MY FUNNY VALENTINES

 BIGGER TIGGER HAS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE IN THE CAT HOUSE

 CASEY DISCOVERED HE CAN (SORT OF) FIT ON THE ROOF 

 .....AND IN THE SPACE CLOSEST TO THE CATNIP ON THE RUG  

 "MY BASKET" - HOLLY HAS STAKED HER CLAIM

 BLOOPER AND TIMMY INSPECT THE NEW CAT BED - A BABY BATHTUB

TIMMY AND BETSY  

To my dismay, Valentine's Day has flown past me and so has the better part of this week. There are so many things I wanted and needed to do, but I became sidetracked easily and my time seemed to go so quickly. This week brought an unexpected crisis. My 88 year old mother fell in her home and was hospitalized. She remains in the hospital as I type. My sisters and I are thankful she didn't break any bones, but we have run smack dab into the brick wall we knew lay ahead of us. Our mother, who has lived alone since our dad passed 40 years ago, simply cannot continue to do so. She has dementia and now needs more monitoring and physical help than we can provide. To be accurate and fair, I must admit that my sisters have shouldered most of the responsibility for Mom's care so she could stay in her home. I live two hours away and would feel less guilty had I made more frequent visits to our mother. Warranted or not, guilt has set in for all us. We have some major decisions to make and they won't be easy ones, but it helps to know we're not alone. Many friends and relatives have dealt with these types of situations and even more challenging ones. My distraction this week might be understandable. The sweet furry Valentines continue to be a source of joy and offer a needed respite from the reality that a long and difficult road lies ahead of us.  When I'm with my furry companions I'm able to shut out the jumbled thoughts that hold my mind hostage and simply enjoy the cats and their antics. I remain very blessed.