Halloween 2026

31 October 2026: Dug out some of Bing and Wes's old gear for Annie and Jo. (Annie was much more compliant and, as I write this, still has hers on.)

And then, what a delight to see Theo (and his family) a little later!

Not quite two months...

20 September 2026: Yesterday, Hannah asked me how long Annie had been in WV. I was surprised that I struggled to come up with an answer. Everything from June on is such a blur. 

But when I had a chance to think about it, I see that it's just a bit under two months. Not a lot of time. And that made me feel better about how she's getting on with Jo and Veronica. 

That aside, she's just...happy? Like, contented and happy. Jo and Veronica are happy, too (most of the time). 

And that's enough for me.

Annie's Burgers

30 August 2026: Another sign that Annie is settling in as an official member of this family (despite the fightin' with Jo and Veronica): she has been the subject of a "cat and Bob's Burgers" picture.

"Can I get some of that?"

29 August 2026:

ENHANCE!

Exploring...

14 August 2026: Cat paws on the TV. Cat paws behind the TV.

Annie's exploring range is expanding. 

Jo at 4

10 August 2026: Lil Soups for everyone today as we celebrated Jo turning 4! I woke up with her sleeping hard by my legs. On days like these, when I wake up sad, it means so much to feel her there.

Here's a photo that summarizes the big excitement in her life lately: being intrigued and intimidated by and sometimes angry at her new housemate. Really, she's been remarkably patient and easy-going about Annie's arrival, as has BabyCat. Very proud of them both. (Proud of Annie, too, but really hoping she gives up her aggressive colonizer attitude soon!)

Caught her mid-prance...

28 July 2026: This cat loves to prance. I always think she looks like a cat ballerina when she walks.

Sunday snapshots...

26 July 2026: Some images from today that make me happy. 

(BabyCat lives here, too, and is always worth looking at--I just didn't catch her posing when I had my phone out.)

Home makes me happy.

First day in WV...

25 July 2026: Made it back to West Virginia in great time and she's getting settled in. Not happy, but does seem to like the open window. She'll stay in the office by herself for a least a couple of days, I think.

Lots of Big Thoughts on my drive. So much sadness. It's the anniversary of losing Ryan, too. 

But it's a profound thing to take an animal in and commit to loving it and caring for it. And it's striking how quickly they work their way right into your heart. 

Somewhere in New Jersey, "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" came on. I thought to myself, "this little cat is just that--sunshine breaking through all this darkness. And 'that's while I'll always be around' for her." 

I don't like change and this will be a big adjustment for Jo and Veronica. But we'll make it work. 

Cat-napping...

24 July 2026: Tomorrow morning, this little one, my parents' cat Annie, will join me for the long ride to West Virginia. Praying that she adjusts well to life with Veronica and Jo (and me). She's a real sweetie and just the perfect amount of weird.