cat

March 25, 2012 Image

under the maple tree
the biggest tree in my backyard
sittin’ here on a Sunday mornin’
just me and my big Blue dog
we’ve been up since five
goin’ in and out of the house
and ‘round the block
on a pajama clad walk
coffee’s long gone
tryin’ to kept him quiet
while the rest of my family sleeps
even that cat
so here I sit
under the maple tree
in a quiet backyard
except for bird sound
and an occasional woof
shhhhh
people are sleeping
their windows are open
yet here we sit
two awake beings
under the maple tree
on a Sunday morn
time to go in
again

March 13, 2012

dogs
cats
sleep
who needs it?
this is what
my animals think
last night at least
feline yowled
from bathroom
canine woofed
before 4 a.m.
I passed my youngest son
in the hallway
at 3-something
and said
you can have my spot
in bed
he said why?
I replied
couch
resting now
dog’s been out
twice
and fed
I’ll be napping later
or grrrrrrring
sleep
who needs it?
yeowwwww
woof
what time is it?
you don’t want to know

March 11, 2012

reality check

The reality of life in my house is that the dog has goo poo. Again. And the mad as hell about having a dog in HER house cat has decided to pee wherever she wants. I. Don’t. Need. This. Animal. Drama. I. Have. Enough. People. Drama. Did I also mention my 6th grade son had a HUGE president’s report due tomorrow AND my sister and her three children are visiting for a week that will go by way too fast?! Thank you for listening. I just had to say that aloud. TMI Grossness and all.

March 5, 2012 Image

standing in the kitchen
sunshine on my face
listening to the sounds of quiet
hum of the fridge
tick of the clock
tap of my fingers on the keys
motors filter in
from outside
children at school
husband at work
4am dog taking a morning nap
upstairs cat is just that
out of sight and earshot
time to think
space to do
in quiet if I so choose
it must be Monday morning
thank goodness

February 10, 2012

playin’ possum

I live in a house with three possums
not the pink tailed, beady eyed kind
the pretending to sleep while the dog barks in the early morning kind
there is a cat in the house too
she might as well be part possum
since she’s tucked in too
cozied up to those other possums
burrowed under soft covers
in rooms dark
for the sun has yet to rise
while the early dog and I got outside to take care of business
and he woofs the house down
so excited for his breakfast
and sits at the bottom of the stairs
waitin’ for the rest of the family
to stop playin’ possum
and wake up
to play with him
(the dog)

January 12, 2012

puppy love

Sometimes Hope comes wrapped in tan and black fur, with floppy ears, a big lolling tongue, a long wagging tail and the name, Blue. 

We bought our first dog yesterday.
A 14 week old German Shepherd puppy.
My husband has wanted a German Shepherd since before we were married. 
That’s been over 14 1/2 years ago now. 
We needed something happy and hopeful.
A dog is both. 
He helps us look past May, when the chemo treatments end. 
He helps us think about the day that my husband is done with all these doctors and surgeries and make plans for a cancer free future.
We just knew he was our dog. 
From a google search my husband did on Monday, and the pictures of him playing with a kitten that were e-mailed to us later that day. 
A brief talk with the breeder on Tuesday to set up the appointment to meet him on Saturday. 
Thankful for a second call on Friday, before someone else came to meet him Friday afternoon. 
Gave us a chance to put a deposit down, to say aloud and with certainty, he’s going to be our dog. 
A visit with my parents, grandfather and cousins on Friday night and Saturday morning in Southern Illinois. 
Then on to meet our dog and bring him home. 
Oh, how we love him. 
He fits into our family just right. 
Keeping us all more on the go, more unplugged and more together, than we’ve been of late. 
My husband is talking about renaming him. 
The boys and I agree though, that Blue is just right too. 
Today is Day 2. 
So far so good.
Thank you for sharing our happy news. 
We are kicking off 2012 with Hope, and will be busy loving and chasing and training our new dog, Blue. 
Thank you for your continued prayers, as my husband gets hooked up to his third round of chemo on Tuesday. 
Unhooked on Thursday, which is when the nausea usually hits the hardest. 
We’ll keep in touch…and share puppy pictures too. 
Oh, he’s super great and wonderful and pretty as can be, handsome actually, as he’s a boy dog. 
The girls are getting more outnumbered all the time. 
One mom and one girl cat, who is Not Amused. 
One dad, two sons and one boy dog, our newest addition. 
Love,
Janean
P.S. We are so keeping his name…if I get to add any weight to my vote at all…and because I’m trouble enough to try to get you on my side to keep it as is. Happy Sunday! We’ve played all morning with our puppy and he’s sleeping in his kennel with the door open, in time for us to go to church in about 30 minutes. We’re going with a smile, always. But today’s is a little brighter, due to Puppy Love. 
NOTE: I originally posted this on Sunday, January 8, 2012, the day after we brought Blue home, on my husband’s Caring Bridge page. I’m posting it here today to explain where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing instead of Tumblr-ing. I’m A Dog Mom now. A Puppy Mom to be specific. We’re going for walks, playing with his rope toy AND doing the things that need done to take care of my family and household. Still figuring out how to do all that and write too…hoping to figure it out SOON. 

December 30, 2011 Image

Once in a blue moon I take my children to the grocery store with me.
So far this week, during Christmas vacation, the three of us have made two trips.
On the second, I ended up with Blue Moon ice cream in the cart.
Tonight we taste tested it.
My youngest son and I.
Afterwards he opted to have chocolate instead.
I went for the new kind.
In a dazzling shade if blue.
The Cat was curious.
As cats often are.
Unless my oldest son love, love, LOVES it, I probably won’t buy it again.
Glad we bought it this one time though.
I admit, I’d been wondering about it for awhile now.
The box advertises vanilla with spices.
It’s…interesting.
And Oh, So Pretty.
Ice cream is ice cream.
Cold, sweet and satisfying.
Mmmmmmmm!

December 1, 2011

As I fall asleep at night

As I fall asleep at night 

I think a million thoughts

the day just done

the day to come

and all the things To Do

As I fall asleep at night

my night light 

keeps the dark at bay

my closet door is closed

to keep the monsters in

As I fall asleep at night

the ceiling fan rotates

round an round

a quiet whir that lulls

with a gentle breeze

As I fall asleep at night

the cat jumps on the bed

she settles in

with kneading loves

and purrs me to sleep

© 2011 Turquoise Tangles

November 19, 2011

sleep

I slept four hours

hard

thanks to Sandman

and the cat

they both cuddled me

fast asleep

sometime before ten

now it’s the wee hours

of the night

full dark outside

I can hear the clock tick

and the chimes chime

my child’s cough

from up the stairs

I’ll tuck back in

before the sun rises

or midday

for a nap

home feels good

after four nights

in the hospital

we’re together 

again

sleepin’ under

the same roof

as it should be