Nearly two years ago I got two pictures of an F1 Bengal who had been left at a shelter across the state. This was one.
This was the other. All I knew was he was half Leopard. And no one wanted him. Those were not eyes that love. And those were not eyes that trusted. Anyone. Those eyes were very, very alone.
So I went for him.
Right.
Big news today: Great Lakes Bengal Rescue is now on Twitter! Our Fearless Leader, Janet, has jumped in enthusiastically (Sounds way better than "Dragged kicking and screaming, eh?)in and is now posting Bengal Rescue Tweets! Follow her at @GLBengal.
Ok. Right again. Big day tomorrow.
1. Sleeping bag, pad for under it and little silky thing to sleep in. Check.
2. Horses and Horse Stuff. (Saddle, bridle, halter, booties, grooming things, hay, carrots. Check.
3. Food. Note: Should be able to be cooked over a fire. Right. Check.
4. Clothes, bug-B-gone, flashlight, sunblock, fiddle. Got 'em.
Yes, I am going CAMPING. Real camping. Not the waiting for room service sort of roughing it I do from time to time, but honest to gosh out in the woods in the middle of nowhere CAMPING, for the first time ever.
No, no punch line coming, I am serious here. I can do this. (STOP LAUGHING!) It could work. What's not to love? What could possibly go wrong?????
I don't think it really hit me until we were debating bringing Doggie Pearl along, and I was pointing out she DOES still smell like a skunk and a several hour drive with her in the car MIGHT not be our best option, when one of my seasoned camping horse friends said: "She'll keep away the bears"
The others nodded, sagely and agreed.
What's a little Eau Du Skunk anyway.....
I don't know if I'm ready for this (That's a lie actually, I KNOW I AM NOT READY FOR THIS) but, I'm going for it. I have two days off and it's time for some Woods. Adventure Camping. Riding thru the wilds of Wisconsin! Leave the indoor, groomed, safe, civilized riding arena and take Horsie Chanel out for, uh, nothing is coming here, Trial By Fire Riding?
My Boss was all for it, go, sayth he! I pointed out I would not have any cell phone reception and would be GONE and out of touch for two days. Fine, fine, he sayth again, I'll be fine. (Not sure the enormity of this really sunk in, this no cell or email bit, I know it hasn't for ME.)
And so I go.
But before I do, here's that F1, two years down the line.
And those eyes are Magic.
Love and Camping,
Lorraine
Those eyes are magic...just as I was reading I was wondering about bears, and then you mention sweet smelling Pearl.
ReplyDeleteBEARS! Eck. I've never had to cope with bears when I'm camping. Spiders, yes, snakes, yes, bears...no.
Don't forget the toilet paper.
Beautiful. Beautiful what you've done for Magic.
ReplyDeleteCamping. May. Midwest. Take a stocking cap, and warm socks (take lots of socks, maybe some you're not too attached to, nothing is more useful while camping than extra socks). I know, it's been unseasonably warm lately, but if it gets cold at night, you will want these things. If that feels too silly, and you have room- light blanket (fleece weight). It'll be extra warmth, and in case it does decide to stay hot through the night, you will roast in a sleeping bag.
Have fun! Can't WAIT to hear the stories!
ReplyDeleteMagic magic!
ReplyDeleteI am not laughing. Much. It's only two days after all.
So Pearl had a run in with skunks too, eh? You guys should now be experts on cleaning up skunky big white dogs by now.
Don't forget mosquito repellent.
ReplyDeleteSnakes and spiders don't bother me. BEARS Bother me.
ReplyDeleteThe Silky thing is sort of a bage you slip into before getting in the sleeping bag. But I will bring LOTS of socks.
Why wouldn't there be toilet paper??? Wait, don't tell me. There HAVE to be bathrooms. I mean, bears shit in the woods don't they?
It takes a few washes to get the skunk off, Mistress Laughing Girl. And Bug-B-Gone is the mosquito repelling stuff. I think.
And wet wipes, don't forget them.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the bears. Really. Don't share a toilet with one, okay?
Bring your own toilet paper. And a shovel to bury it (it's too dangerous to burn it, in the woods. Also: wet paper do not burn easily).
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of a campground. Sort of. There's a bathroom. Sort of. I am bringing the breakfast.
ReplyDeleteFire eggs.
And they know how to make COFFEE.
What could be better? me, in the woods, hopped up on caffiene.
I hope you survive the camping! My friend wants me to go TUBING! I have nothing to wear while tubing. But, if I don't come back, it's because she succeeded and I am floating down a river somewhere in Georgia.
ReplyDeleteSo you expect us to believe you're going camping? And you're gonna unplug for two days? And you have two days off in a row? And that that's the same cat in both sets of photos? All in one post? LOL
ReplyDelete(OK, srsly, have a blast!)
ReplyDeletecamping will be fun.
ReplyDeletei can't wait to hear how you survived off the grid for 2 days. i'm sure that will hurt more than bears :D
magic is aptly named.
Those pictures are so beautiful! So much leopard love!
ReplyDeleteWe're going camping tomorrow too...not in-the-middle-of-nowhere so much but no water or power or flush toilets. Just high desert, stars and a tent w/ my boys!
I'm dead tired and have to wake up and drive 9 hours so g'night!
Have fun Q!!!
Hey Lorraine!
ReplyDeleteQuite a change in Magic. Wow. The new one he looks pretty relaxed. And putting on the pounds--although I really have little room to criticize.
Good luck with the camping! I've never been bitten by that bug myself, but it's definitely interesting. And you're going with others who are experienced, so if you forget anything catastrophic you won't be in a bad way.
Can't wait to hear about it!
Gorgeous pictures, of gorgeous cats.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time camping - That will truly be a blog to look forward to.
And yes, lots and lots of wetwipes. They are useful for EVERYTHING.
I am down at my parents in Deepest Devon for a long weekend(the land fast internet & wifi forgot) and of course it has started to rain, now it is the weekend...
But we shall go out to look at gardens or seaside later anyway.
Tears in my eyes again over Magic, but happy tears this time. Blessings on you, Lorraine, for opening his heart to love.
ReplyDeleteI can't say I'd be much for camping. I like Nature, but I like looking at it from inside the bug-free, air-conditioned house. I'd probably be most bothered by the ticks - they seem to be bad this year. I don't get wiggy about having one stuck to me - just don't want Lyme Disease, thank you.
Had to laugh about Boss waving you away, saying he'd be alright. Wonder if that has anything to do with the fact that Ms Amanda's in town and he'll have someone around who will make sure he eats and doesn't burn the house down or get into any other Manner of Trouble. *snert*
Campground? That's easy. You'll be fine, and it will be tremendous fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd even if it isn't, think of the stories you'll get to tell!
I had a musician I only knew from Twitter come to my house and play music. I entertained a dozen people in my own home. These are things I would not have had the gumption to do before discovering you and the Fiends. So of course you can do this! It will be wonderful and you will have a blast.
ReplyDeleteMore on house concert later...
But for now, a plug. Marian Call will be in Indianapolis and Des Moines next week! See her tour schedule here http://mariancall.com/tour.php Siri, she's playing at my beloved first coffee house, Java Joe's! Go see her. She is a very Fiendish musician and has a fantastic voice. I'd love to hear her and Lorraine together someday.
Breakfast now...
Magic isn't just putting on the pounds, Magic is a PUDDING. He's going to ROLL soon. Have to have a think about this. AT least he is MOVING now.
ReplyDeleteGood on you OSS.
I dreamt we had to rob a bank before we could go camping, and also got my VERY SPECIAL TIME. This cannot be good.
And oh, I am QUITE sure at AFP coming was a factor in Boss thinking he would be fine.
ReplyDeleteI had noted this and Planned my Holiday accordingly. Not my first gig. Tho, I do love her well, just thought it would be a good time for some ME time too.
Lorraine,
ReplyDeleteI think you will love camping. Yes, it has dirt and bugs...but also stars and QUIET. (and horses, right?) And the lovely idea of fiddle music around the fire. That's as much magic as Magic.
I, too, have tears about the change in Pudding Magic...he looks at home, safe and curious.
Isn't there an Australian kids book called the Magic Pudding? Seems to me we found a copy when the kids were little. A wombat?
Taking my scatered brain off to the outside world. Happy three day weekend, US fiends!
Have fun out in the Big Blue Room!!
ReplyDeleteLook out! It's a Venus in a Box!
ReplyDeleteHave much fun camping. I look forward to stories.
Had to buy a MOP and some sort of wood floor cleaning tool and product.
ReplyDeleteFortunately, we are a friendly town, and thanks to a succession of kind walmart customers (never try and get an employee, doesn't work) I now have my MOP and products.
Now I must haul the sound system out of the car on the theory that I will not need it camping but will need the room in the car.
For Pearl. Who still smells like skunk.
I do have a delightful secret about today, that I can't tell you about, as it isn't mine to tell, but watch Twitter tonight. Maybe not MY Tweets.....But someone else's you may be following.
Oh Lorraine you are such a tease!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll do fine without the sound equipment. Still finding it hard to believe you'll be off the grid. Enjoy the natural world and the great people and beasts you'll be sharing it with!
Mops and floor products huh? Enjoy that but don't mop up the forest, ok?
OF COURSE I am a tease! You wouldn't want to go ALL DAY and not know there is something lovely coming would you????
ReplyDeleteI might have cell, if we do, I will Twitter. Can someone do links to my pics for those not on twitter if I do? I can't post here from my phone, too tricky.
The MOP is for my Spooky Cleaning Teen, I have no idea how they work.
Well, dabbler said what I was going to say about magic of camping and Magic of cat, and said it better:-)
ReplyDeleteCamping CAN be magic! The perfect combination of friends and weather and food and tales, nothing like it.
At 1:30 am I was on the phone to the on-call eye dr freaking out (well, not really to him) about the huge light in my eyes, thinking I could light a room with that glow and it was definitely not what I expected.
Saw him this morning (NOT at 1:30am!) and he said all was well and the glow in my eyes was not a concern.
Home with hugely dilated eyes...
Linda, glad your party was a success! Us introverted types don't gravitate naturally to giving parties.
Waiting for a surprise on Twitter!
The Royals have been clawing the back of my antique horsehair sofa, which does NOT endear them to me, but they are well into it, and today...
ReplyDeleteAnd an old silver key fell out!!!
It's like they KNEW!
I shall bring it with me and if I find a Locked Thing on my travels I shall open it.
Jess you make me laugh! The sofa was UP tho with the Royals int he Forest bedroom.
ReplyDeleteHow did she get to smell like skunk????
Uh, HOW DO YOU THINK?????????? Sorry, but really!
Tomato juice is a myth. Baking soda and peroxide.
Ok. I am off to grocery shop and then get Pearl and then, well, CAMP.
A silver key! Very cool.
ReplyDeleteI rather thought it should be part of the Instructions (which I saw yesterday, but was a very dented copy) but the adventure game version is moste excellent, as well. :D
It is a cold and rainy/sleety day here. Monsters are bored. The younger one is begging for Ziggy movies. Shall search.
The adventure bit is brilliant, miss.
ReplyDeleteYou lift the couch cushion!
ReplyDeleteReceive (2) quarters!
Found Ziggy on a cat wheel, if that was the new vid. I'm impressed with just how fast cats can get going on those.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful time and good luck going ENTIRELY wireless ... chipless ... buzzless ... all that. I'm sorry, I need a Saturday night Doctor Who fix (yeah, I started watching it. Go me).
ReplyDeleteyou untack the hem on your old skirt
ReplyDeleteyou find twenty pounds
that happened to my mum...pounds weren't even our currency anymore - she sewn it in there 20 years before!
Jess, can you please keep writing this mystery/game. Its fun.
Linda -that must have been an absolute blast!
Can someone email me when the twitter thing happens, so I don't miss it?
And The Magic Pudding is an Australian classic.
ReplyDeleteJess, here 'tis - I forgot Ziggy has a new name!
ReplyDeleteMs. Fabulous has tweeted!
ReplyDeletePhoto here
::blush::
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't the big secret revealed.
Obviously.
Sorry if I confused anybody!
maybe we should be running a book on what the Sekret is...
ReplyDeleteI almost forgot!
ReplyDeleteHappy Firbday, Aleta!
Well, Sally, I've got a guess what the Sekret is, but you probably won't take the bet.
ReplyDeleteIt's probably best just to wait for the tweet.
So...what time is it over there...will I have long to wait? Me, impatient?
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd find the secret waking up but obviously someone has better things to do than revealing secrets to the interworld. Either that or we must find keys to unlock the secret.
ReplyDeleteGood mornevening, fiends!
11:20 PM Central Daylight Time, Sally.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't think it will be tonight. Maybe tomorrow, if it's what I think it will be. I don't have any more, or less, information than anybody commenting here, so all I really have is a guess. :)
I think we might be guessing the same thing....
ReplyDeleteI have a guess too but it could be completely out of target.
ReplyDeleteI guess Maddy loving night swimming isn't what we're waiting for.
ReplyDelete::chuckle:: No. I don't think that's it. :)
ReplyDeleteIt could well be, though!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I just came upon the best camping shoes
ReplyDeletethey are adorable Nat...a new take on those animal slippers.
ReplyDeleteI would SO use them to spook the neighbours.
ReplyDeletefods, I'm just browsing that site and looking at some of the, ah, footart?
ReplyDeleteMind boggling, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI've never noticed the link to all their sites before. Right now I'm looking at the auto-complete me ones. Hilarious.
ReplyDeletelike this one
Fascinating. You could do found poems with that auto complete function.
ReplyDeleteHappy morning, except where it's evening.
ReplyDeleteLove the Magic pictures, he's just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteEnjoying all the adventures going on here.:)
Yayyy!!! I remember when you first posted about Magic, and look at him now - he has a sweet, trusting look in those big eyes. Yay for Lorraine!!
ReplyDeleteI see from twitter that Lorraine is surviving the rigors of camping..
ReplyDeleteWe have had a lovely day today - up early to go bellringing, then out to Knightshayes, a womnderful Victorian (Mock Gothic) house with fantastic gardens - then back for me to cook a mal to celebrate my mother's birthday.
And despite the dire predictions of the BBC, the sun came out! Hope everyone else has had an equally enjoyable Sunday.
I think, perhaps, you all would lose your bets on the big news.....
ReplyDeleteOkay, so enlighten us, Siri?
ReplyDeleteyup! wasn't what I thought but oh god how cute
ReplyDeleteI was thinking along the lines of a stealth wedding I must admit. Except the doubting part of my brain said that couldn't be so, because surely Q would be there for that...unless the camping was just a clever ruse.
ReplyDeleteMy money was on bigger than a bread box. I win!
ReplyDeleteI hadn't any idea whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteBut I just found a $1 coin and a $20 bill in my jacket pocket while out walking in the rain. w00t
How much bread can this breadbox hold? That's the crux of the matter...
ReplyDeleteDang cute she is! Total rescue, she, her parents, aunts and siblings all got siezed by animal control...
All are now in homes and saved!!!!
Tiredly putting together some camping pics for you, soon, my Fiends..
Ok Sweet Fiends, my Camping Post is UP!
ReplyDeleteDon't tell me you are all, like GONE, now that I am back???
ReplyDeleteOf course.
Nope, here and off to comment on Real Camping and Naughty Horses.
ReplyDeleteThe Sekret is adorable and will keep you and Mr. Cabal busy busy.
Magic iz Chubbee Kitteh now, which is SO different than Lean Scared Leopard was.
Hurrah! What a weekend for the whole fan-damn family!
Well _JESS_ I used a complex mathimatical process where x equals a stndard bread box and 10x = one standard Q's boss. And then I looked at the photos and pretended to push bttons on the calculator and declared a win. So there!
ReplyDeleteAll Ya'all wanna duke this one out over on the new post? Sure is entertainin!
ReplyDelete(Just learned "all ya'll" last week. Like it.)
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