Messages from Tom Cat - 2

[agate]

Note all the plants that are 3 feet plus, after the area was burned about 6 weeks back. This is with no watering. This is with around 2 inches of rain for over a month, and temperature around 85°F each day. Most of these plants' root systems are 6 feet deep, and some go over 12 feet. The deer, rabbits, birds are enjoying the new growth. Black raspberries and mulberries, etc., are ripping now too. Get fresh fruit each morning.

I asked him about air conditioning as I recalled that Cat Dancer mentioned having it sometimes.

Sorry you got one heck of a messed up foot. Hope it does heal up. I know any type of injuries with MS can be challenging. I get 4 quality science magazines, and they have articles on MS off and on. I may send them your way, understanding that most of the new meds really only can help the younger MS patients. I used to read some of the MS papers Ann got. And Ann really didn't tolerate temperatures over 78°.Yes, we have central air. I'm having problems with the thermostat, and getting it to keep anything below 80° is a problem now. May have to get the service guy over here. That's about $150 when he walks in the door. It's about a 6-year-old unit, so it should handle this weather.

Okay, it's lunch time here. Take care.

[agate]

I've finally heard from Ralph (Tom Cat) though it took a few tries:

Well, as you can see the fall asters are out and the turkeys are pretty much grown, and ready for Thanksgiving. Me, I'm not doing well. I've got buzzing in the head whenever I stand up. and soreness in the back of the head, with some chest and back pain. I'll be seeing a doctor at 3:45 today. Wish me the best.

Take care, and wish me the best. And virtual hugs to all of you.

My reply:

Though it's good to hear from you, I'm so sorry you've been having problems. I hope that the doctor will offer some helpful ideas. Thank you so much for going to the effort of sending the photos--beautiful asters! A neighbor just gave me a mum for my doorway space, and I'm enjoying the color. Leaves haven't shown any color around here yet but it may not be a good year for it. Good luck with the doctor!

[Virginia]

Ralph, thanks for pictures of the beautiful asters.

We are concerned about the health problems. I hope you will feel up to letting us know what the doctor has to say after you find out later today. We haven't heard from you in a while and we were hoping you were just busy. I am concerned that you maybe overdo a bit sometime. Please let us know how you are when you can.

[agate]

Ralph has posted a thumbs-up emoji and a smiley face in reply to our messages, Virginia. Maybe he will let us know more details later.

[agate]

This was from Tom Cat/Ralph yesterday, referring to the "Hospice care" thread started by Lazarus:

Joan, I hope this may have helped Lazarus in these days of heartache.

I'm getting ready to have a blood test or two and see if they come up with any answers for this wobbly head and loss of [balance?]

One word dropped out of his message, and I'm not sure that the word was "balance." Maybe he will explain later.

[agate]

At long last, a communication from Ralph (Tom Cat):

This is the back yard, part of 2 acres in back. The snowy one is today, the other ones (not including the squirrel) are my Matrix Toyota, as it appears from an accident on Dec. 22. No one was hurt , but my main car was totalled. The winter and year have been going that way. This old Kindle of Ann's is acting up more than ever. I have a new one, but can't get in since I do not have the password for this.

Do send my deepest thoughts to Linda on her loss of John.

I still think of Ann frequently, especially now at tax time, and when I look at all of the dozen or so doll houses she put together. She was the financial team in this house.

Also I spent part of October and November in the hospital recovering from a breakdown I had. I wasn't hardly eating for a month, and hardly sleep,and soon couldn't stand up more than a few minutes at a time. So now I'm home, feeding myself, and again trying to get ready for winter. I have a wonderful family that are helping me out and in my will. I can only hope I make it into next summer, and things go easier.

And I do enjoy your Brain Talk for staying in touch with me. Your messages keep me wanting to keep going more than you may know. With that I send virtual hugs.

I added the parenthetical comment about the squirrel. Maybe he didn't mean to include that photo, or maybe the squirrel sneaked in somehow.

[Virginia]

Ralph, so sorry to hear that you have been sick and in the hospital. I am very happy that you have a family that is watching out for you now. It makes me feel better knowing that. I kept wondering why we had not heard from you in such a long time. Please keep trying to eat and gain some strength. It will help you.

I love the picture of the squirrel. He looks quite fat and sassy.

I am sorry your main vehicle was wrecked. It does look like it went through a rough time.

Just remember Winter only last a couple of months and after that Spring and Summer will make a return. Keep getting up and walking around the house and doing the things you can do and just believe that you will make it through this. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

You have been missed on here.

Virginia

[agate]

Ralph has had a spot or two of snow from the look of it.

"Here are some pictures of the snow from about 4-5 days ago. We got around 16-18 inches in two storms. It was medium-weight still heavy. Our days have been around 10° and the nights 5-10° below zero, with some 30-40 mph winds. We've had minus 15° wind chills too.

The main drive I have someone plow, but they left piles in front of my house garage and my back garage and behind the house and to some of my covered wood piles. I've been moving snow an hour or two a day with my ATV plow and a walk-behind blower. Plus shoveling snow from next to garage and house doors. Can't find any help for the hand removal. Need to get some moved back, for more to come, while it's cold, and not wet & frozen down yet.

And, yes we're about half through winter. March is usually the last month of snow, which can be few inches or up to 1 1/2 ft. Had a little now in April here too. Went about 70 miles north to fish one May, only to find 4 inches of ice on the water near shore. It was May 22nd. As they say in these parts: "If you don't like the weather, just wait a day or two. It'll change. For the better or worse."

Take care."

And there's a message from Maggie with a photo of herself:


"Here's what you do on a cold snowy day outside. Curl up on a nice warm bedspread next to your favorite human. Maggie"

[Virginia]

My goodness Ralph, your roof looks like a yard with deep snow, and it doesn't sound as though it is about to get any better anytime soon. Here we are thinking we are having some really cold weather when it is about 18 degrees at night and gets up to 33 in the daytime. I am like Maggie, I just stay in. The wind they tell me was blowing hard here today, which made the feel like temperature much lower.

I hope you stay in as much as possible or have heavily insulated clothing. Maggie appears to be quite comfortable. I hope you take extremely good care of yourself during the next two months.

Keep us up to date when you are able.

[agate]

An additional message from Tom Cat after he accidentally did an audio call. It came up as "Missed audio call" on the Facebook messaging system.


"I wasn't actually calling. Just the wrong buttons. I have a native friend in northwest of Wisconsin, just over in Stillwater, MN. I was messaging on this Kindle and had myself on audio, and video. He could hear and see me well. I could only hear him. We had a great time, and I was laughing throughout it. I didn't know then what I was doing, nor do I now.

I got more snow removed before dark, and hope to get caught up tomorrow. I should have space for a smaller snow dump around next Tuesday. That's about it for now. Give the furry kids their evening treat and crawl in myself.

Take care, and send my best to all."

[agate]

Ralph's cat Maggie has posted another message. The other cat (Smudge) hasn't had any comments.

"What do you mean, there is no heat coming out of the register? I feel just fine. Maggie"

[Ikoiko]

Best to you Tom Cat.

[agate]

Just to remind newer people here in case they missed it: Tom Cat (real name is Ralph) is the husband of this board's long-time participant, Cat Dancer, who mentioned him from time to time in her posts, always referring to him as Tom Cat.

The couple were living in rural Wisconsin in a wooded area for many years, always with a couple of cats in residence.

Cat Dancer passed away a few years ago but Tom Cat was aware of her years of service on this board and has wanted to help us by contributing posts from time to time. Though he does not have MS, he is interested, and (IMO) we need interested people here too at this point, when there are so few of us compared to years ago.

Back then there were so many people here that there was probably a prevailing sentiment that anyone not diagnosed with MS didn't belong here. In fact I recall a few posts now and then to that effect.

But things are different now. I hope that we can stay in contact with Ralph (Tom Cat) and the two cats, Maggie and Smudge.

If you are shy about communicating with him, why not post a message to him in this thread, introducing yourself and just letting him know you're reading his messages and looking at the photos?

[flatcap]

Hello, Tom Cat.

I just wanted to thank you for being here. I have been reading your posts ever since I joined the forum last year.

You are not alone.

[agate]

Thank you, flatcap! I'm sending your message along to TomCat.