Tails

Amazing how, with openness and patience, life can be generous. Surgery is closed Monday, after no cases were scheduled. Chatting at the front desk, I asked if we were overstaffed on Friday. We were, but she hesitated to call anyone off - not wanting to short them hours. I raised my hand, "Actually... "

Four days off in a lump. An impromptu holiday. A welcome respite. Time to spend home in these early days of our new Two Cat Life.

Don't know why I've been feeling so brittle lately, easily depleted. Simple lack of days to myself, heat, bad air, bothersome back flaring up a little. Nothing really much, too moody in response. Not getting hot flashes, inasmuch as one can tell in this heat. Likely hormonal, in part.

We toured the new Public Safety Building this morning. Police, Fire and Emergency Management in one rather well thought out, and not ugly, new building. The old building was grossly obsolete, that was never really a question, although not well publicized. A bond for a $192 million project went down in roaring flames. One day, our glorious mayor, announces, after zero public meetings, that the new PSB would be $125 million, and would be put on that useless green space on Library Square. That space was only wasted on the Arts Festival and was only a (huge) part of the (much loved) plans for the new Library - that had widespread support - the bond for The City Library building approved by a large margin.

After an offended city objected, the more modest, plan was put forward, to go on the next block from Library Square. Oh, he backpedaled fast, and said it was just a step in the planning process, but that was not the way it was announced. Big jerk. By then, more information had been forthcoming concerning the decrepit state of the former home of these agencies, and the bond passed readily.

We feared it would be a hideous box. Instead, it's not a bad accompaniment to the sweeping architecture of the Library. We went on a tour though this morning, in the weeks before the staff move in. It all seems very well organized, energy efficient, bright, good flow. And the officers giving the tours, almost pathetically grateful not to be in the pokey, leaky old pile. Kind of like us comparing the house to some of our dreary apartments. "Oh, look! Lights! Working restrooms! Actual break rooms! With enough microwaves! We can keep the victims/witnesses away from the suspects!"

Unfortunately, all the solvent and adhesives, and no doubt my mild latex allergy meeting all the rubber carpet matting - especially the fitness center mats, left me with a nasty headache. We had to leave before we went through the lower level. Which included the bomb squad, carpool, K9 and armory sections. No bombs, dogs nor weaponry yet, but more fumes certainly. I've smelled armories before, not terribly fond of the odor of gun oil. By the time they actually move in, August, much of that will have settled down and aired out.


As for the feline family, all going astonishingly well. They both napped on the bed while we were gone. When Eleanor nosed the end of Moby's tail, he hissed a "Leave my fucking tail alone, you." Emphatic negotiation, not hostility. As she batted the air in front of him when he did the same with her tail. Two cats of good will, and we think compatible temperaments, they are growing comfortable with each other. We step back, and let them iron out the details.

Tails can be sensitive issues, apparently.