The Inkwell: TABBY FAT CAT FINDS HIS NICHE

The Hotdog Vendor gives out Schnitzels & Snippets

Chili (about 45 minutes to prepare)
recipe by Charlotte Ann©

• 1 lb. Hamburg
• 1 or 2 cans of Kidney Beans
• 1 Can of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 Jar of Spaghetti Sauce
• 1 Onion, Chopped (as much as you want)
• 1 Green Pepper, Chopped
(ingredient not absolutely necessary)
• About 1 tsp. of Chili Powder (more if you want)

In frying pan, put grease or oil, then add hamburg, peppers, onions. Fry.

Put in big kettle: sauce, tomatoes, cooked hamburg, chili powder, salt & pepper. Simmer about 1/2 hour then add kidney beans. Heat until hot and serve.

** Charlotte Ann© was a great cook, and didn't like to measure much. She was a strong believer that being a creative cook was what it was all about. Whatever her secret, her food was exceptional! Her idea was to add a pinch of this and a pinch of that.

Streetside Florist, Kathleen Baldwin

Monarda didyma, or commonly called Bee Balm

I find this herb completely beneficial...in the garden, for our bodies, for our noses, and for our insect and hummingbird friends. I do not personally use it for skin care. Since I grow a lot of herbs, I use Bee Balm for other things besides skin care.

It is called Bee Balm as the flower attracts bumblebees. Honey bees are unable to reach this flowers’ nectar unless holes have been made by other insects or hummingbirds. And, hummingbirds are very attracted to this flower, as well as butterflies.

The versatility of this herb includes using it as a cut flower, using the dried leaves and flowers in potpourri, as a garden attraction for pollinators, and as a culinary tea. It has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb, but one of my books writes it is no longer officially recommended for medicinal use today.

The aroma and flavor of this herb is likened to Oswego tea or Earl Grey tea when added to a china tea. One of its common names is Oswego Tea. It is very aromatic and very delicious to drink as an herbal tea – hot or cold by itself or added with other herbs. I have drunk several gallons of this tea over the years – I like it hot.

And, while it may not be “officially recommended” as a medicine, I find it is my best natural aspirin of all the herbs I’ve tried. I had read that it relaxes the muscles when drunk as a tea, all the muscles from headaches to menstrual pain. I read it may also relieve nausea, flatulence, and insomnia. I do find it quite relaxing and extremely aromatic. I have drunk this tea with catnip before, and I have drunk it with lemon balm. I like it best by itself, but it is quite good mixed, too.

What? You are asking me if it helps my tension headaches and muscle aches? Is the FDA listening? Yes, it does help – in fact, it seems to be quite relieving in the aches and tension department. :)

If you would like to begin your own herb garden or are expanding yours to include some tea herbs, look for this one. The best way to obtain it is from a friend or neighbor willing to divide it by the roots, or offer you stem cuttings that are very easy to root. Then, you are getting a plant that is already acclimated to your surroundings. Then, sit back, watch it grow, and drink some bee balm tea! Happy sipping!!!

To find out more about herbs, visit http://sweetcreekherbs.blogspot.com

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

TABBY FAT CAT FINDS HIS NICHE

Posted by sbass

Tabby Cat, ACEO, 3.5” by 2.5”,

India Ink, Colored Pencil, and White Acrylic

Image courtesy of Melody Lea Lamb, artist who paints miniatures of animals and mythical beings; see below for more info.

Never owning an animal before, I decided it might be fun to visit the animal shelter. Upon arrival, I browsed. thinking... oh, how cute, oh, how cute, oh, how cute......and then out came a paw. I guess it was this tabby cats way of saying hello or to say, get me the heck outta here! I thought, hmmm, should I ask to visit the "get to know the pet" room? Ya know, the room they bring you to to meet the new furry friend - to see if you are compatible... Q! Am I ready to co-exist in an empty room the size of a closet--with no windows...with an unknown cat... A! YES! ...because what I found out is that he is declawed. The poor bud is declawed. So we met and he seemed to like me. I wasn't sure, but I think I was in love. Worst part about the whole thing was finding out that the cat had a predictably, ordinary name of "Simba" but don't tell him that... The sad part about the whole thing was that I had to check with family. Never had a pet before/not sure if this was going to fly. Went home, dinner time. Q! Cat? Answer: Hmmm! Daughter: pleading sad eyes Dad: owwwwwww kaaaaaaaaaaaeeee. Call animal shelter next day. Q! Is cat still there? A! Which one? >> "Er, Simba", I replied... >> Simba? You want Simba? >> HUH? What do you mean? >> Well, Simba is an old cat. Most people want the kittens. >> OH NO, I want Simba!!! >> Well, OK - He's still here. So off I went, to pick up the new member of the family. When Simba got home though, he learned that life was going to be a little more unpredictable. Every day I'd come home and yell, "Simbite!" or "Simmons" or just plain "Sims". It was NEVER Simba! Sims became my best friend. The perfect cat. Smart, energetic, loving. And forget about having a love life (I know, too much information), because that cat would stand on his back legs and suddenly you'd hear the door handle rattle as he used both paws to turn the knob. HOW HILARIOUS. Did he watch me do that? What would make a cat try to use both paws to open the door? BUT in response to Monica's last blog entry, I came to realize something funny about my dear Sims. He found his niche. [noun] a position well suited for. Synonyms: place, position, vocation, function And even though Monica has found her nitch as a writer, you can see that it is never easy when it comes to striving toward a dream or goal. >>SO take it from Sims... who may have had to work for hours to finally realize he could actually open the door with his paws. Sims is no longer with me (been gone for quite some time now). Don't dismay--he will never be forgotten. BECAUSE...speaking of nitch, I met this great artist, Melody Lea Lamb, who creates miniature paintings and drawings and guess what...!? I found a Tabby Cat that she created and it looks just like SIMS! I had to order! Can't wait to get the ornament and print--in a remembrance of Sims.

Image courtesy of Melody Lea Lamb, artist who paints miniatures of animals and mythical beings http://melodylamb.blogspot.com/

http://bit.ly/DuBv5

http://bit.ly/TnDp0

5 comments:

Made by SwirlyGirlJuly 1, 2009 at 10:19 AM
What a sweet story! Thanks for sharing!
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Melody Lea LambJuly 1, 2009 at 10:35 AM
I am SO honored to be the artist who's painting reminds you of dear Sims! Thank you for all the kind words and images. I hope you just love your ornament and print!
~Melody Lea Lamb
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MandyJuly 2, 2009 at 6:11 AM
That is such a cute story.
And how awesome that Simba was declawed?
Great post.
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Hello there! My name is JuneJuly 2, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Aw... so sentimental ...I love it! Isn't the kitty art amazing??? They all have such gorgeous eyes...you must check out Melody's website for more!
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JessLynnJuly 16, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Yea, well adopting a declawed cat now is impossible...supposedly they are classified as "special needs" kitties. But its pretty much common sence not to let a declawed cat out of the house. Well...unless they can open the door themselves. hmmm...I guess they were right.
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