And then Meghan made pancakes..

Last weekend I went to Chicago, by myself, on a train. My parents gave me many directives on how to monitor my personal safety, which I thought was cute, since I have definitely reached an age where I can take care of myself. But I will still always be their child, so I guess it is ok.

The train ride on the way to Chicago was so pleasant and calm ~ I have never traveled so comfortably or serenely. As the train chugged us through Ypsilanti, I witnessed a spectacular sunrise - I have never in my life been so upset not to have my camera. It was a singular, perfect moment - the fuschia, pinks and yellows lit up the sky, but not yet so bright that you had to look away. The sun was just peeking up over the tops of trees which lined the shore of the Huron River, with this old Pennisular Paper Co. sign standing by the edge of the water. It made me think it should have been a book cover. I also was surprised at how much wildlife I glimpsed from the train car - Sandhill Cranes, deer, Blue Herons, ducks and geese. For awhile, it was a birdwatchers dream.

I had a great time visiting my cousin Meghan and her fiancée Mike - Meghan planned a day that seemed perfectly planned to my personality, which I am sure she actually did plan that way. We spent Saturday at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museuem, which everyone must check out while in Chicago, the Lincoln Park Conservatory, and the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Nature Museum had a butterfly room, which Meghan described as being an earthly paradise, and I have to agree. We stood still, silently watching as butterflies of all colors and sizes, some as big as our hands, flitted about. We wished one would land on our hands, to make us feel like a chosen part of the scene, like the butterflies welcomed us into their land. Unfortunately that did not happen. We enjoyed reading the names of the butterflies living in this Eden, such as the Small Postman and the Scarlett Mormon. I, of course, loved the Owl Butterfly. After exploring these sights, which I have to say were all free except for the Nature Museum (unless you are an educator), we met up with Mike and went to the movies. I cried my way through the National Geographic movie, The Last Lions, which was powerful, moving, and tragically sad. I do recommend it, and urge everyone to visit their website to learn more about the plight of lions on earth. In 50 years, we have gone from 450,000 lions to only 40,000. It is terrifying to realize we may watch one of nature's most awesome creatures become extinct.

They also took me to two fabulous restaurants, Irazu, a Costa Rican place, and Jane's. I fell in love with Jane's goat cheese, tofu and veggie burrito - and insist that everyone try it if ever in Chicago. We spent much of the weekend talking and getting to know each other better as adults, and I was grateful for this time we spent together. When you get older and the only time you see each other is at family holidays, you don't often get to have the best conversations, and I felt that we had great conversations over the weekend. For not being raised that closely, Meghan and I are so similar - I guess it is in the blood. We all talked about how we missed Billy too - I would go to point something out to him and he wouldn't be there. I did go home with many stories to tell him though, and I made plans for us to visit Chicago together.

But then, all good things must end - Sunday morning rolled around, Meghan made us perfect pancakes, each one the ideal size and golden color, a wonderful last moment in the trip. Then I left for Union Station, where I boarded the most jam packed train and experienced the most uncomfortable ride home - not nearly the idyllic ride that I enjoyed on my way to Chicago. After 7 excruciating hours, we pulled into Dearborn, where Billy was waiting. The best way to end a trip by far, with your husband waiting for you with a smile, welcoming you back home.

Feline Forum Part II

Day Two started early! Or at least it felt like it to me, since I had been out having some fun with my friends Chrissy, Jill, Karin and Kris the night before. I spent the day attending more great workshops, and when 5:00 rolled around, I was ready to see Chicago!

Unfortunately Karin and Kris had to leave, which was sad because Jill, Chrissy and I had the best time!! First we shopped along the Magnificent Mile, dreaming of the Coach bags we are going to buy when we strike it rich (lol). We all had a different one we loved. The one I particularly liked was a red plaid - I loved it. Also, there was a sweet owl necklace with a black stone in it that wouldn't look too bad around my neck either.. I did end up buying a soft purple sweater from the Gap, which is more in my price range right now. I am dreaming of the day I get a "grant" to stay home and spend the day doing animal rescue work. By grant, I am thinking that Billy will "grant" me this wish. ;)

After trekking down the Mile, feet were hurting from the walk in high heels, so we headed over to the restaurant where we had reservations, Bistro 110, a French bistro, and had a drink while we waited for our table. Chrissy and I had Pinot Noir, and Jill had a drink called French Heaven, that really was divine. I think it had St. Germaine liqueour in it, but other than that I can't recall. It was pretty good though, and I usually don't like drinks like this.

Once we were seated, the french food frenzy ensued. The three of us decided to fully immerse ourselves in the experience, and enjoy as much as we could - literally. We split two appetizers, artichoke baked with brie, and escargot. I tried one little escargot, and did not care for it. (sorry Jill) But, I was going with the moment. The appetizers were cleared and we made way for our main meal- I had some sort of salmon, which was amazing, Jill had steak au poivre, and Chrissy had mushroom ravioli with some sort of delicous sauce.

And then, of course, dessert. This was after the waiter offered Jill a shoulder massage that she didn't respond to; he also asked Chrissy and I if we wanted a coffee with dessert. We turned that down, and ordered another glass of Pinot instead. We enjoyed our drinks, and couldn't decide which dessert we wanted. So, we ordered three, and split them all. We had creme brulee, Gateau Breton, and Profiteroles. Needless to say, by the end of the meal any plans we had to continue our evening were botched by full bellies. We were so full we could barely move, let alone even contemplate eating or drinking another thing. But it was so worth it - it was a bit of decadence in our do-gooding. (as Bruce Campbell called me a few years ago) I can't wait for next year, and I hope that more of us can go!

Feline Forum Part I

I just spent the best weekend in Chicago at a conference devoted to all aspects of cat welfare, with 600 other cat advocates from places as far away as Hawaii and Alaska. (or advocats as the ASPCA called it) This sounds like maybe it could have been a little frightening, especially if we all focus on the crazy cat lady stereotype, who do exist, but are not usually the people who are working in rescue. We are crazy, just in a more overzealous, passionate kind of way.

The opening ceremony was emotional, as we all thought it would be. The speakers all had stories to share, with great imagery, such as the family cat being the go-between during the night, uniting a family in sleep with a touch to the nose with its nose. Another woman spoke of a Persian cat, Mrs. Beasly. Mrs. Beasly was the cat for her, the one that woke her up to animal rescue. She met Mrs. Beasly as a child, and Mrs. Beasly was a gorgeous spoiled Persian, who belonged to a friend. Mrs. Beasly had it good- for awhile. Through twists of fate, the her friend had to move to a farm with relatives, and could not bring Mrs. Beasly into the house with her. This fancy cat, who had only ever known love, warmth, and the indoors, was consigned to the barn, with the other barn cats, who had always been barn cats, and were that kind of semi feral cat tough. The speaker told of going to visit her friend, and watching the gradual decline of Mrs. Beasly; her once silky fur became matted and dull, she lost weight, and the life had gone out of her eyes. And then one day, Mrs. Beasly just was not there anymore, and the speaker never found out what happened to her. But she never forgot her, and with every cat she saves now, she honors the memory of that forgotten, mistreated Persian. She mentioned that back when that incident occured, people had different perspectives on animals, and the thought that this was not the way to treat a beloved housecat never entered into their thought processes. It was just a different time, one that we are moving past, a little bit at a time. We still have to work to change attitudes that cats do not belong outside, do need human care and love, that they are not totally independent, and do not really want to roam. But we are getting there, bit by bit.

The workshops I attended were fantastic! I took the creative, marketing track, all about how to promote your cats, dispel misconceptions, even how to "profile" the cats to match your adopters expectations. I was surrounded by such creative energy, that I was inspired, and now have a whole list of adoption promotions that should take me three years to finish!

I learned so much, and I know that the rest of my group, fellow P.A.W.S. of Michigan members and Wyandotte Animal Control Volunteers, had just as much fun, and also gained immensly from this forum. I made many contacts, and talked to many people about things that are working in their shelters and rescued. I feel fully armed with information that will get our cats adopted faster, and into the right homes for them, where they will be well treated and not returned, but instead have a loving home for the rest of their lives.