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JimInks

Sultan of Smoke
Aug 31, 2012
70,492
811,692
With any luck, my last smoke of the day will be year 2020 D&R Penhooker Silver in a straight smooth brown undated pre-Republic Peterson Shamrock 263 Canadian with a nickel band and a tapered black p-lip stem. Tomato the Brave ate very well, thanked me, stepped on my feet for a little more attention, and then went out. Sleepy Suzy came back to my chair to be with me. I let Harry the Hairy in and he's eating now. Have a few things to do before bed time.
Peterson_PR_Canadian_Shamrock263.jpg
 

JimInks

Sultan of Smoke
Aug 31, 2012
70,492
811,692
Fantastic news regarding Norton! I can say this: I'd much rather have a cat underfoot, even at risk of tripping, than be alone in the house. Norton seems to be a great companion cat, wanting and likewise giving attention. So happy for them, and I'm glad you're gently encouraging the "indoor only" paradigm. 😻
Norton the Nosey is a wonderful companion. We sent him to the best place we could to help out my oldest friend, and he'll do Norton just as much good, too. We miss the little fella very much, but he'll have a life time of love and care and give as much back as a cat companion can. You should have heard him purr when I spoke to him on the phone this evening. He was very happy whether he knew it was me speaking to him or not. I hope that he knew.
 

Choatecav

Lifer
Dec 19, 2023
1,995
20,212
Middle Tennessee
Had HU Dark Moor, then refills as the day went from the pocket pouch of my Dark Sails mix in a blasted Ropp J07.
Today’s fun was trenching (with a pick) for power to the foaling pen.
I was concerned with the water line that feeds the stalls and the shop, so I whipped up some dowsing rods.
I believe it is a cursed practice because I have a 100% success rate of correctly finding the location of water lines when I use them, but also a 100% history of jacking up the line anyway. Today’s line was way shallower than I expected, and after fixing it, when I turned the water back on I didn’t see a crack that extended beyond my repair, so I got to do it again🤨

View attachment 439610
SB, I admire your work ethic, but question your definition of "fun." ;)

Nice trenching and I notice an absence of rocks in your dirt pile. If I dug that trench here, there would be a pile of rocks the size of my head that a show dog couldn't jump over.
 

Choatecav

Lifer
Dec 19, 2023
1,995
20,212
Middle Tennessee

Choatecav

Lifer
Dec 19, 2023
1,995
20,212
Middle Tennessee
Close to finishing this bowl of year 2014 Edgeworth Ready Rubbed Match In a black sandblasted full bend 2025 Rinaldo YY Lithos dublin with a tapered amber tortoise shell acrylic stem.
View attachment 439650

Norton the Nosey is doing excellently well. He's gained two to three pounds in almost three weeks, and eats four Fancy Feast cans a day. Uses the litter box a lot... too much we thought and John thinks so as well. He's going to get him a dewormer med in case that's the problem. He's picky about his food as he was here. He plays with a couple of toys that we gave my friend John for Norton. He bats around stuff up and down the stairs and all through the house. Norton has plenty of toys.

Norton has finally learned to stay out of the shower, but he still drinks water out of the bathroom sink and lays there every chance he gets. John has to be careful since he washes his glasses there, and doesn't want Norton sitting on them. He follows John durn near everywhere and John has to watch his feet so he won't trip over him. That happened twice to me, three times to m'lady, and twice to John. Norton sleeps with John every night, and when he's hungry, he wakes John up. John's not crazy about that, but I told him no cat was worse than Molly Danger is to m'lady on that score. Norton shows no desire to go outside, and I'm still working on getting John to keep him in. Norton's too friendly to be an outdoor cat. That'll get him stolen or hurt. I think John will give in on this point.

When I chatted on the phone with John, Norton tried to listen in, and purred when he heard my voice. Whether he really knew if it was me or not, I can't say. But he was happy to listen for several minutes. All in all, Norton and John are happy being together as I knew they would be.

This photo of Norton was taken when he was here and by my feet.
View attachment 439649
Great update on Norton, Jim. Based on your description of John (and Norton) I just knew they would hit it off in a big way. Glad to hear that they are clicking so well.
 

redbarchetta

Might Stick Around
Apr 26, 2017
60
683
Connecticut
Braved the Christmas shopping crowds to take Mrs. Badger out for an early pre-birthday lunch at The Fish House in Ludlow before it closes for the rest of the year: oysters, smoked eels, smoked trout, smoked salmon, gravadlax and a bottle of Picpoul de Pinet. Then round the market followed by a warm-up of coffee and a glass of rum in the Rose And Crown, then home to smoke a clay of Black Irish XXX in the greenhouse among the broad beans. No photo as the light was failing. Hope your Saturday is as good. :)
Both locales would be right up my alley too. Ludlow looks like a lovely town. It's Massachusetts namesake is not far from our home.