TIME FLIES...TRY CATCHING TIME OR THE WIND...IMPOSSIBLE! IN THE MEANTIME - SOMETHINGS ARE PURR-FECT

Ruska

Pushkin

Pushkin - Keeping Up With the Daily News

Let's Leap on Her When She Least Expects It!

As I play at my computer I’m looking at a poster on the wall behind my monitor and desk.  I was going to type “work”, but I knew you’d laugh deridingly if I did. 

I didn’t even furtively glance about me the day I nicked the poster off the notice board outside the old IGA (about five years ago a new, much bigger IGA supermarket built on another block of land replaced the “old IGA aka Independent Grocers of Australia). 

My spontaneous crime spree occurred Friday, 13^th December, 2002. 
 

The small poster I stole on that day features a photo of two kittens, along with these words:-

 “Kittens for FREE!!!  To a good home...1 male & 1 female....6 weeks old 16th Dec. TOILET Trained...Can hold until Christmas Eve...Phone etc.” 

 I raced around to the phone box outside the bakery.   “Can hold until Christmas Eve”!!!  They certainly were well toilet trained!

The kittens, two of four, were born on 4^th November, 2002. 

On 6^th November, 2002, two days after those kittens were born, Pushkin, my beloved ginger cat died.  Upon arriving home that evening from my job at the Eagle Heights Resort/Hotel up here on the mountain I discovered Pushkin had died during my absence.  I was heartbroken...inconsolable, actually, with no one to console me. Pushkin been my best mate for 15 years.

In late 1987 Pushkin, aka Alexander Pushkin upon initial introduction, at first meeting with those he’d previously not met, was my birthday gift from me to me.  He, too, was a six week old kitten at the time he first stole my heart.

When I was managing the resort on Hinchinbrook Island my cat, Ruska who was another beautiful ginger, had been taken by a monstrous, hateful scrub python.  Ruska didn’t roam around outside.  He was an indoors’ cat. The native wild life was under no threat from him.  He had no need to forage and hunt for food because, daily, his menu consisted of fresh seafood and fresh meat.   

The snake had had my beloved Ruska under surveillance for quite some time, apparently. When it found the opportunity, the hateful creature forced its way inside through a partially open louvre during the hours I was working over in my office and at the resort’s restaurant.   

Ruska became the helpless victim of the python, which was between 18 to 20 feet in length – approximately 20-inches/50cm or more in diameter.  Ruska would not have stood a chance.  I have no love for snakes; I give no apologies for harbouring such feelings.  As far as I am concerned the only good snake is a dead snake.

At the time Pushkin came into my life Yorkeys Knob was my address.  I was employed as Functions/Conventions’ Coordinator at the Ramada Reef Resort, Palm Cove.  

Alexander Pushkin - Pushkin’s namesake - was the briefly 18^th Century/briefly 19^th Century...Russian poet, novelist, playwright – DOB; 26^th May, 1799; Died 29^th January, 1837. 

Well-travelled Pushkin lived with me in a variety of interesting areas throughout Queensland during his adventurous life.

  

Pushkin was the self-appointed Chief of Police on Newry Island when the island was our home.  Making no attempt to hide his displeasure at the intrusion of others, he’d growl grumpily at humans who dared come ashore after he, Rimsky and I had been the island’s three Robinson Crusoes for a few days - Fridays included.  

Rimsky aka Rimsky-Korsakov was named in honour of the Russian composer.  What is it with me and Russians?  No puttin’ anything past me!   

Immediately, Rimsky had  become the other much-loved member of my close-knit family.  Pushkin and Rimsky were the closest of friends, standing by each other through thick, thin and cyclones. 

A heartless human unintentionally did Rimsky, a beautiful tabby, a big favour when he dumped the unnamed kitten in my yard when I was at work. At that stage, I was renting a house from my neighbours, sugar cane farmers who lived in their home nearby.  Both houses were situated on acreage, surrounded by sugar cane, on Yorkeys Knob Road, Yorkeys Knob.

The small ball of fur literally fell out of the mango tree at the side of my house.  I caught him before he landed on the ground.   

Pushkin instantly befriended him. 

 

Not a harsh hiss or growl passed between the two from the moment I’d gathered our new family member into my arms and brought him upstairs to the large, covered back deck. 

Patiently, Pushkin had been watching the rescue mission. 

I’m sure the two met earlier when I was at work. Pushkin would have given the abandoned kitten the nod, telling him to hang about because everything would be fine...telling him I was a big softie.

No doubt Pushkin comforted the abandoned little fellow by assuring him he would be welcomed and loved by me.  Pushkin was an astute observer, and miaowed from experience!

So race forward a few years, and there I was, around 10 am on 6th December, 2002 - stolen poster in hand - phone call made.  A few minutes later I arrived home with both brother and sister...the two pictured on the poster.  

It wasn't in my heart to adopt one and not the other.  I was smitten the moment I set eyes on the adorable pair.  They were sitting on the floor of the laundry at the home of the people who'd been their temporary carers since their birth.   The moment I appeared at the doorway, both kittens looked up at me, holding their innocent gaze.

How could I not fall under their spell?

It was their lucky day...but more so...it was my lucky day.  And, boy!  Don’t they know it...never failing to remind me at every opportunity!

Just over a week ago, on 4^th November....Shama and Remy turned 16 years old...and I am in awe how rapidly the years have flown by...

One thing is certain....Remy and Shama are much-loved - and they give much love in return....

Chicken-Avo Caprese Salad: Season boned, skinned chicken breasts with garlic, salt and pepper; heat a little olive oil in pan; cook chicken; cool.  Coarsely tear up Cos lettuce leaves; place on plates; top lettuce with half cherry tomatoes, chopped avocados, chopped, fresh mozzarella, chicken, and torn fresh basil. Drizzle balsamic reduction (see recipe below) on top; serve.  

Chickpea Avo Salad: In bowl, place 1 chopped Lebanese cucumber, 1 red capsicum, 2 small radishes, ½ c raw spinach, 1/2c rocket, 1/3c parsley, 6 pitted olives. Quarter 4 cherry tomatoes, slice thinly 2 shallot and chop 1 avocado; add to bowl with 1c canned, rinsed, drained chickpeas; add 1tbs vinegar and 1tbs olive oil; toss to combine and coat; add some crumbled Fetta cheese and some halved, raw walnuts.

Peach, Honey, Fetta & Balsamic Drizzle Crostini:  Cut 2 mini baguettes into ¼-inch (.635cm) slices; brush both sides with x-virgin olive oil; season. Place onto baking tray; bake 5-7mins in 175C oven until golden; rotate sheet halfway through; cool completely. Bring 1c balsamic vinegar to boil in small saucepan; then lower heat to medium; simmer until it’s the consistency of thin maple syrup, about 15mins; cool. Note: vinegar will continue to thicken as it cools. It can be made a day or two ahead of time. Combine 125g fetta cheese, 55g cream cheese, and 1tbs honey in processor; process until very smooth. Smear this onto cooled crostini; top with a peach slice; drizzle with cooled balsamic drizzle.

Broccoli Cheddar Sticks: Preheat oven 205C.  Steam or boil 3c fresh broccoli florets for about 5mins; drain; pat dry with paper towel. Add broccoli to processor; pulse until smooth. Pour into bowl; add 1c Italian bread crumbs, 2c Cheddar cheese, 3 eggs; season; mix well. Pour mixture onto paper-lined pan; shape into a rectangle about 8x11-inch wide, ½-inch thick. Bake 15mins. Flip over; bake another 20mins. Remove from oven; cook; then cut into 16 sticks.  Dip in a tasty tomato-chilli sauce.   

Move, will ya!!!!