Cena, Jasmine was a real beauty! I'm sorry to hear you've lost her. They become such a huge part of our lives. My sister, whose also a cat lover, has had a hard time with getting cats who end up with feline leukemia, which means she's ended up losing a few at a pretty young age. I get so attached so fast, it would just break my heart. At least when they're older, you know they had a long, good life... Not that it really makes it easier. I lost my two before Samantha at 17, so about the time she turned 15 or 16, I started to prepare myself mentally for "the dreaded day." Well, I was lucky to have her a few more years, and one day, she woke up from a nap, acted weird for a few minutes and I realized she was suddenly blind. I'm sure she'd had a stroke as she couldn't walk quite right and was running into things. Of course, when I took her to the vet, I knew what had to be done, and he just HAD to suggest some tests. I told him, "You know, it seems obvious to me that I shouldn't put my very dear and very OLD friend through a battery of tests when I know in my heart that it's the end of her life..." I know they probably have to suggest it, but wouldn't you think that they'd have a little more compassion for putting the equivilent of a 96-year-old human through invasive tests... As for the reference to "cow kitties," that's how a lot of people refer to white cats with black spots. The lady who has the momma kitty to mine called them "cow kitties", but in my book, they aren't as "cow" as my male cat, Baby, who I had from 1977 to 1994. His spots were more random and roundish, dark black. I'll have to dig out an old photo and scan it to post a pic. He was the most photogenic cat I think I've ever seen! To me, he was a REAL cow kitty! Denise in Omaha

Oh doggone it! Sorry you missed it. We, DH and I got home last week from our first cruise, 5 days on Carnival Inspiration. I must say, I did enjoy myself. BUT, my DH, who is NOT a people person, Just kept walking around saying to himself, me our friends, "Worst cruise ever!" He is such a party poop. I just went ahead and enjoyed myself, joined in a lot of activities, and really had a good time. It was on the 4th day that someone told him I was on stage and they were showing it on the tv. He finally caught it just before we debarked. On the cruise we did hear the sad stories of how air flights are cancelled and everyone said you must plan on flying the day before your cruise to make sure that doesn't happen. Better luck next time, Kathy G in MI

I'm sorry that it didn't work out between the two -- but you certainly tried your best, and gave Jayden a shot at a better life. My two still get into scraps daily -- 10 months after Chloe moved in with us. Nothing as severe as what you've described, but they do pounce and roll and scream and kick. Clumps of loose fur floating in the air, but I've never seen any blood on either of them. I break them up with a shout or a tossed pillow, and occassionally - if they seem bent on a pattern of destruction - one or both have to go to their room for a time out. I've recently re-evaluated my feelings about the "fighting" when I watched them lolling at my feet on a relaxed Saturday afternoon recently. They had been peacefully lounging for about an hour or so when Chloe rolled over, gently took Frank's tail in her paws -- and bit it. And the chase was on! Sounds like your two were a lot more serious about it. Glad you're back to a calmer household -- and it sounds like Jasper knows how good he's got it! Do you think you'll try a second cat again? Perhaps a younger cat, or a female?

Well, the DIY seminar on waterfall building was mainly a dudd. But I did pick up a few ideas about the sound of the waterfall. Apparently, concave backdrops make the sound project (because it doesn't have anywhere else to go). Also, the sound of the waterfall is a deeper pitch when it falls into deeper water. OK, well the final drop into the pool is deep already, I'll just have to apply that to the intermediate drops as well. I'm working on a revised drawing of the waterfall (This waterfall going to be a project in itself! But it will be fun.) I'll post the design pic in a little while. I'm ordering the pool kit today. The clearers/diggers will be here in the next few days. I hope that I have this right!! -Renee