The kids and I visited Franconia Notch and the Flume, as well as Mt Washington.

The Flume (click on picture to see the rest of the pictures)

Mt Washington

This is milkweed…

I left this pretty ugly plant grow, in hopes that I would have a very special group of visitors. Today, I checked and was very happy to find this little visitor.

This little guy is a monarch caterpillar, hopefully he (or she) will grow into a beautiful butterfly before too long.

I was sent a birthday picture of a couple of my kittens from last spring…this is them as itty-bitty-kitties

and allllllll grown up.

My second foster, Bruno, has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Bruno lived with me for 3 1/5 years. We found out 3 months ago that he had cancer, and put him on some medication that would give him a little more time. But this morning it became obvious that he was failing. So, this morning, I said goodbye to my “old man”

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….

Author unknown…

I found this picture while going through my dads things…

Last week, with all the other happenings, a very special day passed. Bonnie turned 1 year old on June 12th. She is no longer a “kitten”. She was so little, now baby kittens are scary to her…she gives them a quick sniff and then she leaves, awaiting the time when her mom wasnt quite so occupied with those little smelly things. Hard to believe that just a year ago…she was a tiny baby.


She has grown from a little bitty thing, that would sleep in the crook of my arm to a beautifully athletic girl, her breed showing through in more than just her spots. She has gone from eating almost nothing but canned food, to eating only dry. Canned food gets a quick sniff then she is off to await her bowl being filled with her favorite dry food.


Places and spaces that she once fit into, she can no longer go through. Her personality has changed from a little cuddle bug, to a “I will cuddle on my terms” She still loves to play…but now her favorite toy is not fake mice…it is the shower curtain. And of course, the only good toy, still has to have a human attached. So she makes a bee-line for the bathroom whenever I go into that room, for whatever reason…she has to have her playtime. Thankfully she doesn’t bite through the shower curtain or scratch it to bits.


And now her favorite sleeping spot, is not merely cute, she takes up half the screen, as you can see.

So, Bonnie, I know it is late, but Happy Birthday my little kitten… you will always be a kitten to me.

The first of the kittens are here! They will be ready for their new home in a couple weeks. Bonnie is the little calico, quite playful. She plays at full speed then just falls down and takes a nap with her brother

Clyde is the little grey and white kitten. He loves to ambush his sister, and nap on his back with all four feet in the air. Like most of the little boy kittens I foster, he loves to lay on his back and get his tummy rubbed.

Most of all, I love to watch the kittens play. They are so sweet and loving, and of course adorable.

As my Eldest has gotten older, and progressed in school, I told her that I would one day like to have an “honor roll” bumper sticker or my car. She has always gotten good grades and I knew that it would not be difficult for her. Generally, I don’t measure either of my children by the grades that they get, more importantly, I measure by how they work, study, and how their teachers see them progress.

If they get C’s and B’s, but the teachers all say that they work hard, they participate in class and are overall good students, I encourage them to try harder, but I am not going to be upset. And if they were ever to get A’s, however, the teachers think that they are goofing off, not working or paying attention…that is going to make me a little worried.

My Eldest is going to a math/science school for part of the day. She is taking classes that most high school students’ don’t take until they are in 11-12th grade. (Physics) She has had some difficulties, but she works hard, and tries her best, so this sticker is a testimony to her hard work and perseverance.

Bonnie has brought more than her fair share of entertainment to this holiday season. Watching her investigate the new smells and new “play toys” on the tree, has brought alot of excitement.

And she always looks so innocent!