March 2022 – Siriously Siri

March 27, 2022

All By Myself…..

I need my Dad ….

It was a year and a half ago when I left home to stay at ‘camp’, or so they called it. And camp out I did, in a cage, for seven months. Seven long months trusting it would be alright – and because I trusted, I waited, and I expected. I expected that the commitment that had been made to me would be honored. Yes, I had food and water, and yes, I had a roof over my head. It would be alright, they kept telling me. Someone would come back for me someday.

Well they didn’t. And just as well because obviously someone hadn’t explained to them about decency and responsibility. And so I lost that home, and spent seven months of caged life, and then came to the Rescue.

I can’t find my Dad …..

Here they know decency. And responsibility. Kindness and warm hearts and snuggles abound. And a commitment is made to each and every cat that enters the program – to do the very best by that cat that they can do. But these Rescue folks are up against tremendous odds. Because not only do they have to work to provide for the present and the future, but they work to overcome the past. These folks work to repair the damage done by countless other folks who don’t give a second thought to leaving us by a dumpster, closing us in the basement, kicking us down the stairs, or abandoning us in a kennel for seven months. The psychological damage can be overwhelming. The physical damage debilitating. The emotional scars long term.

Oh Dad, where are you…….

Some of us bounce back. Some of us, given the time and the patience, can conquer the demons – we can learn to trust again, to believe that we will have food and water, that we will be protected, that we are worthy of love. And with proper attention and care, some of us can also overcome the long term damage to our physical beings. And some of us can’t. Some of us will still bite, or swat, or pee inappropriately (mea culpa). Some of us will refuse to eat and some of us will eat until there’s no end in sight. And some of us, no matter what kind of intervention is taken, will lose the battle.

Dad?

The nice Rescue lady tells me there’s a new family for me, we just have to find them. While I look forward to that, I still wonder about Dad. I sure hope he’s okay, because I’ll miss him.

March 23, 2022

Her Hidden Genius

While fiction, this is an exceptional book based on the life of Rosalind Franklin and her scientific research into DNA. It had intrigue, challenges, a tiny bit of romance, but mostly a fantastic tale of a woman’s perseverance in a man’s world and all the challenges she faced and how she met them. Really good, highly recommend this.

March 22, 2022

Left Behind….

Well I looked. I looked and I couldn’t find him and I didn’t understand. Actually I don’t understand much of it at all. People may say that’s because I’m not as worldly, or experienced, or debonair as others. I don’t think that has much to do with it. It seems to be a pretty simple concept to me. A commitment made to care for someone who is dependent on you for that care should include a few basic things. Food and water for one thing. How can anyone who is purposefully closed up in a contraption built by another species with no way to escape be expected to find sustenance? I have to wonder what Chocolate thought at the close of the door and ne’er a goodbye glance as he was left alone in the apartment. And shelter. Shelter is defined as something that provides protection. Protection is not just from the elements. It is also from the BB gun that shot Kanoa and the hot oil that was dripped on Braveheart and the paint brush that turned Sherwin’s face white. And while a commitment may not ensure affection, it should. Or if not affection, consideration. Consideration that we too are sensitive, and that there are times where we may mourn, and we may be angry at the world, and we may be terrified. And there may be times where we too just don’t understand, and need reassurance.

Is that too much to ask?

March 18, 2022

I Must Betray You

Definitely a five star read here – set in Romania in 1989, this is a historical fiction about a teenage boy and his family and how living under Ceausescu’s dictatorship makes him question everything and everyone. Well written and great character development; it’s always an eye opener to read what’s happening elsewhere in the world as many of us in the US focus on minutiae. I have also read Between Shades of Gray and Salt of the Sea by Sepetys and rated both as five stars as well, so give her a try if you haven’t already and if you like historical fiction!

March 15, 2022

One Paw At A Time

Why are you sad? His head tilted ever so slightly to the left, a quizzical look in his eyes.

I have no idea, I thought. There is just so much pain wherever I look. The news of the world. The anger and hatred. The sadness and despair. It gets so overwhelming.

Look at the good you have done. At the kindness you have shared. At the empathy you have shown. You have made this world a better place. His eyes said it all.

It doesn’t feel like much I lamented. It’s just a drop in the bucket. There is so much pain in so many situations.

His gaze penetrated my heart. His whiskers twitched. And his motorboat purr gently rumbled: without you, I wouldn’t be here. I might have been on the streets, hungry, matted, fleabitten. Desperate for a gentle touch and a soft voice, yet met with a stout kick or a tossed rock. Always leery, always scrambling out of danger. But then you came along, giving the time, the energy, the compassion and the resources needed to help someone like me. No one person can fix the world. But if each of us reach out to help, just a little, the world becomes a better place. Thank you for that.

March 13, 2022

The Commitment of a Lifetime

Hey you – you, with the greying muzzle. Can you still hear me? You look a little muddled. I’m over here – on the sofa – can you find me? Don’t fret – if not, I’ll come get you. I’m right here. You smell me, don’t you – your eyes are concerned. Don’t worry, buddy. I am right here every step of the way.
We go back quite a ways, don’t we? Some days, things were good, some days, we struggled. But you were always there. When I was irritated, you soothed my nerves. When I was lonely, you snuggled up tight. When I was sulking, you gently pawed my leg. When I thought my world was falling apart, you held me together.
I hurt, and you understood. You gave, and then gave some more. No matter how I felt, how I behaved, or what I did, you were there, watching, waiting, ready to comfort. Always accepting.
And now you’re aging. Know that I will stand by you. While my heart will break into pieces as your body slowly tires, I will do my best to make every step of the way as comfortable as possible. I promise to watch carefully so you don’t suffer needlessly. And when the time has come, I will hold your paw and soothe your soul as you take your last sleep.
We are connected, you and I; physically in this world, spiritually forever after. Thank you for choosing me, I have been honored to be yours.

March 11, 2022

The Love of Rescue

This was the paycheck of Rescue.

Packing Circes up with all her belongings, I looked forward to seeing Katherine again. A woman in her 80’s, Katherine had contacted me several years ago when she was looking for a Siamese friend to join her family. An experienced ‘Meezer’ owner, Katherine came highly recommended from the Feline Foundation in Washington where she had originally applied.

The first Siamese we placed with her was my 24^th rescue. Cleopatra had come to us from Manhattan, NY when her owner passed away, leaving no provisions for the cat. Luckily for Cleo, a neighbor jumped in when it became apparent the only option was the NYC pound and took Cleo in. The neighbor, discovering that she was highly allergic, contacted us shortly thereafter to see how we could help Cleo.

A mature Meezer of 10, Cleopatra came to us with a woeful wail but a wonderful personality. From the beginning she was a trooper, sharing her stories with us but never once really complaining. The stress of the move and the new environment had resulted in ringworm, a fairly common fungus in rescued cats; this unfortunately meant a 4-6 week isolation in an upstairs bathroom.

Meanwhile, the search continued for a new owner. Cleo became a popular kitty on the Rescue website, where many admirers followed her tale. As luck should have it, Katherine came along at just the right time, and following the 6 week isolation period, we drove Cleo to her new home, accompanied by many internet hurrahs.

Unfortunately, after several years in her new home, Cleo left us for the Rainbow Bridge. Swallowing her sorrow Katherine immediately contacted us, offering to provide a loving home for yet another needy Meezer. As circumstances would have it, Circes had just arrived from a family in Ohio where their child’s asthma forced a rehome. A beautiful wedgehead seal, Circes met all the requirements – loving, lap sitting, needy – they would be a perfect pair.

As I loaded Circes in the car, I remembered the warm, glowing feeling that came over me the first time as I watched Cleo and Katherine instantly form a bond of friendship. As they sat there, arm-in-arm, the tears of happiness fell from everyone’s eyes, and the true meaning of Rescue was more than apparent. The fact that Katherine was willing to open her heart to another needy cat, and on top of that, a mature cat, was a testimonial to her dedication to the many rescued cats looking for good homes.

Although Katherine lived a good two hours from me, I wanted to do this transport myself. Normally, we used members of our Meezer Express, a 900 volunteer-strong transport team that worked together to relay rescue cats between the shelters and their new homes. However, I was anxious to see Katherine again, remembering how touched I was during my last visit several years ago. I had convinced my daughter to come with me; at age 11, I had an ulterior motive wanting her to experience firsthand, as I had, the joy and satisfaction that Rescue can bring.

The two-hour drive passed uneventfully, with Circes complaining initially, but then settling down for remainder of the ride. I firmly believe these cats know much more than we give them credit for, and I had no doubt that Circes realized she was headed to her new home. When we arrived at the apartment, we were greeted in the lobby by Katherine who was so excited she was practically dancing on her toes. With a huge smile on her face, she gave us a quick glance and then looked expectantly at Circes. Circes meowled her hellos in return as we headed upstairs. Circes exited the carrier, did a once around, and immediately jumped on Katherine’s lap to make biscuits. The warmth that flooded me from head to toe – and I could see the same for my daughter, was amazing. Watching the two of them fall in immediate love – it was hard to tell who needed the other one more – we left grinning from ear to ear. This, I told my daughter, is the paycheck of Rescue.

March 8, 2022

The Last House on the Street

Great author (Diane Chamberlain) who handles a sensitive subject and time frame with grace. The topic is upsetting (prejudice and violence) but it is well done through switchbacks of the present with the past and all centered around a neighborhood and its houses. This is the third five star I have read by Ms. Chamberlain, the others being The Dream Daughter and Necessary Lies. Well done.

March 5, 2022

Chocolate Caramel Macchiato Cookies

Oh my. These are richly good. This recipe hails from Frosted by Bernice Baran. While it has several parts that need to be put together, the end result is well worth it. You start with two deeply chocolate sugar cookies that have just the right amount of chewiness and are a good size. These form the outside of the sandwich cookie. The inside is a Italian Meringue Buttercream mixed with a homemade caramel and some espresso powder and vanilla bean paste mixed in. They are good in the fridge for up to a week and you only need one to make a great dessert! This cookbook is a winner.

March 4, 2022April 9, 2022

Life in the Geezer Ward (Episode 5)

Breakfast had been served: next on the agenda – catch that sunbeam. We had all found one, when an uninvited guest peaked his head around the bedroom door. Duke’s ears twitched, but not one to mouse, he kept his quiet. The food bowls had remnants, certainly, although with 12 of us, that was all there was. Mamagayo gave a blink, then went back to her catnap. Sapphire licked her lips, but couldn’t be bothered. Coffee was still in his muddle, and peering in the wrong direction. Seeing no reaction from the crowd he crept closer, inch by inch. With each step he became more assured. Crumbs in several shapes and flavors lay almost within reach. Just a few more inches. His nose twitched hungrily, his beady eyes twinkled. A little bit further, quiet as a mouse …

Leave it to Jasmine to introduce chaos. Careening wildly, she skittered sideways across the room, whacking in every direction with both paws. He scrambled for safety – under the bureau – hoping no one would see him. But the jig was up. Coffee sounded the alarm. Sapphire frumped over to one end of the bureau. Jasmine puddled at the other end. All exits were blocked. There was no escaping- it was only a matter of time.

(I would have helped, but someone had to take notes.)

Too bad we had all just eaten. Waste not, want not we all agreed. And so the delectable tidbit was placed at the very back of the bookcase so it could age properly for future use.

(To Be Continued, when that tidbit is good and ripe)

Yours Truly,

Howard Beakman