Shrift, if it's the potluck I'm also invited to, the host has gastric problems with beets. Just FYI. Also onions.

I need to track down my sister's recipe for orange cake, which uses an entire orange and is totally awesome.

Liese, that is SO COOL. Rock on!

I spent the day doing ... stuff. Mostly Dad-related, including tracking down his wallet and taking him to the dentist and arranging for him to get 4 hours/day of personal care. Turns out he hasn't been showering because he's afraid of falling, which I should have guessed (given that he fell in the shower a year or so ago). But I still have not defeated the dragon that is Verizon, the fuckers. Tomorrow, maybe.

Now I need to feed the dog, make some dinner, do some laundry, and then I can sit down and watch Agent Carter and The 100.

I don't know what a small apartment means where you are, Connie, but I had two kittens in an apartment in NC and it was pretty fine. I'm a proponent of the idea that two kittens are as easy as one so, if you want kittens, get two! Because they'll entertain each other and be super amusing.

But, if you're interested in getting an older cat who already has a preference for being an only, that should work out fine, too!

So, cats in apartments, do they mind that much?

Nope, we have two big fat boycats in a less than 900 sf apartment, and they do great. Cats have access to a lot of levels that humans don't really think about.

Shrift, if it's the potluck I'm also invited to, the host has gastric problems with beets.

I knew about onions, but not beets. Thanks for telling me. Of course, now I have no idea what to bring. I guess I should consult some cookbooks.

Nope, we have two big fat boycats in a less than 900 sf apartment, and they do great. Cats have access to a lot of levels that humans don't really think about.

Our house's footprint is less than 1,000 sf and our 2 cats are indoor-only cats and are happy as can be.

our kittens have been chasing each other all around the dining room tonight--one on top of the table and one below. Now the Professor is chasing herself? upstairs and Magellan is just going up to investigate. Cat Times!

Oh sorry, the recipe for my salad is kinda in my head, so amounts are very rough.

Lentil-Quinoa salad

1-2 cu cooked lentils
1-2 cu cooked quinoa
2 cu chopped arugula
1 cu chopped mint (optional)
feta cheese
olive oil
lemon
salt
pepper

optional/recommended
olives
avocado
fennel
tomato

Toss lentils and quinoa with olive oil and salt. I often do this while they are still warm then let it sit while I chop up the rest of the ingredients. Roughly chop arugula and mint and add them. Ditto with the fennel, avo, and/or tomatoes. Add crumbled feta ( or swap for olives if you want to keep it vegan) and squeeze the juice of one lemon and toss. Add salt and pepper to taste.

I do a similar salad with quinoa, black beans, peppers, cilantro, feta, and avocado...

Connie, if you find an apartment you otherwise like that does not allow pets, you might explain to the landlord that you don't intend to own pets immediately, but are seriously considering cats in your future. Then ask if you can write an exception to the rule in your lease. Often apartment managers will do this if they like the idea of you as a tenant. And if they they don't, well then you can decide. I remember when I was a kid, my :parents moved to New Jersey for a job, and the apartment had a "no pickup trucks" rule. So my Dad wrote an exception into the lease, initialed it, and had the manager counter-initial. No guarantees that this will always work, but it costs nothing to ask. And even in a tight market where managers have no trouble getting renters, they like to close deals. The fact that you ask for an exception up front tells them you are not planning to just sneak a cat it, which is going to be a plus. If they agree, since cats often do damage rugs and curtains and such, they may specify that if you do move a cat in, you will need to notify them and pay an additional damage deposit.

There were clearly plows! But why I'm up at 6 am without an alarm is a mystery.