Tulip's Eyes

Tulip’s eyes change according to

The degree of mischievousness

Or level of contentment,

Fighting gravity when overtaken by sleepiness.

Yellow irises (and no; they’re not jaundiced)!

Are split right down the middle by obsidian irises.

And when she feels naughty, her face narrows

Into a moue - a grimace.

Totally devoted to her owner -

Or - does SHE own me?

Tulip provides a divine serenity

Despite mutual bones of contention.

She’s made it well known

That she will jump up to land upon

Whatever, wherever she pleases;

All obstacles are permanently ignored.

Why do I put up with her misbehaving ways,

Excusing the worst kind of shenanigans?

She's an entertaining companion who

Loves ME, despite my humanity.

Some things just ARE

The way they are meant to be.

Tulip loves her owner. (Ahem). That’s me.

We’re both worth it. Don’t you agree?

Photo by Pexels

#Tulip_Eyes

#Trouble_Tulip

#CatMischief

Duh!

I had made copies of Linda's submission for Critique at the end of the month. For what must be the third time, I misplaced the paperwork and my yellow composition book.

Unfortunately, I hadn't looked under a black bath towel that I draped to keep nosey Miss Tulip from eating it. I don't know why I forgot to look for the items in the office.

I feel so STUPID!

I'll put everything in a tote bag so I'll be ready to go. The homework assignment ran to two pages. I felt sheepish about not having it today.

I feel like the classmate whose dog ate the homework assignment.

#innocenttulip

#tulipthecat

#thetroublewithtulip

Oh boy

Just the other day, I was thinking that my little girl was becoming more civilized with age; maturing even. Tulip usually sits with me while I'm working in the office. Here's my baby when she turns herself inside out.

Yesterday I found she had been busy in the kitchen (the usual scene of the crime). She quietly destroyed the paper towels. Of course, you can blame me for forgetting to stash them away in the microwave for safekeeping.

It's time to wrap up this blog post. Just now I heard something hit the kitchen or living room floor. I have to investigate (and I need to add paper towels to my grocery list).

#tulipcat

#tulippapertowels

#thetroublewithtulip

This month in Tulip news

It's been some time since I sat down and documented Tulip's latest escapades. Be prepared for a l-o-n-g list of her latest adventures.

• Tulip dumped my souvenir Hawaiian bamboo vase from atop of my tall blue cabinet. At least it wasn't made of glass.

• Tulip always finds new hidey holes, as pictured below.

When I sit in the living room with my back to the kitchen, I can usually tell where she is by the sounds she produces.

• As noted in an old post, Tulip delights in messing with two rubber-banded cabinet drawers. Clunk - clunk - clunk! She seems to be enthralled by the drumming sound of her thwarted curiosities. 
• At least I know her location...

• Another unique sound is the telltale rattling of dishes and silverware. Although I can't tell if the dishes are dirty or clean, I can hone in to the fact that she is on the kitchen counter.
• FYI, I donated the mesh fence to the local senior center.

• The battery on my Medical Guardian necklace was running low, so I plugged it and its charger on the kitchen counter. 
• Yes, I know that was stupid of me.
• I inverted a wire mesh stationery box over it, but she kept messing with it, doggedly separating the necklace from its charging base. 

• Yesterday, Tuip was busy at the kitchen sink. In turn, she slowly emptied the small bin I keep on the countertop. Revealed were a sink strainer, a bottle brush and (the piece de resistance) a postcard from the vet for her annual visit. Tulip might have recognized her name.

When I work in the office, Tulip is always nearby.

__________________________________________>

#tulipcat

#tulipmischief

Big Change at the Benson Senior Center

Today, all seniors signing into BCAA saw a note about Adrienne Delph's dismissal from the Benson Center for Active Aging. I took a photo of it, but can't find where Google filed it. Anyway, I came up with this petition which I'll bring to the center tomorrow.

Community and Senior Services

1363 West Market Street

Smithfield, NC 2757

Attention: Josh Jenkins, Sarah Williams, Sandy Godwin, Josh Jenson

Subject: Petition on behalf of Adrienne Delph

To all concerned:

We, the undersigned, are active senior citizens who attend the Benson Center for Active Aging. It was shocking to learn that our beloved director, Adrienne Delph, was forced to resign from her position. We are outraged by this turn of events.

Adrienne has done so much for us and asked you for so little: unpaid leave for two weeks. While none of us were ”flies on the wall,” we don’t know who said what. However, all of us are united in our defense of Mrs. Delph. How could her reasonable request be denied? 

The decision to force Adrienne’s resignation was not only short-sighted, it was punitive in nature. It is devastating to all of us BCAA seniors. Please understand that the ramifications of your hasty action affects more than the one employee you mistreated so badly.

Adrienne has been the best senior center director at BCAA, as well as at HCAA. It seems that you are unaware of Adrienne’s value to us and to the Town of Benson. She is hard-working and always has a sunny disposition. As director, she continually adds interesting programs and leads many of the classes herself. Adrienne has even undertaken landscaping changes at our center, which was above and beyond her job description.

We love Adrienne Delph and hope you will reconsider your decision to force her out of her job. 

Sincerely yours,

____________________________      ____________________________ 

#BCAAinjustice

#seniorcenterleadership

#johnstoncountysocialservicesfail

#bringAdrienneback

She did it again!

Lately, Tulip's been cramming her body into tiny spaces, which may be a response to the sounds of thunder and/or fireworks. It could also mean that she doesn't need to have a reason. After all, it's Tulip.

Unfortunately, Tulip's been cozying up to the cable box, the router and the modem. I thought I could be a step or two ahead of her: I jury-rigged a not-deep-or-wide enough metal box that would house at least two pieces of equipment. It was a nice idea, if I do say so myself.

No one should be surprised to learn that this did not stop Tulip's explorations. She disconnected SOMEthing, so I haven't watched TV for nearly a week. That's more of a "my bad" because I didn't want to bend down and readjust everything.

I fixed it today. So I was able to catch up on shows that I missed. This was a huge success in that I didn't seek assistance from anyone. TA-DA!

So, "she did it again!" could be said for either of us. You decide.

~ ~ ~

This picture is totally unrelated to the story above. It's a snapshot of the writing group in Benson. Write On!

#TulipTV

#TulipcatsetsTV

#catTV

#Bensonwriters

Most Independent Cat

It's Independence Day today for Americans.

It's Independence Day every day for Tulip.

She's still acting like a baby, throwing down my water bottles that I had the nerve to leave on a countertop.

Guess she's playing "fetch" with me, just like my son did from his high chair many years ago. It's not amusing . . . especially when the contents spill out.

It is one way to spot-clean the floor. 

But it appears to make her happy.

===================================================================

Preparing to sell a bunch of stuff at the Highway 301 Endless Yard Sale, I started to empty out cardboard boxes onto the sales tables. Tulip was in cat heaven! She could gnaw those now-empty boxes until the cows came home (except none of my neighbors have cows (in the literal sense). 

After the 2-day sale left me sunburned and a little bit richer, it was time to separate the wheat (what I'll keep) from the chaff (to be given to a thrift shop).

After the sale, I filled plastic bins with the "good stuff" I'll be keeping. 

Miss Nosy checks out the contents of semi-filled bins. I took a photo of her, but Chrome is sending the pic who-knows-where. 

She's tuckered out after a stressful day, watching me work in the office. (Me too.) 

One of us needs a cat nap.

#tulipnews

#independentcat

#indepedenttulip

A Curious Cat

Tulip is curious about all the boxes of stuff in the house I gathered for the yard sale. I had brought inside two long outdoor extension cords from the shed. Tulip had to check them out. She got busy chewing the paper UL (Underwriters Laboratories) tags from each.

Naturally, I had to spoil her fun by draping one of her cat blankets over it.

I'm not that artistic, but I took a glass mosaic class last month at the Senior Center. It turned out well. The instructor suggested I not use large pieces of glass as planned for the body parts -- the body of a cat, of course. Cutting the glass down did make the design, complete with a red tulip, more interesting.

#tulipmosaic

#tulipyardsale

#catmosaic

#cat_art

I should've, but I didn't

To Do

I should've done many things on my To Do list, including people to call. Most tasks were usurped by creative writing. The hours just disappear once I get started.

I wrote a blog post which may or may not be put on NRW's blog. Nobody asked me to write it, but I guess last night's meeting inspired me. The title is "Toot Your Horn." 

Guess it's not so bad... only three things I have left to do. That number may change when I unearth more paperwork in the office.

Spent a bit of time refueling Tulip's not-quite-empty food bowl. She insisted. Minutes later, she took a nap in her living room sun spot. Nap time invariably follows Nibbles Hour.

Tried saving Tulip's picture in two or three places...none of them could be found. I still don't know how to work certain features on my Samsung phone. I guess I need to do a deep dive to find where in the heck I should look for pictures. So many options, yet none of them work.

This pic was a download found on Pexels. Credit to Mathias Reding. No relation to Tulip. 

 

TASK	DATE	STATUS	WHAT TO DO	WHO TO CALL	WHY #1	WHY #2
2	6/11/26		Call	LASERS	unpaid $$
3	6/11/26		Call	Housing Lady		find flier
7	6/11/26		Link car to phone		need VIN #
1	6/11/26	completed 6/12	Call	Town of Benson	utilities	request animal trap
4	6/11/26	completed 6/12	mark calendar	Dec 12th	Xmas party
5	6/11/26	completed 6/12	mark calendar	Nov 7	Next book fair
6	6/11/26	completed 6/12	mark calendar	4th Sat meeting	NRW schedule
8	6/11/26	completed 6/12	email Zekariah	character sheet

BLINK or you'll miss it

This blog post will cover the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY truth.

**************************************************************************

1.  A Spectrum technician came to the house today to do whatever I tried to do Sunday, installing the Internet by myself. I was correct in the assumption that there WERE too many wires. Naturally, I had done more than one thing wrong. But I am happy to report that I can access the Internet once again. YIPPEE! And the printer is back online too!

2.  Tulip missed the tech because Spectrum insists its customers keep all pets out of their staff's way. (Sorry, Tulip).

3. My Alexa DOT has an orange light circling when it should be blue. I unplugged and replugged it in, but it turns orange right away. This is proving to be a pain that I will tackle some other day.

4. Also, the tech could not help me with my two Amazon Blink cameras. They used to connect through my printer ID, but I don't know if that choice is still available. Color me stumped. The controller shows a solid blue light and a blinking green light. It's supposed to be just the opposite.

5. This proves that modern technology will likely be my downfall. (Death by unintelligible instructions).

6.  Even so, it is a RED LETTER DAY. Watch me while I celebrate!

#printerwoes

#technologywoes

#Printerisback

#tulipmissedavisitor

Artwork: https://openclipart.org/detail/211836/printer

Post-Shower

While I was in the shower, I heard something drop to the floor. This was my view of the bathroom when I stepped out of the shower.

Oh, Tulip!

First, notice the bottle which had been on the sink. Obviously, I didn't put it high enough on the shelves (my bad). 

What is not shown are the two small pads that fell behind the toilet.

I am starting to believe my cat is bored.

#boredcat

#boredkitty

#boredTulip

#destructivekitty

#destructivecat

 

Brightspeed...NOT!

Monday

I THOUGHT I disconnected my home phone with Brightspeed today at 10am. I took down the 3 phones which will go in a yard sale. After my conversation to do that, I got a text message from Brightspeed that they're coming on Friday. 

I'm on the phone now with BS (2nd time today) and the rep told me the date on HIS end was tomorrow. They don't know their shit from Shinola. Then he said they'll get me up and running with a totally reliable service. I couldn't let that go unanswered (like you have so far, right). I don't want phone service; the lack of service between 5/18 and now proves I can live without it.

Still on hold with BS; they'll charge me $10 for support.

The service ticket is marked as PENDING so my printer can't be connected. 

Current rep (I think it's the 6th rep so far - I'm losing count) Eric is checking, but he's not tech support (that department transferred me to customer care). I'm so tired of every rep asking me for my name/address/phone number associated with the account/cell phone/zip code...

I could just scream! 

The notes that tech support wrote can't be seen by customer service.

Eric transferred me to (Tech Support) who's the 2nd person making me check the modem (living room) and the printer (in the office). I'm certainly getting my steps in. Tulip is confused by all these trips. She's probably napping. I envy my cat..

In theory, the Internet has connected, but the printer still is not.

To be continued. The second phone call lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes.

AAUUHH!

Since I have to have lunch and go to the senior center for a 1:00 class, I agreed to take a phone call from John after 3. He had not called me, and I was past dealing with the company's incompetence.

The joy will continue. Happy happy joy joy....

If Brightspeed comes to your area, RUN!

Tuesday

I copied the above screed to my family. My sister asked if I checked with anyone about how they liked Brightspeed (I did). Did I check for complaints online, particularly with the Better Business Bureau?

When I saw the BBB up-to-the-minute comments, I realized that was what I should have done first. Everyone complained about their service, and quoted the meaningless corporate mantra, "It will be done within 24-48 hours." 

I should add, "No worries." And the first rep I spoke with used my name in every single sentence as he tried to upsell me. I was tired of hearing my name and had to talk over him to say, "Stop! I'm not interested in that option."

I added my experience to the BBB page which includes the fact that three individual teams came out to dig a trench in my landlord's lot, Each team had their own ideas about where to dig. Also, the fact my home telephone has not worked since 5/18...the date of installation.

* * *

Then I called Spectrum to restore their services (except for home phone). They will send me a new router and cable box. On Friday, I'll put the new kit in. Then I'll head to the Spectrum store, pick out a free replacement phone and return Spectrum's old equipment. On the way to Garner, I'll drop Brightspeed's equipment with the RMA# I was given for the extender BS had sent me (for the low, low charge of $10 per month). 

Also on Friday, I need to call Brightspeed to stop the $10 monthly Customer Service charge. That was another thing: their Billing Department seems to cause major headaches. I noticed that they charged me for Voice service (non-working phone aside).

Anti-MAGA Fears

My level of anxiety is shrink-worthy. But I didn't share my fears with the doctor yesterday.

• What if Trump sics his MAGA militias on everyone?

• What if the rest of the world bombs the USA? Trump has been goading everyone with his insanity. HE would deserve it, not the whole country.

Yes, I know I sound like a conspiracy theorist. I sent in an essay for the 250th Year celebration, but the judge asked me to tone it down. I did not. Sometime in the near future, I can compare my fears stated in that essay with the awful future reality*. We'll see how close my catastrophizing came to reality.

         Trump may be waiting for Memorial Day or Independence Day to unleash his demons. 

People who know me well are aware that I have a border personality disorder. While it's usually subtle . . . need I say more?

My opening statement is in black and white.

My fears are expressed in blue.

Red: more not unreasonable fears.

Justification in gray.

*Everything has been awful so far. Trump is sure to do much worse.

#Trumpianaxiety

#whentheothershoedrops

Tulip's Shenanigans

Tulip remains curious about the world about her.

In the office, she regularly separates the AT&T telephone from its base. Lately, I've wondered if I should keep the home phone. Cell service has gotten so much better than when I first moved to rural North Carolina. I'll come back to that issue in a month or two.

I should have taken an earlier photo of Tulip when she was sleeping on and in my HP printer. Her back feet were inside the paper tray. I worried that she would find herself stuck when she awoke. I worried for nothing.

The office is where I've accumulated piles of The Stuff I want to sell in the Endless Yard Sale in June. I won't be ready. I've sold the toaster oven and the cedar chest. What else would be safe to get rid of?

I'm worried about two things: 

• What if I don't find alternate housing in the near future? 
• Am I selling The Stuff too soon that I'll regret it?

#Tuplip+telephone

#Tulipphonehome

My plate is full...

And Tulip's is full as well. 

I've been spending more time at the Benson Center for Active Aging (BCAA) these past few weeks. It's left me with less time for writing.

Two or three classes follow the writing classes I lead. On Tuesdays, there is Cardio Drumming. I've been going on Wednesdays to learn about stained glass making. After that class, there are games to play, so that's another two hours... Repeat on the third Friday of the month.

😺

Tulip is up to her old tricks. Yesterday she pawed my plastic bin of medicines off the counter. She is a PRO at grabbing my attention. At least none of the pill bottles fell out.

Her latest thing is dumping full bowls of food onto the floor, almost simultaneously with my bestowing her food onto her table. She immediately demands more food.

When I talk on the telephone, Tulip sprints to the kitchen to paw at the clean dishes; then she inspects the dirty ones. In between, she'll overturn whatever is neglected on tabletops.

#fullplates

#toddlercat

#alexanderpopadinphoto

AAUUGGH!!!

I thought I was fiscally wise to switch my home phone and Internet service from Spectrum to Brightspeed.

Have had nothing but aggravation for the past month. Brightspeed sent three two-man crews to dig and bury their cables. Three rows of disturbed grass resulted. The last installer said he could not close the work ticket because there was an issue with the IP address.

Many phone calls later - after I called Spectrum to cancel the phone and Internet - I learned that Brightspeed couldn't port my home phone because the phone number was still under Spectrum's purview. They said I needed to call Spectrum to reactivate the home phone so that Brightspeed could port the number. 

Today - after nearly a month without my home phone - I saw an online bill from BS;  they charged me for the voice service. Also, that service costs $30, which is $10 more than a discussion I had with their rep a few weeks ago said.

I'm seriously considering getting rid of the home phone altogether. So, as of today, I'll be saving $31.43 a month. Big whoop. Brightspeed's pricing will last 24 months. When I add it all up, the overall savings is significant. 

Spectrum			Brightspeed + Spectrum
TV	$103.00		TV	Not available	$103.00
Internet	$35.00		Internet	$29.99
Voice	$30.00		Phone	$30.00
Taxes	$7.17		Taxes	$2.10
Total	$175.17		Total	$40.74	$103.00
New combined total	$143.74			/	/
	$31.43		Combined:	$40.74
31.43 X 24 =	754.32			$103.00
				$143.74

But, if I remove home phone service entirely, that would save me $720 over the coming two years. The last rep I talked to disagreed with me about the price reduction. "It's $30; it's always been $30; you're (meaning me) not entitled to a rate cut." 

To say the least, my experience with Brightspeed reps has been underwhelming.

Decisions, decisions. I'll give it a few months and reconsider.

#internetproviderpain

#notsobrightspeed

#internet_switch

Feral Cats

My neighborhood has had a feral cat problem for years. Ages ago, I was asked by my landlord if I would contact Animal Control. So I did. I captured a possum and about eight kitties, as I recall.

This year I lost a landscaper company's business because his men kept walking in kitty poo on my lot. Well, imagine me weeding through tons of monkey grass and coming across several piles of poo in them. Yuck! I had had enough.

Over the past week, I trapped six cats and the Benson Police took them away. I don't know if they were set free down Hwy 301 in Dunn or if they were brought to the shelter in Smithfield. 

Now if only I could get the dog owners to control their animals from running free.

Maybe THIS chapter should be entitled Vilify Me.

#feralcats

#catchingcats

Vilify Me

OK. I am old. I've lived in this mobile home community for 15 years as one of the most tenured residents in our twenty mobile homes.

My new nextdoor neighbors seem pleasant enough.

But their dog, Maya, is allowed to behave in ways which drive me nuts.

1. They let her poop in our shared garden bed. They never pick up the dog poop. 
2. I told them that it is a health hazard (which is OK as long as it's in their yard). 
3. Then I put a cheap plastic fence in-between our yards.
4. Then Maya would get in between our lots further up. Yes, I complained to their daughter who speaks fluent English.
5. I was pleasantly surprised to see a screen in that section a few days later.
6. Maya is allowed to bark for extended lengths of time.
7. They crate their puppy at the side of the house, where she dumps her water dish over immediately. (Did Tulip teach her that trick?)
8. When I saw Maya running loose through several yards last week, I called over to the dad that dogs are not allowed to run loose here. Maya was quickly brought inside her house.
9. When I got home this afternoon, Maya was running with her leash still on; no owners in sight. Then she plunked her little behind in my flower bed, as if it (and she) belonged there.

THAT DID IT.

I walked next door to complain. I told the family, "This time, I'm telling our landlord."

It's not all gripes. The good stuff is in a blue font.

(My sister can confirm that I was always a tattle tale.)

Now, if what I have related makes me The Trailer Park B-Witch (choose either first letter), so be it.

But it's not all gripes. The good stuff is in a blue font.

#nodoubtnopoop

#neighbor_dog_rant

#imabeotch

#vilifyme

#TheTrailerParkBWitch