Several of you answered Brenda’s kind offer of free cards. Please contact her about cards and postage.
brendafurlong@bellsouth.net
I also have a card offer – Pam cards.
I would love to give these cards to my readers FREE if you pay the postage.
I’m going to take an envelope of 6 cards and envelopes to the post office for postage amount and then I’ll let you know. I will need to furnish the envelope this time so hang on until I let you know the amount.
Speaking of cards – does anybody have a big important birthday coming up? I don’t have one for August.
You are a wonderful group of friends to offer up your sympathy to me as I grieve the loss of Pam. I caught myself looking for her a couple times today. I cannot find pictures of her as a kitten but I certainly remember how I got her.
Pam Kerns, a friend since childhood, moved to an acreage just south of me in 2006 and shortly after she moved in she discovered a tiny kitten in her woodpile. She didn’t know what to feed her – she offered evaporated milk! – but the kitten was crying and crying so she brought her to me. And as I usually do, I named her Pam after the person I got her from.
A very sad note – Pam Kerns was just moved into Concord Care Center in Garner with Alzheimer’s after being at several other facilities in the area. I went to see her today and she remembered me – I feel like she’s still “in there”. She cried. Many of you might even remember her from when she worked at Country Threads. If I come across her picture I’ll post it.
Reader photos
Cat Memories
I went to Thursday Night On Main tonight – Bob always takes his El Camino to the car show but I don’t usually put Red in the show. Tonight I put this sign in the window:
Some of the people who put their cars in the shows bring them in a trailer!! (Not Bob) Haha!
One more pleasant day and then the heat returns.
Mary, the impact you have had, and continue to have, on so many people really is something special. The care you showed both Pams is a lesson for all of us in what it means to be generous in spirit.
My brother and his wife took in many strays during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. He was military and people would have to leave their cats when they deployed. My brother and his wife took them, cared for them, helped them be adopted, and still have many elderly cats they love.
So sad and sorry to hear about both your PAM friends. Life isn’t always fair or nice. Chin up! We all must soldier on and relish the good memories. One of the reasons I love your blog and all the camaraderieofn your readers!
How about a card shower for Pam. She might remember you but we remember her. I would love to send her a card.
She needs to know she is loved.
That’s a great idea!
Angie – it’s on!! I’ll post her address tonight!
So sorry to hear about Pam. It is always so hard when we lose furry friends. I weeded in the garden this morning them working on a refinishing project this afternoon. In a couple of days it will be sooo hot again. The cat we got through the “cat redistribution network” is doing very well here. The other cats have accepted him. He is a great hunter. He is keeping the ground squirrels in check.
I stayed with Pam for a couple of years when I attended camp and it was the most delightful experience. She was new to quilting and discovering new and wonderful ideas to create. I’m so sorry to hear about her present condition..I’ll always remember her ( and her horse Oliver)and her warm and loving personality .
Kathi – oh, thank you for reminding me! Sadly Oliver died within days of Pam’s departure. She was a lovely gal and I hate that this has happened to her.
We finally got some rain wee hrs this morning. Rain has been going around us. We might get some more this morning. And it is cool and windy. Bring it on for one more day. Prediction is high of 100 Monday as I and 5 others drive to KC Retreat in MO. (3 cars). 2 ot6hers will meet us there coming from Ankeny area.
Sweet memories of Pam. Those cards are adorable. I would be in for some.
That is a lovely story about how Pam came to you, but so sad that your friend has that terrible disease. I would be happy to send her a card if that works out. I have several friends who have that disease, including one husband and wife. I have had a couple of responses from people who would like my cards and I will get on that ASAP. Thank you so much for getting that started. As always, I love all the photos and stories!
Greetings and good morning to you, Mary. I am going to weed my neighbors,’ flower garden shortly and then I will get ready and go for the day to the Minnesota shop hop for my region. It is supposed to be hotter than blazes this weekend with temps at 98*+ so then I can sew in my basement, all my gardens are weeded and will be watered so I hope they handle the heat well. I too send condolences to you with Pam’s passing. She was dying and you assisted her from suffering. She was your companion for a record number of years, 20 years is a remarkable life and she loved you as well. It is still tough to see them fade away, suffer and die. I would love a set of Pam cards as well! Not sure if you want my email address sent separately. And then there’s Tim, I do wonder where he goes to as well.
I was also thinking that cards for Pam might be nice. She may not understand, but i think she might enjoy seeing them. As someone mentioned, perhaps check with the facility. I agree with everyone when they tell you how wonderful it is that you give needy animals a loving home and kind and compassionate care. You are top notch Mary.
Ginger – such a compliment! Thank you! I wonder when my next family member will show up.
I still feel my Poppy jump on my bed at night. I lost him 2 years ago, just before my mom passed away. The grandkids still talk about him and what a great cat he was.
Light rain here this morning which is so much better than the deluge we had a couple weeks ago.
Our church small group was here last night for dinner and devotional. Such fun to have a group we truly consider friends.
A friend and I are going to the Ellsworth quilt shop tomorrow. Probably my favorite shop. Then the antique mall in Story City. Too hot to be outside and hubby is gone all day showing his car at a car show.
Thought about you and Pam many times yesterday. Hugs.
Diana – the antique mall is on my list!!!
Mary would a card shower for Pam your friend be a good act of kindness? She has a terrible illness sometimes worse than cancer.
Prayers still being sent to you in your time of sorrow. We love our pets so.
Mary I still think I hear my last cat around our house and it’s been 2 years. I find myself turning in that direction and looking for him. It’s hard to accept he was my last cat. We all have a story how a pet came into our lives and I love hearing them so I think a special way is to remember Pam who saved a kitten named after her and could use a smile now with us by sending her thinking of you cards. Check with staff to help her get a few on her tray every day if they bring her food. Our Sunday school children draw pictures i take to our local nursing home for their trays. Gives them something to fiddle with and Alzheimer’s patients like something to finger. Consider it Mary as a warm loving tribute to two hero’s – you and her.
So sorry about Pam. That’s never easy.
Ohh Mary, I know about looking for or seeing my pet that has passed! I even experienced feeling my cat jump up the bed, turn around and lie next to my leg to sleep. He had passed away 3 days before and I was grieving. I didn’t dare move, I didn’t want him to leave me again. I fell asleep so happy and just a little scared.
I would love a set of Pam cards and will gladly pay for them, that’s so sweet of you ❤️
Mary, I’m sorry I didn’t read my emails yesterday and I’m hope I don’t rehash up bad feelings about what you had to do. I think the most loving act was first off you taking on a kitten that otherwise might’ve just been left to die. I always think of all my animals and how if it wasn’t for me what would’ve happened to them. Your most loving act was the devotion to Pam, and her needs. And it’s a great act when a person takes an animal that is sick or wounded to be helped along to the other side. I worked all my life with doctors, and told many a doctor that they really should’ve been a veterinarian before, they became a human doctor. Because Veterinarians are much more compassionate and understanding than a lot of doctor, when the time comes to really aid a person when the time that they have left on this earth is filled with suffering and pain.Thank you for everything you do for the animals and for your love for the ones you have and the ones you don’t have.
Nancy – I think humane euthanasia should be available for people! I’d like to think that when my life was nothing but misery I could cross that bridge willingly and with purpose. You know the animals that I think of these days? The ones that can’t escape the flood waters or the fires. Not only the wild animals – the pets that got left behind in an evacuation.
I do too!
Mary, I would love a set of Pam cards. What about sending cards to your friend Pam? I’m sure she would love getting just a pretty ” thinking of you card”. My MIL had Alzheimer’s & loved getting pretty cards. Just a thought.😊 I certainly understand finding yourself looking for a beloved pet after they’re gone. I found myself doing that a lot after all my dogs passed. You just are so used to them being close by.
Alice – I thought of sending cards to Pam – would she understand?
Alice – did your MIL enjoy receiving cards or just seeing them? I’m not sure she’ll understand but would love to put a little cheer in her days. Maybe other readers will express an opinion
Mary, I’m not sure my MIL understood why she was receiving cards, but she loved looking at the pictures on the cards & I believe they were very special to her. I vote for sending cards to Pam! And like someone said, just give her a couple each day. I just believe it would brighten her day! My MIL kept all her cards & went through them a lot. She was a lover of all animals, birds included, & flowers. She was a sweet lady!
Alice – thank you! That settles it! I will tell the staff at Concord what’s happening when the cards start rolling in. I so hope it will bring her some happy moments.
Mary, that’s so sweet to share your Pam cards. I would love to pay you for some sweet Pam cards. Heartbreaking for you to watch your friend Pam’s mind slip away.
Love the kitty photo memories.
Tim? Has he been back to the farm? He’s been on my mind for the last week.
Sherri – If Tim is alive and well I’m mad at him for not coming around! On the other hand I hope he’s not dead / I put him on FB and got no answers.