I lied!

The number generator thing was not working so I picked my top interesting ones from each shelf and rolled with it.

I picked the top twelve books that are a mix of new, old, and recommended. Most of which have a cute little back story as to how I ended up with them.

Now I just need to decide on how to organize them; title, author, coolest art cover, etc. Either way I’m getting ready for January’s first book!

Meanwhile, I am dealing with two kittens.

I adopted two kittens in September. It was a planned semi thing which is a whole story in of itself.

I work at the local homedepot for the last 5 someodd years. Behind the garden walls, we have a colony of feral cats. Each year we rescue a hand full of kittens. This year we save about five to eight. The first year way back when there was a little white grey ear kitten i was absolutly smitten with. However this last season, I had reasuced a little black kitten from the pipe cage.

because his breathing was not right, i had surrendered him to the local animal shelter. but i had kept close eye on him and his georgous girl kennel mate.

however throughout the month, the pair of them had not been right, or healthy enough to be released to a home. Honestly, thats totally understandable from the shelter point of view. for the health of the kitten

well after a month and a half of this, i spontaneously called out of work and drove to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary for the hell of it. And basically, long story short, I ended up taking home two white and grey eared kittens.

now originally their names were Carnival and Jamboree. The whole litter was some sort of festival celebration named. My mom had a whole list over very cute names. Cinnamon and Nutmeg were top contenders. But I landed on Aspen and Sage. Originally I thought they were both females, but through a comedy of errors and mixed messages, I discovered I had a set of brother and sister. At that point I had to figure out which was who.

Finally I had come to the conclusion – pink nose is the male this is named Sage, black nose is the female thus is named Aspen.

And the world was complete.

until Aspens ear started with a bald patch.

And now we are in quarantine and will be in such status until mid December. Ring worm 10 outta 10 do not recommend.

Basically, I knew I would get a cat next. I had a heartbreakingly wonderful Corgi named Charlie for 13 years. and honestly, after his passing last August 2024, I knew I was never going to be the same. He was and forever will be my world. He was my longest lasting relationship, my best friend, someone who looked at me like they truely loved me. And I knew it. I cannot express how much I loved this dog.

This last year without him, I had fallen into a dark place with very little hope for my own self identity. I knew is a corner of my mind I could never get another dog, so I would get a cat. Either a single adult cat or two kittens because they would need someone fo company when I was at work. That was my biggest regret with Charlie dog – leaving him along so much. I wish i could do it over again and feel his warm fur again. Most nights I wake up in the middle of the night hearing his nails on the hard wood floors.

But now, my quiet life shifted. Adopting two siblings from Best Friends was a major step and I do think this is a right step in some direction.

My life shifted.

It used to be – Me, myself, and Charlie Dog

to – Me, myself and . . . I . . .

but now its

Me, Aspen and Sage.

Its been so long since i had another – let alone two – to keep me company let alone be responsible for.

They just turned four months today. Theyre babies and I have never been responsible for such little ((nightmares)) ones before.

But in this moment of writting this semi tear filled drunken entry, having them there on my desk sleeping like the perfect angels that they are ((for now)) does make me feel somewhat whole.

I will never get Charlie dog back, and that still breaks my heart every second i think about it. But I think he would have loved these two Dust Mites just as much as I do. I just hope he knows I could never move on from him.

I love you Charlie