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[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I nearly missed the first deer, I was actually looking for a heron and then noticed a white blob, it was just laid down, chilling, couldn't get a decent pic with the distance though. It was still there when I came back, even though that field is near the train track and a train had gone past. The one on the other side looked very young and didn't seem relaxed round noises. I think that's why I like varying my walks, we have so much wildlife, although will make the canal more regular now I know there are babies to feed, there should be ducklings soon as well, some have been spotted at the lake.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, volunteering was better this week, got there early, nipped into B & M for a couple of bits, got to the shop at 10.02, knocked on the door, but no response, so sat on the bench reading till she opened about 10.10, luckily it was very sunny this morning so quite nice to sit on a bench reading - I might not rush to get there on time next week though! She was very tired today, and kept calling me Lindsey - as she called me Lesley last week, her brain must have just thought of names beginning with 'l'! Got some different tasks today, including going to Lidl (only a few min walk away) and one of her friends popped in at lunch, so she spent the afternoon chatting to us (I did get some chance to read again though!). Did some shopping on the way back, then was surprised to see an e-mail saying my parcel had been delivered (ordered it on Sun, ticked the 'slow delivery box'), checked the pic to see where it was, assume neighbour was out when the Evri woman put it there, as I struggled to get it out round neighbour's car. Suppose at least I don't have another day waiting in for a delivery. Then decided to get the last of the bird food from last year and see if I could find any gosling's to feed, found 2 lots, one only had 2 goslings, so hope it isn't one of the families I saw yesterday. Saw 2 heron's in the pond, then on the way back, I saw something swimming, I wasn't far from the fisherman, so went back to ask him what it was, he told me it was a mink, which apparently are bad as they eat loads of stuff including goslings - as we were watching, it came out of the water, caught something, killed it, then swam off with it! We couldn't work out what it caught though.

[Alicia]

Minks have to eat, too, and don't do well on millet and plant seeds. Maybe it was a mother mink taking food home to babies.

I would think having top predators like that indicates the health of the ecosystem, clean water, adequate shelter, food at all levels.

Unless the mink ate MY favourite gosling - then I would be sad. We humans are so tender-hearted.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

They do Alicia, and fisherman did say that mink breed at a similar time to geese, apparently the reason they are bad is that they wipe too much out, and if you see mink, you won't see otters, the two don't co-exist.

[Alicia]

I think it must get exhausting to micromanage all of Nature.

I would be glad to see a mink OR an otter OR some geese - I'm almost to the point where I'm going to get out more again.

But I've lost so much writing time this past year that I'm antsy.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, a dry day, albeit very windy (heard lots of wheely bins blowing over today), although we've had rain for the past hour. Decided to walk along the canal to the next village to drop off my Amazon return, I was rather disappointed to get there and realise it wasn't as far as I thought it was, on the plus side, that means I'll be able to walk over to the cafe Malachi's mum told me about (I'd have gone today, but the card machine was broke and I didn't have enough cash on me). Had a lovely canal walk though, before I set off, I said to one of my friends that I need to go to the lake as I've heard there are ducklings there, had just got on the canal when I saw a female mallard and 14 ducklings, never seen one have that many! One of the wildlife photographers was out, he wondered if she had acquired extra ducklings. Had a little bit of food left, then when I was coming back, I saw two gosling families, and had nothing left for them, so called in the candle shop to buy another bag for them. Then had a productive afternoon, got someone coming to give me a quote on the bathroom over the weekend (and he might be able to do it this month!), someone quoting me for the front windows and door on Tue and Lucy's boosters booked in.

[Alicia]

My grandmother was one of 11, and there are larger families, but 14 seems quite a lot for the mother duck. Cute though - Madeleine stories all by themselves, two rows of 7.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, well that was an interesting day! Another day where the rain held off so I could get out for a walk, I was early enough to get a spot at the back of one of the reservoirs so I could walk round one of the others (there are either 4 or 5 up there), not quite a new walk, but one I haven't done for a couple of years. Very little wildlife up there, came across some random sheep, ended up bumping into a dog walker on the way back, apparently sheep aren't allowed in that field, but the farmer seems to have given up on them. It started raining as I left, but by the time I got home, which is apparently 1.4 miles, it was blue sky, so nipped to do an errand, and it started raining about 10 mins after I got back. Did a couple of chores, then me and Lucy watched a film in bed. Just before 6, I could hear neighbour trying to get her cat in, and i'd overhead the other day that they were out this evening. After 20 mins, there was a knock on my door, she was stood there with a key, wondering if I would mind letting him in, as they wouldn't be back till 1am and he'd not had his tea. Felt I had to say yes, as the cat still hasn't learnt I can't let him in, so he'd have been fussing everytime I opened the door otherwise, made a point of saying I'd let him in and put the key through the letterbox. Then she told me he'd been diagnosed with dementia and on medication for it, he's a couple of years younger than Lucy :(. Luckily he turned up as they got to the top of the street, so they came back for the key.

[Alicia]

If the cat has dementia, why do they let him out? Seems heartless.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

He's always had access to the outside (his previous owner neglected him and left him out pretty much constantly) as he's not happy at all being kept in and prefers not to use a litter tray, so I can understand why she has continued letting him out

[Alicia]

They care enough to give the cat medicine - and love their pet - I was just thinking he's going to be unhappy at some point in the future. Maybe he'll learn to stay home safely (except the litter tray IS a problem) before something happens to him.

Have NO idea what I'd DO in that case, but I'd worry. I guess other people just install a cat door.

Our son and his wife acquired a microchipped cat in Houston, Texas, called the owner. The cat returned to them. Owner said, 'Keep him.' Outdoor cat. When they moved to Boulder, Colorado (a rather long way), the cat went with them - and has finally, after the move, become an indoor cat - so it can be done; maybe the move is the key: a new location doesn't call as hard. Cat psychology is not my strong point, as you can probably tell.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I don't think he will Alicia, she 'grounded' him a couple of times because of him hunting baby birds (bizarrely that only started as he got older!), and he was a nightmare just for a few weeks, and he's about 13 now. She was probably hoping the medication would help him enough that he could continue life as usual, or there would be a difficult decision to make. Some cats can adapt, some can't, and location can help, I fostered an ex stray who didn't want to go outside, homed her as an only cat, she was quite happy, then when they moved, she wanted to go out (luckily then it was safe for her to go out)

[Alicia]

Wow. The cat's a survivor!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

He's a sweet thing, and sadly got some health issues caused by his previous owners not caring. I see him pottering around most days and you wouldn't know anything was wrong, so the medication must be working. I had heard them shouting him and knew she wouldn't want to leave him out, didn't expect her to actually come with a key for me to let him in though!

[Alicia]

Glad to hear your neighbor is a better owner. I can't abide people who are careless of their animals. Or cruel to them.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, that was a nice day. Had a chill morning, saw bits on the news, finished my book, did some coronation nails, then went to friends for a party, walked there with her cousin, another place I don't normally walk to as I have the impression it's quite far, and it was much shorter than I expected! My knee isn't happy with me though, so hopefully we will get some of the forecast rain this week!

[Pam]

Alicia wrote: "M.T. wrote: "Did an event yesterday and sold 13 books. It wasn't as much as I'd hoped b..."

I made $2.30 on KU in April - that was all. I just can't seem to get fully going on the new book - but I..."

One consolation Alicia - that's $2.30 more than I made!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, a glorious day weather wise. Decided to do my walk first, walked up the lake, which I don't normally do on a weekend as it's too touristy, but hoped the various celebrations would have helped, it was OK. Did see a female mallard with 8 ducklings, which still seems like a lot. Got my chores done, which included getting two washloads air dried, then decided I deserved some 'me time', so sat and read for hours. Now going to watch the Coronation Concert.

[M.T.]

Watched the coronation yesterday because I love an arcane ceremony. Have mostly vegetated today, went to church and drank a lot of prosecco and ate far too many crisps afterwards. It was a gas. Went to the craft market today, which looked fun, to see an author friend who was giving it a go. She was doing well. Met some poor hapless woman and sold her a book I had in my bag. I think I might do a stall at the market at some point. Also did a blog post for the first time in ages.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, typical Bank Holiday weather today, such a contrast to yesterday. It was forecast rain though, so I deliberately didn't get milk from Lidl yesterday so I'd have to leave the house today. Then friend asked if I fancied going round mid afternoon to watch a film, which I said yes to, then she asked if I wanted to go to Lidl with her! Going the long way to and from her house meant I've actually managed to hit my step count today, which I didn't expect. I didn't have enough time to make lasagne though, but always tomorrow. Looked through last weeks to do list when doing this weeks, I didn't do that well on fun things either, didn't do 2 of the walks I wanted, but enjoyed the walks I did, and didnt binge watch TV, however I did 'binge read' a 700 page book in 5 days, which I'm happy about. Just been watching an old episode of Masterchef Australia, where the then Prince Charles travelled over and they catered for him, quite ironic timing really!

Interesting way to do a sale MT!!

[Alicia]

Pam wrote: "Alicia wrote: "M.T. wrote: "Did an event yesterday and sold 13 books. It wasn't as much as I'd hoped b..."

I made $2.30 on KU in April - that was all. I just can't seem to get fully going on the n..."

Thanks for cheering me up! Had to laugh. At myself, of course, not you.

Hugs, Pam. There is another month just starting!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, weather back to nice today! Got a nice e-mail from Amazon, they've received my old tablet and decided it was worth more than the initial offer, so got a £10 gift card, so 'buy books' went on today's to do list, that obviously got done! Did a quick canal walk this morning to see if I could feed any babies, saw 5 lots of goslings, only one close enough to feed. Just about to give up and go home when I saw a female mallard with 2 ducklings on the other bank, they sped over when they heard my bag, ducklings got over quicker than mum! They didn't seem keen on seed though. Got home and did a bit of tidying for the window sales man coming to look and give me an idea and quote, then decided to go for another canal walk in the opposite direction, only one gosling family, but there were 11 of them! They were too far to feed as well. Walked to one of the benches and sat listening to my audio book for a bit in the sun. Made my lasagne, so got plenty of meals in the freezer now, only need to worry about lunches for the rest of the week, so more reading time.

[Alicia]

I love the way your organize your time to maximize reading, Desley.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

It's a very important priority Alicia :-) It's why I don't mind waking up early in the summer, get all the chores done early, then can spend all afternoon reading - I definitely read more in nice weather, bad weather makes me curl up in front of the TV, although I have designated 5-6.30 every day as reading time, earlier if I can.

[Jim]

I like the idea of the designated reading time

[M.T.]

Me too, on the TARDIS time... The what????? The reading time.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, that was a good day (seem to be saying that a lot at the moment!), got let in volunteering pretty much on time today, to be greeted with 'something slightly different today' - there had been an issue with some of the books, so her plan was to keep the shop closed as Wed have been quiet recently, and we'd spend the day in the library cleaning and stuff - she asked if I had a problem with that, obviously not! I did tell her I might not be that quick though, I tend to get distracted organising books by reading backs of them! There was a shelf I had to look at pretty much all day that was annoying me as it was a series of places around the country that weren't in any kind of order, I could understand parts of the country rather than alphabetical, but it wasn't either, so I asked if I could re-arrange those too, but didn't get chance today. She also mentioned there are DVDs that need cataloguing and putting in alphabetical order, so I asked to go back tomorrow just to go through the DVD's, she should have someone for the door. She seemed very happy at me wanting to go back to do that. Only downside was keeping the cafe shut meant there was no food and the coffee machine wasn't on. Did a couple of errands on the way home, then went for a quick canal walk. Didn't even do the full stretch, as it started raining - it's very weird walking along part of the canal, if it's light rain you can see it's raining on the water, but can't feel any, the trees aren't even that thick. Saw 4 lots of goslings (all too far too feed), 4 deer (2 were kind of together, but the other two were in completely other places), all looked very young, one I was concerned about as that part of the canal is quite near the road, and it was very unfazed by people, it happily cleaned itself while I was watching, the mink (I know I'm not supposed to like it, but I do), and a moorhen.

It is good, it's not quite so good when you get agitated at people either planning things that prevent it, or want to do something part way through it, may have been known to lie and say I'm busy!

[Alicia]

Sounds like fun - and something you could do long time.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Alicia wrote: "Sounds like fun - and something you could do long time."

Just a shame they are a charity, so can't afford to pay

[Alicia]

Didn't realize that from your descriptions; of course, you're looking for your next job.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Yeah, that's why it's voluntary work

[Jim]

Desley (Cat fosterer) wrote: "Yeah, that's why it's voluntary work"

But it sounds your voluntary work is fun :-)

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, glad I was doing more voluntary work today as it rained most of the day! Wasn't quite what I expected, she decided to close for another day, so we tackled more stuff, I did get to put some books and DVD's in alphabetical order, but also did things like helping get a rat cage up the stairs and hoover. We had some very interesting conversations though, and she did seem very grateful for my help. Hopefully next week I'll be able to merge and catalogue 3 lots of DVD's and she also showed me a bookcase where the annuals and magazines need putting into date order, that seems a fun task too. I'd forgotten to get something yesterday, I contemplated just walking to the Lidl near the Folklore Centre, but decided to go home and hope the weather had improved and walk to mine, it did dry up by the time I left Lidl, so managed to walk the long way home and maintain my step count. Had a major fail injecting myself tonight, for some reason I held the pen the wrong way round so did part of the injection in my thumb, then realised and tried to finish it in my thigh. I now have a red and slightly swollen thumb, and a bruised thigh, hoping there aren't any major issues from that! Ironically thigh is more painful.

It's certainly getting more interesting Jim, although I didn't mind sitting on a quiet reception desk while I could discreetly read!

[M.T.]

Glad the volunteering is going well Desley!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, me and friend went for a walk about 8am, it was one of the walks on my to do list, a new way of getting to one of the reservoirs, then we did the woodland path round it, which I haven't done for years, then saw a style I've not seen (as I don't walk that way!), so we investigated that, it was really interesting as that's another reservoir I've been walking round since a child! And to say I don't normally hit my step count round that one, we actually did over 8k steps, then we did a long circuit from my house to her house to look at a couple of door colours I'd seen, then got my prescription, so have actually done 11k steps today. My leg is very bruised after yesterday and thumb is a bit sore. Have applied for one job today, got another to apply for, but more interested in that, so wanted some time to think about the 'why I'm suitable' statement, both part time library jobs, might be too part time, but figured I'd apply anyway. Then been a bit lazy, I saw a post online about getting as much pleasure from little things as big things and realised it is so important, and I'm only putting decluttering on my to do list as I feel I should do something like that while I'm not working, but actually I don't get much satisfaction from it, so going to forget about things that I feel I should do, and just do things I want to do, and also that filling time with walking, reading, watching TV and playing games is perfectly acceptable, especially as some of those involve spending time with the cats, which is also important. I do feel I'm changing a lot without people in my life putting down what I enjoy doing, or trying to convince me to do things they think I should do, rather than what I want to do, and I am much happier for it.

Thanks MT

[Alicia]

That sounds so lovely - what a great attitude. Enjoy!

[M.T.]

I'm really glad you feel that Desley. You certainly seem to be blossoming quite a bit; more confident and stuff. Long may it continue. :-)

[Jim]

M.T. wrote: "I'm really glad you feel that Desley. You certainly seem to be blossoming quite a bit; more confident and stuff. Long may it continue. :-)"

Just to Agree with this :-)
Things seem to be coming together

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another glorious day, highs of 19. Got a letter from podiatry this morning, they've spoken to rheumatology and decided there is a high risk of not healing if they remove my toe nail (random, as last year's healed well, and grew back very quickly!), so they are going to give me a series of 4-6 weekly apps to help thin the nail and show me how to manage it myself, which might work, especially given I fixed it myself the other week. Went for a quick canal walk, not much wildlife, just a pair of goslings to feed and a cat to stroke on the way there, and saw my first fish of the year on the way back, looked like a decent size shoal of baby fish. Came back and had a couple of hours sat reading outside, before helping vegan friend, her car's electrics needed looking at and she thought they might ask her to leave it there for a bit, but he didn't, I waited just in case, at least I got to stand outside in the sun, she gave me £10 petrol money, even though it isn't that fair away, popped into Asda on the way back, treated myself to a couple of bits, and got her a couple of bars of vegan choc that I'll post through tomorrow (even though I know she'll shout at me, she overpaid, so seems fair I give her something back!), then other friend had tried getting hold of me to ask if I wanted tea, by this point I just needed a cold drink and an ice cream and couldn't face going to someone's house and have a hot tea, she did bring me some leftovers after though.

Thanks guys, it's nice feeling content with my life for what it is, not what people think I should do with it, and might be why my friendships feel stronger.

[Alicia]

It's good that you're posting - you can come back and read how you used your down time well, when you're back in a busy job.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, much nicer day than forecast, went for a walk to the nature reserve, not much wildlife, prob as it was quite busy, surprised at the amount of butterflies, thought it was a bit early for them. Then on the canal on the way home, bumped into friend's parents, and had a chat, then saw a duck family with one duckling, so fed them. Nipped to Lidl for a couple of bits, have done over 10k steps. Have decided that as I'm doing well at being frugal and enjoying free walks, I can have more time off work, will be nice to have more time off with hopefully good weather to enjoy nature.

[M.T.]

Morning all. Sounds like you had a busy day Desley. Just off to the gym. Then it's all hands to the pump. McMini thinks he might have ADHD or autism. This comes under 'mental health services' which, in my county, are the second worst in the UK. This means that the other pile of admin shite I have going on--trying to get continuing care for Mum--is going to look like a walk in the parkf compared to this. Indeed, the whole Mum dementia thing will probably look like a walk in the park.

A diagnosis costs thousands privately and NHS Suffolk is refusing to even quote a wait time ... which is the equivalent of saying, 'it'll probably happen sometime before you die of old age ... but it may not' when asked to give a waiting time.

UGH, endless hours on hold and bashing my head against a brick wall to get nowhere here we come ... On the upside, the weather was quite nice yesterday which was a bonus.

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another nice weather day, so went for a walk through nature reserve up to lake and round to the bird hide to see what I could see. On the canal to get up there, I saw a family of 6 chunky goslings on the path, so fed them, and while they were eating, 2 smaller ones came swimming up the canal but they didn't appear to belong to any adults. Bird hide was quite interesting, fed 2 lots of ducklings, the second lot were really tiny. Also saw a grebe, but I didn't get a pic as I was too busy feeding ducklings when it swam past, spent 10 mins fascinated by the cormorant swimming, it was going completely under water then surfacing a distance away, so it was a game to see where it would end up, then while watching that, a heron flew over - I've seen a lot recently, but not one flying for a while, they are stunning. On the way back, I told myself to stop looking in the water for fish, but then had to stop and wait for a family getting a young child through the gate, so stared in the water and saw a fish! Also saw what I think is a jay on the way home. An ex colleague rang earlier, she's only just found out I've left, so had a nice chat with her, she lives about an hour away but is trying to find a way to meet up, which I thought was nice.

Sorry to hear that MT, my friend is trying to get a similar diagnosis, up here, you have to make an app with the GP, hope they like your explanation, then have to get a form off reception and make another app to give it back to the doc, then see if you tick the boxes to get a referral, but it's currently a 12 month waiting list up here.

[Alicia]

M.T. wrote: "Morning all. Sounds like you had a busy day Desley. Just off to the gym. Then it's all hands to the pump. McMini thinks he might have ADHD or autism. This comes under 'mental health services' which..."

Doesn't the school help with things like this? Deciding whether you need to be concerned at all, and speeding up the testing because it affects the child's education? They must get these questions all the time.

We were already homeschooling when our youngest daughter had some problems - and our local school district did extensive testing.

They turned out to be 100% wrong, and were so condescending I had a hard time keeping myself civil, BUT their testing might have found something if it were in the things you're wondering about. (Daughter had a MAJOR sleep disorder - look up Non-24 Sleep/Wake Disorder if curious - and her father and I figured it out after all the sleep doctors consulted did squat, found a specialist in Philadelphia who agreed we'd nailed it and found a protocol which keeps it under control by manipulating her melatonin production and usage. She then graduated from college, has NOT exhibited the cycling which bedeviled her previous life, and is happily employed by the State of New York's court systems.)

School systems are supposed to be good at evaluating school problems they see all the time, and getting the necessary support (which you may or may not be thrilled about, but you'd then have the testing results).

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

I think they are supposed to be involved in the referral process Alicia, my nephew was supposed to be being referred for something (maybe ADHD actually), and his teacher had to fill in a form for the doctor, but don't seem to have done anything - he's in his last year of primary school, they'll probably get round to it after he's left!

[Jim]

I would be very wary of getting a private diagnosis of AHAD

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-655...

[M.T.]

Thanks everyone. For the moment we seem to be OK. I've referred him for NHS counselling, which will take weeks and if this is a phase and not a need he will probably be through and out the other side by the time it comes up. If not, it's there, and if he's anything like I was, knowing help is on its way may be all he needs to sort it out himself. He didn't go into school today and instead slept very late and woke up a different person.

So now he doesn't want to see the school counsellor so I have to write to everyone to say to stand down but that's worth it not to have another bloody thing I have to remember to do ... says the woman who got half way through putting the towels away today and got distracted until McOther asked about it and said he'd dared not move them in case I was doing something with them.

Hoping all is well now, or at least, better for a bit!

[Desley (Cat fosterer)]

Evening, another dry day, mix of sunny and cloudy, but got some washing dry. Decided to try a different walk today, that was a mix of roads, a wood and some fields, another walk I thought was quite far, but when I got home, realised it wasn't quite 6k steps so not sure I'll do that much. Walking friend finally asked how I was feeling, so told her 'happily unemployed' and she reminded me she's a careers advisor if I need anything. Got a podiatry app too, not till next month, but then we are half way through May! Then the bathroom man rang, they were just finishing a job and could pop over to give me a quote, I'd given up on him. Ball park figure matches the Pre Covid quote I got, and given how much things have gone up, I can cope with that, plus I was pleased when he'd noticed the cat stuff and was disappointed I have 3 anti social cats, he's convinced he can get Lucy to like him! Asked if he knew any handymen as he's local to sort out a door handle and he said that it's a 5 min job and they can just do it while doing the bathroom, so fairly certain I'm going with them, even though friend think's it's too pricey. Vegan friend has said some lovely things today about how proud she is of me coping with the work situation (they've finally advertised my position, higher salary too!), which I appreciated. There was a lovely job in a bookshop advertised today, but it's only 22 hours, so too much of a drop to afford, especially with travel costs.

Good luck with it all MT!

[M.T.]

Back at you Desley. Hope something interesting pops up soon in the way of work. 🙂 Glad you're enjoying your time anyway.

[Alicia]

You sound as if you have your head on straight, Desley. Enjoy your walks and adventures. You'll be back to work soon enough - and the freedom takes a hit for a while.