Sweetpea Manor Musings

It's such a bummer not being able to squee before going anyway now since it could attract misfortune to home and hearth. But now I'm back. Yay!

The con was good. It seems to have stablized at a reduced size. Most of the panels were good, but I've learned to avoid panels that have a certain personality as a moderator. The art show was a tad smaller but had some good pieces. I liked the Sherlock and there was a fab Rumplestiltskin. I bought three zines because I realized this might be the first MWC where I did not buy a zine and that was so sad because I used to dozens.

I did a Merlin door decoration. There's maybe 1 out of 6 doors with something on them, so that's kind of sad, too.

I swear the hotel was being passive aggressive about the con. I had a heck of a time using the masking tape on the door because they had spray waxed the door. The first two nights a notice was slipped under the door stating that if we moved the furniture, we would be charged $150/DAY for the wear and tear on it. Hummingbirds had a reduced menu but better prices and better service than last year. NO decorations were on the walls. They totally screwed up our hotel bill. My roomies checked out at 4am the day before and we were splitting the bill. I was charged close to $400 but thought, oh well, my roomies must have decided that was fair. Then I got an email saying they were charged close to $800 and the total bill should have been only $650ish. They charged us nearly double! My roomie called and said it is straightened out. We'll see.

I did co-mod a Merlin panel because even though there were about 6 suggested panels, non made it to the schedule. There were other shows that were totally shut out even though there were a lot of suggestions. There must have been six Strachey panels, lots of Sherlock and SPN ones, too. I very much enjoyed a Person of Interest panel and a Mentalist panel. The Once Upon a Time panel was okay. There was conflict so I missed a few I wanted to attend.

The flight there was fine, the flight back had delays and I had 13 minutes to make my connection in Atlanta and never would have made it except an airport guy with an electric cart saw me and asked if I needed help. Great, great guy! In contrast, we were in SeaTac a few years ago and I had arrange Mom to have transport to our connection. Not only did they not show up, empty electric carts drove by us and the drivers looked away and ignored us even though I was gesturing and calling to them. Such a difference.

I did not get a Chevy Cruz for a rental like I'd hoped (it was so much fun to drive last year and great milage!) This time it was Nissan Sentra. Yuck.

Buddy did nip my nose when I got back but then immediately licked it to apologize. He is such a sweetie!

I *think* the Feliway is helping as the cats have gotten more affectionate but it hasn't helped our problem yet.
We've been leaving the door open but Coco just hides under the bed and Abby lurks about for hours until I shoo her out so Coco can have a bathroom break.

Last night the door was open but I was in the living room, fairly exhausted from 4 days of very little sleep and driving to Lompoc and back. I was drifting off when suddenly Buddy leaped off the cat tree. I put the mute on the tv and could hear yowling in the bedroom. By the time I got there, Buddy had his head and shoulders under the bed and was monitoring the situation. I got a broom and a flashlight and had a look. Abby was under the head of the bed and Coco was at the foot of the bed. I shooed Abby out of the room completely with the broom. She bounced out of their like a superball. Buddy looked upset. All Buddy wants is for everyone to get along. We shut Coco up so she could calm down and back we went into the living room. I really thought Abby would fear me after that, but within ten minutes she walked up to me and leaned on my leg. "We're good, aren't we?" Sure! Buddy felt better after that.

I *think* Abby might have just wanted to be with Coco and since she won't come out from under the bed, she went under it. Coco saw it as aggression. This is just gonna take a while. :(

I have mentioned lately how sweet and loving and playful Coco is? She is a darling cat. They are all wonderful cats but cats and their politics!

We got home late on Wednesday night. The boys ran out as we came in. Abby ran away from me, but within 30 minutes was plopped down on my lap, making biscuits and purring her secret little purr that you can only feel, not hear. She actually missed us! Not her servants or her roommates, but she missed her mummies that she loves! And she has been much more affectionate and relaxed around us. :)

Brindle also is very affectionate. Buddy seemed annoyed with us, upset. He did go to bed with me, but settled down at my feet. At some point during the night, he apparently forgave me and curled up in my arms for some cuddling and pattycake face (he likes to pat my face, headbutt it and stare deeply into my eyes.)

And since we've been home, lots of chores. And back to the grind tomorrow night.

Yosemite was wonderful. Cool and crisp, and smelling like Christmas and mulch. Beautiful colors, too. The forest was shadowy dark but the dogwoods were pink/yellow or bright yellow and brightened up the woods considerably. It rained most of Tuesday but that was relaxing, too. The falls had water in them, and in the morning the cliff sides were dusted with ice and snow. Tuesday night we drove to Tunnel View (or Inspiration Point) and parked. We watched the clouds coil and swirl around the cliffs, El Capitan in particular, and how the light from the setting sun provided dramatic and surprising effects. There was one brief moment when the last rays from the sun found a peep hole in the clouds. A small circle of rose lite the side of El Capitan while the clouds hovered at the top, giving the granite a circlet of whitish blue clouds. It only last a few seconds, so no photo. But you could easily imagine that that's where the mountain's heart is.


The drive home was stately with delays due to road works but as that gave us even more time to appreciate the forest and the views, it was all good. Then we stopped at a rock shop in Oakhurst and I found Mom a nice opal for Christmas.

Now it warmish and dry, and very clear. It's good to go away, but it's awfully nice to be home again. :)

Oh, I almost forgot. While we were driving around the valley floor, I pulled over near the bend in the river, looked down...and realized that I was looking at a naked man, posing, probably for a photographer I couldn't seen. This guy was covered in tattoos and had bits that glinted with metal piercings. Huh. I snapped a couple of photos and sped off, laughing with Mom. It was really too cold for stuff like that!

Here are three photos of the Award Winning Top Gear Door from the MediaWestCon competition, Buddy and the Monkey Flowers and two Momma raccoon photos...with nipples!

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Just a quick note, mainly for myself.

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Buddy brought in a lizard to give to us. We must have been upgraded to 'family.' Wasn't that sweet?

And yes, there is a live lizard (unknown injuries) in the dvd pile by the tv.

No, wait! As I write this, it darted under a chair. Didn't catch it. Good times, eh? *g*

The skunk waddled out at midnight after many false starts. Big, big YAY!!! And no loss of pressure at any point, either.

And I found were the coyote had dug under the fence and filled the whole with rocks and branches. That should work for a while.

Buddy spent the night with me. He is very loving, very touchy touchy. But in the morning (and only about 4 hours after I went to bed) he was even more so. I think he's the sort that if he wants food or to be let out, he will kill you with love and affection. Well, it could be worse....

And now I must start on SG:U as I've been putting off watching the opener.

Buddy and Emma were friendly back when they were on their own outdoors. Since Buddy was allowing us to pick him up, I took him in to see Emma. He was very spooked to see her, while she was eager for the company and they spent a while touching noses. He examined the whole room with the attitude of an Amnesty International worker examining a dungeon (food, water, toilet...everything they need to keep her here forever!) They chirped a lot to each other. He finally settled on a bookcase and she wanted in the worst way to go up there, too, but that would mean leaving her shelter (she did bounce up there briefly for a butt sniff but quickly left.) He looked like "what is your problem?" I think she was too hyper and acting like a kitty nerd.

We left them together for about one hour and when I checked, he wanted out of the bedroom. Then he was very antsy, darting about and looking under the furniture. He went to the sliding door but we coaxed him back to us. He lay down but couldn't settle and eventually ran back to Mom's bedroom door. I let him in. She was right on the other side and they play slapped at each other. I shut the door and let them have some quality time.

I'm sure his visit was a morale booster for her and maybe he will help her sort things out better. There is a reason for the term 'copy cat.'

Where I update Emma, Buddy and stuff.

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We were out having coffee at twilight tonight. It's a habit and the cats come around for dinner at the same time. It's the social hour at Sweetpea Manor. Anyway, Buddy walked under my chair and I trailed my fingers along his back as he passed. He paused briefly, stretched, and walked on to his dinner plate. When he came back, we repeated the process and he flopped over and stared me in the eye. I figured it was an invitation to be petted or an enticement that would bring me closer so he could punish me for being too familiar. I hoped for the best and his expression was, "About frigging time!" I scratched ears and chin, rubbed his back, gave him 'elevator butt' and even ran my fingers over his tummy since he kept displaying it. And then Mom came by and repeated the process. Buddy looked content and happy. So, I'd say he wants a home and affection but we needed to pass the tests first.

Brindle was okay with it at first, then he got agitated and hissed at Buddy. He acted like he was gonna jump up on the bird bath and give Buddy what for, but Buddy just looked like, "Oh really?" Brindle thought twice about it and ran off. I need to let them sort it out. At least I've heard no cat fights yet.

Okay, the next post WILL be fannish in nature!