A full weekend

On Saturday some friends threw a birthday party for me. My actual birthday isn't until Thursday, but Saturday is a great time for a party. The day was sunny and warm. The food was plentiful and excellent. The company was superb. The clubhouse is finally at a point where it can be used for guests, though there are still some boxes that need emptying. I had a great time, though I tired early.

Today was taxes taxes taxes. Mac couldn't understand while I not only wouldn't let him sprawl on my desk, I also wouldn't let him stay in my study. He wanted to help. Really, he did. And despite his lack of help, I finished the taxes. Finally.

So I'm exhausted from Saturday and from today, and I just can't sleep.

My stepmother called me this evening. My father, who is 74 and a stroke survivor, is in the hospital. He has pneumonia in both lungs, and a urinary tract infection. His memory hasn't been good lately, and he's extremely thin. He only eats one meal a day.

Pen will call me tomorrow and let me know how he's doing.

It's a hard cat life

Yesterday, as I was working on the taxes, I was very, very mean and wouldn't let Mac sprawl all over my stack of papers on top of my desk. In fact, I asked Chaz to come pick him up and take him out of the room, after which I *shut the door*. And I didn't let him back in for hours. Hours, I tell you.

I'm pretty sure Mac's feelings were hurt.

At bedtime, Chaz and I were discussing the boys, neither of whom were in the bedroom with us. I told him that I would fetch Barry for him, so I went to the other end of the house and gave the boys treats. It was quite simple to scoop Baz up and bring him back to the bedroom. Barry didn't want to stay, and scampered off.

Mac had followed us, and had jumped up onto the table at the foot of the room, on top of my keys and cards and things for work. I petted Mac and scooped him up. For just a moment he thought I was going to toss him out, since he was tensing up to claw and bite, but I shifted my hold and petted him, then set him down on the bed. Chaz made encouraging motions, and Mac curled up on Chaz's legs. I'm sure that was a happy Mac face. His humans wanted *him*.