Dear So and So

[indysteel]

Thanks for sharing your stories and experiences. It gives me some reassurance that tending to them as outside cats isn't the worst thing that could happen to them. That's not to say that I'm not going to pursue/consider any other options, but I've felt a lot of guilt as it is about them.

[Biciclista]

The reason I STOPPED socializing feral kittens for the cat rescue group was that it disturbed Enza and my other former feral so much! YOU really do have to look out for your own cats first.

[indysteel]

The reason I STOPPED socializing feral kittens for the cat rescue group was that it disturbed Enza and my other former feral so much! YOU really do have to look out for your own cats first.

Absolutely. Believe me, Henry is at the forefront of my mind, especially since he's been having health issues lately as it is. He's about to turn 13, and while I'm hopeful he'll be with us for several more good years, I am bracing myself for what's to come. Emotionally and financially, he's my priority.

And I'll be honest, the problems he's had over the last few weeks have reminded me of just how upset and worked up I get when one of my cats isn't doing well. I wish I could remain calmer about their health issues, but I historically have not been able to.

Again, thank you. Your perspectives are most helpful.

[jessmarimba]

Also wanted to chime in. Both of mine were ferals, though I did not socialize either of them (answered posts from foster moms).

I have a feral community in my yard now. I water but don't feed unless it's REALLY cold (the dumpster is in the alley behind my house & they seem quite well-fed), but I do let them in the garage with a space heater when the weather gets terrible. Like when it hit -30 last winter. All of the ones that I was watching out for then made it.

I'm pretty sure they have a "home" inside an old truck cap that is in my neighbor's yard, too, but I don't think he knows about it.

I have taken my Skunk-kitty out on a harness and run into Mama cat - I didn't let them touch but they wanted to be friends, so I think I might be ok if I end up taking one or more of these guys in someday.

[Owlie]

Dear grad school--
Screw you. I don't want to live with unknown undergrads, especially ones who don't seem to have anything to do but drink. Or eat my food, or party from Thursday to Sunday, or don't clean, or are just generally rude and inconsiderate. I had enough of that in college.
Off to begin the futile search for an apartment.

[Catrin]

Dear grad school--
Screw you. I don't want to live with unknown undergrads, especially ones who don't seem to have anything to do but drink. Or eat my food, or party from Thursday to Sunday, or don't clean, or are just generally rude and inconsiderate. I had enough of that in college.
Off to begin the futile search for an apartment.

You can find a place! Isn't there student apartments, or do they make you share?

[snapdragen]

Dear lovely employer. It's just wonderful that you have now decided to look at hiring and promotion practices. Too bad it will not benefit me, as you think your "study" will take a year, and I'll be gone in 6 months.

snap "underpaid for her job specs for 4 years" dragen

[crazycanuck]

Snap, are you coming to Australia post retirement?

Dear body,

I know i've treated you poorly in terms of diet for all these years. Making the next step will not be a bad thing as folks you know have done the same.

May this be the beginning of a wonderful, healthy gut/body etc. Sometimes this stuff happens at odd times and you just have to trust you're doing the right thing. See, de Physio & trainer aren't full of sheep kapoopies...

[snapdragen]

Snap, are you coming to Australia post retirement?

Dear body,

I know i've treated you poorly in terms of diet for all these years. Making the next step will not be a bad thing as folks you know have done the same.

May this be the beginning of a wonderful, healthy gut/body etc. Sometimes this stuff happens at odd times and you just have to trust you're doing the right thing. See, de Physio & trainer aren't full of sheep kapoopies...

It's on my list of places I want to go....so you never know!

[crazycanuck]

Just remember you're always welcome at our abode

I found out today that part of what i've done to myself is...i've really really aggravated my sternalis muscles..

I have to self massage my sternum(amongst other stuff) which is going to be..interesting... When the physio did it today it was...owwww..

[Pax]

Dear Camping,

We used to be so close, we spent endless nights together and wandered the wilds of the world together. I'm sorry to say I have to break up with you now; it's not you, it's me.

Signed,

Seeking Marriott

[Owlie]

You can find a place! Isn't there student apartments, or do they make you share?

That's actually what I'd applied for, but apparently they have a shortage of campus housing and I ended up on a waitlist for a studio/1BR. The housing guy's suggestion was to contact the appropriate person to get into the multiple-occupancy campus housing. Just as well, because I found a couple places around 3mi out that are significantly cheaper. Not bikeable, unfortunately--roads are busier (and hillier, in one case!) than I'd like, but the apartments are about six miles from a bike trail, and only a little further from the Yellow Springs end of the little Miami trail.

[indysteel]

Dear Camping,

We used to be so close, we spent endless nights together and wandered the wilds of the world together. I'm sorry to say I have to break up with you now; it's not you, it's me.

Signed,

Seeking Marriott

Uh oh! What happened?

[Pax]

Uh oh! What happened?

50 years worth of orthopedic injuries have made it more torturous than fun, so I don't sleep and I hurt... and I paid for the privilege.

[indysteel]

50 years worth of orthopedic injuries have made it more torturous than fun, so I don't sleep and I hurt... and I paid for the privilege.

Ugh; that sounds awful. We sleep on cots when we car camp, and we've never backcountry camped. I'm not sure my hips/back could take it.