I have been searching for the road back to blogging after my last post which was a tribute to our wonderful AbbeyCat who passed away last week leaving a hole in my heart.
Well, I want to thank Courtney T. who hails from our neighbor to the north, Montreal, Canada, for providing the perfect absurdity to follow up such an emotional outpouring.
Courtney, you are better than an icy cold lemon sorbet - ahh...refreshing!
Entries tagged as blog
Friday, June 26. 2009
A Palate Cleanser
Posted by Gina
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Thursday, June 18. 2009
There's a Hole in My Heart
...that looks exactly like this.

Our dear wonderful kitty friend Abbey left this world Monday night. I miss her more than I can express. The thought of never enjoying a day in the company of her sweetness again makes my heart ache.
She left us rather suddenly after just a few days of lethargy. I tried all I could to help her regain her strength; giving her water from a medicine dropper and food from my pinky. I held her tiny weak body next to mine hoping to impart health through the love I hoped she'd absorb from me. In the end, she let her daddy know it was time to get her to a place where she could leave us, far away from our happy and lively memories of her. The moment we walked into the emergency vet's office, she began to literally take her dying breaths.
I have never felt so lonely in my own home. I have never felt so alone in my own skin. To say Abbey is part of me is not an overstatement nor an exaggeration. She transcended the 'normal' boundary between species (or maybe I did) to make us friends by any definition that exists. Our relationship was based on our personal brand of communication. I know 'pet people' know what I mean...communication with a cherished pet is something altogether different than with a cherished human. I believe it has to do with the process of bridging the language barrier. Since we don't share a verbal language, we have to rely on other types of communication, which in turn creates and fosters a deep and unique relationship. Other species possess different sensibilities, too, which put them in tune with different aspects of our personalities. In short, only a cat knows you like a cat can know you - and to be known by a cat is a beautiful feeling.
I am privileged to have been known and adored by a very special cat. Abbey filled my life with companionship and laughter. She warmed our home with her steadfast friendship and gentle nature. We shared our many moods and rhythms with her. In turn, she made us privy to the exquisite bliss to be found in a belly rub and a snuggle on a warm blanket.
I know that in time the hole will be filled with cherished memories of Abbey from the fifteen years she spent nuzzled in our lives and hearts. Eventually I will look at a picture of her basking upside down in her favorite sunny spot or remember how she loved to sit in her "cubby" in our headboard and a smile will cross my face. She will be forever my Original Upside Down Cat in my header and heart. For now, though, the wound is raw and the sting is sharp. My best kitty friend and I will make no new memories.
Abbey, not a day went by that I didn't thank my lucky stars for you. I only hope that we gave you the best life possible, filled with abundant love, deep devotion and all the chicken your heart desired. You deserved that and more, Sweet Poopy Girl.
Abbey Road Tilbrook Blitstein
May 8, 1994 - June 15, 2009

Our dear wonderful kitty friend Abbey left this world Monday night. I miss her more than I can express. The thought of never enjoying a day in the company of her sweetness again makes my heart ache.
She left us rather suddenly after just a few days of lethargy. I tried all I could to help her regain her strength; giving her water from a medicine dropper and food from my pinky. I held her tiny weak body next to mine hoping to impart health through the love I hoped she'd absorb from me. In the end, she let her daddy know it was time to get her to a place where she could leave us, far away from our happy and lively memories of her. The moment we walked into the emergency vet's office, she began to literally take her dying breaths.
I have never felt so lonely in my own home. I have never felt so alone in my own skin. To say Abbey is part of me is not an overstatement nor an exaggeration. She transcended the 'normal' boundary between species (or maybe I did) to make us friends by any definition that exists. Our relationship was based on our personal brand of communication. I know 'pet people' know what I mean...communication with a cherished pet is something altogether different than with a cherished human. I believe it has to do with the process of bridging the language barrier. Since we don't share a verbal language, we have to rely on other types of communication, which in turn creates and fosters a deep and unique relationship. Other species possess different sensibilities, too, which put them in tune with different aspects of our personalities. In short, only a cat knows you like a cat can know you - and to be known by a cat is a beautiful feeling.
I am privileged to have been known and adored by a very special cat. Abbey filled my life with companionship and laughter. She warmed our home with her steadfast friendship and gentle nature. We shared our many moods and rhythms with her. In turn, she made us privy to the exquisite bliss to be found in a belly rub and a snuggle on a warm blanket.
I know that in time the hole will be filled with cherished memories of Abbey from the fifteen years she spent nuzzled in our lives and hearts. Eventually I will look at a picture of her basking upside down in her favorite sunny spot or remember how she loved to sit in her "cubby" in our headboard and a smile will cross my face. She will be forever my Original Upside Down Cat in my header and heart. For now, though, the wound is raw and the sting is sharp. My best kitty friend and I will make no new memories.
Abbey, not a day went by that I didn't thank my lucky stars for you. I only hope that we gave you the best life possible, filled with abundant love, deep devotion and all the chicken your heart desired. You deserved that and more, Sweet Poopy Girl.
Abbey Road Tilbrook Blitstein
May 8, 1994 - June 15, 2009
Posted by Gina
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Wednesday, April 1. 2009
Writing And Preservation And Deadlines...Oh, My!
I have previously mused about the subject of how becoming a "professional" writer might affect my love of writing and/or my ability to write what and when I want. Well, recently I've had the opportunity to explore that very question. In February I was privileged to be hired as a writer for a Women in Business web site. I am writing syndicated content that will be sold to other sites on the topics of Finance, Technology, Procurement, Mentoring and Work/Life as they pertain to women business owners. I was thrilled to see the assignments rolling in quickly and steadily - it fueled my passion. The things I needed to do and learn to get up to speed really consumed my March, though. As you can woefully see, I posted here on my own blog only once last month.
Continue reading "Writing And Preservation And Deadlines...Oh, My!" »
Thursday, January 15. 2009
There's Always Room For Another Upside Down Cat
It was recently brought to my attention by Jer at upsidedowndogs.com that there weren't enough photos of upside down cats here on upsidedowncats.com. Accepting the comment as a challenge, real or imagined, I scoured through photos today and discovered this gem of our dear Penny.
Could she look more comfy? Absolute bliss...

Personally, I believe there to be an abundance of cats "assuming the position" to see here. Just click on the "cat-a-gory" called "upside down" to view a plethora of upside down feline friends!
I've always considered my blog to be more conceptual than literal. I embrace the upside down cat as a symbol of the peace and contentment I seek in my own life.
Not that the sight of an upside down cat doesn't in and of itself bring a certain sense of contentment...
Posted by Gina
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Tuesday, January 13. 2009
What's Cookin'? 1/13/09
Here it is...my first post of 2009! It's nothing particularly creative...just another installment of my What's Cookin'? series. At least it's an effort toward blogging this year. My blogging sure fell apart at the holidays! When my schedule changed so did my blogging routine. Hopefully this is the start of another busy blog year for me.
Regardez...the triumphant return of What's Cookin'? where I share with you some of what I've planned in advance to cook during the upcoming week:
Hot Dogs, French Fries & Spring Mix Salad
Honey-Lemon Glazed Mahi Mahi, Homemade "Rice-A-Roni" & Oven Roasted Broccoli
Italian Sub Sandwiches w/ Turkey, Roast Beef, Genoa Salami & Provolone & Homemade Vegetable-Lentil Soup
Double Shell Beef Tacos w/ Refried Beans, Lettuce & Tomato
Greek Marinated Chicken Breasts, Couscous w/ Walnuts & Spinach Sauted w/ Olive Oil & Garlic
Pizza Bread & Homemade Vegetable-Lentil Soup
Chicken Enchiladas Blanca & Spring Mix Salad
So there we are...I'm back on the blog horse with grand plans to entertain and delight in 2009.
Amen
Monday, December 1. 2008
The Official NaBloPoMo Debriefing
I wasn't planning to participate in NaBloPoMo this year. There was too much reality clogging up my mind, sapping my creativity...or so I thought. At some point mid-October I was reminded of it and quickly dismissed the prospect of it for this year.
Then, on the fateful afternoon of November 1, Scott asked the question, "So, are you going to do NaBloPoMo this year?" To my surprise, my negatory answer did not slide effortlessly past my lips as I was certain it would. Instead, somewhere between his question and my pre-determined answer I managed to play out an entire scenario of guilt and remorse for missing the NaBloPoMopportunity this year. I actually answered, "Maybe...I'll think about it..."
Continue reading "The Official NaBloPoMo Debriefing" »
Posted by Gina
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Defined tags for this entry: blog, gratitude, husband, inspiration, nablopomo08, scott, words, writing
Sunday, November 30. 2008
Thirty Words For Thirty Days - #30
I've been uncharacteristically paranoid that I will somehow forget to publish a NaBloPoMo post today, thereby failing my National Blog Posting Month mission to post every day of November about a person I know/knew in exactly thirty words. Well, I just finished writing the last one at 12:20 PM so there's little chance of any mishaps: Vignette #30...here it is...
Fake Lame Guy in NYC
You walk briskly down Broadway along with the rest of us every night toward the Beacon Theater. As we approach you gradually transform into crippled homeless guy, begging for handouts.
*Victorious NaBloPoMo Participant's Note: I did it! Whew! Yea!
Click.
Posted by Gina
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Saturday, November 29. 2008
Thirty Words For Thirty Days - #29
Wow...once I publish this post I'll have only one more day of participation in National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo)! That means I have only one more opportunity to share a thirty word portrait of a person I know/knew. Here's a little thing I like to call Vignette #29...
Eddie
You were our paperboy and the older brother of a girl in my class. Mom thought you liked me. I thought you were a nerd. So was I but still...
Friday, November 28. 2008
Thirty Words For Thirty Days - #28
We're definitely in the home stretch of National Blog Posting Month (NaBloPoMo) now with only three more days to go! Here on the twenty-eighth day of writing about a person I know/knew in exactly thirty words, please meet Vignette #28...
Our UPS Delivery Man
You're friendly, conscientious and quick with a smile. You wave to the daycare children who watch at the window. Once you cut your finger and I cleaned and bandaged it.
Posted by Gina
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Thursday, November 27. 2008
A Spontaneous "I'm Thankful For..." List
In the interest of putting my actions where my mouth is, I give you an "off the top of my head" list of things for which I'm thankful today and always.
Continue reading "A Spontaneous "I'm Thankful For..." List" »
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