It has indeed been a long while, and times have been difficult. Our Matriach, Jaava, went to the Rainbow Bridge earlier this month. This was a shock to us all. She was not that old and had anemia for which we know not the cause, and it took her very rapidly. Here is a photo taken the day before she left us, with Papu washing her.
Our Universe was shattered and the Felocracy is struggling to work out a hierarchy - Jaava sorted us all out (including Äiti). Mesi has lost her snugglebuddy (on top of Sampo leaving us not long ago - he was Mesi's best mate). Mesi is glued to Äiti which makes Otso jealous. THat means he gets snarky with Jura and Kalle. Jura copes, but mopes around as he misses Jaava. Kalle is still getting used to having wonderful eyes that can see, and is outdoors as much as he can be - and avoiding Otso who is big and scary to him. Papu does what he wants to do - which means he'll annoy Mesi whenever he feels like it. Mesi is a third of his size. This will take time.
And then we got the bad news that I have HCM, which is already showing as weightloss.
This all feels too much for Äiti right now - and she has her own inner struggles with a dizzy brain and she has just been officially diagnosed as autistic, which leaves her with a load of weird human emotions about the last 57 years of feeling like a poop in a food bowl. It's a good thing long term, but a bit of a maelström. Plus, she has been hit hard by the reduction in our numbers - she had hoped for stability for a few years as we are not really oldies!So, she is devoting her time and energy to us, and herself, and feels pretty bad about the lack of blogging. But we felcorats had a vote and agreed it is fine for her to take an extended break. We apologise to Loyal Readers, whole heartedly, especially those who have been our Very True friends for such a long time. So many kitties and humans we have loved and so many have gone to play in the tailio tangle of the revontulet.
I have no intention of joining them any time soon, but let's see what my heart will do. I have many different yummy foods, and I get to snuggle with Äiti every night. I get to do a bit of supervised socialising, and I have my own balcony. Now you'd think that Mesi and I could cozy up together, but that would be too easy: we despise each other! Kalle and I get to hang out a bit, but he does not let me steal his heats.
So, that's the update for now from FInland(N). We deeply miss our buddies, and it will all take time to settle. But you can rest assured that every morning when I feel hungry, I walk right across Äiti's face to make sure my needs are met! Oh yes, there is still a lot of life in this Nekkid Viscount yet.
Be well, friends, and cherish your humans and your felines, and any other creatures that perhaps do not purr so much.