a last few reminders for myself

print out sightseeing notes
change email lists to "web-read"
make that list of addresses
finish EiA charts in CB
laundry, ironing
pack
check fridge for stuff liable to go bad
set autoresponder on work email and phone
clean up the storage on my TiVo so that it saves what I want saved and doesn't blank out stuff
go over cat routines with C and/or M
get extra cat litter and more crunchy
give C check for mortgage payment
dispose of recycling
pick up travel-size stuff at drug store

hmmmm... else?

an appeal from redactrice

I am currently fostering a young (2- to 3-year-old) female cat and her three kittens for a local rescue organization, the Feline Foundation. If you or anyone you know is looking for feline companionship, I hope you'll consider these cats (see the attached photos). All of them are cute and sweet-tempered; in good health; well litter-box trained; and quite used to people. The kittens, who are about 11 weeks old, are very playful as well.

Mom is a gray and white medium-haired cat. One of the kittens is a black, short-haired male who, judging from his shape, will be long and lanky when he grows up. The other two kittens are gray, short-haired "twins," one male and one female. Although all of the kittens appear to be solid colors, they have tabby stripes just visible under the gray or black.

The kittens are available for adoption right away. Their mom will be available in a few weeks once she has been spayed. We would prefer to adopt out any two of the kittens together to one home, and the other kitten either with its mother or to a home that already has a young cat. (Kittens' energy level is very different from that of adult cats, so they do best with another companion of a similar age to play with and chase. Otherwise, they will be terribly bored or will drive your adult cats to distraction. I learned this the hard way a few years ago.)

If you are interested in these kitties, please contact the Feline Foundation (www.ffgw.org) to fill out an application form. Once your form has been accepted by the foundation, I'd be happy to schedule a time for you to visit the cats in person and get to know them. I'd also be glad to answer any questions.

I have met the cats in question, and they are real charmers. If I didn't already have three cats, I'd be adopting some of all of them myself.

even spring showers may brighten a bit

I've been feeling a bit down today about different things, but sure enough, Mr Game Slut can always be cheered up by notice from his pusher game company that they've charged another game to his credit card.

Wellington, I am reliably informed, is in the final stages of production and will be joining Men of Iron and Under the Lily Banners in heading my way soon.

I'm tempted to get Empire of teh Sun too, but Mike is still off in Japan (and I haven't heard from him in months, either--time I emailed him), so *who* would I play it with?