Someone just gave me the slogan "Spend it on your pet, not on the vet" with regards to higher quality food

The thug kitchen had wise words about this, truth. He says he feeds his (vegan too?) dog so well the vet pays him when he visits.

"They had so much fun, they were bleeding" is a great line.

Burrell, Folly is a wonderful name for a cat!

Tiki Cat is good cat food. We've tried it but only one of mine likes seafood, alas. Andi, you're right on about where the real cost of cat food lies.

Burrell, Folly is a wonderful name for a cat!

Thanks, Zen. I can't take credit as my MiL is her original owner and the one who named her. But it fits her perfectly.

Aw, bonny, I'm sorry Cagney had a bad moment. But I'm glad he has some friends like Olie who get him.

t flops into the thread

Thanks for the good thoughts, everyone.

Sunday was exhausting, even though we mostly took the day off from planning stuff. My oldest friend had come into town on Saturday and we went for a walk in the woods with my dad & sister, & in the afternoon we went to a barbecue at Javachik's, which was a lovely unstressful way to engage with life. Then I took K to her hotel in the city & collapsed.

Yesterday was lots of organizational stuff, clearing out my mother's clothes and lots of phone calls/meetings. But we ended the day with massages, which were great, even though the masseur really went after the spots on my IT band where I haven't been stretching.

Jesse, thanks for the link to that book! One of the benefits of the funeral next week will be seeing my nieces and my two surviving uncles, who will all be coming into town.

Consuela, It sounds like you are doing your best to have some balance while dealing with the grief. It really helps. My thoughts are with you and your family.

& in the afternoon we went to a barbecue at Javachik's,

I'm sorry we missed that, but Emmett was not going anywhere on Sunday.

One of the benefits of the funeral next week will be seeing my nieces and my two surviving uncles, who will all be coming into town.

Funerals are weird like that. "It's so good to see you!....I mean, I would have preferred other circumstances, but still."

Keep taking care of yourself!

I'm getting very excited about going to my college reunion.

Not only does it happen over my birthday weekend, but I will see my five closest friends all at the same time. (Not to mention several other friends that I dearly love and haven't seen for decades.)

I haven't been back to my college since 1986. It would be strange enough walking around Kenyon's beautiful campus just with my memories, but to do it with so many people that formed those memories is going to be strange and wonderful.

Plus I'll get to spend time with the kids of most of my friends, which I really value especially as I get older.

Suela, I am so sorry for your loss.