Dear Milo and Pythagorus, you have landed on your feet and no mistake! You have found yourselves two lovely ladies to share a home with. Congratulations!

Seska, I'm glad the iron pills are helping.

It's really great to see Cass, Epic, and Trudy, too.

Milo has now decided he prefers a little dark space behind a box in the pantry, and stopped hiding in the walls. Which is progress! I'm going to put his bed there later and see if he's willing to sleep on it there.

Kittehs!!

Pythagoras is a fantastic name for a three-legged cat.

Steph - I don't know how your upper respiratory system is doing, but my experience of wildfires (SoCal Wildfire Season, let me show you it) says keep in mind that even if you're not in immediate danger of burning up, air quality will be crap for miles and miles. I hope that you can all come to an agreement that's safe and pleasant for all parties.

I used to have asthma that developed after college when we got a cat. I used a steroid inhaler and albuterol, and then when the roommate moved out and took the cat, I was fine, except for rare exacerbations if I was very sick or exerted myself outdoors when it was insanely cold.

Even now, with 2 cats, it's fine, again, except for when I get really sick. So I do have an albuterol inhaler in my purse, and I am definitely not the kind of person who won't "make a fuss" -- if my lungs start complaining, I will get my ass to a medical center right away.

Tim's family is still all "La la la, no big deal, it's moving off to the north, we'll be fine." The fact that smoke from the fire is being seen as far as Delaware tells me that there will be bad-ass smoke at the damn beach.

But they've made up their minds, and all I can do is stick to my plan to keep an eye on my lungs...and probably stay indoors for most of this vacation.

Pythagoras is a fantastic name for a three-legged cat.

We thought so.

I mean, I get it. I *want* to go to the beach. The house is paid for. But this is nuts. I think they're willfully deluding themselves. I think we will get there and everyone will be shocked at how bad it is.

You know that age-old question: would you rather be right, or happy? I'd rather NOT be right in this instance.

So, the doctor's office called this morning. Blood work is normal, no anemia (so maybe the iron pills worked?), but still having the shallow breathing. They've recommended that I see a cardiologist. Ugh.

Are there any Pagans on b.org?

Seska, I've been a solo practitioner for more than 25 years. I say 'more than' because I honestly can't remember the 'start.' It's been that long.

Feel free to drop me a line, if I can answer any questions.

Steph! Happy first day of a great year. I'll be vibing a hamster ball of clean air around you on this journey. I hope it turns out better than expected.

Windsparrow, I've been listening to Terry Pratchett's novels in order. The phrase "and no mistake" pops up often. Love it!

Vortex, good news about the blood...may the cardiologist have a simple, painless solution.

ARGH.

Having to pack to go to NY. Again. And while there will be much in the way of merriment and the like going on, I've got the most massive case of the "don' wannas" that I've ever felt.

I just wanna stay home, under the covers, watching baseball and petting the dogs.

And this when I have to go face 2500 wimmens and be "on" for nearly a full week. Possibly with jazz hands.

Gah.

Tell me it'll all be good.

It'll be all right! Once you get there, you know your energy will go up.

Do you have a room to yourself? You can hide out there when you need to recharge. And you'll see people you like! And NYC has lots and lots of SHOES, Barb.

SHOES.

Remember the Rule of 5 -- pack 5 things, or work on a task for five minutes. Set a timer!

You can get everything you need to do accomplished if you do it 5 things or 5 minutes at a time!