Happy Lunar New Year

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

By Teagan via Night Cafe

 Welcome.  How are you?  To be perfectly honest, I’m overwhelmed.  Toilets needing repair, major exterior work needing to be done (but no one willing to do the work), personal betrayal, WordPress is F’ing with post editing again, and it’s only Tuesday as I write this.

Personal issues aside, it’s been a year of irony and yet a few moments of remarkable suitability, and it’s only January.   Happy Lunar New Year — that’s also Chinese New Year.  By the Chinese zodiac, it’s the year of the snake.  People born in a year of the snake are thought to do “whatever it takes to accomplish a goal.”  Conversely, it represents the positive transformation of “shedding the skin” and entering new beginnings.

As I desperately try to think of something joyful to post…  like I said, I’m overwhelmed. Although now I suddenly recall a funny and suitable old song — Jim Stafford’s “Spiders and Snakes,” with help from Dolly Parton.

I guess I could share of photo of the Scoobies.  They’re something happy. 

Velma Daphne string toy
Velma (L), Daphne (R)

Daphne:  It’s the Year of the Snake. 

Velma:  Damn straight.

Daphne: What does that mean?

Velma:  Which?

Daphne:  Damn straight.

Velma:  I’m glad you see it my way.

Daphne:  You’re giving me a headache.  Although I think I understand the Year of the Snake.  Our string toy is the snake!  It means we get extra playtime with the string.  All year!

Velma:  Ummm… I think the string toy is just a string.  Yummy Human wouldn’t have a snake.  You remember how upset she was the time the lizard got inside.  Still, maybe we can get some extra string time.  I’ll act like there’s something under the floofy bed.

***

That’s all I have.  May all your new beginnings be joyous.  Hugs!

♣ ♣ ♣

Of course, here’s the obligatory shameless self-promotion.

A Peril in the Vines

Universal Purchase Links

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e-book:  relinks.me/B0DS4G7RSD

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A Medium’s Peril full series link: relinks.me/B0CG2SXX24

♣ ♣ ♣

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Copyright ©2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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89 thoughts on “Happy Lunar New Year”

    1. Thanks for your kind words, Marian. I appreciate you. With my C-PTSD causing me to remain isolated, it’s difficult. Even so, for a few years I’ve known that with this Fox-Network brainwashed friend one thing or another would eventually go too far. Even though I try to keep conversations to “safe” topics. As with most of my decisions, moving here was a big mistake. 🙃

      Hmmm you did give me an idea re the moon. The moon is in its growing phase — A time for planting or starting things so maybe some kind of meditation on that. Ha! But I’m not feeling motivated toward that. Have a wonderful weekend. Big hugs.

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    1. LOL, the speed at which one month becomes the next is part of my problem, Robbie. o_O But I appreciate your encouragement. I hope things are looking up for you and yours. Thanks about the picture. I enjoyed your watercolor and poem so very much! Hugs.

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      1. I’m sure the local Asian Market will have moon cake. 🥮. My kids love them because they are soaked for 30 days and 30 nights in honey, or so it seems. I resonate with your January a lot. I feel like I’ve been through years of woe is me and I still have another day to go before February. On the bright side, I have 11 more chances for good fortune and superfluous joy to overtake me. Hang in there for the possibilities! 🤪🤗

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  8. Happy Lunar Snake Year, Teagan!

    May the shedding end so the new good begins.

    We are in sync. The furnace broke again. I’m living in “Winter Survival Camp”. My hand is not better, and Misha will take months, the vet said.

    The Scoobies are perfect! Just what I needed.

    Big Hugs!

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    1. Bushwa! Resa, that’s awful — all of it. Do be cautious about your hand. The time Daphne put a deep gouge in my leg it took a long time to heal — but that wasn’t a “part” that gets the kind of use that your hand gets, so it wasn’t too painful. I’m really sorry. Sad about Miska too. I know that situation makes your heart hurt. Hugs winging back to you.

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      1. You are right. Very perceptive, Teagan. My heart breaks. I want to hold her and pet her and love her, and she could sleep in my bed, but I just have to wait for her to come around.

        What happened in her last home?

        Hugs

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        1. Poor thing… It does make one wonder, doesn’t it… I never know where I might pick up a tip, even when I feel like I’ve already tried everything. Have you checked any of that cat guy… Jackson Galaxy’s videos? This is his YouTube channel: A Cat Lover’s Guide to the Galaxy!

          He has videos about different fear/trauma problems, including this one for a new cat that wouldn’t come out of his carrier. I watched part of it awhile back. But at the time it didn’t apply to anyone I knew and I didn’t finish it. His are usually around 10 minutes, but this one is about 25.

          Sending you both serenity vibes. ❤

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          1. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Teagan!
            Yes, I have watched this exact video. I also had long discussions with my vet, who has been a cats only vet for 40 years.

            I’m doing things right. Misha has my den for her territory. The closet is her cave. I’m in here a lot using my computer. At first she would not come out of her cave to eat when I was in the room. Now she will half the time.

            I pretend I don’t see her as she sneaks by.
            Last night was a big breakthrough. AS I pretended I did not see her, she smelled my feet and ankles.

            So, patience and routine is key right now.
            I can hardly wait to pet her! HUGS!

            My vet (Dr. Nancy) says at least 3 – 6 months, as she reverted to indoor feral.

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            1. That’s wonderful! I can imagine how you felt when she sniffed your ankles. Yes, that really is progress. I wish I had someone like Dr Nancy. I would relocate anywhere in this state for such a vet. I’ve actually been “exploring” where I could maybe relocate, and vets always being the key factor. That information used to be available, but not anymore, now that AI took over all the search engines. Most places I would be willing to go are far beyond my income anyway…

              Anyhow, I know that is a long wait, but to know there is a predictable timeframe is hugely helpful. Hugs to Misha and you.
              PS: I commented on Rebecca’s Pride & Prejudice post with an idea to kick around.

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              1. I don’t know what I would have done all these years without Dr. Nancy. She does house calls!!I see AI in my search engine, but only a few hits at the top, but I don’t use it.

                I think I’ll take a look at what FireFox looks like these days.

                Thanks for the book idea!
                Hugs

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  9. May the year of the snake bring all good things your way. Household repairs and maintenance is always stressful for me and we have some coning up. Oh well, I’ll just try to smile my way through it all. Love to the Scoobies. xo 😺😺

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  14. I haven’t heard that song in decades, lol. I’d forgotten about it. Velma and Daphne are furballs of happiness. It’s warmed up enough here that Bond was able to go outside on the patio this morning (on his leash, of course) and chomp some grass. With all the cold weather he’s missed it.

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    1. LOL, thanks John. That small bed (while disdained for sleeping) has become an extension of the toys. They have some stuffed fish toys that vary from 4 to 6 inches long. I put 2 of them under that bed, with just their noses sticking out, and then justled the bed, making the string pull it. You should have seen Velma when she saw the fish “looking” out at her. Hugs winging back to you.

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  18. Something good has to happen now, I am certain of it. I’ve had a few days like that lately – smoke alarms that won’t stop beeping, doors that don’t close or lock properly, leaks in our water system – I usually just chalk it up to being January which draws disasters like a magnet. I was born in the Year of the Monkey. How about you, Teagan?

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    1. I sure hope so, Noelle. Oh, I hate the smoke detector noise. I had to take down one like that. Being born in the year of the monkey sounds charming. My zodiac signs… are disgusting — the Year of the Pig, and the star sign Cancer. Imagine, “What’s your sign?” and replying with the name of a disease. Not to mention being a Pig, when I’m already hugely fat. Like I was saying, some things do seem suitable, like them or not.
      I think you’re right about January. LOL. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs.

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      1. I do not see you as fat. I., on the other hand, have some rolls that exercising just don’t move. My sign is Virgo, the Virgin. Got lots of ribbing from that in high school.

        Here’s to a better February for both of us!

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        1. LOL, Noelle, I never let anyone actually see me. My avatars are purely marketing tools. They’re my head on a normal sized body that only has one chin! LOL. Although I do try to “widen” the image as much as I can without it looking obvious, it’s still nothing close to the real thing. Yes, here’s to a better February. 🙂

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  19. Toilet trouble can be a terrible mess. Maybe “snaking” it will help given it’s the year of the snake! OK, that was bad. I love that Spiders and Snakes by Jim and Dolly.I love the kitty conversation. Speaking of cats, I never figured out why they don’t make cat food in flavors cats would really like, such as Mouse Mousse, Fellet of Finch, Shake and Bake Snake, Microwave Mole Asses, Lizard Lasagna, Squirrel Sausages, etc. I hope your week improves!

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    1. (snorts) Good one, Tim. I didn’t think about that. Their version of the song always makes me smile. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Haha. Your cat food flavors are hysterical. Wishing you an easy coast down the other side of this midweek hump. Hugs to you and yours.

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  22. I hope this version of the new year ushers in better days than the one we celebrated four weeks ago,. Let’s say that was the Trial Period and return 2025 for the year that starts today. I do love the ways cats can make the best of anything.

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  29. Sorry to hear about your year so far I hope things take a turn for the better, dear Teagan. Thanks for sharing the Scoobies antics. They always make me smile. Love to you all and big hugs!

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