Bad Manners and Brimstone

Yeah, I think I'd have to put the kibosh on the food sharing right from the start. Either that or say, "Since I ordered this dish, I will decide what I'm willing to share from it, you can do the same with what you ordered and what you want to share with me in exchange." But really, I'd just say "No, don't bring the extra plate. I am not sharing my food, I'm really looking forward to eating [whatever the dish is]." And then have a really frank discussion with Jessica, the outcome of which would determine whether I ever met her in a food-involved setting again or not.

I think the person with the special diet was the volunteer who just brought another mouth to feed. So, I'd be fine with responding to the complaints "can't eat anything here" with a pointed question "what food did you bring?" Because I do think that people on a special diet need to protect themselves in potluck situations by bringing either their entire meal (and not taking from other contributions) or an item that is consistent with whatever diet they may be on.

Even during the social time, I'd be shutting down proselytizing for another group. Maybe with pretending that of course the stranger wants to be a volunteer for *this* group. Or if that doesn't work, the moment a bit of "this other group is more worthy" comes up is a cue for a quick conversation exit 'must go refill the beverage' or 'talk to other volunteer for this organization' or whatever can work. Or on a continued effort past the first, "I'm sure your other cause is worthy, but I'm really not interested in discussing that today."

events

wool

cookies

I recently had to say goodbye to my dearly beloved Circe, who was 15.5 years old and developed a rapid growing cancer.

So of course, Cat Central had to call and say that someone desperately needed human help.  This kitten is about 10ish weeks old (based on when I saw the mother cat go from hugely pregnant to skinny in the first week of May), and wasn't looking all that well.  Vet appointment is the 28th, and we will confirm ... we think, but kitten is not keen on letting us see what must be seen very well, that this is a girl (Pandora if a girl, Oliver if a boy).

Picture isn't that great (kitten doesn't like to be still.  Gave a Dawn dishsoap bath, and that was pretty horrific in terms of the fleas that I got off this tiny little 2.2lb pounder and the way the water turned rusty-colored, but kitten is eating much better since the bath, has figured out the water fountain, and uses the litterbox and plays with the toys.  (Total predator there, I have a wand toy that has strings on the end, and then a body of a thing ... kitten totally ignores the strings and tries to bite the neck of the stuffed figure.)

I was only able to get the yellow ones, though I did get cooperation on getting the hybrids.