Monday, July 12, 2010

Southern Slow...

Yikes...just look at how long it has been since my last post. I could blame it on the heat (going to be over 100 again today) or my computer going into a summer slowdown (I just hate having to admit I can't fix it and have to call in some kid barely out of high school....) but in reality I think I am just a bit overwhelmed with too many things to do right now!I have been trying to clear out our library which is/was overflowing (all I will show is part of the steeple chase quilt that hangs on one wall)...so naturally I went to an estate sale. (to make up for it I did later bring three boxes of books and stuff to the library sale...)

Anyway, at the sale I didn't find any quilts but there were lots of embroidered linens like this blue and red one....and some towel applique kits from several makers. This one is from Paragon. The design is printed on the unbound towel and the applique pieces are printed on the fabrics.There were lots of boxes of fabric and I am happy to say I only brought home one piece - it was 4 yards and only marked $1! I think it will make some nice bags...
On the pet front we seem to have inherited a new cat. His family moved away about 2 years ago and left him behind. Occasionally I had caught glimpses of him and he seemed ok but very shy. Last month he showed up and was in terrible shape...very, very skinny and weak from the heat. So we started feeding him and now he is looking pretty good (even allows us to pet him a bit!) Today I put some flea and tick medicine on him. Our plan is to get him to a vet in then next couple of weeks and have him checked out. If he is healthy we will have him neutered (his rather distinctive bowed legs marks him as the local "Daddy" to several litters...) Any advice on taming a feral cat would be appreciated....

Now off to pack for my trip to the AQS Show at Knoxville! I'm taking a class with Gwen Marston and a lecture with Alex Anderson. Very excited about it all! Naturally I have all my stuff packed for the class (now I have an idea of just how many solids I have stashed around the house!) and no clothes packed yet...same as my trip to Paducah!

15 comments:

Tammy said...

Sounds like you have a fun trip planned. Safe travels and hope you enjoy your classes and tell us all about them when you return.

Good luck with the kitty. I think just getting him used to you is the best way to tame him and it sounds like you've made progress.

SubeeSews said...

I have tamed several feral cats. They have all been females though.
I currently have one feral living in my home. She has been here 3 years now and is still "wild". She trusts us but no one else.
And trust is the issue. If you have an animal carrier or cage, place it near where you are feeding him. Inside add an old piece of your clothing. He "may" use it as a cave to sleep in.

I can only get my "tame feral" into the carrier by first hiding it in the bathroom (hours before) and then coaxing her into said room. I need to have the door closed as she can easily get away from me. She turns into a liquid cat with nails! Once caught she is an angel at the vet's.
Please do get him neutered. My heart breaks when I see an injured outside cat. One had been hit by a car and was at our door for help. Her back was broken. I have never fed this cat. But she knew we were cat people. So very sad.....
XOXOXO Subee

AnnieO said...

The steeplechase quilt is a beauty! And your finds at the estate sale of the utmost restraint...you didn't buy any books, did you?

Feral kitty, no hints, sorry. You are very kind to take on another pet.

Have a great trip! Just remember clean underwear and your meds and hairbrush and toothbrush. That's all you need, really, right?

Loris said...

Lovely and interesting steeplechase quilt. Your home library sounds like a wonderful place for it to hang. I would enjoy reading a book beside it.
How sweet of you and fortunate for the kitty to join ranks. Can't imagine how people could leave an animal behind but I guess there are circumstances.
Subee's ideas sound like the best. It may take awhile. I think one of the cats I have now was originally feral. She has fully adopted us but contact is still 'preferred' on her own terms. Fortunately, she 'tolerates' alot of it :-)

Karen said...

I never go to estate sales but should. Your found treasures make it tempting. I do go to a few thrift stores on a fairly regular basis.

Clare said...

Tell Gwen Clare from France says hi and give her a hug from me.

Hmmmm - feral male cats. We've got one of those. My instinct is to keep on feeding and when you put the food down give him a stroke along his back. Don't try to hug/pick him up until he lets you.

Have fun and don't forget the hug!

Tonya Ricucci said...

on the feral cat front - I wouldn't try to pick him up even after he trusts you. I've had Howler and Bibi for 6 years and picking up can be dangerous. get one of those cages that you put food in and then it traps them inside (the vet or a local rescue place might have one you can borrow)

enjoy the heck out of Knoxville! don't overdo it.

Kathleen said...

I had a feral cat kitty for years - it was a gentle , slow process of his getting to trust me - let it go at his pace, and never 'grab' at him - that will panic him. My feral became a fabulous pet, eventually becoming an indoor kitty. He will love you for taking care of him.

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I am so jealous! A class with Gwen! I loved my class I took with her! Have fun at the show!

*karendianne. said...

Love that quilt top. I didn't know the name of the pattern.

Hope the kitty learns to tame and you can get him to the Vet. Does he have a name yet?

Friend, time with Gwen Marston and the lecture with Alex Anderson - golly that's going to be great!!!

sewprimitive karen said...

You're wonderful to take care of that cat. I don't understand how people can just drive off and abandon a pet.

DianneP said...

Enjoy your next quilting outing!
Hope your new cat settles down and appreciates your kindness in taking him in - we were adopted by a cat some time ago, her family had split up and more or less abandoned her. How can people do this?
So now you are back in America, do you prefer the summer heat, or the British summers??

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Sounds like a fabulous trip...I bet you will have a wonderful time! Don't worry too much about packing clothes...just some clean underwear and that should leave you more room for fabric! :o) LOL

Millie said...

I adopted a feral cat when she was four months old. She was truly feral, had been hit by a car and left for dead in the street. A passerby rescued her and she came to live with me about six weeks later. I've had her almost four years now, and although she seeks attention, and will come to sit next to me, I cannot pick her up. She will not get in my lap.

Getting her into the cat carrier requires a lot of trickery, but she is very good once at the vet's. For one thing he immediately turns her to face me, so she doesn't associate being handled with me.

She's a great pet, and I love her dearly. Good luck.

Unknown said...

Someone clarify for me: feral. I thought feral was a cat who was born in the wild and never tamed.

Seems this cat was tame at one point and then abandoned. He might be acting wild but I would say he could be tamed when he is ready.

See how little I know about cats?! My tame male cat brings home the feral cats!