Amanda's Musings

  [Note: I began drafting this on 11/28/25 and finished on 1/1/26] I thought to begin this on Thanksgiving Day when gratitude is a natural theme, and certainly one I celebrated by putting my ‘Give Thanks’ sign in the front window and sending ecards to family and friends. The grieving theme is big for me now as I just put my dear Dora, kitty companion for thirteen years, to sleep on the Monday before Thanksgiving. I’m grateful for the years of comfort and companionship I had with her, as I had for sixteen years with my first furbaby, Kenny. I’m especially grateful that I had a sweet cat to talk to and cuddle with through the long years of applying for job after job, trying to break out of a low paid customer service position with the state. Then less than a year and a half into my higher paid job with the county, we all got sent home to answer phones remotely all through the pandemic and beyond. For those nearly five years until I retired, Dora was my constant companion who ea...

(Originally published 10 December 2011)  I had been on the lookout for the right connection to a new kitty, since losing my longtime companion Kenny. Purrfect Pals is a no-kill rescue organization here in Washington, and they have adoption centers in some of the pet stores, including the local one in Tukwila, where I had taken Kenny to the attached pet hospital. After a couple of trips resulted in zero attraction (with Kenny, it had been love at first sight, and my first time as a kitty mommy), I discovered there was a center in Bellevue, close to the Group Health medical center where I occasionally have to visit for procedures that my closer and smaller GH facility doesn't offer. I made a connection through the glass with a female cat named Cabico. I went back the next Saturday when an adoption counselor was available, only to find that Cabico and a few older cats were at a special senior adoption event some distance away. Rats. The next time I had to go to the Bellevue GH, I ...

(Originally published 2 October 2011)  I lost my sweet Kenny recently. He was the joy of my heart for 16 years, from the time I could hold him in one hand. I loved being a kitty mommy for the first time, and he was sweet-tempered and affectionate. My mom passed away 6 months before Kenny came into my life, so she never knew her grandcat. I like to think of them getting to know each other as they watch over me. I only regret my mom, who lived alone, never had such a companion to share those last lonely years. During our snuggle sessions, I would often notice that expansive feeling in my heart, and I would often thank him and thank the Goddess for the blessing of having him in my life. Had my mom likewise enjoyed daily doses of affection and joy, she could have been much happier, and may have lived longer. I like to exercise and enjoy a pretty healthy diet. And I believe being Kenny's mommy has been good for my physical and emotional health as well. I'm not on a timeline to...