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Cat Rambles

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Cat von Hassel-Davies

I’m back, sort of…

DH and I took a much needed mini-vacation. It helped our grieving process to be able to be away from home, to have other things to think about. On Friday we packed the car with our overnight bags and my briefcase. I take it everywhere with me, it has a book I am reading, my iPad, a notebook, my notes, tape recorder, my various fountain pens, and sometimes my e-reader. It was an unusual chilly day for NC so I grabbed my favorite soft fleece pullover and a matching one for hubby.

Around noon we set off, heading west. We weren’t sure where we were going, we just knew somewhere in the vicinity of either Asheville or Boone. Checking out the map I decided I wanted to go see Thomas Wolfe and Carl Sandburg’s house. I love maps, we do use a GPS, and I have my maps on my iPad, but there is something about a paper map. I can see where we are and where we’re going and say, hey look this little road takes us there, let’s follow it. I much prefer back roads to highways. There is something about seeing towns, or what was once a town, and I try to imagine what it was like during it’s heyday. I imagine a timeframe and then the people. How might they have dressed? how did they travelled? car, horse, train, buggy? The only problem going this route is you sometimes can’t find a restaurant, especially on a Sunday, or a hotel/motel. Well, one you would want to sleep at anyway. The good thing is you can find very interesting stores, bookstores – used/new, eateries and B&Bs. The B&Bs are usually in old historic houses and being a history buff they are perfect.

We wound our way through Lake Lure, Chimney Rock and Bat Cave. All small towns, on a twisty mountain road. We were wondering what it would be like in the winter. Not that we are snowbirds, not by a long shot we lived in upstate NY, a mountainous area that gets snow measured in feet. It’s just the road was very steep with lots of twists and turns. We had a good laugh when we saw a sign for a farm saying it was a mile away. We were wondering if that was by the way the crow flies, or by the length of the road. If it was the length of the road, it was right there to our left, only thing was, we would have to go through four hairpin turns to reach it.

We found ourselves in Asheville just as the sun began to set behind the mountain. We settled into a Hampton Inn and headed for dinner. The next morning we repacked the car and headed for the Wolfe house, called Old Kentucky Home. I was disappointed to find that he did not do any of his writings there. It was his Mother’s boarding house, the children mostly lived in another house nearby (long gone), but Thomas did spend time there, only not writing. I thought maybe when he wrote some of his plays while in college at UNC Chapel Hill, but no, he didn’t. It was a great house and seeing some of the original furnishings was interesting.

We then headed south for Flat Rock and Carl Sandburg’s home Connemara. AMAZING!!! I loved it. It is a hike to the house along a winding steep path, but well worth it. You pass a pond, filled with turtles who peek their head out to say hi as you walk by. The scenery is gorgeous, with wonderful mountain vistas. The house sits up on a hill and has breathtaking views of the mountains. After Carl passed away, his wife Lillian didn’t want to stay in the house any longer. She wrote to the government to see if they wanted to purchase it for an historical landmark. They agreed, so Lillian, her daughter and grandchildren, packed up their clothes and moved to Asheville. Yes, you read right, just their clothes. Everything else stayed in the house. When you walk in, it is as if you expect one of the Sandburg’s to come walking around the corner to greet you.

This time I was able to see a writer’s workspace. I was surprised, it was a small room, filled with shelves and cabinets, papers and books strewn all over. A typewriter sat on a small box next to the desk. What really surprised me was the small window and the desk was no where near it. Carl was actually to take a room near his office with a great big window and a wonderful view, but declined saying that it would be too distracting. Okay, I guess I could see it, but I need my view. In my craft room, my sewing table sits in front of the windows, in my office, my desk is near my window, overlooking a small sitting area with a white bistro set, a birdbath and feeder, along with a hummingbird feeder and rhododendrons (Mums in the fall). Hmmm maybe I should rethink this and sit where I am not distracted by the view…

Cathy von Hassel-Davies

P.S. One of the best things is finding out the name of Carl Sandburg’s house – Connemara. I have always loved that Irish name and the names of nearby Killary Harbour and Kilkieran Bay, so it was with great pleasure hearing the name of the house. Also during one of the video’s in which Edward Marrow is interviewing Carl and he mentions a rock he likes to go to and write his poems. When we lived in NY I would frequent John Burrough’s Thinking Rock and write in my journal. Having two things in common just made the writer in me very happy and a little bit of the grieving let go.

Today I am Sad

Chantilly with Daddy

Today is one of the hardest days of my life. At 4:30 I am going to say goodbye to Chantilly. She is our sweet red-headed Yorkie. Our vet always said it is as if she dunked her head into a bucket of red dye. We bought her from a breeder February 2001, she was so tiny she fit inside a shoe. She was awesome, she crate trained very fast, in the beginning I would come home for lunch driving 20 minutes one way, to feed and walk her. After a month she didn’t need my afternoon visits, she held herself all day. She was wonderful. A sweet disposition, but she didn’t like little kids three and under. Their fast, tiny fingers frightened her.

She wiggled her way into my husband heart. She became his little girl. She new when he was heading home after a week long absence. She would jump on the shelf in front of our picture window waiting for him, she knew, she just knew. She would meet him with bounces and kisses, nearly jumping right into arms. She had this neat thing she would do, when you would pick her up, she would jump a little to help you. Once we settled down for the night in our den, she would jump up on his lap, lean back so she was sitting and expose her soft pink belly. She just wanted soft caressing from hubby, both of them relaxing and releasing the stress of the day.

She had this amazing way of running, we live in a cul-de-sac with three acres, she loved our neighbor Mike. She just needed to hear his voice and she was off, all four paws meeting, hair flying backwards in the breeze she created. That is how I want to remember her and that is how I will.

All our love Chantilly Lace.

Chantilly and Daddy

The Rainbow Bridge inspired by a Norse legend By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill, Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still. Where the friends of man and woman do run, When their time on earth is over and done. For here, between this world and the next, Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest. On this golden land, they wait and they play, Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day. No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness, For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness. Their limbs are restored, their health renewed, Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued. They romp through the grass, without even a care, Until one day they start, and sniff at the air. All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back, Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack. For just at that instant, their eyes have met; Together again, both person and pet. So they run to each other, these friends from long past, The time of their parting is over at last. The sadness they felt while they were apart, Has turned into joy once more in each heart. They embrace with a love that will last forever, And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

© 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky. All Rights Reserved.

The Barn

This is our first campaigner challenge from Rachel Harrie’s blog. I am a little late as we are still dealing with Chantilly Lace (our Yorkie’s) health problems. We have ruled out cancer, Cushing’s disease and many other potentially deadly illnesses. I’ll post more on this on another day, but for now….

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, “The door swung open” These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the words: “the door swung shut.” (also included in the word count)

For those who want an even greater challenge, make your story 200 words EXACTLY!

Here’s mine — 200 words.

 

 

The door swung open banging against the brass doorstopper. Samantha jumped, thinking ‘now what?’ Living in her great-great grandparents house she was use to the odd bumps and sounds of the night, but rarely did they happen in daylight.

Until recently that is, the sounds of the house invaded the peacefulness of this rural farm.  Rising to close the door, she walked to her alter instead, wondering what is causing the increased activity. Samantha decided to mediate and see if she could get a glimpse into the unknown that is the otherworld. Samantha tied her long blonde hair back with a pink rubber band, lit white candles, and a sage smudge stick. Sitting down on green meditation cushions, Samantha closed her eyes and chanted, “drem, dreeeeem, drem.

Minutes later visions began appearing, she saw a barn… it looked like her barn only it wasn’t… not red but weathered, boards that have been assailed by the sun, rain and cold, that only upstate NY could produce. Then the vision of a fire; crackling, raging, hot, yellow, red and green flames engulfing the barn. People running, a baby crying, a woman screams. Samantha wakes with a start as the door swung shut…

Campaigns – Getting to Know You

I am part of a few writing campaigns this month. I have had a story in me for years, working and churning inside, and now bubbling to come out, like the critter in Alien. A few of my fellow campaigners are going to come for a visit and I thought it would be a great idea find out who you are.

So pour yourself a cup of coffee or tea, have a seat, and tell me a little something about yourself. I’ll start – I was born in Germany and moved to the states when I was two.  My Dad was in the US Army and stationed near his hometown. Both my parents were German citizens at the time, hence, they made my brother and me German citizens. Even though they knew they were coming back to the US.

Cathy von Hassel-Davies

Hometown Disaster

I have been in North Carolina for 15 years, moving here from NY. North Carolinians are use to hurricanes, it is part of our history. We batten down the hatches, empty out the grocery stores and hunker down. Those on the coast do the same, except some will evacuate. When I hear hurricane I never think about the northeast. I know it happens, but it is very rare. Usually New Yorkers worry about nor’easters and spring thaw, not hurricanes. Especially where I come from, the mountains of NY. I lived on L.I. for almost 15 years and then we moved to Delaware County, located in the Catskill Park area. Snowstorms, YES! Floods, YES! but to the extent they suffered this weekend from Hurricane Irene, UNFATHOMABLE!

Unfortunately you do not hear a lot about it. Occasionally a picture is shown on CNN, TWC, MSNBC, etc., but the focus is mostly on Vermont. Not that I am begrudging Vermont for the coverage; however, upstate NY needs to be focused on also. Townspeople, government officials and emergency responders are working feverishly to get roads passable. Emergency supplies are slowly getting in, but getting in they are.

Cash donations can be made to the MARK Project, their phone number is 845.586.3500.

Today there is a radio-a-thon, “Disaster Relief for Delaware County,” which started at 7:00 a.m. You can call 1.888.432.1030 go make a donation.

Miller Drug Store can fill prescription that people had at the now demolished CVS.

Now let the pictures and videos speak for themselves.

Video by Jacob Hubbell.

Margaretville NY Bridge St.

Unfortunately I do not know who to give credit to for this photo, but I do believe James Baker. I hope he doesn’t mind me sharing.

Video was taken by Fred Marguiles.

This video was taken by VeccVideography.

It is the town I grew up, the town my parents owned a business in. It shows many people I grew up with, and many people I remember as babies. I took refuge in the Northland Motel with a friend back in 1976, when we had an awful snowstorm and our end of town had no electric. This folks was my reality check.

Cathy von Hassel-Davies

Third Writers’ Platform-building Campaign

I am joining Rachael Harrie‘s campaign and looking forward to it. I am doing a few things to get my mojo ready for November’s NaNoWriMo and Rachael’s site is one, besides NaNoWriMo Camp.

I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts and getting my creative juices flowing, as a novel has been percolating in my mind for a very long time. If you are a writer and want to join please do, it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.

I also joined Sparkfest, but I was a little late to participate in her writing prompts. I enjoyed one of the things to write about so I will share my post.

I remember all the way back to first grade and how I loved reading. I was late to learning my ABC’s, as my kindergarten didn’t teach it. However, the new school had taught their kindergarteners, so I needed tutoring by my new 15 year-old neighbor. I must have taken right off because I remember our lessons didn’t last long and I was reading. When I was around 8 I discovered I wanted to be a writer. My aunt and uncle took me on a trip from NY to Washington D.C., sometimes I truly think I am there daughter, that is how close we were. We rode a big black train and another new passion was born, I fell in love with trains. It was in the D.C. train station that my Uncle Henry bought me the paperback book, Heidi by Johanna Spyri. I am still unsure what thrilled me more, the sights and sounds of D.C. or the book, but I related to the book. I was born in Germany and my grandparents had a farm, so it was very easy to place myself into the story. I remember doing that for as far back as my memories take me, I always got inside the story, whether it was Dick or Jane and their dog Spot, or the craziness of the short stories in Children’s Highlight. I knew when I was 8, that if someone can write a story about a girl living in the Swiss Alps that resonated with me, I could also.

Then my lovely sixth grade teacher (I truly wish I can remember her name but it just alludes me) had us read books and write to the authors. I received many wonderful responses, but unfortunately with two brothers, a sister, and numerous moves, those letters were lost, but I still treasure them.

I would have to say Flannery O’Conner has been one of the few authors that have inspired me. There is something in her short stories that draw me in and I feel as if I am in the plot; I feel their feelings, and can get inside their heads to see what their turmoils are. The Bobbsie Twins by Laura Lee Hope and the Cherry Ames series by Helen West, sparked my imagination and made me a devote fan of their series and serial publications.

During my time I have been hired to write copy for ads, grants, and scathing responses to newspaper articles and government officials. I have been told I have a knack for getting the truth across in a sarcastic manner that makes people take notice without getting mad. Currently I am a freelance journalist that covers politics for a local county paper, but I also get the pleasure of writing feature stories. I have meet some fascinating people through this.

I guess what I am trying to say, if it is in you, a story, a picture, a pattern, whatever, just go ahead and do it. Get yourself organized and prepared and go for it. You will never know the outcome if you don’t, you will just be left to wonder the ‘what if.’

Cathy von Hassel-Davies

Magnitude 5.8 – VIRGINIA

Magnitude 5.8 – VIRGINIA.

That is right the east coast just had an earthquake. I was sitting in my home office located in Saxapahaw NC (near Chapel Hill) when my room started to shake, my desk was shaking and my heart was pounding.

It felt as if there was an unbalanced washing machine running, but I knew I hadn’t started any laundry before heading into my office.

I immediately went to the USGS site and looked up earthquakes. I get reminders because of my family in California, I have it set though to higher magnitudes and wasn’t sure if this one complied. I just heard it was upgraded to a 6.0. There it was listed.

WOW!!!!

 

Subjekt Herphones Review

I am kind of wary about buying headphones, as I have a problem finding ones that fit my ears. Upon receiving a Tanga Deals email selling Subjeckt’s Herphones Petite Earphones, I decided to give them a try. Heck my only expense was less than $5.00 shipping.

Subject Herphones

I have purchased many earphones, wireless and plug-ins, some not so cheap, only to have then hurt my ears. Most hurt so much that I end up putting them away in a basket, never to use again. However, I do pass them on to people who say they need a set. So when this offers came along, for only the cost of shipping, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give another set a try.

When I arrived home from California they were waiting for me, only four days after ordering, so pretty fast shipping from Tanga. I put them in and immediately noticed a difference, right away they felt very comfortable. I did keep them on for a few hours just to see if my ears would eventually hurt, but no, they felt fine after four hours of wear.

Red Herphones

Herphones come in many colors; orange, black, green, red and blue and can be purchased anywhere. The Herphones are made with a lightweight aluminum casing and crafted for a perfect female fit. The ear tips are made of a soft silicon.

Herphone Extra Silicon Tips

Product specification:
Driver Unit: 8mm
Sensitivity: 96dB/1mW
Impedance: 16 Ohms
Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz

I mainly use them for audio files and rarely music. I like the tone and pitch of the set and do not have any complaints as to audio quality. The little bit of music listened to was great but not Bose quality.

I would strongly recommend these for anyone, not just women, who have problems with earphones hurting.

NC Women’s Legislative Agenda Released

Lilly Ledbetter Press Conference at NC General Assembly

Lilly Ledbetter, namesake of the “Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act,” the first bill signed by President Obama upon taking office in 2009, was a special guest Tuesday, March 1, 2011, at the General Assembly as NC Women United (NCWU) released their 2011 Women’s Legislative Agenda.

NC Women United released the 2011 Women’s Legislative Agenda at Women’s Advocacy Day, which drew more than 200 supporters from across the state of Raleigh. Participants advocated for the most pressing public policies impacting the women of North Carolina as describe din the Women’s Legislative Agenda.

“Women have made great strides over the past 40 years working toward equal opportunity for personal and professional success,” began Alison Kiser, President of NCWU. “Ms. Ledbetter’s personal story of outright pay discrimination based on her gender is a testament to the fact that the work to achieve full political, economic and social equality for women is far from over. Unfortunately, the movement of the 2011 legislative session so far suggests that some of our elected officials would like to roll back the clock on women’s rights and equality.”

Lilly Ledbetter and the President of NCWU were joined by members of the N.C. General Assembly who spoke out on behalf of the Women’s Legislative Agenda. Speakers including Representatives Alma Adams (D-Guildford), Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe), Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland), Larry Hall (D-Durham), Deborah Ross (D-Wake), Jennifer Weiss (D-Wake), and Senator Malcolm Graham (D-Mecklenburg). State lawmakers spoke on access to health care, civic participation and equality, economic self-sufficiency, and violence against women.

Legislative items featured on the 2011 Women’s Legislative Agenda were determined by NCWU’s 36 member organizations to be the most pressing issues facing women and their families in North Carolina.

Access to reproductive health care and equality issues were featured on the Women’s Agenda as lawmakers joined NCWU to urge the General Assembly not to be distracted by social issues and instead focus on jobs and the economy. “Limiting reproductive freedom for women and creating a less equal society moves North Carolina in the wrong direction,” said Rep. Alma Adams, “We should be focusing on what we can provide women, not what we can deny them. It’s time the General Assembly focuses on the work we were elected to do. The people of North Carolina want to see jobs created. They want to see the economy improve. They want to see the state budget balanced in a sustainable, responsible way.”

Voter photo ID and resulting voter suppression was also addressed on the Women’s Legislative Agenda. “This is a debate about the right to vote, that great franchise here in America and North Carolina, and whether we should be preserving or restricting that right,” Rep. Larry Hall said. “To me the answer is clear. We would be protecting and increasing voter participation to make our democracy stronger. The instance of fraud is minuscule and our current laws against fraud are strong. The proposed photo ID bill is a solution in search of a problem, at a time when we can least afford divisive and costly distractions.”

The Women’s Legislative Agenda also supports maintaining the state Earned Income Tax Credit which aids low to moderate income working families. “The State Earned Income Tax Credit helps working families, particularly those headed by women, make ends meet. This important policy enables working families to buy groceries and other necessities in their communities and pumps millions of dollars into our state’s economy,” remarked Rep. Jennifer Weiss. “Now there’s a push to dismantle our state’s EITC. Doing so will raise taxes on 1 in 10 hard working North Carolinians and will hurt local businesses. That’s the exact opposite of what we should be doing if we want to grow jobs, spur our state’s economy and rebound from this recession.”

Other issues addressed on the 2011 Women’s Legislative agenda include maintaining funding for domestic violence programs and rape crisis center, defeating a proposed amendment to write discrimination against same-sex couples into the NC Constitution, and protecting investments in the Home and Community Block Grant, child care subsidies, and the NC Housing Trust Fund.

“We must keep advancing women’s rights and equality,” Kiser stated in her remarks. “Women are an integral part of our society. Only with the full participation and equality of women can we succeed. The future prosperity of our nation and this state will be determined by the extend to which the needs of women and their families are prioritized.”

NC Women United is a coalition of progressive organizations and individuals working to achieve the full political, social, and economic equality of all women across North Carolina. NCWU works to build women’s power through grassroots activism, community organizing, legislative advocacy, and engagement in the political process.

For more information or to join NCWU you can mail them at PO Box 10013, Raleigh, NC 27605 or contact Alison Kiser (919) 636-1728.

 

Press release by NCWU