Author: Elizabeth Ruffing

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Shoal Creek Chaste Tree

Yesterday was a very hard day. I had to say goodbye to my Laurence. We had seventeen happy years together, and I stayed with him as he passed away peacefully. It’s a very sad thing, hard to even express, but I am grateful that he had a happy and healthy life, with lots of kitty friends and people to love him. I planted a Shoal Creek Chaste Tree near him, as a remembrance marker.

Laurence came home with me from the SPCA when he was just five weeks old. He was the naughtiest kitten I ever saw, but also the smartest and funniest. He was as cute as cute could be. He had an angelic face, but there seemed to be no end to the trouble he could think up to get into. His creativity was boundless. He had plenty of adventures, flying into our Christmas tree, answering the telephone when it rang, gleefully playing with our cat and dog (who weren’t sure how they felt about kittens), wrestling stuffed toys, and climbing everything he saw. Nothing discouraged him and he always had fun. He always made us smile, regardless.

He grew up to be a handsome, elegant, kind-hearted, sweet gentleman. He welcomed every cat and kitten who moved in after him, sharing his toys, his food, and anything else they seemed to want. He played father and policeman to all of them, but always in a gentle and loving way. He was always up for a good conversation. At night, he’d sleep with a paw on my shoulder, or my hand, just to make sure we kept in touch. I don’t think there could be a better cat or a better friend. We will all miss him terribly, but I wouldn’t trade in the time we had with him for anything.

I would hope that anyone who is looking for a pet would consider adopting a shelter pet. I know I was afraid at first to go into a shelter. I remember asking my dad to go in ahead of me. But it was so worth it. There are sites like Petfinder, that can help you locate shelter animals in need of homes in your area. Even if you can’t adopt, I hope you will consider donating to a shelter or an animal charity. There are so many in need, especially in these times.

In other news, my mom is feeling a little better, but still unwell. It’s been an especially tough few days here. Here’s to better times ahead.

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Patients

We’ve been back and forth to the hospitals these past few days, the animal hospital and the people hospital. Mr. Laurence, our most senior kitty seems to have developed lymphosarcoma, a form of cancer. We are still waiting for another test result to come in, but all the other tests seem to be pointing to that.

He spent two days at the vets’ having IV fluids, and we visited him a couple of times a day. Everyone there was very nice, and Laurence is a very good patient. Visiting him seemed to cheer him up. I’ve learned that it is important to try to stay positive and calm around him. He seems to pick up on our emotions.

He’s at home now, resting, and we’re giving him subcutaneous fluids and medication here, to keep him as comfortable as possible. He is seventeen years old and he has always been, and is being such a good boy. We’ve been sitting outside with him, and keeping him company in the house.

He likes to sit in his little box next to the computer to keep an eye on me when he isn’t dozing off.

During this time, my mom has also been in and out of the hospital, first the ER, twice, and then overnight. We’re not quite sure what the cause is, a virus perhaps, but she is feeling unwell. She had lots of tests that all came back fine, and she came back home. We’ll be keeping an eye on both of our patients. I can’t post pictures of my mom’s past few days here, of course…she wouldn’t appreciate that! But, I hope Laurence doesn’t mind. He seems to feel better with her back home too.

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Finishing Emily’s dress

I’m still here! We took a little trip to the beach last week, which was beautiful, and then I caught up on my doll dress sewing. I got some pretty roses too 🙂

I tried out a whole bunch of decorative machine stitches on this skirt, and added a partial underskirt with a ruffle.

As you can see, I went with my simplest color combination from my selections. I thought that would show off the stitching the best.

I got a new iron too! Then….ta da!…

Emily’s new outfit. She reminds me of Mary Poppins in this photo, about to lift off, with me trying to hold her down long enough to take her picture. It was raining, and so I was afraid to put her down anywhere. I’ll get more photos once it is dry outside. See you later!

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Choosing fabrics

I’ve been doing a little fabric audition for “Emily and Edwin”. I pulled out all the fabrics I had that I thought might be a good fit. Right now, I’m leaning toward the ones above because, to me, they have a circus feel, which works well with the elephant idea.

Earlier today, I was leaning toward the combination above. I did a sketch of how I thought they’d be assembled, a polka dot ruffle underneath the gingham skirt, with an embroidered white apron on top, maybe a decorative ribbon on the apron as well.

Then there was the plain and simple look, with a solid green over skirt and a subdued purple underskirt that matched Edwin the Elephant’s base. Decisions.

I ran out to mow our field of dandelions this morning. There’s a country wedding out here today, and that wouldn’t do for a backdrop. No, not my wedding, although that would be a funny story if I ran out to mow a field before the ceremony!