Ch-Ch-Ch...

 

If you said, "Chia Pet!"... you are wrong, but you still get 10 bonus points for remembering those commercials...

 

It was a restless night.  My brother-in-law John is in the hospital and I am worried about him.  He is the last of my immediate family and has been in my life since I was 9 years old.  After visiting with his nephew, niece, and a nurse at the hospital, I was finally able to talk to him when he got settled in a room late last night.

The morning came earlier than usual, but a bright spot: Murphy came up from the foot of the bed and laid on me.  That is a rarity, and most welcome.  Then, he purred.  Also something I don't often hear.  Very soothing.

I got up and started my new kitty-feeding routine.  It's a bit of an assembly line, so they get fed at the same time.  After that and the rest of my morning routine, I took Murphy outside.  It is ch-ch-ch-chilly: 41º.  January in the desert.  Joan turned on the fireplace - first we've used the heat from that this season.  We've had it on, but just for the ambiance (no heat).

Another bright side: it's a clear, sunny day out. 

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I called John's hospital room this morning; a brief visit with him, then with his nurse.  I got the lowdown and will be checking in later this afternoon.  I made some calls from Steph and Dan's house, so I could put the phone on speaker while taking notes.  Murphy came over with me.  And Tango, their orange boy, sat on my lap while I made my calls.  Nice...

 

Back at our house, Stella was being very active - she loves to play and uses lots of toys.  The tunnel is her current favorite (and has been Murph's favorite and Tango's when he comes to visit)...

  And a rare photo of her holding still - she has a LOT of energy...

 Stella is a typical kitten: a bundle of energy and then a nap.  This morning, the energy part lasted over an hour.  And then she looks like she will fall asleep sitting up.  It's cute.

I believe she is destined to be a princess.  Joan ordered some new food and water bowls for her...

 Yeah, princess pink.  She is a good eater, and it is sweet to see her go back and forth between her hard and soft food.