No, it’s not vegetarian. I’ve been there twice. I’m not likely to book a table for $80 cauliflower, but I’ve had fancy vegetarian tasting menus that felt worth it. I’m not sure this one does.
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That encapsulates my GenXmanship. Feck’em!
Did you count the points? JK
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Love thy neighbor. Good man.
I find , when I cook for someone, or family, that is laid up, I’m extra finicky in my prep. My family can eat some errors; but, when I cook for others, I try to be 100% on top of my game.
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This is Mugsy. I found him, abandoned with an infected wound, while living in Portland around 2011-12
He’s about 17, and last week was diagnosed with feline diabetes. We tried a newer drug, Bexacat, but at his recheck today, his ketones were higher and he’s lost more weight. We have another check tomorrow. If the ketones continue to go up, we’ll have to stop the new drug. That leaves us only with 2x a day insulin injections and a super regimented feeding schedule, which, given our frequent multi-day absences, may not be feasible, plus it would mean restricting the other two cats’ food access. There are chipped collars with automatic food access, but it all gets very complex rather quickly.
We, well really, I, will have to make some unpleasant decisions a lot sooner than I’d like.
And tangentially related, in my conversations with our vet’s staff, I tell them I am Mugsy’s “owner”. They insist on referring to me as his “dad”.
There’s one person who calls me “dad” and she’s 33. Mugsy is a cat.
I am almost certainly displacing my terrible mood onto a trivial social grace.
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Not quite the same mix of problems, but we have a 15 year old Springer-Labrador mix (mutt, pound puppy we got with his brother about this time in 2010) who’s failing pretty badly.
He’s had a slow-growing tumor along his upper gum line for almost 5 years, and it’s progressively been making it harder for him to eat and drink, but he still mostly does okay. But really he’s just failing of old age. His brother died about 3 years ago of some kind of cancer in the snout/sinus passages.
Wife and I are trying to decide for him (since we can’t expect him to answer) when enough is enough. He still likes being cuddled, but doesn’t get around well and is starting to go off his food, and mostly craps in the house the last several months (he can’t feel his hindquarters so he doesn’t know it’s happening).
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It sounds like it might be time. Quality of life n all.
Always sad.
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I’ve done pretty good with Neighbor #2. I had a few “clunkers”, but for the most part everything worked out.
My homemade enchiladas reminded her of a visit to her brother’s and the Tuna Noodle Casserole was a childhood memory from her mother serving it.
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Firefighters Race to Save a Treasured Sequoia Grove in California
“Early Monday morning, the Garnet fire, which has been burning in the Sierra National Forest for two weeks and now reaches across nearly 55,000 acres east of Fresno, reached a grove that is home to roughly 165 giant sequoias, said Joe Zwierzchowski, a spokesman with the U.S. Forest Service. Some of the trees in the 100-acre grove are estimated to be 2,000 years old, with the tallest rising more than 230 feet,”
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This is terrible news, but I’m holding out hope that the grove survives mostly intact, since giant sequoias have evolved not only to withstand fire, but to require it for successful propagation. Their thick, insulating bark layer shields their trunks from moderate fires, and their cones don’t even open to release seeds until they’re exposed to a fire’s heat. Still, my heart is figuratively in my mouth for the time being.
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Yes. The story says fires since 2020 have been too much for the usual defenses, but it mentioned a new tree at the site of one of the recent fires.
“The U.S. Forest Service has enlisted a team of firefighters known as smokejumpers to climb the trees and extinguish embers that might be burning the branches or leaves, Mr. Zwierzchowski said.”
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Enchiladas are a standby for me. When I make them, beans and rice, I usually get the love in return. I also like to make a basic, but hearty, chicken soup, stir fry/crispy rice, OS spaghetti, Polish chop suey (if I know they can tolerate sauerkraut, chicken tetrazzini and/or shepards pie. Before I make anything, though, I’ll ask about dietary restrictions and all. Makes ya feel good to help a friend in need.
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Karma.
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sigh*
unfortunate news to say the least. the advanced age can really complicate things quite a bit. a few words from the perspective a diabetic cat caregiver (i’ve cared for four cats in my lifetime with varying degrees of diabetes). i would encourage focusing on the insulin. diet is important, but getting into a routine with the insulin, in the right dosages, will have the most immediate impact in my experience.
i’m currently managing a 17 year old myself, and – in spite of this and her hyperthyroidism – she is leading a stable anxiety free life. she’s been diabetic for over ten years. it can be daunting getting into the rhythm of the injections, and at first, they are always resistant to it. just want to say that it can get better (she now literally stands at attention, waiting for me to give her dose before eating). i’ll also note that i’m caring for her along side other (non-diabetic) cats as well. it can be done.
really hope that Mugsy can benefit from treatment.
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Alas, we had to call it around noon. He seemed stable yesterday afternoon, but during the evening it seems obvious he was on the verge of, or starting into, acidosis. He began to hide himself under desks and chairs he’d never done before. When cats hide uncharacteristically, that’s them feeling vulnerable and weak.
My partner and I had discussed the possibility of trying insulin, but ultimately, we felt that it wouldn’t be something HE wouldn’t like, and we felt it would be irresponsible to start that sort of treatment without a firm plan for backups if we weren’t available, etc etc. It felt awful, but we had to be really honest with ourselves on whether we could, say, put off visiting my mother or other sorts of things around this, and we just CAN’T.
I had 14 + years with this stoned orange throw pillow. He was an expert nap supervisor, a lover of all things cheesey, especially noodles, and a connoisseur of grocery-store taco kit tacos.
The left side of the couch will be very empty for a while.
You were the best, Mugs.
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I’m sorry to hear that. You proved your love for Mugs in the hardest (and most heartbreaking) way possible. You are a kind and decent soul, of which we have too few.
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You each gave the best.
& 
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I’m so sorry. It sounds like Mugs had a swell life along your side, but it always hurts so much to let them go. Thank you for affording him a dignified, pain-free, and peaceful ending.
He will always be with you in your heart 
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I’m so very, very sorry. That is a wonderful tribute to your Orange Dude. {{{Hugs}}}
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