In early December, I had purchased plane tickets to go to Rochester over this holiday weekend to see my mom. She was supposed to be home from the rehab center during the first week of January. As you all know, Fate destined that was not to be the case. Since I have been depressed, Rick decided we should get out of town and go on a mountain biking/hiking adventure. We are in Amarillo, Texas, just a few miles from the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The weather is supposed to be a lovely 60 degrees by this afternoon. I will post pictures later this evening. I am taking the little Kodak camera, that my beautiful oldest bought me, on the trail.
-On another note, it occurred to me about 3 A.M. this morning that my mother died on a Blue Moon. I recall hearing a news broadcast that a Blue Moon is named for the second full moon of the month, but a Dec. 31st Blue Moon is quite unusual and will not happen again until 2028. I haven't been sleeping well....
love you all
In an earlier blog, I told about the harrowing experience of Leeloo losing her teeth. I brought her to the country vet and he did a dental on her and gave her anti-biotics. Said he didn't quite know what was wrong. A few weeks ago, I noticed that Thursday (on the right) is losing his teeth also. I opted not to take him to the vet who specializes in cows, goats, and pigs, but brought him to a small animal hospital. The vet there knew exactly what it was and after a series of costly blood tests determined that they have a chromosomal disorder in which there bodies can not fight off allergies. The high allergens in their blood produce more gingivitis and tooth loss. What are they allergic to? FLEAS! Although they do not go outside, even indoor cats get fleas as humans carry them into the house on their clothing. Once in the nice warm home, with carpeting and furniture, the fleas set up a tight little colony. The treatment is steroids and fleas prevention. Leeloo will go in on Monday for her steroid shot. The vet said that they may end up losing all of their teeth, but even toothless cats are able to eat and thrive. As you can see from their pics, they are not emaciated at all! 
If I am reading the back of the pic correctly, this was taken in July of 1990. That means Beth is 10 years old and A.J. is 6. I guess Mom didn't know this would be the beginning of a horse-crazy Bethy!
