h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Same circus, new ringmaster and the clowns arrive next week.

It's been a very difficult year.

Hi Coely.

Maybe both of our years will brighten.

Love,

Ali*

alicat!!!!!
Good to see you! I hope you are well.

,

Hi babe. I am doing well again. I had a relapse, and started drinking. I got myself in terrible trouble. I am OK now. I haven't had a drink since Feb. 13. I finally found a way to quit forever. I swore on my Dad's life that I would never have another drink. It's better than swearing on the Bible (which I also take very seriously). There isn't anything in the world more important to me than my Dad. By the way, he had his one-year check up since his cancer surgery and he is doing grat. They did a scope of his colon and there is no sign of any cancer.

How are you? How do you like your job and house? It has been so long since I've been to h2g2. I think of everyone here all the time, I just haven't been able to talk. How is your cat?

I promise I will be back. I have quite a lot of people to get in touch with. Love you dearly.

*

Hey alicat!
I'm sorry to hear about the relapse. Were you back in the clinic with the picture of the on the wall? You seem more positive about things now and with your dad to support you I hope the future looks brighter for both of you. Its good to see you back here.

How am I? Well mostly myself, but nothing that good health, a warm climate and the love of a good man wouldn't sort out.

I do know that in many ways it was a mistake to give up the life I had and gamble on a new one. But if I hadn't done it I would never have known. I'll make a major decision in the next 12 months about what to do next. Lots of unconnected things went wrong all at once and I had a very bad time in May/June this year but the kind that happens only once in a lifetime. I trust myself more and others less as a result.

So I have thrown myself into work even though I'm not happy in the job. I hide from people a lot. I wish it wasn't so.

My dear old ginger is still the source of unconditional and forgiving love. He's over 17 now which makes him about 85. Right now he is warm and soft by my side, as ever, although it just takes him longer to get there! He's almost totally deaf so I have to be careful not to make him startle and he can't come home when called. He meows so loudly I think he must believe he has lost his voice rather than his hearing! Last week I bought him a reflective collar to be seen by drivers since he can't hear the cars.

Yesterday I looked at a book about caring for an older . It seems all is well. He still has a good appetite, enjoys the outdoors and likes a playful game from time to time. His mind is as sharp as ever too.

How are your dogs? Do you still take them for long walks?

Greetings Coely,

I'm so sorry to hear about your troubles. I think what you did by moving to a new life was very brave. I don't have that much courage.

I didn't have to go back to the clinic with your picture. I just quit on my own, after some very devastating times. I almost lost my beloved dogs and home. I still take Angus and Rosee for long walks. They are one of the greatest joys in my life. We have two cats as well. Buddy is the oldest, he's 11. Porsche is about 5. We found her in the middle of winter in an old shed in the backyard. She was all huddled down and crying. She was about 6 months old then. She had frostbite on her ears, nose and foot pads. We don't know where she came from (Heaven?). We had her spayed and she has brought nothing but joy.

I am glad your dear cat is still doing well. My family's childhood cat lived to be over 20.

I will talk to you soon. My e-mail address is [email protected] If you want to write me there I'd be very happy.

Thinking of you with a big smile,

*