Manic Monday

MONDAY

We got up and went to Palmer Park with Orinda and the boys. I'm so sad that I forgot my camera! All three kids had a blast tearing around Camden Park. They could see the wading pool, though, and repeatedly asked to go in. We hadn't really thought about that and didn't intend to go to the pool as we were tight on time. It was the last day of the season that the wading pool was open (and not nearly as crowded as usual), and it was perfect swimming weather, so we just let the kids go in and play with their clothes on. It didn't bother them, and I was warm enough that I was pretty happy to get in too. I had a skirt on, so I was able to go in and walk around with the kids without getting too wet. My skirt was pretty wet by the time we left, but we all had fun. L & Logan had a blast. Colton wasn't sure about going in initially, but we eventually got him to wade in and walk around with me. He was on leaf patrol and was so cute about trying to pick all the leaves out of the pool. I worked on bug patrol and tried to rescue all the ants and various other bugs. I had a moment though, when I saw Japanese Beatle struggling in the water. I really dislike them. They're beautiful bugs, but what they have done to my roses is so not nice, and they really are a problem. BUT it was a fellow creature who wished to live and was struggling to do so. Bottom line was, a fellow being needed help, I was there, so I gently scooped her out of the water and put her on the dry ground.

After the park it was time for L & me to make our annual trip to LaborFest for animal patrol. Mark stayed home to finish up a landscape plan that needed to be done today. This event tends to be more up close and confrontational than he likes anyway. Dej had to work 9 hours today. L thrives at this kind of stuff. It's kind of funny how we go to these same events year after year, and the same people are there. They know us, we know them, in some cases our relationships are okay and sometimes they are hostile. It's just a little odd, the way we seem to be part of the long-term fabric of one anothers' lives, yet we are completely polarized. Petting zoo--not as bad as the last year. The calf wasn't quite as skinny this year but clearly had some pain/discomfort with the front left hoof; there was a duck in moult and it is not the time of year for the moult at all; some were clearly still nursing, with no babies in site. They were out in the hot sun, hungry, all day. At least while we are there observing, taking pictures, and staring, they give them water and are much kinder than they are when they don't know we are there. They don't feed them, so that the animals come up and beg from the children, who then bug their parents to pay for food to feed the animals. L spent her time there pulling up the lushest grasses from the lawn and feeding the animals. She also showed all the children who came near that they could feed the animals for free! It was classic to watch her running her little kid revolt right next to the petting zoo. They couldn't do a dang thing, and since she's a kid they couldn't really mess with her (it doesn't stop hunters, but normal people don't mess with kids).

The ponies were absolutely miserable, with not nearly enough water. They did not get a single break. They were chained to the bars and going around and around and around in a circle all day. They had about two inches of leeway on the chain, allowing very little movement of any kind. They had a very difficult time as the flies were out and biting in droves but their limited range of motion left them pretty helpless to the attacks.

The camels (courtesy of the Zor Shriners)--left in a hot metal trailer with limited air circulation for about an hour that we saw--plus transportation time, which we didn't see. The unloading process was painful to watch. One guy, in particular, really, really did not want to step out of the trailer. Once they finally got him out, he did not want to kneel to get the saddle (?) on. Then he did not want to walk when the children got on for rides. We watched these old men struggle with this camel at every step of the way. Of course they were not remotely concerned with the fact that the animal may have been in discomfort, but minimally deeply did not want to participate. They were extremely frustrated and kept looking up at us, as we stood there with cameras and video, shooting away. It was clear that they couldn't figure out how to handle this "troublemaker", while being observed and recorded.

The Pickett Family circus was there again with their trained monkeys. L engaged in and won an argument with the man, Vern, last year about the treatment of the monkeys. He recognized her again this year but didn't try to talk to her. The monkey was terrified and did not want to be there. She kept jumping off the man and scrambling up the nearby umbrella post, clinging to the top and hiding, whenever he got close enough for her to reach it. Each time she did this, he yanked like hell on the chain around her neck, and pulled her back to his shoulder to continue collecting money from the children in the crowd. Once or twice during every performance, Vern's wife, who looked as nervous and afraid of him as the monkey did, gave him sips of Pepsi (monkeys just love corn syrup and caffeine!). He also tried to jump off of Vern and nestle in her shoulder for comfort. It was heartbreaking to watch her.

I hate to say it, but I feel our only chance for helping these animals in the future is to make sure we are there every Labor Day, watching and photographing. At least that improves their conditions. I don't see it ending, though. We tried to talk to one of the female event organizers--let's just call her Butch. Butch was raised on a dairy farm and 'don't see nuthin wrong with havin those animals there'. We tried our best to explain very moderately to Butch what some of the issues were, but she was unwilling to listen really. We also tried to present alternative events, where they could still have animals that the children would enjoy, but in a way that wasn't hurtful to the animals and could educate the children. I think the E word might have scared her a bit. Upon checking out the sponsors, I don't think we will have much luck there, either, as the majority are quite redneck themselves. Oh, the joys of the midwest! It was quite exhausting as the LaborFest grounds are very open, no shade, and it was very hot.

Once we left there, we headed to my parents for a cookout. We had lots of good food--grilled veggie burgers, baked beans, fresh fruits and veggies, and fudgie brownies with soy ice cream for desert. We watched The Apple Dumpling Gang Rides Again. I think the last time I saw that was probably as a very young child at the movie theater. L enjoyed it. I visited with our little kitty for a quite a while. She is so cute! Then it was time to go home, read, and get L to bed. Kind of a long day!

SUNDAY

Sunday was dominated by our long overdue trip to the grocery store. We should not put off our grocery shopping like that again. We had two of the large carts completely full. Two hours and $495 later, we were home and facing the loathful task of putting all the groceries away. That was another couple of hours. I made stuffed peppers with the lovely red peppers from the Farmer's Market, made & packed lunches for the week, ate dinner (which L complained about of course), and had to run with Allegrea to transfer the cat.

My mom agreed to foster her for a few days until we can come up with another arrangement. We have a lead on someone who may be able to find her a good home for permanent adoption, but we won't know for sure until Weds. Because we've learned that most good leads lead nowhere, we have a plan B, which looks like at this point, either Allegrea or we will take yet another cat. Neither of us has room, but since we seem to be the only two people who are willing to make sacrifices, adjustments, and share space to prevent a beatiful life from being taken, it seems to be our only plan B. After spending 10 minutes at the house of these old fucks who couldn't be bothered with this beautiful little girl, my skin was crawling. They are as selfish and obnoxious as two people can be. They basically giggled, as if it was cute, about the fact that they never really had pets. He proceeds to tell us (while sitting in his nasty-ass t-shirt and underwear) that they had a parakeet years ago, but had to get rid of it too. It's just too much and they're not used to pets. Our complete and utter distaste and disgust for these people could not have been more apparent. Without typing a book (too lazy tonight), I can't possibly paint a picture of how inane and worthless those two are. I'm just holding on to the fact that the universe will balance it out in the end, when they sit drooling and in their own shit because it's just too much work for their caregiver to be bothered with. It would do us all well to remember that most of us will leave this world almost as helpless as we came in--only not nearly as cute or fresh smelling. Maybe if we kept that in mind, people would be inspired to treat others the way they hope to be treated.

Once we got the little one settled in bed for the night, we went back downstairs. I got Ls homeschool activities ready and planned out for the week, and then we go to finish watching of Weeds season 2. It was as funny as always--LOVE that show!--but it left us with a really wicked cliff hanger. Now we have to wait forever for season 3 to finish up and hit video. Love the kiss (FINALLY) between Nancy & Conrad!

SATURDAY

We got up and headed to Madison for the day. It was a beautiful day, and while we probably should have stayed home and worked on yard work, it was nice to have a pleasant day away from home. We have a love/hate relationship with the Saturday morning Farmer's Market in Madison. We love all the goodies but hate the crowds. We got some produce and some Chinese Lanterns (a beautiful orange flower) that we have hanging in the kitchen to dry out. Petey hasn't yet discovered them. I'm hoping he doesn't. We had to forego the beautiful flower arrangements, as Petey doesn't allow us to have cut flowers in the house anymore. No matter where we put them or how I try to rig them so they can't be tipped over, Petey finds them, tips them over, and destroys them.

Luciana cut some flowers from our garden earlier in the week and made me a beautiful arrangement and even put them in a vase. She did a great job. Unfortunately, they have to be kept in the refridgerator. I really enjoy looking at them when I open and close the door. That's the only place in the house that is safe from Petey.

Oh yeah, we also made a brief stop at the West Towne mall. L had a Build-a-Bear gift card from xmas that she has been dying to use. Mark and I both dislike and put off mall trips, but it was about time she got to use her card. She picked out a cute (cheetah pattern & denim) outfit for her bunny & kitty and also got a skateboard for them. I'm not really sure why one would want a skateboard for a stuffed animal that can't even stand up by itself, but okay--it's her gift card. I happened to overhear her yelling at Dej yesterday, because Dej was wearing and using her little skateboard. Sometimes my family is just weird like that.

FRIDAY

Typical Friday, with my lunch at El Jardin, as usual. A former student joined us, and it was nice to hear that he is employed in the industry and doing well. Friday night Allegrea came over for a few hours, so we could decompress.