Thursday, April 28, 2016

A Plea for Help


To our dear Cat's Meow Feline Rescue friends,

A plea for help – to all of you who have supported Cat's Meow Feline Rescue in every way - we thank you from our hearts, we are more grateful than words can say. Presently we are in desperate need of donations, volunteers, and most of all adoptions for our nearly 100 residents.

As you may know, our primary caregiver Lora Michael has been hospitalized recently and is not able to care for our residents. A few more gracious volunteers have joined to help us continue to care for our many cats. Although we are not accepting more cats, we are committed to caring for and more importantly, finding forever loving homes for every one of the ones we have.

We need homes – and we need them NOW! A plea especially to those of you who have adopted your best friend from us – would you please kindly consider adopting another loving companion? Another Kit in your Kaboodle – another Meow in your Mix! To those of you who have always wanted to adopt, this is the time! Perhaps you know of someone who has been thinking about adopting their next best friend! Together we can assure a long happy purrrfect life to another beautiful feline, who is sure to bring pleasure as well. We are waiving our usual $75.00 adoption fee – good will donation - no heartfelt offer refused. A LOVING HOME is priority – needed TODAY!

Please email us, or call Cheryl 847-404-5146 for an immediate response, or leave a message at 605-745-3593. We are happy to make appointments at your convenience. Meanwhile take a peek at some of our adoptable cats: www.petfinder.com zip code 57747

Thank you again for your support over the years. We could not have provided a safe haven without you – YOU are the Cat's Meow!

Love and gratitude,

The Cats and The People of Cat's Meow Feline Rescue, Inc.


Donations: Cat's Meow Feline Rescue, Inc. 27442 Red Fox Road, Hot Springs, SD 57747


CAN YOU SAVE ME FROM LIFE IN A CAGE?         PLEASE HELP RESCUE ME TODAY!

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Last, Last Chance


Our extension to send our comments to the EIS is ending on May 5th. Today several of us volunteers worked the crowd at the Mueller Center who were there for the Spring Fling. It was exciting to get so many comments from those who want to Save our VA in Hot Springs. It was surprising how many had simply forgotten to do it during these past 4 months.

"I meant to do it but I got busy. I'll do it now." or,

"I won't sign a sheet. It will do no good. The government will not listen to us. They have made up their minds." or,

"My father is a 60 year veteran and they will not care for him at our VA since he has too much money. Funny, our guys in Congress get full health care and pensions for life. All we veterans are asking for is health care from a VA." or,

"Congress wants to send us to Syria or Iraq or Afghanistan, but they do not want to give us health benefits when we return. I know that we save the taxpayers money by having the VA hospitals, but they want us to go to regular hospitals that will cost more. What gives?" or,

"Our retired veterans at the State Veterans Home were put on Medicare so they can receive medical help at Rapid City Regional or the Hot Springs hospital. Who will pay the other 20%?" or,

"If those guys in Congress had served in the military, things would be different." or

"If our representatives had the same health care as we have....."

Oh, yes, this is our last chance. Will they listen? Maybe they will, maybe they won't, but, at the end of the day, whatever happens, I know I did all I could for our veterans, present and future.

As happens with change, for better or worse, we will live through it if our community loses more residents, if our veterans lose heart, we will survive. Well, at least most of us will. There will be those veterans who commit suicide and some of those could have been helped at our VA, one of the best in the USA for helping veterans who suffer emotional issues. There will be more homeless veterans who could not make the adjustment. There will also be those who mismanage their prescriptions because psychiatric help is less available. Their pain and overuse of prescription drugs will not end well for them. This has already happened in our small community, most likely connected to the many cuts that have occurred over the past years.

I can't help but wonder. How many of those in Congress, who are supposed to represent us, will suffer the same fate? If they do get depressed, suffer from PTSD, brain trauma or drug abuse, the most superior health care is available for them. They did serve and they get it all.

All our veterans ask is for health care in a system that understand their needs. What is wrong with this picture? What happened to "If they send them, they should mend them?"

Now, all we can do is to wait. Wait for a decision from Washington. Some of us are looking at alternative use for our VA. My hope is that it will not come to that. But now the fight is nearing an end and we will wait, and hope and wish for wisdom from those who make the decisions from afar.


Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Remember When?

It was the 40's. There was no TV, smart phones or Internet. We read, talked face-to-face, roamed the woods and listened to the radio shows. I eagerly waited for Inner Sanctum, Let's Pretend, Jack Benny, Amos 'n' Andy, Edgar Bergen, The Life of Riley, Dragnet, Fibber McGee and Molly, Lux Radio Theatre, etc. etc. My imagination would carry me into the worlds of mystery, fantasy and humor. The stories were not put in front of my face, but, through listening, entered my mind, enriching my inner world and creativity.

Then, later in the night, after my bedtime, I would lie in bed with the soft yellow glow of the radio and listen to music from distant, intriguing places. The local channel had left the air and now I could get the Big Bands from Chicago and Los Angeles. The static would come in and out, but I managed to find one station that came in clearly and that sent out music over the air waves, live from Chicago to my home in small town, northern Minnesota.

I listened, soaking in the sounds and dreamt of visiting romantic places one day! The music seeped into my being and has remained there to this day. We still own the records from that time with the great jazz, the big bands and music that actually had understandable and memorable lyrics that floated around in your head far into this future and some 70 years later was renewed last night in our civic center in Hot Springs, SD.

April 12, 2016, our Chamber of Commerce managed to bring the Glenn Miller Big Band to our town for a nostalgic evening, performing all of the old, familiar music. It was the present meeting the past. The enthusiastic audience was mainly the older generation, including walkers and wheel chairs that brought the elderly from our local state veterans home.

Now and then I turned my gaze from the entertaining Big Band on the stage to watch many in the audience sway and clap to the tunes from the 40's. It was a joy to observe, as well as listen to the band that took center stage, even more than the lovely, lead singer with a beautiful voice and a 40's hairdo, who stood aside when a band member took the spotlight with his instrument.

It was a sharp contrast to today with vocalists who strut and preen their stuff on stage, while the back ups are just that....back ups.

It is a different time, to be sure. Now we live with the music of today. As my husband and I left the auditorium I overheard an audience member say, "I wonder if the present-day music will live on another 70 years as does the older classical music and romantic musical arrangements from the 40's?"

I won't be around for another 60 or 70 years, but I wouldn't bet on it. Either way, I am grateful to have lived through the music from long ago, to have it deep in my soul, to last me for my lifetime. I am also thankful for that small white radio that gave off the comforting glow in my bedroom and brought me into another world of fascinating adventures and soul-stirring harmonies which have followed me through my years on this earth.

Thank you to our Chamber of Commerce!


Saturday, April 9, 2016

Dandelion Season

It's that time of year once again. And once again Bob is out in the yard patiently pulling dandelions, roots and all, of course. Day after day, as soon as the yellow heads pop out from the lawn, Bob is squatting and digging, one dandelion at a time.


So why does he do this? Children love them.
Bees love them.
The guy with the spray can get rid of them in no time. But, he also gets rid of our bees.
And so, my very patient husband, (who detests the pesticides and loves the bees) keeps digging the dandelions, one by one, day by day.
You gotta love his patience and his love for the bees. Well, at least I do, and in our yard in Hot Springs, SD, that is all that counts.
And the children who love them will still have plenty to go around, and so will the bees.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Connections


Remember the TV sitcom Cheers, "where everybody knows you name?" Maybe the bar is not the best place for connecting with others, but for many, that is their world.


For others there are jobs, family members, churches, civic and social groups that offer support systems, but retirement, death, divorce, job changes all take their toll on a social life and eventually many of us find our world shrinking with fewer of those contacts that made our life richer and healthier.

We all know the routine: the benefits of exercise, a balanced diet and staying involved. Aging does not imply sitting in front of the TV or computer all day, but rather movement, movement and more movement, be it running, biking, swimming, yoga, walking, lifting weights, dancing or whatever....just keep moving....often and regularly.

We in Hot Springs, SD are fortunate to have opportunities, no matter the weather, for movement, and, surprise, surprise, for making those most important social connections. Of course Evans Plunge offers exercise equipment, a walking route, a pool filled with natural spring waters and a health club for the aching muscles. What is not promoted or touted in any manner is the opportunity for socializing, so vital to well-being. Where does this happen? In the small area filled with heat. The hot tubs, sauna and steam rooms offer endless possibilities for vigorous or casual conversations and, after a time, friendships with some regular members.

I don't fancy bars, my job is long retired, family members and former friends have passed on, (my Christmas card list has grown shorter each year), my children have pursued jobs several states away, friends have dispersed to far-away places, (as have I) but new contacts keep rising to help me stay involved with life and also the intimacy and warmth of the health club at our local community fitness center offers opportunities for cultural exchanges with tourists from Austria or interactions with members who prefer to frequent a health club to sitting at a local bar.
                                                   Cheers for our health club...where many know your name!
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