Summer Time Back Yard

Rescued!

You know how the smoke alarm starts chirping in the middle of the night? What do you do? That happened to me this morning. It was 6:30 a.m. Not the middle of the night this time, but still disruptive to my morning. I had not even had coffee yet, and here was this ear-splitting beep echoing around the house. My cats, who were sleeping peacefully on my bed, fled to the basement.

I had no idea what to do. My first thought was to go get a hammer and smash it. I had stood by and watched while my husband changed the battery. So, I thought I would try that. I got out the step ladder, but it didn't bring me near enough to the chirping thing; we have nine foot ceilings. I can't look up anyway because I get dizzy when I look up. This is the lingering effect of an attack of vertigo I had some time ago.

My husband is out of town on business, so he couldn't help. Finally I thought of calling the fire department; maybe they would help, I wasn't sure. Would they take me seriously for such a minor matter? Well, I did call. They asked me a couple of questions, then said they would send a mobile unit out. I ran to get dressed and get the nine volt batteries, which I knew the smoke alarm uses.

About ten minutes later, the fire unit arrived. He had even brought the batteries with him. He was very helpful, changed the batteries in both the smoke detector and the carbon monoxide alarm. Then he explained how the alarms are wired, how they work, and what to do if they start chirping again. It turns out the new battery did it, but that we really should replace our smoke alarms because they are more than ten years old.

I'm not sure, but I think this may be one of the benefits of living in a very small town. In the big city, would they be so helpful? Maybe so... fire departments have a very good reputation. In any case, I was impressed. They sent a fireman with 20 years of experience to change the battery in my smoke alarm!

p.s. It's been quiet for over an hour now. My cats have come back up from the basement, but they are creeping along, crouched down low, suspicious, with their ears cocked for an emergency!

I Love Al Jarreau

I have loved Al Jarreau for decades. I first heard the romantic song "After All". Then I heard the upbeat "Mornin'". Then I heard the theme song "Moonlighting" on that TV show (which I also loved, by the way). I loved them all. I bought the album "Breaking Away" back in the 80s. I recently bought the "The Very Best Of" CD and have discovered him all over again.

I love jazz, particularly Dave Brubeck, and Al does amazing things on this CD with "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la TurK". As the CD insert says, "he fearlessly tackled the challenge of improvising in the tricky 5/4 meter". I never imagined lyrics to "Rondo" but he and Dave Brubeck wrote them for this "virtuosic vocal" ("melody married to harmony"). It is simply a joy to listen to, energetic and inventive.

We saw Al at an outdoor concert in the 80s. Wow! When he sang "Boogie Down" the whole place was up dancing and rocking. A great memory! I feel the same way every time I listen to it.

I have been trying to post some of his songs here from YouTube but can't make it work. After I go visit the Genius Bar I will try again. I just couldn't wait to share this!

Kitties On Our Deck

These are some of the homeless kitties that we have adopted. We did TNR... trap, neuter, release. They live in our neighborhood, mostly in back yards adjacent to our house. They gather on our deck for food and shelter.

The photo above is blurry because I took it through the screen door.

The little blacks ones are sisters of Munchkin, the one we adopted to live in our house with us. Munchkin was the friendliest one and was very easy to tame. She is the friendliest of our indoor kitties. It amazes me that kitties who are born in the wild and considered feral are capable of being so tame and friendly

The little blue cubes in the background are some of their shelters. They have large, insulated igloo-type doghouses for the winter.

I would say these kitties are now "semi-tame". They wait for us to bring food in the morning and run to the door when they see us. Like this:

Oh well, I might as well put up the whole photo album:

I guess some people think I'm silly... but I love these kitties!

Blog Love

I am a fan of blogs. I like the people whose blogs I read. I would miss them if they were to stop blogging. Some bloggers have given up and gone to Facebook. I'm on Facebook too, but it doesn't feel the same. Blogging has more depth and more thought goes into it.

Bloggers share more. They share their crafts, their art, their recipes, their interests, and so much more. I have learned from bloggers. I have been inspired by bloggers. They have made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think. I don't get that from Facebook.

Blog World

Moonlighting

I loved this show!

Do you remember it?

Bruce Willis looked so young...

They were great together... so funny!

I wish they would bring it back... maybe on TV Land? I loved the theme song too; "Moonlighting" by Al Jarreau. I love him too. I tried to put embed it here from YouTube but it didn't work. Oh well... if you want to hear it go to YouTube yourself.