Stormy Weather

It was a winter wonderland out there, and so beautiful I was going to take a photo from bed -- of course, I didn't. The best laid plans...It was our second snow of the year. Now it's just COLD again.

Our studio cat, MC, rushed out the door to chase off the stray two Sundays ago and is still missing...In the cold, rain, and snow. Considering she's been an inside cat for 7 years, we are heart-broken. Plus, our neighbor reported two coyotes in his yard. Not cool. A friend (mentor of 'all things cat') suggested hanging an item of clothing outside to 'lure' her back via the scent.

Our next-door neighbor has hiking trails behind her house so I went tramping around trying to find cat tracks in the snow. They have a motion-detector camera near a deer-feeding station that I noticed when it 'clicked' -- if I had seen it earlier I would've given a big wave and smile!

After this MC incident, and Excy's hand bite, I am MORE than ready to find a home for this little stray. I talked to at least 10 people about the cat Sunday, but no takers. I know it's not the little guy's fault, but he's worn out his welcome. With everything we're dealing with, on top of this, I just cannot deal. I wish they'd stop seeking us out.

When I'm upset, I cook and bake. So far I've made coffee-braised beef brisket, roasted veggies, spaghetti and meatballs, roast chicken and mashed potatoes, chili and cornbread, quiche, citrus salad, apple crisp, and brownies. Tomorrow is chicken and dumplings. Yikes.

I need to turn my attention to my latest editing project and house cleaning (or Weight Watchers).