Miss Jan

Miss Jan was one of my mentors.

She had been bottle raising orphaned kittens, as well as orphaned wild animals that she would then have rehabbed back into the wild, for a good ten years longer than I have.

She helped me so many times I cannot even count. I could run by the office, or call, anytime. She always had a great hint or tip. She taught me to bottle raise even the kittens that are lactose intolerant and can't have the formula.

She worked with my veterinarian, as the office manager/head tech/adviser/etc.

Their office has no computers, and only two years ago did they get a fax machine. Every office visit for the cat rescue was recorded in "Miss Jan's notebook." She kept such spotless records that when the end of the month came, and all the vets' offices would send their totals for the month to the rescue for reimbursement, the only one with no errors was always Miss Jan's.

Miss Jan had several health problems, including a thyroid/pituitary problem that caused her to battle her weight all of her life.

She had been in the hospital more than once in recent months. This time it was a cold that became bronchitis, then pneumonia. When she just could not get her breath, her heart stopped and they couldn't revive her.

The knowledge and experience she took with her is only eclipsed by the loss of her beautiful self.

She has left behind weeping coworkers (I went over to the office this morning to hug Taia, and she is so distraught she can barely function), tons of clients/friends, a husband and sons in their early 20s, her parents, and her pets.

Rest in peace, Miss Jan.


Today is:

Beer Day

Chalanda Marz (Calends of March), Engadine, Switzerland (School children drive away winter and welcome spring with bells and songs.)

Elves, Woodworkers, and Mechanics' Day -- Fairy Calendar

Heroes' Day, Paraguay

Holi -- Hindu

Hollow Earth Day

Independence Day, Bosnia

International Day of the Seal

Matronalia -- Ancient Roman Calendar (marriage festival)

National Fruit Compote Day

National Pig Day

Omizutori, Japan, through the 14th (water drawing festival)

Peace Corps Birthday

Peanut Butter Lovers' Day

Plan a Solo Vacation Day

Refired, Not Retired Day

Rice Festival, Thailand

St. David's Day (patron of Wales)

Whuppity Scoorie Day, Lanark, Scotland (Spring festival, children run around the church and pick up coins thrown for them.)


Anniversaries Today:

Ohio becomes the 17th US State, 1803
Nebraska becomes the 37th US State, 1867
Howard University in Washington, D.C., is chartered, 1867


Birthdays Today:

Russell Wong, 1963
Nik Kershaw, 1958
Ron Howard, 1954
Alan Thicke, 1947
Dirk Benedict, 1945
Roger Daltry, 1944
Robert Conrad, 1935
Harry Belafonte, 1927
Pete Rozelle, 1926
Ralph Ellison, 1914
Harry Caray, 1914
David Niven, 1910
Glenn Miller, 1904
Watsuji Tetsuro, 1889
Frederic Chopin, 1810


Today in History:

Romulus, first king of Rome, celebrates the first Roman triumph after his victory over the Caeninenses, following the Rape of the Sabine Women, BC752
Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army, enters Athens, BC86
Hulagu Khan, grandson of Genghis, conquerors Damascus, 1260
The Uppsala Synod is summoned to confirm the exact forms of the Lutheran Church of Sweden, 1593
Samuel de Champlain reclaims his role as commander of New France on behalf of Cardinal Richelieu, 1633
Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and Tituba are arrested for witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts, 1692
"The Spectator" begins publishing, in London, 1711
The first US census is authorized, 1790
Rebecca Lee Crumpler becomes the first African-American female to earn a medical degree, 1864
Yellowstone becomes the world's first national park, 1872
E. Remington and Sons in Ilion, New York begins production of the first practical typewriter1873
Albert Berry makes the first parachute jump from an airplane, 1912
The March 1st Movement, demonstrations for independence from Japan, begins in Korea, 1919
Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped, 1932
The Hoover Dam is completed, 1936
US Steel raises workers wages to US$5/day, 1937
Chiang Kai-shek resumed the presidency of National China on Formosa, 1950