random thoughts – Day 1,669 – (Saturday) – drama, art, and music

The day was full. There was drama, terror, music, and art.

The drama today was a follow-up to the Friday night terrorization of Kiki to give her Gabapentin for her vet visit this morning. The dosing took an hour of me trying to psych myself up, then another hour of cajoling, begging, and chasing her around the house. It was midnight when I finally caught her when she tried to hide behind the couch. As she meowed in anger, stress, fear, or whatever it was, I pointed the syringe thingy into her mouth and pushed the plunger. Then I apologized. Profusely.

The dosing ordeal was repeated this morning. She was a bit slower from the dose the night before, but still crafty and on high alert. I finally caught her in the litter box cabinet and stuck the syringe into her mouth while she meowed. Round Two of the morning's battle of wits involved me trying to get her into the carrier. There was bloodshed (mine). There were histrionics with crying and screaming (Kiki).

Kiki at the vet.

The medicated version of Kiki at the vet was much calmer than the wildcat version seen in March's visit. She had her wellness exam and received her rabies and distemper shots and we were on our way. The whole time in the car and part of the time in the vet office all were serenaded with the operatic musical stylings of Miss Kiki. When we were in the car, I sang along with her, but I couldn’t tell if it helped the situation or not.

Once home, Kiki vacated her carrier, climbed to the top of the stairs, and hunkered down in the corner. I discovered she had been sick in the carrier, which the vet said was a possible side effect of the shots. Poor Kiki. She stayed in the corner at the top of the stairs all day and into the night.

There was a new festival in town this weekend. It celebrated Edgar Allan Poe and his visits to Lowell in 1848 and 1849. Around noon, while avoiding housework and attending various afternoon events, I had decided to attend the “Dream Within a Dream” event at Gallery Z at 7 p.m. An RSVP was done on their Eventbrite site. By 3:00 I was debating the merits of having a nap. At 4:30, brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, and mushrooms were being sautéed in the cast iron fry pan to toss over rice and dress with Kalamata olives. By 5:15, the afternoon nap not taken was sounding mighty appealing.

Singing in Gallery Z.

The next hour was spent trying to talk myself either into or out of actually attending the event.  Arguments against attending included being tired and I was snuggled under blanket, and there were lots of new shows on Netflix. The main argument in favor of attending was that I had voluntarily signed up on the site to attend, and I hate to not keep my word. In the end, I combed my hair, got in the car, drove downtown, and went.

The event was in an art gallery/café with walls filled with art by local artists. It opened with a reading of Poe’s poem “A Dream Within a Dream” and a brief talk about his visits to Lowell. Local singer songwriter Amy Beauregard entertained with her guitar. There was a goth fashion show. There were many donated raffle items and lots of art reception food. It was fun, and I was glad to have gone. It almost always works out that way. All I have to do is take that step out the door.