Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Tackling Hard Projects

Tackling Projects Can Be A Shore Indeed

If I have difficult projects to tackle, can I do them myself, or should I hire someone instead? It depends on how heavy the items I have to move are or how difficult the situation is before I decide to hire someone. I sometimes take on projects I shouldn’t, but I enjoy them, so I move forward until the job is done to my satisfaction. A simple little project can become complex if something breaks or you keep finding more and more repairs that need to be done.

Have The Right Equipment To Get The Job Done

You get what you pay for with equipment. You don’t need to buy the most expensive piece, but please buy at least the middle-priced one. I bought a rake once that broke the first day I owned it because the handle was made of the thinnest material you have ever seen. The rake had a ten-year warranty, but it meant nothing as the company had gone out of business. I purchased a Craftsman tape line and an ax, and when they broke, they replaced them at no charge. I always buy brand-name tools such as Echo, John Deere, STIHL, Porter-Cable, Toro, and Hiniker Snow Blades, among others. Having the right tools can make a job much easier, reducing downtime.

Roofing And Indoor Remodeling

I have a roof hammer and a good pair of cutters for cutting shingles to length, and I use at least a 35-year high-wind shingle. I put on a roof witch, which helps prevent ice dams on the eaves throughs. Having sturdy ladders is a must, as you do not want to be on a wiggly wobbly ladder up high. Make sure your brackets are secure, with the plank across, so they will hold your weight while you are roofing. I use high-quality paint brushes and rollers because they apply paint more evenly, giving you better coverage with less work. When cutting something, measure twice because once it is cut off, you cannot add it back on. Keep a clean work environment so you won’t step on nails or trip over things while working.

Plumbing Projects

Plumbing can get tricky in a hurry if you get ahead of yourself. If you install a new toilet and forget to tighten the hoses, you will have water gushing everywhere. Make sure you buy extra parts for your plumbing projects, because if one part doesn’t work for your setup, the other will most likely work, and you can always return unopened ones. Make sure you buy the right couplers. If unsure, buy both; buy extra washers and gaskets, and return the ones that did not work. It saves time and effort by avoiding driving back and forth to the hardware store for parts. If in doubt about fixing a faucet, buy a new one, as you know it will work. For installing a water heater or water softener, I suggest hiring a certified plumber. Try to make those hard projects as easy as possible by having the right tools and equipment.

Tags hiring someone, jobs to be done, tips

Cats Mousing Techniques

Stalk And Pray Techniques

I have had cats stalk and prey for a mouse for hours, and then, at the perfect moment, they pounce and deliver the killing bite to the neck. Some cats form alliances with other cats to catch a mouse. My house cats once had a mouse cornered behind a freezer, with one cat watching on each end. When the mouse did eventually come out, the cat in the middle killed it. One of my black cats had a mouse pinned behind my stove, and he scared it into the trap. I had an outdoor cat that sat on top of a wooden fence post for about four hours, patiently waiting to kill a mouse, and then, all of a sudden, with exact precision, she landed on it and ate her catch of the day.

The Old Cat Style

I have had my cats act as if they could hardly move, and the mouse would taunt them, and then they would spring to life and kill the mouse. One cat in a dog house kept letting the mouse run across her front legs, and then, with one swift move, her mouth latched onto its neck, and she had her snack of the day. My oldest cat once let a mouse walk beside her for quite some time, knowing she could no longer outrun it. When the mouse felt safe, she grabbed it and kept biting its neck until it died.

When Your Cats Band Together On Mouse Hunts

Sometimes several cats will go out hunting together as they can catch more mice that way. If the mouse escapes from one of them, the next cat will catch the prize mouse. Cats are very agile, which helps in their hunting and killing techniques. Mother cats will take their kittens out hunting. The kittens let the mice go at first until they learn from their Mother how to pounce on, prey on, and kill a mouse.

Cats And Dogs Mouse Hunting

Our one outdoor cat and dog would hunt for mice together. The cat caught a mouse and tried to give it to her kitten to eat, but her kitten thought to herself, “What am I supposed to do with this thing?” The dog had the mouse for a while, and the Mother cat tried to give it to her kitten again, but it did not work. Our dog ran off with the mouse and swallowed it whole.

Cats Finding A Nest Of Mice

One of my huntress cats once found a whole nest of mice. She ate each of the small ones, then delivered the large one to her kittens, and they ate it right up. She went back to the nest, found another large mouse, and her kittens ate it, too. Once in a while, my cats would leave a mouse tail behind, so I would know they were good hunters. Cats have perfect timing and precision for the perfect mouse kill.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, excellent mousers

Joy

Joyful Living Everyday

Make Today A Joyful Day

Do some of your favorite activities every day. Read a magazine or book to relax and learn something new every day. Try learning to play a musical instrument, and soon you will be playing relaxing melodies for yourself and others. I like to go for walks and listen to the sounds of nature. I especially like it when I hear a cardinal singing up high in a tree or see a pair of them eating at my bird feeder. I generally will see two Blue Herons fly out of the creek not far from me. They remind me of a historic bird. I love the smell of fresh-cut grass or alfalfa hay. I have seen groups of wild turkeys in the fields along with ducks and quail. If you ride a bicycle during the day, you can take in all of the sounds of nature, such as frogs croaking in the morning in standing water in the ditches, or hear your neighbors’ roosters’ wake-up call cock a doodle doo.

Spend Time With God Every Day

I’d like you to please read a daily devotion and reflect on how that has applied to your day. I am sure you can relate to the devotion in something that you did today and how it worked out for you and others in your life. Help spread God’s good works by helping others with things that make their lives easier and better. Give to mission projects and donate your used clothing and other items to charities that will help deliver them to the right places and the people who need them. Praise God every day for what he has done to make your day better, for bringing the right friends into your life and your family, and for placing people in your life at the right time and in the right place.

Help Others And Feel Joyful

I like it when people ask me for advice, and I can help them out. If I need help with something, I want someone I can depend on, as we all do. When you give someone a present that you know they will love, it gives you a joyful feeling. People have asked me to pull things off their high sleeves, and I always do, as I am glad I can reach them. I saw an older woman fall one day, and I found some middle-aged men to help pick her up and get her into the building where she wanted to go. I thanked the men for helping her. I was stuck in a ditch with my pickup years ago, and about half of my neighbors stopped to ask if they could help me. I said no, I had called a tow truck, but I did thank each one of them for asking if I needed help. Remember, everyone is your neighbor, and we should come to each other’s aid when needed. It gives me a good feeling to make someone’s day a little brighter.

Tags bring Joy to others, Inspirations with Laura

Cats With The Zoomies

My Black Cat Milton

Miton has the zoomies quite often. He will fly around the room lickety-split, then run out of breath, and his heart rate will go up considerably. Sometimes he will go around in circles trying to catch his long tail, which never works, of course. He loves to run up and down the steps in the house at least three times in a row until he collapses on the floor. He repeats the whole process in the evening. He will get the zoomies when playing with his toys, tossing them into the air and zipping after them.

My Friends Cat Moe

He is a fluffy, long-haired, cream-colored cat with a soft-sounding meow. He will fly up and down the steps with his large toys that he loves deeply. He will lie on them and pounce. He loves to fly up and down the steps and will chase after toys that are thrown in his direction.

My Tuxedo Cat Jasmine

Jassmine is like a gymnastics genius. She will leap from tower to tower without ever missing a beat. She also loves to jump up high onto the cat hammocks, boxes, and beds. She can toss her toys very high in the air and catch them in mid-flight.

My Cat Winchester

He gets the zoomies every morning before I feed my cats their morning meal of weight-loss formula cat food. He is not patient whatsoever. He will start swatting at my other cats as he has a temper in the morning. He will run into them on purpose and start swatting at them or trying to initiate a fight. Once he gets his breakfast, his temper cools down, and his zoomies stop.

My Cat Tigress

She will run around the house at any time of day, then hide behind the stove for a while, then go to the back room and zoom right past me and back into the living room again. She has a lot of energy and seems to be on the move quite often.

My Cat Tammy

She knows when it is time for her to go to the Vet for her shots, and she is running at full throttle through the house, darting past me and hiding in different places, hoping I will not be able to locate her. I found her on top of a cupboard in the kitchen. She finally came down, and, amazingly, we made it to the Vet on time.

My Three Cat Brothers: Mr. Gray, Sherlock, and Hilford

They will run through the house and have a total case of the zoomies when it is time for their yearly Vet checkup. They will hide in a kitchen cupboard, or all of them will hide in a heated, large cat building, or the back of the kitchen cupboard area, squeezing close together, making it almost impossible to catch them. I finally got them caught after running back and forth through the house for at least 30 minutes. I did make it to the Vet on time.

Tags cat Toys, Introducing a New Cat Into Your Home, Whats Upsetting My Cat ?

God Is My Center Post

God Is The Center Post In My Life

God helps you connect with what really matters in life. You should build yourself around God’s teachings. A life led through God’s guidance is a life with purpose and growth. Living a life with purpose is what life is supposed to be about. We should all learn something new every day and use what we learn to enrich our lives and those of others. Everyone can bring something different to the table based on what they have learned or studied in life. Our life on earth is a learning ground that enriches our souls for our reunion with God, family, and friends someday in heaven. Without God in our lives, we are nothing, nothing at all. I hope your center post is God.

Set Your Sites On God

You see God every day when you hear birds sing, enjoy nature, hear the sound of a newborn baby, see newborn baby animals, and enjoy mountain views, or travel to different parts of the world to enjoy their foods and cultures, and learn about historic places that pertain to the Bible’s teachings.

With God As Your Center Post, You Can Reach Your Goals

I have prayed to God for help with various things over the years, and without his guidance, it would not have been possible. God has always opened another door for me after one door has closed, which I am very grateful for. If you have health problems, keep praying, as God is always listening. God will guide you to have a positive attitude that overpowers a negative one, and that gives you more years to live and enjoy your life to its fullest potential. Stay positive and always look at your glass as half full instead of half empty.

Gods Helper

Help by giving things to missions and organizations that help those less fortunate than you are. Read a daily devotion every day, as it is a good way to connect to God at the start of your day. Pray for yourself, your family, your friends, and everyone in the world, that they may be free from pain and suffering. Help out your fellow man when they have troubles. If you see a man without a coat, get him one. If someone asks you for food, give them some. Do not walk by a stranger in trouble, and remember someday that stranger in trouble may be you. Help by being one of God’s good shepherds. Buy some gift certificates and give them to a stranger as a Christmas present, which is very rewarding indeed if you see someone without, give them some new socks, shirt, and any other useful item that they may need.

Happiness And God

God helps me feel complete, at peace, joyful, hopeful, and loved. God has great compassion and kindness, and he cares deeply for all of his flock. Make sure God is always your center post in life, and you will have a very rich and rewarding life with God by your side.

Tags Inspirations with Laura

Cats Are Family Members Too

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 16, 2026
No Comments on Cats Are Family Members Too

We Form Strong Attachments To Our Pets

Pets become part of our family, and when they get ill or sick, we take them to the Vet for medical care. I treated my Calico cat, Cali, for 6 years by giving her a Ringer’s solution once a week, which helps her kidneys function. My cats get medicare care just as my child does. We want our furry friends to have a happy and healthy life, too. If we cannot find our pet, we look high and low until we locate their hiding place ot where they wandered off to. We may let our pets sleep in bed with us so they stay comfortable and toasty in the winter months, or cool in the summer months with our ACs on.

Our Cats Keep Track Of Us

Cats love to follow you around the house to help keep you safe. Cats are afraid of water, so they follow you to the bathroom, which they consider the most dangerous room in your home, since you could slip and fall in the bathtub and drown. Cats stay close to their clowder outdoors because safety is in numbers. One time, my three outdoor Toms beat yo an intruder Tom trying to take over their territory, and needless to say, he never came back again.

Cats Have Saved People From Disaster

Cats have woken their owners to alert them to a fire in the house or to a gas leak. One cat kept trying to get his owner to follow him to the basement because he sensed a horrible storm was coming. Luckily, the owner finally relented just before the tornado hit and followed his cat to the only unscathed part of the basement. Cats have saved little children from getting run over. The cat kept leaping at the back window of his owner’s SUV, and finally, his owner got out and noticed his two-year-old crawling on the ground behind the car. The cat got the Royal treatment that evening as his wife baked the heroine cat Tuna pie. One woman was working in her garden when her cat noticed a huge snake she had not seen. Her cat grabbed the snake, killed it immediately, and saved her life, as the snake was a rattlesnake.

Cats Bring Joy And Love Into Our Lives

A cat’s purr is healing, and they soak up our negative energy, I have been told. Cats will lick your hand, or head butt you, or maybe give you an Eskimo kiss. I love it when my cat or cats sit on my lap in the evening, as it is a good way for me to unwind after my day, and they help me relax. All cats have their unique personalities, and I love every one of my pet cats. Some cats love to greet you first thing in the morning, and others are more reserved. Some of my cats crave attention, while others prefer to be left alone until they want it. All of us have different personalities, and so do our dear feline friends.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, Cat Antics, Cats Are Family

God Helps You Even In Bad Times

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 13, 2026
No Comments on God Helps You Even In Bad Times

We Tend To Blame God When A Loved One Dies

There is a time to be born and a time to die. All things on earth have a season. Flowers bloom and look beautiful, then the blossoms tend to fall off until next year, when the process repeats. We especially blame God when a young person dies tragically. We tend to ask, “Why did God allow this to happen?” God made nature to be natural and unpredictable. God does not want our loved ones to die, but it is a part of nature. We live in a fallen world, and bad things tend to happen to everyone. We miss our loved one dearly and tend to blame someone at the time of their death, as it was actually no one’s fault. We must realize that our loved ones are at rest, with no pain, reunited with those who have gone on before them and with our heavenly Father, and what a glorious reunion that will be when we join them someday.

When Something Terrible Happens To A Loved One

Perhaps a family member suddenly goes blind. God could have a higher calling for them. Maybe they will teach Braille someday or educate others about what it’s like to be blind. I had a Great Uncle who was blind, and the thing that upset him most was when kids would leave their bikes on the sidewalk that he might trip over. He spoke to the town council, and that issue got fixed. People have lost limbs and still have done remarkable things with their lives. One girl became an excellent surfboard rider with one leg missing, and one woman became a pilot with both arms missing, flying a plane designed for her. God helps people find a way in life if they look for it and are determined enough to accomplish their goal.

We Will Have Many Bad Times, and with God’s help, we can turn those around.

Always focus on the positive things in your life, such as God will always love you and be there for you. If you are fighting a terrible illness or disease, ask God to help you get through the days of treatment and days of not feeling up to par. God will help lead you in the right direction if you listen to subtle clues. start a new hobby, join a club, learn to play a musical instrument, as this will take your mind off your illness and give you a positive outlook on life, telling yourself I can beat this disease and help others, too. Go out with friends often, as social people tend to live longer than those who stay at home and overthink things. Keep busy, as a busy person does not have time to fret and worry. Put God first and then friends and family. Families with a strong bond and connection pray at night and ask for God’s guidance, which helps turn bad times into times of growth and enrichment for the soul.

Tags #Godisalwaysbyyourside, #inspirationswithlaura #devotional #motivational

Sidewalk Supervisors Get Annoying Quickly

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 10, 2026
No Comments on Sidewalk Supervisors Get Annoying Quickly

No, Stop That. Do it This Way.

Sidewalk supervisors have all their answers, even if they do not know anything about what you are trying to do. They will watch your every move and make suggestions until you would like to scream. They will watch five men working in a manhole and yell down Do it this way or that way and you will get it done quicker. The truth is, if they left you alone, you would get it done faster and without the stress of them yelling out ideas constantly. No one is a jack of all trades, so keep your unqualified comments to yourself and make everyone’s life easier and more efficient. If you cannot work and help, do not offer suggestions on how to do the work.

Journeymen

I have seen some journey men tell a master electrician that their old school method of electrical work is wrong. They want to cut corners and get the job done quicker. I do not hire anyone with that attitude. I have had the same electrician for years. All of their workers are trained, and they get it done right the first time. They are dependable.

The Backseat Driver

They will say you should have stepped on it and made it through that stop sign before the light turned red. Also, if you had turned sooner, you could have gotten there sooner. Backseat drivers can cause accidents by distracting you from your driving. If a backseat driver starts telling you how to drive, ask them to take over and see what happens. I almost guarantee they will say you should keep driving because they actually enjoy bossing you.

I Saw One Woman Telling Her Husband How To Edge Their Sidewalk

. Her poor husband was following her every order. I bet the poor man edged that sidewalk three times before it met her satisfaction. I would have gone into the house right away and let her do it herself. One time, a woman was telling her husband how to sweep off the sidewalk. I would have said, since you know all of the ins and outs about it, you do it then. I have seen men boss their wives, also telling them that guests are coming over and they will have to cook a meal for them. The woman should be asked beforehand, as she may be too tired to prepare a big meal without any warning. Do not boss your husband or wife around, as it is neither kind nor dignified.

Sidewalk Supervisors Be Still

A sidewalk supervisor is not intelligent and wants to portray themselves as a jack of all trades, even though they have not participated in any trade they claim to be informed about. People will get the job done without your quirky, silly little ideas. People will think more of you if you make suggestions based on your knowledge, rather than just wanting to be heard and considering yourself the solution to everyone’s problems. Silence can speak volumes, and loose lips that cannot stay shut can sink ships.

Tags tips, too many suggestions

Lost And Back Again

When The Lost Is Found

All of us have a wonderful feeling when the lost is found and back home again in the place where we keep it. If we do not put our tools back in their familiar spots, we tend to lose them for a while, and we are so elated when we finally do find them again. We get especially excited when we lose our billfold or purse, and once we find it, we are very relieved, and the rest of the day is stress-free. If we misplace our house keys, we get nervous, wondering where we lost them and whether we have an extra set somewhere. We may need to hire a locksmith to get into our house and install new locks on the doors. I generally find my keys in the pocket of a coat I was wearing or in a different pocket where I normally do not put them.

People Get Lost And Found Once Again

All of us get excited if one of our flock disappears. If we cannot find a family member or talk to them, it is very stressful for us. God is so very glad when one of his flock that had drifted comes back to him. People have so many temptations that tend to separate them from God. We must realize that God comes first in our lives, then us, and then others. We must help people who have drifted away from God find their way back home to God. Without God in your life, you are nothing at all. With God in your life, all things are possible as God saves and takes care of his flock. Never drift away from God for too long, as he is your root in life, and you are leaves on the tree that fly away with the wind without nourishment for your soul from God.

When Pets Return Home

When our pet dog or cat disappears, we spend hours trying to find them. We may find them soon, or it may take years. One woman moved to a different state, and her cat showed up on her doorstep six months later. Her cat was thin, but otherwise she was in good health. My Mother had a dog years ago that traveled over several mountain ranges, but she finally found her way back home with a few porcupine quills in her that the Vet safely removed. I had a cat that was gone for 8 years, and she returned home to die. Within one week of being home, she died.

Finding Things From The Past Is Wonderful

I had a toy years ago that I loved. One day, while mowing the lawn, I saw that wonderful toy from years ago still in one piece. It was a plastic six-finger that shot out little messages and flat darts. I also found a little owl whistle in a cupboard that had gotten stuck in there for years until it wished to be found by me. One day, I found one of my father’s marbles behind an old shed. It was a red-and-white swirl marble. I found several old toys at rummage sales that I had loved as a child, so I purchased them. Finding Lost Items and Items that have been lost to time is truly wonderful.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, lost and found, Safe Again

Cats And A New Enviroment

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 1, 2026
No Comments on Cats And A New Enviroment

Cats Do Not Like Moves

If you move into a different home, place their blankets and favorite toys around the house. Put their litterbox in the basement or in the bathroom where you had it located before, and show it to them right away. Put some relaxing cat scent products that you can get from your Vet in your new home, and also make sure you have that in your car or the cage with your cat before moving, and the trip will be more relaxing for you and your feline friend. Do not expect your cat to get used to your new home immediately, and make sure they do not get outdoors, as they will run and hide in an area they know nothing about and may be killed by a car or an animal. Give your cat some of his favorite treats and let him sleep in your bed with you so that he feels safe in his new home.

Digestive Issues With Changes

Your cat may vomit due to all the excitement of moving or have diarrhea. Do not give your cat a different kind of cat food after moving, or he may get really sick and stop eating. If we have too many changes all at once, it may cause digestive issues with us as well.

Moving And Buying New Furniture

If you got rid of your old furniture before your move, I hope you saved some of the pillows or blankets, as you can place them on the new couch to avoid issues like peeing on it because it smells different than their old, familiar couch. You can place their old cat toys on chairs, as they have their scent on them. Do not scold your cat if he has accidents after your move, because his stress level is at its peak. New appliances will make different sounds than the old ones and may frighten your cat. Your cat may jump in the air as they walk by the appliance or hiss.

Cat Towers, Cat Trees, and Cat Hammocks

I hope you were able to bring some of your old cat furniture to your new home, as the familiar scents will help them feel at home. Try to buy cat trees and hammocks similar to your old ones if you couldn’t take them with you. Place their towers by windows as they love to rest and sleep in the warm sun.

Expect Your Cat To Hide And Act Differently Until They Get Used To Their Humble Abode

My Grandma’s cat hid in a shoebox for a few days, and her neighbor helped her find her after she managed to get the lid back on. She was very hard to find. Your cat may hide in a closet or under furniture until they feel safe and comfortable in their new surroundings. Let your cat come to you when they are ready to do so, and do not force them to sit on your lap against their will. Both you and the cats will love your new home once you get used to everything. Happy New Home experiences await.