Small Talk: The Prayer Closet

[BetyBee]

Our dsh black cat, who died about a year ago at just shy of 19 yo, was a tiny cat with a loud voice! Midnight was very vocal and would always answer back when we talked to him. We choose not to sleep with our cats (I'm afraid they'll get caught in the workings of our Sleep Number bed), so we would say goodnight and close the bedroom door. Just when we were settling in, every night he would meow LOUDLY 10-11 times. I think he was serenading us to sleep!

[Absolom]

7 hours ago, Mindthinkr said:

I have found no other solution than to get up and feed her. I do keep fresh water for her in the bathroom and some dry kibble by her feeding station. I empathize with your lack of sleep because I’ve had a lot of cranky days due to lost sleep. Good luck. 

Time release feeder with an ice pack?  We used one of those for our diabetic cat who was to eat at timed intervals. 

(I now see the previous suggestion of a timed feeder.  They're great.)

Edited January 26 by Absolom

[jcbrown]

I've share my life with more than one short-haired kitty (for some reason not the long- or medium-haired ones) who loved to stand in the stairwell where the acoustics are best and practice kitty arias at about 3 AM. One of our current tabbies will bring toys upstairs to me when I am in the bathtub, talking to herself the entire time before carefully setting the toy on the bathmat. Delightful little weirdos, cats.

[Minivanessa]

Hi small talk friends! I left cold Colorado two weeks ago in the minivan, headed for the desert SW. I've been camping with a few friends, and then at a big meetup. I've stayed in hotel rooms a few nights especially en route because this girl don't camp in ffrreezing temperatures. 🥶 At the moment I'm solo boondocking although there are plenty of other campers in the area. It's a little chillier here than I'd like but it's tolerable. I'm happy to be away from serious winter weather for awhile.

[oliviabenson]

If you getting snow tomorrow/sunday stay warm and cozy!

[BetyBee]

13 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

If you getting snow tomorrow/sunday stay warm and cozy!

Thanks! I plan to spend the day finishing my book club book. Snow is supposed to start around 4pm.

[oliviabenson]

I think it started snowing at 8 pm or so.

Glad it's the weekend and I can stay home.

[Jynnan tonnix]

On 1/26/2025 at 12:41 AM, sixlets said:

What kind of cat do you have?  I only ask because we had a Maine c****, and she was loud.  She would carry her toys around the house in the middle of the night and meow with them still in her mouth.  And my favorite?  She barked when she was unhappy.  Maine's tend to be very vocal cats in general, and she lived up to the nth degree.

Our Cora started doing this a couple of years ago. She was never all that interested in her toys, but after we got Emrys as a kitten, and got him some various toys, Cora got fixated on some of the bigger ones (and she's quite a small cat with short legs like the munchkin breed), and started hunting for them during the night, yowling with pride when she managed to find one and bring it upstairs. We got to where we had to try to track them all down and hide them before bedtime, but if she couldn't get one of those, she would settle for one of the little mice, or even a rubber band and announce her conquest nonetheless. And these are ear-splitting yowls which sounds as though she is in dire distress...as I said, she started doing this when we got the kitten, so she was about 18 years old at the time. So definitely seems to follow the pattern of being a senior thing, but she doesn't seem to have any particular dementia-like symptoms, and is chugging along quite nicely for being 20 years old. She is fairly deaf, though, so I suppose she just has to yowl loudly enough to hear herself. 

On 1/26/2025 at 12:41 AM, sixlets said:

What kind of cat do you have?  I only ask because we had a Maine c****, and she was loud.  She would carry her toys around the house in the middle of the night and meow with them still in her mouth.  And my favorite?  She barked when she was unhappy.  Maine's tend to be very vocal cats in general, and she lived up to the nth degree.

Our Cora started doing this a couple of years ago. She was never all that interested in her toys, but after we got Emrys as a kitten, and got him some various toys, Cora got fixated on some of the bigger ones (and she's quite a small cat with short legs like the munchkin breed), and started hunting for them during the night, yowling with pride when she managed to find one and bring it upstairs. We got to where we had to try to track them all down and hide them before bedtime, but if she couldn't get one of those, she would settle for one of the little mice, or even a rubber band and announce her conquest nonetheless. And these are ear-splitting yowls which sounds as though she is in dire distress...as I said, she started doing this when we got the kitten, so she was about 18 years old at the time. So definitely seems to follow the pattern of being a senior thing, but she doesn't seem to have any particular dementia-like symptoms, and is chugging along quite nicely for being 20 years old. She is fairly deaf, though, so I suppose she just has to yowl loudly enough to hear herself. 

On 1/26/2025 at 12:41 AM, sixlets said:

What kind of cat do you have?  I only ask because we had a Maine c****, and she was loud.  She would carry her toys around the house in the middle of the night and meow with them still in her mouth.  And my favorite?  She barked when she was unhappy.  Maine's tend to be very vocal cats in general, and she lived up to the nth degree.

Our Cora started doing this a couple of years ago. She was never all that interested in her toys, but after we got Emrys as a kitten, and got him some various toys, Cora got fixated on some of the bigger ones (and she's quite a small cat with short legs like the munchkin breed), and started hunting for them during the night, yowling with pride when she managed to find one and bring it upstairs. We got to where we had to try to track them all down and hide them before bedtime, but if she couldn't get one of those, she would settle for one of the little mice, or even a rubber band and announce her conquest nonetheless. And these are ear-splitting yowls which sounds as though she is in dire distress...as I said, she started doing this when we got the kitten, so she was about 18 years old at the time. So definitely seems to follow the pattern of being a senior thing, but she doesn't seem to have any particular dementia-like symptoms, and is chugging along quite nicely for being 20 years old. She is fairly deaf, though, so I suppose she just has to yowl loudly enough to hear herself. 

On 1/26/2025 at 12:41 AM, sixlets said:

What kind of cat do you have?  I only ask because we had a Maine c****, and she was loud.  She would carry her toys around the house in the middle of the night and meow with them still in her mouth.  And my favorite?  She barked when she was unhappy.  Maine's tend to be very vocal cats in general, and she lived up to the nth degree.

Our Cora started doing this a couple of years ago. She was never all that interested in her toys, but after we got Emrys as a kitten, and got him some various toys, Cora got fixated on some of the bigger ones (and she's quite a small cat with short legs like the munchkin breed), and started hunting for them during the night, yowling with pride when she managed to find one and bring it upstairs. We got to where we had to try to track them all down and hide them before bedtime, but if she couldn't get one of those, she would settle for one of the little mice, or even a rubber band and announce her conquest nonetheless. And these are ear-splitting yowls which sounds as though she is in dire distress...as I said, she started doing this when we got the kitten, so she was about 18 years old at the time. So definitely seems to follow the pattern of being a senior thing, but she doesn't seem to have any particular dementia-like symptoms, and is chugging along quite nicely for being 20 years old. She is fairly deaf, though, so I suppose she just has to yowl loudly enough to hear herself. 

On 1/26/2025 at 12:41 AM, sixlets said:

What kind of cat do you have?  I only ask because we had a Maine c****, and she was loud.  She would carry her toys around the house in the middle of the night and meow with them still in her mouth.  And my favorite?  She barked when she was unhappy.  Maine's tend to be very vocal cats in general, and she lived up to the nth degree.

Our Cora started doing this a couple of years ago. She was never all that interested in her toys, but after we got Emrys as a kitten, and got him some various toys, Cora got fixated on some of the bigger ones (and she's quite a small cat with short legs like the munchkin breed), and started hunting for them during the night, yowling with pride when she managed to find one and bring it upstairs. We got to where we had to try to track them all down and hide them before bedtime, but if she couldn't get one of those, she would settle for one of the little mice, or even a rubber band and announce her conquest nonetheless. And these are ear-splitting yowls which sounds as though she is in dire distress...as I said, she started doing this when we got the kitten, so she was about 18 years old at the time. So definitely seems to follow the pattern of being a senior thing, but she doesn't seem to have any particular dementia-like symptoms, and is chugging along quite nicely for being 20 years old. She is fairly deaf, though, so I suppose she just has to yowl loudly enough to hear herself. 

Oops...my post was not going through, so I kept trying, but now it appears to have posted multiple times. How do I get rid of the duplicates?

[Absolom]

Click on edit and delete the extra.  Edit is after clicking the three dots.

[Ancaster]

On 2/10/2025 at 4:29 PM, Absolom said:

Click on edit and delete the extra.  Edit is after clicking the three dots.

Top right hand corner for the three dots/edit.

[BetyBee]

I'm feeling out of sorts today. Yesterday, my husband's niece called me and bent my ear for over an hour. She was on a long drive and I guess she was bored, so she called and did not want to end the call until she got to her destination. I kept trying to end the call. Her conversational style is to interrupt with many questions, usually disrupting my train of thought. She talks extremely slowly, with odd pauses. I chalk it up to the fact that she has no friends and no one to talk to live, except her adult son.

She is my niece by marriage and I'm the only one in the family who talks to her, besides her sister, who is also thousands of miles away. Yesterday, for the first time, niece bashed her sister to me. I don't want any part of family drama. I have enough problems of my own. I know that when you feel badly after talking to someone, as I do today after that conversation, that it's best not to engage in long conversations with such a dramatic person. I do care, but I just don't feel that I can be her sounding board any more. 😢

[realityfan26]

Oh @BetyBee I'm so sorry you've got family drama. I've got some too right now and it's incredibly draining.

[Quof]

I refuse to speak with anyone while they are driving.  I tell them that, and hang up. 

[BetyBee]

46 minutes ago, Quof said:

I refuse to speak with anyone while they are driving.  I tell them that, and hang up. 

That's a good policy! 

[oliviabenson]

I thought of Jill Rodriguez...

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/s/amzwzkXAV1

[oliviabenson]

Hello how is everyone?

[CalicoKitty]

2 hours ago, oliviabenson said:

Hello how is everyone?

My brain MRI this week showed that the tumor had some shrinkage in size for the first time.  I guess the radiation treatments are kicking in after 15 months.  I am very happy!  Thank you for asking.

[BetyBee]

1 minute ago, CalicoKitty said:

My brain MRI this week showed that the tumor had some shrinkage in size for the first time.  I guess the radiation treatments are kicking in after 15 months.  I am very happy!  Thank you for asking.

That is good news, indeed! 

Today is a beautiful, sunny day. The cat is out on the screen porch, enjoying his "outside" time!

[CalicoKitty]

35 minutes ago, BetyBee said:

That is good news, indeed! 

Today is a beautiful, sunny day. The cat is out on the screen porch, enjoying his "outside" time!

We have a little snow on the ground but another storm is heading in. Luckily all my errands are done for today.  The cats are sleeping in the other room, probably on my bed,  because there is no sun to find on the window sills.

[zoomama]

just returned from three VERY fast days in the greater fort worth texas area. looks like next month i will have a new address!

[Jynnan tonnix]

I have not done quite so much painting so far this year as I did last year, when I had the art show in October to look forward to. But I have managed a couple of things. There's an annual art show at a local library which is supposed to be pretty popular, and since they only accept one work per artist, I thought I would try for something a bit  ambitious. The photo I used as inspiration for this was not taken by me,  much as I am usually really adamant about using my own work, but the movement in it spoke to me so that I asked him for permission to use it, then adjusted the dimensions, changed the original figure and added the sailboat. I think it's one of my favorite things I've done to date! 

[ozziemom]

23 hours ago, Jynnan tonnix said:

I have not done quite so much painting so far this year as I did last year, when I had the art show in October to look forward to. But I have managed a couple of things. There's an annual art show at a local library which is supposed to be pretty popular, and since they only accept one work per artist, I thought I would try for something a bit  ambitious. The photo I used as inspiration for this was not taken by me,  much as I am usually really adamant about using my own work, but the movement in it spoke to me so that I asked him for permission to use it, then adjusted the dimensions, changed the original figure and added the sailboat. I think it's one of my favorite things I've done to date! 

That is a beautiful piece of art. Thank you for sharing.

[Nysha]

On 3/16/2025 at 7:46 AM, Jynnan tonnix said:

I have not done quite so much painting so far this year as I did last year, when I had the art show in October to look forward to. But I have managed a couple of things. There's an annual art show at a local library which is supposed to be pretty popular, and since they only accept one work per artist, I thought I would try for something a bit  ambitious. The photo I used as inspiration for this was not taken by me,  much as I am usually really adamant about using my own work, but the movement in it spoke to me so that I asked him for permission to use it, then adjusted the dimensions, changed the original figure and added the sailboat. I think it's one of my favorite things I've done to date! 

This is beautiful.

[BetyBee]

I scoop (and add to) the litter box every other day. Our huge orange boy is a very enthusiastic litter scatterer. He went so bananas last night that he threw half the litter behind the box. It took me 1/2 an hour to clean up! We can't put the top on the litter box because he's so big, it would probably create new problems. I'm at a loss as to what to do with this otherwise adorable boy. Any suggestions? 

[lookeyloo]

1 hour ago, BetyBee said:

I scoop (and add to) the litter box every other day. Our huge orange boy is a very enthusiastic litter scatterer. He went so bananas last night that he threw half the litter behind the box. It took me 1/2 an hour to clean up! We can't put the top on the litter box because he's so big, it would probably create new problems. I'm at a loss as to what to do with this otherwise adorable boy. Any suggestions? 

I saw an ad for a folding litter box that looked like a small swimming pool for a child.  Of course now I can't find it!!  Maybe something that isn't a littler box but is big and can work?

[Absolom]

Find an extra jumbo size box.  I ordered them from a pet store.  I had one very large and one super large cat some years back.  They also had extra height.  I wish I could remember the name.

[jcbrown]

4 hours ago, BetyBee said:

I scoop (and add to) the litter box every other day. Our huge orange boy is a very enthusiastic litter scatterer. He went so bananas last night that he threw half the litter behind the box. It took me 1/2 an hour to clean up! We can't put the top on the litter box because he's so big, it would probably create new problems. I'm at a loss as to what to do with this otherwise adorable boy. Any suggestions? 

I bought two of these very deep boxes and I put less than an inch deep of litter into each of them them (and scoop twice a day--three cats). We had some consultation with a cat behaviorist a few years back when one of our oldsters decided that litter boxes were no place to poop because they stopped manufacturing her favorite litter brand. Putting less litter in was one of the behaviorist's recommendations.

[CalicoKitty]

I have used the Tidy Cats Breeze system for several years.  The supplies are more expensive than regular cat litter and a litter box, but I have found that the generic pads work well, and you only need to change the pellets once a month.  Excellent odor control.  The pellets don't stick to cat paws like regular litter does, and if any pellets escape they are much easier to sweep up than regular litter.  The box itself in an investment, but it is a one-time purchase.  Amazon has generic pellets, too, and they seem to work as well as the brand name.  My cats don't dig in the box as much anymore, either.  They make an extra large box that would be good for a very large cat.  My 16-pounder uses the regular box with no problems.  I have two cats and two boxes, and they have no problem sharing.  It seems they both use one, and then both switch to the other one.  I really am pleased with the odor control with these boxes.

[Mindthinkr]

@Jynnan tonnix You are a wonderful artist and have a lot of talent. 
 

@BetyBee I agree with the others above who suggested that you use a bit less litter. Before I lost BB a year ago, he used to make a mess. I finally put down extra large puppy pee pads on the floor surrounding the box. It kept both of them from tracking litter through the house, and made the laundry room a snap to clean up. 

[BetyBee]

Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I had never heard of providing less litter, but that is a good idea, definitely worth trying. This is new behavior in the past few days and he has tipped the box 2 more times since I posted. He is otherwise behaving normally. I had an extra large stainless steel litter box in my cart, but I haven't finalized the sale because I'm not sure about the high sides for him. The ones @jcbrown suggested seem less confining. His box is already under the laundry tub, so I don't want to confine his movement (no pun intended!) because of his size. Our current litter box does have a top, but we took it off to give him more room. The tipping over is probably due to his size and his vigorous digging, so I think we definitely need a bigger box. I'll let you know what we get and how it works out!

[jcbrown]

15 hours ago, BetyBee said:

The ones @jcbrown suggested seem less confining. His box is already under the laundry tub, so I don't want to confine his movement (no pun intended!) because of his size. Our current litter box does have a top, but we took it off to give him more room. The tipping over is probably due to his size and his vigorous digging, so I think we definitely need a bigger box. I'll let you know what we get and how it works out!

The one I suggested also has some nonstick properties so it scoops easier, FYI.

[Minivanessa]

@Jynnan tonnix - love that painting. Thanks for sharing!

@BetyBee, I hope you find the solution for your cat.

I'm sitting here catching up on discussions after a few days that I'd rather forget. Topped off by a few hours in urgent care yesterday. I'm NOT complaining about urgent care: they were great.

I'd toughed out for 36 hours of feeling ill, dizzy with eye discomfort and other things. Did the stroke self-check: negative. Blood glucose, blood pressure and pulse taken at home were all as usual. Yesterday I finally called my HMO, talked to a nurse, was told to go to their urgent care clinic (I took a Lyft both ways). Diagnosis: positional vertigo. After a lot of tests the doc administered a specific maneuver, and then I got IV for hydration plus some meds to relieve symptoms. I came home feeling better- but MEGA sleepy. I swear, I had to fight to stay awake on the ride home.

I think I've slept 12 hours since I got home. Now that I'm up and have had breakfast: I want a nap. 🤣 I'm no longer feeling ill but have zero energy. Just placed an Instacart order for groceries so I won't starve, LOL. 

In case this sounds negative, I'm truly thankful that I was able to get medical care, and that I'm back to feeling okay. I think it's just that at my age it takes longer to bounce back from illness or injury. 

Thanks for all the fine snark and discussions here to keep me entertained while I'm awake, friends!

Now, back to my previous slide into naptime . . .  💤  😴

[BetyBee]

@Minivanessa- I'm glad you're feeling better. I had benign positional vertigo several years ago. It was unpleasant and for me it lasted a while. It would come and go, mostly when I tipped my head back, or bent down. I hope you wake up feeling much better!

Update on my cat problem. We put the new litter box on hold, since he hasn't tipped the box the last two days. I'm using less litter too and cleaning it daily, rather than every other day. If it happens again, we'll try a bigger litter box. I appreciate all of the input!

ETA that I had put the box in backwards. That may have been enough to upset my chunky, sensitive cat!

Edited March 19 by BetyBee
ETA that I just remembered a detail.

[Zella]

3 hours ago, Minivanessa said:

@Jynnan tonnix - love that painting. Thanks for sharing!

@BetyBee, I hope you find the solution for your cat.

I'm sitting here catching up on discussions after a few days that I'd rather forget. Topped off by a few hours in urgent care yesterday. I'm NOT complaining about urgent care: they were great.

I'd toughed out for 36 hours of feeling ill, dizzy with eye discomfort and other things. Did the stroke self-check: negative. Blood glucose, blood pressure and pulse taken at home were all as usual. Yesterday I finally called my HMO, talked to a nurse, was told to go to their urgent care clinic (I took a Lyft both ways). Diagnosis: positional vertigo. After a lot of tests the doc administered a specific maneuver, and then I got IV for hydration plus some meds to relieve symptoms. I came home feeling better- but MEGA sleepy. I swear, I had to fight to stay awake on the ride home.

I think I've slept 12 hours since I got home. Now that I'm up and have had breakfast: I want a nap. 🤣 I'm no longer feeling ill but have zero energy. Just placed an Instacart order for groceries so I won't starve, LOL. 

In case this sounds negative, I'm truly thankful that I was able to get medical care, and that I'm back to feeling okay. I think it's just that at my age it takes longer to bounce back from illness or injury. 

Thanks for all the fine snark and discussions here to keep me entertained while I'm awake, friends!

Now, back to my previous slide into naptime . . .  💤  😴

I'm glad you were able to get a diagnosis! Hope you have a good nap and are feeling better soon.  

[Minivanessa]

Thanks for the kind words and virtual hugs, friends. I had such a great nap that it messed a little with my bedtime last night. But I'm actually feeling that - no longer dizzy - I can drive without being a danger on the road. Car is long overdue for a wash and I'm long overdue to get out of the house for some fresh air. 

[CalicoKitty]

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

[AstridM]

3 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

Yes, I also got that warning.

[CalicoKitty]

2 minutes ago, AstridM said:

Yes, I also got that warning.

Thanks for responding.  I'm glad to know it was not just me.

[lookeyloo]

41 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

I got it too; I thought the site was gone for good!

[Salacious Kitty]

It had to do with a certificate. We had the same issue a few months ago. All is back to normal now. 

[oliviabenson]

2 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

I did too.

[badhaggis]

6 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

I was very afraid this site was gone for good too. I was really going to miss all of you!

[Salacious Kitty]

17 minutes ago, badhaggis said:

I was very afraid this site was gone for good too. I was really going to miss all of you!

Nah, I recognized it straight away. They need to pay their bills! 

[lookeyloo]

7 hours ago, Salacious Kitty said:

Nah, I recognized it straight away. They need to pay their bills! 

Well money problems can't be good!

[Absolom]

The person responsible for keeping that up to date just needs to keep a calendar with it marked however they track paying bills, appointments, etc.  This has happened more than once before.

[BetyBee]

Update on my naughty cat and his litter box dumping: He did it again! So we ordered a heavier, stainless steel litter box. I suspect he just has trouble navigating due to his size. I've noticed that he's a bit clumsy when he jumps up on the counter. Or maybe he's a brat! Whatever the cause, I hope this heavier litter box thwarts him!

[Minivanessa]

18 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

Did anyone else get a security warning when logging in to this site about three hours ago?  I'm using a Macbook.  When I opened the site, there was only a security alert in red letters saying the site was not safe and to log out.  It tried twice.  I logged on just now as usual without any message.  Was it just me, or was the site having a problem?

That happened to me too last night. Can't remember if I was on my iPad or my MacBook Air. I decided to be prudent and closed out the browser page. No issues logging on today.

[zoomama]

well friends, i am sharing my honest opinion here....i HATE packing up the house to move. this is our 5th move in less than 14 years. i am dragging my feet! trying to downsize at the same time is not easy either -- but it feels freeing to let go of things. i have about 5 weeks to get the job done --- its a process!  🤪

Edited Monday at 07:13 PM by zoomama

[BetyBee]

1 minute ago, zoomama said:

well friends, i am sharing my honest opinion here....i HATE packing up the house to move. this is our 5th move in less than 14 years. i am dragging my feet! trying to downsize at the same time is not easy either -- but it feels freeing to let go of things. i have about 5 weeks to get the ob done --- its a process!

That's a lot of moves. I've been there and every time we move, I think it's the last one. I hope you're excited about your destination, @zoomama. I agree that downsizing can be very freeing. Keep us posted on your progress. ❤️

[oliviabenson]

On 3/23/2025 at 11:10 AM, BetyBee said:

Update on my naughty cat and his litter box dumping: He did it again! So we ordered a heavier, stainless steel litter box. I suspect he just has trouble navigating due to his size. I've noticed that he's a bit clumsy when he jumps up on the counter. Or maybe he's a brat! Whatever the cause, I hope this heavier litter box thwarts him!

how is your kitty?