Saturday, April 19, 2014
SATURDAY CATS
The TURKISH VAN (not to be confused with Van cat or Turkish Angora) is a longhaired bred of domestic cat with genetic origins in modern Turkey. The breed is claimed to be descended from the landrace of Van cats, mostly found near Lake Van, though one of the two original breeders has stated that none of the original cats used to found the formal breed came from the Van area. The breed is rare, and is distinguished by the Van colour pattern, where the colour is restricted to the head and tail with the rest of the cat being white; this is due to the expression of the piebald white spotting gene, a type of partial leucism. A Van may have blue or amber eyes or be odd-eyed, having one eye of each colour.
The breed was developed in Britain from a selection of Van cats obtained from various cities of Turkey. It was first recognised by a breeder/fancier organisation, the U.K.-based Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), in 1969. The term "Turkish Vankedisi" is used by some organisations as a name for all-white specimens of the formal Turkish Van breed, and is easily confused with the landrace Van cat, the Turkish name of which is Van kedisi.
The coat of this cat is considered semi-longhaired. They only have awn hair which makes their coat feel like cashmere or rabbit fur, and the coat dries quickly when wet. Lake Van is a region of temperature extremes and the cats have evolved a coat that grows thick in the winter with a large ruff, and bottlebrush tail for the winters. The coat sheds out during the warm summers but the full tail is kept year round. (Strangely enough, although of course she is just a moggy, our Precious also grows a thick coat in the cool weather and sheds during summer).
The Turkish Van is one of the larger breeds of cats. It is moderately long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs, but neither the cat itself nor its legs are so long to be disproportionate. These cats are large and muscular. They have massive paws and rippling hard muscle structure which allows them to be very strong jumpers. Vans can easily hit the top of a refrigerator from a cold start on the floor. They are slow to mature and can take up to 3 years to reach full maturity. Their fetching skills are also quite good and they are quick to learn.
One of the incredible attributes of the Turkish Van is that they enjoy water and love swimming. The breed is noted to have an unusual fascination with water whereas most cat breeds dislike getting wet. The alleged unusual trait could be due to the breed's supposed proximity to Lake Van in their native country. It could have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and having extremely water proof coats that makes bathing them a challenge. Most Vans in the United States are indoor cats and do not have access to large bodies of water, but their love and curiosity of water stays with them Instead of swimming, they stir their water bowls and invent fishing games in the toilet. The Turkish Van is nicknamed "the swimming cat".
Turkish Vans are very intelligent and will easily take over their home and owners. Vans are people cats that want to be with people wherever they go. They like to play and jump and explore anything in their reach, which is quite large. They are energetic; they play hard and sleep hard. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and many owners describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities. This is a very social breed with a friendly, lively disposition and they develop a great fondness for their owners with whom they enjoy interactive games. They are playful and tend to 'teach' their owners. Many know how to play fetch and will drop toys at your feet until you join in the game with them.
The breed was developed in Britain from a selection of Van cats obtained from various cities of Turkey. It was first recognised by a breeder/fancier organisation, the U.K.-based Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), in 1969. The term "Turkish Vankedisi" is used by some organisations as a name for all-white specimens of the formal Turkish Van breed, and is easily confused with the landrace Van cat, the Turkish name of which is Van kedisi.
The coat of this cat is considered semi-longhaired. They only have awn hair which makes their coat feel like cashmere or rabbit fur, and the coat dries quickly when wet. Lake Van is a region of temperature extremes and the cats have evolved a coat that grows thick in the winter with a large ruff, and bottlebrush tail for the winters. The coat sheds out during the warm summers but the full tail is kept year round. (Strangely enough, although of course she is just a moggy, our Precious also grows a thick coat in the cool weather and sheds during summer).
The Turkish Van is one of the larger breeds of cats. It is moderately long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs, but neither the cat itself nor its legs are so long to be disproportionate. These cats are large and muscular. They have massive paws and rippling hard muscle structure which allows them to be very strong jumpers. Vans can easily hit the top of a refrigerator from a cold start on the floor. They are slow to mature and can take up to 3 years to reach full maturity. Their fetching skills are also quite good and they are quick to learn.
One of the incredible attributes of the Turkish Van is that they enjoy water and love swimming. The breed is noted to have an unusual fascination with water whereas most cat breeds dislike getting wet. The alleged unusual trait could be due to the breed's supposed proximity to Lake Van in their native country. It could have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and having extremely water proof coats that makes bathing them a challenge. Most Vans in the United States are indoor cats and do not have access to large bodies of water, but their love and curiosity of water stays with them Instead of swimming, they stir their water bowls and invent fishing games in the toilet. The Turkish Van is nicknamed "the swimming cat".
Turkish Vans are very intelligent and will easily take over their home and owners. Vans are people cats that want to be with people wherever they go. They like to play and jump and explore anything in their reach, which is quite large. They are energetic; they play hard and sleep hard. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and many owners describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities. This is a very social breed with a friendly, lively disposition and they develop a great fondness for their owners with whom they enjoy interactive games. They are playful and tend to 'teach' their owners. Many know how to play fetch and will drop toys at your feet until you join in the game with them.
Friday, April 18, 2014
THE KITCHEN REPAIRS ARE HAPPENING
At 8am Thursday morning the plumber arrived to disconnect the old kitchen sink and then at 10am two cabinetmakers arrived, firstly to dismantle the old lower kitchen cupboards including the pantry cupboards and secondly to instal the new cupboards. They worked right through to after 5pm before they were done and we were pleased they took all the old cupboards away and even vacuumed the floor before leaving.
The new cupboards are entirely different to the original and now I have the task of trying to decide where everything is to go. I have 4 extra drawers and can also now use the corners of the cupboards which I couldn't before but have to practice opening those strange doors.
Where the pantry cupboard stood I now have 4 drawers below, room for the microwave on the extended bench and an open cupboard above which I am not really sure what to do with. It is quite high and not deep enough to take the rack I keep my dinner set in. There are going have to be so many changes made.
You can see here where they had to cut away some of the vinyl 'cos the new cupboards are a few cms deeper than the original and this revealed the red and white tiles that were here when we moved in in 1974. They were quite worn so were very quickly covered over. They were well and truly glued to the floorboards so had to stay put. Think perhaps a paler vinyl to go with the paler bench tops although we've always liked this one with the cork pattern. Time for a change though.
It is wonderful to say goodbye to the original very dark brown benchtops. They were the type that you could wipe down, turn around and in 5 minutes you'd find more 'bits' to wipe up. After 30 years it will be so wonderful not to be plagued by those damned brown tops.
We now have white tiles all around instead of just under the window. I didn't realise they were going to do that so perhaps would have asked for cream tiles but perhaps a contrast is good. Before there were just white tiles on the window ledge and right under the window. They probably thought I'd like the same colour and so be it. You can see the spacers are still there and Reece (the boss) will be here next Thursday to remove them and do the grouting. Until then we can't put too much stuff on the benchtop or we'll have to move it all again. I really do love the new benchtops.
This morning a different plumber arrived at 8am to connect the new sink which took him simply ages as he had to make up a new connection. He was a terrific young bloke and was so patient with what he had to do. I felt for him as he had almost to be a contortionist to get in under the sink. I said I was sorry the old taps had to go back (they weren't of course damaged in the flooding) and asked if he could replace them for me if I paid his firm. He rang his boss and told him I had an email account so I spoke to the boss and he said to give my name and address and email address to his employee and he would send me an account via email and I can then pay for the taps by bank transfer. Now, instead of a couple of old brown taps, we have two new shiny silver ones which are easier for my hands to manage....and this new strange type plug which I didn't push in hard enough and wondered why the water kept escaping. Phil to the rescue and now it works fine but seems so much of it I wonder will it be easy to keep clean. I am glad they have trusted me to send immediate payment for taps.
It looks a little bare without the bottom cafe curtain but I will wash the two lots of curtains and will wait till next week so Reece can do the grouting without curtains getting in the way. My old sink had two sides to it while this new one has only one drainer which is also going to take getting used to. I have no idea why they replaced it with this one but perhaps it is the modern trend. I didn't argue as I just wanted to get the job over and done with.
I think the plain cupboards do fit in OK with the pine upper cupboards but we now have to get new knobs for the old cupboards to match the really nice new silver handles on the lower cupboards. This photo doesn't snow the true colour of the new cupboards. If you look at the first picture you will se they are a deep cream. If you are wondering what the little red star is.....when one has grandies and you are presented with a sticker or two you have to show you love them by popping them somewhere so they can be seen. : ) Perhaps its time they were removed now as I think that one has been there for a year or two. We just got used to it being there. It has a smiley face.
This has definitely become an ongoing saga (a little like EC's driveway but at least ours is mainly covered by insurance except for the $500 for the new sink and tiling and of course the taps). I rang the people who had sent a chap out to check the damage to vinyl and hall carpet. "Oh no" said the lady there "we only check to see if it is repairable or needs replacing. You will have to ring the insurance company and speak to them about having a firm measure up for new vinyl". Tried ringing GIO, joined a queue so tried again 2 hours later and got straight through thank goodness. This 35¢ to call 1300 numbers really annoys. It is for their convenience, not ours and yet it costs us nearly twice the cost of a normal call. Anyway when I spoke to a very helpful lady in Newcastle (on the other side of this vast country of ours) she said our "Claims manager" would call us next week and arrange for someone to come out and measure up for us. Hopefully all this will be over and done with by the end of April. Sigh! Easter and Anzac Day (25th April) are sort of getting in the way right now.
There is one problem I'd not even considered which is of some concern. Because there is now a small panel between me the the sink I found when I washed the first couple of dishes this morning that having to lean over that wee bit further plays havoc with my back, and I mean it really hurts. Phil looked at me knowing I was in pain and said that doing the dishes may be his job more than usual in future. Still, I am a very good drier up so more adapting to be done perhaps.
The two of us are really quite worn out today and I even managed to sleep for 30 minutes this afternoon and it is most unusual for me to be able to sleep during the day. Haven't slept too well past few nights either so have been getting up much earlier than usual. Our little world has been turned upside down with more to come with the flooring to be done. I can assure you that in future no tap will be left running when I leave the room. I've learned that lesson only too well.
I will say that the four workmen who have been here the last couple of days are some of the nicest I've ever had to deal with. They were all relatively youngish but knew their jobs so thoroughly. Offers of tea or coffee were refused and we were told they had their lunch and were OK. We just kept out of the way except when needed to answer a question or look at something in particular.
The new cupboards are entirely different to the original and now I have the task of trying to decide where everything is to go. I have 4 extra drawers and can also now use the corners of the cupboards which I couldn't before but have to practice opening those strange doors.
Where the pantry cupboard stood I now have 4 drawers below, room for the microwave on the extended bench and an open cupboard above which I am not really sure what to do with. It is quite high and not deep enough to take the rack I keep my dinner set in. There are going have to be so many changes made.
You can see here where they had to cut away some of the vinyl 'cos the new cupboards are a few cms deeper than the original and this revealed the red and white tiles that were here when we moved in in 1974. They were quite worn so were very quickly covered over. They were well and truly glued to the floorboards so had to stay put. Think perhaps a paler vinyl to go with the paler bench tops although we've always liked this one with the cork pattern. Time for a change though.
It is wonderful to say goodbye to the original very dark brown benchtops. They were the type that you could wipe down, turn around and in 5 minutes you'd find more 'bits' to wipe up. After 30 years it will be so wonderful not to be plagued by those damned brown tops.
We now have white tiles all around instead of just under the window. I didn't realise they were going to do that so perhaps would have asked for cream tiles but perhaps a contrast is good. Before there were just white tiles on the window ledge and right under the window. They probably thought I'd like the same colour and so be it. You can see the spacers are still there and Reece (the boss) will be here next Thursday to remove them and do the grouting. Until then we can't put too much stuff on the benchtop or we'll have to move it all again. I really do love the new benchtops.
This morning a different plumber arrived at 8am to connect the new sink which took him simply ages as he had to make up a new connection. He was a terrific young bloke and was so patient with what he had to do. I felt for him as he had almost to be a contortionist to get in under the sink. I said I was sorry the old taps had to go back (they weren't of course damaged in the flooding) and asked if he could replace them for me if I paid his firm. He rang his boss and told him I had an email account so I spoke to the boss and he said to give my name and address and email address to his employee and he would send me an account via email and I can then pay for the taps by bank transfer. Now, instead of a couple of old brown taps, we have two new shiny silver ones which are easier for my hands to manage....and this new strange type plug which I didn't push in hard enough and wondered why the water kept escaping. Phil to the rescue and now it works fine but seems so much of it I wonder will it be easy to keep clean. I am glad they have trusted me to send immediate payment for taps.
It looks a little bare without the bottom cafe curtain but I will wash the two lots of curtains and will wait till next week so Reece can do the grouting without curtains getting in the way. My old sink had two sides to it while this new one has only one drainer which is also going to take getting used to. I have no idea why they replaced it with this one but perhaps it is the modern trend. I didn't argue as I just wanted to get the job over and done with.
I think the plain cupboards do fit in OK with the pine upper cupboards but we now have to get new knobs for the old cupboards to match the really nice new silver handles on the lower cupboards. This photo doesn't snow the true colour of the new cupboards. If you look at the first picture you will se they are a deep cream. If you are wondering what the little red star is.....when one has grandies and you are presented with a sticker or two you have to show you love them by popping them somewhere so they can be seen. : ) Perhaps its time they were removed now as I think that one has been there for a year or two. We just got used to it being there. It has a smiley face.
This has definitely become an ongoing saga (a little like EC's driveway but at least ours is mainly covered by insurance except for the $500 for the new sink and tiling and of course the taps). I rang the people who had sent a chap out to check the damage to vinyl and hall carpet. "Oh no" said the lady there "we only check to see if it is repairable or needs replacing. You will have to ring the insurance company and speak to them about having a firm measure up for new vinyl". Tried ringing GIO, joined a queue so tried again 2 hours later and got straight through thank goodness. This 35¢ to call 1300 numbers really annoys. It is for their convenience, not ours and yet it costs us nearly twice the cost of a normal call. Anyway when I spoke to a very helpful lady in Newcastle (on the other side of this vast country of ours) she said our "Claims manager" would call us next week and arrange for someone to come out and measure up for us. Hopefully all this will be over and done with by the end of April. Sigh! Easter and Anzac Day (25th April) are sort of getting in the way right now.
There is one problem I'd not even considered which is of some concern. Because there is now a small panel between me the the sink I found when I washed the first couple of dishes this morning that having to lean over that wee bit further plays havoc with my back, and I mean it really hurts. Phil looked at me knowing I was in pain and said that doing the dishes may be his job more than usual in future. Still, I am a very good drier up so more adapting to be done perhaps.
The two of us are really quite worn out today and I even managed to sleep for 30 minutes this afternoon and it is most unusual for me to be able to sleep during the day. Haven't slept too well past few nights either so have been getting up much earlier than usual. Our little world has been turned upside down with more to come with the flooring to be done. I can assure you that in future no tap will be left running when I leave the room. I've learned that lesson only too well.
I will say that the four workmen who have been here the last couple of days are some of the nicest I've ever had to deal with. They were all relatively youngish but knew their jobs so thoroughly. Offers of tea or coffee were refused and we were told they had their lunch and were OK. We just kept out of the way except when needed to answer a question or look at something in particular.
MORE FRIDAY FUN
Here are some more pics that I hope will bring a smile to your face and guide you into a very happy Easter weekend:
If you need rain then I hope it rains; if you need sunshine then I hope you have sunny days. If only we could give our friends what they need most. All I have to offer is friendship and of that I give freely.
If you need rain then I hope it rains; if you need sunshine then I hope you have sunny days. If only we could give our friends what they need most. All I have to offer is friendship and of that I give freely.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
THOUGHTS ON THURSDAY
There's quite a lot to report this week so:
1. The Kitchen....today is the big day and the cabinetmaker says the job can be done in a day so here's hoping. All was cleared from the cupboards last night so they have a free go. A big 'right'. I rang flooring people this afternoon to alert them to the fact measurements can go ahead as soon as they are available to do them. Another 'right'. Doing well so far.
2.(a) Our x-rays.....Phil had to have a follow up CT scan of his chest the day after his x-ray and there is still nothing definite so another CT scan in 6 months time. We reckon at age 84 that doesn't sound too frightening. There is scarring etc., showing up but when I think of the attacks of really bad bronchitis he had when young that it not at all surprising. More of a 'maybe' than a right so far.
2.(b) My x-ray also showed a tiny 'something' and so next Tuesday I have to have a follow up x-ray to see if the 'something' is still there or perchance has disappeared. If not, then it's a CT scan for me as well. Ditto my comment on 2(a), a 'maybe'.
3. Our diabetes. Both our long term results were quite good....Phil 7.3 and me 7.2. We saw the professor this afternoon and he is quite pleased with us and takes our ages into consideration. Phil's B/P was excellent but mine was terrible as is usually the case when I see a doctor (white coat fever they say). Put this in the 'right category. See the professor again in September.
4. Had a telephone call from daughter kakka who saw her doctor today and all her results (weight, B/P, BG and cholesterol) were fantastic. Passed her message on to the professor to say thank you for pointing her in the right direction. I think he was pleased to hear the results but said it wasn't all his doing but I explained that oh yes, it was. I think if a doctor really points you in the right direction and the results are good then they should be told so which must surely makes them feel their efforts are worthwhile after all. So many patients don't listen to their doctors/specialists and then wonder why their health is going downhill. Well done my girl. You made a huge effort and it paid off. This is very much a big 'right'.
5. We are off to meet with the family for a BBQ tea on Sunday (at K and B's home) so we're looking forward to that. Have to remember to take drinks for us (probably a stubby of dark ale between us and diet ginger beer) and 2 chairs. Another 'right' to look forward to. I love my family so much and just love to be with them, even if just for a few hours occasionally.
6. The gentleman that does our garden is here again bright and early so things outside are also going to look better as well. Wow, another 'right' today. Doing really well here.
7. Still no rain although the daytime temps now in the mid to high 20s which is an improvement after so many hot, hot days above 30-35ºC. This is a 'right' re temps but a definitely 'wrong' re rain. To those in our eastern states....please send some precipitation our way.
So that has been our week. I hope yours has been good to you without too many hiccups.
1. The Kitchen....today is the big day and the cabinetmaker says the job can be done in a day so here's hoping. All was cleared from the cupboards last night so they have a free go. A big 'right'. I rang flooring people this afternoon to alert them to the fact measurements can go ahead as soon as they are available to do them. Another 'right'. Doing well so far.
2.(a) Our x-rays.....Phil had to have a follow up CT scan of his chest the day after his x-ray and there is still nothing definite so another CT scan in 6 months time. We reckon at age 84 that doesn't sound too frightening. There is scarring etc., showing up but when I think of the attacks of really bad bronchitis he had when young that it not at all surprising. More of a 'maybe' than a right so far.
2.(b) My x-ray also showed a tiny 'something' and so next Tuesday I have to have a follow up x-ray to see if the 'something' is still there or perchance has disappeared. If not, then it's a CT scan for me as well. Ditto my comment on 2(a), a 'maybe'.
3. Our diabetes. Both our long term results were quite good....Phil 7.3 and me 7.2. We saw the professor this afternoon and he is quite pleased with us and takes our ages into consideration. Phil's B/P was excellent but mine was terrible as is usually the case when I see a doctor (white coat fever they say). Put this in the 'right category. See the professor again in September.
4. Had a telephone call from daughter kakka who saw her doctor today and all her results (weight, B/P, BG and cholesterol) were fantastic. Passed her message on to the professor to say thank you for pointing her in the right direction. I think he was pleased to hear the results but said it wasn't all his doing but I explained that oh yes, it was. I think if a doctor really points you in the right direction and the results are good then they should be told so which must surely makes them feel their efforts are worthwhile after all. So many patients don't listen to their doctors/specialists and then wonder why their health is going downhill. Well done my girl. You made a huge effort and it paid off. This is very much a big 'right'.
5. We are off to meet with the family for a BBQ tea on Sunday (at K and B's home) so we're looking forward to that. Have to remember to take drinks for us (probably a stubby of dark ale between us and diet ginger beer) and 2 chairs. Another 'right' to look forward to. I love my family so much and just love to be with them, even if just for a few hours occasionally.
6. The gentleman that does our garden is here again bright and early so things outside are also going to look better as well. Wow, another 'right' today. Doing really well here.
7. Still no rain although the daytime temps now in the mid to high 20s which is an improvement after so many hot, hot days above 30-35ºC. This is a 'right' re temps but a definitely 'wrong' re rain. To those in our eastern states....please send some precipitation our way.
So that has been our week. I hope yours has been good to you without too many hiccups.
WEDNESDAY WANDERINGS (NO 3) 1982
Whilst in Queenstown I discovered SNOW. As said previously it had begun to snow on the mountains just after we arrived and we decided we'd like to visit Coronet Peak. Having been told the roads were quite narrow and winding we decided it would be safer to take a bus trip. We were very glad we did as, sitting on the right side of the bus, as we went around those bends we were actually looking down at open space....quite frightening.
When we arrived it had begun to snow quite heavily so of course I wanted to be out there in it instead of sitting having a nice hot cuppa in the nice warm indoors.
We took photos of each other (I even owned a raincoat then)
and I made a snowman!!! Phil thought me a little loopy but remember, it was my first experience of snow and he, as a boy, I am sure would have made lots of snowmen in England.
Probably not the most elegant snowman but snow was still in limited quantities so I just did my best with what was there. This was my first and only experience of snow firsthand. From then on we just saw it in the distance as we travelled around. With our long hot summers in Perth I often dream of that day on Coronet Peak and wish I was back there in the snow again.
When we arrived it had begun to snow quite heavily so of course I wanted to be out there in it instead of sitting having a nice hot cuppa in the nice warm indoors.
We took photos of each other (I even owned a raincoat then)
and I made a snowman!!! Phil thought me a little loopy but remember, it was my first experience of snow and he, as a boy, I am sure would have made lots of snowmen in England.
Probably not the most elegant snowman but snow was still in limited quantities so I just did my best with what was there. This was my first and only experience of snow firsthand. From then on we just saw it in the distance as we travelled around. With our long hot summers in Perth I often dream of that day on Coronet Peak and wish I was back there in the snow again.
Monday, April 14, 2014
I LAUGHED AND LAUGHED AND LAUGHED
It may even have been a touch of hysteria!! As you know we over here in the western part of this great island have been wanting rain badly since early November. In that time, at our own place, we have had about 10mm, no more. Occasionally, the Bureau hints at the chance of showers which I think is done to stop us all from becoming ultra-depressed by this long, long hot summer. Some areas have had some worthwhile showers but they've been very few and far between.
Today I checked the forecast for the coming week and Wednesday's forecast really had be in stitches. It read:
"The chance of showers before sunrise."
Now they are promising us a chance of showers that will possibly fall in that wonderful place 'somewhere' before most of us are out of bed so we probably wouldn't know if there was any precipitation or not.
I just had to share this 'cos I couldn't keep it to myself. : )
Today I checked the forecast for the coming week and Wednesday's forecast really had be in stitches. It read:
"The chance of showers before sunrise."
Now they are promising us a chance of showers that will possibly fall in that wonderful place 'somewhere' before most of us are out of bed so we probably wouldn't know if there was any precipitation or not.
I just had to share this 'cos I couldn't keep it to myself. : )
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