Sunday, January 27, 2008

Our Little Swimmer...

It's been a rough week, so let's look at roses, shall we? I'll save why I haven't been around for another blog and use this one to tell you about the funny stuff that happened.
Of course...it would have to involve Ohno. Who else!? For those of you not familiar with Ohno, that's what we say when he enters a room we happen to be in (Oh No!). Yes, he's that much trouble. (Has anyone noticed his butt looks like it's wearing a Don King wig?)
~
Thursday we heard a huge splash and then more water and kitty claws and dog claws everywhere. Rob and I rushed from our offices along with the other kitties to find the dog and the rest of the kitties just staring at Ohno the same way we were, in total shock and disbelief. He was sitting in the middle of the dining room, drenched to the bone from head to toe, looking as if he was about to cry. Water was EVERY WHERE, and I mean, EVERY WHERE. I remember saying "Oh...My...God." "GET THE TOWELS!!!!!!!!! By the time we were through drying Ohno and mopping up, we'd used almost every towel in the house (we have lots). The only part of Ohno that didn't get wet was the tip of his tail. How he managed to keep that out of the water is beyond us. After he was dry we bundled him up to keep him toasty so he wouldn't catch cold and put him to bed. He had water in both ears and kept shaking his head, so we called the Vet's just as a precaution and where told "If he isn't okay in 2 days, bring him in." For added insurance I tipped him upside down and shook the water out of both ears, just like swimmers do! Quick thinking helped our bank account and his ears troubles. He improved within hours. He might have improved within hours on his own, but I wasn't taking any chances. And trust me, after what he'd done he was in no position to protest. Oh, I failed to mention what he did. He fell into the fish tank. Why did he fall into the fish tank? Because he walks along the edge of it like an idiot.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your wonderful comments on my previous post. Your support matters a great deal. You are some of the most generous people I have ever met and I want you to know that the effort you make to stay in touch is truly appreciated (even if you don't get a response right away!). Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will try to respond to the remaining comments this week. Sorry for the delay. Until next time.
~
Much love,
Suzanne
~
Edit: My friend, Salem Stitcher, reminded me I forgot to mention the fish. The fish is fine. Actually I have just one fish in the tank because she's so big. I rescued her from the feeder tank at Petco about 4 years ago and she was only about a half inch long. She grew fast and is over 8" long (I think she's a Comet)! This is not a fish tale...I just measured her to be absolutely accurate. She was supposed to go in the pond. Unfortunately the pond isn't in the back yard because it's still at Lowe's waiting for me to buy it.

48 comments:

Salem Stitcher said...

Hi Suzanne,

Oh, I needed that laugh! I'm sure you can fogive that sweet face anything though.

My question is...how did the fish take it?

Suzanne said...

Salem Stitcher,

Hi!

Glad you had a good laugh! Ohno's such a rascal and relentless too, so I'm sure more stories are on there way. What I love most about him is how he pretends nothing is his fault. He looked as if he was thinking "Wow, how did that tank full of water get on me?" Instead of, "I'm an such a klutz!" He's a handful, but yes, that face. He's a sweetie too.

I edited my blog and updated everyone on the fish! Thanks for reminding me. Talk to you soon and will visit as well. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you're doing well.

XO Suzanne

Kookaburra said...

G'day Suzanne,
Thanks for the post about Ohno :))
That really put a smile on my dial.
I bet he won't be doing that again in a hurry. I'm glad the fish are ok. Ohno looks a sorry sight all bundled up in the towel. He doesn't appear to be very old from the pics.
'bye for now,
Mark.

Skeeter said...

That's a beautiful story Suzanne! I used to have a kitty. He would stare at the birds flying in their flight cage like he was watching a television. He never tried to walk on the edge of the cage though.

You're right. Ohno's butt does remind of a certain boxing promoter ... oh my.

Your roses are really pretty. Every time I see them I try to imagine how mine will bloom once Spring finally comes again. Thanks for posting them.

CSI Seattle said...

A Kodak moment to be sure. Having a camera in hand at all times is not practical, but it would capture the most precious moments in life.

Suzanne, glad to see you are back. Do not stress about delays between posts or answering all the comments. Blogging is like a bio-rhythm. Sometimes you're up and sometimes your down. It's when it comes to a complete stop is when you should worry.

Keep smiling and have a great day,

Brian

Ludmila M. said...

Dear friend,
Where are you?Are you feeling ok?I'm worried,you've disapeared from my blog..Miss your kind comments and have some news to tell you,which are already written there,right?
XOXO Lud.

Random Musings said...

Hi Suzanne,

Oh, that was great...thanks for the laugh! Ohno is sure a cutie! And when they look at you with that innocent look, it's hard to be mad at them for long.

It sounds like you're doing well.

~Hugs

krystyna said...

Hi Suzanne!
I really enjoyed your writing.
Ohno looks very cute and subbmissive (3 photo).
I enjoyed the fragrance of your beautiful roses too.

Hugsss!

Tena Russ said...

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks for the sweet comment on my blog.

I'll be back before you know it.

Hugs,
Tena

Ludmila M. said...

Hi my dear,
Hope you're feeling better now, so sad to know what happened to your cat..I'm fine and glad that you've written such wonderful words..
All the best,always!
XOXO Lud.

Suzanne said...

Hey Mark,

He was certainly a sorry sight when we first saw him, but he got better looking as he dried! And you know what? We thought he wouldn't go near the fish tank again either, but within 6 hours he was walking along the top again. I grabbed him quickly for fear of a repeat and said "Have you no common sense? Why can't you just stop this nonesense?" He looked at me and said "I have the ability, but not the desire." Case closed. The stupidity will continue.

Ohno is now 5 months old. In February he has to have his pom-poms deflated. I've already apologized for what I'm about to do to him and for him, but he doesn't quite grasp the enormity of it. The poor boy.

Nice chatting with you as always. Talk to you again soon!

Love, Suzanne
P.S. Hi to Jo, Helen and the kitties for us!

Satanic Angel said...

Hii Suzanne!!it's so good to see you back to your usual self, tending to your kitties & roses, playing with ohno et al. And ohno like his name, is sure some entertainer!

Suzanne said...

Skeeter, Skeeter, Skeeter...

Finally, I'm responding to at least ONE of your comments! I'm trying honey, you know what I mean? I hope to have a response to all of them by the end of the day. In fact, I'm determined! I'm not feeling well today, so I've plopped my butt in front of the computer to play catch-up.

First, the kitty. He's a keeper. At the time it didn't feel like a "beautiful" thing, but Rob and I would look at one another and start laughing behind the kitty's back, so I knew the memory would be pretty remarkable, and it is. Brian at CSI Seattle mentioned getting a photo and it's too bad we didn't. The house and Ohno were such a mess, we didn't even think to capture the moment. Next time. Oh yes...trust me, there will be a next time. The boy is insane!

You mentioned you once had a cat (good!). Why don't you have a cat now? Do you know how many kitties are in need of good homes? Yours sounds like a good home, so give it some thought. Local animal shelters and kitty rescue organizations are always looking for kind people. Two cats are better than one and three are better than two!

You are so right, roses are beautiful. I should have had all my bushes pruned by now and I haven't even started. Ugh. Some are already starting to leaf out. I'm so behind with chores because of this damn blog. I'm going to have to egnore all of you very soon to get gardening chores completed in February. Oh, by the way, daffodils are about to bloom here. I'll post a photo the day it happens. They will bring cheer to your cold winter days. Get ready to be blinded by pure yellow sunshine!

It's always nice to talk to you and thank you for staying in touch. Oh, by the way, I've met so many wonderful writers. I've listed a few on my blog ~ you may want to check them out. Hope you're having a great day. We'll talk soon.

XO Suzanne :)

bindhiya said...

Dear Suzanne,
Just stopping by to say we are fine....2 days without power...just got back...I'll talk to you soon..
love you
bindi

bindhiya said...

Dear Suzanne,
As always nice snaps....and story behind it give me a good laugh..
Poor Ohno "he don't mean any harm, just try to be a good boy!..
talk to you soon.
love
bindi

Suzanne said...

Brian (CSI),

You know I love you and your support is always, always welcomed. I know you guys don't expect perfection and that is such a wonderful thing. Obviously I'm not perfect! Yes, there will be bio-rhythms cuz...well, menopause! Hang in there my dear friends. Life would be boring without you. I'm so grateful you're in my life Brian. Even though you'd visit Robyn first, at least I'd be second!!!! Ah, right...I'm the only other person you know in CA beside Robyn. Okay. That's fine. I can deal with that.

Seriously, I adore you. Thanks for your continued support and kindness. And yes, I wish I could strap a camera to my arm for all the Kodak moments, but unfortunately I can't. The memory is just as sweet as the photo might have been.

Love to you and your family and kitties,

XO Suzanne :)

Jennifer P. said...

Suzanne--
Thanks so much for coming out and saying hello! I hope I don't seem like someone who wouldn't say hello back ;)! Glad you enjoy my blog and that I've introduced you to others. And good golly! What gorgeous rose paintings!

Also--I can relate to your sadness over the tree removed. We had two taken out right when we moved in, so I hadn't had time to get attached to them yet. Now we have one more that needs removed and I can hardly bare the thought. Funny how connected to nature we can get!

Stop by anytime--just two comments and I'm your friend forever :)!

Suzanne said...

Ludmila,

Hi baby. You woke me up. I wrote on your blog and felt better for having done so. I love you my dear and hope you find your way through the muck called life. You will. We all do. The decades make the journey easier. You'll see.

Hope you're having a beautiful day and thank you for always caring about, and for loving me. It's the same thing I tell my darling niece, Alison. She never relents in her love for me, nor I for her. It's wonderful to feel needed. I remember in my youth when I first started living with Rob. He said "No one "needs" anyone." I disagreed. I still do. We all need someone. I doubt he agrees with his original statment either!

I love you sweetie. Hang in there. I'm not going away, so don't worry.

Love, Suzanne XO

Suzanne said...

Random Musings,

Innocent! Hardly. The rascal's a spoiled little brat. I left a comment on your blog, so this is just a P.S. Thanks for stopping by and for gracing my life as you always do. What's your name by the way? Is it Ann? If it is, please tell me, if it isn't please don't. Guessing is fun. Only 1 million names to go!

Talk to you soon.

XO Suzanne

krystyna said...

Just came to say Hi and see your wonderful roses and very sweety kitties.
I feel great here!

All the best be with you!

Suzanne said...

Krystyna,

Ohno...submissive???!!! He's a holy terror! Looks are deceiving. Pink helps!

Glad you enjoy the roses. Me too. It's almost the first flush here in CA. I have to get all the bushes pruned, pronto. I'll post the first blooms of the season.

Love you, Suzanne

p.s. Oh, you might want to visit a writer I've recently embraced. Go to my blog and click on Patry Francis. Read everything she's written, but pay close attention to her second to last post. You might have some words of wisdom. She's suffering with cancer. Obviously, breast cancer. She's a very special woman. You'll see. And all of you reading this...take the time to visit, you'll never regret a single minute.

Suzanne said...

Elusive,

Hi sweetie. You know what's so funny? I was on your blog the other day and realized I didn't belong! Every one is so young and hip and I'm just me, so I didn't leave a comment! But here you are. So I guess that means I matter in some small way!!! I have the biggest smile on my face!

Yes, my dear, life is difficult at time and then you struggle to catch a breath of fresh air. That's life...for all of us. Decades don't change the struggle, especially for women.

I love you my dear. Reading your blog made me happy. Stay in touch and keep doing what you're doing. Just be gentle to the earth and to all human-kind. I expect you to be your very best.

Much love,
Suzanne XO

Suzanne said...

Tena,

What do I say to you. You have introduced me to so many brillant people. I have tears in my eyes. I want you to finish your book, but I don't want you to leave me. I know that's selfish. I know. I'm thinking about Patry alot today, so perhaps that's shading my perspective. How do bad things happen to good people? I don't know.

You opened up the world I wanted on my blog. Everything I asked for in my original resquest has happened. Why? I don't know, but it has. I couldn't be more grateful. But you leaving, however temporary, is a loss. I adore you and you know that, so I look forward, with great anticipation to your return. Think and type fast. Please.

I love you my dear. I'll email, but you don't have to reply. I'll just say "HI!"

I love you,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Bindi,

The fact that you're okay is a comfort. You have no idea how worried I've been. I knew when you didn't write, that something was wrong. I like that. That within hours, the alert sign was up. I'd hope for that on my end as well. Your email didn't work. Let's try to go through Robyn. She'll help. I love you my dear. I'm so grateful you're okay.

Much love,
Suzanne XO

Sarah Hina said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog, Suzanne, and for your wonderful, uplifting words!

I can already tell that your blog is a warm shelter from the rain. :)

And I love your roses! The winds of spring on this cold, Ohio day. I wish I were still in California (I grew up in Fallbrook) sometimes. But I'll settle for visiting your photos and paintings. ;)

floots said...

thanks for looking in on my cat harry
thus giving me the chance to meet ohno newman and the rest

cheers

kylie said...

hey babe,
that ohno is one cute cat. i suspect he'll be walking the tank for years to come. don't feel bad about defalting his pompoms....when i was picking up our dog taffy after his op i was told to expect him to be sorry for himself....he never was and i still dont think he knows what a great emasculation was done that day :)

kylie said...

thanks for stoppin by my place, suze. funny how sometimes we think one thing and say another, it's worse when thinking two things and end up saying a bit of both.
my end of blogland is pretty quiet right now but i see yours is busy as ever. take care xx

kylie said...

had a quick look at the 100 list. y'know i only have a vague idea of what a martha stewart moment is? is it like an oprah thing?
i have to go to bed or i'll be mrs crank-pot tomorrow
g'night sweetie
(sweetie?? thats your word, i only use it for children, see what youre doin to me?)
k

kylie said...

oh, and have a good sleep
try anyway
sweet dreams

bindhiya said...

Good Morning Suzanne,
Wish you a wonderful day ahead...
we had some snow right now and rain too.........so good.
talk to you soon.
love
bindi

der K said...

Hi Suzanne, hi Ohno
Some days have passed, but I see that it hasn't been a boring time for you. Funny cat. Good to read that the fish didn't suffer a heart attack. Nor the cat. In the meanwhile I got to know Frieda, my grlfriend's puppy great dane. I'm sooo looking forward to spend more time with her! I'll post some photos soon.
Sorry that I upset you by switching my blog private. I wouldn't have done so, but due to some of my girlfriend's pupils we decided to act fast.
Have you already planted a new tree? You defenitely should do so.

BBC said...

"We didn't have much, but we sure had plenty."

I haven't seen that, but I like the sound of it, it's how I life, thankful for what I have.

I'll bet you have read some Richard Bach, my favorite romance is by him. The Bridge Across Forever.

Northern Ca. hey, some nice country there. Cute blog.

Suzanne said...

Jennifer,

No of course not...you aren't someone to stay away from. I was just lurking. That's a word I learned from my writer friends! I love it!

Oh the tree. How sad is that. I can't seem to move beyond. I will however. Perhaps next week. Or the week after. Any one who has loved a tree understands. I know you do. As I write this I swear to God, tears form. It doesn't get easier. Never.

Xo Suzanne

Cece said...

Oh my, I know how much cat's hate water. Right after my Harvey and I married he got me a cat on Easter. I was not feeling well becuase I had all four of my wizdom teeth pull (This explains my lack of wizdom), so Harvey thought a cat would cheer me up. He brought me a very beautiful calico tabby home. We originally named her Easter, but we quickly changed her name to Xena the warrior kitty. She would attack anything that moved and a few things that didn't. She was a wonderful mouser. One day I was trying to give Xena a bath, and she bit me. BIG TIME. I had to be put on antibiotics, my thumb swelled up as big as a cantelope (yes, poetic exaggeration!) and the Dr. told me that if my finger started turning black to come see him right away. My response to this last comment, "NO REALLY?" Duh, I think I would be going to see someone very fast if my finger was turning black. Anyway, the moral to the story: Cat's don't like water, and yes, Xena did live to tell her kitty friend the story of how she once bit the had that fed her.

krystyna said...

Hi Suzanne!
I tagged you (only if you want).
Go here:
http://amazingabilities.blogspot.com/

Hugsss!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ohno is a sweety! I loved this story. I am still wiping the tears that are running down my face from laughing so hard!

Thanks for stopping by my post! Yes, I DO have a body attached to this little head - lol . Just now it is about 10 pounds heavier than I want it to be....
Hugs,
Penny
p.s. my middle name is Suzanne..

bindhiya said...

Dear Suzanne,

I saw Krystyna tagged you but still i want to do that again...why I love you so much...you are in my heart...
love and hugs
bindi

Kookaburra said...

Well! He will certainly be saying,
"Ooh Nooo!" When you take him to the vet :)
M.

The Old Painted Cottage said...

Hi sweetie,

Funny post, gorgeous photos...wow!

oxox
Jennifer

Suzanne said...

Sarah,

Welcome. Thank you for stopping by. It has nothing to do with me sweetie, but this is a wonderful place. Isn't it? It's because of all of you. Every day I look and think, wow! I feel very lucky. What a beautiful collection of people.

How did a CA girl end up in Ohio? Go figure. But then I ask how did a New Yorker end up in CA? Life.

I'll always stay in touch and you do the same.

Much love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Floots,

Thank you for gracing my blog. Honestly, I didn't expect you to come here. But you did.

I realize you erase you posts. I understand, but I don't. If I'd known, I would have printed a copy of the kitty poem. Yes, I know that is a violation of your copywrite, but who cares. I'm going to print every poem from now on. Sue me!

Your current poem about being in the dark room is brilliant. I've contacted all my photography friends to read. I'm not a professional photographer, but have spend countless hours in the dark room at UCLA and in high school. Only a photographer would know. Thank you for that. You might want to check out my links...click on John Reynolds. You have something in common.

I will continue to read your blog and print as fast as I can!

Much love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Kylie,

Hi sweetie. No Martha Stewart isn't Oprah. Martha Stewart is perfection. Perfection is an empty goal, but once in a while, it's nice to think we can attain it!

The kitty is a rascal and the pom-poms will be gone soon. You're right, deflating them is a good thing.

What would I do without you? I'd be lost. Thank God your country is still on the map!

Lots of love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Bindi,

I'll give you "good morning." You kill me. I can not believe you are in my life. How lucky can a girl get?

Everything changes, and nothing changes. I like that. Don't go away.

Much love,
Suzanne

Suzanne said...

Der

I'm actually laughing. Here you are! Finally. Nice to know you got your ass over here in record time...like 3 weeks! I'll get on Robyn's email eventually and poof, be on your blog. Unfortunately, Robyn's email hasn't done me justice. Why? Who knows. But you're here, and that matters.

Yes, I was upset. It was like 1Pic all over again, but I learned very quickly it wasn't. Thank you for explaining. I couldn't imagine you doing something so thoughtless and of course, you didn't. With your explaination here, I now understand completely. Thank you.

I'll be there soon and you're always welcome here.

Much love,
Suzanne 3xo4444444444444444442 (Ohno did that!)

Suzanne said...

BBC

Well, well, well...here you are. Can't actually imagine it, but it's true!

No, have never read Richard Bach. Will look into that. Especially The Bridge Across Forever.

You know what? No one has ever commented on "We didn't have much..." but you did and it matters. It's an amazing book. Thank you for noticing.

Keep in touch and I'll do the same.

XO Suzanne

P.S. "Cute" blog. Is that like the kiss of death?

Mary Cunningham said...

I'm so glad Ohno got out safely! We had a 135 gallion aquarium at one time, so I'm sure the fish had a bit of a shock!

Anyway, glad they're both okay.

Suzanne said...

Mary,

You know what? The boy's lucky he's alive. Honestly.

XO Suzanne