Mojo? Where are you? – This has been a sad week. Missing my cat has sapped my energy (and my writing inspiration). It was easier to tell people “I lost a good friend.” Here’s hoping the mojo comes back!
Starbucks? What the? – As if this week wasn’t tough enough, Starbucks forgot to put the mocha in my mocha latte twice. TWICE! New people isn’t a good enough excuse. They did make good on one but I ended up putting Hershey’s syrup in the other! A mocha latte without the mocha tastes like hot milk. Yuck!
Be afraid – I love frogs, all of them but I rehome bullfrogs to our nearby stream because of the mating noise they make all night. (Seriously, they must be great lovers from the sound of it! “Oh honey!” “More, please more.” It’s downright embarrassing!) Last year I had two. There were tons of eggs that I thought they were from the green frogs. This year there is one young frog that is colored differently and cautious of people. Oh dear…..
Bed and breakfast closed! – Remember my story about the raccoon getting into the screened porch through the cat door? (It’s here in case you didn’t read it.) This week I was looking at the cat door which is completely closed now and I saw muddy paw prints that didn’t belong to my old cat. Someone must have been trying to take a tour of our lovely room. I wonder if they were going to book a weekend getaway.
It’s done! At least part of it! – This past week we repainted our kitchen. The hard part was removing the wallpaper and cleaning the walls. Fortunately I had done the wallpapering and I did it right. Everything came off easily and cleaned up fast. I like the new look. I may repaint another wall. You never know. One project always leads to another.
So how was your week?
Hard when we lose our cat buddies Kate. We love the frogs too but have to save them from the cats. They do make an almighty squeal when the cats are at them and thats when we step in for the save.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s funny! My cat Jake never bothered with the frogs. Maybe by the time we got the pond he was already around 12 or so and was more interested in chipmunks. I don’t think they smelled right for him.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine love torturing them. So I save them I can’t imagine they would taste very good to a cat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have wanted to try your chocolate latte but it sounds like I would have to do too much snoopervising and checking if it was done right.
LikeLike
MOCHA latte… not fully awake.
LikeLike
After a really bad week for SB, the mochas are back to normal. In fact, this morning when the barista handed me my coffee she said it had mocha in it. She checked. I really didn’t make a fuss so I’m surprised she remembered. She’s new but quite a pistol.
LikeLike
Jealous of your quick painting job/kitchen re-do. Impressive.
The raccoon must have heard there was an animal vacancy and was hoping you would mistake him for a needy cat. (Those little hand prints! Cute, but uh, outside, please.) Molly “found” a small opossum and tried to carry it inside. We had to decline hosting. She was kind enough to place it back on the grass where it stayed very still until we ran inside and turned out all the light. It left, but I fear it’s just on the other side of the fence. No more cat doors for us. (Besides with the last one, the big Bouvier that was scared of thunder tried to use it…got his head through and bent up everything.)
Hope you get your coffee magic back soon. Nothing worse than not as expected – and waited so long for it – coffee.
LikeLike
The kitchen job was just a paint job. Nothing much but elbow grease. No new cabinets or floors or counters. Jake liked to invite guests in. Problem was that most of them died somewhere inside. The challenge was to find it before it smelled too badly. I have a picture of that dog with the head through the cat door in my head. Made me laugh. No more cat doors for us either. All cats safe inside. Coffee’s been good this week. Maybe they heard me yelling! Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Next time I’ll put the pot on the stove!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Been thinking about you this week, and your Jake. I have an aging cat myself — no matter how prepared I try to be, the loss will come as a blow. I hope you have been able to be good to yourself this week, and I have no doubt the mojo will come back in its own time.
Also? I’m happy to put a hex on the Starbucks mocha-pumper-people, if that would be helpful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s been better. Time is the healer. A hex? I’m intrigued! I may just look you up for that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Kate, I am so sorry about Jake. The mourning goes on and slowly gets bearable, but you already know that. Now if you could just whip those new whippersnappers at Starbucks into shape, that would help – a lot!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fortunately this week’s mochas have been normal. I just can’t believe they weren’t there when I needed them most!
LikeLike
So sorry to hear about Jake. It has been my experience that it will never get better, but it will get easier. *hugs*
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
That would be a good name for your new cat (!!!!!!)…. Mojo… here Mojo….
Hoping you can come over and paint my kitchen… actually it is too far gone for mere paint…so never mind… enjoy your makeover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
It’s completely understandable to me that you have lost your mojo! I know it will return, but losing your sweet Jake is reason to be blue. It will take a little time, and I’m sure you know that. Meanwhile, to have Starbucks leave you flat at such a time is almost unforgivable. I modified it to “almost” because I’m not sure you could handle another permanent loss. I do hope this next week is a good one, Kate. On top of it all…good luck with the frogs! 🙂
LikeLike
We are recovering. Losing a cat that was bigger than life leaves a quiet in the house. The other cats are working are to fill the void. Damn Starbucks! I need them now!
LikeLike
So sorry about how you’re feeing but that just speaks to how much you loved and were loved. And that’s how it should be. Your mojo will return in its own time..:)
LikeLike
It is getting better. I even see my mojo peeking around corners. One day it will jump out and stay.
LikeLike
Good for you for getting stuff done this week, in spite of it all. Keep going, Kate. It will get easier. I swear. Sort of.
What did I do this week? Write poems. Sigh. Getting so so so exhausted. I’m 2/3 through now, so I plan on making it to the finish line.
LikeLike
I’ve been following! I’m impressed! Close to the end now! Woo hoo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah, thanks, Kate!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hot milk…YUCK! Stripping wallpaper…double YUCK! Sorry you’re missing Jake, Kate.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finished kitchen, yay! Still miss Mr. Crankypants.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course you miss Jake. I miss him, and didn’t even know him. As far as that bullfrog goes, I wish he’d teach me his mating call. Maybe he’s free to teach at the Learning Annex. I’m pretty sure he’d sell out. It’s Sunday in New York.
LikeLike
It would be an x-rated training class but aren’t those the best? It’s Sunday here too.
LikeLike
He’ll be famous on the lecture circuit like Tony Robbins and Dr.Phil. Ribbet
LikeLiked by 1 person
I get a cut and you get a cut (it was your idea after all!)
LikeLike
How bout 60/40. That seems fair to share. And I can use the money.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ok, I’m easy.
LikeLike
I knew that. Morgan told me. Don’t tell her I told you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s such a blabbermouth!
LikeLike
She’s catty, she can’t help it. Meow
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, your house/ yard sounds like every critter’s romantic B&B! Better stop advertising.
How do you catch the bullfrogs? Net?
LikeLike
By accident. I cut out the juniper groundcover and one was hiding there. It was daytime. I don’t know if he thought I didn’t see him but I was able to net him. The other was in the muck at the bottom of the pond when I cleaned it out last year. She (or he) came up with a net of disgusting smelling muck. Both were rehomed at the same place but a couple weeks apart. I was hoping they’d find each other.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The mojo will return you just need time. Bad, bad mocha!
LikeLike
Yes and now is when I need good mocha! Lots of it!
LikeLike
I agree. Don’t worry they have to get it worked out, otherwise you’ll have terrible withdrawals! 😀
LikeLike
Yes and people with withdrawal do bad things!
LikeLike
Be afraid Starbucks, be very afraid! :o.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, those bullfrogs must be real Romeos. Hilarious! You could sell tickets.
Your mocha-less latte reminds me of the time my husband got a burger-less cheeseburger at McDonald’s (yes, we were desperate).
Your mojo hasn’t gone too far and it will return. It just needs a little time off right now.
LikeLike
Are you sure that the burger was there but you just didn’t notice it? I like their French fries but if we are desperate we usually do 5 Guys Burgers instead. I’m all about the fries.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We live out in the country so options are limited. When Hubby reported the omission to them he asked if cheese sandwiches were new on the menu.
LikeLike
You have to keep your sense of humor…….
LikeLiked by 1 person
Truly have thought about you every day. Please give your other kitties some extra love and treats (even tho she is on a diet!) It should help you. They will wonder what has gotten in to you.
Bruce has all but given up on Starbucks. He too drinks decafe and lately every cup he got had the grinds at the bottom of his cup. He doesn’t like to chew coffee. I hope your local SB gets better. It is a small thing, but becomes huge when it is wrong.
LikeLike
Coffee is a big deal. It’s the first thing I have in the morning and takes away the “grouch.” (but only when it’s good!) I never had grounds in the bottom. That’s just bad filtering and easy for SB to fix.
LikeLike
Many years ago I made a stupid move. I was fed up with my cats for being so messy when they ate, so I put their dishes on the deck. The food attracted a raccoon, and the same raccoon attacked the neighbor’s dog. Those raccoons can be nasty critters.
It’s nice to complete a bit project. And yes, it’s important to do the wallpaper right. Twenty years ago while remodeling a house that was new to us, I had to scrape the wallpaper off the bathroom wall inch by inch. What color did you paint your kitchen?
LikeLike
Oh my! I had put some dry cat food out during the summer when a neighbor’s cat went missing. I had it out two days and got no takers at all. I decided not to leave it out because we can get opossum too. My cats get their food on a plastic place mat that can be easily washed. My old cat got sloppy in his old age and it was occasionally on the floor but for the rest it worked.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh… they forgot the mocha in your mocha coffee? How hard can it be to remember to put mocha in?
I understand about one job leading to another! We finally had our new cabinets installed and I’m now eyeing our powder room for a repaint. I should know better, but apparently I don’t.
LikeLike
When one area is spruced up it makes other areas look shabby. They probably aren’t but in our eyes, they need work! We are going to redo the back hallway for sure! We did the hallway to the porch, then the kitchen. As we did each we liked it better and better. Let’s hope we can stop there.
LikeLike
Congrats on your painting project in the kitchen.
“The Case of the MISSING MOCHA” ~> Do you taste your latte for mocha before pulling away from the drive-through or walking away from the counter?
KEEP AN EYE ON THEM >>> 🙄 😯 😎
LikeLike
I always checked the label because I get decaf. If they give me caffeine by mistake I will vibrate for 8 hours. I usually taste it before I’m out of the parking lot. The problem with the mocha is sometimes they don’t “stir” it and it’s at the bottom. I thought that was the case but when I got home I stirred and stirred and no mocha appeared (wishing doesn’t make it so). I even dumped the drink into another cup to see if it was stuck to the bottom. Nope! No chocolate anywhere. Thank God I had Hershey’s but it’s not the same.
LikeLike
Glad your back! I always love the Random 5
LikeLike
Thanks. I enjoy doing it. It’s quick and easy and I can cover topics that would never work in a full post.
LikeLike
Pet doors have always been scary propositions to me. We had one once for our dog, and I was always convinced something else would also use it.
LikeLike
In Florida, gators have been known to sneak in through pet doors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good Lord! That would terrify me! I don’t like anything creepy crawly like lizards and snakes. Alligators top that list.
LikeLike
Yikes!
LikeLike
As a side note, there was an alligator (around 6′) found in a stream locally (in southeastern PA). They conjectured that it was a pet that someone released. (Or the pet ate the pet owner and got out — that’s my conjecture!) In any case it’s in a reptile refuge somewhere.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I choose to believe it was a Floridian in search of cooler temperatures. A summer Grouse, if you will. 🙂
LikeLike
They could have tried the doorbell!
LikeLike
I’ve had them for 30 years and this is the first time something other than my cat came in. The current one only went into my porch and there was no way anything could get into the house without the house door open. However, at one point I had one in a basement window that went directly into the house. A raccoon in the house would have made me crazy. My stepdaughter has a large one (for a large dog) and she hasn’t had any problems but she lives in Denver and there aren’t a lot of nuisance critters there.
LikeLike
A pet door has been a saving grace for my dog(s). Since they were little dogs, the door was small as well. After eight years of freeing me from letting them in, then letting them out, then letting them in…well, you get the idea…we have only had one uninvited visitor.
It was a tiny newt, smaller than my hand, cowering the corner of the garage corridor to the doggie door. It had been attracted by the heat and came in out of the cold. I am still always somewhat nervous that something more intimidating might come in, like a snake (*terrible shudder*).
However, I felt sorry for the newt and let it stay for a while. It finally made its own way out.
LikeLike
That was kind of you! Could a snake really push it open? hope not!
LikeLike
Probably not a solid flap, but our doors have slitted flaps that take very little energy to push open. We do have the occasional garter snake in the backyard but no slithery intruders after eight years, so it seems unlikely that they can push the door open.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It would totally freak me out although the raccoon did that too.
LikeLike