Bob and I moved to Tallahassee in 1981, with our cats Algernon and Ptarmigan. I can't remember who we asked to recommend a vet, but we were pointed to Dr. John Sanders. He was a warm friendly man, a farm boy at heart, who loved animals, and liked getting to know their owners. Over the next 40+ years, he greeted many a new kitten, saw us through numerous health crises, and, when the time came, gently ushered them out of this world.
I teased him when he went on part-time retirement a few years ago - how dare he? Never mind that when we first met I didn't have a job, and I had since put in my 30 years and retired completely myself.
40 years is a long time to have a trusting, caring relationship with someone. John passed away earlier this month, and it's hitting me hard. He was one of the good ones.
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Giblet the Guest Cat growled and hissed at me for the first three days, but by his last couple of days would cautiously come sniff me, and even bat at a toy-on-a-string. The family finished their cruise and came to get him; it was quite sweet to watch him race over to Dane and climb into his arms. Dane told me that his ex-wife was mean to him - would hit him, or throw him across the room. No wonder the poor thing was terrified of me.
I'm just doing that thing of muddling through Life As Normal while knowing that it's the Christmas holiday. Working extra shifts at the museum. I made orange marmalade. Making dye samples for a knitting project. The fruitcakes got made and sent to Mike and Margo. I kept the tradition of watching The Hogfather on the solstice, (and leaving bread, milk, and whiskey out for the fae), eating meat pies (well, a sausage roll, but close enough) and drinking sherry, but it just seemed so terribly lonely. Someone pointed out some mistletoe at the museum, and I had a flashback to being in Gainesville for some of Bob's tests and staying in the Hope House for a couple of days. There was a huge clump of mistletoe over the front sidewalk, and we always took advantage of it.
I miss being kissed under the mistletoe. It's been almost six years since I've been kissed, or held, or snuggled. My new normal sucks.
Other happenings. Just as I was getting over my chronic cough/heartburn . . . I caught another cold. I'm trying to head those symptoms off at the pass this time. And it came with my usual good timing. There was a one-day class on book repair, which would also involve binding a small book. I was looking forward to it. Of course, it was on the day that I was at my coughing/dripping/sneezing worst, so I had to skip it.
It gave me the excuse to make another batch of honey lemon drops. RECIPE FOR 2026 SELF: Mix 1/2 cup each of honey and sugar in a small saucepan, with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Bring to a boil, and put a lid on for 4 minutes. Take the lid off, clip on a thermometer, and boil to 300 degrees. Drop by half-teaspoons onto a silpat. Dust with powdered sugar when cool. These things are really delicious and soothing to the throat.
RedBug seems to enjoy his time outside. He can get on and off of the tables with no problem, so I don't have to supervise. I block the other cats out because he's nervous around Noko and Hamish. We may simply have another "new normal" now. The bedroom is his; I keep the door closed during the day. I don't want to keep him completely isolated, and I like having Noko and River sleep with me, so it's open at night. I hope eventually he rejoins the household, but for now he's happier under the bed - and I put him outside for a few hours each day.
And a small, silly, but useful things for 2026 self to remember. After 73 years, I have finally learned out how use a blanket on the couch. It's always nice to snuggle under a blanket, but hard to keep covered up while still having the hands free to knit or drink cocoa (unless one goes for the sleeved Slanket). But the Wisdom of the Web said that the technique is to put the blanket on the couch, longways from the floor and over the back, and sit on it. Then the bottom can be wrapped around the legs, and the top corners brought down over the shoulders and arms like a shawl. Sometimes it's the little things that count.
So the year winds down. Christmas is in two days, and after that I'll start my end-of-the-year summary, and prepare to face 2026.
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