Donsie_Lass's Profile

I mean, why do this? Why is it necessary? 20 layers might be worth it for a bit of something different but beyond that it just seems like pointless artifice.

@summerinbrooklyn Ah yes, too true. There's no way a trained veterinary staff could possibly know the answer or how best to locate it better than the magical masses on the Interwebz.

In response to the OP, I have just taken in some foster cats and had a similar worry. I called their vet and asked (shock, horror) what the true story was. I was told that as long as I used essential oils in a diffuser and kept the oils out of the reach of cats (no eating or touching it) there should be no risk. Tea tree is supposed to be especially dangerous, though, so I would avoid that. Although I urge you to ask some vets whose opinions you trust, I think you should be fine with the Mrs. Myers products (they didn't seem to harm my previous cat, but neither did my occasional diffusion of essential oils) but in general the big dangers to cats re: household products are phenols, petroleum products, and bleach. Some sound advice is to know what cleaners you've used recently so that if you see Kitty isn't quite her usual self, you can take both pet and cleaner to the vet, which should help in a quick diagnosis if poisoning is suspected. Here's a pretty long list of substances toxic to cats, as well as a link to the ASPCA Poison Control Center site if you're interested. Some things on here might surprise you. http://www.peteducation.com/category.cfm?c=1 1411 1418
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/

Om nom nom nom.

Seriously, I have major crockery envy now.

This is usually set with rennet, so it's technically a soft cheese. It also might not be vegetarian, so if that's a concern for anyone, it's worth finding out what sort of rennet is used in the manufacture. I'm looking into making my own to give it a try, as it's not in the shops where I live and I can use vegetarian rennet. I'm keen to try it. I love me some fermented/cultured milk products. I would make a terrible vegan!

In the future we won't have to cook. We'll just swallow nutritional supplements... and live in polyester eggs.

I would no more put my health and ethical concerns about eating meat on hold for the sake of another person than I would my health and ethical concerns about, say, drinking alcohol or using drugs, or kicking people on the street, for that matter. If someone is really so petty as to find my refusal to eat meat personally offensive enough to decline to offer any further dinner invitations I say good riddance to bad rubbish. I usually offer to take one or more vegetarian dishes to share, rely on sides (ask ahead to find out what's on offer and if they're vegetarian) or, if that isn't possible, I eat before I got to a gathering where there might not be sufficient vegetarian choices. It's terrible hosting to send a guest home hungry and I would be ashamed to do it myself, so I imagine most people would be more than happy to accommodate vegetarians. Also, although some posters seem to opine to the contrary, just because someone is of an older generation, it's unfair and foolish to assume that he or she will be hostile to change or scandalised by normal human behaviour. Elderly people know about sex, drugs, and rock and roll so I doubt vegetarianism will frighten them.

Deliriumsama, You're right and not the only one who felt the need to point out that little error. It looks like a ton of fun and you can really see it's Edwardian rather than Victorian, since there's a more relaxed look and mood to the thing, as well as after-dinner conversation in mixed gender groups and in the dining room. This is a break with earlier conventions that would have seen women and men retiring to their own distinct rooms to interact in gender-specific activities and conversation. They certainly look like they're having more fun than in the images from just before and after, and their demeanour seems more casual and modern than in the 'Mad Men' scene.

Ugh, ugh, ugh. I think the people who live in these places by choice must be so filthy rich that they have forgotten what it's like to live somewhere run-down by necessity. These photos make me think of the dives I've seen when house hunting recently and send a shiver down my spine. No one who really lives in a 'rustic' locale would be caught dead in such a shambles if they had any say in the matter!

It's probably good to put up some posters and certainly ask the neighbours. Don't panic the friend just yet. If you put food near the window (use the stinky, wet stuff or some cooked fish so it smells strong) the cat will probably return. Also make sure you phone all the shelters and vet's offices in the area and leave a description of the cat and her ID tag information in case someone brings her in after you call. If the cat doesn't know you well don't spend the night there. Your presence may be enough to keep her away. If she's not back after 24 hours or so you might phone your friend to ask if the cat has a special hiding place. Is it an outdoor cat or not (I'm guessing not)? This might make a difference in your approach, since if she's an indoor cat there's no point in calling and alarming the friend to ask about an outdoor place if the moggy doesn't go outside. Does she have a microchip? If so contact the company. Say a prayer to St Francis and good luck to you and the kitty.