What an interesting day today – definitely a combination of good, bad and ugly.
As with everything though, if you break things down, and try hard enough, you can find the good in everything, right?
The Good
- I was delighted to hear that Newt is being RAKd by one of his Ravelry fans! OMG how COOOOL is that? The RAKs (Random Acts of Kindness) are such a wonderful idea, and I hope to participate in them soon, but never imagined that Newt would be a recipient.
- Two projects have landed, woohoo! Work is good, especially after so much downtime that I’m having delusions of sheep and bunnies LOL
- Another shunt cat has found Newt’s site. Jet is being medically managed and doing well.
The Bad
- Newt is intermittently drooling again today.
- One of our shunt cat friends, Simon, is having post-operative challenges.
The Ugly
- Two projects have landed. Simultaneously. That means at least 18-20 hour days for the next couple of weeks or so. Which means that I won’t be able to have Newt with me while I am on-site at the client. Ouch.
- Sari yarn. Oh my word, that stuff is a PITA to handle. But I looooooooooooooove it!
Now, how to flip the bad and the ugly into good?
Well, Newt is drooly, but not overly so, and only intermittently. He’s eaten most of his snacks today, snuggled with Greycie, and has spent some time in his sling snuggled on my chest. Gazing into those magnificent copper eyes and cuddling his warm little body brings an indescribable love and joy.
And while I would never speak for Simon’s family, I’m in awe of the fact that we now have, I believe, around 30 cats from all over the world who are in contact with one another, able to lend support and encouragement to Simon and each other. Knowing that we are not alone in our struggles and challenges and can act as a united support system is so awesome!
As far as the long days 
go? Cat Daddy does an amazing job with Pookie Bear, so I know Newt will be in very capable hands. And being able to juggle multiple projects and extended days during my busy season is exactly what enables me to have that wonderful downtime at home.
And I really shouldn’t call my luscious recycled Sari silk yarn ugly. Far from it – it’s fabulous. Was a gift from a dear friend and fellow rescuer, and I’ve been waiting for the right project to use it as a gift in return. Experimenting with slip stitch crochet / shepherd’s knitting of the faux knitted kitty has been wonderful.
It is an amazing yarn – fuzzy and thick in places, practically threadbare in others; it twists and turns and kinks unexpectedly – much like life. And yet, as I am working it up, bringing its rough and ragged pieces together in a dizzying tapestry of color, it seems impenetrable, while soft, sturdy and beautiful at the same time. It’s difficult to work with, but has been so very rewarding. The most challenging yarn I’ve worked with and certainly the most instructive.
Life’s lessons from yarn? Or more lessons from Newt? Take the bad with the good, and understand that ultimately “it’s all good.”
I am so inspired by your outlook on life.