I'm doing okay. I had a great visit a couple of weeks ago with jason's_planet, who came to stay with me. We toured around a bit, up to the Midlands where I grew up, and down to the Weald of Kent to stay with friends. Good times.

From this distance I can see the USA teetering on the edge of civil war at some point in the future. It terrifies me, as it'll have a knock-on effect all over the world.

Here the fallout from Brexit - which can no longer be blamed on the pandemic - is really making itself felt. So many small businesses have closed, large chains of pubs and restaurants have collapsed, and the NHS is on its knees. The primary reason is the end of the free movement of goods and people which we used to have in the EU. The vast amounts of paperwork anyone wanting to import or export goods to/from the UK has to do, as well as the tax burdens, has caused many businesses to just decide it's not worth doing business with the UK anymore. As a result, the things we do import (particularly food) has increased in price beyond anything that could be considered reasonable. Service businesses can't find enough staff, and nobody's going to pay £5,000 each for visas for waiters or line cooks. Even hardline Tories are saying it's failed.

I don't know what the solution is; we can't re-join, as we've already left, and so would be treated as any new member country wanting to be part of the EU, starting from scratch. It certainly feels as if we are on a downward spiral that will drive more people into hardship and poverty.

Cat news: a bully cat in the street who Rudi was scared of died recently. Very sad for the cat's family, but good news for me. Rudi is now so much happier, he isn't afraid to go out into the garden (this other cat would pin him in a corner and attack him, preventing Rudi from getting near the cat flap so he could escape), he spends most of his time outside and he is far less aggressive and bitey towards me. He even lets me pet him and rub his tummy (as long as I catch him at the right moment). This is such a change in him, he is by far the most aggressive cat I've ever had, but maybe this is a turning point for him, now he is almost 8 years old.

We went to England and got to have yummy dumplings with Senyar, but apparently it didn't make an impression ;P

Took some photos on the trip.

Oh phooey, it was, of course, wonderful to catch up with terrapin and turtlegirl on a cold and rainy 4th July.

:-)

I am "not great, not terrible" to borrow a phrase.

(as I write this there are multiple tornado warnings coming over the phone and trees are down all over town and crazy rain cells passing.)

The grey guy, Casper did something stupid a few days ago. After the first month he was here he learned that he could not live here and go out. It had to be indoor or live on the street. He has been good with that until this past weekend when he darted out.

First he went after a large dog being walked by some guy and then he started running around looking for more trouble. After he was out for about 10 minuets it began to pour. When he came back an hour later he was soaked.

When he ran out Nora went off to the bedroom and Possum was extremely upset and headed to his hiding spot under a low chair in the office. After about 40 minuets I took a flashlight to check up on him and discovered in addition to his stash of stolen things he also now has a small box, just his size, under there. I don't know when he grabbed that or dragged it under there but he was in it.

After Casper got back the two of them wanted nothing to do with him. For the next two days whenever he got near Nora would snap at him and hiss. Possum would just start hitting him.

As of yesterday things seem ok and I saw Nora snuggle up to Casper out in the porch. How she can want to snuggle and why he puts up with it when it is 30C I don't know.

Ginger just hangs around and doesn't wonder these days. He wants more and more scratching and is getting more and more comfortable with it.

Senyar, It's sad it happened that way but I am glad Rudi has a bit of breathing space.

Forgot to say I like the photos terrapin.

Thank you, @arse_hat

The photos are terrific. It's a long while since I was in the Cotswolds. I really should revisit.

I love the idea of Possum finding a Possum-sized box for himself and dragging it to his safe place. Rudi now sleeps outside a lot, he's sound asleep right now on my patio table, as he obviously feels safe doing so now Hunter isn't around any more.

terrapin, those photos are poster-worthy. Wow.

Hugs to essexjan on the brexit mess.
arse_hat, those kitties are just trying to keep you guessing and entertained with their shenanigans.

I am fully back at home now and starting to make headway on the piles of boxes and stuff. It is a relief to have some order back. My bedroom is 90% finished. I have co-mingled some of mom's stuff with mine and completely rearranged the room. It finally looks like a very comforting haven.

I am also working a LOT. Which is good after almost a year of barely working while taking care of mom. I am comforted to know she went so quickly and without trauma.

I am still battling the weeds that tried to take over in my absence, but the weather is so beastly hot that I only do a wee amount when the temps are tolerable. This fall will see a renewed effort on my part and eventually it will be completed.

I'm feeling a bit positive for a change. So, yay.

Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

Melismata, Oy vey indeed. Yesterday someone from the city I grew up in sent me a pic of a house flying a first nations flag AND a Donald Trump 2024 flag. I just have no idea what to make of that.

Terrapin, the photos are gorgeous. I was sad when I came to the end of them.

Mightshould, many hugs to you, and condolences on the loss of your Mom (I'm sorry, I think I missed sending you my sympathies).

Myself, I am getting ready for a family reunion in North Carolina (ten hour drive). And now, my younger adult son doesn't want to go. (he's 26, so he can certainly make up his own mind). On the one hand, I'm very disappointed (his grandmother is now 78; his oldest great aunt who will be there is 82). On the other hand, now I don't need to worry about a house/cat sitter. Keep your fingers crossed that all these generations have fun and get along!

Now I want to go on a walking tour of pubs. in the Cotswolds or wherever.
Mightshould, I'm so sorry for the loss of your Mom and the work of the stuff. Such a life change.

My dog was acting sick and I was so worried she had an obstruction, as she had a habit of eating Very Stupid Things when I got her, and with her previous owner had to have surgery to extricate a rock. Took her to the vet, they sedate them for xrays because dogs won't stay still. She proceeded to poop and poop and poop. I need to take them cookies. No obstruction, but her ears were infected, she had a fever, and is now delighted to be taking antibiotics, as they are administered in slices of hot dog. Her ears get gooped 2x daily, which she tolerates only because that happens before the hot dog.

I got her at 10 mos. old and she took forever to settle down, was wild with anxiety. She's now a little over 2 years old, and trusts that there will be food, there will be affection, etc. Calm, sweet-tempered, so much happier. The delightful companion I wanted. previous dog was an excellent companion in different ways; dogs are a blessing in my life.

Lovely sunny day in Maine, not to be taken for granted. I'm happy that MeCha is still here, and all of you.