A major hiccup has manifested itself in Ottawa, and Edmund and I will probably NOT be able to make the trip this year.

Our elderly cat Perdita -- 18 and a half years old -- fell off the kitchen armchair this morning and staggered all over the floor before she could get her feet under her. This is the third time I've seen this problem, and once is happenstance, twice is circumstance, but three times is enemy action. Fortunately, the Bytown Cat Hospital is open today, and we got her in to see the vet.

Probably a potassium deficiency, said the vet, fairly common in very antique felines, but we won't know until the results of the blood tests come back from the laboratory on Tuesday. Also, we have to dose her twice a day with an appetite stimulant. Until the lab results come in, the vet will not be able to assess her as a candidate for boarding -- pilling the cat twice a day is more than I can ask of the homechecker.

On top of that, I'm still coughing badly and may not be travel-ready myself by Tuesday.

Watch and shoot ...

I'll make the cassoulet on Monday anyway, so it will be ready to go if we can come. We will keep you posted.