So I hurt my back something fierce. Like cursing, crying and begging pain when I moved kind of hurt. This was a few weeks ago but it lingers. Dunno if I popped something or something tore or something did something but it’s slowly healing. I have hours of no pain now or some pulling and then terrible aches.

And writing has been… difficult.

But today I am off to work where there is a potluck. I made kalua pig… which is kind of like a pulled pork. I also brought BBQ sauce so I just might make it BBQ pork when I heat it up.

See how exciting my days are?

Finishing up Absinthe of Malice. Have to go over it with a fine toothed comb and look over the songs I’m including. I apparently can’t get rid of the standard blues rhythm. Go figure.

Whatcha all got planned for this week?

I am sorry to tell you all that today was the day we said goodbye and forever loves to Neko.

Most of you see Yoshi, the cat I use as my avatar but many of you have gotten to know Neko through the Cole McGinnis Mysteries. Jae’s Neko was based off of a wee little black cat we found at a shelter one day. She was sickly, which we found out later, and once her respiratory problems were driven back by antibiotics and exorcism rituals, we discovered we’d somehow brought home a six pound ball of atttiude and terror.

She was the ultimate cat…who was named… Cat. She was imperious, entitled and oddly maternal, caring for nearly every single one of the older animals around her and sadly, because our furry Buick named Tam can’t get off his arse to groom himself, she took it upon herself to take care of him as well.

Neko entered into this world with a clear vision of what was hers and what she required in life. What was hers was hers and what was someone else’s was hers if it looked even remotely more interesting or comfortable than what she already had. I have a picture (which I will share) of her screaming at me because her brother Tam is taking up the ONE spot on a queen sized bed…the ONE SPOT she felt she deserved. She was staunce believer in Truth, Justice and the Neko Way and defended anyone’s right to paying her homage.

Aloof, a bit shy and disdainful, she would periodically turn us into liars and love someone up a storm right after we told them she wasn’t fond of people she didn’t know. In her later years, she gained a minion, my blond cairn, and took his worship of her as her due.

Unfortunately, even the greatest furry despot cannot win over Death. Neko entered into her battle with cancer a few weeks ago and the time came when it would have been cruel to let her suffer with her increasing pain. Today was a good day.

No matter what, we have to remember that today was a good day. She nibbled on ham and fried chicken, basked in sunbeams and had hours of cuddling and affection. The room where she would say goodbye to us was filled with sunshine and she was surrounded by people who loved her and held her as she slipped off to another world to conquer.

Neko will live on in Cole and Jae’s home. She will rule that roost forever and I am grateful you all are here with me to share in her antics and her rare affection. Thank you for being here with me as I say goodbye to a very old friend but one I know I will see again.

So long as I bring her a packet of salmon. Or tuna and cheese because you know, love is all well and good but true friends bring tasty tasty salmon.

Our routine with Neko has gone from hope to life management. We have no firm news on what the mass in her stomach is but will soon and from the looks of things, it’s irrelevant as to what and more to a when. So, my old lady cat who is immortalized in the Dirty series will probably be leaving us soon. She’s had a great life and is extremely spoiled. She’s wanted for nothing since coming into this house and has mothered every animal who has come through the door except for her nemesis Yoshi.

Yoshi disdains all other creatures without thumbs. She smacks the dog on the head just because he’s eating his own food. She’s that pissy. But she loves me and is in constant search of the perfect belly rub.

Tam Kitteh continues to do well. He comes for his insulin and noms then goes back to roaming the house so he can nap in every soft spot he can find. He has a schedule. He will also come and sniff at you if there’s the potential for a snack. He is a furry stomach. I should have called him Sporran or Haggis.

Gus Gus is a dog. He will mourn Neko. She is his one true love. But for now, he’s there to curl up against if she wants to.