I much prefer watching Pace munch on the scenery as Thranduil

So pretty!

Today I've been called a virtue-signaling c**t, a libtard and someone who needs help with words of two or more syllables, but on balance today was still an okay day, because I got to house-sit our next-door neighbor's cat Jameson, who is a lovely tuxedo boy with spats on his back feet and three white toes up front, who was generous with headbutts and purrs you could hear from across the room.

Of course, now that I've written that out I'm suffering spasms of shame because people in Ukraine are fleeing their homes and blowing up bridges and hiding in subways and who TF am I to feel happy because a cat headbutted me. But I'm kind of hanging by a thread lately anyway, so I need these headbutts.

It’s ok JZ. Sounds like a very good cat. Everyone can use some of that.

Meanwhile my dog is NOT on the very good boy list at the moment. I took him for a v short walk at like 945pm and then we went to bed. At 1230 he woke me up to go out, and I was all fine, whatever, maybe he needed to poo. Tossed a bit but eventually fell back asleep and was having weird dreams…and he woke me up again at 230 to go out again! And now I feel pretty awake. And of course none of this compares to fleeing your home or sheltering in a subway station or being a trans kid in Texas. But I feel like on a macro level I’m aware of my privileges for sure….and it’s still 230am and I’m awake ;)

Of course, now that I've written that out I'm suffering spasms of shame because people in Ukraine are fleeing their homes and blowing up bridges and hiding in subways and who TF am I to feel happy because a cat headbutted me. But I'm kind of hanging by a thread lately anyway, so I need these headbutts.

No to be a nihilist, but there are always people fleeing their homes somewhere. Take the W!!

JZ, I think we all need to take our moments of joy and comfort where we can and not feel guilty about it.

Aww, good to have cat headbutts to help you keep it together.

I have four noisy teens emptying my attic of So Many Bins of stuff that I need to sort, inventory, and get ready to move to storage. I need the attic empty for the inspector to be able to check stuff out. Next on the list is all of them jumping in the pool then eating pizza.

So much to do!

I'm dealing with so much personal stress and grief as I cope with my dad descending into dementia and all the logistics I'm trying to manage from 3000 miles away by myself (and all the costs of flying back and forth across the country every 4-6 weeks) that I've found I've gotten a bit numb to everything else. I am still in the world and worry and grieve about what is happening in Ukraine, but I've been experiencing a lot of compartmentalization.

I've never been more grateful for my effective antidepressants.

{{{Pix}}} I'm sorry. That's such a difficult situation. I'm so sorry.

{{Pix}} It is so much. Compartmentalization is essential. Know that if there is anything I can do from my closer geographical proximity we are here for you anytime. And soon to be closer to your dad too!

Thanks so much. I'm doing okay, all things considered, and I'm so lucky to have Drew and my friends and family as emotional support. I don't want everyone to feel like they need to respond here. It just helps to have somewhere to share it.