Hello

Depression is so shitty and the guilt that goes with it is an extra burden. I have been down there and the "I should be happy because I am lucky" voice just runs on a loop. I am glad you are seeing a blink of light, Soop. and I am sure all these wonderful people on Gransnet, including all those supported by you, will see you through.

I read a wonderful book called Sunbathing in the Rain by Gwyneth Lewis about her depression. It is worth a read because she describes the black dog so very well - when you feel up to reading .

Welcome home soop x

Glad you are back*soop*. The black dog is hard work particularly at this time of year. So pleased you have sent him on his way in time for you enjoy the festivities.

Welcome back soop.

Wee Man's imaginitive, psychedelic card - image of a Christmas tree, handmade at play school, arrived today. I grinned from ear to ear, and gave it [the card] a wee x

Lovely soop

Ella His mummy took him to Kew Gardens Christmas fair. It was suggested that he might like to have his face painted. Would he like to be a lion. tiger or panda? He replied...a strawberry!

Rory [you know who] is asleep at my feet. He uses his litter tray in the utility room, and makes a huge fuss over trying to make a decent job of "covering up". We both tell him that he's such a good boy. He then spends ages grooming himself. Considering that he has possibly never lived in a house, he is doing remarkably well. He still sleeps in the outdoor apartment. Last night, his wifelet and daughter [both spayed] joined him on the terrace. The wee ginger cat; possibly his latest offspring, also passed by. Rory is to be neutered in the new year. We have not told him so. Guess it's going to be a manic few hours between trapping him and taking him to the vet a 24 mile drive away. Although he's very happy to wind round our legs, he doesn't welcome being stroked. To attempt to pick him up, would be a very bad idea. You could say, we understand each other.

I remember you trying to capture contain Rory last year, soop. Better luck this time.

Be sure to buy some gauntlets in the sales

Butty Your memory serves you well. Containing the pretty mother cat and both her female kits, was a nerve-wracking incident. Bags was treated to a blow-by-blow account. Once spayed, the three females were returned to the wild. They visit at dusk, and have supper, which is left under cover, outside the house. Rory refused to enter the trap. He took to climbing on to the highest shelf in the utility room and remaineded there until we gave in. It appears that he met a willing female on his excursions into the wild wood during the spring. The ginger kitten [last spotted eating a small rabbit] is the result. We cannot allow him to father more feral cats. It isn't fair. However, try telling Rory that!

I love your Rory updates, soop. I don't know if I have that kind of patience. It's nice to see you back on GN

I'm glad you haven't told him yet, soop it mught have spoiled his Christmas

might !

I don't envy you that job in the new year, soop!

But I`d like to be a fly on the wall whilst it`s happening!

Mock ye not!

Hello my lovely! Good to "see" you, and to hear your updates on your cats. I don't know if you have ever read any Deric Longden books, if not I do recommend them. He tells a lovely tale of one of his sort of "part time" visiting cats called Little Chap, who he decided to get get neutered. After much trouble to get him into the cat basket and to the vet, it was discovered that he already been "done"

phoenix You are kind I shall look out for the books you mention. Perhaps the library has one or two. I can assure you that Rory has all his credentials. As I type this message, he is cleaning himself yet again. Such a fussy pussy cat.

I'm laughing at "credentials" !

Maurice is a thorough washer, usually has an extra diligent one on the hearth rug in the evening. I just wish that is wasn't such a full on display, he often seems to (ahem) "leave the lid off his lip liner". We've never seen Digby do this, does make me wonder if Maurice was completely relieved of his credentials!

There is a test you can do (apparently) but can't say I would be in any rush to attempt it!

I'm happy to be able to wish you all a very good morning. I hope that, inspite of certain misgivings, those, like me, who felt dispirited prior to the 25th, have found something to celebrate. This doesn't sound grammatically correct. Hey ho...as Bags would say, we're none of us perfect. Tee hee!

It has been a peaceful few days. We've also met with friends in the village, and laughed a lot. On Christmas day we had a full quota of phone calls from family. Matt called from Afghanistan, having enjoyed a five-course feast with the troops.

Wee man's mummy phoned and we've had several photos of T sent as attachments. I've uploaded one of him with his lovely bicycle. The grin is so infectious.

Rory [the cat] lurves living with us. He has truly mastered the fine art of using a litter tray. He returns to his outdoor apartment at bedtime. We have to make sure that he still regards it as a safe retreat. When we go away for a few days, friends will call to feed him. There is no way he would tolerate a stranger entering the house. I can imagine fur flying...

Over the next few days, I'm hoping to catch up on the happenings of my mates.

So glad you've had a happy time soop, sometimes I think the dread is worse than the reality of Christmas

I'm happy that others are happily back ... in the heart of this virtual village.

Glad and happy to see you again, soop, my dear! xxx

soop I have been off this for a while before Christmas, sorry to hear you were not your usual upbeat and cheery self, am glad you are back, you bring us . x