**EVERYONE WHO TIPS UNDER THIS POST WILL GET A FREE GIFT- HAVE TO RAISE MONEY FOR VETERINARY COSTS**
Found a 5-week old kitten last night in a flower pot in my backyard.
The poor thing is a dilute calico female- probably a Bengal mix- a bit over 5 weeks old. Noticed that she had an injured paw when I flea bathed her.
I took her to the vet this morning and they say it is a full shattered fracture.
Three options:
It could spontaneously heal
It could be amputated
It could require 2k dollar surgery.
I have never dealt with anything like this before- what would *you* do?
She is human-friendly, so some person must have dumped her near my home.
I named her Cookie, because she looks like my cat Cake's toy cat he carries around with the same name.
Incidentally, it was also his 3rd birthday yesterday.
Planted a Weeping Katsura tree yesterday and then had a late night- photo of tree and me this morning 😂
The tree is looking much less messy than I am.
**Cultural Significance**
Katsura Tree is instrumental in Asian folklore and is incorporated in many ancient Chinese and Japanese legends, including an explanation for the shadow on the moon. Japanese folklore presents Katsura Tree as the means by which gods descended from the heavens and symbolized the joining of earth and sky. In another Japanese legend, a man being punished by the gods was sentenced to cut down a giant Katsura Tree on the moon. It is said that the shadow of the moon is the result of the shade of the magic Katsura Tree, which cannot be cut down. It continually grows back and the man is trapped on the moon forever.
Though katsura is exotic in the USA (it's native to Japan and China), it has been planted as an ornamental species for over a century in the United States without showing any potential to become invasive.
90F and hazy and hard to breathe outside from the stupid Canadian fires. I live a quarter of a continent away and it's awful.
DM me, I can't go outside. Hope your air is nicer than mine.
Did NOT practice good skincare today and ended up burnt and with heat stroke while working in the garden without a hat or skin protection- don't be me.
Also, OF servers seem to be down off and on all over the globe, so IDK if this post will even show.
Had a wee dram in my late friend Gidget's memory at a local festival.
Raising a toast to those departed and fondly remembered. May their memories be a blessing.
**DISCOMFORT AND BOUNDARIES- AND LISTENING TO YOUR GUT**
This needs to be said, mostly because you all know I just speak my mind here anyway... and at my age, I have zero filter left.
Discomfort is a good guide- but if you feel a pervasive sense of discomfort or foreboding, you should avoid situations at all costs.
I rarely get these feelings, but I got it today for some reason.
The people who should be in your inner circle should **NOT** give you these types of warning signals.
I am glad things like this happen. Learning experiences are good.
I will donate to good works, and respect others' religions and choices- but I will not be anyone but ME.
After a certain age, you discover what works for you and what doesn't.
An impending sense of doom is there to save your life, soul, and sanity.
Go with your gut, always.
Let those who live by fear have their fear. It is NOT yours.
If they judge you, that is also fear- and all types of other 'sins' they probably pretend to listen to.
Pssing contests and ego plays are not for me.
If I feel comfortable with you, I will invite you into my personal sphere.
I also won't mince my words about it, either.
Listen to your gut, respect your instincts, and maintain your boundaries/comfort levels. You know *you* best.
**HOTMESS TV PET GARDENING EDITION: CATNIP**
My cat, Cake, will be three on July 2nd and has never had catnip before, so I decided to grow it and give him some. I think it was a success, don't you?
😂
**How to Sleep Better as You Get Older**
Tips to Sleep Tight:
What Can Cause Sleep Problems When You’re Older?
As the number of candles on your birthday cake grows, you might notice that you wake up earlier or throughout the night. You may find that you get fewer hours of shut-eye, or you fall asleep during the day.
Rest assured, there are things you can do to get the sleep you need.
How Much Is Enough?
There's no “right” amount of sleep. What you consider a good amount can be entirely different than what your neighbor needs. Still, experts recommend adults get 7 to 9 hours every night.
If you get fewer Zzz's than you did when you were younger, but you still feel rested and energetic, you might simply need less sleep than you used to.
But if you feel rundown because of it, here are some ways to get better rest.
Tips to Sleep Tight
Stick to a regular bedtime. Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. Your body will get used to the routine.
Take a warm bath. When you get out of the tub, the drop in body temperature may help you feel tired. It can also help you relax and slow down, so you’re more ready to go to bed.
Take time to calm down before you turn out the lights. Turn off your electronic devices and TV an hour before bed. You can read a book, listen to music -- whatever helps you unwind.
Make the bedroom a sleep zone. If you're still awake 20 minutes after you hit the sack, get up. Get back in bed only when you feel tired enough. Train yourself to think of the bed as a place for sleeping only.
Avoid afternoon naps. If you sleep during the day, you're more likely to stay awake at night.
Don't drink alcohol close to bedtime. Even small amounts can make it harder to stay asleep. It can make you wake up in the middle of the night when the effects of the booze have worn off.
Drink less fluids at night. Trips to the bathroom break up your sleep
Wear yourself out. Exercise at regular times each day, but not within 3 hours of your bedtime.
Get some sun. Make an effort to get outside in the sunlight each day. It'll let your body know when it’s time to be awake, and when it’s not. But do wear sunscreen.
If you still can’t sleep, your doctor may be able to help. They can see if you might have a condition that's causing you to stay awake. They can also check any medications you're taking to see if they're interfering with your Zzz's. They can refer you to a sleep specialist, too.
What Can Cause Sleep Problems When You’re Older?
If you figure out what's keeping you up at night, you can tackle the issue and sleep better.
Illnesses and conditions. You may have a medical condition that's affecting your rest. Ailments like arthritis, sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome can all make sleep a challenge. Treatment to help your condition may help you get some shut-eye.
Medications. Some can keep you awake at night. Make sure your doctor knows about all the medications you take. They may suggest you adjust when to take it or how much you take. They may even be able to change your medication to something that won't affect your slumber.
Change. The older you get, the more likely you are to have some major transitions in your life. Things like illness, financial problems, or the death of a loved one cause stress, and that can make it hard to sleep. Talk to your family or meeet with a counselor to find ways to manage your stress.
Retirement. You might have a lot more downtime and be less active during the day. That can throw off your sleep-wake schedule. So try to keep your body and mind moving: You could volunteer, hit the gym, learn a new skill, or spend time with friends and family -- the point is, stay active.
**How women over 50 can combat dry or brittle hair**
When we get older, our body starts to experience many changes — and our hair is no exception. As our hormones change naturally, our hair begins to grow differently than we’re used to. The first sign? Dry, thinning hair.
There are steps that you can take to offset the natural changes happening in your body. To keep your hair looking beautiful as you age, it needs special attention and the right products.
Why does hair get dry as we age?
As we get older, our hair texture changes dramatically. Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair.
Along with a change in oil production, our body stops creating melanocytes, the substance that colors our hair.
This reduction in pigment also changes the structure of our hair, giving it that distinctive brittle feel.
While it can be disappointing to see your hair texture change, there are ways to strengthen and repair your hair to keep rocking your favorite look
**5 Tips to combat dry or brittle hair**
Tips to Combat Dry or Brittle Hair
1-
Add Moisture to Replenish Natural Oils
Long & Revitalized Collection
As you age, it is more important than ever to add moisturizing products to your hair care routine. Incorporate a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that is formulated for your changing hair, followed by a serum or oil created for extra moisture. With the right products, your hair will remain as soft and smooth as silk.
2-
Reduce Heat Products
Constantly using high-heat tools on your hair can create extra damage. Instead, try natural styles that don’t require heat like simple up-dos and ponytails. If you must use your straightening iron, make sure that you’re using a heat protectant to shield your strands from the damaging heat.
3-
Add Some Shine
hair biology argan oil taming serum
On top of using quality shampoo and conditioner, we recommend incorporating an oil-based serum into your routine. Our Argan Oil Taming Serum nourishes and softens dry, frizzy hair throughout the day.
A few sprays of serum will go a long way to wrangle wayward greys, frizzies, and flyaways while smoothing ends. Try it for yourself.
4-
Get Regular Cuts
Last but not least, make sure that you’re getting your hair cut regularly. Keeping your hair trimmed will help remove split ends and damaged strands. This will keep your hair looking healthy and maintained in the long term.
5-
Look at Your Diet
While you can’t stop your hair from aging, you can help by eating a nourishing diet. The key is to include a wide variety of foods throughout the day. Make sure that you are getting plentiful amounts of protein, fats, and carbs. Along with these important macros, ensure that you’re adding nutritious foods like spinach, berries, avocados, and eggs into your meals. These dense foods are loaded with nutrients your body (and hair) love.
