9/4/20

Cat Calamity

Well, I hardly know where to start on today's post. So much has happened, it's hard to know whether to start with the good news or the bad news. But since some of you have expressed your concern about Sadie's ears, I guess I'll start there and put an end to the wondering. 

Now here's something: if you're wondering how two people catch a tiny, but very strong, little tortie and load her into a cat carrier, I offer up this image as a warning:


What you see there is the salt and pepper shaker and the Tabasco on the floor. On the counter, you see the broken glass from a candle holder, and a broken ceramic doo-dad. This all happened as we tried to prevent Sadie from jumping up into one of her favorite hidey-holes from whence there can be no retrieval. I would encourage you to click on the link I've given you to read a blog post where I have described said hidey-hole. 

It's always a pain in the keister trying to capture her for a morning trip to the vet. In preparation, I'd closed the door to the downstairs. She has a place to hide down there that we've yet to figure out. Okay, so one avenue of escape cut off. Then, I stuffed a roll of paper towels into the other hidey-hole in the kitchen. She went for it. Then, discovering her error, calamity ensued. We caught her, but not until the house was in a shambles.

So, she's been to the vet and back. The vet could find no obvious reason for her itchy ears: no mites, no ear wax, no infection. The vet suggested it might be a seasonal allergy and offered us a "pill" to try. No, thank you, we said. If we can't catch her to put her in her crate, there's no way on this green earth we're going to be administering a pill.

When she was back home again, she lay inside the open catio cleaning the vet stink off herself.


Pew, Sadie...you've got it bad!!!


Okay, so here's the other near-calamity I have to tell you about. I didn't mention this yesterday because, frankly, I didn't want to talk about it. While we were out on the boat the night before and heading back to the launch, we hit something submerged in the water. This isn't unusual in the Willamette River. There is a lot of floating debris in the water from trees...I'm talking branches...bits of trunk. Most all solid objects are marked with some kind of warning float. So, we're motoring around, fast, but not overly so, when we hit something we couldn't see. It threw the propeller out of balance, and so we had to motor back to the launch at no-wake speed. That was the reason we were getting the boat out of the water in the dark. When Mike got back from the vet yesterday, he had a chance to survey the damage. Here's what he found:


It was a 2 x 2 piece of lumber, and the propeller chopped into it like an axe! We've never seen anything like it. It was wedged in so hard that it required a tool to remove it from the propeller. So the next job was to inspect the leading edge of the propeller blade for any damage. As it turns out there was none. Yay! Disaster averted! 

We've been boating for more than 30 years, and now, two summers in a row, we've had something like this happen. If you remember our disaster from last summer, you'll understand why we were so happy that this turned out to be something minor. Maybe that would always be the case, but it was especially true this time around. There is a lot of construction going on in that section of the river...houses and docks being built...I really hope the construction people aren't throwing their debris into the water for unsuspecting boaters to pick up.

All right, so let me follow these two calamities with the calmer news from the sewing front. The 12th of twelve snowflakes is finished. This one has 115 tiny beads on it. What a pain in the neck (literally) this was. It's a good thing it was the last one and not the first one. It is pretty though.


After that, I caught up on some more housework, and then made my way into the sewing room to finish sewing together the Garden Sunshine blocks.


After that, I added a border and then laid it out for it's picture. Oh...wait.


Saaaaaaaaddiiiieeeeee!!! Mom finished a quilt! We need to inspect it!


Stop yelling, Smitty. I'm right here...and let me just tell you...I have only one nerve left after the day I've had, and you're getting on it. We need to make this fast because there's napping to do.


Okay, well, that didn't take long. I'm happy to say the quilt is kitty inspected and appurroved.


And I'm feeling pretty smug about having my September OMG finished. I'll link up to the party at the end of the month. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be so quick about this, but we're heading out in a few days, and I wanted to get this goal checked off.


So, now I'm in a quandary about the backing. Smitty and I chose this one a couple of days ago.


And we liked this for the binding:


But when the quilt was finished, I realized I didn't have enough of the backing fabric without adding in something to piece it together. I didn't like that idea, and so I revisited the stash and came up with this one. I have enough, but I just don't know. It might be a little too far on the pink and yellow side.


If I used it, I'd use this for the binding:

And I know there's some rule about using a fabric from the quilt top for the binding, but this is my quilt. I make my own rules. And anyway...I'm not happy with either of these. And then...(smacks hand to forehead)...I realized we're heading out on a trip. Maybe we'll visit a quilt shop along the way. Maybe I'll find something on the road. So, that's what I decided. I'm undecided. Either I'll find something along the way, or I'll make up my mind when we get back. All I can say is that these sorts of quandaries are a lot more fun than boating calamities.

So with that I'm signing off for the day. I have one more housekeeping chore to do to feel caught up. I'm planning to harvest some plums and apples for a dessert tonight. If there's time for sewing, I'm going to sandwich and get started quilting the Half Square Affair quilt from my trashy series. What's on your list for the day?

25 comments:

Quilting Babcia said...

We've had cats like that, putting Shyloe into her carrier was always a pain, literally, and with my sister's cat we had to use heavy leather gloves for carrier or dispensing her meds after she bit thru hubby's thumbnail. Never heard that "rule" about binding fabric, go where the whim takes you is my motto. Good to hear the boating mishap wasn't an expensive one.

Cindy said...

The next time Sadie needs a pill, try pill pockets. My cat is so busy gobbling down the treat, she doesn't even notice the pill.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Bella has itchy ears and it is from her allergies and I WILL NOT risk life or limb to try and give her a pill! She will let me use some baby oil on a cotton swab to rub inside her ears which releaves most of the itch. I think you need a little quilt shopping therapy.

Julierose said...

Yikes that was real CAT-astrophe !!
Good thing the propeller wasn't damaged...
I love your Sunshine Garden--the Sun is lovely [oh,kitties move over so we can SEE it!! hahaha--like they'd listen, right?]
I love that all of the blocks look just like summertime--nice work on this one...
Have a wonderful weekend...hugs, Julierose

IdleHandsinAlabama said...

Our vet suggested crushing it up, um no! Bad results, but I get "squeeze ups" (a liquidy cat treat) and mix a small amount of children's non drowsy liquid allergy medicine in it and it works like a charm.

Katie said...

I am laughing at your adventure with Sadie because my formerly feral, Gabby, has had her yearly vet appointment rescheduled three times already because I cannot get her in the carrier and remain in a single piece. Each try I get closer, but not yet. And I laughed even harder about the pills. I know EXACTLY what you mean. I understand the vets and techs mean well, but once you've tamed a feral cat, you are more careful about suggesting things like holding them down to shove an unwanted object in their mouths! I'm glad all the news there was good, or at least not bad, though, and I hope the itchies clear up with the changing season. The quilt is so cute and I'll bet you find something perfect in your travels. Be safe and have fun!

Vicki W said...

Wow, that's a lot of excitement! Hope the weekend is totally uneventful.

Judy1522 said...

Sorry about your boating calamity. I wouldn't be surprised if the builders are throwing stuff in the water. My son just bought a house where he lives and during inspection it was discovered that the sewer line was plugged. Turns out the contractors had thrown a door hinge down it. It makes you wonder doesn't it. I grew up boating on the Columbia and Willamette and never had anything happen like the issues you have had. It does seem that there must be more debris in the water now.
Your quilt is really beautiful and I hope that you find some backing fabric that you like on your trip. I didn't know that you were supposed to use a fabric from the quilt top to make the binding. I know I have not always done that.

piecefulwendy said...

Well, after the day you've had, how in the world can you be expected to make a definitive decision on the quilt backing!? I'll bet you either find something to work while on your trip, or you'll have a different eye for those two options when you get back home. Oh Sadie - you little rascal - and then to have no answers from the vet after all that. Wilbs got through his visit just fine, with protesting, of course. Needs some dental work done :-( so will have to go back. Hope you have a restful weekend.

Denise :) said...

Oooh...I cringed when I saw your propeller. We've had to replace ours twice over the last six years from just that very thing. When the tornadoes came through Guntersville several years ago, it evidently dumped a LOT of debris in the lake. Crazy! I'm so glad for y'all that it was a relatively easy fix!! Your snowflake is just beautiful, Barbara!! I can't wait to see what you do with the set of them!! :)

Kate said...

Sorry you had one of "those" weeks too. Glad there is nothing seriously wrong with Sadie. Is there an equivalent of hydrocortisone creme for cats? Maybe something like that would help. Congrats on finishing off your OMG for September so early, it's a beautiful quilt top. You should definitely defer backing and binding decision till after your trip. After all that work, you should definitely find the right fit.

Debbie said...

My goodness for you guys and Sadie too. My 9 year old cat came to us at 4 weeks old. She was feral, sick, polydactyl and showed up at our doorstep one summer. There is no getting her in a carrier now. She weighs about 18 pounds and scratched me all to pieces when we tried last year. She's strong as an ox and will not do anything she doesn’t want to do. She has super high anxiety but is the sweetest, loving baby to us. The vet suggested an anxiety pill that I tried using the little pill pockets that are wonderful. She gobbled it right up. I hated the way the anxiety pill made her so solemn. She still hid from me and barely ate for a couple of days. So, no pills for her.
I love following your adventures for years now. You keep me inspired to not give up on quilting. What energy you have. As always, your quilt is beautiful!
It looks like you never need to search for adventures to write about. Because you live them. Be safe!

Have a great weekend!

Debbie

MissPat said...

As I started reading about the boating incident I'm envisioning an opening scene from NCIS where a couple is calmly cruising along when they hit something in the water. Looking down into the water they see - a body limb floating by. Glad that wasn't the case. Sadie's hidey hole story reminds me of an episode where I was driving a quilt friend and her two cats home to NY from FL. We'd already had a very traumatic experience the day before involving two flat tires (long story). When we got up in the morning, one of the cats could not be found. The bottom of the bed was completely enclosed by wooden framing and he had gone under the bed through a small opening near the head board. He, of course, did not want to come out. Hope you have good weather for your upcoming vacation and no unusual events to disrupt the fun.
Pat

Californianativedaughter said...

I know what it's like to try to capture a cat to take it to the vet. It's not easy, you have to 'Out-fox" them. We usuallly corner them in a room by shutting the door and between the two of us, we are usuallly able to "catch the cat." It's the same when I have to cut their nails. The males are easy, but the female usually pees when my husband pickers her up. Last time fortunately it was in the bathroom where I cut her nails so the damage was minimal. In these times of COVID, when you take an animal to the vet, you aren't permitted to go with them with creates a situation where the cat can be a little hostile because their not with their owner. Fortunately we've only had to do this once, during an emergency when Joshua got escaped and returned with a gash in his stomach. My daughter had to suddenly put down one of her cats when became very ill . She's decided after that experience to find a traveling vet, which is a good idea when you cannot be with the pet in the vet's office.

Deb said...

First the snowflake is stunning, all those beads and the fine stitching is just beautiful. The quilt is so bright and cheerful I'm sure you will find a backing and binding to fit your needs. Goodness your cat sure did give you bit of an adventure. have a safe trip.

Faye said...

Oh no! What an interesting week you've had. We always have trouble getting our cats into their crates. They are the same ones they flew all the way from China to the UK in when we moved, so now every trip to the vets, they are convinced they are going on another flight!
You're snowflake is absolutely stunning

Karrin Hurd said...

Beautiful quilt, and funny antics of Sadie. Hope you have a better week this week and avoid anymore boating incidents.

Susan said...

Can sympathize with trying to get a cat into a carrier whether going to the vet or somewhere else. We couldn't let the cat see the carrier or he would hide and we wouldn't find him or get him out of his hiding place. Never was able to get a pill down any one of their throats. If we managed to make the one cat swallow it, he coughed it back up.

Glad that your boat problem wasn't disastrous.

chrisknits said...

Oh my, you've definitely had a week! Hope the kitty is better and no more itching.

Donna said...

The snowflake is beautiful.
Our cat would scratch her ears all the time. The problem was her teeth. Once we fixed her dental problems she stopped digging at her ears.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Glad that there's nothing hugely wrong with Sadie and hopefully her ears will clear on their own. Sorry about the propeller but it could have been so much worse. As for the quilt backing it's perfectly okay to decide to be undecided. You'll know the perfect thing when you see it.

QuiltGranma said...

Looks like a piece of toast hit your prop... so glad your prop is not toast! I also do not abide by the rule that binding fabric has to be one of the fabrics used in the quilt top! For me a red binding is always a good option. But that is me. Why not add an interesting strip 1/3 of the way across the back of the quilt, then add the rest of the preferred backing to it? Use it up?

CathieJ said...

Oh my goodness what an adventure getting Sadie to the vet. I am so glad there is nothing seriously wrong with her or with that propellar. That is quite a chunk of wood that you hit. Your quilt is very pretty. I hope you have now decided on the backing and binding fabric. I adore that snowflake. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Lyndsey said...

I missed this when you first posted it. I recognise that trail of devastation! The snowflake is very pretty and you are a star sewing on that many beads. It must have taken ages.

Patty said...

Great quilt. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and congrats on your finish.