That nasty business on Abelard's shoulder is completely finished. You can no
longer even find the spot where it was inflamed. We are both so grateful for
the healing purrs from RPCA.

In other news, I found and hppe to buy a small house (still quite a bit
larger than where I am now) that's for sale in the town nearest to me. I
decided not to wait and rely on that low-interest USDA Rural Development
loan I mentioned several months back, if I can get a loan through a local
bank. It is just simpler and quicker this way, and there's so much less
paperwork involved and the choices are better without all the restrictions
like central heat being required, etc. I dislike central heat, anyway.

I'll be meeting with the loan officer this coming Monday, and if I am
approved for the amount I need, and the house is acceptable to the lender at
the price I offered, I will need to come up with around $4500 by around
Christmas time. That will be quite a challenge, but I'm committed to doing
it, even if it means selling my car and taking a cash advance on my one and
only credit card, then applying for another to which I can transfer the
balance and pay 0% interest on it for a year through one of those type of
offers that constantly come in the mail.

I think the house will pass muster with the bank, but somewhat concerned
about raising the downpayment in time. And I'll need still more cash to make
the place kitty-safe, being that it's on a residential street in town (where
there is traffic) and purchase appliances (stove, refrigerator,
washer/dryer) which I do not own.

I've decided that if I get the house, I will enclose the whole backyard with
a tall cedar fence with an electric wire at the top to prevent climb-overs
and stone at the bottom to prevent dig-unders. Any cat that tries to climb
over will have to be in contact with a one-foot-wide continuous row of
grounded chickenwire fastened to the cedar just below the hot wire, when
trying to go "over the top". I think the shock will discourage further
attempts. And the fence will give me a modicum of privacy as well, and
enable me to continue my usual practice of gardening in my birthday suit.

The best things about this place are:

(1)  I'll no longer have to drive anywhere to go shopping for food;
(2)  It has a partial basement to hide out in during severe storms;
(3)  there are three bedrooms: one for sleeping, one for an office, one for
storage;
(4)  there's a garage, and an attic which is well insulated;
(5)  It has large shade trees;
(6)  BROADBAND IS AVAILABLE!!!

If I do get it, I won't be moving until April. There are renters in it now,
and they're good ones. They'd like to stay through the winter, and I'd like
a few more months to save up for the fencing lumber and appliances.

Wish me luck? Money purrs are hereby entreated....

Thanks!!