On its way to a fix, I hope. I tried to sign the contract, had an electronic glitch with the process, got sick in early December, and my agent had a family loss, and somehow things didn’t happen. We are working on that now.
I just signed for an Audible version of REgenesis.
Also closed-circle is down temporarily for maintenance. I’ll tell you when it’s fixed.
@CJ — What about an Audible version of Alliance Rising, please? — Or backlist books like Merchanter’s Luck or Finity’s End. I note too, both Finity’s End and the full Cyteen are still not available as ebooks.
Several UK and other International readers were hoping for news on whether they’d get ebooks of any of your titles in their countries, and one fan had a question in the Foreigner Spoilers Page 2, for you, regarding the audiobooks.
Best Wishes to you and Jane. It will be wonderful to get more audiobooks and ebooks available.
Also, I hope little Finity kitty is doing very well and the boys are settling into a more amicable pride. — I keep wondering what could be going on in the Chanur / Compact region of space, what with pesky humans, hani in societal change, mahen, kif, and stsho up to who knows what interesting things, knnn and t’ca/chi up to even stranger shenanigans, and hmm, what else could be lurking out there beyond them all? I’d be curious about the mahendo’sat, not just the hani. But I do wonder how hani are getting along with this idea of males as crewmen and aboard ships, perhaps hani children and teens in space, how they’d cope with all of it. Mostly, I just miss seeing more of that series.
I am sure many of us would be happy seeing other new ideas as well as continuations in various story-universes.
Oh, that reminds me, Rider at the Gate and Cloud’s Rider, also not in ebook or audiobook forms, alas.
I seem to recall CJ-nandi saying there’s no electronic version of Cyteen, which would mean they’d have to use a print copy and OCR it, which inevitably adds errors that need to be fixed (I’ve seen some done this way with *formatting* errors along with typos).
Well, we have an army of available volunteers, here, I suspect. Certainly I’d volunteer. I don’t have OCR capability, but I can edit and cleanup an ePub with the best of them. If several eyes look at it, chances are we could produce a cleaner copy than most commercial ones. And then we’d all have a clean Cyteen ebook.
ETA: Hmmm. The Internet Archive has one that should be a good starting point.
I am still a very good proofreader and my typing speed is still pretty good, although my reading speed is slower.
@CJ and fans, I could do proofing on OCR’ed or hand-entered typescript. I could probably do data entry from books, but that would be slow. My proofing speed, though, should still be good; emphasis on thorough and accurate as opposed to fast. Given that I’m good with languages and familiar with CJ’s works, Cyteen included, I could help do this.
I don’t know the EPUB format, but it’s built on top of HTML and CSS, which I do know pretty well. I could proof source files and I could learn EPUB, which I need and want to do anyway.
Ugh. It’s an old wives’ tale that things happen in threes; I’m not sure if more or fewer things happened around Christmas for y’all. Any rate, hopefully life will get on a more even keel now.
Went to the doc today, and they ran five blood tests, chest x-ray and EKG. Turns out I’m anemic, which is why I haven’t shaken this stuff. So is Jane, we think—same symptom. I’m now on iron, C, and B12, and already feeling better. Jane’s doing the same
Thank heavens! Having both of you on the fritz at the same time is unthinkable.
Feel better, feel better, feel better!
But that begs the question WHY you were anemic? Diet? Or something systemic?
It’s like in my career as a computer systems analyst, administrator, programmer… It wasn’t enough to fix a “surface”problem. It might come back. So it had to be chased down to an original cause, which had to be addressed.
Paul, chiming in as a physician, anemia is a problem of supply and loss. Basically you are either not making enough blood or you are losing it somewhere. I am hopeful that CJ and Jane’s doc is monitoring the situation and sorting out the whys. Iron deficiency is pretty common as we become…more vintage.
CJ and Jane hope you are continuing to feel better!
I was at the chemo place yesterday, briefly, and several people were talking about it and how it just keeps coming back.
Here’s hoping you’re both feeling better soon.
Still damp and drizzly here and warm even by local standards; 70’s yesterday, up to 70 expected today, dipping a bit lower for a few days, then back to the 70’s. Now 70’s are not unheard of in Dec. and Jan. here, but long runs of that in our winters _are_ unusual.
After having seen Curry and the tabby-and-white girl (whom I’m calling Misty) for a few days, now I haven’t seen them for three days in a row. Hoping they are both fine.
For three days on and off during the day, there’s been someone around my door in the apartment square / patio area watching TV on a portable device. Anime, a couple of times. — I’ve presumed that’s a young kid with someone looking after them. I hadn’t yet gone out to see who it was or make friends or meet the family. — Now, thinking more about it, I’ve realized I’ve only assumed there is some adult around who’s aware of their child/grandchild outside in mild but damp weather. — That may push me to see what’s going on. I don’t want to spook a kid or adult, since that person has been around the place a few times, enough for me to hear and notice. But I also don’t want there to be a potential problem. — I see I’m reluctant. I don’t want to intrude. I guess I have become so used to being off by myself and not felt included, to such a degree that now I’m reluctant. So maybe this is a chance for some change. Lately, the kids have been running more wild, afternoons and evenings, yet their folks are somewhere around, if not always out there. I rarely hear adults out and around when it’s daylight; they must be at work. And I have a very hard time seeing at night anymore. My daytime sight is also affected now by glare and cloudinesss and lack of acuity, more than it used to be.
So…I am hoping that somehow I could still get to know people, families, the adults and teens and kids around here. Folks right around me are Latinos and blacks and I think I’m a minority here as a white guy, but not the only one, and folks get along, except for the domestic arguments I’ve mentioned.
I had sort of figured it wasn’t my business if a kid was hanging around watching TV outside, near enough for me to have noticed the past few days. Yet that’s unusual. So I don’t know if I’m being too reclusive or what’s up with me. I haven’t stuck my head out to see. – I know there are a handful of elementary or younger boys and girls right around here, plus some who are likely middle school or high school. I’m presuming that a kid hanging around during the day is younger than elementary age. I am presuming it’s a kid.
Why have I gone into such a reclusive mode that I wouldn’t just go out and look and say hi? I thought I was past that. I guess I got more unhappy at not having luck getting to know people before, that I didn’t realize I’ve turned inward. Dang. Well, something to work on, then.
The weekends coming. Maybe it’ll be nice and adults will be out and about so I can meet them.
Also, it has shaken me up some to realize I’m essentially middle-aged now. I’m just past the age my dad was when I was 18. I’m old enough to be a grandparent. It also shook me up to realize two things: One, I’m one of the two or three youngest of my first cousins, who are all now in their 50’s and 60’s. Wow. Two, The twins who were born to a family friend the year I graduated high school will be turning 36 this year, while I turn 54; yes, multiples of 18, which is why I’d noticed it. The last time I saw them in person, they were about 10. I haven’t seen their mom or them since my parents passed away. Their names are common enough that when I’ve tried to look them up, I get more hits than I could easily track down. So…getting older is weird. I am not used to this.
I’ve hit a couple of snags with one of the font editor programs and will try with the other. Will continue looking for paperwork that disappeared somewhere during the Great Reshuffle.
I wish I knew why or how I’d fallen so out of the loop, out of a support network of friends, but I still don’t have that back.
Wednesday, one of the erstwhile friends surprised me by coming by with a load from the apt. office. It had been well over a week since I’d called him. So he must have guilted himself into doing it at last. Good. He was busy in between errands, and on the phone when he came by, so he dropped off packages with me and we said hi, thanks, bye, and that was just about it. I do understand, in part because he was probably on his way to pick up his kid/kids from school. (Their mom is a teacher at another school.) But dang, that was the most interaction I’d had in a few days, and that is not good for me.
That, and the side of me that wants a relationship other than friends has been clamoring lately. But that part of me has always been, well, in some ways blocked and in some ways simply not given opportunities because being gay means it’s not open and accepted and I didn’t grow up knowing how to navigate that. So that is just there lately, unfulfilled, part of the overall need for connection with others, but the least fulfilled part of my life, ever, and the most troubled due to my own personality, my upbringing, and how our society (American, Western/European-based) treats the not-straight portion of the population.
I’m just danged frustrated. And of course, I’m a mess, which is probably clear from how I must come across in writing. Who I am in person is different, of course, and somehow, like with all of us, my in=person self and my in=writing self mostly overlap, yet I think I am more open in writing. (I think I’m pretty ordinary in person, but my eyesight now means that difference is more obvious.) Anyway, gotta work on it, I guess.
Take care, everyone. I’ve gotta cook something for the weekend, and I need to order groceries Monday. I’ve been holding off, I’m OK, but now out of enough that I will need to order before I’m out of too much.
Take care, everyone. — One could suggest a peach shirt or other item of clothing, in celebration that things might be moving towards, ah, some measure of less nuttiness in the arena of world affairs.
I always thought middle age started at around 35-40, maybe even at 30, and ran up to 65-70.
Twenties and maybe early thirties are young adults in my book, but once people settle down in their careers and families the middle part of life arrives.
Then when you get a pension, finish working, all the kids have left the nest and are settling into their own lives, another period of relative freedom starts and you get into the third part of life. Calling it old age is not popular, as that’s mostly associated with the ending years, but I wouldn’t know what else to call that third phase.
Not everyone’s life follows the same pattern, but if you’re looking at a sort of general epochs in modern human lives on a population level, those are the three eras of young – middle – old that seem obvious to me. But maybe I’m seeing things wrong.
Fully adult?
LOL, there are some adults running around who never reach emotional or mental adulthood, as witness recent global news. 😉 — While some kids are probably more mature than the adults around them. And then there are issues of physical or mental/emotional youthfulness or being slower to reach adulthood which, hmm, are good things to retain, or which people can’t help but have.
But yeah, maybe fully adult is a good description there, with the caveat that some people wouldn’t know how to act maturely if you showed them. Heh.
I remember my grandmother in her 70’s getting indignant at being termed a senior citizen. She wasn’t ready to be old yet. 😀 But in her, that was a healthy thing, mostly.
As opposed to the “fluffy adult” associates well known in this blog? (G, D, & R)
I think you’ve maybe hit upon something without meaning to, but maybe it’ll help my outlook.
I think I keep comparing my path in life to most other people’s including my parents, when that’s just not such a valid comparison. Things have happened, or didn’t happen, at important branch points in my life that led to where I am now. I really can’t go back and redo those. None of us know how to do that if we could. But those branch points have been inherently different for me than for a lot of people, my parents notably included.
So maybe I need to learn to stop doing that and realize my life is and always has been and will be along a different path than most people’s, and somehow accept that and go on. If only I could figure out how to make that a strength.
I’ve been thinking some since posting above, and trying to figure out how to deal with the frustration and why I seem to still need to vent steam like this. If I had local friends, I’d talk to them and vent, I’m sure. I’m stewing too much in my own juices.
In one sense, I think I’m more OK than I know. In another, yeah, I feel I’m stuck and at risk. But it is so tough to step outside oneself and to be able to look objectively at one’s own life and see what’s needed…and more than that, how to break out of all the little things we get into that keep us from breaking out of those patterns and really changing, improving.
I keep thinking somehow a move would be a good thing. I wish I had my own home again. But I also think I somehow need one or more roommates, housemates, me and them moving in together. Only I have no one I know to do that with, and oh, trying that with people I don’t know at all seems like inviting disaster.
I am just restless, frustrated with myself and my situation, wanting some better path and future.
And — Folks here have mostly been good about putting up with my posts. Thanks for that, all of you, and to CJ and Jane for that very much so.
I have made it this far in life through some very rough times, but so much of it feels like bumbling around, sheer chance, and what I had envisioned as a young man, as a late teen starting adult life going off to college for the first time, just never did quite happen, and went along a path maybe near that, and yet in may ways not at all near it.
…… And then reality intrudes with little girls outside acting up, screeching for apparently no reason, to such an extent that two or three adults appeared and oh, broke that up fast.
Maybe that puts my nonsense in perspective.
No idea what was going on with those little girls. But wow….
So it is not as dull around here as I think, I guess. LOL. :-/ Wow…..
Have a good evening, everyone. I’m off to read or write or watch something.
(You know, I wonder why in English, we no longer usually call people “elders” when they have reached what ought to be a respectable, wise age. “Senior citizen?” OK. “Old person?” Meh. “Elder” doesn’t seem like a bad word to me. But then, I grew up with an old-fashioned sense of what that meant, as well as the church life sense, where ordinary congregation members might be church elders. (Both my parents, for instance.) So I grew up with a particular background, I guess. Anyway, we say senior citizen, and I am getting closer to that, heh.)
My brother has a new grandbaby as of last Saturday night. His fifth, second granddaughter, and his older daughter’s third kid. (All five are 10 and under.) I’d feel old, except I have two aunts and an uncle living, and one of the aunts is 96.
Congratulations on the new grandbaby nephew or niece!
Oh, many congratulations!
Cats. Humans. Whatcha gonna do with ’em? — Late last night, full dark outside so I would hardly be able to see, people were out in the parking lot and in the patio/pool square (OK, rectangle 😉 ) having a good time. Beer bottles, probably mild drinking, the pack of little kids and maybe older kids running around. (Teens? I don’t know, maybe they’re out on dates?) The little kids are going wild. Around here, I guess early bedtime for small children is not a thing. As I write this, I can hear kids running around in the apartments above me, so they are recharged and into their day again. Heh. Cars in and out periodically, occasional music, not a lot last night. Mostly mild goings-on, except for the crazy kids.
Inthe midst of all this, a cat comes around, mewing. This was either a kitten or a female, maybe the one I’ve been calling Misty. I was inside, and I assumed the cat must belong to someone out there, maybe one of the kids had let out their kitten or cat. Then one of the little girls, who is so vocal and headstrong and bratty and into everything, that by now I know this kid without ever having seen her, begins hollering about the cat, and how “her friend” is “scared of the cat” but she is not, and how her daddy will (do whatever it was the little girl thought her daddy would do, I’ve forgotten exactly, overnight) the gist being he wouldn’t let “that cat!” hurt her or “her friend.” (And it is possible one of her friends was with her. Heh. OK, amusing and if you’d heard this little girl, you’d know just what sort of personality we’re dealing with here. Haha. The child is a handful, no doubt. That her parents manage to corral her and keep their sanity, and occasionally have to chase her down or other controls to make sure she doesn’t go completely bonkers…LOL, I sympathize with the parents and the other kids. (The other kids are pretty wild too, they can outlast her.) — The little girl may (one hopes) eventually grow into a civilized young lady with a good head on her shoulders and knowing what she wants in life, as well as not willing to take any crap from anyone. Though one suspects her teen years may be, ah, wearing on the family unit, hahah. The mom and other adults are sometimes around in the evenings to ride herd on the kids, though often dong other things.
So the cat/kitten is still meowing, either looking for another cat or wanting a handout, food, but possibly not wanting to approach too close, with all the human goings-on.
After a bit, the adults decide to get the kids away from this and the little girl in question specifically was sent inside. (There was also crying from her and/or another small child or baby.) In the process of the adults getting the kids in, now I think I have the mom’s voice connected to the little girl, and now I think I know the girl’s name, as opposed to the other kids. Yes, they’re often plenty loud enough (and outside the stairs by my apt. or right near one or another nearby apartments, so that I can sometimes hear snippets of kid-logic conversations and names. This is both good and bad. Mostly, for me, it’s very distracting. And hey, I don’t always need/want to hear all that. Particularly when they get all wound up and running all over, misbehaving. Or being good and just having fun. But the squealing and screeching and other noises can be, for someone who has parental instincts but has never been a dad…whew.
This left the cat still out there wandering around, amid cars, adults, men and women laughing, singing, carousing, drinking some.
The cat wasn’t near enough, and with all that going on, I felt sure I didn’t have a chance to go out there and try to lure the cat to safety and food. But I got the impression either the cat was a complete stray, or else everyone was assuming that’s someone else’s cat, not to be concerned.
The cat was out there a good while. The humans didn’t wind down until after 11:30 or so and go in or get in cars and go. By then, I didn’t hear the cat anymore.
I went out a little later, thinking at last, maybe it had calmed down enough there might be a reasonable chance for me to locate the cat and feed him/her or bring him/her in if the cat’s a kitten or else Misty. Or to feed the cat and let him/her stay out, if that’s a cat I didn’t know, which is also very possible around here. — But no cat came around. By then, the cat must have given up and gone off somewhere to grub for food or hole up to sleep. I went out about 30 minutes later to look again. No cat.
This morning, twice, I’ve called, front and back, and no Misty or Curry and no new cat or little kitten. So I don’t know who the cat was, but because of everything going on, I missed the chance to help out.
Weather tonight is supposed to be cold, with temps tomorrow night going down below 40. So I’ll be on the lookout.
LOL, ah, it’s Saturday afternoon, the kids are out in force again, the girls at least. Boys are or will be around playing at some point. They play together or divide into “just us girls” and “just us boys” for play and talk, depending on what they’ve got going, I guess. Adults around only busy minding the kids or intent on errands going out or around their apartments.
I’m short on sleep but intend to check for cats this evening and then at night before bed. I’m concerned about the cat I heard, who was clearly wanting food or looking for another cat, or else me, if it was Misty.
But this also means I haven’t seen Curry in four or five days now, and haven’t seen Misty in about three days. Curry seems to be weekly, give or take a couple of days, so I am not too worried. And I am still going on the halfway assumption that Misty belongs to someone, but by now, I’ve seen enough to think she might be a stray after all, just one who used to have a home, or else is mostly an outside cat.
Huh, and now there’s quiet, the kids must have gone in for lunch.
If I actually met and knew anyone much by name, it would help. I don’t hear the one vocal neighbor much anymore, though she is still around. If the adults would be around long enough for me to know they’re there, and in daylight so I could have a fighting chance to see faces, get to know them, that would be good. Having to overcome my own reticence too, lately.
I have most of the basic characters in for a font draft with the new font editor, but it’s proving hard to learn and use for a few things. I need to give the other font editor some learning time too now, to see if I can get used to it and if it’s still usable for me. So that is going too slowly, but it’s moving. I am less than half to a quarter as productive than I was with Fontographer, because of the new interfaces, now that Fontographer is moribund, obsolete, and because my eyesight is getting in the way. (Dark Mode, dark page background and light foreground text or vector curves, are now much more easy for me to see than regular black on white for a typical printed page. It’s a side effect of the cataracts clouding my visual acuity.)
But still, a little progress.
One’s ability to absorb the B vitamins from one’s food declines with age, particularly B12, which figures in the metabolism of iron, whence the treatment for pernicious anemia is B12 supplements. The B vitamins are one of the reasons I was craving cottage cheese last summer. Apparently, it’s loaded with them (not to mention calcium. . .). One might research which foods are high in the B’s and increase those in one’s diet, food allergies and sensitivities permitting. My body’s way of telling me I need iron is to crave fried okra and Braunschweiger(!).
Now that I’ve thought about it, C.J., my mom had that same crud at about the same time you did, and it took her forever to shake it as well. Glad you’re both shut of it.
Just got back from spending the day at the Arisia Sci Fi convention in Boston… and I picked up a copy of Resurgence at it from our local Sci Fi & gaming bookstore, Pandemonium, which had a space in the Dealers Hall. I also saw a copy at at least one other bookseller’s table. I’ll settle down to read the book after the semester and my new course in Massachusetts History gets well under way/control… and once I also know that I have the Scottish social history talk & Colonial women & recipes panel discussion I’m giving/on under control for History Camp (1 day volunteer speakers history “convention” for history nerds) in Boston in March.
Is there a date for audio release yet? spouse with tremor looking forward to it.
What is the title for the next book? the one after Resurgence? any idea when it will be released since the schedule is off ?
Curry (cat) still has not shown up, now almost a week.
But Misty did show up (instant cat!) or was already waiting by the door (or right around there) and stayed in for about an hour before she asked to go back out. A very quiet mew, a little reedy/breathy, unless she’s calling, wanting something. I think it was she, the night before last, meowing for food, attention, or another cat, with all those people around.
When she wanted out, the silly cat rolled around on the concrete, therefore getting stuff all in her long fur again. Poor baby. But she was happy and letting me know it. Then someone walked by around the corner and — instant cat disappearance. She did a fast fade and didn’t come back once the person had passed. This says she’s wary, she thinks I’m kinda-sorta friendly enough, but she’s not really attached yet.
I am now leaning toward, she’s mostly or entirely an outdoor cat, and I don’t know if she has a family or not. She seems tame enough that she probably did have at one time, or she still does, but she’s out a lot or always. She did not explore my bedroom or too much of the apt. while inside. So I am not sure now what her real situation is. But if that was her the night before last, then she may be a stray.
So I’ll play it by ear and see how she does. — And I wish Curry would show up. I called again enough for him to have shown up if he was around and wanted to. Hope he’s OK.
You may end up with a minor squadron of outdoor cats, if you feed/pet/make nice with Misty and Curry sufficiently and it turns out they are opportunistic strays. That’s how we ended up with the 3 Stooges; they appeared to all be about the same age (siblings from 1 litter?) and showed up at about the same time. Young enough to be socialized, and our yard is relatively safe without dogs or stray children who might bother them.
When Misty showed up, I thought, “Uh-oh, this could be a trend. Am I going all crazy cat guy neighbor?” And while wondering if the cat I was hearing the other night was a new kitten or if it was Misty, haha, again, same. So far (knock on wood) I have not become the foster dad or lunch ticket of a passel of cats, but hmm, since this has gone from 0 to 2 in less than a year, things could happen. LOL.
I’ve been thinking over Misty’s behavior when she was first in last week, and today. She didn’t seem to want to explore the apartment yet, esp. my room. She’s quiet and shy about things, but she was very friendly the other day. I think she’s had some socialization and a home at some point. She may be lucky enough to still have a home, sort of, and yet be an outside cat. And er, yes, now she knows she can gt food and shelter and attention from the goofy human. 🙂 I think Goober was trying to make friends, but the two were giving each other a little space. Still, I’m taking what I saw as very positive. Neither Goober nor Misty wanted to hiss or growl or swipe at all, it was very good as these things go. Goober was doing a kind of chittering that he’ll do occasionally, if he’s unsure or if he’s showing a sense of humor. I was glad they did fine. Goober also did a little dashing around at one point, as if having Misty appear again and come in made him happy, put a little spring in his step. (He’s neutered, and I am not sure how inclined he is towards the ladies or the gentlemen, but heheh, it was funny to see that response. If it was sheer happiness to have a friendly cat around, that works too.)
LOL, if I had wound up with a kitten or a third cat the other night, hahaha, I’m not sure what I would’ve done. Although I would’ve been OK with that.)
— Curry has been around for over half a year, not quite 3/4 yet. — Smokey has been gone over 10 months now.
I’m wondering when I’ll see Curry next. There’s also always the chance that there will be a last time with not knowing what happened, with any strays. — I know there’s at least another small and skinny dark grey cat who I think is female, stray or outside often, but I haven’t seen her in months now. Who and where any others are, I’m not sure, but they must be around, since Curry was feuding with other cats so much before. Well, fighting or mating. Odd how it’s not exactly clear with cats which that is. :-/ Though given how some humans behave, I guess it’s not clear which they are doing either. Heh.
Nothing much else going on. Grocery order will happen this week.
Nieghbor kids were out briefly earlier, and were doing their best elephant herd stampede impression upstairs this morning. (I now think the upstairs apartments, likely including the one directly above me, have kids, though I don’t generally hear kid noises from right above.) Adults popped up just long enough to do a car trip and back, so I didn’t meet anyone.
I’m doing way better meeting the apartment cats than the humans. Heh.
Cats that have had homes are more likely to socialize and settle with you; cats that are outdoor-only or feral tend to be very much shy of people, though they’re happy to have food and water provided.
Whovian sci-fi interjection topic —
Imagine my surprise when YouTube recommended a video with the Russian words in Cyrillic, “Prekrasnoe Daleko,” translated in the title as “wonderful faraway.” [sic] When I ran this through Google Translate, it agrees almost, returning “beautiful far.”
I’ve never heard if Terry Nation et al. named the Daleks after anything on purpose. So, Daleko as “far away” is just too interesting not to share and let others wonder too.
Not bad for a mobile pepper pot with a plunger and a stick and a weird little eye.
CORRELATE!!!
(Correlation is not causation. 😉 )
Last night, it was supposed to get down to 37°F. But the kids were running wild, so there was no chance of Curry or Misty showing up. I called for them around bedtime and then during the night. I couldn’t sleep most of the night anyway.
This morning, I thought I’d heard Curry in between the grounds maintenace people working, so I called a couple of times front and back. No sign of Curry still, but Misty showed up, very quiet as I’m learning is usual for her. She came in, took shelter from the noise, and ate. Then she explored a little. — And oh my, twice, Goober did a little darting around on my bed, showboating, having fun. — Misty thought about getting on the dresser / desk with me, but declined, and tried the bed instead, with Goober there. Goober, bless his furry little heart, tried to invite her to play, after a little bit of uncertainty from both of them. She lay down a little while and stayed quiet and to herself, and declined to play. So Goober also went quiet. I peted them and things went well. She very nearly head-butted me, affectionate, greeting (and establishing scent).
Once the coast was clear outside, she wanted out, please, and had a parting roll around on the concreate and the grass. (So much for keeping the long hair clean, LOL)
So for about an hour, we had a nice little visit and Goober and Misty made a first real attempt to get to know each other, which went very well, very peaceable and amicable. This supports my opinion that she’s had a home before, or still does. I still don’t know, but I keep finding her outside and nearby, ready with increased friendly meetings to be friendlier, but she doesn’t want to _stay_ in. Which could mean she has a home, or isn’t ready to consider staying in with a human just yet.
I’m happy Goober enjoyed himself and had a little friendly contact for a change. I’m happy Misty is happy to be friendly.
AI still hope I might see Curry again, but now it’s been 8 or 9 days since I last saw him. I’m guessing it was he whom I heard this monring.
—–
I’ve been doing a font draft idea with Glyphs Mini, still getting used to it. I’ve found a few quirks I haven’t yet figured out how to get around, annoying, as well as some nice features. I need to try FontLab VI more, to get used to it too. So this is going at less than half to a quarter of the proficiency and speed I had with Fontographer. So I am frustrated, my eyes are badly strained, but I’m at least doing something toward my goals. If only I can discover which one is most usable still.
As yet, I haven’t bought the box spring, or a futon, and I haven’t bought the piano keyboard. I intend to do something toward those after the end of the month, after rent is paid and groceries are in. It’s looking like music might be a good outlet and a possible income source down the line, if I take advantage of the chance to learn while m sight holds out.
So, all in all, pretty good. Misty was a welcome highlight to the day for me and more so for Goober. It was so good to see him frisky and perhaps flirting, or at least trying to make friends, inviting play. Hah, even at 13+, he’s still got that spark. Good for him.
Thought twice I heard Curry this morning, but I called several times during the day and no Curry. It was raining hard at one point, drizzly to steady rain the rest of the day and into this evening. It’s chilly out unless you’re in it for an extended period, and then the rain and humidity get deep down. No sign of Misty today either. I checked where I’ve b been journaling Curry’s appearances, and today was the 9th day. I’m now telling myself not to worry too much, his pattern is 7 to 10 days or less. But if he doesn’t show up tomorrow, well, he may have decided that with Goober and Misty, it’s too crowded for him. Or something may have happened to him. I hope he’s OK and I’ll see him again. Despite everything, I still like him, I’m still attached to the little so-and-so.
I’m guessing they both stayed in their hiding spots and if/when it’s dry enough tomorrow, I may see one or both again. Goober is still in good spirits after seeing Misty the other day, and has been wanting extra attention from me.
A very quiet day. Not much and not fast progress on the font draft, but I’ve got to make myself try the other program more to give it a fair shake and determine if I can use it, and if I want to upgrade either one or still the cycle out until later, which is my intention.
Blessedly quiet, no kids running wild in or out. I think one may have gotten her little self in trouble the last day or so for being so out of control.
Continued 20% to 50% chance of rain and very mild for our winters, down into the low 40’s or upper 30’s one night over the weekend expected, otherwise more like fall weather; almost way too warm, even for here, though this is not unheard of, it’s a long stretch of too-warm weather for our winters. I’m not sure if that means our summer will be mild too, or if it’s going to be a scorcher.
I’m going to do some writing practice. (My writing attempts lately haven’t really been going anywhere, and not quality or original enough to suit me.) I’m expecting to wait for the weekend to watch videos. I may read some tonight. Kinda bummed out but more a lingering malaise than anything too sharp. So I need a little breather and time to relax and get centered, or some such.
Called and called. No Curry to be found this morning. Misty showed up after some calling and is eating dry after cleaning up the moist food I gave her and Goober. But it looks like she may want to go out after eating. I’ll likely call for Curry through the end of Saturday, but it’s now been 10 days, and he may be gone, either trapped or run off or killed. I keep hoping he’ll show up after all, but it hasn’t happened. Not raining currently, but drizzly and damp and cool today, not cold. The forecast is still calling for rain and chilly temps all through Monday or Tuesday. I’m putting in my grocery oder before end-of-month. :-/ Good to see Misty again. Her fur is nice and clean, thanks to the rain. Goober’s happy but not so sure today what to make of Misty. I’m not sure why the change for him. Doing OK here, just meh, same old thing, and wishing I knew Curry was safe and sound. Darn cat, I am still attached, and I shouldn’t be so attached, I guess. I think he may be gone, and I don’t want that to be so. But it is what it is. He has always wanted to be an outside cat. I guess he never got the chance to be a socialized cat with a sensee of home being a good thing. Poor Curry, I miss you anyway. — Going to see if Misty wants back out or wants to stay in.
Update: When I opened the door this afternoon late to get a box that had been delivered, something streaked in right away. I thought this might be Curry. I brought in the box and started looking for who/what was the new arrival. — It was Misty. “Mew?” She had come in as if she owned the place, and now wondered if it was OK. She scarfed down another can of food and bathed.
So I sat down on the floor, Indian-style, near her to say hello. After only a couple of minutes, Misty got in my lap, purring hugely, happy, getting attention and saying hello. She stayed and napped about 15 minutes or more. I think I have been adopted, maybe.
She’s still in. It’s been over an hour. She’s in my room, snoozing on a box, content and possibly avoiding the commotion of the rambunctious kids playing outside. I don’t know if she’s going to stay in overnight, but she shows no inclination to move.
Goober isn’t quite as sure today about her, but they have been near each other and she is not at all worried about him, and he has been near and around and all through the apartment, but coming back to see what’s going on. Now, he’s stopped to lie down and keep an eye on her, a few feet away, haha. So I think they are not officially friends yet, but they are definitely peaceful about it so far, and giving each other space, not unfriendly. So they may make friends tonight.
I’m playing it by ear. There’s been no calling of kitty, kitty, outside. After the last few days, I’m leaning toward, she might have someone, yet she’s outside nearly all the time, and now she’s decided I’m good people, and she may have outright adopted me just now. So I guess we’ll see how it goes tonight, if she stays in or wants back out.
She’s had no desire to head back out for over an hour, and I don’t see indication she’s nursing or pregnant. Pretty sure she’s female. I got enough of a glimpse to, er, not see what would be there for a male, but not enough to confirm what a female cat has. 😉 But that thought, could she be eating because she’s pregnant, did occur to me. With the petting this afternoon, I didn’t feel any evidence of either extra weight or of kittens, only her.
So she might get on the bed again like yesterday. Huh, playing it by ear.
Huh, and with that darting in, I could wonder if she has a little Chanur or Tahar in her. Heh.
I will wait and see before I decide I definitely have a new cat, with her. But if so, then she’ll need the usual new first vet appt. and when ready, spaying and…that tail needs treatment urgently, if it can be done. I expect if there is not nerve involvement, that it is a mass that could be removed and stitched, with the tail healing, I hope simply. But if she were mine, I would have to have that seen to. Blesss her heart, she’s beautiful otherwise, and friendly and quiet. If she and Goober make friends, this might be a good deal for all of us.
Still no sign of Curry. I fear he may be gone, but I am telling myself not to give up yet.
I am also hoping she will be fine about the litterbox, the one point I don’t know about. But since she hasn’t done anything on the bed, I see no reason to ban her from the bedrooms. So far, so good. — I will need to look back to see when she first showed up, but I think it’s only been abut two to three weeks ago.
One thing you could do, if you are concerned about Misty perhaps already having people, is put up a notice on your side of the complex about ‘found cat’. If no one comes forward and Misty seems content staying with you, you may have another cat. If someone does contact you, that’s an icebreaker on its own, and a chance at getting assistance collecting packages delivered to the office.
Goober’s reaction to Misty is interesting. It would be a first if he was the ‘Alpha’ cat, being relatively retiring.
LOL, that would be a first, but I’m not sure it will happen. — He let her eat before going to his bowl this afternoon. Yet he was also passive-aggressive about her being in his territory, and when she went out, he wasn’t sure about letting her in, either challenging or testing.
Misty stayed in until about 9:15pm. I couldn’t tell if she wanted out, so I opened the door. She went out but lingered, and came back to the door, yet wouldn’t come back on in on her own. Plus Goober got into chittering, sort of challenging her at the door. (He also smelled the scent of another cat, maybe Curry, around there, and I took him back inside.)
Misty stayed out and so I closed the door. So she’s off to wherever she’s been staying. I’ll call again before bed, and she may come in, or else I’ll more likely see her tomorrow morning or during the day.
I’ve been thinking whether to try putting up a flyer in.a couple of likely spots, but up until now, she’s been outside, so I hadn’t really considered it. If she does want to stay in, I do need to put out a flyer to see what’s going on. I don’t want to commandeer a cat who already has a family and home, if so. That would not go over well. So I’ll make up the flyer in case.
Chondrite, that’s a good idea. — It’s funny, today I’ve been in and out enough, I would’ve thought I’d see someone or they’d see me and talk, but nope, no one. I guess because it’s been rainy or damp and chilly, the kids haven’t been out much the past couple of days. Or maybe they acted up so much the parents finally reined them in.
Goober’s reaction the other day was so positive, but today he’s been more guarding of his territory and maybe a little jealous, not sure of her. — And yet not directly unfriendly. So I’m hoping they’ll sort themselves out. She seems pretty mild and Goober is definitely mild, but cats are cats, and he (haha) isn’t completely a shrinking violet. I’ve seen him be brave about some things, or that passive-aggressive thing. He also has a sense of fun and humor.
I was very surprised Misty decided to get in my lap and wanted attention and a nap. She seemed fine with being inside that long. So we’ll see how things go tomorrow. — Grocery delivery tomorrow too, hurray. (But ouch, I needed to replace so much, the bill was high.)
I will admit too, when it (finally) occurred to me, what if she has kittens?, my mind boggled a little. Heheh. It has been a very long time since I’ve had a female kitty, and that one was spayed. Before that, it was the semi-feral mama cat where I grew up, in my early to late teens. The other one was my grandmother’s adopted stray; though she’d had another before that, also female. — So the idea of taking in a cat who might be pregnant or have kittens did give me pause! Heh. From what I can tell, that’s not the case with Misty, at least not right now.
Tomorrow or Saturday, I’ll put together a flyer. It’s a good idea to post it anyway, to see if she’s a stray or has an owner. I’m now suspecting possibly not. It would be good to get in contact with the guy who was feeding the strays and get to know any neighbors who’d respond.
For that flyer: Apartment number, name, phone, and email? Oranem and apt. only? Orjust omit the email? — I’ve realized I’m OK with those being there, but also, I don’t want someone misusing them or giving me a bunch of spam.
I opened the door this morning. Cat right there, front and center on the doorstep, waiting to be let in and fed. Heh. OK, much like the 2nd visit yesterday afternoon. Somebody has decided she’s got a good thing here. I think I have been adopted after all. Whether she thinks being in full-time is a good thing, I don’t know yet. Looks like we’re still working out those signals.
But it looks like I may have a cat in when the groceries arrive. Heh.
No sign of Curry, but I’m going to call now that Misty and Goober are fed and happy with things.
Update: I went back outside to call, and I was entirely surprised to hear Curry, meowing, eager to get in. Well, wow! So…a can of food for him and a can for Misty and Goober again. All made pretty short work of it. Goober’s bound to be more full than usual. Curry was famished and had dust/dirt and grass scent and whatever else lightly coating his fur.
I closed my bedroom door, but Goober or Misty got it open. Hmm. I didn’t think they could open it from the outside; all three were out of the bedroom when I closed it.
All three are now napping. I gave Curry lots of attention. So very glad to see him after thinking he was lost or dead. He’s fine, thin, with a healing spot on one ear. He’s bathed a little and is cleaner. Misty is quietly happy.
So all is well and I have a busily snoozing apartment, haha. — And I need to look at my lease. Hmm, three cats or dogs could be in violation. But two are not confirmed permanent, so I have my halo adjusted, haha. My gosh, I am still so surprised and glad to see Curry, and Misty is quite pleased. Goober has sacked out on my bed, pleased his place is there, maybe a little relieved no one has challenged him.
Curry was glad for the attention after he ate. — Good thing I have extra canned food with the long lack of more than Goober around.
CJ, How are Finity and her pride doing?
Surely; don’t you have enough for a ship crew by now? 😀
CJ’s and Jane’s feline crew know how to stay aboard. Mine keep jumping ship, going on liberty in port!
I left the bedroom door open, since Goober (or Misty?) had gotten it open. I decided to see what would happen. Things went fine until around suppertime, when Curry came in without my knowing it and got on the bed. He must have scent-marked (sprayed) somewhere in the room; both bedrooms. I didn’t notice this at first. Curry quietly lay down on the bed, happy in his territory. Harrumph, says I, a bit later. Well, OK, he’s on the bed, only lying down. So I gave him a little attention. — Goober had got down and went elsewhere, giving up his own bed, what should rightfully be his territory, rather than object by voice or action to Curry, the very male, very alpha cat. Sigh. I petted Curry a little, and still somehow had not noticed the smell. (Or maybe he did this a bit later, when he got down for supper.)
I thought, rather than making it a territorial issue with me in on the argument — redirection. (Hey, there’s a Foreigner title: Redirector. Diverter.) — I fed the crew. Everyone’s happy but Goober, who I had to pick up and put at a bowl. Geez, kitty, don’t be that omega, please. Although a bit later, curiously, he and Misty were at the same bowl or he was nudging in. But this dynamic may not be more than fleeting or a one time thing, I don’t know.
Things went OK, Curry got back on the bed a while, and I decided, oh, what the heck, try it. … And somewhat after this, finally noticed the scent and sprayed vinegar around. (Whew.)
Everything was fine until I got up from the computer a bit ago. Curry went to the window and meowed. (Note: He’s hoarse and has a slight cough, probably from all the rain and cold lately, plus catting around, tryin’ ta be da boss o’ da block. Poor hormone-driven fellow.) — So I let him out. Misty went out too, but lingered. I offered to let her come back in. She went to the door but didn’t go back in. Hmm. I closed the door and came back a few minutes later, because she seemed so hesitant, and hey, it’s chilly outside although she has a nice thick longhair coat. She came back to the door again. So rather than play that game, I brought her back in, picked her up. — Purring cat. Huh, interesting. — She went back to the food bowl and climbed into an odd spot she’s chosen, not really the ideal place, but I guess she likes it.
Goober is now back on the bed where he likes it. Misty has not ventured back to the bedroom, nor has she tried the bed since her first foray a couple of days ago, that so pleased Goober. So he likes her but doesn’t want to rival Curry, and there’s no real friendship there between Goober and Curry or vice versa. There might be friendship later between Goober and Misty.
(But aha, successful use of the litterbox. Good kitty.)
So…if she wants to sleep on the bed tonight with Goober and me, I will be fine with that.
I feel sorry for Curry, who just had to go out, once he realized I got his signal about the window. (But this time, he went to the door and asked. Good kitty, better.) Poor guy still doesn’t get the idea that being in means he doesn’t have to fight all the time, he can have a home base that’s safe and sound and friendly. — So he was in a long while today after 10 days’ absence. This seems to be his pattern, so I guess from now on, I’ll just go with it. But after 10 days with bad weather, etc. in between, I’d feared the worst.
So..all’s well enough, and who knows if I’ll see Curry in the morning. He is hoarse. Whether he has a cold or ther respiratory, I’m not sure, but I think possibly so. — I was surprised; I thought he’d stay in all night and go out tomorrow morning.
Misty may or may not stay in all night, but she seems to have opted for, hey, good, back in where it’s warm and there’s food and water and attention and nice spots to sleep. Misty seems to know a good deal when she sees one.
If I could get Curry to stay In long enough and could get an appointment and ride set up reliably, I’d get Curry in to get fixed, darn it. That might take care of the problem behaviors and get back a pleasant, happy, less fussy feline. But I don’t expect that to happen anytime soon.
So, very interesting day today, haha.
— I want to know if CJ and Jane are feeling better, and if Finity and Tanner and Sei and Shu are doing well, settling into a pride / crew. — And oh, I had not expected to have two visiting felines, possibly recurring not-quite permanent residents.
I want to get pictures of Misty, and I have the flyer ready except for putting that in. But ugh, I don’t like doing that in a word processor instead of a publishing program. But that’s what we’re going to do.
Go almost nothing of any creative merit on the font drafts done today. I have decided both need revisions, almost complete rewrites, to get them to what I want. So I’ll slog through those. (I’m saving the current drafts, in case.)
Last night, Curry did more than scent-mark before he went out. So I changed the bed, very late at night, and was glad for the mattress protector I’d bought months ago when he first, ah, had problems with that.
So put this down to, dummy, you brought this on yourself, it’s your own dang fault for trying that again. So if and when Curry comes back, he is permanently banned from the bedroom now.
Misty stayed in all night and was happy. She went out after I fed her and Goober this morning, and she left quickly. However, I feel pretty sure she’ll be back. — This gives her a chance to check in on whoever else around here she knows, or her home/family. If there are kittens involved, which I doubt, then she might try bringing them, I don’t know. The prospect of a mama cat bringing her kittens to outside an apartment where the only shelter is under the stairways or in the little half-fenced privacy area / patio inside the square, which isn’t truly private shelter for keeping kittens safe, sure seems doubtful. But if a mama cat thought she was safer inside an apartment than outside, I could see her bringing her kittens in, trips one by one and calling to be let in.
Misty has not called, and isn’t very loud, although if she wanted to be, I’m sure she could. I feel sure I’ll see her soon.
Curry… I called him this morning after I’d fed Goober and Misty. No Curry again, despite he was hoarse. It’s warm enough during the day, though damp and chilly. But he would be better off inside and safe, warm and dry and fed. And I still care about the little so-and-so. Although I am not thrilled with him over the bed, well, it didn’t get to the mattress, the sheets and bedspread are in the wash, and it was my own soft-hearted error in judgment letting him in the bedroom. So…well, heck, he needs shelter and help when he’s in trouble, I am still attached to him, despite that I’m not happy about the bed and his behavior. He’s a tomcat, not neutered still. So stuff happens. Anyway, I don’t know if I’ll see him today or up to another 10 days or so, but darn it, I still like him, even with that. I am not sure why I haven’t just said enough is enough and let it go, but I somehow still want him around, even though he’s proven several times he doesn’t want to be a permanent cat here.
So it’s likely to be Goober and me, with Misty a possible addition, and Curry coming in when he wants to show up, until some day he doesn’t show up anymore, or until I move, if and when that happens.
The apartment seemed very full with three cats and me. With Goober and me, it’s back to seeming not full at all. Misty is welcome anytime.
Note she didn’t get on the bed with us last night. She stayed in the living room and kitchen area. But if she’s in more, I expect she’d like the bed. She likes getting in your lap and getting attention, so the bed would be a natural, and I think once she and Goober do make friends, they’d do fine.
Just Goober and me for today, until Misty shows up again, or if Curry shows up. I’m going to work on fonts and get down a story idea. I’d like it if I could get myself going on writing again. I’ve been trying to get proficient on font work, and feel I am not yet up to speed on the new editors.
I’d been up all night and slept all morning, so I missed seeing Misty during the day, although I called for them.
This evening, I opened the door and called, and got both Curry and Misty. I fed them and Goober. Curry and Misty both sought places to sleep, and I sat with them to give them some attention. Misty looked under the couch and lay down on the coutch with Curry and me for a bit, then went to another spot. She was diffident about Curry.
Curry got up to get some water, and he is still hoarse. There was a wobble in his breathing when he got down from the couch. Then he drank water and got on the counter. When I petted him, I also petted one of his back legs. He reacted badly, complained and grabbed for my hand, but I untangled from this. He wasn’t serious about holding on. I withdrew and told him I was sorry. He settled to lie down on the counter, and after a couple of minutes, I petted his head a little, both to test and to get across the idea, no hard feelings, I am still friendly. He was OK with this. So there is some level of trust there, but he’s wary with outside cat instincts.
So I am not sure if he has hurt one of his hind legs, and I will check if I can tonight. If he’s hurt his leg, I will have to get him in to see the vet. However, I know I can’t force him to stay in if he doesn’t want to. I’m hoping he’ll lay up tonight and I can see what’s going on. Or he’ll go out later tonight before bed, and then I’ll have to wait until I see him next. But he knows he can get food and shelter here, if he hangs around. So this is over a day since he was here last. If his leg or foot was already hurt then, I didn’t know it.
Misty is fine, and I expect she’ll stay in as long as Curry does. Since they were content to be next to each other on the couch, I am supposing they are friends or maybe related or boyfriend/girlfriend.
Goober is in my bedroom, sacked out on the bed, secure in his place.
Update: About 10:00pm, Curry wanted out. He left, “Meow-meow-meow-meow,” which may mean his leg or foot is sore and he’s saying the feline equivalent of “ow-ow, aie-aie.” And yet he wanted out instead of staying where he knows he’s got food, water, shelter, and safety. Nutty cat. I hope he’ll be OK. I did not get a look to see if he has a sore. If he had a fracture, I didn’t see it and didn’t get enough touch to check him earlier.
Misty also went out, but once again, almost as if perfunctory. I offered to let her back in a few minutes later, and she didn’t come in, so she’ll be out there tonight, unless I wake and find her during the night. But I suspect she may be there in the morning.
I think I’m running a cat bed and breakfast, only the cats aren’t paying. Hah.
I’m likely to post the flyer tomorrow and we’ll see what happens. I am now leaning toward, Misty may not have a home. If so, she needs a full checkup, worming, shots, possibly spaying, and oh, that poor tail needs help.
I had told myself I was going to buy the box spring, futon, and piano keyboard next month after payments go through. Now most of that may go toward vet care for one or both guest cats. Time will tell. My birthday is coming in just over a month.
No Misty this morning or evening. Curry showed up mid-evening, ate, and left. He sat a little while after eating. I petted him. But when he got in the center space of a cart by the kitchen counter, one of their sleeping spots, and I put my hand down to pet him, he mistook this and gave a warning meow, and I withdrew. This was identical to his warning last night, and near his face instead of his foot or leg. Only one meow as he went out the door, no sign of a problem. So I think he misunderstood my signals, he’s quicker to defend himself or be upset or angry, but he does have some restraint still, based on our history. — He just doesn’t get it, and he wanted to go back out instead of stay in.
I intend to put the flyer up tomorrow about Misty, but I don’t have a photo to go with it. I’m putting my apt. number but not a phone or email. I’ll leave the flyers up through the end of the week or until I find out something from neighbors.
* Finally ran into and met another one of the neighbors, but only got his first name, not enough real interation, just a bare basis to get to know each other. Still, that’s progress.
At least you’re not dealing with pandas: eats, shoots, and leaves.
::groans:: … giggles…