Party With the Pets 2020

Thursday night I got to combine my love for animals and help out one of my favorite local charities, Columbus Humane at the semi-annual ‘Party with the Pets’ event.  As in the past, the proceeds from this year’s event will go towards the food budget to help with the high cost of feeding the animals that are housed there before finding their forever homes.

Having attended the autumn 2018 event, we’ve already seen the newly renovated building (partly done so after a very expensive turn of events when their frozen pipes burst in December of 2016). It’s still every bit as impressive, and the accommodations seem cozy enough for the many furry creatures that find their way there.

This year we bought a pair of raffle tickets for a couple of the enticing gift baskets containing all manner of goodies. Sadly, we didn’t win, but it’s all for a good cause!

Andrew set the agenda for the evening when he suggested, ‘How about we eat first, then pet some kitties afterwards?’ Sounds good to me! Although there was slightly less food than last time, and perhaps slightly fewer people,

I was happy enough with the selection of sliders and pasta skewers. There was also a veggie tray, so the dinner was healthy enough to offset the desserts, which was raspberry & brie in little pie shells and one of my personal favorites, mini bundt cakes from my favorite bakery in Dublin (yes I will have a second…don’t mind if I do!)

Once our tummies were filled, it was time to seek out a little feline affection. Not surprisingly the younger cats were slightly more active and definitely happy to accept a little petting and cuddling and play time too.

I asked one of the volunteers if it was still true that black cats can be difficult to adopt out. She said she didn’t think so, and I hope this guy finds a new home soon.

We also learned about the special needs of an FIV+ cat, which is the equivalent of HIV in humans. The volunteer explained they usually live a pretty normal life span, but may need a little more medical attention as they’re certainly more susceptible to disease. It probably goes without saying, but they need to be kept indoors and can only be companions to other FIV+ cats.

Rachel Finney, the CEO of Columbus Humane thanked all the volunteers and donors and said Columbus Humane last year helped approximately two dozen different species of animals in various rescue efforts around Columbus.

Although we don’t have any plans to adopt a brother or sister for Tamsin, we plan to renew our membership and would encourage any local animal lovers who have the means to consider this great charity as well. If you're more of a fan of the whole cat cafe scene, don't forget to visit the Eat, Purr, Love Cat Cafe in Clintonville. Their muffins and hot cocoa are quite satisfying on a cold winter day, and if you play your cards right, you might even get a cat to curl up next to you.

What am I Reading/Streaming Right Now?

I am currently reading We’ll Always Have Paris by Jennifer Coburn. It’s a memoir Ms. Coburn wrote about her travels abroad with her pre-adolescent (and then later teen) daughter over the course of about a decade. So far I am on the second section which covers her trip to Italy (the first was Paris & England). Having been to most, though not all, the places she wrote about, I find her perspective interesting and not entirely different from our (mine and my husband’s) experience. We were in Paris right around the same time, though both of us missed Tom Cruise proposing to Katie Holmes way up in the Eiffel Tower.

Also, I think we waited for a rainy day before going up in the London Eye too (with my uncle when he visited us from California). However, unlike Ms. Coburn, I’ve never shared a train compartment with Thandie Newton, though I have met my fair share of British celebrities (Michael Palin, Judi Dench, Anthony Head, Lawrence Llewelyn Bowen, etc.).

Now that Christmas is over and I have a little more free time, I am streaming new seasons of “The Crown,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Doctor Who” and a new series called, “James May Our Man in Japan.” We also just started the third season of “Travels by Narrowboat.” I guess you can tell we quite fancy our British programs (Mrs Maisel is set in 1960s New York).

I agree with my sister who summed up the third season of “The Crown” as “rather dark.” The only episode (so far) with any real laughs was when Princess Margaret (the queen’s sister) toured America and met LBJ and joined him in exchanging off-color jokes and limericks.

Though the queen wasn’t thrilled to hear the details of that evening (given painstakingly by the poor Prime Minister whom one really has to pity as he seems so unfit for the job), she was pleased that her sister was such a hit with the American public earning so much positive publicity for the crown. Though I’ve certainly learned a lot this season, I will, quite honestly, be glad when the season is over. In light of all the recent news about Harry & Meghan, we wonder how long “The Crown” will continue and whether someday we’ll learn more about Wills & Kate and the rest of the children/grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth.

Season three of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” can be summed up in one word – Roadtrip! This season she’s the opening act for rock ‘n roll star, Shy Baldwin (a bit like the character of Marvin Berry in “Back to the Future.”). My dad would probably enjoy the third episode when they’re in Las Vegas – so many vintage slot machines, and old timey footage of the strip. Definitely a blast from the past! Of course Midge soon learns that you need to tailor your material to the audience, but first, learn who your audience is. I have a feeling she’ll soon learn and soon outgrow being an opening act. I look forward to seeing more vintage venues and the comedic sparring between Midge and her manager, Susie.

Equally enjoyable is “James May Our Man in Japan” which we discovered quite by accident when scrolling through the program list on Amazon Prime. The first episode was set in Kyoto where James immersed himself in the various snow sports they do there. Riding on the back of a sled being pulled by dogs looked like fun, though it probably does hurt when you fall off landing hard in an icy snow bank.

The team snowball fight looked like fun though (but probably painful as well when you get hit by a snowball laced with ice). I love that James May can laugh at himself in some of the ridiculous situations he’s put in. He also seems to be having a genuinely good time and that comes across on the screen. Of course Andrew and I enjoy the series since we’re big fans of James May (no relation though) and all things Japanese.

HAPPINESS IS....

People Who Leave Their Christmas Lights Lit Up Past the 5th of January....

A Gorgeous Sunrise...

Pretty Plants in the Window...

Having Lots to Read...

TV Programs That Make You Think...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!