Cat Tales with Laura and Inspirations with Laura

Everyone Has Imperfections Of Some Type

Maybe you have a wound that will not heal correctly or a slight limp. No matter what your imperfection is, know that you are not alone. Anyone who makes fun of your imperfection should look in the mirror at themselves before they say anything. Only a cruel person or someone with low self-esteem will notice any imperfection you may have, no matter how slight it may be. If you always see your glass half empty, that is an imperfection. Have faith and remember that your glass is half full instead of half empty. The older we get, the more wrinkles we have, but we have earned those wrinkles, and we have gained knowledge through the years, and the wrinkles remind us of the journeys and good times we have had in life. We may become bent over in our golden years but think of all the good you have accomplished through hard work and discipline to finish what you started. Our hands may have arthritis and not be as flexible as they were years ago, Think about what your hands have accomplished such as caring for people, work, being one of Gods good stewards, baking, cooking, carpentry, doctoring and so much more. Stand tall and proud with these imperfections as they show the true you and your inner soul and that you have helped many people throughout the years.

God Knows We have Imperfections, And He Leads Us On A Path To Eternal Life In Heaven.

God knows that we are all sinners, and God’s son Jesus died for our sins on the cross so that we may live and have eternal life. Read your Bible and know what the scriptures mean and how they apply to today’s living. Enrich your soul daily with prayer and praise God for what he has given you. You will have many blessings in your life. Some will be huge, and some may be small, but they are blessings, and be thankful for them. Help those in your community that are in need. Some may need food, warm clothes, or someone to talk to to know that someone still cares about their well-being. Keep your faith, for stormy days, will eventually pass, and the sun will shine again. Without God in your life, you are nothing.

Imperfections Of Various Types

Your house may have peeling paint, but it is easy to fix: You can repaint it or put new siding on. A windstorm may damage a tree but will still provide shade if not severely damaged. You may drop something on a piece of furniture and put a significant dent. If it is on top, just put a towel over it, and no one will ever notice. Most imperfections only you will notice, and others will not even see them. Life is short, and do not worry about a few minor flaws, as that is part of living. Do good and be kind, caring, and considerate of other people’s feelings.

Tags faults, flaws, Inspirations with Laura, No one is perfect

Cats On The Hunt

Hunting In The Ditches

I have had Cats stalk the ditches for hours. Most of the time, they were very successful and would catch a mouse or a vole. I had one Tom cat named Onyx who lived to be at least 18 years old. He would hunt the ditch in front of my place every morning, afternoon, and evening. He would catch several mice daily. He went blind in his old age but was still a successful mouser. I feed him canned food by the ditch during his golden years. I had a calico sit on a fence post for hours until a mouse emerged under cut grass. She made short work of the mouse and had an afternoon snack.

The Rabbit That Barely Got Away With Its Life

I had a Tortoiseshell calico cat named Trisha. She was an excellent Mother cat and an excellent huntress. In her old age, she wanted to eat a rather giant rabbit. She was on its tail for some time before she got utterly exhausted and had to give up on her rabbit stew, so to speak.

Cats And Birds

Some cats consider birds their friends if they grow up with birds in the house. Once, a friend’s cat came into my home and tried to kill my cat’s pet bird, as she had grown up with birds before I adopted her. My Siamese cat and her Siamese cat fought under a bed in my house, and did they ever fly? The other cat stayed away from the parakeet the rest of the afternoon. If your indoor cat gets outside and you have a bird feeder, chances are your sweet house cat will have a bird lunch. Always watch your cat. A bird may lose its life if you look the other way for a few seconds.

Skunk, Rat, And Cat Fight

One of my cats fought a skunk by the creek, and my neighbor happened to see the whole thing. The skunk ate a small hunk of my cat’s face. She made a full recovery, and thank goodness she had had a rabies shot. Cats catching rats can be dangerous for your cat as they will bite your cat on the face or body.

Garter Snakes

I had a beautiful calico cat named Blacknose. She loved to kill garter snakes and lay the deceased on our doorstep. I think she most likely killed at least 30 garter snakes in her lifetime. She figured snakes were a pest she must rid us of.

Cats And The Thrill Of The Hunt

Mother cats will train their kittens to be great hunters and huntresses if they are good hunters. A kitten not trained by its mother will not be a good hunter and will probably just let a mouse run right by them. Kittens play with the mouse for a long time until they kill it and eventually eat it. Mother cats are very patient when training their kittens, as the mouse will escape many times until they finally learn how to kill and eat the mouse. Cats never seem to give up on trying to kill the prey they are after. Excellent mousers come from mothers who teach their kittens every aspect of the hunt.

Tags Benefits of Having a Cat, Cat Antics, mouse catching

Trials And Tribulations

Trials And Tribulations In Life

All of us will have many trials and tribulations before we leave this world. Our health may get worse, and we begin to wonder why. The answer is, why not you? Because it will happen to all of us sooner or later. We may wonder if God cares about our well-being anymore. I can assure you that he cares about you 24/7. The devil wants you to lose faith and turn to him. Do not believe a thing the devil may say or tempt you with, as he will not lead you to eternal life. The devil will lead you to live in his hell until the flames of hell engulf you and devour your soul. We will have many more trials and tribulations than we ever imagined possible.

Watching A Loved One Die From A Horrible Disease

It is almost more than you can bear to watch a loved one being consumed by a horrible disease or illness day by day. The disease may come on gradually so that you barely notice it. As it progresses, it tears away at your loved one by degrees, and it leaves you helpless as to how to stop it to prevent it. You must pray to God for guidance and direction. Watching them being consumed by the disease breaks you down and tears you apart. They say that a lot of caregivers die shortly after taking care of a loved one. Dear friends are a blessing. Treat them with compassion and kindness; never desert or leave them in their darkest hours.

A Married Couple Loses His Spouse

I have seen many married couples who have lived for only six months after their spouse has died. Their spouse was like their lifeline to keep going and living, and without their lifeline, they could not bear to go on without them by their side. A couple that has been married for many wonderful and blissful years loves their spouse more than anyone can imagine possible. They feel like a man or woman without a country when they lose their better half.

General Trials And Tribulations

You may have worked at a job your whole life, and one day, your boss wants to talk to you. He says he is replacing your position with a person with a higher education, and then you are demoted to a monotonous job. It is a slap in the face to the faithful employee who has worked at their job faithfully for 25 years with no complaints at all. I have seen this happen often because they do not want to pay all the job benefits the older employee should be entitled to. The company will hire a young worker and not pay them as much. One man was told he had to train the new employee before he left the company. Good and faithful workers are very hard to find. Treat all of your elders with the respect and dignity that they deserve. Without them, your business would not be what it is today.

Tags faith, Inspirations with Laura, test

Cats And Feeding Time

Cats Let You Know When They Want Food

My cats have become very vocal, and they may stare at their food dish if they think it is empty, even though the bowl is almost full. If you are taking a nap, your cat will wake you until you fill their food dishes to their desired level. If I have just picked spinach or Swiss chard from my garden, Garfunkel will meow until he gets some fresh greens. Winchester will sneak out the door now and then to eat some grass. I catch him quickly and give him some grass in the house. If you have an empty yogurt or cottage cheese container, most cats will sit and look at you until you let them lick out the empty container. Garfunkel knows when checked or turkey is in the oven, and he meows until I give him some of the meat. Cats love tuna and will delight in licking empty containers if not canned in oil. Wet foods are good for your cats’ kidneys, especially if your cat is not a big water drinker. My cats crave wet foods now and then, so I buy them for them regularly. Cats are very picky; if they do not like a particular brand of cat food, they will not eat it, no matter what you try or do to entice them.

Cats Will Try To Crowd Out Other Cats To Get First Dibs On The Cat Food

The younger cats will try to get the food away from the older cats or any cat that does not feel up to par. It would be best to watch your cats at feeding time to make sure every cat gets its fair share of cat food. If you give your cats lactose-free milk, which is easy for an adult cat to digest, ensure every cat gets to drink some. It is the hardest to distribute wet cat food or tuna because they want all they can eat.

Some Cats Will Share Their Food With Other Cats

Mother cats always share their day catch with their offspring. Addi, the mother of some of my cats next door, always lets her offspring have first dibs on the the cat food. Some cats will push the food dish in front of another cat, and that cat may make it back its way again.

Garden Goodies And More

I had a cat years ago that would dig up fresh potatoes and eat them right out of the garden. Cats also love cooked butternut squash and pumpkin, which help with their digestive issues. Catnip has been a must-have green for cats of all ages. My house cats are not keen on catching mice, but they do. Conrad drowns them in water, Cali eats them, and Garfunkel helps them catch them. At the start of winter, a mouse or two will sneak in. Your cat will be happy and healthy for years with the proper cat foods and regular Vet care. God bless our feline friends.

Tags canned cat food, Cat food, cat treats, What Should I be Feeding My Cat ?

Be Grateful For Family And Friends

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date August 2, 2024
No Comments on Be Grateful For Family And Friends

Time With Family And Friends

Spend quality time with family and friends as much as you possibly can. Time is very precious, so never waste any of it. Take lots of family vacations while you are in good health, for the time will come when you cannot travel anymore, and you will have regrets that you did not go when you were in the prime of life. Take time to visit and go out with your friends often. No one knows what the future will bring for us, which is a good thing, or we would fret and ponder over it constantly even though it would not change a thing. Tell your loved ones you love them because it may be the last time you see them alive. We have accidents, diseases, and illnesses that can take us quickly. If you have a parent that needs to be taken care of, you will never regret doing so as you helped them and got to be with them as long as possible. I cared for my parents, and I am happy I did. You only have one set of parents. Help them and care for them when they need you the most. Your parents may be elderly, have a terminal illness, or a disease that will take their life eventually. Be a caregiver that will love them and help them when they need you the most.

Be Grateful For Days Of Joy And Happiness

I love to go for a drive, sit by a lake, and watch the seagulls, ducks, people having fun in their boats, and the kids jumping around in the water and having fun with their parents. Family picnics are fun for everyone. I remember our family picnics as I played with my cousins, rode bikes, and went fishing. The adults would visit and talk about things that had happened in their families, and there would be lots of laughing and good times. The birth of a child brings happiness as the family will live on through the child and future generations. If you do not have children, you will live on in the memories of others by how you acted and presented the inner you to people. I am very grateful for my parents, who were kind, caring, and loving. I was very blessed indeed to be able to have such outstanding parents.

Friends Can Make A Dark Day Light

If you are feeling a little down, go out with a friend or friends, and you will generally feel rejuvenated when you get back home. The outing with them may inspire you or lift you to a happier place, and you may start a cleaning or repair project you have been putting off. As the old saying goes, Friends are the flowers in the garden of life. Put a little light on someone’s dark day, and you will help out a dear friend or stranger. God bless those who are grateful for all they have and thankful for God in their life.

Tags grateful, Inspirations with Laura

Cats That Stay Together As A Family

Post author By Laura Weers
Post date July 29, 2024
No Comments on Cats That Stay Together As A Family

My Cat Family

Peter and Addi had five kittens. I gave two of them away to a wonderful and loving home. The other three kittens are grown and still living with their parents. They have a very close relationship with each other. Hilford and Mr. Gray will rub against their Mother and give her gentle head bumps or rub across her cheek. Sherlock generally tries to sleep close to his father, Peter. If they have a problem with another cat, they sometimes band together and let the troublemaker know that they will look out for each other and better change their ways. They have a very close bond with each other. They have let some of the cats next door join their group if they do not cause trouble and blend in. Cats that grow up together as kittens will have a close bond for the rest of their lives.

I Had Two Black House Cats Until One Died

Kohl and Conrad were half brothers, and they got along fine. They were very close; sometimes, they would curl up together on my bed or couch. They would sleep in my bed at night. Kohl developed mouth and throat cancer, and I had to have him put to sleep at the age of 13. Conrad has never slept in my bed since the loss of his brother. Garfunkel and Cali sleep in my bed, but he sleeps under a recliner, on a heated cat bed, or a recliner at night. He never really got over the loss of his brother. Conrad has formed a strong bond with Garfunkel as they will lick and clean each other’s faces.

Outdoor Cats That Stay Together

I once had four resident outdoor Tom cats. They formed a band to keep out nasty and ornery stray Toms that would try to take over their territory. One Tom who came was evil, beating up my female cats. My resident Toms clawed him up and gave him some of his own medicine, and he never returned, which was good. Female outdoor cats will care for each other’s kittens while they take turns hunting or they need a little break for a while. One time, my house cat sneaked outdoors, and my resident Toms went into action and chased him. Luckily, he found some bales of hay to hide in. He never tried to escape again after that ordeal.

Mother Cats And Their Kittens

Mother cats help their daughters raise their kittens. They may nurse their kittens or refresh their memory on mouse-catching techniques with them. They will generally sleep in the same area of the barn or outdoor farm building. My cats slept in the hay in our barn years ago. They also slept in a long wooden box full of hay near my horses. One Mother put her kittens in with our little dog, who would look out for her kittens while she went hunting. It was a perfect arrangement for the dog and cat since they liked to hunt together now and then. She and her kittens and our small dog were friends for life.

Tags cat families, cat relationships

God Is Our Protector

Some People Will Not Get On A Particular Flight As They Have A Sixth Sense That The Plane May Crash

I have heard of people over the years saying that they had a feeling that if they got on their scheduled flight, their plane would crash. Sometimes, that does happen, and it might be God’s way of saving their life. Once, a woman told the pilot not to take off because she saw a lot of ice still on the plane after the deicing process. It was good she said something as a worker noticed that the landing gear would not have functioned for the ice when it was time to land the plane. If you have a gut feeling about not boarding your flight, listen to that feeling, as it may save your life.

God Tries To Keep Us Out Of Harms Way

God gives each of us common sense if we are wise enough to use it not to drive in an ice storm, blizzard, or tornado. In an emergency, we would have to drive; otherwise, stay home until the storms clear. We have locks on our doors, dogs, security cameras, security guards, police, and more to protect us from harm. If you forget something when leaving your home, stay put and leave later, as this may save your life. We have books we can read before we operate a new piece of equipment that may keep us from pushing the wrong lever or button that could harm us. If you have a gut feeling about someone that they may hurt you, try to avoid and stay clear of them. God gave us a mind to reason with and think things out before we put ourselves in harm’s way.

Pray To God For Help And Guidance In Your Life

Take it to the Lord in Prayer when you need help figuring out a problem. He or someone will have the answer you need to act on. God has always put the right people in my life at the right time, and I am very grateful for that. God may have different plans for you that will make you happy with your life. When one door closes, a better door will open up for you. Pray to God without ceasing, and thank God daily for your many blessings. Always realize there is someone out there who is in much worse shape than you are.

Life With God By Your Side

When God is by your side, you cannot fail. Let God lead you on the path he knows is right for you. Do not stay on a path that does not have anything for you or anyone else, as no one benefits. Life has many ups and downs, and that is part of life. Remember the good times and thank God for them. When you remember the bad times, remember you learned something precious so that it will not happen again as you have learned from the past. God, nature, good friends, and family lead to the spice of life. May God shine many blessings on you and yours.

Tags God is always by your side, Inspirations with Laura

Working Together

Working To Get The Job Done

You can share ideas to accomplish your goal more efficiently. Two minds are better than one when getting any task done. If one person needs a tool and is up high on a ladder, the other person on the ground can give it to him without wasting time going up and down the ladder. Laying shingles is more manageable when one lays them out while one nails them down. When moving heavy appliances, you need two people to help so no one gets hurt. When you work alone, ensure you have all the tools you need to complete your job so you do not have to hunt and waste time looking for tools. Ensure your ladder is secure and will not go out from under you, for if you fall, no one can help you when working alone. Do not waste time with long breaks unless you are not feeling well. Keep up a timely pace and get the job done right the first time.

Working In Tandem

Hopefully, the person who helps you with any job can work in tandem with you. If you have a rhythm when you work with someone, the work is more manageable, and you move along more quickly. If one person is left-handed and the other is right-handed, remember that he will fold a tarp over in a different direction, so one of you will have to change the way you fold the tarp. If you both work on the same task, you can move on to the next task much sooner. Working in tandem is like riding a tandem bicycle, as you will not succeed if both people do not peddle together.

Working With Others At Your Job

Some people will try to take credit for your ideas. A few workers will try to push their workload onto you. Do not let workers take advantage of your kind nature at work; if they get by with it once, it will continue without stopping. Hopefully, you can set ground rules early with those who think they can pull a fast one with you at work. Most people should be able to get along with others and praise their fellow workers for a job well done.

Try To Work With Others As It Makes Everyone’s Life Much Easier

Do not boss people around, as that gets old quickly. Be willing to help out your fellow worker with a task at hand. Do not try to earn brownie points from another person’s ideas or hard work, as stealing is the same thing. Work on your own merits and do not benefit from the work of others. Praise your fellow workers when they help you get something done that you could not have done without their input and help. Never expect someone to do a job you would not have done at some point. What makes you think someone else can if you cannot stomach the job? Treat people fairly unless they try to pull one over on you and then tell them that that is not acceptable in any shape or form. I hope you work with kind and fair people that are like-minded.

Tags tips, working in tandem, working with people

Inactivity

Stay Active And Fit

Those who stay active and fit tend to live much longer than those who sit around. Get up and move, and find things that you love to do. I like working outdoors and walking or biking outdoors. Cats that stay active are much thinner than cats that take too many catnaps in one day. I purchased an exercise wheel for my cats, and the thin ones loved it, but the plump ones thought to themselves I want nothing to do with that exercise wheel. Some of my cats like to go outdoors, eat grass, or try to catch a rodent. One must stay active and fit with your relationship with God. Listen to sermons, pray without ceasing, read daily devotions, and be an excellent example to others. Be kind and loving. Caring and Compassionate, and let God’s light shine through you in all you do to help others. Call on people and lift their spirits. Inactivity in your relationship with God will leave you in a place where you have no hope or peace of mind.

Relationships

You must keep your relationships with others active to have a good relationship. No one wants a rainy-day friend. All of us want friends who will be there for us in the good times to cheer us on and in the bad times to help us through them. I have been blessed with wonderful friends who have helped me in the best of times and in the worst of times. A good marriage will involve a lot of communication and give-and-take. Marriage must not always have one spouse that calls all of the shots. Marriage needs harmony, peace, and love to make it last. All relationships need to be nurtured and tended to. Do not take anyone for granted; someday, they will not be there for you. Tell your spouse and friends you love them often and spend quality time with them.

Work

It will show if you are not productive in your work. If you let things go without fixing them, you will be overwhelmed by the number of things you must fix all at once. I list things I want to get fixed every year, and I start with the hardest ones first. The other ones do not take as long, and it is much easier to cross everything off your list by year’s end. If you love your job and it motivates you, you will not have any inactive time. If your job does not encourage you, try to get a different job that does. I like looking at buildings I painted or any other completed work project. I want a job where I feel I have accomplished much by the end of the day. I do not want to sit around and be bored, and I am happy when I am working.

Travel

See all you can when you travel and never stay cooped up in your room, as you might as well have stayed home. Go to concerts, operas, and bus tours, and get out and see what the locals are doing. Go to the various restaurants and enjoy the different and unique foods of the region that you are in. Go to the stores, shop, and attend church service on Sunday, as you will be amazed by the church’s history. I love history and any place where they recreate history with people dressed and working as they would have at that time. Stay active in all that you do.

Tags Cat health, Inspirations with Laura, tips

Difficult Cats

In Memory Of Nicole

Nicole As A Kitten

Nicole was born an outdoor farm cat. She lived outdoors in a building with a heated and insulated house for pets, a small heater, and a heated water dish. Her parents were Onyx, my resident Tom cat, and Lizzie, a cat I had adopted. Lizzie and Onyx had four kittens: Conrad, Peter, Nicole, and her twin sister, who died at birth. They lived in the heated outdoor building until they were about six months old and became house cats. Nicole and her brothers did not like to be handled. Finally, Conrad tamed down, and he became one of my housecats. Nicole never really trusted humans her entire life. I cared for her and made sure she had all of her shots. Nicole enjoyed playing with her siblings, her mother’s tail, and various cat toys throughout the house. She was a very energetic kitten.

Nicole, As An Adult Cat

Nicole looked like a purebred British shorthair cat. She was a very long and lean cat. She took after the Siamese in her shape and build. She would always look at me from a distance as she was a very aloof cat. She would pose for the camera on occasion. Addi and Peter had five kittens, and Aunt Nicole was an excellent babysitter. Nicole would play with the kittens and had a lot of patience with them. She developed a cauliflower ear and lost part of her ear. I took her to my Vet, but nothing could be done to save the tip of her ear. Nicole did not like going to the Vet and would bite me or a friend. She meant business when she bit you. Nicole preferred to be left alone and do her own thing, which I did. I would give her cat treats, but she never learned that I did everything for her well-being.

Nicole As A Cat Getting Older

She lost fur on her ears and preferred to sleep in a heated cat building. I took her to my Vet, who gave her a physical. She had no fleas, so it must have been a skin allergy. She always got along fine with my other cats, and she would eat a little catnip now and then along with my other cats. She enjoyed it when I pampered her with Hartz Squeesables and Fancy Feast Little Soups. Nicole started to lose weight, and I gave her extra food. Nicole had recently begun to self-mutilate herself. She would have open wounds on her that bleed, and then they would heal up, and then she would start opening up the wounds again. I could not stand to see what she was doing to herself, so I made an appointment with my Vet to have her put to sleep. My Vet said I made the right decision. I could not have treated her because she would have bitten me, and I could not handle that repeatedly, and sometimes skin ointments do not help. I never want to see a cat of mine suffer unnecessarily. God bless Nicole with her cat family in heaven. She has her mother, father, sister, and many ancestors with her now.

Tags Memories of my cats