So today I got up at 5 AM as usual, as I was scheduled to go to work today. I need the money. But first, as I do every morning, I spent 5-10 minutes with Pearly in bed, petting and caressing her. Then up to change her water, top off her food bowl, and clean out her two litter boxes. Then breakfast. After which a short session with Da Bird, the only toy Pearly has any interest in. We do this in the living room. After two months of staying in the bedroom, Pearly is now coming out into the living room and kitchen on a regular basis. Finally.

After work, I did what I do every Thursday after work, which was work as a phone volunteer at the local AA office 4 – 7 PM. Then drive home. As always, the first thing I did when I got home was to refill her water bowl and clean out her litter boxes. Then a petting session that included catnip on her scratching board, followed by 5-10 minutes with Da Bird.

Then supper. Lean Cuisine Chicken Parmesan. Then on-line, and now Pearly and I have established a new ritual. I had a bit of extra money left over last month, and bought two new heating pads made especially for cats.

And one of those pads is on the chair just to the left of where I sit at the computer. So if my right hand is using the mouse, the left hand can pet her and stroke her and caress her. If I start typing, I have to break every few minutes for another petting session. The other heating pad is on the sofa, but I am not sure if she uses it yet when I am gone. But it’s there if she ever wants to use it. But as I type this late Thanksgiving evening, Pearly is relaxing on the heating pad next to me, softly purring when I touch or caress her.

After I post this, it will be after 9 PM, which is bed time. As always, I will turn on the electric blanket and snuggle in, and Pearly will settle on her heating pad next to my chest. Life is basically good, and I have a lot to be thankful for, including all my friends in The Eunuch Archives. Sweet dreams to all.

Andrew,

You take care. It's a bit to late to wish you a happy thanksgiving, but if can do so in retrospect.

talula

tonight. Only a can of tuna persuaded her to come inside from the cold. She no longer will sleep with me. Instead, she sits on the highest piece of furniture in my apartment and oversees the room where I don't live. However, she is the cat that my former wife left when she left me. I'm not all that fond of this cat.

Still, I had a splendid Thanksgiving dinner--one much too rich for a man just out of bypass surgery. That is why I'm awake and writing in the middle of the night. However, my friend cooked a great a meal for his wife, mother, daughter, and me. I enjoyed it and the dinner conversation.

The electric blanket and hearting cat pads sounds nice. The problem is that Sisselia likes cool surfaces and I like the flow of air over me as I sleep.

This Old House had a great piece tonight on the Frank Llyoyd Wright house Fallingwater. He let his structural engineer under engineered the building. It sagged.

I fear that I've gotten used to being off from work. I like my job, but I am enjoying not having to go to work. Neverthelesss, I feel great contentment this year. I will get up in the morning and work out at the cardiac rehab center. I won't run by my office because it's closed for the holiday. I will probably read a book tomorrow. And I'll check out this board.

Folks,

I think it's good that animals get some kind of ritual from their human companion.

I've been working extremely long hours trying to get a new resort up and running (tech-wise). So, I welcomed having Thanksgiving Day off. That was mostly a day of sleep for me (and not much more than relaxing).

On Sundays my two boys (cockatiels) get a smorgasbord of seed treats in giant bowls. Two are seed mixtures and one is dried fruit + veggies. Since it was T-Giving Day, they got one additional treat day.

Cockatiels like habits and daily routine. Unfortunately I am away early in the A.M. - reporting for work 0500-0530 and up until recently didn't get back home until 2000 or later. They get pissed, too, when I don't get a weekend. My girls, who are now gone, were especially cognizant of shortened or no weekends.

BTW the seed treats are not their usual diet. They receive much better vitamin enriched cakes and berries to chew apart.

Well, Andrew, thanks for the story about Pearly.

- Jim