Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Spring Issues New Birth

I remember baby chicks and lambs born in the spring. I enjoy seeing leaves returning on the trees and the tulips coming to life. I noticed a bird trying to impress his mate the other day with the old nest he had built last year. His mate was not impressed, so he hurriedly cleaned it and added a few more little twigs and some old pieces of grass he found. She did not fly off, so I guess the nest finally met her Good House Cleaning seal of approval. When I rototill the garden, I always dig up frozen toads. The toads quickly return to life from their frozen state and hop into the raspberry bushes. I love to plant garden seeds and watch them pop out of the ground and grow beautiful tomatoes, green beans, lettuce, and more. Nothing tastes as good as fresh garden produce. I love to plant new trees in the spring, watch them grow, and eventually make an excellent windbreak. Springtime rejuvenates us human beings as well. The warmer weather inspires us to work and do more outdoor activities and burn off some unwanted pounds as we walk, work, ride our bikes, and so much more.

Some Of My Springtime Activities

I stain my deck when it is warm enough in the spring and do other outdoor painting before it gets too hot to work outdoors in the summer. I will water the new trees we planted this year. I ensure our riding mowers are in tip-top shape before we mow for the season. I will do my spring cleaning and weed out things I have not used. If you have not used something in ten years, give it to someone who could use it and enjoy it if it is in good condition. Spring is a good time to declutter your home. I take everything out of the garage and clean the floor from the winter grime. My vehicle floor mats get a royal cleaning as I get all of the salt and dirt from the winter cleaned off. I spray armor all over them and scrub them with a scrub brush. All of our winter clothing gets cleaned and stored away for next winter.

Spring And Travel

Spring is a good time to travel, even if it is only a day trip. It is gratifying to take a nice long drive when you do not need to worry about travel delays. I love discovering new places to eat or quaint little stores to shop in. I love old hardware stores, clothing stores, bookstores, and mom-and-pop stores in small towns. Adventure is around every corner if you get out and about and enjoy life to its fullest potential. We discovered the most interesting stores and bakeries by driving to a restaurant or store on a day trip. If we wanted what they had to offer, we went there again on our next journey. God bless you, and yours, and I hope your spring is filled with many blessings, discoveries, and memories you will cherish forever.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, new birth, outdoor activities, spring

Difficult Cats

Cat Conflicts

Cat Personality Issues

Winchester and Mr. Gray have swatting matches. Winchester wants to be the top cat on the totem pole, and so does Mr. Gray, as they both vie for my attention. Winchester also gets into swatting matches with Faith, Hilford, and Cali when she used to live in the other house. Winchester and Mr. Gray are also good friends, but Winchester and Mr. Gray both have to be in the limelight. Siamese cats also fight with other cats as Siamese always have to rule the roost. I had a purebred Siamese cat named Sugar, and she would fight the outdoor female cats, and the Toms would run off in fear when she chased after them. Sugar loved our pet parakeet, and another Siamese cat came into the house once and thought our pet bird might make a good lunch. Sugar attacked her, and fur flew until I finally got the intruder cat corraled. If your cats have the same personality type, there will be a few cat fights now and then as they have to ensure everyone in the house never forgets who the top cat is.

Female and Tom Cat Fights

Female catfights do not seem to get as intense as Tom Cat Fights. The female cats seem to have an absolute hissy cat fit. If they do not like another female, they will snarl and hiss, and generally, the newcomer cat will take off running. Tom cats want to be the King, so to speak, and they will fight tooth and nail to make sure they are the King of their KIngdom. I have seen Toms with part of their ear bitten off and scars on their face to prove their fighting abilities. Sometimes, three resident Toms will gang up on the newcomer, and he heads toward the hills in a hurry. Two female cats in the same household have never faired well for me, as one will generally act up and not let the other enter a room where I hand out my affection to my cats. I have had the best luck with one female cat and one or two males in my house.

Introduce A New Cat To Your Household Slowly

If you have an older senior cat over ten years old, I will not put a two-year-old cat in my home as they are rambunctious and too playful for your older cat to cope with, perhaps as they could get digestive issues or get hurt the young and mischievous cat. Some young cats might be okay with your older cat. I would observe the newcomer around your resident cat for at least two weeks; after that time, if there is no fighting, they should get along fine forever. Never subject an old cat to putting up with a rambunctious young cat that may be jumping on them and hurting them. Remember, someday you will be old, and how would you like it if some newcomer would move into your home and mistreat you? You would not allow it, so your cat should not have to put up with it either, as you should love and respect your senior feline friend. Cats can start peeing on your stove or your friend’s clothes if they disapprove of the newcomers in their home, including other cats and or dogs. Respect your loyal cat friends, and never do anything that may upset them unnecessarily.

God Intervenes

God Can Redirect Your Path

If you have been through an illness, maybe it was meant to be as your connection to God grew closer. When everything is going well, sometimes we forget to thank God for everything he has done for us. When an illness comes along, we begin to focus on God more. After an illness, you may be redirected on a path that God always wanted you to take, and it will be a much more rewarding path than the path you are on now. On your new path, you will serve God and others better. Tell people about experiences that made you a better shepherd in God’s flock. Always remember when one door closes, maybe there is a reason for it, and when one door closes, a better door opens up that will lead you on the path that was meant to be for you all along. Serve God with all your heart and all your soul every day.

Think Of Things That May Have Killed You

I was scraping a house one day, hit two high wires with the paint scraper, and was on an aluminum ladder. I heard a big bang and saw sparks flying off my paint scraper. I blew the main fuse in the house, and the tenant ran out and asked what had happened, and I told her. She had no electricity in the house. I told her a fuze blew and to put a new fuze in, and she did, and the electricity was back on. Fortunately, the paint scraper handle was plastic, and God’s intervention saved my life. One day, a wheel came flying across the Highway I was on. That wheel would have killed me if I had been one-eighth of a mile closer. One time, I was two hours away from death, but an Ambulance rushed me to a hospital. I had all the right people at the right time, and they saved my life. I have been very blessed that God has always put the right people in my life at the right time.

God Intervenes In Many Ways

Have you ever wondered why some people have a premonition that they should not board a flight, and then later on, the plane crashes and kills everyone on board? I think one should listen to things that seem unusual to you. One woman knew she had to be at an appt. at such and such a time, but she could not find her keys and other things, and she took off ten minutes later, which saved her life as there was a forty-car pile up on the interstate as it was very icy that morning. I have always heard that if something delays you or does not feel right, listen to your innermost self and wait. God helps to protect us from harm to the best of his abilities as nature is nature, and eventually, everyone will die of something one day. Pray to God every day without ceasing, and thank him for saving your life in many ways that may not even be known to you.

Tags God can redirect you, God helps you, Inspirations with Laura

My Favorite Car And Pickup

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 10, 2025
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I Had A 1975 Malibu Classic Car

I loved the Malibu very much because it had a lot of get-up-and-go. It was maroon in color with black vinyl seats. It had air conditioning, electric windows, and an old-fashioned run-of-the-mile radio, but it sounded good, and the car had excellent speakers. I loved the maroon color; the black vinyl seats were comfortable and offered terrific support for your back. I often drove that Chevy Malibu years ago. I drove it to college, and it never failed me once. I even adjusted the carburetor myself once, and it ran correctly. When I first purchased the car, it was not running quite like it should, as the choke was stuck open. I had a new choke installed, and that was all the car ever needed except for ordinary maintenance. Once, I took my Chevy to a gas station, and the attendant came out and said my car was leaking transmission fluid. I did not believe him, so I told my father to look at it when I got home, and he said it was fine. He had put some transmission oil on a rag and the transmission, thinking he could pull the wool over my eyes. Well, think again, buddy. I traded it off for a different car when it had 80,000 miles on it. Later, I saw my Malibu in town, and the guy driving it had the pedal to the metal. I have fond memories of an excellent Chevy Malibu Classic.

1995 GMC Pickup

I have had the GMC pickup from day one. It was reasonably priced at a car dealership near our home. It has roll-down windows but not electric ones, so because of the factory window mistake, it came with free four-wheel drive. I thought four-wheel drive was more important than the windows, so we purchased it. It is Victory Red with the four-wheel drive shifter on the floor. The seats are cloth with black and gray in them and a vinyl wrap around them. The floor inside is rubber, and it also has vinyl floor mats. I have never had to do anything to the truck except for routine maintenance. It has a V6 engine, but it has a lot of spunk. It is a convenient pickup as it has a full-sized bed, which makes hauling lumber a breeze. I like it because it is lower to the ground than the newer pickups, making it easier to get into and out of. I do not drive the pickup often, but I love driving it when I need a pickup for moving something large, trash hauling, lumber, appliances, carpeting, and so much more. Hang onto your older vehicles, as they were built to last, and they have a lot of metal in them, not fiberglass. Your maintenance bill will not be as costly as they are not digital, parts are easy to get to, and nothing is as compact as the new cars. What were your memorable vehicles through the years?

Tags cars, pickup, Travel

God Is Your Constant Friend

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 7, 2025
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God Listens To You, And He Helps You Everyday

God listens to all of your prayers and concerns; he will help you when he thinks it is the best time. Sometimes, if I am thinking about a situation, I will read a devotion that day that pertains to my concern. I also will see a devotion on Instagram that seems to pertain to my concerns of the day. God wanted me to read that particular devotion as it helped me immensely. God will put the right people in your life at the right time. God may reconnect you to a Dear friend who puts a smile on your face and lifts you up. God wants his flock to live a happy and satisfying life that will help others and connect more people to God through his love shining through you as you treat others like God would. Be compassionate, caring, kind, concerned, and loving when it comes to the needs of others. Let your light shine brightly for the whole world to see.

You Are Never Alone

God is a friend who will never leave you and always help you. Remember that God loves you immensely if you are alone and think you have no one who cares. Remember that Jesus died on the cross for our sins so that we may be forgiven if we genuinely repent. There is no greater love than to lay down your for the life of a friend. If you are terrified in a storm, pray to God to protect you, and he will. You may lose your home and belongings, but they can be replaced. Most importantly, you and your family did not die in the storm, for God wrapped his arms around you and your family. God can make miracles happen; it may take a while, but it will happen.

Walk And Talk With God

If I paint, I sometimes sing religious songs while I paint or ride my bike. While you walk, behold the beauty of nature surrounding you with every step you take. Talk to God and thank him for the many blessings he has given you in your life. Talk to God about your troubles, and they won’t seem so bad after you have talked to him. Notice the beautiful butterflies that fly around, a praying mantis, a giant water bug, deer, and other animals and insects in the world, and realize that each one is important in some unique way. Without one in the equation, they all would suffer. People are also important in many different ways, and each one of us contributes something to the world that helps someone or many. We would miss out on needed contributions without you or a family member. God put each of us on earth to fulfill a necessary mission, and we must do our best to find that mission and fulfill it to the best of our abilities and ask God for help when we need his guidance to achieve our early mission to serve God and help others grow in their relationship with God. Go out today and fulfill part of your mission.

Tags God is always by your side, Gods beauty, Time with God

Why Do We Collect Certain Items?

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date March 3, 2025
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I Have Always Loved Cars

I instantly loved cars and toy cars since I saw my first little red Fiat on vacation in Canada. I started collecting Matchbox cars from a local toy store in town. I would save up my money, my parents would take me to the toy store, and I kept buying toy Matchbox cars. I love old antique toy cars and have collected some of them. Toy cars do not take up much space.

Toy Trains

I have talked to men who have a vast toy train collection. They always wanted a toy train as a child, but their parents could not afford to buy them one. Most of the collectors I talked to grew up next to a railroad track, and the train engineer would wave at them as they walked by on their way to school. When they grew up and could afford toy trains, they purchased the ones they had fond memories of as a child. Most of these men have a vast track in their basement or an outdoor building that looks like an operating town from years ago. They have miniature people, park benches, businesses, livestock, etc.

Toy Dolls

I knew an older woman who had one rag doll as a child. However, she made up for that in her old age by having an extensive collection of dolls dressed in fancy clothes. I think she had at least 100 dolls. She displayed them in her bedroom or stored them in her bedroom closet. One lady had a vast collection of dolls the size of newborns. She joined a club, and they sent her a new one every two months.

I Like To Collect Small Objects That Do Not Take Up Much Room

I still have a polished rock collection from years ago. I love the various colors, shapes, and sizes of the rocks. Years ago, I purchased a rock polisher on a vacation with my parents. I polished many stones over the years with that polisher. I liked rocks with quartz, agates, geodes, and ones I found naturally polished by water over the years. I have a few pieces of jewelry made from polished rocks that I wear now and then. I have a few polished rock eggs that I got on vacation. I have a few key chains: ink pens and cat figurines. Small items are easy to store and enjoy as you do not have to move something heavy.

Collecting Comes From Events That Happened In Our Lives

Most collectors collect something because it brings back happy memories of days gone by, and it is their way of recreating that moment in time again. Perhaps you find an old car, like the first car you ever had. You may buy it and fix it to bring that memory back to life again. Maybe you keep an old vehicle for sentimental reasons. Collecting may be our way of feeling young again and feeling extra happy. I was delighted when I found an old toy chicken that laid eggs identical to the one I had years ago that broke. I bought it and reflected on how happy I was the day my parents gave it to me as a Christmas gift.

Tags childhood memories, Collecting Things, nostalgia

Give To People Without Expecting Anything In Return

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date February 28, 2025
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Even A Sinner Will Give If He Thinks He Will Get Something In Return

Give to people without expecting anything, and you will be glad you did. Giving freely will also bring you great satisfaction. Give to causes such as helping to pay for a girl’s education, as she would not have one if you did not help. Give the gift of food to a hungry family by giving it to a food bank or anonymously sending them a gift card. Giving to people should help them see how lucky and blessed you are that you can afford to help out those less fortunate than you are. Always give something useful to people that will help them. If you see someone in need, hand them a surprise gift certificate and tell them that it is a gift from God, which it truly is, as you were blessed that you can do so.

Service Gifts

If someone needs help with their pets, offer to babysit them while they are gone. All pet owners want someone they know and can depend on to care for their pets while away. If someone just had surgery, offer to stay in their home with them and cook and clean for them until they recover from their illness. If someone needs help fixing something, offer to fix it if you can. People who cannot drive or drive long distances love to be offered a ride to go somewhere. Take them to a scenic area, a place to eat, a day trip, a coffee shop, etc. Offer to buy groceries for an older friend as they may not want to walk through a large grocery store and wait in line anymore. If someone needs their furnace serviced and cannot pay the bill, help them pay a portion, depending on your situation.

The Gift Of Listening

People like to talk about problems they may not know how to solve, such as who to hire to cut down their trees or if you know a good carpenter. I tell them who I have hired, that I had good luck with them, and that I would highly recommend them. All of us need good advice that will help us out in life.

Surprise Gifts

I like to ask people what they want in advance, and then I look for that item and give it to them as a surprise gift. I generally like to give a gift on no particular occasion, as that is genuinely a surprise. I love to put a smile on a stranger’s face with a surprise gift or a friend’s. Time spent with people is a wonderful gift, as you can learn a lot from each other, which will take you far in life. Spend time with God; he will lead you on the right path to benefit most people. Love and help out all of God’s children; you will feel wonderful and warm inside, and so will they. Freely give whenever you can.

Tags freely give, Give, make people happy

What I Want In My Hotel Room

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date February 24, 2025
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Clean Bedding And Clean Towels

My friend and I stayed in a hotel that had towels like sandpaper. One of the wash clothes was a dish rag, and the other towels were so old they were yellow. We asked about the towels the next day, and she said they were trying to save the environment by not using fabric softener and not replacing the towels until they had holes in them. The rooms were clean, at least. If I travel without reservations, I ask to look the room over before deciding to stay there. One time, it was a good thing we looked the room over first, as the bedding and everything in the room smelled of cigarette smoke. One time, the room had blankets they were still using that were older than I am. After we looked it over, we said we wanted to look at some more places before we decided. We were sure glad we did, as the next place we looked at was a suite that was fit for a king. One hotel had a sign-up to leave your dirty towels on the floor if you wanted clean towels the next day. We followed their rules to a T, and no clean towels appeared. And they told us they were trying to save energy. We told the manager we needed clean towels and finally got them.

I Want A Quiet Room

I was on a tour once alone, and our rooms were over a bar. I did not get any rest that night. They were playing polka music in the dining area at night. I also turned on the radio by the bed, polka music. As the night went on, I listened to the people in the bar getting more inebriated. The next day, I had a Red Bull to stay awake during the tour. One time, they were playing Elvis music all night until 2 AM. Once, my parents and I had the misfortune of staying in a hotel next to a race track we could not see as we checked in after dark.

I Want Soap And Shampoo

Sometimes, there is no shampoo in the room, and if you do not have room to pack any, you must use hand soap on your hair. I generally ask for shampoo and conditioner. However, if hand soap is occasionally not in your room, I immediately ask for some.

Plenty Of Pillows To Choose From

I like a medium-firm pillow for a good night’s rest, so I love it when there are at least four pillows. Once in a while, I may switch a pillow at night if the other one does not work out.

I Like To Have Books To Read About The Area And A Piece Of Candy On The Bed

The candy adds just the right little touch. I love it when the room has books about the area so I can plan what to see and do while vacationing there.

Friendly And Helpful Concierge

I love it when the concierge calls a taxi for you or gets concert tickets for you. They also direct you to a specific area you want to see and tell you the best places to eat. Some concierges greet you immediately in the morning and ask if there is anything you need or want them to do for you, which is much appreciated.

Tags clean room, hotel rooms, soft towels, Travel

Volume

How Much Volume Do Your Things Take Up?

If you have things stored everywhere, they take up a lot of space. If you have things just for the sake of having them, they take up way too much space in your life. I do not want to become encumbered with stuff I do not even look at, as life is too short to clean things that you may look at a few times and then forget about. If something takes up a lot of volume in your life, it can be not good. Some people get carried away in collecting something, which becomes an obsession. Do not waste a beautiful day chasing after something you will add to your collection. Collect in moderation so that you may enjoy the items and not have them stored away here, there, and everywhere, which will be a burden to someone someday as to how they will get rid of it. If you pay storage fees for things stored, get rid of them because if they were essential, they would be in your home and not stored in a storage shed. One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, which is not always true. Junk is junk, and true treasure is time spent with those you love. Never live for material objects; after all, none of us have seen a moving truck following a hearse to the cemetery. Your possessions are not crucial in the scheme of things. God, family, friends, and pets are essential in life and should take up all your life volume.

Volume That Drowns Out The Sounds Of Nature

I never could stand to hear a radio playing music at the highest volume possible as it drowns out all the sounds of nature. I once was at a campground with an A-rating, and at midnight, they started playing Ain’t Nothing But A Hound Dog all night long. The noise drowned out the sound of the crashing waves, which had lulled me to sleep earlier. Once, I was sitting by a lake, and a car pulled up with the loudest music you have ever heard. The birds I had been watching flew off at lightning speed, and I left, too, as it ruined the area’s tranquility. I was sitting at a stop sign, and this car pulled up beside me, ramping up his engine constantly as if he was challenging me to a race. I did not even look at him, which made him mad as he drove off with screeching tires burning rubber. Next to the fire and ambulance department, a man pulled up behind me and put on a siren, and I naturally figured it was an ambulance until I saw no one else was moving. Someone like him could cause a horrible accident.

Volume Has Its Limits

Take things slow in life and take time to smell the roses, so to speak. Do not let volume control your life or your actions. Keep your volume of things at a managed level. Never let someone drown out your moments of tranquility with their volume.

Tags Inspirations with Laura, tips, too much stuff

We Long For Fast Service

Waiting On The Phone For Service

I cannot stand it when I have to wait on the phone for hours. I called a business I had been dealing with, and they said I was number 29 on the query. After a three-hour wait, I finally got through after they had hung up the phone on me three times. I was very flustered with them when they finally answered my question. They took ten dollars off my next bill for my extra long wait on the phone. If something you bought is brand new and not working right, you want answers immediately on how to get it working again. I had to call one business at least forty times before they gave me my money back for a defective item they had sent me. The top of the item looked like a forklift had crushed it. I had sent pictures and emails to them to no avail. I finally got a copy of the memo from the delivery company to prove my point, or they would have kept my money. The older workers at the delivery company would not help me, but a new young worker sent me the necessary paperwork.

Waiting For Appointments Of All Kinds

After I had waited for twenty minutes, I began to get impatient. If I stay at a restaurant for over fifteen minutes and no server has come, I get up and leave and go to a different restaurant. My time is just as valuable as theirs is. Once, I had to wait 2 hours for an oil change as one of the mechanics had called in sick. They should have called and told me their situation as I was a regular customer. If they are running late, they should tell you why, and then you would be more understanding. All of us have a family emergency now and then or a health issue, and we don’t expect people to be on time then or to keep their appointment with us as family comes first.

Service Is Not What It Used To Be

Years ago, we had fast and friendly service, and the serviceman had all the necessary parts. I had a man come out without the parts he needed to repair my furnace, and he charged me for another service call. I said I would not pay it as he should have had the parts with him because I told him the particular parts he needed to have with him. Some service people will try to put old parts in if you do not watch them, so you will need another service call. The old phrase the customer is always right does not apply anymore with some businesses. They don’t seem to care if you are happy with their company. They should think about word of mouth as it travels at lightning speed. Tell the company you are working with that you are dissatisfied with their service if they let you down or try to take advantage of you. Always talk to the manager, or your grievance with your product or service will get lost in the shuffle. Always ask to speak to the manager or owner of the store.

Tags Quick Service, service after the sale, tips