Things I've Learned

 

        Last week I wrote a column about why I celebrate my birthday. My original intent was to write a birthday version of things I've learned. That happens sometimes. I may have an idea for a column when another presents itself. Today I'm going with the topic of things I have learned birthday edition. As always these are in no particular order.

        I learned that if Barnaby is brushed regularly we don't have as much hair on the floor.  You'd think I'd know this already since I've lived with cats for over 25 years. Experience has taught me that not all cats shed the same. Barnaby is a long haired cat with a soft light coat. When it comes off it tends to form dust bunnies. It also clings to any piece of cloth like iron filings to a magnet. Grooming Barnaby means less hair everywhere else. It also has the added benefit of making his already soft fur even softer. Good thing he likes to be petted.

        On the topic of cat care, I also learned that I can trim all the cat's claws myself. Again this sounds obvious to someone who has lived with cats for many years. At one point in time, I had my cats front paw declawed. That way they wouldn't be able to damage furniture but still had their back claws. It is now considered inhumane to declaw a cat. The clinic I take the cats to no longer performs this surgery. I've been told that providing scratching poles will prevent cats from clawing furniture, but I have found that it simply doesn't work. Trimming their claws can help. I'm trying to get into the habit of trimming Willow's and Barnaby's claws about once a month. Mornings seem to work the best when they are settling down for a nap. I give them four treats each one treat for each paw. 

        I learned that old habits die hard. When I wasn't working as much and we needed to watch our finances, I got into the habit of steeping the same tea leaves three times. The third steeping produced a very weak tea. I did it because the tea I like is a bit expensive and doing this would help save money. Things are better now and I don't have to steep the leaves three times, but I do out of habit. Throwing them out after two steepings feels wasteful to me.

        I've learned that I don't like the down dog position in yoga. A couple years ago, I had something like frozen shoulder. It was painful and my range of motion was very limited. I'm recovered now and back to doing "normal" yoga. I can hold down dog for short periods of time which is good because I like the stretch I get down my lower legs. I find when I hold it for too long or when I lift one leg, my shoulder feels wobbly. Since I don't want to reinjure myself, I have learned...

       ...to modify. This is an important lesson. Sometimes you just aren't able to do things as you used to. Accepting this fact and modifying things as needed is useful. If something doesn't work for me, then I need to find a ways to make it work. Learning to adjust to change is a skill I'm still working on. 

        I've learned that getting rid of things feels good. I'm trying to downsize things. I've trimmed down my CD collection. A week ago I found that a local church was collecting jewelry. They were going to participate in the city wide garage sale and the proceeds from donated items would benefit the church. As I had several necklaces that I haven't worn in years and a few bracelets collecting dust, I bagged them and donated them. I hope new owners will put them to good use. 

        There are a lot more things I could list, but maybe another time. Right now I'm going to employ another lesson I learned. Get housework done early so I can enjoy the rest of the day.