I Got Plenty o' Knuttin'...
Sunday was marathon day here in New York. Last November I had told my co-worker and buddy Natalie Morales that I would run the marathon this year, but of course I never went into training. So Sunday morning I got up (I think out of guilt more than anything else), put on shorts, a long sleeve shirt and running sneakers, and took off into the crisp air.
As I was jogging, Mr. Knutts suddenly popped into my mind. It was just over a year ago that I had plucked the baby squirrel from the jaws of our cats Felipe and Sweet Pea. My daughter, Lily, named him Mr. Knutts. (She insisted on the "K" and the two Ts because she thought that made the name even cuter). And thanks to Patty, a kind squirrel rescue lady, he was nursed back to health and released into the wilds of upstate New York.
Mr. Knutts being nursed back to health - September 2006
I found myself getting wistful and wondering what that furry guy was up to. Did he make it through the winter? Did he meet a nice squirrel in the spring? Were there little Knutts scampering around now? If only I could have put a lo-jack on Mr. Knutts, maybe I’d have been able to track him down.
When you’re jogging for two hours, there’s a lot of time to think (maybe too much time). But you can only run for so long before reality catches up with you. As I was rounding the corner to the back of my house, I saw Felipe in the bush with a bird. And let’s just say that in this case, a bird in the bush was a dead bird. There was nothing I could do to save my feathered friend. My son Gabe started to scream at the cat, and Felipe took off with his prey in his mouth.
As I sat rubbing my sore Achilles tendon, I thought about my weakness for all the little critters that have come and gone through our backyard.
So here’s to you Mr. Knutts—wherever you are…and stay out of trouble.
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My family saved a squirrel too! Everyone thought we were nuts! (no pun intended). I am enjoying the pictures in the posts lately! Keep up the good work!
He is such a cutie, I'll bet he is having a good ole time scampering around.
I love the pictures with the blogs!!
I am glad you are back blogging. The pictures are a nice touch.
Meredith, please don't ignore your achilles tendon pain! I used to have pain in mine when I ran, but I worked through it. Then, six months ago, one of them completely ruptured. I had to have surgery, spent two months on crutches, two more in a walking boot, and I am still prohibited from walking or jumping. Still have a slight limp, acutally. Please, go see a doctor and find out how to heal it. I don't ever want to go through this again, and I wouldn't want you to either. Here is a great 3 part article I found on Achilles pain:
http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/achilles-tendonitis-pt1.php
HELLO MEREDITH,
I THINK YOUR PHOTOS ARE THE BEST ON THE TODAY SHOW AND IT WAS THE BEST ON THE TODAY SHOW.
Met you at the show last week. I was the old boxer with the Epilepsy sign. I hit Girls and Run. Thought I had a wild week with 6 rounds in the ring with World Titlist Brown Sugar Laracuentes at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn. Then I read about your week with your daughter on Friday and last year your Hubby and my heart stopped. How do you do all you do and still love and practically cuddle the outside ausience and write too. Wow! Had a nice meeting with Stephanie S. BTW. Best of everything and blessings on your family and mending daughter. I think you deserve a two hour massage! Sincerely Old Knoxville Bob
I have a suggestion for you. If you are going to let your cats outside, why don't you put bells on their collars so the noise will frighten off the wildlife before they can kill any more birds and squirrels? I like cats as much as anyone but the ones that are let outside kill a lot of songbirds and they don't even eat them. It is just an instinct, and is such a waste.
Hi Meredith, I am definitely a fan of yours! You do awesome work on The Today Show and on Millionaire, which I only started watching when I was over at my parents house and my father was watching it. How in the world is it for you when you are doing The Today Show and taping the Millionaire shows? Do you almost wish you could clone yourself when doing this? You are amazing and hope you keep on doing both for a very long time!
I'm impressed you can run for two hours! Way to go!
Question:
Whenever Star Jones is on - it seems Matt or some one else interviews her - never you. Why?
BTW, totally impresed with your running two hours - even w/o training.
Next year you'll do the marathon.
Meredith,
Did you know that cats are responsible for the massive decline in songbird populations in the US? If you are a cat lover, please keep your cat indoors 24/7. Have you heard of a litter box? De-clawing?
Neuter the cat, put a bell on the cat, lock it up 24/7, declaw the cat. Why don't we outlaw cat breeding as well as cat ownership in america? Then we won't have the problem of their over-population, or their general annoyance to society as a whole!
Meredith opened a big can o' worms with the cat post...I have to say, there aren't many people who would nurse a squirrel back to health. She deserves some animal kindness cred for that.
Oh please here we go again, Cats are predators and birds, mice, rats, voles and other small critters are their natural prey. However to say that cats are solely responsible for a decline in the bird population borders on ignorance. Many of the 'songbirds' here are not native to the country and in some cases are an active nusiance. I keep my cat indoors because it's safer for him not because I'm worried he'll kill and eat a bird.
Meredith:
I loved the jacket you wore today, on the Plaza. I know that you don't consider yourself very fashion forward, but I find myself liking your understated sense of style. I call it classic-elegance. Is there a chance you can have your stylist do a blog entry (one of these days) maybe informing of us of where we can purchase some of the pieces (including shoes and outerwear) that you wear on the show?
Today I saw you with your dog on the show and was wondering what kind of dog he is.I have a dog that I thought looked very much like yours and I do not know the breed. My son got him at a gas station and that is all we know.
I think you have added so much to the TODAY show! I really enjoy my mornings with all of you all, at the TODAY show, it makes getting ready for work, a joy!
I just noticed you, Matt and I share the same birthday! I must get a layover in NYC,(as I am a flight attendant) and have a picture with my fellow DECEMBER 30th er's someday!
Take care and keep up the great work!!