Marie Javins's Blog, page 20

Local History

Here's some video of the old church down the block. It looks so cool--I hope I get a chance to try to buy a part of it once it's finished, but I bet the condos will end up being a bazillion dollars. Things have changed a lot since I bought my inexpensive house off Craigslist in 2015.

"The gentrification of the Lafayette section of Jersey City is rapidly changing many of the landmarks in the area. The partial demolition of a historical church in August 2021 brought the attention of many concerned neighbors. The church, St. John's A.M.E., was known to have a role in the Underground Railroad in the 1800s. With the redevelopment of the area continuing to replace the visible markers of the rich history of African Americans in Jersey City, we struggle to keep their historical presence in the light."

Orange Cat, Orange Cat Bowl

 Jay is eating out of the new bowl I made him! 

I know I'm ridiculous sometimes. 

Sunday Night Pottery Class

 What should I make? 

Giant Raccoon Invasion

Who doesn't love a picnic?  

The R in Trap Neuter Return

Here's the end of the Bart saga, in which he demonstrates his alias (Impulse).

I had him in the trap all night, covered, fed, watered. He slept for a while, then he woke up and moped a bit (see "Saddest Cat on Earth" video 1), then around 4 a.m., he started in with the occasional mew.

I checked him out, gave him more food and water, but I think he might have been telling me the anesthesia had worn off and he wanted to leave.

I let him out at 7:30, and by 9 a.m., he had returned to investigate the cage.

Perhaps Bart is trying to make sense of his alien abduction. I don't know. I would be confused too if someone kidnapped me, driven me around, knocked me out, then tried to make me eat treats. Hoping this is the end of me and Bart. I have my hands full with the other ferals and my job.

The N in Trap Neuter Return

Bart is now neutered, has his anti-flea treatment, has his distemper and rabies shots, and he even got a nail trim, some antibiotics, and anti-pain injection. And a clipped ear. 

 Now he has to spend another night in the trap while the anesthesia wears off, and I can release him tomorrow back into the convent yard.

There were a lot of steps in this process! I was lucky he was so cooperative with the trap—I imagined I would catch one of the other cats (already TNRed), a skunk, any number of raccoons, or maybe a opossum. Fortunately, Bart decided to go along with me.

I have a friend who is involved with the county animal league, and she set me up with the feral vets up near the GW Bridge. While the price is right, I had to rent a car. Fortunately, I had some points so the cost was only $11, gas, and some tolls. 

I learned a bit while doing this—I didn't make Bart comfy and overnight, he let me know he wasn't comfy with some plaintive yowls. I threw in an old shirt and he cozied up on that. 

He wouldn't really eat or drink, but I put some chicken baby food on the dry cat food, and then he gobbled it up. 

At one point, when Bart was whimpering, Jay came by to check out the situation. I had Bart's trap under the stoop, behind the iron gate. Jay couldn't get in, but he tripped the motion detector. I took a look outside the window, and there was Jay staring at me with the most accusatory glare. 

I hope both Jay and Bart forgive me.

The T in Trap Neuter Return

Presenting...Bart's Tuesday Adventure!

Starring Bart.

You Don't Scare Me, Human

 It's almost like they know they're protected by local laws. 

Almost There

So close, Bart. But not close enough.

Bart LePew

I was hoping for some photos of little orange cat Bart, so I can establish his routine, but instead I got to see a lot of this black cat with a white stripe of paint down its back.