We ended up going to Philadelphia for Teddy's transplant (it's closer to DC), so I can't vouch for NCSU's treatment. And they were just starting transplants when we had Teddy's done a little over a year ago. But so few hospitals do kidney transplants at all that just doing the operation means they're major.

I googled, and the nearest TJ's is in Jenkintown, which is about 8.3 miles from here as the google flies.

I found out recently that King of Prussia is named after an inn that used to be there. I like it when things have a reasonable explanation.

I found out recently that King of Prussia is named after an inn that used to be there.

Huh. It is not an exaggeration to say that I've wondered about that name for as long as I can remember. I mean, not every day or anything, but still...

It's the same story for Bird-in-Hand PA, too.

But sadly, Intercourse was not named for a motel. Inn. Whatev.

Ah, Monday. Nothing like starting the week on hold with tech support.

Did you know that if you blow soap bubbles in very cold air, they'll freeze? And they look very pretty....

freezebubbles

The first one is cool, but if you go through the slideshow there are even prettier ones.

And here's a frozen soap bubble shattering: [link]

Also, very very tired. For it was a Monday, and the Gronk (also, to my typing skills, known as fring) was mighty. And the slithy toves did gyre and gimble in the wabe.

Anyone who can quote Carroll first thing in the a.m. is not that Gronkified! Or she is a Buffista. I forget where I am sometimes--of course Shir can quote Carroll first thing in the morning.

Much ~ma to all who need it!

Thor scares off burglar

A man attempting to burglarize an Edinburgh, Scotland home fled when faced with Thor. The home belongs to Torvald Alexander, 38, who had returned from a New Year's party dressed as the Norse god of thunder and surprised the thief. From The Telegraph:

Mr Alexander said: "As soon as he saw me his eyes went wide with terror.

"He looked like he had had a few drinks and decided to do a late night break in, but he hadn't counted on the God of Thunder living here."

He added: "I had just got back from a fancy dress New Year's party and because I have a Norwegian name I decided to go as Thor.

"It took ages making the cape, helmet and breast plate, and I must admit it was a bit chilly walking home, but when I saw that guy I just went mad and charged at him, my cape flying behind me.

Calli, our cats like Purina One or Pro Plan, and they seem to prefer the chicken and rice formulas. We've checked nutrition and ingredients labels, and these two in the Purina line have fewer to no corn products than other major brands--even some vet-recommended brands--lower ash content, and higher protein and fat content, which cats require. Taurine (eye health) levels are adequate.

TC disdains people food (though he insists on smelling everything before we eat it--poisontaster in another life), and both cats are less than enthusiastic about wet cat food. Both of them chow down readily on One or Pro-Plan, though.

I assume they'd also nom on supermarket brands, which have higher sugar and carb content. But as long as they're maintaining a good body weight without porking up on these dry formulas, we'll stick with them. We did try an all-natural supposedly better nutritionally-balanced food, which neither of them liked. One of its drawing points was "reduced stool volume." Seriously? The medical profession is urging humans to increase fiber and water in their diet to increase our, um, output, and we're lazy enough to prefer less-frequent scooping to a healthier animal, WTF? Nuh and uh. We'll stick with One and Pro-Plan, thanks.

But? Yay, cat! And yay new-to-you tv!