###@!!

 I cleaned and readied the place for Mercy's return which did not go smoothly because I made the mistake of letting her out of the stroller the pet sitter put her in so she could go to the bathroom, not really understanding that the drugs she had in her system left her wired rather than sleepy. She walked out of her onesie and began licking and bathing herself frantically. When I attempted to intervene, I was hissed at and came dangerously close to being bitten. I got the soft collar the vet provided on her but that too was off in seconds. Finally sequestered in her stroller, she is now meowing softly. I will attempt to mix her pain medication in a bit of food at 9 PM. Until then, both of us need a little space and quiet. The vet will re-check Mercy in ten days barring the unforeseen. The vet is aware of the tumultuous homecoming and said, "It is what it is."  I hate that overused phrase.

Have a good evening.

With the vets

 After a marathon of cooking, cleaning and laundry, the abode is ticking along nicely and that gave Mercy and me an early morning and an eventual nap. She was so relaxed that she did not fight being placed in her soft carrier for the short ride to the cat hospital for her upcoming spay surgery. Our pet sitter arrived to a quiet cat and a neatly packed bag which included a post surgical onesie, a favorite blanket and a toy. This is the first time I have been alone for the night since Mercy was adopted and it feels strange. It amazes me how quickly animals and humans adapt to each other. I hope her recuperation goes smoothly and that she isn't terrified at being there.

Happy Monday!

Ducks

Mercy and I had visitors. A family of Muscovy ducks enjoyed some sun outside our door. I was alerted by her chittering, a noise cats often make when looking at birds. Muscovy ducks can be aggressive and are not native to this state although they can be found almost everywhere here.

Wishing you all a wonderful afternoon.
 

A Taxing 4 AM

 It is tax season and the only advantage to being awakened at 4 AM by a five-month-old is that after she eats I have lots of time to sort and package the necessary materials for the CPA and have them mailed off. I am happy to check this task off a long list and move on to something more pleasurable.

My low back, hip and knee are decidedly less painful for which I am grateful and the little girl grows more affectionate daily which is wonderful. 

It has been a long day...

How was yours?

Pains

 Like blogger Sandra, I find myself alternating ice packs and heating pad for a low back issue which is chronic and when it flares up, very painful. I hope you all had a good weekend and I wish everyone a great week. Blogging will resume when I feel better. 

Catching up

 Apologies for those of you who regularly read here. It has been a busy series of days with me being under the weather and Mercy climbing all over the lap top any time it is open so writing has been difficult. I had to compose one email six different times before I could send it due to kitten antics.

Mercy went off to the vet yesterday and not too happily. Between phone calls and chores, I struggled with an angry cat who would not get into her soft carrier for love or money and who almost caught me in the eye before sequestering herself inside a bathroom cabinet. Fortunately for us both, our pet sitter was able to get a drawer out and extract Mercy with no further drama and all went well for her at the appointment. Mercy is five pounds and very healthy and will be spayed at the end of the month, barring any surprises from her blood work. The vet and staff were complimentary of her sweet nature and cooperation and she did not mind the car ride there and back, either.

Having been awakened at 4 AM, I spent the day doing laundry and chores and by 4 PM was falling asleep in my chair. I had been warned that Mercy might want to nap after her injections and so she did, waking only to be fed and see that her human was still alive. We both slept long and well last night.

After a bit of research, I purchased three small UV light plug ins for my apartment and placed them in the bathroom, bedroom and front room. They are designed to use UV technology to kill germs and the smells which can accompany them. Hopefully, they actually work.

My next two projects include getting my tax stuff together and figuring out whether I want to attempt container gardening. I've read a few books for leisure, none of which are remarkable though they were not my usual fare.

Soup has been the order of the day from the kitchen as it is easily made and cooked.

Do any of you have anything planned for Spring?