D.J. was right. I could have enumerated 33 reasons in 33 days why I hate Connecticut, but most would be true anywhere. Except "do you really, really like winter?" which only pertains ... well, where it pertains.

It all came down to "do you want to live for the rest of your days with gumpy Yankees who say 'ayah'?" We should have taken the hint when a West Hartford physician remarked that we didn't look like Connecticuters because we were smiling.

I tried to bond with Connecticut, but it was not to be. I cannot recommend this state except to those thrilled with snow and grumpy Yankees who say ‘ayah.’

Reason No. 1: Growing impoverishment.

Connecticut’s per capital income figures show that it is not only No. 1 again, but by a larger margin than in the past. However, “minus the millionaires, the rest of us are pretty ordinary, which is to say we struggle.”

One –quarter of households spend more than 50% of their income on housing.

Over 70% of the jobs expected to be created in the next 6 years will pay $19.23 per hour or less – while Connecticut’s “housing wage” – what you have to earn to afford a typical two-bedroom apartment, is up to more than $21 an hour now.

Many people are “one blown carburetor, one furlough, one emergency room visit from homelessness."

The kit included fast-drying cement mix, a stick for stirring, pieces of glass, a plastic mold. It came together in about two hours & is currently curing on the kitchen counter.

(Bob's sister Kate is marrying Pat on May 10th.)

Baby G and Princess

Princess is going home tomorrow to a very nice family in Bristol -- mom, dad, two lovely children and an enthusiastic and motherly golden retriever.

I enjoy being a part of the kittens' first experiences. Feeding them -- being 100% cat, they choose to eat only baby food and act like I'm trying to poison them when I bring out the KMR -- Keeping them warm and safe -- hot water bottles, towels, and a sweater that still smells like their mom -- Playing 'I dare you to rub my belly' and 'beat up the big shoe'.

They stand a better chance in life when they're joyful and unafraid. When they come running when we walk through the door, because all they've ever experienced are kind words and love.

Big World, be good to these little guys.

Four days old.

She is the third cat we've taken in for foster care until the kittens are old enough to be adopted, and she's also the first pregnant mom we've had. Her belly is now about the size of a football and the woman at the rescue shelter is guessing seven kittens. Yikes!

She is an amazingly calm and peaceful cat, quite intelligent and affectionate too.

10 inches of snow piles up on an outdoor table

Note the darkness.

We haven't left winter behind us, yet. Rains wash the snow away, but it returns. I had a meltdown over the weekend -- poor Bob was running around in a panic, ready to sell the house. The realtor assured him that sun-deficiency was the dilemma, and spring would be the solution. It can't come fast enough.