Friday, February 27, 2009

Maya

Maya is a pretty little cat that I inherited from Abby a few years ago.
Her story is a pretty interesting one.
When My sister Abby and her husband Jeff were still on their boat 'No News' they were traveling to Panama to go through the Canal. Of their many stops along the way, was Guatemala. On the street in Guatemala City they found a small affectionate Kitten. From what I gathered, they looked around for an owner of sorts, found none, and decided to take her on the boat with them.
I first met Maya in the San Blas archipelago in northeastern Panama. Where I was lucky enough to spend time on No News and travel from Island to Island. I thought she was a sweet kitty, with a lot of spunk.
A few months later, Abby found out that they would have to put Maya in Quarantine for a minimum of one month upon entering New Zealand. Well, this just didn't fit, as they weren't entirely sure how long they would be there.
So when they got to Tahiti, they traveled back to the States with Maya, hoping to find her a happy new home.
I had a few conversations with Abby about what she was going to do with Maya, and Finally I offered to take her.
Maya came to live with me in Chicago, and became a mainstay of my studio apartment.

Maya and I had a lot of ups and downs. She was always very affectionate, and I never doubted she loved me. However, she would only be affectionate on her own terms. If she didn't want to be petted, well, she'd bite. And if you continued (as I found myself doing from time to time) she would scratch. I've got the scars to prove it.

It can certainly be said that Maya has had a pretty awesome life in her four years. Guatamala, Columbia, Panama, Galapagos, Tahiti, Detroit, Chicago. (abby, i'm sure there is more)

She was 'allegedly' spayed in Columbia, but the papers were some absurd form of spanish, and I couldn't figure out how to translate them. She still went into heat. Meowed, at lenght, very, VERY loudly.


These two are pretty typical Maya poses.
One curled up next to the Heating Duct (being from Guatamala, she absolutey LOVED the warmth) and the other symbolizes the nickname that Jamie & Brad gave her - Guatamalan Jungle Kitty.



While they never got along, they sure did look cute together.
Maddie and Maya (The M&M's as Erin and I called them) could have been great friends. But, alas, it was not meant to be.



Today is a very sad day, as it is the day that I had take Maya into the Anti-Cruelty Society for adoption.
I will say that it was one of the absolute hardest things that I will have to do in my life. To willingly give up another living being that I cared for for over 2 years was incredibly difficult. I don't want to on about what it was like to be in the building going through that, but I assure you, it is no where any of you ever want to be, physically or mentally. I care only to remember the happy times with Maya. I shed a few tears as we walked back to the car (Brad came with me, Thank you Brad) and started the next chapter of my life sans-cat.

I love you Maya, and I hope that you are in a much happier environment.

-Danny

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Geja's Cafe


For any of you who live in Chicago or are planning a visit to Chicago (wink wink to all of Danny's family members) and have not been to Geja's Cafe, you must go. It is in the garden level of the building and if you didn't know it was there, you would walk right past. But when you walk inside, it is as if you are walking straight into a wine cellar. Dim lighting and wine bottles covering the walls.

We found Geja's cafe on Chicago's restaurant week website... therefore we took advantage of the 3 course set menu for our belated Valentine's day dinner. Our first course was a pot of cheese accompanied by bread, grapes, cantaloupe, and apples. Next was aged steak and scallops that you cooked in a pot of boiling oil and had dipping sauces for. And for the grand finale.... chocolate fondue. It is a lot of food, come with an empty stomach. Splitting is an option and probably a good idea if you do all 3 courses.

The service was amazing and they made putting down the place settings for each course an art. Twirling down each of the skewers and silverware with ease. (We tried to do a re~creation of it the next evening and it just wasn't as graceful..... sorry danny). For a romantic date or special occasion with friends, Geja's cafe is the place to dine.

PS. This was on Monday and our last meal of meat before Lent

Winnemac Park

The new apartment that I moved into last November is very close to Winnemac Park. Another prime example of just how pet friendly Chicago really is. Erin and I had been to the park with Maddie a few times, but were hesitant to introduce her to the throng of dogs there. It seemed as though every time we went, we could count at least five dogs there at any given time. All of these dogs would run around, sometimes chasing a ball or a stick, and the owners would stand around chatting. Again, with Maddie being only a little over six months old, we weren't really ready to have her run (off leash, mind you) around with a bunch of other dogs.
Well, last night we did it. Maddie had the absolute time of her life! she met a dog that I'm sure reminds her of her cousin, Stella. The dog Needless to say, Maddie was in total heaven running with the other dogs. Of course we were a little apprehensive about it and were maybe a little over cautious, but hey, we're in the middle of the park letting the dogs run free.
One of the most interesting things to us was how friendly the other dog owners were. We immediately felt part of the group. They all let their dogs play in a very calm manner... keeping an eye, calling them back if they get too far, and holding on to them when people walked by.
As time wound down we realized that Maddie had gotten pretty muddy.... her 'prone' position when she meets other dogs seems to be on her back, ha ha.
I HAVE NEW RESPECT FOR DOG GROOMERS!
After the second bath for Maddie, I can't even imagine doing it again. She seems to be afraid of the water (please don't let that continue into the summer... the Dog Beach here is way too cool!) and whines as we pour lukewarm water onto her back and shampoo the mud out! I'm sure if there were pictures taken or even a video taken, you would all have a very hearty laugh!
Today, she is getting spayed, so there will be more to come on that!
-Danny

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Day 1

Yesterday was our last day of eating meat for 40 days. We are going vegetarian for lent (but will still be eating fish). So I guess that means we will only be semi-vegetarian. And I am happy with that.

I went to the grocery store to purchase the ingredients for our last Meat Supper. And I came out with the chicken that I needed and a cart-full of Boca and Morningstar items! I found a chicken receipe on allreceipes.com that sounded fabulous. You will hear me talk about this website quite a bit because I find so many great recipes on the site. (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Baked-Honey-Nut-Chicken/Detail.aspx). I love how many people will provide comments and suggestions to make the recipe better or more to their liking. So chicken was my request and hotdogs were Danny’s., two of our go-to meat meal preferences!

And now today when we woke up, we are vegetarians. And so now our quest to find alternative recipes begins……..