Sun the 5th of Jul – Con-Cat

The giant Feline tea cozy isn’t pregnant at all. The little Con-Artist or Con-Cat has been tricking us all this time. And now it’s too late. She’s won my Mother’s affection, not that this was such a great challenge to begin with. She sits in front of our door and when it’s closed, she knocks. Alright. She scratches but knocking just sounds so much more polite. Although Management strictly prohibits the inhabitants to feed wild animals on the property, this law doesn’t deter Mom. She clandestinely feeds the Con-Cat who now accompanies her on her evening walks. Dad isn’t very convincing in his attempts to discourage her. Unfortunately his attention is elsewhere. He suffers from tremendous back ache. Every other move sends thousands of electric bolts running through his body. I’d like to believe it’s from all the positive vibes our friends are sending but the truth is of a more practical nature. His bed is the great offender and causes his back to act up. When I ask how he feels, he says: “Paulache (a nickname only he gives), as long as I walk like Lord of the Dance (from River Dance), it doesn’t hurt too much”. He means that as long as he only moves his feet and keeps the rest of his body stiff as a rod, the pain is bearable.

Ever since he became Mar’s “Royal Martini” or Donor for us normal folk, Dad’s been keeping to a very strict and healthy diet. He’s lost very much weight in the last weeks and I can’t remember him ever being this slim. His back condition really worries us though. In particular since one of the side effects of the transplant may be painful joints. If already now he winces at every little move, I worry about how he'll cope during the procedure. Mom and I urge him to rest and avoid physical activity but to a restless soul as my fathers’, such a request may possibly be even more unbearable to handle than a strained back.