Kitten finds a home after long haul thanks to shelter network

Here's a Sunday morning story with a happy ending, in the form of emails I received over the past few days:

On 2/22/2013 10:31 AM, Beverly wrote:

Here's a calico kitten that is in need of a home.

This little kitten somehow found its way into a semi in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.  From Eau Claire, the semi traveled to La Crosse and then to Prairie du Chien Memorial Hospital.  The kitten was found among the boxes that were being unloaded at the hospital.  As you can see from Dawn's email (below), hospital staff provided shelter for her outside and fed her for a few days.  With the impending storm and cold temps, Dawn could not bear to see her out in the cold and knew that something had to be done.  So once again, if anyone can help in giving this cutie a home, please reply to this email or to Dawn's.

Dawn feels this kitten needs to be a house kitten. She and her husband recently gave a forever home to a beautiful border collie who somehow ended up on their hobby farm.  They felt the dog was dumped, but not sure.  The dog quickly endeared himself to them, but they did not get too attached in case the dog's original owner could be found and wanted this great dog back.  But, after some research, they were able to find "Henry's" original owner who realized that Henry should stay with them.  According to Dawn, Henry is the perfect fit for their farmette.  He is housebroken, stays in the yard, gets along with the horses and is well behaved.  Congrats!
 
Please, if you can pass the word about the little kitten, it would be greatly appreciated.


> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Dawn
> Date: Fri, Feb 22, 2013 at 10:02 AM
> Subject: Black calico kitten
> To: Beverly, Rivers and Bluffs Animal Shelter >
>
> Hi Bev...

Here are some photos of our little hospital kitten.  I sent a few so you could choose the cutest image.  I am still hoping it may work out that I can keep this little affectionate kitten; we just cannot afford another spay and have three house cats as it is. 

My husband just wants to make sure there is not someone out there looking for a kitten just like this one.  She has such a travel story coming all the way from Eau Claire tucked in the back of a semi...then having her live at the hospital for a day or two with nursing and housekeeping staff caring for her.  She was so frightened and disoriented!  We enjoy fostering her, but have to keep her away from our other rescue pets as some of those pets are older and I am afraid they will harm her.  This is one of the most affectionate kittens I have ever met...I really want to see this loving kitten go to a good home! 

 On 2/22/2013 9:15 PM, Beverly:

The calico kitten found in a semi truck at the PdC hospital has a home!  Not sure of the details yet, but the new family is picking it up tomorrow.  January was another great month for adoptions for RABAS members and volunteers. 

On 2/23/2013 3:01 PM, Beverly:

Just had to pass this one on to all about the trucking calico kitten.  It is a real heart warmer.  Thanks to Dawn for caring enough to take the kitten home.  And thanks for sharing the story. 

 > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Dawn
> Date: Sat, Feb 23, 2013 at 2:48 PM
> Subject: Re: The calico kitten
> To: Beverly
>
>
> Hi Bev!
Sorry it took me so long to get back to you; my weekend travel plans have been quite cumbersome...

The trucking kitten has gotten herself a great home with a wonderful family!  Carol and her co-worker were perusing our Rivers and Bluffs website and came across the trucker kitty story and Carol just KNEW this kitten would be a perfect friend for her 8 year old granddaughter Cammie.

Cammie and her grandma picked up the kitten (I had her all cleaned up/wormed/nails clipped and decked with a pretty bow) this afternoon.  The trucking kitten's name will be Maggie and she will be an indoor cat in her new home in Cassville WI.

 Dawn

---

I volunteered with Rivers and Bluffs when I first returned to Wisconsin in 2008. They impressed me as a dedicated, earnest, passionate bunch who are working tirelessly towards creating an animal shelter in the Prairie du Chine area. Please give their Facebook page some likes if you support more happy endings like this!

Semi truck image (not the actual truck) from http://www.wisconsintruckaccidentlawblog.com/

Frontier House

If you want some inspiration to keep you on track eating local, imagine living in 1883. It's an exercise in simplicity, ingenuity and sacrifice. One of the first reality tv shows I ever saw was Frontier House on PBS. Not only did the participants have to eat what they could grow, trade for (that would have existed in 1883) or raise, they also had to build their own houses! And they had to do it for 5 months.

I think that is one of the reasons I chose to be an extreme locovore. If I can't find any local oil, vinegar etc. tough - I should just eat what it takes to fill my belly and sustain my health.


Yeah right like that's gonna happen. I like food as much as I like sleep. And I like to sleep!

In other news, an article was written recently about the challenge. Check it out here - the reporter talks about a lot of the stuff I've touched on. And, she mentions some staples that can be gathered at the farmer's market. My shopping list includes:

- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Walnuts
- Sunflower Oil

I also want to try local tofu. And, I hope this will inspire the coop to have more local fish (otherwise I may have to make a journey back to Prairie du Chien to Valley Fish - or get my fishing license. )

Spring Shopping Spree!

I gave myself permission to go shopping today. Now, I am not a shopper. Far from it. I am rather fashion retarded, BUT I know how to research! After perusing the April issue of Marie Claire, I constructed a short list of trends to pursue. They include pieces inspired by:

• "Prairie chic" including rugged jeans, turquoise and Southwestern textures (See Ralph Lauren's Saranac collection)
• "Tailored Menswear" - girl-ified classics like jackets, vests and Ts
• "50s housewear" such as cocktail rings, flowers and gingham (Gap's frilly top, Jcrew cardigans, Liz Claiborne blazer)
• "Boho+ Glam" - budget "recessionista" wear - hippy peasant dresses and funky jewelry (Juicy Couture dresses and tops)
• "Moroccan" bazaar finds like funky dresses and embroidered tops (Kensie)
• "Country" tea time skirts, watercolor splashed bags, pretty flowered light dresses (Ann Taylor florals)

I then did a survey of my current closet to find what "timeless" items I had and what I might be able to pull out, add to or pair up with new items. I have some great black sailor pants, some good jeans and longsleeve shirts.

Finally, I set out to see what I could find. Here are the results of my travels:

Maurices: Total spent = $81
Purchased -
* Yellow, black and blue print top
* Yellow cami
* Black ruffled top
* Grey slacks
* Tan outerwear jacket

This was my first stop, and the most difficult, mainly because I knew I was going to spend the most money here. The slacks were on sale and I didn't have anything grey. It goes with everything (except brown). The top was so difficult. Maurices, at least in Prairie du Chien, runs out of syles in a day (one girl was looking for a pair of 7/8 regular black slacks and there was not a pair to be had in the store.) I have the issue of being "between sizes" (it is spring and I hope to loose those extra pounds of winter blubber soon). Still the tops were springy and fit nice.

Next stop was Dollar General, where I bought 3 camis for $20 - light blue, white and brown.

Finally and most fun, was spending $13 at "Bargain Boutique" the local thrift store. Here is what I got:
* Croft and Barrow Cardigan
* Grey vest
* Pink and green house dress
* Concrete long sleeved top
* Red paisley top
* Green and tan flowered T
* Handmade Southwestern choker
* Tan ruffled bag
* Two belts - tan with turquoise beads, brown leather
* Boho+ bag (handmade - it was priced at 10 cents!!!)
* New funky brown studded wallet
* Little brown wooden bead necklace and bracelet set












(Note: + "bohemian and hippie'")

Nice

We couldn't find any articles about Prairie du Chien, WI, USA.
Suggestions:

Try searching for news about a larger, more populous location.



Thanks for nothing Google.

Lucky the Carp

For more info on the World Famous Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin Carp Drop check out my other posting here.

Without further ado here are the pics!















































Lucky on his pedestal





































You can touch or kiss Lucky for luck.



















The mayor of Prairie.















The outgoing Queen and King. Note the temperature gauge and the carp scepter!




















And the incoming!

Besides hearing a man arguing with his significant other about actually going to the carp drop where he told her "it's just a carp. If we go home I'll throw a tuna off the counter for ya" and hearing another guy walking past saying "whoa my beer's freezing up," the funniest thing was seeing the maps they had for people who had come from out of town to mark where they were from. To keep them from rolling up or blowing off the table they were held down by, what else, chunks of snow!














.

Wisconsin - Land of Humor

From the Prairie du Chien "Courier Press":

Droppin’ of the Carp festivities scheduled

Once again the City of Prairie du Chien will welcome the New Year with the Droppin’ of the Carp. The program for Dec. 31 is as follows:

3 p.m. Carp bowl - Last half of the football game between Prairie du Chien and McGregor/Marquette, Iowa firemen, located on St. Feriole Island. The winning fire department will receive a donation of $500 for their department.

9:30 p.m. Bonfire will be lit at the entrance to St. Feriole Island.

10:30 p.m. Welcome, breaking of the pinata for young children, crowning of the King and Queen, on-stage entertainment provided by Not So Pure Prairie League, composed of Suzanne Shaw, Jade Halverson and Shane Hazen.

11:40 p.m. Clock will be started for the countdown

Midnight Droppin’ of the Carp, "Auld Lang Syne," Pledge of Allegiance, "God Bless America" and fireworks.

Here is an article about the origins of the festival:

Stupid idea turns into carp ritual

http://lacrossetribune.com/articles/2003/12/31/mattjames/james31.txt

And another:

PdC festival seeks royalty for New Year’s carp drop

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2008/12/14/news/z05carp14.txt

And no, I did not apply to be Carp Queen.

Some pics from the Prairie Dog Blues Fest!

Jason Ricci & New Blood

I don't remember their name but they were playing in the beer tent.

Cigar box guitar!

Me and the gang - Lucy took the pic.

My friends. This is a gas powered margarita maker (2 stroke engine). It is awesome.

Brian is running it. He has also bungee'd it to a canoe and took it down the river. He is my sister's husband.

To quote my sister Lucy, "this is how the Bartash's roast marshmallows." To which I add "... and loose eyebrows."