Welcome to Issue #286
by Rachel Brandes
Quote of the Week
“Hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”
– Suzanne Collins, American author
Feline Tomfoolery
with Brady & Belichick
Dear Humans,
This last week has been one of a humdrum nature. The human didn’t do much and I spent my time watching her worry and clean up after Belichick. Never fear though, after many exams, Belichick’s oddities cannot be accounted for with any medical reason. Below are a couple of photos of us hanging out and a rare moment of Belichick looking clean.
The human is beginning the acceptance process that he just has his issues. It will take a little extra work to care for him and that is okay. It is what she was told at his very first doctor’s visit due to him being a runt. Add in the long hair and it is a fun mix. The newest of her fears was his mouth, which may have been a valid concern.
You see, he isn’t using his tongue to lap up food or water anymore. Instead, he shoves his mouth into said food or water and bites. The sounds after he attempts to drink are horrendous. We imagine he is getting water in his nose??? This had the human into quite the state by Saturday, so she called in reinforcements.
By the way, not using his tongue does mean not cleaning himself, again… Thank goodness for my powerful cleaning tool and his willingness to allow me to use it.
I was excited to see my human brother, Alec, when he arrived to look at Belichick’s mouth. Alec has worked in the veterinary field for more than a decade. He has seen his fair share of normal vs abnormal when it comes to a cat’s mouth.
My human was surprised but relieved when Alec showed her that everything looked good, even under Belichick’s tongue. He explained that the environmental change could be a factor in this new concerning habit, as allergies are real. The air and water where we moved is very different than that of where we lived in Washington.
Whatever it is, she’s decided to roll with it and stop stressing so much. Alec also pointed out that her stress being focused on Belichick was surely causing undue stress on him, too. Hopefully we will have a better week with more fun rather than worrying.
Much Love, Brady
P.S. After the drama, we must lighten the mood. How about a few fun photos of me? First, this is me keeping the human company while she works. When I peer at her from behind her screen, she always laughs. She’s also very willing to make accommodations and share her chair so that I can watch the arrow on her screen move around.
This is me on the fridge watching her prepare her coffee. She really doesn’t like when I get up here, but knows which battles to fight and which to give up.
Brady & Belichick are Rachel’s adorable felines. These two cute boys turned two on May 4, 2025.
Random Photo of the Week
As one person after another passed by, this sap was calling to be photographed. It would be a shame not to stop and enjoy the beauty of nature. Photo by Rachel.
Mental Health Minute
Let’s Talk Men’s Health
November is Movember, in which men are encouraged to grow out their beards in support of Prostate Cancer, Testicular Cancer along with Men’s Mental Health and Suicide Prevention. Mo for Moustache (the British English spelling). Movember continues to be the topic for the Mental Health Minute throughout November. Or should we say ‘Movember.’
Check in on your friends…
Click here to read about the Movember Foundation
The resources in this section were found at us.movember.com.
The Dreadfully Dull Week
Last week was dreadfully dull. Rachel has no adventures to speak of. Well, no exciting outdoor adventures in any case. She was extremely unmotivated and owned that the lack of fun was self-inflicted. She seems to have gotten herself into a funk of sorts. It wasn’t until she spoke with a friend on Saturday that she began to gain some clarity and feel better.
Michelle has been a part of her life for close to two decades. They share a good deal of similarities when it comes to all things that make up a human being. She will be forever thankful to a man she refers to as ‘Lloydy Lloyd’ for bringing them together all those years ago.
Rachel has always had a difficult time reaching out to friends, especially when she needs one. She isn’t sure if she isn’t wanting to bother someone or if it is because this would show her vulnerability. Whatever it is, it has been with her throughout her entire life.
Sitting in her pajamas with a cup of coffee… Brady relaxing on her lap… she was happy to get the call Saturday morning.
Boy, oh boy, Michelle probably didn’t know what she was in for when she called Rachel to chat. Or maybe she did have an idea and that was exactly why she reached out. The two have calls here and there and Rachel always feels better afterwards. Why these calls aren’t a regular thing, she doesn’t quite know.
Rachel found herself sharing concerns and fears about several topics with Michelle. Things she didn’t even realize she was so focused on. Even with anti-anxiety medication, Rachel’s mind tends to allow fear take control.
Understanding how Rachel’s mind operates after knowing her all of these years, Michelle was able to provide helpful feedback. Just listening was helpful and allowing Rachel to hear her own fears aloud.
When the call ended, Rachel felt energized and optimistic. Did this send her on a fun adventure? No, but it did give her the ability to be more productive than she had been all week. She put her new Utah license plates on her car. She ran a few errands she’d been putting off. (Sometimes she thinks she is beginning to have agoraphobia) She even cleaned her apartment.
Next, she made a list of upcoming things to look forward to…
If you are reading this on Monday, November 17, 2025… there are:
- 10 days until Thanksgiving
- 20 days until Rachel dresses in a Santa suit for a 5k
- 39 days until Christmas
- 46 days until 2026
- 99 days until My Monday Memo’s 300th Issue
- 169 days until Brady & Belichick’s 3rd Birthday
That is certainly not all but a fun list for Rachel. She is also looking for a sports medicine massage therapist to help her with her ongoing physical issues. This is one thing that is really holding her back right now and affecting her mental and physical health.
The fall colors have been a fantastic mood lifter when Rachel takes her short walks throughout the week. Even if those walks are to pick up another pint of ice cream, at least she is getting out to see her beautiful surroundings.
Rachel hopes to have a fun story to share next week. She currently has two adventures on her to do list and must get them checked off before snowfall begins. If the current forecast is correct, she has nine days until she gets to see snow. Here is to a wonderful week ahead. Until next time, be well.
