Besides Knitting

Steadily I knit on the back of Caroline, almost to the neckline now. I take the not-so-gossamer wrap with me in the car for travel knitting, and work on the Noni during Netflix films. Unfortunately, there's no significant progress on any of them to photograph this week for you, so I thought I'd give you a glimpse into what I do in my free time, besides knitting. Don't be so shocked!

Around New Year's Day, an interest in genealogy snuck up on me. My mom and a great aunt have kept some pretty thorough records, so I've been hanging out at Ancestry.com, inputting names and dates. This past weekend, I took my first field trip.

Here is a photo of my great-grandparents' grave, along with their son, an uncle who died in WWII. I knew where they were buried, having visited their grave with my grandparents as a teenager, so this visit was more about documentation than discovery. But -- I just found out from my grandmother that her grandparents are also buried in the same cemetery! I never knew that. I thought they had remained in Italy. Since the cemetery office was closed last Sunday, I didn't have access to a map to find them, and it's too huge a place to wander around in the cold. This week I've been on the phone with the receptionist there and she's faxed me some maps so I can locate everyone, including some other great great aunts and uncles. Since it's only about 45 min away, I'll be going back on Saturday .

My great-grandmother crocheted the most amazing pieces (of which I have some) from Italian pattern booklets, along with sewing beautiful dresses and growing flowers in her garden. She is the one great-grandparent I did not know as a child, so I always enjoy learning more about her life.

Another New Year's goal was to start volunteering at Rainy's former shelter. (Rosie's is too far for me to travel to during the week). Welcome to my new humble domain, the infirmary.

There are 6 double cages in this room, four visible in the photo. Every Wednesday night, I and another volunteer give medications, top up food and change water bowls, scoop boxes, and help everyone stay clean and comfortable. It takes about 2 hours by the time we give out medications to the "loose" cats in the other rooms, sweep the floor, and try to give everyone a little attention. Here is my buddy Tom, who rides on my cart and makes sure I do a good job:

He likes to sleep on the pile of towels opposite the row of cages.

I also want to introduce you to Mama. When I first met her, before Christmas, she was in one of the long-term cat rooms, but she's been in the infirmary the past few weeks. She is incredibly thin, and has a large appetite. I was told that she has intestinal lymphoma, just like my sweet Charlie did, so she is extra special to me. I don't know if she ever knew a home or the love of a family, but I'm thankful that she is loved and spoiled here as much as possible. This past Wednesday, I let her out to walk around the infirmary, and enjoy some freedom.

Mama

I'm thrilled that a good number of cats we met when we adopted Rainy have already been adopted. New cats have come and also gone to homes, but even so, the shelter is at capacity. I'm just grateful the remaining ones have a safe place to live, a warm bed, and meals til their new families come!

This week has been insane, and I've been totally remiss in acknowledging the kindness of Lynne, Kerri, and Deb, who tagged me for a Make My Day award. Thank you so much!!

I've feel like I've been such a terrible blog friend the past few weeks. We had a big work project that is hopefully winding down now (among other things), and I'm looking forward to catching up on blog reading and more regular posting. Have a wonderful weekend!!

Comments

[Sara]

How fabulous that you live close enough to a shelter that you can go help out...

When I lived in Tennessee I worked about a mile from the local shelter - and about twice a week I would spend my lunch hour there just talking to, petting, and passing out treats to all the dogs and cats that were there. I figured that I might be the only person who ever showed them some love and affection. It would break my heart when I would go to give a doggie a cookie and they would not know what it was!

[Nancy]

Oh you brave wonderful soul to work at the shelter! When I adopted my Smokey from the local shelter it took all my will power not to back my car up to the door and just adopt them all - cats, dogs, rabbits, et al!

[Sydney]

Such sweet kitties. It would be hard not to adopt them all.

That's great that you found so many of your ancestors at the one cemetery.

[Julie]

How interesting it must be researching your family's genealogy.

You are a wonderful person to take the time each week to bring some love to the lives of those kitties!

[Kristen]

It's amazing that you had several great-grandparents living when you were a child. We just had my grandparents on my dad's side. I'm fortunate to have a cousin on that side who is doing all the genealogy work for us.
You are doing so well with your 2008 goals. Working in the shelter is such a fine thing. The stories of many of those kitties just breaks your heart.

[Chris]

Cool about the genealogy! And how do you manage to work at the shelter without coming home with a new kitty everytime?!

[Shannon]

Mama is so beautiful! She looks like my departed Dakota - the same half moustache. What a wonderful thing you do.

[Sheepish Annie]

One should never feel badly about not blogging when one is living a life, I think. You've certainly been keeping yourself busy! How nice that you've been able to give back to the shelter that took care of your Rainy!

[2paw]

Thank you for volunteering: volunteers keep the world running!!
I am glad you ahve the family tree bug. Do in now while you still have people around you whom you can ask about the family. I'm not chocked!!!!!

[Brigitte]

That's so wonderful, volunteering a the kitty shelter! I would end up with a home that becomes a kitty shelter... Mama is such a pretty girl, I'm glad she's receiving such warmth and love.

[Katie]

It can be so facinating finding out about your ancestors, their stories and where they came from, sounds like you're off to a good start!

[Laura]

Good for you volunteering at the shelter! I used to volunteer at a shelter in Austin and it wasn't nearly as nice as that one. It was basically the city pound so it was pretty industrial-looking.

I know that the cats appreciate the attention that you give to them.

[robin]

The genealogy project is really interesting! I only knew one of my great grandmothers, so I would find it very interesting to find out more about them as well. Love the kitty pics too - Tom sounds like a sweetie, and Mama reminds me of a thin version of my FatKat. Poor baby. At least she has you to give her love and attention!

[tiennie]

That is very interesting - I hope you're able to locate all your relatives. I bet they're glad to be thought of.

You are a wonderful person to be volunteering. You totally deserve the award!

[madalyn]

I think it's great that you're helping out at the shelter! Those animals deserve some love!

[Karen]

Ancestry.com is an addicting place. I had an interest sneak up on me too a few months ago and worked on it non-stop. It's another one of those hobbies that sucks hours and hours from your day, but is really interesting.

[Jessica]

Good luck with the family search. I really should do that before the people who know things aren't around any more...

And good for you for going to the shelter and volunteering! I'd probably come home with every animal if I tried to do something like that.

[deb]

What a coincidence! My husband's cousin gave us all kinds of information about his Italian heritage this weekend. Out of 100 local relatives this one cousin finally got it together to look up everything! Somewhere in the last two generations the family name was misspelled! I'm sure it is very rewarding for you to be working at the shelter. I know I'd be adopting all kinds of the little guys!

[Holly of HollYarns]

How sweet to see your friends at the shelter! Thank you for sharing!

[Meredith]

That's wonderful that you're helping out at the shelter--it looks like they're well taken care of!