Day 86 - the last Monday of March

Today is the 2nd day of the 13th week, the 27th day of the third month, the 86th day of 2023, and:

• Celebrate Exchange Day
• International Medical Science Liaison Day
• International Whisk(e)y Day
• National Joe Day
• National Scribble Day
• National Spanish Paella Day
• Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day
• Viagra Day - the date the FDA approved the drug for use in the US
• World Theater Day

It is also the day the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System started construction.  My father, after he left us, went to Alaska and was part of the Pipeline from the beginning, and worked on it until he died.  His commute to work became quite long there at the end for he moved to Coeur D'Alene Idaho and flying to Anchorage, then taking a bush plane north.  Of course, when he went to work, he stayed for 6 - 8 weeks, so it isn't like he was doing it every day.

And this was the day when the Cherry Trees were first planted in DC back in 1912.  

Work is proceeding on the parking lot outside.  They covered the holes up in anticipation of the rain this weekend, and were out there bright and early this morning sand blasting away.  it makes quite a racket, even with the windows shut, and I am glad once again that I am on the 20th floor and not closer to the construction

After Panda was gone, I was pretty upset.  I ripped thru the apartment, and removed every vestige of her, just as I had done after I lost Kula.  My granddaughters were supposed to come over and spend the weekend, and altho Gem cautioned them about asking too many questions, but of course, being 6 and 8, they immediately told me that in the car as we were driving away - I don't think I was even out of their neighborhood yet!  I told them they could talk about Panda if they understood that I might cry while doing so.  They asked a lot of questions, but the one they kept coming back to was:  "are you going to get another cat?"  I affirmed that I probably was going to, but said I was going to wait because it was too soon.  Both of them kept returning to the subject tho, telling me that I needed to get another cat, not to replace Panda, but because I needed company.

So I told them how I found Panda, searching for rescue cats online and finding a shelter called "Seniors for Seniors" that was closed now.  They wanted me to search, and I showed them PetFinder , and to my surprise, found my account was still active after all this time.  They were fascinated and stood next to me as I navigated through the pictures explaining that when I looked for a new companion, I wanted a cat that would be comfortable being an "only" cat.  They stood there, carefully reading the descriptions and making choices.  This cat was cute, but looked too much like Panda.  That one was nice, but they commented if cats only lived 15 - 18 years, then it was too old and Grandmom got too sad when her cats died.  This other one was really nice, but said it was used to a home with other pets and people.  

Finally, through a long process of elimination and discussion, and I am literally talking about a couple of hours, they decided this cat would be ideal - not too old, different coloring than Panda, said it would be better to be an only cat, and no known medical issues.  I agreed and bookmarked it, and went to get out of the site.  

They stopped me.  Didn't I have to apply to get a cat?  I did, I agreed and put in my application, then closed the computer and we went to play games.  And on this day last year, I was informed I was approved, and the foster owner contacted me to come and see Triscuit, and if all went well, take her home.  So I spent the next couple of days putting back the litter box and water fountain, which had been thoroughly scrubbed and aired out, and buying litter and food, and a few cat toys. 

I couldn't believe I was going to get another cat so soon.