New family members...

Once again, I come out of the lengthening shadows; this time, of late summer.  It's been a rough haul.  Without going into too much detail -- because sometimes people just don't know what to do with all that information -- I'll say the fibro has been quite active on and off all summer, my back is crap -- I threw it out again yesterday -- and the migraines just are.  I'm pretty much literally running on empty.  I have little left for friends or even family.  All my strength and energy are merely going to care for my ailing/achy body.  Well that, and the new member of our little furry family:

Oliver doing what he does best...other than crazy-playing.

His name is Oliver.  And I adore him.  Banshee (our first kitty) could take or leave him, to be sure.  But every once in a while, I catch her playing with him.  Chances are, she's actually plotting to kill him -- and us -- and take over the house, but I like to lie to myself and say they're playing.  She chases him around the house and he in turn makes her life a living-hell most of the time.

What big eyes you have...

We adopted him three and a half weeks ago at the local SPCA shelter.  We were warned when we were leaving -- gotta love their timing! -- that he was a bit feral when he came in.  He was brought in alone, and from spending nearly a month with him, I am fairly sure he was quite abruptly taken from his mom;  his nursing tendencies are strong.  The first few days were...special.  He'd hiss whenever I entered the bathroom we were quarantining him in -- so Banshee wouldn't eat him!  And would cower at every little thing.  I was a tad worried he wouldn't settle in, and he'd be afraid of us forever.  About two weeks in, though he really just settled down and truly became part of our little family.  I call him Olly, and Mr. Wiggles, because he generally never stops moving.  I'm very horrible at sticking to the official name I give my pets.  I have a cat that lives at my parents' house who's "real" name is Zeus.  I call him Bug.  I have no idea why.  Please don't ask;  contemplating this hurts my brain.

More than anything, he's a delight to have curled up in my lap all afternoon on the really awful days.  He's warm, and purrs very loudly, which I love.  And boy, oh boy, is he filled with a kitten's energy!!!  But then he'll crash (hard) for a few hours of cuddling, which is amazing.

So, even though life is tough -- when isn't it? -- there are huge silver linings to the fog-banks!  I'm keeping up as best I can with knitting.  I'm working on a few projects right now, plus one or two that aren't documented at the moment.  I'm making a pair on mittens for evening walks with Jon, and I know there's something else, but I can't remember what it is right now.  Plus, trying to finish up some WIP's.

This feels like it's been more of a journal entry than a blog-post, but I think I needed it.  And whatever, no one is forcing anyone to read this.  :P  I hope not, that would be cruel and unusual punishment; for both of us!  I'd love to hear from all of my readers -- whoever is left, at any rate.  What're you summers like?  Are you doing anything fun, or relaxing, or (hopefully not) stressful?  Drop in and we'll chat.  I hope that everyone is doing well, and enjoying the last few weeks of summer -- although here, summer-type weather can last into October.  It's when the fog finally goes away for a while, at least.  But shhhh don't tell the tourists that Monterey is the best in the early Fall.  We locals like it to ourselves at that time!  Heh.

Take care, my lovelies.  Hopefully I'll be back soon!

Happy Thursday!
~j.b.