Maple Syrup Breath

Day 327

My oldest cat, Pretty Boy, has been sick for a couple of weeks. He keeps vomiting, usually after he

eats. Sometimes during the day, sometimes during the night. Pretty Boy sleeps on the bed with me at night and when he get's sick it's on my bed, or nightstand, or next to the bed. Sometimes I hear him and wake up and I would clean up the mess. Other times I find out when I get out of bed to use the bathroom and I step in it. And then I would clean it up.

Almost always, I found a blade of grass or some pine needles in the mess. Cats routinely eat these when they have an upset stomach, to cause them to expel whatever is upsetting their stomach. Fur can gather in the stomach after grooming and is either passed through or regurgitated. When neither of these things happens they will self induce vomiting by eating something their system can't digest.

Cats also will make themselves sick to let their owners know they are unhappy about something. In these cases they often aim for the owners shoes. There's nothing like finding a fresh "tootsie roll" in your shoes when putting them on in the morning.

At first, I couldn't think of anything recently that would have upset him. He follows the same routine every day. He likes to go outside to check his territory and does his duty outside, saving me from emptying the litter pan. So considerate. He comes in, eats some food and takes a nap. Routine.

Lately, he only goes out at night. He won't go outside during the day. I'm not sure why, but I think I can guess.

My neighbors, two houses over, have a dog. For some reason, they don't think they have to tie their dog up when he's outside. Maybe they just want the dog to run over and shit in someone elses yard so they won't have to clean it up. I don't know.

I believe the dog attacked Pretty Boy. He didn't hurt him. Maybe he just wanted to play. But Pretty Boy was shaken up and is now afraid to go out during the day.

My cat has lost dominance in his territory. He has been psychologically scarred and he may never be the same again. My old tomcat Curly had a similar experience. He was king of his domain. Then one day, he wouldn't go outside, he just laid around the house. He was missing a tooth, so I knew he had been in a fight...and lost. Curly was old. Pretty Boy is getting old.

The animal doc believes it's just hair, so he gave me some hairball medicine. A tube of grease to lube

up the intestinal tract so the hair can slide out the rear. Only $20. Cats are suppose to like the taste and...it smells like maple syrup. Yum.

This morning I awoke with my cat sleeping next to my head with no sign of sickness. He yawned on me with his maple syrup breath. I was thankful he was feeling better, and celebrated with a huge stack of buttermilk pancakes. Smothered in Mrs. Butterworths. Only $3.89.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 326

Day 326

I was going to sit here and write about my cats trip to the vet and how his breath smells like maple syrup. But that's for tomorrow.

Tonight was the Evening With Authors Ken Meisel and Jeff Vande Zande. Both Michigan authors reading from their works. With the number of people flocking to purchase their books, I need to hurry and get mine published and hit the road selling.

I'm sure it's not that easy but I need to give it a try.

It was a long day.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 325

Day 325

It was a so-so day today. Nothing special happening. Tomorrow on the other hand, is going to be busy. I have just been reminded of an appointment I have in the morning for blood work. Then in the afternoon I have an appointment to take my cat in to the vet. He has been sick. Then I get to go to West Branch and introduce the authors for An Evening With Authors. Just another day.

Friday off.

Then Saturday morning in Standish for Gateway to Writing until 2 o'clock. Back to Houghton Lake to watch the Michigan football game at my brothers. Finally home again to watch the MSU game. On Sunday I plan to have a heart attack watching the Lions lose to 0-3 Chicago.

I just bought two Five Hour Energy shots for the next few days.

Some days it's good to be me.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Ghost Rider "RIDES" Again Tonight

Day 324

Marvel's Agents of Shield is on tonight and I must renew my protest, Ghost Rider does NOT drive a hemi car, no matter how "badass" the car is. Ghost Rider rides a "badass" motorcycle. Why do they have to try to improve things? I read Ghost Rider comics when I was a kid about 45 years ago. Stop F'ing with Ghost Rider!


Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 323

Day 323

Another busy day so no time to write. New stories coming soon.

Until tomorrow.

Ken

An Evening With Authors Ken Meisel and Jeff Vande Zande

Day 322

If your anywhere in the area of West Branch this Thursday the 29th, you might want to stop by the West Branch Library for An Evening With Authors Ken Meisel and Jeff Vande Zande. It will be my first time seeing them but I hear they are excellent readers, and they are funny. They will, of course, be reading from their favorite works and their latest releases. Books will also be for sale after the reading.

So if you would enjoy an evening of storytelling from two published authors from Michigan, come to the West Branch Library this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. I hope to see you there.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Turn Down Day Again

Day 321

"It's a turn down day, nothin' on my mind..."

The Cyrkle

The only thing on my mind today was football. I really have to get back to writing. Now is prime time for publishing. Novels ready for the Christmas holiday. I want to publish so I can say I have done it. I want to sell my book so that I can prove that I did good. And to know I'm not alone in this world.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 320

Day 320

I went grocery shopping instead of writing on my blog. Now, it's too late to write anything worth reading. I will try again tomorrow. Only 45 more days and I may never blog again.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 319

Day 319

Been a long day. Will try to continue Soul Mates tomorrow.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Soul Mates?

Day 318

I may have mentioned this before, and if so I apologize for repeating myself. Irene had an almost childlike wonder at some of the things we did, which I took for granted. I have seen some of the world and done my share of unusual things. Bear in mind I was much younger and in excellent physical shape. It wasn't until my early forties that my weight was able to run amok which eventually caused other health problems and slowed me down considerably. I was just out of the Navy when I met Irene so I was still in great shape.

Our romantic relationship lasted about six months and ended do to her "biological clock" running out of time. We had met in our early thirties and neither of us had been married or had children. She wanted to have children and I had never given it any thought. To her that translated to 'I don't want children". To me it meant "I hadn't thought about children". Since then I have thought about it and today I believe having children is just not an adventure we all get to experience. I sometimes wish I had someone to pass on my knowledge and experiences, to mold and watch grow. But for me it was not meant to be.

After a time of painful transition we became close friends. I gave her space and would have stepped aside if she had met someone. My biggest fear was that she would meet someone and I would no longer get to call her whenever I wanted to talk about nothing special. Just chit-chat like friends do.

Irene had another ex-boyfriend whom she kept in touch with now and then. And even though we were just friends she would ask me if I would mind her having dinner with him, or going to a concert or other function. I felt it was nice of her to ask even though I had no right to say either way. He was her friend also. I can't remember his name so let's call him Tim. Tim didn't feel the same way I did about our triangle of friendship.

He and I were near exact opposites. He was a workaholic, I enjoy living. He was short, I am not. He was jealous, I was not (normally). He had been married and divorced, I have always been single. He had children, I did not. And so on.

I will continue this tomorrow as it is getting late.

Util tomorrow,

Ken

Musings From My Mind: Jim Croce

Day 317

When I read a book or write my stories I often listen to music. While preparing to read the new Longmire novel, I came across Jim Croce's Greatest Hits. It was a nearly two hour compilation of Croce's music. As I read I was continuously drawn away from the novel to listen to the music. The guitar was engaging and the vocals were crisp and clear. He had an incredible voice and his songs told a story.

If you don't know the story of Jim Croce here it is in a nutshell. According to Wiki he didn't take music seriously until he studied music at Villanova. He formed bands and performed at frat parties and coffee houses, playing a variety of music.

He and his wife Ingrid were a duo and recorded an album in 1968 and spent the next two years traveling, performing in clubs.

In 1972 he signed a three record deal with ABC Records. His single Bad, Bad Leroy Brown hit #1 in the US in July of 1973. Until then he traveled playing coffee houses and small festivals, paying back his advance from the albums. He played on American Bandstand, Midnight Special, The Tonight Show and others. But Croce became homesick and decided to quit after his tour ended.

The tragedy struck. On September 20, 1973, at the age of 30, Jim Croce died when the charter plane he was riding in hit a tree on takeoff. In a letter to his wife, received after his death, he wrote that he had decided to give up music and become a screenplay writer. His last album was finished a week before he died and was released in December 1973. Several of the songs were hits.

I wonder what would have happened if he had not died. Would he still be making music and playing in large venues? How many more hit songs would we have from a fabulous songwriter?

We lost several music icons in the early months of 2016, David Bowie, Glenn Frey of the Eagles and Prince. But we were blessed with many years of excellent music form each, though we always hope our heroes will last forever.

Jim Croce's career ended almost as soon as it began. We were fortunate that he gave us as much as he did in such a short time. Thank you Jim.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 316

Day 316

A busy month coming up for me. An authors night, a writing seminar, a writers retreat and a book release. Busy, busy, busy. It's nice having things to do. Watched the Lions game yesterday. 'Nuff said 'bout dat.

Reading the latest Longmire novel. I watches AHS Murder House over the weekend. It's funny that at least two of the past five seasons dealt with ghosts haunting a house/building that they couldn't leave because they died there. Now the new season called My Roanoke Nightmare is about a couple who buy a haunted house. I like haunted houses but damn, a serious lack of imagination.

Watching part three, of the three part Major Crimes series. I think the mother is the secret boss. She acts weird or guilty of something.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 315

Day 315

I am so unmotivated. I think it is my allergy medicine, or my allergies. I can't seem to get on a roll to do anything. I just want to sleep all of the time. Allergy season should be over soon and I can get back to work watching tv and surfing the web.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Football

Day 314

It's Saturday night, the U of M game was good. They made a comeback after getting down 21-7. It the second quarter and MSU is down 7-0 to Notre Dame. Msu was moving the ball well and then was picked off at the goal line. We have it back again so hopefully we can score.

It was a beautiful day with temperatures in the seventies.I'm told the walleye fishing could improve with the cooler weather.

I haven't been out fishing much this year due to my total diet failure. I am heavier now than I have ever been. My weight is dangerously high. I need to eat less and write more. When I publish I had better weigh a lot less if I am to do book signings. My goal will be to do book signings in Traverse City and Ann Arbor. New York City would be nice too but I don't want to drive all the way over there. But I'll have to go where my fans are.

I'm going back to watching the football game. MSU just scored and we're up 8-7.

I love football.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Oh, That's Scary

Day 313

I'm watching American Horror Story: Murder House. The first season is the only one I haven't seen. I started with season 2 Asylum. I love a good scare.

First episode and I've already seen five ghosts. Excellent. OK three ghosts for sure and two I believe are ghosts.

I hope I can sleep tonight.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

What's Going On This Month

Day 312

The Firemen's Memorial Festival started today and runs through Sunday.

There will be an Evening with Authors at the West Branch Library on the 29th. Michigan authors Ken Misel and Jeff Vande Zande will give a presentation starting at 6:30 pm.

Gateway to Writing workshop in Standish, MI will be held on Oct. 1st from 9 am to 1:45 pm. Pre register by Sept 29. Admission is $35 and includes materials and lunch. The best deal in Michigan.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

AHS Tonight

Day 311

American Horror Story: ?6 starts tonight. I ordered the first season at the library. It's the only one I haven't seen yet. I hope season 6 is as good as season five Hotel.

The first one I saw was Asylum. I loved it. Then they made the wimpy Coven because some of the fans thought it was too violent. Freakshow was better but Hotel was great. Lady Gaga is a pretty good actress.

Gotta go show is starting. Stay scared.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 310

Day 310

I'm watching dvd's on my wide screen tv. So why is it that the picture is still cut off across the top and the bottom? Why doesn't a wide screen dvd show full screen on a wide screen tv? I mean it's not like wide screen tv's are new. They have been around for over a decade. So there is no reason why the movie manufacturers can't make the movie fit the screen. Unless, of course, they just want to be ass holes. If that is the case, they are succeeding.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 309

Day 309

Coming soon: The Firemen's Memorial Festival starts this Thursday at the Firemen's Fairgrounds in Roscommon. It's the last big festival of the year for this area.

Had another long day today. Hopefully I can get some sleep tonight.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 308

Day 308

The Lions tried to give me a heart attack today. They almost succeeded. Every time the Lions get a lead, they change from the aggressive defense to the Bend Then Break defense, also known as the "prevent" defense. I would like to know what it is suppose to prevent since it doesn't prevent the other team from scoring points.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Sea Sick

Day 307

Captains Log, September 10, 1716

A sickness has fallen upon the crew. I am also showing signs of the illness. It first came upon us three weeks ago. Shortly after our stop in the Norwegian port of Oslo. We loaded several assorted boxes. Some of them resembling caskets. They were plain wood and unadorned. We also restocked the ships stores with those fresh fruits as were available and fresh water.

The illness begins with a slight fever and a lack of vitality. At first, the crew who were afflicted, tried to work through it, but quickly tired. The ships physician recommended bed rest but this seemed to make the sickness work faster. The crew, being an uneducated and superstitious lot, began to whisper of a curse.

A young seaman had been caught in the apple barrel when the ship stores were low and food was being rationed. His punishment was ten lashes. But the boatswain's lash was over zealous and the young lad died and was buried at sea as is customary. The crew believed the fresh stores were cursed and causing the sickness. Deeming some of the food we took on at Oslo to be spoiled, we heaved them overboard. But the sickness continued.

When four of the crew had come down with the affliction, the Doctor noticed two small wounds at the throat opposite the jugular. He recalled having read of such a symptom and began to search his medical journals for any hint. A day later, three more had the disease and two were dead with another soon to follow them to Davy Jones.

The Doctor entered my cabin and looked ashen, as though the sickness were upon him also. He filled a glass with rum and drank it down with one swallow. Then he poured another and halfway through he paused to consider something before finishing his second round. What he told me was too incredible to be recorded here.

The Doctor left my cabin in the evening and was never seen again. It is my belief he was drunk on the rum and fell overboard. It was a cloudy night and the watch reported nothing out of the ordinary. A full inquiry may be done when next we reach our home port, but as of now the Doctor shall be reported missing at sea. Another guest of Davy Jones.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 306

Day 306

Another late day so just sayin' to get a post in. It won't be long now and I can post once a week or twice a week instead of every day.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Two Heads

Day 305

I am writing this down, in case something happens to me, there will be a record. I'm not sure how to explain what has been happening around this house. Strange occurrences which began just a short time ago. At first it was just simple things; a towel moved from it's place, small things that went missing only to reappear in their correct place that I had checked previously.

Then cupboard doors left open just after I had closed them. Milk turning sour just after opening. Apples with a bite out of them. A bite that I hadn't eaten.

Some other member of the household you will say, playing a prank on me.Some jester with a macabre sense of humor. Accept that I live alone with my tabby cat as my only company. He a jolly old tomcat who enjoys eating and sleeping by the fireplace.

As of late he had taken to sleeping close to me on the bed. Normally he is not allowed but he has been seemed so pathetic when I shew him off the bed that I have allowed him to remain. The past few nights he has been climbing onto my pillow, shaking, I assumed, from the cold and damp.

This past night, as I went to my bed, I rolled onto my side as I do when I sleep. After a few minutes I could feel the pillow behind my head compress as the old boy climbed onto his customary spot. That night he was shaking more than usual. This was keeping me awake so I started to turn and shew him from behind me, when I glanced out my bedroom window.

There on the sill outside my window was my tabby cat, woefully looking in. Suddenly, his stood on end as he arched his back and spat. He was looking over my shoulder at something behind my head. I jumped out of bed and turned on the light next to the bed. There in my pillow was the indentation from my head and next to that was another indentation.

I have just learned that the woman who owned the house before me had committed suicide when her husband had left her for another woman. She had overdosed on sleeping pills in her bed in that same room.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 304

Day 304

It's a...rainy night in Houghton Lake, a rainy night in Houghton Lake, feels like it's raining all over the world.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 303

Day 303

Labor Day weekend is over and things have quieted down a little bit. I went out to the store and there was no one there. I loved it.

We still have the Firemen's Memorial weekend coming this month but that will be nothing compared to last weekend. Soon peace and small town living will return to Houghton Lake for another nine months until next summer. Until then this town will slow down and rest up.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 302

Day 302

Just a quickie tonight. It's getting late and I just don't feel motivated. It was such a busy weekend here I hardly went out. Too much traffic just driving to my brothers house. Good for the local economy though.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

True Mexico

Day 301

It was Labor Day weekend in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico. It was 1986. Being a holiday weekend we were given an extra day off from Navy Sonar 209 Tech school. We went down to Ensenanda on Saturday. There was a cruise ship (I believe it was the Pacific Princess) from the television show The Love Boat was in port for a couple of days so there were Americans everywhere.

First I want you to understand, Port of Ensenada is an old Mexican city, over the years it has attracted tourism as a favorite port-of-call for cruise ships running the west coast. Much like the residents of Houghton Lake, the locals stay away on weekends and leave the tourists alone as much as possible. But once the tourists leave they come back to enjoy what there city has to offer including the night life.

I have written before about a bar there called Hussongs, established in 1892, it is the oldest cantina on the peninsula. Hussongs also claims to be the inventors of the Margarita, named after the woman for whom the bartender invented it. With $1 Margaritas and .75 cent long neck beer, it was a favorite of college students.

Saturday was pretty much as I thought it would be, hardly room to move with college students chugging beer into the night. There were only two bartenders but they did an admirable job keeping up with orders. There were very few tables so everyone just stood around drinking, laughing and having a good time.

Having experienced the crowds on Saturday, and with Monday being a holiday, I had considered going home early assuming Sunday would be as crowded as Saturday. As I had paid in advance for another night at the motel my frugality won out and I stayed.

On Sunday the cruise ship pulled out, as did most, if not all, of the college students. I assume they headed back to their dorms to get ready for the start of the semester. Everything slowed down including Hussongs.

Although the Mexicans don't celebrate Labor Day, they do celebrate the tourists leaving town. When my friend and I went back to Hussongs on Sunday night, it was a different place. The room had filled with tables and chairs and mostly locals. Amid a few stares, we made our way to a table near the back wall.

As we sipped margaritas, I looked at all of the sedate, smiling faces. Some of the patrons dressed in traditional Mexican clothing in beautiful vibrant colors with intricate needle work. Three women sat at the table next to us, looking to be about the same age as the college students who had been here the day before. The contrast was quite noticeable as they sat and chatted about their day? Family? Jobs? I don't speak Mexican or Spanish, other than a few words. I knew how to say "margarita please".

I enjoyed just watching the difference in how these people interacted with each other as compared to American's. They laughed and chatted but kept respectful of the others around them. Nothing outrageous, nothing bombastic, nothing attention grabbing. Just a pleasant evening with friends.

Soon a Mariachi band came in and began to play. Just three men with Mexican guitars playing traditional songs. With a healthy glow from the tequila, I watched the girls at the next table sing along. I couldn't understand the words but I could tell by the way they sang it was about someone falling in love, and then losing that love. With shining black hair falling in waves down to their shoulders and their dark brown eyes so soft, I decided it would be too easy fall in love with one of these girls.

We stayed for awhile, soaking up the Mexican culture before we retired to our motel room. I dreamt of beautiful women with long dark tresses and inviting smiles, in bright colored dresses. Of dancing and amour.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Day 300

Day 300

Spent the day at home due to traffic. I tried to go to the grocery store, But after the traffic lite had changed three times and I was still not up to the intersection, I turned around in the Walgreens parking lot and returned home. I haven't seen traffic like this since the last time I was down state.

I watched Michigan wipe out Hawaii in football and took a nap. Then I went to my brothers and played cards. I left around nine o'clock and there were still too many cars on the road as I returned home.

Now it's near ten o'clock and I'm watching Murder She Wrote and getting ready for bed. If I get up very early, maybe I can get to the grocery store before it get's crowded. Wish me luck.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

Watchin' Football Again

Day 299

Watching the MSU game. Furman is hanging tough through the first half. They haven't scored but MSU is only up by 7 points.

I was talking to my bro', he actually called me intentionally this time, says he's trying to get home but didn't have enough time to make it today. He wants to look for a new job because he's not getting enough miles. He's thinking of selling his house and moving to Boston.

Stayed home all day. I didn't want to face the Labor Day weekend crowds. It'll be that way all weekend long. The tourist trade is good for the area but I stay away form the crowds as much as possible. I'm officially "small town" now.

Until tomorrow,

Ken

The Start of Autumn

Day 298

As I mentioned yesterday, Labor Day weekend is upon us. It should be a little crazy but I'll stay out of town if possible.

This also marks the beginning of college football with both MSU an U of M playing this weekend. MSU starts on Friday night playing Furman. Then Michigan playing Saturday at noon against Hawaii.

I love the Fall. Cider mills have begun advertising. Football has begun. I believe the leaves are going to turn early this year due to the dry summer, the colors may not be as brilliant as they usually are here in Michigan, but beautiful all the same.

I might try to get some fishing in but that will depend on the crowds. If not this weekend, I'll get out sometime during the week. It will ahve to be soon though as the winds, traditionally, pick up in the autumn.

The Lions have gone up 17-0 over Buffalo in the last exhibition game before the regular season begins against Indianapolis. I don't think the Lions will be more than an average team this year but the new GM has done a good job rebuilding so far.

That's all for tonight.

Until tomorrow,

Ken