The Hit List - Different cat, different situation

We’re cat people. That means we’ve had plenty of kitties owning us over the past thirty years. Midnight was an elegant Burmese with impeccable manners. Sparkle was our neurotic boy that hated everyone except me. Pai Mei was a shy fellow who was gone way too soon. TaoZen was our only non-black cat, a grey tabby with a big (demanding) personality. And then there is Monkey, the sweetest yet not-so-brightest of the bunch. He’s the last living feline.

Because we’ve had to say goodbye to our other cats, we have a pretty good idea when they’re gearing up to cross the rainbow bridge. Most of our guys have dealt with renal failure, which is pretty common.

So it was no surprise when Monkey began showing the same symptoms a few months ago: drinking lots of water, peeing more than usual, and lethargy. He’s almost sixteen years old too, so we began bracing ourselves for the worst because, usually, our other cats were gone quickly once those signs started.

But this time, it was a little different.

He wasn’t going quickly. His spirits were also good, which was odd. The other cats stopped giving a rip about anything when they got to this point. Not him. He still wanted his daily treats and petting sessions.

Then, he began walking funny. Instead of his normal graceful meandering around the house, he stumbled around like he was drunk. He had trouble cleaning himself because he couldn’t keep his balance. Last week, he started walking on his hocks instead of his paws. I decided to call the vet to get an idea of what these unusual symptoms might be.

Welp, it turns out Monkey is diabetic.

So instead of planning the end, we’re learning how to inject insulin twice a day. He got his first shot last night and his second this morning. He doesn’t really like getting these injections, but we know this will make his quality of life better.

Of course, he is an elder, so we’re still unsure of how much time we have with him. But instead of doom and gloom, we’re counting our blessings.

Theresa

Other stuff:

Cat stuff: Cats first finagled their way into human hearts and homes thousands of years ago – here’s how.

Ethony Tarot has something to say about the gatekeeping crap.

Damn: The hidden harms of CPR.

Good to know: What Your Phone Is Doing to Your Body, and How to Fix It.

Wow: A neglected London penthouse transformed into a riot of colour and pattern.

From Well+Good: A Cazimi Is a Super Powerful Astrological Alignment—Here’s the Lucky Energy You Can Expect From All 8 of Them.

Le sigh: The 13 Most Beautiful Libraries in the World.

Another body is identified: Prosecutors Identify Human Remains Found in 2011 Near Gilgo Beach.

Learn about it: What Is FMLA? Looking at America’s Family and Medical Leave Act.

RIP Angus Cloud.

From Bust: Trauma, Tresses, and Truth: Untangling our Hair and Understanding the CROWN Act.

The Astrological Reason Why All Your Favorite Celeb Couples Are Crumbling Right Now.

Here’s how to pick the perfect tarot journal – along with my list of faves.

Scary times: In ‘Baseless’ Texas Lawsuit, Matthew Kacsmaryk Could Singlehandedly Shut Down Planned Parenthood.

Where do you put your mat? Where You Place Your Yoga Mat in Class May Say a Lot About You.

Podiatrists Share What They’d Never Do (And Wish You Wouldn’t Either).

I do this and it looks so pretty: A Five-Second Blush Trick.

Super cool: Revisiting the Lost Tarot Deck of Surrealist Leonora Carrington.

For the wannabe podcasters: NPR’s Podcast Start Up Guide: Create, Launch, and Grow a Podcast on Any Budget.

On my list: Written: How to Keep Writing and Build a Habit That Lasts.

Marketing for introverts: Quiet Marketing.

NEED: Bake It Better: 70 Show-Stopping Recipes to Level Up Your Baking Skills.

Witchy stuff coming soon: The Green Witch’s Guide to Herbal Magick: A Handbook of Green Hearthcraft and Plant-Based Spellcraft.

Stickers for your tarot journal? Yes, please: Weiser Tarot Card Sticker Book.

The perfect tarot journal (based on my standards): The Weiser Tarot Journal: Guidance and Practice. It has stickers!!!

My newest book is available for pre-order: The Cards You’re Dealt: How to Deal when Life Gets Real (A Tarot Guidebook).

You can turn your life around any time. Tarot and astrology are tools that can help you get back on track. Learn more: Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot.

Are your kids stuck to the screen this summer? That’s no good. Get them off-screen with: Tarot For Kids. (This was Sounds True’s first foray as tarot deck publishers – and they knocked it out of the park.)

This is the tarot manual for beginners, intermediates, and pros: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Prefer to listen to your tarot lessons? Check this out: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

If astrology talk leaves you feeling like a dummy, no worries. Learn how to speak the lingo like you were born with it: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

There is an audio version if you prefer: Astrology For Real Life.

I loved working with Shaheen Miro on this stunning deck: The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

A hands-on approach to learning tarot is the best way: The Tarot Coloring Book.

The world has been bonkers lately. If you’re tired of it all, take a deep breath and get: Tarot For Troubled Times.

If you want to make your own tarot deck, start here: Create Your Own Tarot Cards: A step-by-step guide to designing a unique and personalized tarot deck. <-Cards are included!

Every week, I send out an astrological forecast specifically for entrepreneurs: The AstroBiz Digest.

**NEW** You carry your phone with you everywhere you go, right? Now you can get real-time astrological transits and daily tarot right in your text messages: Sign up here.

My latest project is for metaphysical writers: The Metaphysical Author’s Confidential. Essays and lessons on writing, publishing, and marketing your magical book.

Classes and Events

Join my Patreon Community! I am serving up extended card-of-the-day interpretations, astrological tidbits, community tarot practice, political astrology, early sneak peeks at horoscopes….and more. Higher tiers get access to live classes, replays of previous classes, mentoring, and more.

October 7, 2023: Tarot for Mediumship. Join me at the Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, Michigan, and learn how to use Tarot to receive messages from the dearly departed. Details coming soon.

October 7, 2023: Ethics and Responsibilities for Professional Tarot Readers and Astrologers. In this workshop, we’ll discuss how to deliver ethical, responsible readings. Where: Boston Tea Room in Ferndale, Michigan. Details coming soon.

October 13, 2023: Book signing at Free Spirit Crystals in Butler, Wisconsin. 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Come on down, say hi, get a copy of The Cards You’re Dealt signed, and check out the cool crystals in stock.

October 21st, 2023: Book signing at Aum Shanti in New York, NY. 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Meet me in the Big Apple and get your book signed. Yay!