Untitled 273

Untitled 273.  Pastel.  Approx. 9" x 12".  Purchase information: jala [at] jalapfaff [dot com]

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The orange members of the family.

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It's been quite an eventful week or so.

During a period of record-setting cold (e.g., -12F at nights, around 5F during the days), a gas line malfunctioned in the area, and 7200 people, including me, were without heat or hot water for about 40 hours.  I ran my oven and three space heaters continuously and all those kept it at about 55F in the house. We're all really hoping we are going to get a break on our electric bills this month (it's the same company for the gas and the electric.)  

For one of those 40 hours, the power went out as well. The experience was really unbelievable in that kind of non-stop cold.

Then, Gadjo decided to have a very severe flare-up of his FHS (Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome), his worst episode ever. It has lasted about a week now (as opposed to his second-worst episode, which was maybe a couple of days; and most of his episodes, which are maybe a few hours). He hasn't been having many problems with FHS at all for a long time now.

I brought him to the vet yesterday and we are going to try various things to bring him relief. Right now we're doing a trial of steroids. Surprisingly (to me), it seems to be helping already.

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Mojito is doing great now, by the way! (My animolecules are taking turns lately to drain my energy and wallet, and worry me to death.) He's completely recovered and enjoying playing in the snow--his favorite thing (other than fetching tennis balls in the lake).

More art on my website: jalapfaff.com