Patra's Other Place

I started out with Patra's Place, primarily dedicated to my linen collection and stitching projects. But I kept getting side-tracked, so I decided to create Patra's Other Place for anything not related to embroidery topics. So you now have a choice. If you are interested in me, read this. If you only want to see my linen and stitching, visit Patra's (original) Place! (Please note that by clicking on any of the photos, they will be enlarged to fill your computer screen.)

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Location: Melbourne, Vic., Australia

I was married to Ken for 43 years, but he died in October 2022. So I am now alone with two cats, eight hens, and a few finches and parrots in one aviary.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Tiger's loss and my gain.

Tiger's loss is not my gain - I just have two items to blog about, and joined them up into one heading.
Tiger's loss is his...um...you-know-whats. At 8 months old he was getting very frisky, and jumping on poor Topsy whenever he could catch her. She was neutered when she was about 8 weeks old, and has never known a male cat (apart from avoiding the neighbours' cats whenever they got into our yard), so she seemed bewildered by Tiger's amorous intentions. Even thought he couldn't get Topsy into 'trouble', we decided for the safety of any other female cats around that it was time for The Operation. We took him to the vet yesterday morning, mewing loudly all the way in his carry cage on the back seat of the car. A very different kitty came home with us that night. $230 later, he was sexless and microchipped, very quiet on the car trip home, and not at all friendly to us for a few hours! He kept going back into the carry cage, sniffing and scratching around in there as if looking for what he'd just lost. Ken was very sympathetic - not that he has been castrated, mind you! It's just a man thing that they feel sorry for domestic animals that have been castrated, I think.
This was taken last week. He won't be curling up like this again for a few days!


As to what I have gained, that refers to my own time. While Ken has been home, I've put most of my usual activities aside so I could spend time with him. Yesterday, he took me into where he works, and we were both surprised by the reactions of his fellow workers. They were all very pleased to see how well he was, and everyone asked if and when he was coming back to work. When his boss asked about returning to work, Ken told him what the lung specialist had said about going back part time, and the boss frowned and said "Well, you know we don't do part time here, Ken, but how many days do you want to work?" Ken said "Four days a week, with Wednesdays off" and his boss said "Oh, I guess we can work in with that!" It seems they've lost a few couriers recently due to ill health and retirement, so Ken coming back is good news for them. He asked when Ken wanted to start work again and Ken looked at me. I said quickly "Next Monday! You haven't got anything else planned for next week have you?" Poor Ken couldn't think quick enough to get out of that one, so his boss said "Done! We'll see you here on Monday!"

On the way home, Ken said "I wasn't planning to go back to work so soon. How did I get roped into returning on Monday?" and I said "Well, you've been talking about the bills coming in and not having enough money from the pension, so the sooner you go back to earning a wage, the better". He said "Oh I suppose so. You just want me out of the house so you can go back to socialising with your friends, don't you?", and I said "Something like that!" I've got next week filled up already. Lunch and a craft session with Val on Monday, the Embroiderer's Guild on Tuesday, Ken will be home on Wednesday, shopping with Glenda on Thursday, and coffee with Helen on Friday. Ah, bliss to have my life back...

5 Comments:

Blogger Linens and Royals said...

Poor Ken and Tiger, seems you have them both sorted in the same week.
But I think you will enjoy having your old life back. Nursing others through operations can be very stressful.

Saturday, 02 July, 2011  
Blogger cell said...

ah what a wonderful lifestyle you have, meeting friends, having tea, crafting, enjoying nature. I wish I could do the same! but alas, i have to work full time as both my husband and I have hardly any savings and are still renting. don't know how long it'll take before we can buy our own home. making friends has also been a bit slow as we've only lived here 9 months.

Saturday, 02 July, 2011  
Blogger Gina E. said...

But Cell, you aren't into your sixies, are you? I had to work full time up until I was 50, and probably should have kept working, because we still didn't have any money saved! Nearly everything seemed to go into the house and related expenses, with some left over for our hobbies. But I must admit, I would rather be paying off our house than renting...

Sunday, 03 July, 2011  
Blogger Merle said...

Hi Gina ~~ I am so glad that Ken is well enough to go back to work, but what a week to start, cold, wet and windy. Good to only work 2 days in a row and have Wednesday off.
I am doing quite well, went to the Physio today and she said my walking had improved a lot (with exercises)
and I don't have to go back unless I want to for any reason. How great
of Ken's mother to pay off your mortgage. What a relief for you both. Glad you liked the Never say to a Cop, but I think your boy- friend's one was better "Can't you read?" Take care, Love, Merle.

Wednesday, 06 July, 2011  
Blogger Pam said...

That sounds good all round. Well,apart from for Tiger...

Tuesday, 12 July, 2011  

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