Month: August 2024

Mom keeps the radio on all day to keep us company. Lately I have heard references to “childless cat ladies.” I think our mom claims that label although she is also averse to labels in general.

Nevertheless, we are the children of this lady, and we are glad that she chose us, and we chose her to spend our lives together.

Over 14 years ago when both of us weighed only a couple pounds, she took us to our forever home. We moved from North Carolina to Colorado but as long as mom was with us, we were at home.

Mom understands cats. She lets us be cats, which means different things to different cats. My brother Gitch is different from me. We have our own routines each day. After mom feeds and medicates us each morning, Gitch goes on patrol throughout the house—checking to see that all is in order and to see what wildlife might be outside our doors.

I assume the relaxing position in mom’s lap as she reads online newspapers, checks Facebook, and sends emails. I spend most days in that chair after she leaves for whatever she is doing that day—hiking, volunteering, going to EVLT functions. When she returns home, I reluctantly share the chair with her. Occasionally I stretch my legs but mostly, I just snooze and listen to the radio in the background.

Mom feeds us late in the afternoon. We like to meet her when we hear the garage door. She greets us with, “Hi Sweethearts. How was your day?” She then proceeds to tell us a little about her day. Gitch talks to her yammering on about this and that. I just wait to be fed.

I am glad we have this woman as our cat lady and am thankful for many other cat ladies and cat gents. I cannot imagine life without this mom. I sometimes long to be outdoors again but I am now quite content in my senior years to look outside at the mountain landscapes and feel the cool breezes coming through the cracked windows. Viva cat ladies!

About eight years ago I met a woman who was a weed nerd. I don’t mean marijuana but exotic plants-weeds-that don’t belong somewhere. As I associated with her around weed eradication in the park and later as a friend, it became apparent that weeds were foremost on her mind. No matter where we went or what we did, weeds came into the conversation. I thought her fixation on weeds was delightful and a little weird.

Today I see myself headed that direction, although I still nurture other interests. I, however, have come to loathe invasive weeds and am continually aware of weeds—in my neighborhood, along public roads, and in the park.

Invasives thrive on disturbed soil such as recently burned forests and meadows. Birds, wind, or unknowing humans often distribute them. Seeds can travel great distances. If left unchecked, invasive species can displace intact, healthy native plant communities and have a significant negative impact on an entire ecosystem.

Photo by Deb Bialeschki

I am part of a volunteer group in the park called the Weed Warriors. We go out twice a week all summer to designated areas called EMUs-Exotic Weed Units. Most areas are in public facing areas where we want people to see the beautiful waving grasses and sedges as well as the native wildflowers. Spraying herbicides is effective on some weeds, but other exotic plants such as Mullein, Musk thistle, Russian thistle, and Houndstongue are best removed manually.

People sometimes ask us if our cause seems futile. Removing invasive plants feels endless. Yet I get great satisfaction when I see an area where we have slayed the weeds. This week I took a walk through Aspenglen Campground where we had worked a month ago. I didn’t see one single weed, and I was happy. When we return next year, I know more weeds will emerge, but they will be minimized!

Removing invasive weeds is not always visible to the public unless people like me have tendencies toward weed nerdism. Nevertheless, as I drive through the park or walk around my neighborhood, I see what we have accomplished. This form of volunteerism is altruistic.

Although our weeding is hot and tedious, I am in the fellowship of good people who care about native beauty and working hard. It is never a bad day when I can be in the park. I am becoming a weed nerd.

When I was in my undergraduate days and even into early adulthood, I could move all my possessions in my car. Sometimes life comes full circle. After 50 years, moving everything that I important in my car comes around again.

The recent wildfires near my home forced me to think again about what is important to me that can fit in my car.

I wrote about “stuff” in 2020 when I had my first fire evacuation experience due to fires. As I reflected and thought about evacuating again, I prioritized my life that fit into my car. I do not have a fire bag/box ready, but I know what I would gather up quickly.

My kitties (yes, I am a childless cat lady!) would be my first concern for safety. I only need them, but it would be good to bring their litter box and food in case I could not purchase those things easily.

My second important belonging is my computer. I could use a computer anywhere to access my accounts and digital documents. I do, however, have photos stored that might be difficult to recover even if stored in the cloud. Nevertheless, having my computer gives me security.

My third priority is a lock box that has my will and other documents that are hard copy versions of what is on my computer.

Finally, I would take special quilts that my mom and sister made for me. I also have family photos that would be nice to have.

I learned a little bit from the 5-day fire evacuation in October of 2020. I would take a variety of clothing—nothing special but I would prepare for warm weather as well as cold. Someone told me that if you grab something quick, take your full laundry basket because it has the “essentials” in it.

I might also throw in camping equipment if I had time, A tent, sleeping bag, and my propane stove could be useful but like 99% of the things I own, are easily replaceable.

Those priorities would fit into my Subaru Impreza and would give me security. I could live without most “stuff.” Beloved animals and special personal mementos are not for sale. Thankfully, this time I did not have to make these decisions. Fleeing a wildfire, however, may be something I will face again. It would be a one-car limit!

I was so inspired by the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City that I boldly announced to my friends while watching the event in my college dorm that I was going to be in the Olympics someday. I am not one to make pronouncements such as this without having the intent to carry through. I considered myself an athlete.

Intercollegiate athletics for women, however, was not a “thing” in 1968 even though I participated in competitive events with other universities in field hockey, swimming, and volleyball when they were offered each quarter. I thought my strength was as a longer distance runner. I really didn’t like swimming that much and training with a team was not likely.

I told one of the physical education faculty members the next day that I wanted help to design a training plan for the next 4 years. She informed me that the longest distance available to women in the Olympics was 800 meters. I knew I was not built for speed and my hopes were immediately dashed. Doing something like archery or fencing didn’t have much appeal and I knew no one with those talents. Little did I know that 1984 would be the first Olympic Marathon for women in Los Angeles won by Joan Benoit.

My dream to be an Olympic athlete obviously did not come true. I did enjoy almost 40 years as an amateur runner, and I am proud of that. Every year when the Olympics occur, nevertheless, provides me with inspiration and a tiny bit of disappointment. I am moved by the ability and achievements of the athletes. I get frustrated sometimes by the commercialization of the games and the one dimension I get watching TV.

Yet, I find myself glued to the TV for two weeks and eager for stories in social media about the perseverance of the athletes. I admire the extraordinary dedication, discipline, and resilience that comes with competing at this highest level. I especially admire the women who have come to do so well in a variety of sports. I support the winners from the USA and admire the national pride and overall global unity that these events provide for me and many others. Vicarious experiences are different from being there, but I always come away appreciating the power of sports performance, and dreaming about what might have been.