Quigs’ Corner

Two weekends ago, Jimmy Buffett was in North Texas, and Mr. Q and I were fortunate enough to score tickets to go.  This is one of the few musical groups that we agree on, and have always wanted to go see.  This was our first time, so we were ‘Virgin’ Parrotheads. 

We got there a little early, to be sure we had a relatively decent place to park, which we did.  We also wanted to experience the tailgating that we’ve heard so much about.  And tailgate they did!  There were entire parking lots filled with RVs that had Tiki bars, sharks, margaritas, palm trees, Christmas lights, one group had a pool and a hot tub, and I even saw an Elvis. 

Bottom line: these people know how to party.  The man sitting in front of us had been planning his RV trip for over a month.  There were maps online of the configuration of the RV parking lot; there was a giant party planned (over 600 people) that helped raise money for breast cancer; and there was a TON of liquor.  I saw women in their 70s, heck I think one was in her 80s-in grass skirts, coconut bras, parrots on their shoulders, heads, and clothing.  Oh, and there was a school (?) of giant shark fins that lighted up at night that cruised the floor the entire concert (they must have been tired!). 

The concert was excellent…and plenty of tequila to go around.  Everyone sang along, did their gestures (hands together for the Fins song!) and before the concert, everyone was so FRIENDLY.  They wanted to know where you were from, if this was your first concert, etc.  We talked to people from LA, TX and OK-heck the OKies even gave us beer and beads!

A good time was had by all, and I can’t wait for next year. Maybe I’ll find me a grass skirt for good measure. 

Though Buzzy the cat survived the 10 or so foot fall last week, it seems his super-cat qualities weren’t enough to protect him from an upper respiratory infection (aka really bad cold). 

He was fine after his maiden flight on Wednesday, and all day Thursday.  He never moved all night Thursday, was not really enticed with food or open windows on Friday.  I got him into the vet on Saturday morning, and found he had a fever and was ‘wheezing’ in his lungs.  X-rays, blood tests, and a day and a half in the hospital getting fluids and antibiotics seemed to fix the problem.  We were really concerned it was FIP-a terminal disease cats get that mimic many other things, so it’s really hard to diagnose.  It seems that since he responded to the treatment and is back to normal (watching birds, harrassing the dog and eating like a pig again) that it was a cold and not FIP. 

I can’t even begin to tell you how glad I am that we won one for a change. 

(I’ll add that the team at the vet’s office was proactive and clipped his nails (and wings) while he was still under from anesthesia after the x-rays.  No hissing, biting, scratching for a change.  They’re a smart bunch ).

The pool is ready, willing and waiting for the inagural plunge of 2007.  The temperature is about 75 degrees…warm by New England standards, but still a bit chilly by Texas ones.  We don’t shut down the pool in the winter…it came with a computer that, among other things, will automatically start the pool at 39 degrees air temp, keeping the water moving, and avoiding frozen pipes. 

Since we keep it running all year long, the water is ready to jump into at pretty much anytime, so if you are a polar bear type, jump on in during February.  Don’t worry, I have 911 on speed dial. 

In addition to waiting for the temp to be ‘just right’, I needed a thumbs up from my doctor after my surgery to be able to jump in.  I’ve been cleared, and even bought a new swimsuit!  Here’s to summer, and lazy weekend afternoons by the pool-we don’t get many of them, but sure enjoy them when we do! 

I know I haven’t posted in a while, and it seems that my other blogging buddies that are linked here have done the same.  It’s really much harder than I thought, and I’ll try to be better in posting more frequently. 

Today, I was working at my desk in my office, conveniently located on the second floor of my house so I don’t have to look at the disaster of my desk on weekends and nights.  The weather this morning was mild and cool, and despite the Dallas builders’ efforts to not install windows that open, I actually have two that DO open in my office.  I open them often, especially on days like today.  While I work, the animals like to hang out in the same room, so the dog was sleeping on the floor (not ON, but NEXT to her bed) and the cat on a chair in the far corner of the room. 

Suddenly, I hear a small ‘crash’ and I see the screen in the window next to my desk is popped out and waving in the breeze.  I look out onto the driveway below and see Buzz the cat, on all fours looking around with a ‘what the heck just happened’ look.  I raced downstairs and out the door to capture him before he decided to run off.  When I got down there, he looked even more scared, very low to the ground, and actually happy to have me pick him up and bring him inside. 

What was this little guy THINKING!?  I can only guess that a bird landed on the sill, as the frequently do, and he decided that he wanted it.  Thankfully, he appears to be ok, but definately at EIGHT lives now.  He was irritated about getting wet, likely from the tree he passed either through or by on his rapid descent.  He’s now safely sleeping on the dog’s bed…on the first floor.  Wonder how long til he comes back into my office?