Well, Sprocket went to the vet today.  She pronounced that he is four
weeks old, one pound in weight, no sign of fleas (so what's been biting
me?), no ear mites, has a little conjunctivitis, probably does have
worms, and is one of the cutest little critters she's seen in a while.  
Everyone in the vet office, staff and clients alike, were going gaga
over him.

He got a distemper shot but needs to grow up more before other stuff.  
We're going back in four weeks and in the interim he has eye medicine
and wormer.  He got his first wormer tonight, and the next will be in
two weeks.  The eye goop is twice daily.  My elderly mother who traveled
down to my house to sit my cats while I'm away this weekend says "oh,
goodie."

I moved his cage (big one -- 4x4x3 feet with two adjustable benches)
down from the guestroom (which is where my mother is sleeping) to the
livingroom.  (BTW, he's gotten really good at climbing up the sides of
the cage!)  This makes it better for my mother and for Sprocket, because
she's now in a single rather than a double and he's now in a trafficked
area, so he can observe the life of the household and get attention much
easier.  My three cats are now fully aware of his presence and are each
approaching him in their own way.  Sebbie, former feral himself and low
man on the totem pole, approached somewhat cautiously but with no overt
hostility.  Benjamin kind of slunk up and has taken a position at some
distance to observe.  Caley finally twigged to his presence and stalked
in slowly, beginning her hisses at about four feet.  Sprocket came
forward to meet her, but stepped back a bit each time she hissed.  But
there was no growling, just hissing.  Not bad for the first evening.

Tomorrow I train my 80 year old mother in my routines with him -- she
has requested written instructions, which I will provide.  Don't worry
-- she's got a lot on the ball and will have my cell phone number.  I
also will only be about an hour away on public transportation.  She
thinks he's cuter than mouse turds, too.  I don't think anyone has
looked at him and not fallen a bit in love.  He has so got that kitten
thing going for him.  ;-)  I've started taking pictures, but I won't
have images to upload anywhere for about a week.  I know, but sorry!

Priscilla