Get Your Tartan to the Library!

National Tartan Day, April 6, is a celebration of Scottish heritage and the cultural contributions of Scottish and Scottish-diaspora figures of history.

The name refers to tartan, a patterned woollen cloth associated with Scotland.

The event originated in Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1987.

In addition, April 6 starts National Library Week!

EDIT:

Nope, I had this info all wrong, my bad!

National Library Week USUALLY starts on the 2nd full week in April, but in 2026, which I just discovered, is April 19-25!

Henry Update:

He eating, just somewhat less than he normally consumes.

His right eye is still a bit closed; another three full days of drops every eight hours.

I lay on the bed with him as often as I can, and he's begun to climb on me!

❤️

Let's Hop!

Hopeful

For Sunday Selfies,  it's Henry again!

He was much too excited, and put his snoot right up in the lens, but darn, he's cute!

I artified it and made a jigsaw puzzle; click on the image above.

Let's Hop!

Don't Stray

April 4 is a day dedicated to increasing awareness of stray animals (pets who have been abandoned or lost, as opposed to domestic species born in the wild who are referred to as “feral” or "community" animals), and their neglect, abuse, malnourishment and suffering.

Get your pawed family member microchipped, and keep the online information up to date.

For Caturday, I artified Henry with Prisma, filter Surf.

Click on the image above to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Henry Update:

He's eating, both canned cat food and churus.

We've successfully pilled (appetite enhancer), squirted (Gabapentin, to mellow him), and eye dropped (conjunctivitis eradicator).

The cone is removed, yet 'My Little Antenna Dish' will remain as a nickname.

Henry looks like he's hungover after a night on the town.

He eating, and he allows handling too.

❤️ Henry! ❤️

Let's Hop!

#GoodAllDay

April 3rd is GoodAllDay, a global movement to honor Jane Goodall’s legacy. 

Jane spent her life proving that every individual makes a difference, and that small acts—especially when multiplied—can change the world.

Learn more at The Jane Goodall Institute here.

~~~

It's Formerly Feral Friday.

We chose to no longer wait to see our regular vet at the scheduled Friday morning, and on Thursday evening went to Advanced Animal Emergency.

I'd been able to scoop up Henry and stuff him into his carrier in a minute (!)

Other than being skittish, Henry allowed being weighed, his heart listened to, and his gums were pink.

Then he was whisked away for a blood draw.

The veterinarian reported:

1. Suspected upper respiratory infection, per blood work

2. Conjunctivitis in right eye

3. Some dental disease

He received a Covenia antibiotic shot, good for 14 days.

Tobramycin opthalmic solution drops in right eye every 8 hours for a week.

Gabapentin anti-anxiety liquid by mouth every 8-12 hours for 10 days.

1/2 of a Cyproheptaine appetite stimulant pill by mouth every 12 hours for 3 days.   

He's wearing a cone, which makes it easier to administer medications for me, but he's not a fan.

Will settle my nerves before I move from blogger mode into my nursing role.

Was also given instructions on syringe-feeding Henry, should we get to that point.

His weight remains just under 10 lbs/4.5 kg.

My first emergency vet visit, and while it took a few hours, the staff was wonderful to Henry and me.

~~~

Pleased

 So many items to be thankful for!

-Our 2025 income taxes are done, with refunds incoming.

-The Cat Car's tail lights/rear lights are in working order now.

-Have completed 103 books and audiobooks so far this year, yet zero household chores done; I'm retired, taking my time with getting busy! 😹

-Attended a yoga class recently, and really enjoyed myself despite not being able to complete all of the moves.

-Managed to wear my inflatable T-Rex costume for the first time in years: what a hoot! My sign read: "Freedom, Honesty, Decency" at the March 28 No Kings Rally.  Received a lot of laughter and car horn beeps from passersby, which was my aim.

Photo from 2021.

-So very, very thankful for all of you and your loving comments for Henry, and encouragement for us has meant a great deal.

His litter box habits remain good; food intake levels remain lower than we'd like.

He sleeps with me at night, and will admit to getting less sleep than normal, as I snuggle with him as much as possible.

Both eyes are weepy, but only the right one seems to want to close.

Will report on what the veterinarian says, after Friday morning's appointment.

Thank you!

Let's Hop!

Who's The Clown?

April 1 is April Fool's Day!

True dat!

Full Moon!

Henry Update:

Vet appointment scheduled for Friday AM.

Henry's eyes are weeping, and he's sorta chewing on the side of his mouth.

Bad tooth, or sinus issue?  Let's let the professional take a look, as he's really not eating anywhere near his normal amount, even though his litter box habits are still strong.

 

~~~

Let's Hop!

Instinctually

It's Twozday!

Manny and CB were again up on the refrigerator, just minding their own business...

...when something out the window caught their attention:

An Eastern Gray Squirrel in the yard!

Henry Update:

Henry is either addicted to the churu treats, or he's just being very particular about what he'll eat out of a bowl.

Monday afternoon, I noticed that his eyes are tearing like crazy, so that is a new symptom indicating maybe a bad tooth (he'd had dental in October 2025, lost 2 teeth), or a sinus issue.

If he's having trouble with his nose, then he's not getting the food smells, no matter how stinky!

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, and a call to the veterinarian is first thing to do this morning.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Let's Hop!

HB Vincent!

Today is the birthday of Post Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh: 3/30/1853-7/29/1890

 A few sillies that were found on social media:

To be serious, I recommend:

"Van Gogh's Ear: The True Story" by Bernadette Murphy, published in 2016.

An easy read, full of interesting details about what happened on the night of 12/23/1888.

There is also a Public Broadcasting System episode from the Secrets of the Dead series that follows Bernadette's research, and how she and her team uncovered the missing piece of evidence that had solved the mystery of Van Gogh's ear: the actual notebook of the doctor who treated Vincent, with a drawing of the injury.

Just a little cut on the earlobe, or something much more?

If you don't want to read the book or watch the show, send me a comment and I'll tell you what the author found.

~~~

Henry Update:

The panic...yes, I was panicky!...has lessened, since he's being friendly and allowing pets, he sleeps in the bed at night, and so far is making the correct deposits in the litter box.

Saturday evening, he excitedly started on a churu, but backed away from it after about 1/3 of it was gone.

He allowed combing and snuggles afterward.

Sunday afternoon, he snacked from his food bowl, eating about a tablespoonful of wet food.

Thanks for the wishes that he's better; it's making a difference.

❤️

Save a Paw!

 March 29 is Declaw Awareness Day

Don't do it!

A topic that I fiercely believe in; leave those paws alone.

Organizations that are working tirelessly to educate the public and veterinarians about the pain and danger that this procedure does to cats, and others who support making it illegal:

City the Kitty

Alley Cat Allies

The Paw Project

Declawing is a surgical procedure, sometimes inaccurately termed “onychectomy,” which means “removal of the nail.” In reality, more than just the nail is removed. The animal’s toes are amputated at the last joint, which is the only way to remove the nail (claw) that grows from deep within the toe bone. Most people do not realize that bone—not only the nail—is removed.  The cat ends up walking on stumps, can have difficulty digging in cat litter, and the pain will cause behavioral issues.

Most countries never adopted this practice, and those who still allow the surgery are changing their minds.

Why won't a cat lover like Taylor Swift speak up?

More veterinary offices are removing the procedure from their services voluntarily, but this needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Henry Update:

He's not eating, and backs away from food bowls.

He's been hiding underneath a table in the spare bedroom, because he knows I cannot get to him there.

Saturday morning, I managed to corner him long enough to smear some food on his face.

Oh, you should have seen the look he gave me, but at least he had to lick it off!

However, at night, he jumps onto the bed and allows pets and belly rubs.

The Hubby and I are making plans, and I've already volunteered to be the one who gets bitten, as that's what happened when we cornered Henry last October for his dental.

Thanks for the caring words, and I'll keep y'all updated.

More Like Paying Homage

Today is Respect Your Cat Day!

For Caturday, here's Henry before the Great Escape of yesterday, when he was happily napping with me.

He may believe that we'd disrespected him.

I understand that; being shoved into a carrier to be poked and prodded by strangers is NOT at all how royalty prefers to be treated.

Will only apologize for making you scared, Henry; if you aren't well, we need an expert to find out how to help you.

I used Prisma, Corn Filter.

Click on the image above to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Let's Hop!

Uneasy in Easyville

It's Formerly Feral Friday, and Henryville has been a snoozefest.

Henry spends a tiny bit of time playing with toys, then he climbs on the bed to enjoy his dreams in softness and warmth.

However, this human has been concerned as Henry stopped eating his meals, preferring to only lick churu sticks, like those pictured below.

There have been no changes to his food, same bowls as always, and no differences noticed in his litter box depositing.

This began on Tuesday, so by the time this post appears, he's either over whatever it was, or I've scheduled a vet appointment.

Oh, H Man, please eat your dinner!

~UPDATE~

Called the vet's office Thursday afternoon, and was told that if I could bring him in right away, they'd have time to see him.

Whelp...Henry removed 'formerly' from his FERAL!

He hissed, he jumped, he pooped, he growled, and he ran like the wind, and hid like a ninja!

Gotta admire his stamina.

The pic above is Henry perched on the railing overlooking the stairs below, and that's when I called a halt to persuading him into the carrier.

He did NOT go to the vet.

We'll be keeping an eye on him, and hope he'll return to his usual eating manner, and doesn't try to kill me in my sleep in retribution.

❤️