Well Hello Again!

It's been awhile! And I hadn't planned on being absent from the blogging world for a few weeks. But, such is life.

It's not that I've been terribly busy, just preoccupied. I've had a lot to deal with - work, for one (ick). And my health. I've had to come to grips with a diagnosis I was given a few weeks ago; and dealing with the heavy-duty meds I'm now on for life.

For years (well, since at least 2006), my doctor has been a tad concerned about some of my blood results. Namely, my red blood cells have been high, and showing increases every 6 months. When my white blood cells and platelets started inching up, she decided to send me to see a haematologist to figure out what was going on. A few weeks ago, he diagnosed me with a bone marrow disorder called polycythemia vera. What it means is that my bone marrow has gone a bit spazy, and is producing too many red and white blood cells, and platelets. As a result, my blood is thicker, which could lead to blood clots (thrombosis), heart attack, and stroke. There are a host of other lovely symptoms as well - fatigue, itching (which is, let me tell you, pretty annoying...), dizziness, headaches, and in my case - vision disturbances, sensitivity to heat and light, and numbness in the extremities. It's a rare genetic mutation apparently. So, in my case, the only way to control the over-production is to take some pretty strong chemotherapy drugs, which I'll be on the rest of my life. Even if my levels go back to normal, I'll still need to take them, otherwise my levels will start increasing. It's a chronic disorder, so it's not something that can be "cured".

Anyway, the medication - called Hydroxyurea - has it's own set of side effects. Nausea, other gastro issues, fatigue in the early stages, loss of appetite, hair loss (it is a chemo drug, after all), and other less pleasant ones I won't get into. I also have to take one low-dose aspirin a day to help with the blood clotting.

So, I'm just trying to wrap my head around it all. I'm lucky that I have an excellent haematologist. He tells me things as they are, and doesn't sugar-coat anything. He thinks I've been dealing with this for at least 6 years, and had I not been diagnosed when I was, the chances would have been pretty good that I would have had a stroke or heart attack within the next couple of years. He doesn't deny either that I could develop leukemia later in life, but also said that it's just a few %'s higher than other high risk groups. But - the good thing is they caught it when they did, and I'm being treated.

I'm going to try not to dwell on it too much. One day at a time. Besides. One positive from all of this? Mosquitoes stay clear of me. They just don't seem to like my blood.

"You know, I was going to start wearing a nurse's uniform so I could make sure Mom took her meds, but then I thought - nah, I'd have to be all nice and have a good bed-side manner and stuff and really. I'm not about to change at my age."

Well, it hasn't all been doom and gloom around here. There has been knitting! Yay!

"...about time she sticks to one project...geez. If I had a bowl of food for everything she started and ripped out in the past few weeks, I'd look like Atticus..."

"I heard that!"

Look!

I purchased "Hat Trick" from Virtual Yarns awhile ago, and decided it would be the perfect little project. I've been itching to do some stranded work. I've started working on Dahlia, and it's moving along quite nicely. Once you get past the corrugated rib on DPN's, that is *grumble*. But, the effect is worth it. There's enough yarn to work all 3 hats in the pattern card. I haven't decided which one I'll work next.

I don't know why I keep starting projects that I know just aren't "me". After all these years, I know the type of knitting I like - traditional - and I always end up ditching those projects that don't fall into that category. I'm not saying it's the only type I'll knit, but it is a hard sell to get me to work on something that doesn't use those techniques. Oh, c'mon. Let's face it. I'm a knitting snob, and I know it. So be it.

Hey! Look who also have come out to say hi!

"Thanks for the salad bar, Nice Human Girl. If your Human Friend Who Likes Rabbits comes for a visit, make sure she brings us some vegetables. Or apples. Those are good too."

They're getting so big! And, they no longer run and hide from me. They'll actually come and greet me when I approach their pen. Or, it could just be they think I'll have food for them. And man - can those bunnies EAT. They can go through a whole head of lettuce in 30 minutes flat. And chow down a carrot or two for good measure while they're at it.

I keep wanting to get a picture of Sasha (my neighbour Brian's dog), but I usually remember when I'm back inside the house. The guys no longer seem bothered by her staring at them through the french doors. Gandalf in particular seems intrigued by her. He was after all the one who napped with his cousin Finnegan once, and loves the long, lingering looks he shares with Leika, my other neighbour's (the house next to ours) German Sheppard. Leika will sit on their deck, and watch Gandalf. And he'll look through the glass at her...

"You like Girl Dogs!"

"I do not, shut up."

"Yes you do, I've seen you looking at Leika. AND Sasha."

"I do not like girls, OK! Stop it, or I'll punch you out!"

"...Gandalf likes girls...Gandalf likes girls...Gandalf and Leika, sitting in tree..."

"Really Malcolm."

OK, off to get some breakfast. I have to keep my meals regular, and healthy. So what I'd like to have (waffles with oodles of butter and syrup) will probably end up being a blueberry/banana smoothie with probiotics. *sigh*

Have a great week everyone!

What A Shame

"Uh oh, Mom's not happy."

No. I'm not.

Let me just say that if you have a cause you believe in, and are passionate about - good for you. Greenpeace? Excellent. Amnesty International? Awesome. Plight of women and children in 3rd World countries? I support you, too. Aboriginal issues? Got my vote.


Vandalizing, setting cars on fire, looting and rioting? Get the hell out of my city.


No one I'd spoken to thought that holding the G20 summit in Toronto was a good idea. Not a single person. Certainly not in core of the city. Nevertheless, the choice was made, and the price tag to protect the delegates insanely high ($1 billion). You knew there would be protests. It goes hand in hand with these types of meetings.

"Gandalf, what are you doing??"

"Nothing. Don't mind me. Continue."

What took me by surprise was the senseless tactics of these self-proclaimed anarchists. And it angers me that they would come into this city - my home - for the sole purpose of destruction and violence. Drowning out the voices of those peaceful protesters, and their causes. What's more, it's said that the majority of these thugs aren't even from the city of Toronto. This is what they do - go to major meetings or summits to cause chaos.

So you come to my city, take over the streets, think nothing of destroying and vandalizing property, terrorizing the peaceful protesters and antagonizing the police - and you can't show your face?

"Gandalf. What are you doing???!"

"I'm good, really. Keep going."

What the hell is wrong with you? What was your message? You don't like large corporations, so you smash up a bunch of Starbucks. What's your point?? If you don't approve or even like the spread of large corporations - don't frequent their outlets. I buy my coffee at independant coffee shops as much as I can. Don't like the way big banks handle their profits? Put your money in a Credit Union. I do. But smashing the windows of a little convenience store does nothing to further your cause. Whatever that may be. Bet you don't even know yourselves.

Don't come to my city. You have no message. And don't come here and call Canada a "fascist police state", you retarded little shit.

I think they really should be given a chance to promote their brand of "protests" in a place where they probably will not get a 5-minute warning. Yeah, that would be good. Where the police have no hesitation in using water and sound cannons and rubber bullets at the first sign of dissent. But, that won't happen, will it? You would need to fully understand and believe in a relevant social issue to even be in a country that has a legitimate cause to fight for. And most of those countries would kick you in the nuts faster than you can change your clothes behind a crowd of real protesters, you chicken shit.

"Gandalf! Enough already!"

"Yeah, I'm stuck. I may need a hand..."

Pardon my French, kids. It was much worse when I first saw what was going on downtown. Most of what went on took place around the area I work downtown. It was not a pleasant sight to see.

I'm glad it's over, but Toronto did not need the black eye given to it by these professional anarchists. And the real protesters, the peaceful ones who actually had a message to get across never got a chance. I don't think I saw or read a single story on their issues.

What a waste.

"It just wasn't cool. At all...harshing my mellow..."

Well, under any other circumstance, telling you that we had an earthquake here last Wednesday would be big news (well, for us anyway).

"I didn't like that earthquake. I was scared! And it woke me up! Then there was all that rioting and stuff downtown. Mom swearing. It really hasn't been a fun time. But it's ok now. Mom has the week off! Yay!"

That's right. And I just want some peace and quiet...

Really, This No Knitting Content Is Getting Old

You would think that after a 2 week blogging absence, I'd have some knitting to show you. You'd be wrong.

Truth is, I'm embarassed, and a bit ashamed. But just a scooch. Because if I were to show you my work, you'd say - "hey, that's new". And you'd be right. My attention-deficiency of late continues, and I had to start something new. The good news is that I don't feel like straying much from these 2 particular projects. The bad news is that Lorraine will be putting out her latest pattern soon.

Atticus would like to thank all of his friends for the birthday wishes! He'd also like you to know that his Mom is a complete weenie.

See. This is how I remember Atticus' birthday. In 1995, 2 friends were married on June 10th. In 1997, another 2 friends were married on June 14th (and I was a bridesmaid, which is neither here nor there, but I thought I'd mention it). It just so happened that in 1997, June 14th landed on the same Saturday that June 10th did in 1995. (My logic astounds me sometimes.)

Bear with me here.

So. I remember 1997 couple's 1st wedding anniversary in 1998, as I later found out that that was the day Atticus was born. But, my brain being what it is, I often confuse couple 1995 with couple 1997's wedding anniversaries. Therefore. I confuse Atticus' birthday. I remember he was born in 1998. I just mix up the two anniversaries...

All that to say his 12th birthday was on June 14th. Not June 10th.

"What a load of crap, lady."

Right. Moving on.

I have to introduce you to 2 new tenants in the house!

Meet Lucky and Cinders. No no. They're not mine (oh, c'mon). They belong to my new neighbour Brian, who moved into one of the apartments one the other side of the house.

"Hi!"

They were found motherless by Brian's dog Sasha, and he took them in. Lucky was given that name as he survived Sasha thinking they were her puppies, and a racoon who thought he'd make a nice snack.

They are the funniest little guys. And they have an awesome condo too. Brian's a contractor, and he put together quite the pen for them.

It's funny. Sasha is pretty sure they're her puppies. She had quite a few litters before she was rescued, and I'm sure she looks at them and thinks - "huh? More of them? Again?? Man...".

Gandalf seems to like Sasha. He's the only one who doesn't hiss and act tough when she comes to the back door.

"...cleaning myself...to look studly...cleaning myself...to look suave..."

Malcolm on the other hand.

Sleeps through it all.

These 2 pictures were takenin sequenc. In other words - that's how the little contortionist sleeps. As you can imagine, opening the fridge can be a little difficult at times. And when I do, he doesn't wake even wake up. Malcolm loves being behind that curtain next to the back doors, as you can see by the the raggedy look to the curtain.

"Is she back again? This is getting really annoying..."

And another backyard feature - the pond. It's looking really nice, and the waterfall at the back is quite soothing. There are quite a few fish now as well. So, it's turning out to be quite a nice backyard.

"Without a doubt, I am the only "normal" sleeper here. They say I "snore", but I say they're just jealous because "beauty sleep" actually does something for me. Unlike my dorky brothers, who drool, mumble and toot ::cough:: Malcolm ::cough:: in their sleep."

"Watcha doing, Malcolm?"

"Nothing. Just hangin'. I'm kinda sleepy."

"Gonna nap now."

One minute he's climping up on top of his Noro perch, the next...he's dozed off. Half on, half off. Atta boy!

Have a great week!

Happy Birthday Old Man!

Yes, my beloved Old Man Atticus will be 12 years old on Thursday, June 10th.

Hard to believe...

"Wheeeee! I'm a little hellion!"

...that this little squirt, would turn into this big boy.

"That is not me. I was never that small."

He came to live with me when he was a few days shy of 6 weeks old. A tiny little guy that weighed in at around 2 lbs, if that.

He's always been my shadow, always making sure he knew where I was and taking care of me in his own way. He knows when I'm sick, when I'm feeling a bit down, and will always make sure I'm OK. He's woken me out of bad dreams, and looks after his younger siblings. He stepped in to show Mae the ropes when she came to live with us, even though at the time, I thought he was being a bit rough with her! Well, that wasn't really the case as it wasn't long before she was sending him packing.


People always marvel at how well my guys get along, and how quickly they adjust when they come into their new home. I think a lot of it has to do with Atticus' even-temperament, and "it's-all-good" attitude. Although he is the Cat of the House, and takes his role very seriously, when it came to other cats coming into the home (Mae, Gandalf and Malcolm), he had no issues with any of them. He's pretty confident in his position in the household. As for people! Well, as soon as he checks them out to make sure he passes The Atticus test, he'll keep an eye on them, whacking them with his paw to make sure they keep in line. Heh... Lorraine knows allll about that. :D


Despite the gruff exterior, he's a sweetheart. I will never forget how, during Malcolm's first night here, he pawed my face to wake me up because Malcolm was hungry and mewling. Awww... Malcolm may love playing with Gandalf, but when it comes to snuggling and comfort, he'll always go to Atticus.

He's a special one!

"Happy Birthday Atticus! I hope you appreciate that I woke up just to wish you that."

"Thanks Mae!"

"Happy Birthday Bro! I hope you appreciate it too that I woke up just for you. I love you, man!"

"Thanks Gandalf...love you too, I guess..."

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ATTICUS!! YOU'RE THE BESTEST BIG BROTHER EVER!!"

"Wow, thanks Malcolm. I'll protect you when Gandalf beats you up for saying that."

"Thanks Atticus!"

Yes, Happy Birthday Darling Atticus. You're my best friend, and I love you too. Here's to many more years!

Summertime Fun

"The last time Mom took the fan out, Auntie Chris was visiting. And I was a little squirt. So, we all got our hopes up that maybe this meant that she was coming for a visit again!"

"But, that wasn't the case. Which really bummed me out! And then Mom put the fan away, which I didn't understand 'cause it was really, really hot out. Instead, she put this funny box in the window."

"And it's awesome! I'm not hot! I'm...cool...and Mom is too, which is good. Because Atticus 'n' Mae 'n' Gandalf all say that Mom is really crabby when it's hot out. I may not be able to look out the window as much, but that's OK. This thing is neat-O."

"Dude... this is how I should live all the time. Oh wait. I do."

"Gandalf, do you want to play Star Trek? You can be Kirk, and I'll be Scotty."

"OK. What about Mae?"

"Um, she can be...how 'bout Chekov?"

"No, she's a girl! She can't be Chekov! She can be Uhura."

"Cool, ok! And Atticus can be Spock!"

"Yeah, I'll be Spock! Right on!"

"...so not playing with you geeks...I need a sister."

Once the air conditioner went in, and the place started cooling down, the guys would returned to their crazy selves. The heat had a way of weighing even Malcolm down. And of course, once I turned the unit on, the wrestling and running at top speeds resumed. It also seemed to quiet them down that much quicker as well. I think it's the "white noise" of the unit running. Regardless, having the A/C in makes for a content bunch of cats, and makes me all the more happy.

I have never claimed to be a "summer" person. To be blunt, I hate the heat. Yes. LOATHE. I usually break out in a heat rash, I sweat, my sunglasses bother me, and I burn in record time. *sigh* I know, bitch bitch bitch. But! With the A/C in? I'm not so cranky. Knowing that once I'm inside I don't have to be uncomfortable makes all the difference, and I can actually enjoy the blistering heat and humidity. (Yes, bitch bitch bitch.)

AND, best of all? I can actually knit with wool, without it felting in my hands from the heat.

My Dunadd throw. I'm on the 3rd of 5 cable sections. And I just love it. Having the air conditioner on means that I'll actually be able to work on this throughout the summer, and maybe be able to finish it. Unlike most of the other WIPs huddling in my office.

We had a great week off. And, the guys were especially happy to see their Auntie Lorraine last Thursday.

"It's always a good day when Auntie Lorraine comes for a visit. She always brings me treats..."

"They're for all of us, tubby!"

"Well, I share with the others, even though they have way too much sass and really don't deserve them. And I'm not tubby Gandalf!"

She also brought along some treats for me, including an amazing pair of Alice in Wonderland earrings - one with a picture of Alice, and the other the Cheshire Cat. They are just so beautiful! But, I cannot for the life of me remember how to take close ups with my camera, so I'll have to try again for next week. >:(

"Are you a girl cat? 'Cause if you are, you can come on in. My brothers are dorks."

While the outside cat has his ears flattened and looks annoyed, Mae doesn't seem to be the least bit bothered by the fact a strange cat is on her deck. Right after I snapped this picture, she turned around and went to lie down.

Well, it's back to work tomorrow, *sigh*. It was nice having a week off to rest and relax, but back to business tomorrow... It's supposed to be hot, in the upper 30C range, but that's just fine, I have my air conditioner now and it's all good.

"Let's watch Animal Planet, Gandalf. They've got a show on sharks! Which is what I think I want to be when I grow up. Or a whale. I haven't decided."

WIPs Gone Wild!

Never underestimate the power of caffeine.

Oh coffee. How I love you...

For the past few months, a certain black kitty has learned to tell the time. He knows exactly when it is 3:02am, and he's so proud of himself, he insists on telling me.

"Not just another pretty face, you know."

Not only does he sit outside my bedroom door meowing while the others egg him on in the background, he actually will fiddle with the door handle, and has succeeded in opening the door on a few occasions.

"You'd think she'd be happy to see me. It was kind of a letdown, let me tell you."

"I would have thought she'd be happy to see us too. And she wonders where Malcolm gets his potty mouth from..."

So, as the title suggests, I've been suffering from a serious lack of focus these days.

I'll admit to the following:

A great big mess.

I'm not going to give a count. Let's just say, there are...a few. A lot of what I end up doing is trying something out. Curiosity. But at the end of the day, I do know a few things. I always go back to the stuff I love working on - colourwork, and cables. And there's very little in between. I will knit some lace, and yes, I'm getting better at it. But, any time I venture into a different knitting territory, I usually end up getting bored, and lose interest very quickly. I guess I've earned the right to be one-track minded when it comes to my knitting.

I'm slow getting to some parties sometimes. I do work on socks a couple times a week, and I've determined that top down work best for me. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get the toe on the toe-ups right, and I had a hard time casting off the leg loosely enough.

I like what I have on the go right now. The old faithfuls - Fulmar, Delores, Lorraine's Dorset Down, Dunadd and Princess Line. I have a pair of socks, and I work on the endless stocking stitch body of Norfolk when I can't focus. So, I guess it'll all get done when it gets done.

It makes for some yawn pictures, but hey. It's my knitting.

Meanwhile...

Comfy Atticus?

"I'm good, thanks."

The Old Man has received a reprieve of sorts. His regular vet is away, so he's not booked for another few weeks for his yearly exam. I don't know if you can tell, but the King has his head resting on the side of the little swing table, while reclining on a pillow. It's all good to him.

But, we did have our first thunderstorm of the year a couple weeks ago.

At nearly 12 years old, Atticus is still a bit scared of the thunder and heavy rain.

"A bit?? I'm hiding behind girly baskets in shelving unit. It's more than a bit, Einstein."

And this is what Gandalf and Malcolm think of storms.

"No, I wanna be Batman!"

"No way! You're Robin! I'm Batman."

"You're always Batman! That's not fair!"

"Yeah, well I'm older than you!"

"Fine, but next time I'm going to be Superman, and YOU can be Supergirl for once."

And in "This Week in What's New Malcolm?".

Bumblebees.

"Awesome! They're like, huge! Not bird huge, or Atticus huge, but...wow. Hmmm... I wonder if Mom would mind if one came into the house so I could chase it around?"

He is fascinated by them. Last week was the orange tuxie from a few doors down that loves coming right up to the back door to harass them. This week it's bumblebees. Next week? Who knows.

"I'm watching you, lady. If need be, I can be lightning fast. Ninja Atticus! I can strike hard and fast, you won't even see me coming. So, don't try any funny business with the carrier and stuff. The others are weak, and I know your plan. So I hope I instill fear into you. Oh yeah."

A Crack in the Armour

"The first rule of Kovert Kitty Club training is that you don't talk about Kovert Kitty Club training, Gandalf! I'm telling Mom you squealed to Atticus!"

"...but...he bribed me...and I have a weakness for snuggles...and he sat on me. He's pretty strong for an old guy."

"You're Fredo'ed, Gandalf!"

"Huh?? Oh, c'mon! Stop being so dramatic."

"FREDO'ED!"

"I'm on to you."

"Why are you looking at me like that? Aren't we training for Atticus? "Ma'am yes Ma'am!" and all that stuff!?? Huh!?! You're still looking at me."

"Boy, you're really close now."

"...*sigh*...Guys! Uh, training! *ahem*...aren't you supposed to be with Atticus right now?? Remember? Your training??? Malcolm! What are you doing?? *sigh*... You guys are dweebs."

"You guys suck."

"Hi Mae!!"

"All that training... And for what? So those 2 clowns can give it up to the Old Man? I ended up going to the vet. Stupid carrier. How does that help Atticus? Me going... Stick needles in me, take my temperature... Oh I'll take your temperature Mr. Vet, see how you like that. Training...ha!"

"Oooo, Gandalf! Come look!"

"...Am I still Fredo'ed...?"

"Huh? No no! Of course not. Get over here, you!"

"I understand we have a little issue here, Brigitte. Can I call you Brigitte? Oh well. See, at my age, I don't see the point of leaving the house for any reason. Or sleeping less than 20 hours a day. So, planning a visit to the vet's office without my knowledge? Not cool. We'll talk later. And I'll react later. When you're not expecting it. That's all. Shouldn't you be knitting? Oh, and I'd like a snack please. I'm feeling rather peckish."