Jen McNaughton's Site

Do You Like Bats?

I love bats! And I have stories about them too…. look, JJ, it has ears! (Personal joke…)

One of my favourite stories is how I rescued the guy in the shopping center across from me. He had hair down to his bum-hole. But he realized something was stuck in his still-closed doorway, so he called me. I went over to look, but when it popped up, it had ears. He thought it was a bird….Well, lo and behold, the last thing he wanted was a live bat in his hair! After much scurrying around, and crawling underneath things, I finally grabbed a hold of the poor wee scared thing…

So, I made sure I had a good hold, and went to take it outside…. when he guy yells “I want to come too!” Really?? Just five seconds ago, you were terrified…ok. So, out we go for the “Big Rescue”.

A couple of months later, in the middle of a winter blizzard no less, someone from one of the upstairs shops brings me a live bat in a sandwich bag. WTF?? I asked why they didn’t take it out, and they said they didn’t know what to do. So, out I go again, trying to leave it in a comfy, warm place in the bushes.

So here’s a little more info from our friends at The Bat Conservation Trust. Don’t forget to sign up and donate to help out our furry friends. And while you’re here, if you’d like to donate towards my latest cancer care, it is much appreciated!

https://www.bats.org.uk/support-bats/international-bat-night

I’d like to thank you for taking time to read this post! Please show it some love by clicking the “Like” button, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog. And if you’d like to support me during these trying times, please consider donating.

Happy International Dog Day!

I love dogs, don’t get me wrong. But as a responsible dog owner, it would NOT be fair to own one at this stage in my life… But I have owned and loved many over the years, and made some good and true friendships, and asked for advice more times than I can remember!

Me and My Dogs

So here’s a little poem to help us love and remember our precious fur-babies, by By Maxine Bailey of SilverSurfers. And for anyone who’s interested, here’s a video contribution to some of my dogs!

Malamutes, and more Malamutes! Sorry, this is an old video…

Cancer – Don’t Forget To Breathe

This is exactly the way I feel these days…

You ever feel like just stopping to breath? Yep, that’s me right now….So everyone reading this, find a comfy spot. Get a cuppa’ if you like… Sit comfortably. Close your eyes if you like. Deep, deep breath in through your nose, then out your opened mouth. Do this as many times as you need to…. Until you start to see clearly again.

Cancer sucks, and I’ve had some pretty bad news lately… that’s why I haven’t written much. I needed some space to breathe, and absorb the information. Brain lesions…. And where the H@#! did they come from? Who knows.

But I guess the good news is, I’m still working on my book, and now in a bigger hurry than ever… And lots of research and reading to add to it. So, I’ve said it MANY times before… if you’re a cancer patient, breathe, live one day at a time, and NEVER take a moment to stop fighting!

Friday Funny June 18th

Sometimes I think I’m losing my mind… that I would forget my own head, if it wasn’t sewn on right! Am I the only one who does the following? I’ve lost count of the number of times, lol!

I’m also prone to going shopping, and forgetting the one most important thing I go for… Like paracetamol (aspirin), or toilet tissue, etc…

Is it my imagination, or has Covid-19 made this problem even more prevalent? We have been just plodding along from day-yo-day, forgetting what it means to be human again?

Thank goodness we’re coming out of restrictions, out of our collective misery, and able to take a deep breath of fresh air, clearing our heads for the first time in a long time. Aaaahh…. feels good!

I’d like to thank you for taking time to read this post! Please show it some love by clicking the “Like” button, and don’t forget to subscribe to my blog. And if you’d like to help support me during these trying times, please consider donating.

Motivational Mondays for Fellas

I thought I would do a quick post for all the guys out there. I know most inspirational posts are targeted at women, but I feel you deserve some love and respect as well.

Especially in these tough times, we all need to feel better about ourselves, and deserve to be able to reach out without fear of persecution. I feel men aren’t given enough credit for all they do, and many are afraid to show their true selves for fear of being ridiculed.

So here’s to all the men out there; for getting through day-to-day life, health and work pressures, this global pandemic, and all the other pressures put on you. For sticking your chins up, and giving your all, all the time. We salute you!

Memories Of My Uncle Bob

It’s hard to know where to start when asked about my memories of you.

But they go back a long ways, that I know. I remember in my early years, spending a lot of time at Nana’s house, and that meant spending much of it with you, as she cooked, was baking or did the washing.
I remember hours spent watching you put together your many model airplanes and seeing the finished products hanging from your ceiling. Or as you came up with creative Meccano masterpieces, some of them even with functional, moving parts. I came to understand why your cherished Meccano sets were considered “off-limits” to my little child hands.

I spend hours with you, setting up and playing with your toy soldiers or cowboys and Indians. We had them everywhere! Or how you taught me at a young age to be a card shark, with many games including Gin Rummy. It’s a game I still love and play to this day, although now online.

I remember you taking me fishing, and how I stuck my posterior in a patch of nettles, picking up my rod as we crossed the burn over a cow gate. I remember seeing you perform a car trick in an empty lot, driving it on two wheels as I gaped, open-mouthed.
And in later years, I remember you giving me several of your Police albums to listen to, as I had become a huge fan of the band and Sting in general. And how jealous I was of your fabulous stereo system!

And our friendly rivalry between the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Detroit Red Wings. The horrified look on your face, as you saw that I had dressed Brittany, you Rottweiler up in one of my Detroit T-shirts!

The times we spent at the pet store, playing with several parrots. I remember our favourite being a $5000 Hawk-head parrot that you could swing upside down, and who went “Wheeeeeee!” every time you did it!

So many fond memories of you come to mind. I can’t believe that you are now gone, and that so many people now have to continue on without you. That all we have left now is the love we have in our hearts, and the memories of you to cherish forever.
I hope you are in a happy place and not suffering anymore, and that Nana was there to greet you with open arms. I will miss you and never forget you, and neither will those whose lives you touched while on your too-short journey on this Earth.

I love you, Uncle Bob

Motivational Monday

I think I’m going to try one a week from now… a little inspiration to get your week started. And here’s one for all my lady friends out there. I’m thinking especially about a lovely friend who is fighting cancer like I am, and starting chemotherapy today.

I wish you best wishes and healing thought. You know who you are… Stay strong, you’ve got this, you warrior, you!

The Sleeping Giant Legend

I remember as a bairn (child) growing up in Kinross, hearing about some of the local legends and folklore of the area. Some of it was stories told by the adults, and some was whispered lore by the our school chums and play pals as we sat quietly on the grass and listened and let our imagination wander…

That’s one of the things I enjoy the most about Scotland. No matter where you turn, there are local legends, and always someone who is willing to share a story or two with you. One of these such legends is based around a hill called Benarty, or as it is more commonly known, the Sleeping Giant.

Copyright 2019, ThruJensLens Photography

If you were to look across Loch Leven to the South, it actually does look like a giant person has fallen asleep there. I even remember taking a walk up Benarty Hill in my youth, as part of a school trip. Today, there are still hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as a nature reserve that overlooks the loch, and a wetlands heritage trail which surrounds the loch. But here is the tale of the Sleeping Giant, told by Mr. Gordon Menzies for the Fife Explorer website.

The Legend of the Sleeping Giant

Just What The Doctor Ordered!

Who doesn’t love a trip to the seaside on a gorgeous sunny day? I certainly do! And since I have chemo tomorrow and will miss out on the nice forecast for the next day or two, I decided that it was a good idea to take advantage of it today.

I wanted spend some time to take some photographs and collect sea glass. It was also a good excuse for me to try out my new microphone I purchased for my camera especially for the purpose of vlogging or podcasting on the go.

I spent a good few hours in Kinghorn, walking along the beach and discovering new, somewhat unknown places too. I even enjoyed my lunch on the beach, and had the privilege of meeting and photographing some new canine friends. I think that it’s important for everyone who can, to take the time, get out and breathe some fresh air. It’s good for the soul, so revitalizing! I made a short video as well. Here is the link: Vlogging From Kinghorn

Essential Oil Formula To Deter Cats From Scratching

Do you have a bad cat (or cats, like I do) who likes to scratch the furniture, curtains and other unwelcome places? It is a natural instinct for cats to want to scratch and sharpen the tiny little needles attached to those cute soft paws. But did you also know you can make an inexpensive and easy formula from Essential Oils to help prevent your cat(s) from scratching where they’re not supposed to? It only takes three simple ingredients, and an empty spray bottle.

But first, I must warn you that Essential Oils are very concentrated, and should only be used in the recommended amounts, in order not to harm your pets. Cats are a lot more sensitive to these oils than dogs are as well, so please follow the proper dilution recommendations.

Below is a simple formula to use to deter your cat from scratching furniture and other unwanted areas. To start, you will need a 100ml spray bottle. In the empty bottle, add:

10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
1 cup of water

You will need to give your solution a shake before each use, to be sure the essential oils a evenly blended. Remember, catching them in the act and using a spray bottle of water or shaking a container of something that makes a loud noise, can be effective too. It isn’t easy, but you can train your cats not to scratch. Patience and persistence!

Another word of warning: If you are going to use essential oils for your pets, please speak to a homeopathic vet, as some oils are very unsafe to use. For example, wintergreen, ylang ylang, or melaleuca (tea tree) oil should never be used on or near cats.