specially compounded so we can rub them inside her ears. But she's my sweetie so she's worth it.

I remember reading that in the U.S., more money is spent on veterinary health and medicine than on human health and medicine. One friend of my father's was a N.Y.C. vet, and I remember him saying that the bulk of his income came from people bringing their pets in for nail clipping!



Stitchawl

[cromag]

Sorry! I forgot all about this thread -- all I've been doing lately is shoveling snow and chipping ice!

Originally Posted by cromag

... and there are a couple of Windows programs I use for which there are no good Linux alternatives.

Originally Posted by DMcCunney

...
Which ones?
______
Dennis

The most important one is Diamond Cut 8 (DC8), an audio tool that I use to "clean up" and import LPs. It's like Audacity on steroids.

And, as long as I have that much incentive to run a Windows OS, I'll put on Itunes. I get occasional gift cards from relatives who know I like music.

Several years ago I helped my daughter find a good Linux distro to run on a 90s era Compaq laptop that she got when I took her to the Trenton Computer Fest. It ran remarkably well (still does) and she was over the moon.

And I love the Plan 9 avatar!

[WT Sharpe]

Originally Posted by cromag

...And I love the Plan 9 avatar!

Huh? What? Where?

[dreams]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

It's a good thing she's so cute ....

Poor little thing. It's amazing how loud they can be, isn't it. I'm glad you are back home and all is quiet now.

Originally Posted by Purple Lady

Me, hubby, and two kitties are nice and warm at a hotel right now.

I'm glad you all are safe and warm, even though it is a little unsettling for the kitties.

[cromag]

I hope I haven't assumed too much, but I thought it was from here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_9_from_Bell_Labs