christmas morning

Last night, we spent our traditional Christmas Eve with our friend Cen. It was his party, at the home of his dear friends. The usual crew was there, people we don't see often but who are beginning to feel like extended family because they truly are part of Cen's family, and Cen is part of our family. Most people brought their usual pot luck offerings. I can't complain because it's all good, perhaps a little too good.

We spent a pleasant, though subdued evening together. I'm not sure why it was so quiet, perhaps because most of us only partially celebrate Christmas, if at all. I know that the latest development with Juliet was affecting me -- I was a little distracted with concern that Juliet would be ok in our absence. Robert and I made an early, for us, departure. And of course, Juliet was fine.

Today, Cen is coming here. There are no decorations, but there will be a good meal, which we partially prepared yesterday. I imagine we'll have some good conversation too; it's always a treat to get Cen by himself.

The kitty continues to do well. She's been tired, but I guess I would be too. She spent the first night in the bath room, probably afraid to stray too far from amenities, until I fetched her. Last night, we closed off the addition again so she'd be near by. She quickly came to bed and was there this morning. One trick she hasn't learned yet is how to navigate out from between us. So in the middle of the night, she pawed my chest and I was able to point her to the little stair case by the bed.

Yesterday, Juliet disappeared from the down stairs for a while. Robert went looking for her and found her in his bed room. When she came out, she navigated down the hall using her whiskers along the wall. One of the big warnings we got at the e-room was to keep her away from stairs (as part of the advice to keep her safe while she's adapting). One of the first things she learned to do was to go up and down the stair case. Our original plan was to shut her in the addition whenever we left the house. I don't think that will be necessary.