Sunday, September 11, 2016

Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - September 11, 2016


Good morning! Since it's Sunday morning, it's time for my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken along the way. If you're here for Big Brother news, everything I have for you can be found at this link. I'll be posting another live feeds report late tonight as well as live-blogging the aired show. But this ain't that. This post is a year-round regular "feature" while Big Brother is a summer obsession. Or, something like that.

That said, this week's off topic post is a bit abbreviated for a few different reasons. First off, today is the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. That struck this area, the NYC Greater Metropolitan Area, quite hard. Many folks here work in Manhattan. Several people in the local area died in the attacks. My company lost seven people on one of the planes. It's a somber day and we'll never forget.

Also, my sprained ankle and the heat factor this week limited my desire to take photos although I did work this past week. I'll include a few of those in next week's off topic photo post.  

911 Memorial, Scotch Plains, NJ

September 12 is Vincent's "birthday"

On September 12, 2009, I went into the city to New York City Animal Care and Control (NYCACC), the shelter system which handles all the strays, abandoned, etc., animals in all five boroughs of the city. I went to the East Harlem (AKA Spanish Harlem) location and met a cat they called "Sal." Unfortunately, due to volume, the shelter system is a fairly high kill one. People want kittens. I wanted a cat. Sal, whom I decided wasn't a pizza delivery guy, I renamed Vincent. He was due to be euthanized the next week because he was a cat, not a kitten. When I opened his cage door, he leaped on my shoulder and purred so loud I could hear him over the cacophony of dogs barking and busy street traffic. He was the one and he's been my best friend ever since. This is a shot of him on the train home on adoption day.

Good food, good company

I went to a big backyard cookout with friends yesterday. The food was amazing! The company was great and a good time was had by all.

11 comments:

mindy said...

Happy Birthday to Vincent! Hope your ankle feels better soon too!

Petals said...

VINCENT!

Palmaltas said...

What a lovely Vincent story!

Anonymous said...

So happy that Vincent found his forever home with you:) I enjoy your blog Jackie. Hope your ankle heals fast.

Beachmom

Grove Wiley said...

It was so strange and tragic watching 9/11 unfold from here on the West Coast. I grew up in Queens NY, went to college at Cooper Union and worked at the South Street Seaport Museum for several years. I felt connected but not nearly as connected as you and so many others. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your co-workers! On a brighter note-- Vincent-- such a handsome kitty.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures. Happy "Gotcha Day", Vincent. I am so glad that you and Jackie found each other. The flags in Boerne are all at half-staff today. Such a sad day to remember.
Becky

Witt said...

Happy Gotcha Day, Vincent! You two were meant to be family.

I have been thinking about today being 9/11 too. Not only do I remember the details of the actual day, I remember going to the grocery store the next day (school classes had been cancelled) and I cried through the entire store... Produce, deli, canned goods, dairy, meats...all the way to the checkout line. ��

Sally said...

And seven years later, Vincent is still leaping onto your shoulders and purring so loudly you can hear him over the cacophony of….upstairs neighbors, kids in the hall and hamsters on the live feeds? Sept. 12 is a day to celebrate!

Sharon N said...

Reminder: BB is almost over, so please remember to make a donation to Jackie.
Even if you can't give much, every bit helps show our appreciation for all the time she puts in to keep us informed and entertained.

Jackie keeps us updated (morning and night) with all the BB activities that go on throughout the night, often losing a lot of sleep before having to enter the regular working world each morning. Not only that, but she keeps the blog going for TAR, Survivor, and posts her weekly thoughts/activities with beautiful pictures on Sundays!

Just my 2 cents.... :)

The donation button is on the main page (lower right).

Jackie H. from NC said...

Happy Birthday to a very special cat. His name is Vincent. Vincent I hope you have many more of your lives to entertain us. Jackie I really enjoyed reading this. You do a wonderful job.

monty924 said...

I remember the day you posted the pic of Vincent. "Cat on a Train". Happy Birthday Vincent!!