Tommy is home.

He seems comfortable. But there is no miracle cure.

He is a little better than when I took him in, but he still has troubles jumping up on my lap. He misses sometimes. 

He was on my lap and purring for much of the afternoon. 

How do I say this gently?

I just got off the phone with the vet. Tom is in renal failure. They are going to keep him over the weekend and hydrate him. Dr. Foss said he should feel better.

Okay, let me back up to a point of reference that all may understand. I knew Tom had lost some weight, but he was beginning to have problems with co-ordination. I knew something was amiss. The obvious losses of skills came on quickly, in the last three days. This morning I knew I had to do something. I got the first vet appointment I could, at 4 this afternoon.

Mike, or Dr. Foss as I usually call him, said Tom may have a week, maybe a month, maybe six months. Mike is a friend from the horse show days, but I believe he, like all people who went for the doctorate, deserve additional respect. Would you agree with me, Dr. Wells?

With that all said, I am in total shock. I sit here at my desk, alternating between typing and crying. I miss Tom sitting on my lap. This is Tommy-time!!! Not that long ago, there were six creatures roaming these halls. Tonight it is just Max and I… and he is sleeping. (Wow, what a surprise!!!) My cats mean the world to me. They are all I have left.

This really fucks up my Christmas plans. But I made a commitment to Tom to be the best catdad I can be. And if he only has a week… or a few… I want, or I need to spend them with him. 

More house pictures

My beautiful new backdoor!!!

The stairwell is about half sheet-rocked!

It is exciting... as soon as I get home from Utah, I will have to make choices... light fixtures, wall colors, etc...

Just some odds and ends I have cleared out, but.....

They will live on.

My vet sent me this when I had to have Bart put to sleep, so many years ago. I know why I saved it, but it needs to be recycled.

And a tribute to Wayno.... he believed in tomorrow!

Just a brutal reminder from one of my many hospital visits!

And, come on... just give us the cash!

A beautiful Saturday morning!

29° and 18 inches of freshly fallen snow!

Let’s see, according to the forecast, I should have between 17 and 20 inches of snow. I guess they are doing a fairly good job!

My plowboy hasn't responded to my texts yet, and just shoveling the porch and steps wore me out, but I love the snow. It is so picturesque!

Tom is perfectly content to stay inside!

20 years ago today

Wayne Edward Peterson left the world we know.

I still miss you, Wayno. I guess I always will.

The Blizzard of ‘16 has begun!

I would like to point out that it is two hours late in starting. The Blizzard of '16 is a bit of a prima donna… all the build-up, the tardy appearance and a bit of a blow hard!

But I have a warm house and two cats to curl up with.

Life is good!

The weather forecast:

This morning, I woke up to the following 10-day weather forecast for the Upper Hood River Valley.

Okay, the prognosticated temps are a little on the chilly side, but nothing out of the ordinary. It is December, after all. But what caught my attention was the projected precipitation: between 36” and 54” of snow!

Holy Toledo!!! I could be in for a winter wonderland!

First snow of the season!

So far, only about an inch, but it is suppose to snow all afternoon!

Yee haw!

And I have heat and I know how to use it!

It ain't over folks!

It is World AIDS Day.

An estimated 36.7 million people are living with AIDS. 40% don't know their status.

We must not stop caring and supporting: even when a new, trendier disease comes along!

And remember the 35 million people who have died because of this scourge.