the song is "Autumn in New York"

Wed. 9/30 Yippee! My new equipment came! We didn't finish installing everything (including the information on my old hard drive) so I don't have my e-mail addresses or bookmarks back, yet, but I'm getting the chance to get around and check out what I've been missing on some of my favorite sites. I saw a site this afternoon - Three-Eyed Cats - and I laughed so hard I cried. This young fellow has a really whimsical, fertile imagination, and I get the feeling he really adores his cats. I'm going to post a link in the Cat Sites section.

I can't wait until tomorrow night, when I get all my information back! And this new computer came with an ergonomic keyboard, and I'm still having a bit of trouble getting adjusted to it. I can type 80 words a minute on a standard keyboard, but this one takes some getting used to!!

Tues. 9/29 Wow - another month nearly gone! Wasn't it June just yesterday?

It was a good day at work today. I had enough to do to keep me busy from start to finish, and I got a lot accomplished. Ran a couple of quick errands on the way home, closed the new arrival (current code name Sibyl) in the carrier and took her to the clinic. She has ringworm, earmites, an infected toe, gingevitis, and I found a little flea dirt. But boy, is she sweet and beautiful! She's a solid, glossy black with three white hairs in her coat, and huge, golden-green eyes. She's very affectionate, quite relaxed, and very obviously intelligent - she's so aware of everything. We're guessing 7 months. Had blood drawn for FelV & FIV tests, and should have the results tomorrow. I try not to even think about it with most of the rescues, but I really hope my luck is still good and this one tests negative, too. She'd be a wonderful companion for someone!

Mon. 9/28 It was a very busy day. I had to start work a little early, and I ranranranran my little feet off until about 11:30 am when I finally got my first cup of coffee! It was one of those Mondays when things just keep coming fast and furious, and I was lucky to be able to leave on time. Then, I stopped on the way home to pick up a couple new belts for my vacuumn, the ATM to get some cash, the vet's office to talk to them about this new kitty, met the guy with the kitty and transferred her from his cage to mine, took her home and got her settled into my bathroom, chatted with a friend who phoned, changed my clothes and got my upstairs neighbor and walked down to the funeral home for the viewing of my landlady's mother, ran home and got the vegetable-beef-barley soup and took that up to the bar and put it on to heat up, ran home and got a set of sheets and all the throw rugs (including the filthy old rug my new kitty came with) and ran to the laundrymat and got the wash started, ran back to the bar and served up supper, ran back to get the wash into the dryer, ran back to the bar to put the food away, ran back to get the stuff out of the dryer, and finally got home about 11:30 pm.

Then I had to feed and medicate the Zoo, cuddle Buttons, and check my e-mail. I finally dropped my poor, tired bones into the sack about 12:30, and I don't actually remember lying down - I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow. I'm glad every day's not like this!!!

Sun. 9/27 I was walking down the street last night, and yet another cat needing foster care managed to find me. She's about 7 months, solid black, and very friendly. She has a couple of small patches of ringworm, but I'm getting really good at dealing with that. So, she's going in to be tested tomorrow, and as soon as I get negative results, she's coming here to recuperate, get spayed, and get adopted.

I'm really not sure how or why this kind of thing happens to me, but it does. Maybe vibrations? Electrical energy? Fate? A Higher Power? Whatever is at work here will not be denied, and somehow these needy cats seem to find their way to me. I'm fortunate, though, because the same principle that brings them to me also helps me find them wonderful homes. I've been incredibly lucky in meeting nice people who are actually looking to adopt a cat or two.

Punch's adoption fell through, so he's still here. I finally let him out of the crate Friday night and he's just jumped right into the little community I have here with all 4 feet. He's relaxed, gaining confidence, and playing and cuddling with the rest of the Zoo. They're very tolerant of him, treating him like another member of the house. He still runs from me if I approach him too fast, but he stays out in the open most of the time and seems content to be in the same space I am. I'm convinced he doesn't belong to the same litter or litters the other 4 came from - he's much smaller, and is built differently - much more delicate. He's a little fairie cat, and I'm growing quite fond of him. I'd like to place him with an older, retired, single lady who'll dote on the sweet little guy.

Sat. 9/26 I had to go back to see Dr. Paul today to get the final follow-up on my knee, and when he saw the scratches on my arms, he shook his head and tsk-tsk'd at me. He said he knows me, and he knows I won't stop what I'm doing, so he might as well give me a prescription for something to take if I get badly scratched or bitten. They really look much worse than they are - when Smudge dug in on my left arm, his little curved claw kinda snaked under the skin a little so there is a "bruise" where it bled a little under the skin. No big deal - I've had worse when subjected to the ministrations of an inept phlebotomist.

Speaking of which, I really wish the docs still did their own blood draws. Dr. Paul's dad was the best - you never even felt the needle go in and his "bedside manner" used to make me laugh so hard the whole thing was over before I knew it. And one time he had to give me a shot in my tushy - he stuck the needle in and then asked me if I was ready! He's a character. And the apple doesn't fall far from the tree - Dr. Paul is just a younger, more modern version of his dad. We're comfortable enough with each other to use more "casual" vocabulary (like when he told me I'd f***ed up my knee) and I wonder sometimes what his other patients think when they hear us laughing in the exam room. I asked him to give me a tetanus shot a couple of weeks ago (he couldn't believe I actually asked for a shot) and he's as good with a needle as his old man. I wish the phlebotomist I saw this morning was even half as good.....

Friday, 9/25 Oh, my, what a fun evening it was! Smudge and Shade's new dad came home from work with me to pick up his new boys. I had to clip Smudge's claws before I let him leave, and he was not happy about the idea. I have lots of new bites and scratches. sigh At least Brian was understanding about Smudge's attitude. Shade just watched everything quietly. He's such a love - he's gone to a really good home, and should start to come out of his shell quickly. Smudge will too - he did well when he was loose in the house. He was just scared of me, and I can't blame him. After all, I'm the one who grabbed him and shoved him into a carrier, clipped his claws, held him down while the vet drew blood for tests, and locked him into that horrible, teeny cage. Poor little guy. He didn't seem to resent Brian, though, so I guess his "issues" were with me. grin

As a sidebar to this story, I'm more convinced than ever in the efficacy of Rescue Remedy to treat stress. As Smudge was lying on his new dad's lap after having his claws clipped, I thought a dose of Rescue Remedy might alleviate some of the stress the poor guy was feeling. I approached, dropper in hand, and when Smudge opened his mouth to sorta hiss at me I had a clear field and squeezed the dropper. Within 30 seconds that cat had visibly relaxed; within three minutes he was quite calm. I had never used it full strength before (usually just putting it in the water to help keep the peace around here) but I was amazed at how quickly and how well it worked when used full-strength in a "crisis" situation. Something else to tuck away in my kitty first-aid kit.

Thursday, 9/24 Another long day. I was so tired by 7 pm that I did really badly at Jeopardy tonight - my brain just wasn't working. Checked to see when my new equipment is coming - maybe tomorrow, maybe not until Monday or Tuesday. Got a really good deal on a used flat-bed scanner - my friends Jesi and Adam are moving back to Oregon and didn't want to take it in the car. Disco and Triskit's mom Jessica came over tonight for a visit. She held and stroked Punch for over half an hour while I medicated Shade and worked on socializing Buttons. Punch is turning into a real cuddle-bunny! Then Jess ran interference for me while I recaptured Smudge. He, of course, was not pleased, to say the least, and I have new bites and gouges for the first time in 3 weeks. At least he's settled down now, and doesn't seem to be unhappy to be together with his buddies. His new dad is supposed to come tomorrow night to pick up Shade and him. Smudge is a clever little fellow, with the potential to be a great cat. Shade already is a great cat - his blue eyes are so gorgeous, and he's a real softie. They're beautiful together. I'm going to try to get a few photos of the 4 that are in the crate now, while they're still all there. Beautiful kitties. And, of course, the white boys with their new daddy, for the Adoptee page.

Wednesday, 9/23 Today had to be at least 48 hours long. I was up late last night doing "construction" here, and didn't finish what I wanted to do until after 2 am. Then I had to clean the ferals' cage, change litter, feed, water, medicate...so, since I was already on my hands and knees crawling into the crate, I decided to try a little more of the aggressive approach with them, picking up each one in turn and cuddling the heck out of them. I worked with Shade first, and after I let him crawl back in the crate, he stopped shying away from my hand. He actually craned his neck forward so I could scratch his head.

All this while Punch was lying docilely in the pocket formed by my body and crossed legs. He made the breakthrough last night - he started to purr, got really relaxed, started kneading my belly, and really leaning into my hand scratching and rubbing. I took both hands off him and he continued to lie contentedly in my lap another 10 minutes before heading for the crate and the dry food dish (he finally figured out that stuff was food!).

Little Buttons is getting a little better, but she's still terrified. Poor baby. Smudge is creeping closer and closer to me these days - he's lying on the rug about 4 feet away at the moment, sleeping - and I hope I can re-catch him before his new dad comes to get him on Friday. And TC allowed me to scratch his bottom while he was perched on top of the cat condo. Step by teeny step, we're getting there.

It was time well spent, but I spent it out of my sleep time, so I was dragging today. And the molds and grass pollens are high today, so I've got a bit of a congested head, in the bargain. Gotta make an early night of it tonight. But I got some good news when I got home - Doc finally was able to get through to her husband today. The poor guy must have been returning phone calls all afternoon. Apparently things are bad, but not bad enough to make her come home! =) He's joining her down there Friday for the last 9 days of her vacation. I just hope there are no other hurricanes headed in the same direction!

Checked up on Victor's progress - he's accepted his new mom, and is kneading her and suckling on her shirt, and waking her up at 5 am to cuddle. Good kitty. I should have some pictures of the two of them soon, and then I'll start the Adoptee page.

Tuesday, 9/22 Well, my day got off to a good start. There are a couple of brothers that ride the bus with me - sometimes I see them in the morning, and sometimes in the afternoon. Nathan is about 5-6, and a really solid, chubby guy with the most adorable chubby cheeks, and his brother Isaiah is about 3 1/2. They're from the islands somewhere, so they have very thick accents. In addition, Nathan has a speech impediment, which makes him doubly hard to understand. (I never have trouble understanding him when he asks to see my cat pictures, though!) There were seats available, but both boys wanted to sit on my lap, so I rode to work with both arms full of boy this morning. Left me feeling really warm and fuzzy. (We amused everyone on the bus - me with my very fair skin and blue eyes, and these little coal black boys with their heads resting on my shoulders!)

Doc's husband called me tonight - still no news if she's OK. She went to the Virgin Islands last Thurs. for a 17-day vacation, and hurricane Georges came through there Sunday night. She's a tough cookie, and one smart gal, so I'm sure she's OK, but it's frustrating to just sit and wait to hear from her. sigh...

Monday, 9/21 Yuck, Monday! Had to go back to work - yecchhh. I stopped at the nail place on my way home to check on Victor - his new mom was grinning from ear to ear. She said "Oooooh, he so shy! Alla time back in box, back in box!" She seems to instinctively understand he needs a little time to adjust. I think this is going to be a very good match, if he'll just forget about me and allow her to be his mommy. She gave me a lovely, hand-painted silk handkerchief as a thank you. They're closed on Tuesdays, so I'll check back on Wednesday to see how they're doing. It's been so hot and humid here I didn't feel like cooking anything hot for my Monday Night Football Halftime buffet, so I just did up a plate of ham and cheese with a selection of breads, tomatoes, and lettuce, and I made a huge bowl of potato salad. It seemed to go over well.

Sunday, 9/20 Well, it was one heck of a day today. Moonshadow (or as his new mom calls him, "Wictor") went to his new mommy this afternoon, after having resided in my bathroom for the last 6 weeks while I treated him for a severe ringworm infestation. (Got a couple little lesions myself, for my efforts!!)

It's funny - I can't stand the empty bathroom now! And I'd planned on a nice, long bubble bath to celebrate the grand re-opening of my bathroom! Just can't seem to work up the motivation at the moment. I'm really gonna miss the little guy - what a sweet, loving, cuddly little guy he was, and soooo handsome - solid black with huge, deep green, endlessly mysterious eyes. And a major, big-time cuddler. He would purr the instant I opened the door, before I ever even talked to him or touched him. And it's been that way from the beginning - he bit me good when I grabbed him on the street, but by the time I walked him 2 blocks to the vet, he was purring madly and almost frantic for cuddling. Sweet, sweet baby!

My bathroom seems awfully empty.......

Saturday, 9/19 - After yesterday's aggravation, it was such a delight to waken with 8 cats on the bed! One on either side of my legs and one in between, one on my left shoulder, one curled into my right, one on each side of my waist, and one on my chest purring like mad. What a loving, comforting thing to wake up to total kitty love! Really got my day started the right way. I'm not going to worry about the work situation until I wake up Monday morning. I refuse to let it interfere with my weekend!!

Friday, 9/18 - It was a really rotten day today. My job is making me nuts, and I've got to get out of that department. Just because I'm not some sweet, compliant 25-year old, I've managed to alienate the woman in charge of my group. She's been gunning for me from the get-go, and it's gotten to the point where I just have to get out of there. And, because Doc's on vacation, I didn't even have my usual Friday night cheer-up. It was a relief and a comfort to come home to the kitties - they don't understand bad days, and they love me anyway. I'd go nuts if it weren't for the Zoo!