"Sometimes that laying-down of defenses doesn't even happen with lovers." Ain't THAT the truth! The next guy who tries to have a relationship with me (if there ever IS one) will have a lot of very high walls to scale... and my hair's not QUITE long enough for him to use as a climbing rope! (...but maybe for rappelling...)

Went shopping at lunch for Halloween wrapping paper. NOBODY HAS ANY. I finally bought a paper tablecloth. My former neighbor and I still exchange Halloween presents as well as Christmas presents every year, so tonight I'll be at his place for a while, drinking his beer. He's single, too, but *alas* too young for me! (...and not my type, anyway: drummer in a Christian rock band AUGGHH)

Last week I drove my cat from southeastern PA to Delaware and left him in a clinic for 4 days, for treatment of hyperthyroidism. They injected him with radioactive iodine-131; this is supposed to attack and destroy the benign tumor on his thyroid. All toys and bedding I left with him were discarded when I picked him up Friday. For the next two weeks after that day, I have to use flushable litter (and a rubber glove when I scoop, with a scooper that's to be discarded after the two weeks) because his body is eliminating radioactive waste and I can't put that in the dumpster (Federal regulations). For two weeks, I can't snuggle with him; I can't let him sleep on the bed (so he howls outside the bedroom door); I have to wash my hands whenever I pet him; I have to try to keep him off the furniture (ha ha ha! He got into the kitchen cabinet today – one of the UPPER ones!). Also, my wallet is A LOT lighter. The good news comes (hopefully) in 3 months when his thyroid levels are re-tested and he's weighed (again hopefully, the levels will be normal and he will have gained some pounds. Right now he's all skin and sinew). Any crossed fingers would be greatly appreciated!