Sophie's Story

           The last time we went to Red Wing the art store in the old depot was open. I like to go in there because they have shows of various types of art and a store that sells items made by local artists. There are all kinds of things there and I like to look at them. Most of the time I  purchase something as it helps the artists and funds art displays.               I looked around as always, There are so many neat things. I saw some interesting tea cups and some beautiful hand dyed silk scarves. I looked at the jewelry. I always like looking at jewelry not matter where I am.           I saw something bright and round as I walked past a rack of necklaces. I paused to look at it. It was a small, round gold pendant with a rose in the middle. The background had a beaten appearance. The shiny appearance made it stand out form all the other necklaces around it. The back of the pendant...

           Although members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not observe Lent, I do.  I didn't appreciate the Lenten season when I was younger and Lutheran, but I have come to appreciate it now. There is something about sacrificing something for Lent that seems to do something for me spiritually in a way that I can't really explain.           Now those of you reading this who might also be members of the Restored church will no doubt remind me that there is a monthly fast on the first Sunday of each month so the Lenten fast is not really necessary. I do not argue the benefit of the once a month fast, however there are also benefits from abstaining from certain things for longer periods of time.           This year my Lenten fast consists of staying off Facebook and not eating meat on Fridays. I know that one is not supposed to tell others that they are fasting or what cons...

           Hi! This is Willow. Sophie put something away in the computer room. She didn't see that I followed her in and she shut the door without checking. She'll come back in here again eventually to put something else away. As long as I'm stuck here I might as well write.           I should get mad at Sophie for shutting me in since it happens at least once a week. I've learned that we have to be forgiving of our humans. They try, but they will never be as perfect as cats are. It's good to practice sneaking skills, you never know when they may come in handy.          This is a good place to live. There is lots of room to run. I like running. I especially like running when someone is chasing me. I'm very fast so I know I'll never get caught. Barnaby has come close a few times. Fortunately I can hide under all the furniture. When I do that he can't get me.          He's a good ...

           Hi I'm Barnaby!               I am a long haired white and orange cat that lives here with my sister Willow and our two humans. I'm very handsome. I have a fur ruff around my neck and a small mane around my shoulders. Sophie says I look like a Norwegian Forest cat.                I'm glad I'm not a forest cat. I don't want to live in a forest. One of the best days of my life so far was the day that Sophie and c decided to adopt me. It was almost worth the trip to the vet and the medicine I had to take and the daily ear cleanings I had for two weeks.           Willow wasn't happy that I came to live here. She was mean at first, but then she came around and realized that things would be just fine. Plus she would have someone to chase her. She likes to run.          I like living in a house with our humans. I do...

     Every Thursday I visit my parents. I have a set routine. After a little small talk, Mom and I make cookies, then we prepare lunch, after lunch if weather permits we take a walk and then we work on a craft project.     Now that Mom is living upstairs in the memory care section, things are a little different. There's no need to make cookies as often. Mom eats her meals in the dining area and staff comes to take her if she doesn't go by herself. Now that she eats more regularly, she doesn't eat as many cookies.  Dad also doesn't eat as many. Now we bake cookies every other week.     The big challenge is finding craft projects for her. A friend was coming over and helping her to paint pictures on canvas, but she has been unable to do so for awhile. Mom and I  worked on a paint by number picture and finished it. I had a large diamond painting kit that was given to me. It was a picture of a grey cat with a butterfly on it's nose. Sin...

      Last Wednesday was a busy day for me.  C and I got up early and went to the food shelf  (Storehouse) run by our church to volunteer. People who need food work with their bishops to transmit an order to the Storehouse. Those who live in the area come and fill their own order. Those who live out of town have their order  brought to them. Volunteers pick the items needed and package them in bins which are driven in a refrigerated truck to those outside the metro area.      I've helped at the storehouse before and am always amazed by how organized and efficient it is. The first things we do is pack the dry goods and paper products. Then we pick produce after that we pick dairy. The dry goods get packed into get packed into green bins and those things needing refrigeration are packed in blue. The bags are marked with the name of the town and a designation of who it goes to. No names are used to protect privacy.     The bins are sta...