Cass, I'm so, so sorry. So much love to you and your family.

Holding many of you in my thoughts, and in most recent particular, Cass and Steph and brother.

I'm mostly lurking due to caring for recovering mother, which is now beginning to ease up as she recovers more physical capabilities -- one cast came off two weeks ago and another last week, though that arm is still non weight-bearing. She's doing well, though. Starting tomorrow, she'll be spending morning to mid-afternoon on her own for the first time since Easter. I expect she's looking forward to the quiet of nobody checking in or reminding her about [insert exercises, to eat, to walk] for a few hours. I know I would be.

I'm still staying up at my sister's, but now I will start tapering off and rejoining my previous life. Contemplating going to Balto. Sat/Sun, but also thinking maybe I just need to spend the day a my home and... probably clean. I think it's a mess. I, too, enjoy the quiet.

But I have been lurking and reading and sending ~ma along.

Thanks Brenda and ita ! Someone said it an audio tape and the Internet has a lot of different ways to spell that particular word. Thought I'd ask experts.

I'm glad your mother is doing well, Jen. Gravity is a bitch.

Why does everyone I had to deal with in terms getting things like another transfusions have the IQ of a walnut? A stupid walnut at that. Why does everything require me to drive to the other side of Atlanta? Why does no one think in terms of "She's going to be here Wednesday, so maybe she can get her blood drawn before or after her appointment?" It's not like my whole life isn't scheduled in their computer system.

eta: And did I mention I have to get a notarized form from the doctor to skip jury duty this time around?

What a pain in the ass, Ginger. You don't need one tiny bit of extra stress right now. And thanks. (And you're on my permanent extra and continuous ~ma list).

Just tried to put together the shower chair. Even the three legs that I got height adjusted were hella harder than they should be for a piece of equipment that someone presumably physically challenged should have to deal with, but now the last one won't budge. Tool-free assembly my ass.

I'm still staying up at my sister's, but now I will start tapering off and rejoining my previous life. Contemplating going to Balto. Sat/Sun, but also thinking maybe I just need to spend the day a my home and... probably clean. I think it's a mess. I, too, enjoy the quiet.

Time at home when you've been dealing with injured or ill parents is a good thing. At least it is when you didn't rush home to deal with another loss. I, too, enjoy the quiet.

Tool-free assembly my ass.

That is usually the case.

Ridiculous, Ginger.

So! Happy bird news today! She has well and truly fledged. She is currently sitting on the deck on top of my cartop carrier, which is made of foam and canvas and is apparently very comfy. I think she has limited flight at this point. Like, I think she fell off the deck a couple times but has been able to get back up. Mom & dad are still feeding her.

I know this because I scared her off the deck when I went out a bit ago, and mom came up looking for her all concerned. She even checked back up in the nest, like, where did you go. Then she was at the edge of the deck scolding. And now the chick is back on the deck.

So it seems like fledglings are like teenagers. But anyway, she's healthy and apparently happy, and mom & dad are looking after her. The thing is, if she survives and eventually makes her own nest here, she's going to be the tamest ever, because I've handled her. And if she is female. I think she is, but at this stage I'm not entirely sure. She has no crest, but the male crest is barely noticeable at full maturity, and it might not be developed yet.

How are you doing today, Cass?

So it seems like fledglings are like teenagers. But anyway, she's healthy and apparently happy, and mom & dad are looking after her. The thing is, if she survives and eventually makes her own nest here, she's going to be the tamest ever, because I've handled her.

It really does. I hope that she does survive and you get to watch many more generations come and thrive.

I'm ... numb. Usually I'm numb. And it feels better than the hurting part. Because I also feel really guilty. Not that I could have kept Kittenish alive, though I probably could have for a little longer. But that I had her boarded for three weeks and that I wasn't with her for both her last good time and more than the very end. That's not something I am sure I will ever not feel guilt about. Mostly I miss her.

Dad isn't getting chemo due to his age. Radiation and continue the steroid therapy. I've been mostly talking to him in the evenings and he sounds alright. Tired and a little confused but motivated and reports of his days are good.

But that I had her boarded for three weeks and that I wasn't with her for both her last good time and more than the very end. That's not something I am sure I will ever not feel guilt about.

Oh honey. You couldn't have known, and you got there when you could. She had you at the end, and all her wonderful life.

I know it's not that easy, by a mile. But I hope you can give yourself some slack.