Sept 29 & 30 - Turkeys and Pippi

A couple of good days in Escanaba area spending sweet time of fellowship with the Saxe sisters Laurie and Bonnie) included enjoying the sight and sounds from the back deck, feeding the wild turkeys both morning and night, watching them take flight to roost.

New experience: mixing the corn and sunflower seed for the turkeys and feeding them. The first time they weren’t even nearby, this evening they were nearby yet keeping their distance!

Yesterday eating at the Swedish Pantry I’ve heard so much about! I had The Sampler (2 meatballs, potato sausage, potato dumplings, cold slaw, with lingonberries of course! And rice pudding with raisins for dessert. Unexpectedly had one of Laurie’s classmates in town for their 55th class reunion come into the restaurant so we were able to share lunch with them. We even got kicked out cuz they were trying to close up and we were enjoying connecting!

Last night great fun as Bonnie sat at the organ and played Gospel choruses or hymns. We would name a hymn and Bonnie would launch into playing it! It turned into “try to stump Bonnie!” But she could play EVERYTHING we named!

It is a day of mixed emotions as my cat Pippi (17 years old) has just been put down. She threw up numerous times on Thursday, was lethargic, so sweet Suzannah took Pippi to the vet yesterday, they ran tests, gave her vitamin B that perked her up for a very short time.  Received a call from the vet this afternoon with test results. They weren’t good. Her liver and kidneys were shutting down, really nothing to be done so dear Gretchen took Pippi to the vet to be put down. Always hard to loose a pet as they are one of the family and bring so much comfort, joy, sometimes laughs as well as much frustration, and surprises (mice and birds) over the years.  And in Pippi’s case we had so many conversations! Pippi always wanted to get the last word in! She also wanted to be a part of every small group gathering and every phone conversation! See added note after last picture, Spunky the cat!

One of Pippi’s last pictures at the beach.

The above picture of Spunky has a bit of a story…since first arriving at Bonnie and Lowell’s 8 days ago Spunky  stayed outside or hid anytime Laurie and I were in the house, expect for 2 nights ago rubbing against my leg once and then quickly disappearing. Tonight though as I was grieving the loss of putting Pippi down, Spunky rubbed against my leg 3 times, then plopped down on the floor in front of me and stretched out as if to say “scratch my tummy please”. So I did for the next 20-30 minutes! Sometimes animals just know what we need. Pretty special night!