What Day is it?

Today is Labor Day in the United States, so I’ll start off by saying “thank you” to those who are enjoying a day off from their jobs. As of September 1st, I haven’t had to acknowledge this holiday for two years, unless an invitation to a picnic is involved. It’s just another day off to anyone who is retired.

Every so often, I wake up in a need-for-caffeine fog and wonder, “What day is it?” Because one can lose sense of time and dates when it’s not important or there’s nothing on the schedule. That being said, August was a super busy month (in a good way) and September has already started to fill up with “stuff,” so I had better keep track of where I am, what I’m doing and when I’m supposed to eat.

Well, I never miss that last one. Eating is important. I rarely forget to eat.

Anyhow, I thought I would catch everyone up on my exciting (*ahem*) life since the last post and how I “labor” through the days and weeks.

I’ve been walking a lot, trying to get in what I can of nature while the weather is still warm. Many walks come after supper, often with neighbors (friends), but the waning daylight is making evening walks a tougher proposition. The sun goes down about 7:25 pm CST, so the early-bird dining special is becoming important when I can’t get out during the day.

Speaking of which, I’m doing a thing with Hoshi.

The little girl is fearless. She is not frightened by loud noises, thunder, or the loud garbage trucks that Gibbs hates. And while she gives it a safe distance, the vacuum cleaner does not make her run and hide under the bed. Hoshi is also an active kitten who needs discovery. Discovery in the bathtub, discovery under the comforter, discovery in the closets, discovery in the kitchen (to my consternation) or on the patio when I can supervise. Hoshi is curious. So, I decided to buy a cat backpack and take her for walks. She’s had two so far and it went well with minimal “what the heck is going on” cries from Hoshi. I try to stick with quiet places where there are trees and flowers and an occasional human walking or biking past. I want to get her used to car rides and being outside before it gets too cold, hoping she will still be good with this when spring rolls around again. Hoshi may have occasional car rides in the winter, to keep her used to the feeling of movement and so she doesn’t associate the rides only with vet visits.

Meanwhile, Gibbs is unaffected and doesn’t care. He hates the car, but loves his sleep.

I moved one of the cat trees into the living room and it seems to be a big hit.

The only issue is that it left an empty spot in the bedroom and no way for either Gibbs or Hoshi to peer out of the bedroom window at the birds. Sooooo…

Having another furball in the house has meant spending more on food, litter, vet visits, cat trees, cat toys, backpacks, etc., but I wouldn’t change a thing. Gibbs and Hoshi are my “kids,” and I accept complete responsibility in being a good cat mom. Plus, Hoshi has already decapitated two toy mice and that means we’re good to go if the real thing ever tries to get in.

Beside the normal routine of personal appointments, workouts and walks, watering flowers and the Thursday get-togethers with Natasha, another Iron Chef cook-off took place at my apartment on Saturday. Chef Natasha, Chef K and Chef Mary J spent a late afternoon and evening with three new recipes (garlic chicken, chicken stroganoff, inside-out pork dumplings), matching aprons, adult refreshment and lots of laughs. We started our own version of Iron Chef ten years ago (when we were young ;-), and although we have had times of letting this event go (a pandemic, for instance), we always manage to come back around and engage in a tasty time. Allez Cuisine (Go! Kitchen!)

The week to come will be another somewhat busy one. Somehow, I scheduled three lunch dates with various friends, one of which is out of town. I’m looking forward to all of them and I have Google calendar to thank for helping me keep track of where and when.

I may no longer acknowledge Labor Day as a “day off,” but truly appreciate having every day to myself, whether I don’t initially remember what day it is, have a complex week, or finally find a day to stay in my pajamas and write a post.

What have you been up to this weekend? I hope you are enjoying the last days of summer or winter and whatever is on your busy schedule.