Homeless Cat -- Now Spotacus' Legacy

[Wanderlost]

On 18 Dec, a very large cat showed up at our house. It was late and cold, and he looked in the door and made it clear he wanted inside. Well, since we have two cats already and he was a stranger, we could not let him in the house. WLToo walked out and the cat ran to him, so he walked the cat into the garage and into the climate controlled room out there.

He was extremely hungry and thirsty, but in otherwise good condition and very clean. We fixed up a bed for him, set up the feeding and elimination stations, and went to bed.

Next day, we worked in the garage all day, while the big guy slept or supervised. We found him to be an intact male, no sign he's ever worn a collar, and he has a strong need to be in the general vicinity of humans. For an intact male, he's remarkably mellow - I don't think he was the alpha cat in his previous home.

Have had zero responses to the "found cat" notices around the area and online, so we'll be working with the local rescues to get him neutered and all his shots, then find him a home. We can't keep him because he's just too big for our two cats to share our small house. Alex would have another emotional meltdown, and I don't want to go through that mess again (long, ugly story).

For now, we're calling him Spot, not that he answers to it (does answer to "Kitty, Kitty"). No idea how he travels; we'll find out when we take him to the vet on Tuesday.

If anyone knows of someone who would like a large (about 15-18 pounds) cat who needs to be with people, please let me know. No cat novices, please; this cat needs someone who knows exactly how to handle an adult cat of this size, especially when he's feeling frisky.





We're at Canyon Lake, TX, so if there are any Winter Texans nearby who would like to meet him and maybe give him a home, that would be great.

[Wanderlost]

We finally have the proper shower glass installed, but they just can't seem to get here to finally finish the darn thing. Will be talking to the finance company about requiring copies of the signed completion before paying this particular company in future, and never taking the company's word, given its history of bald-faced lies...

Spousal Unit has another kyphoplasty on Thursday, in three places. That should take care of the spine fractures. Then they can work on the herniated disks. Meanwhile, he's off all heavy meds. Decided it wasn't doing anything better than just taking ibuprofen. He is standing more erect, although his walking stamina is still not that great. He says he feels better, and that's what counts.

Czarny's had to spend a few days staying inside, while I hauled SU to various medical appts. Thought he'd be happy to go outside after his supper today, but he noticed it was wet out there and decided to just stay on his tower.

Nice slow rain all day long, to the tune of .21". While that doesn't sound like much, it's a lot around here. Does little to end the drought, though, but every teeny bit helps.

Submitted another short story. This one is really short -- an entire story in 50 words, based upon a picture. Each author got a different picture. Publisher will create an illustrated book, just like their last one. Postcards From Mars. The one I submitted to is called Steam-Powered Postcards.

Writing entire stories in 500, 100, or 50 words is a huge challenge, yet I find I have a talent for it. At any rate, it's enormous fun.

Meanwhile, SU has seven manuscripts he intends to publish over the next few months, including one his late brother wrote -- an excellent and historically accurate western. We promised him we'd get it published for his family, and it's nearly ready -- just a couple more tweaks and a cover design.

Just to keep things exciting, a 300 volt power surge went through the power company line and destroyed 27 of our 50 solar panels, and maybe all three batteries. We've been working with the solar installation guys to get us replacement cost estimates, etc., so our insurance can pay out. We'll also install a full system surge protector, since the solar monitor folks spotted previous surges in the logs. Not gonna trust the local power co-op anymore, nope nope nope.

Nothing like a little excitement to keep the blood flowing, eh?

Time to help SU hook up his sleep apnea test. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Keeping you all in our prayers. Sorry to hear about that dodgy installer. I've been using the Angie's list and Home Advisor. I've had good results with the people listed there. No complaints yet. Had to replace the water heater (it was nearly 40 years old) a week ago. They showed up on time and got it done within a day.

Yep it's pollen pollution season. My car is already yellow.:R Molly is an indoor cat as she informed us unceremoniously. So in she'll stay. We opened the door and asked her if she wanted to go outside. She looked at us as if we had grown 3 heads. Don't know if she's a traveling cat yet but we'll find out.

[Wanderlost]

Concerts were wonderful. A couple of times, Czarny joined me, but mostly he was outside. He doesn't seem to have a music preference, unlike Spotacus, who most definitely preferred men singing country music, baritones in particular. Well, he was okay with Vince Gill...

That February cold front was an ice storm. Damaged a lot of trees and hopefully killed a whitethorn acacia right next to the driveway, where it scratches vehicles as they drive by. We lucked out and got an actual arborist to come and start what will be a long process of cleaning out the damage first, then trimming all our trees that need it. He'll also remove all the junk trees growing under the live oak canopies. When we walked the property, he could see many speciman live oaks that we didn't know where there for all the junk trees in their way.

Today is day two of what will be a long process, but already trees are looking wonderful everywhere he's been. This place is gonna be gorgeous when he's done. And we'll have a couple years of firewood, too.

His chainsaw is very quiet, but it's enough to convince Czarny he wants to stay inside today. He's zonked on one of his towers.

Got an email from the finance company that the bath company declared our shower complete. Not even! I told finance company that was a bald-faced lie, that we never signed off on completion. Then I called bath company and unloaded on them. Nearly two weeks later, after getting the distinct impression the bath company was trying to ghost us, we walked into their showroom and told the manager there we were seriously not happy. When I mentioned forgery and contract fraud, she immediately called the project manager. Told us he would phone back the next day or we should call her. The installer called yesterday and scheduled installation for tomorrow. We'll see... They will still get the rating they deserve for unprofessional conduct.

Got another short story submitted to an anthology. No idea when it will be published, but considering how many anthologies this publisher is doing (putting one out almost every Friday), might be a while. Writing short stories based upon a vague writing prompt is so much fun...

Time to start the pool pump. All the oak pollen and live oak leaves are falling, guaranteeing the pool is filthy. But the odds of another ice storm or hard freeze are slim, so I think I can safely get started on the pool cleanup.

Spousal Unit walked by himself down to the garden and back (I didn't know it). He did okay. Another kyphoplasty comes up in a couple weeks, then they'll treat the bulging disks. He says he feels better, although he still can't stand or walk for very long. Little steps to improvement...

Time to get some laundry done. Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

It sounds like you've got a good weekend planned. Does Czarny appreciate the same kind of music? We've discovered that Molly likes country music. Should have named her Dolly.

[Wanderlost]

Congrats on Molly's addition. May you have many happy conversations with her.

After a couple days of 80-degrees, a cold front rolled in. High winds, clouds but no rain, and ever dropping temps. You'd think it was February or something...

According to a local wag, the armadillo saw his shadow, so Texas is in for another six weeks of "what the sam hill is going on now?!" weather.

Czarny is eternally frustrated. He wants out, the wind hits his ears, he wants back in. It's hard on a kitty...

The College Band Directors National Association is having its annual convention, and they are livestreaming the symphonic band concerts. I'm currently listening to the University of Georgia's performance. Like Florida A&M this afternoon, there are some truly inventive symphonic band composers out there.

My alma mater will perform Friday night at 1:30pm EST.

If you're interested, the link and schedules are here CBDNA Live Link & Performance Schedule

I'm heading back to watch as well as listen. Later, y'all.

[Stephany]

Hooray and Congrats, Magnus!

Molly is a delightful surprise. Happy to hear she is a great conversationalist.

What a great daughter you have!

Stephany

[magnusfide]

We have a new furkid. Our daughter went to the shelter yesterday and decided to get us a 4 year old brown tabby female with white bib and feet. We named her Molly. Daughter wanted to cheer up Mom and was afraid that Molly would be "sent off" because she had been there a few months.

Molly is a sweet kid. She's just what we were looking for and has already established her ownership of our laps. Very talkative too. She's already carried on an entire conversation with us.

[magnusfide]

Herself conveys her thanks and wishes to report that she is on the mend though still a bit peely wally. Apparently this respiratory bug likes to linger.

Saw some older cats advertised on the animal shelter's FB page. We'll head on over there next week to see if any of them find us acceptable.

A too short shower door? Did someone not teach those guys to measure twice and cut once?

[Wanderlost]

Glad Herself is improving. Hope she feels much better very soon.

The melt is on. Might have more rain this afternoon, which we desperately need, but the lows tonight are above freezing, so no more ice accumulation. The ice did break off some tree limbs in the meadow, but what I can see from the porch doesn't look too terrible. Looks like more firewood in the offing. Good, we're running low and will need to stock up for next winter.

Czarny went out this morning, found it much too wet for his tastes, and is on his kitty tree now.

The shower glass installation hit a hiccup. The glass was over a foot shorter than the shower head, which means the very second a mineral buildup gets into that shower head, it will spray water all over the bathroom. So they had to order a new glass. With the storm, they are now backed up on installations; I expect the new glass next week. Just another homeowner adventure...

Need to pull out a chicken to roast for dinner, then back to crocheting the afghan.

Later, y'all.

[magnusfide]

Very smart cat. We have mild weather here. I'm out cleaning up the yard. Herself is still laid up with bronchitis but is showing some improvement.

[Wanderlost]

Ice storm came in. It's more inconvenient than anything else, but it got me out of a week's driving, so I'm good with it. We'll be back to normal temps by tomorrow afternoon. Meanwhile, I'm thoroughly enjoying the down time, sitting in front of the fireplace with a cuppa tea, listening to music, and crocheting an afghan.

Czarny went outside, touched the frozen plants next to the porch, and hurried back inside, where he crawled under the bedcovers. Smart cat.

[Stephany]

Oh, And Wanderlost, I absolutely agree that a house without a cat is sad!

Stephany

[Stephany]

Magnusfide,

The prospect of a new kitty love is so exciting, even on the tail of the loss of a loved one. I have never viewed it as replacing my lost pet. Instead, I see it as an opening for another 4-legged who needs a home.

I wish you luck at finding just the right fit. And I hope your spousal unit gets well soon!

Stephany

[magnusfide]

We haven't been to the shelter yet. Herself has a nasty cold and it's important that she be there.

Spot 2.0 went home and was equally chill leaving as he was coming in. I think it's going to be difficult finding one as chill as he is but we'll see. Fingers crossed we can find a laid back love bug.

[Wanderlost]

Almost every time we've gone to adopt, we chose adult cats (well, the cats chose us). I prefer watching an adult cat explore its new home and becoming comfortable around us; they seem so much more grateful and affectionate.

Adopting Czarny and Rudy as bonded kittens (four months old) was new, and while it was okay, I still prefer adult cats. Czarny grew up to be an exceptionally possessive cat. I have to wonder if he'd be this way had he grown to adulthood at the shelter, where he had to share space and human attention. I do love him, but I also wonder...

He's on his tree by my chair, moaning because I won't let him outside. He's already been out, didn't like being rained on, and came back inside. I don't feel like playing kitty on the wrong side of the door today...

Time to clean his water fountain. Later, y'all.