Hi, Dew!  - - sorry I haven't responded sooner- - I have just had time to
check posts!  my niece has ITP (Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura, an illness
where her immune system is destroying her platelets, so that if she cuts
herself, or falls and hits her head, there is no "blood clumpability"
factor). When her mom took her into emergency and blood tests were done, the
doctor there told her that if she had managed to fall and hit her head, she
would have died because she had almost no platelets. Needless to say, with
her going in and out of hospital, tranfusions to bring up her platelet count
(then her body destroying them again), several different medications and one
that gets iv'd in when she gets the transfusion......but it looks like
finally things are stabilizing.  It was a long enough haul.

What a doofus kid - - (15 years old) - - she was more concerned about
missing school than her health!  When I was her age, I would have been more
concerned about my health!

I have been reading your posts, and had intended to send off a quick' I'm
fine, but will be busy for a bit',  but you beat me to it' :)  I had to
laugh at your note where you said 'the little buggers hissed at me."  *g*
they are sooo cute when they try to be tough at that age!  This past summer,
I was handed one of the barn kittens at my parents' farm.  They were quite
wild....not sure how my brother and sister-in-law caught them.  Maybe 4
weeks old?  The one I held spat and lashed out when my nephew tried to take
him back.  Unbelievably cute!  I am sure that is NOT the message he was
trying to convey!

I was waiting on posting to you also because I knew it was going to be a
longer post. :)

Has Pearl figured out the cat condo yet?  Once those children of hers start
playing in and around it, I am sure she will!  And I have no doubt that THEY
will!  Kitten Heaven!

I WISH I could really garden here already!  It's been snowing here yesterday
and today, again!  Grrrr.  I knew that would probably happen, but that
doesn't mean I am happy about it.  Our last frost date is May 31st.  It had
been so nice (mid-60's - Mid-70-s, perfect for me), and there were a lot of
my perennials greening.  My periwinkle (vinca) had many lilac-colored buds
on, and had actually started blooming.  I will be very unhappy if this
weather freezes any of the fresh new green stuff that was coming up - -
baby's breath, catmint, alpine poppies, snow-in-summer, erc., and also 4
dianthus that are annuals that pulled through the winter like an evergreen
perennial!  (I love gardening - - - can you tell? *g*)

Our current temperature with windchill is 18 F. Probably MUCH colder than
your temp!  :)

You could always change your "screen name" now.  In the beginning I thought
you were 'knucklehead' becuase you were indicating that you were not
familiar in the handling of felines *s*

Next on my agenda today is one of my favorite things (yuck) ---- grocery
shopping.  Let's see how long I can procrastinate *g*

Melody