Ohio! New Cat!

Okay, the biggest news first - I adopted a kitten! I can't believe I did it, but it's been a real blessing. My male cat is about 4 years old and he's very anti-social to people. It took him a few months before he warmed up to my roommate. And I've never seen him around another animal, so I was nervous about introducing another cat to the house, especially another male. I also felt guilty that I didn't take an older cat, since they're harder to get adopted. But in hindsight, the kitten was the right move. When I finally let the two meet he came right up to Sam (the older one) and instead of hissing at him Sam sniffed him and started grooming him. It's been going pretty well since then and Sam's actually started playing with him! And it's so much fun to have kitten energy in the house. He's everywhere, exploring. He usually runs instead of walking and he plays and plays and plays. Too much fun. His name is Timmy.

I haven't written for a week and the news prior to the kitten was that I got in the car Thursday (a week ago) and drove myself to Youngstown, Ohio. I did it in two stages on the way up and spent the night in West Virginia. Then Sunday I drove back in one fell swoop, leaving at 9:00 am and getting in around 8:00 pm. Quite a drive. But well worth it. I love the idea that I can make it to see my relatives by just getting in the car. Youngstown is my father's hometown and it's always a treat to visit there. His two sisters still live there and some of my cousins and their children do too. The photo in front of The Rayen School is my aunt and her daughter-in-law. That's the high school that my aunts and my dad went to and also Debbie, the daughter-in-law. I think it's already closed, or if not, they're closing it in a few months, and they're going to have a big reunion for all the alumni. It was sad driving through the neighborhood and seeing how it's deteriorated. Youngstown is always a little bittersweet when I visit. I went to both synagogues and the attendance is so low. I don't know what they're going to do.

I'm going to stop writing this blog. It's boring. I'm actually boring myself. Time to go.

Tomorrow's a new day. Tomorrow will bring new adventures to share with you. Everyday is a blessing, everyday I will try to visualize peace, not only for myself but for everyone I love, and those living in turmoil.

Sara Abrams