5/19/25

Early Start

Good morning, my friends. Our chat is starting a little late this morning. We crated up the kitties this morning and took them to the vet to obtain their Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. As you might guess, they whined and howled all the way to the clinic. The paperwork took about half an hour, and so we loaded them back into the car and headed to McDonald's for our beloved Egg McMuffins. We went through the drive-through window and ate them in the car. In all of that, we heard not a peep from the kitties, and they were quiet all the way home.


Now their vaccines are up to date and documented, and they've been given the once over to check for any health concerns. There were none. So their papers are in order, and they are ready for traveling. They are light packers: food, toys, catio, quilts, human laps. That's all they take with them. Oh yes, and Smitty brings his harness and leash. He can't wait to sample the grass in the areas he'll be traveling: Pawshington, Catnada, and Alcatska. Phew! Another much-dreaded waypoint complete.

Backing up to yesterday, I started the Kitty Lover's Redwork piece. There isn't much to do on this, and so I should finish it easily before we leave. If I run out of things to stitch, I'll start on the first design for Raggedy & Friends, which is my take-along project.


There were some things to do in the kitchen yesterday. We started some Burnt Ends in the Traeger. I had a yen, and we won't be able to do them on the road. They're so good, and we'll have leftovers for another night. The burnt ends are a little spicy, and so I served it with a Tangy and Creamy Macaroni Salad. The macaroni salad helped cool our mouths when the spice got to be too much.

When all my kitchen chores were finished, I went to work on the quilt binding. Now I've turned the third corner.


There's just this much left to do...I'm estimating two thread-lengths. I should have no problem finishing this today.


It's been chilly and rainy for the last several days, but I took advantage of one of the rain breaks to check on the peonies. Every time I look at them, I find a scintilla of progress, but nothing has opened yet. There are at least a dozen buds looking like the one below, and at least a dozen more that are very close to opening.


We're expecting some warmer weather later in the week. I'm really hoping I'll get to see them before we go, but hope is fading. 

The biggest chore on today's to-do's is already finished with our trip to the vet complete. I'll do some more stitching on the redwork piece, and I'll finish my quilt binding. I spent some time yesterday doing inventory and organizing in the camper. There is storage in our dining chair seats. I opened one to find a tangle of various cords for charging electronic devices. With Mike's help, I was able to get rid of about three-fourths of them that were either obsolete or duplicates. Every square inch of space freed up seems like a victory when space is at a premium. 

Also, I've checked all the spices and other condiments that are kept at room temperature and found a few that need replacing. And all of that to say that today will be a pretty easy day. There's not much more I can do in the camper until we do our grocery shopping tomorrow. Our list is short, thankfully.

So off I go. Slow-stitching and more coffee await. I've been enjoying hearing from those of you who are coming with. Remember to pack lightly. Think like a kitty.

10 comments:

Barbara said...

Cats are anthropomorphised in art because they are so laid back that you automatically attribute human thoughts and feelings to them. ~ Jim Davis

Nancy said...

I do enjoy following along on your trips. I was wondering is the enhanced drivers license enough or do you have to,have a passport? Last time I was in Canada (oh so many years ago) a drivers license was all we needed.

abelian said...

I am packing my iPad, and can show my passport if anybody asks. That’s all I need.

Cats know the difference between TO the vet and FROM the vet. Mine always have.

Dot in NC

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Glad the kitties are all ready to go! I pack lightly too - always astound our friends and family that we can travel with just a carry on and my large purse between the two of us. Of course we can do laundry when we visit our son and family so that helps to travel light.

Diane Wild said...

Excited for you and, of course, ill be along. My Alaskan cruise a few years ago was amazing. You will have quite the adventure, I'm sure.

Cathy said...

I’m getting so excited for our trip! I’ve always wanted to visit Canada. Alaska, not so much, but I know you’ll help change my mind. My passport and vaccinations are up to date, and I (and all your other friends together) will take up less room than the kitties. It’s going to be a great summer!

piecefulwendy said...

Glad the kitties got a clean bill of health! You've reminded me that I need to go through my spices, thanks!

Kate said...

So glad the kitties got thumbs up on the health check up. Grad Girl's kitty knows something is up if the carrier comes out, she's usually pretty good at hiding. Sounds like you are making progress on your trip prep. Hope you got lots of slow stitching done yesterday.

dgs said...

I'm delighted to know the cats were cleared by their Vet for good health and needed paperwork to cross thru Canada and enter Alaska (as well as re-enter US Mainland when you eventually head back home after your 50 Adventore). Even more delighted to know the kitties will get to sample grass in Pawshington, Catnada, and Alcatska. I will be interested to learn if they have a FAV grass for this trip, as well as FAV of all the States they have been to.

karen said...

I'm packing light on my upcoming trip. Just my anticipation and excitement is coming. I don't need to pack a thing. I'll be perched on my armchair. The best kind of vacation.