The kittens are only sneezing occasionally now, and eating continuously. Feeding them is taking up so much time that I have started to try to get them to drink from a bowl.

This is a very messy process, as they stand in the bowl, looking everywhere but down to determine where the tantalizing smell is coming from. They get it everywhere, leaving tiny milk paw prints all over the floors. Eventually they dip their faces in, getting milk on their whiskers and shaking their heads to spread droplets everywhere.

There is debate over whether to start soaking dry food in formula to make the eventual transition to solids easier. I find it to add even more mess to an already messy process. They also get used to food that is soft from soaking, making it more difficult to get them to eat just the dry food. They are not considered adoptable until they eat nothing but dry food.

Mostly I just teach them to drink formula from a bowl, and put down dry food. Sooner or later, they all figure it out, and it saves a step. In fact, when I have older and younger kittens together, the younger ones seem to learn by just watching the older.


In honor of national humor month:


Proverbs


Proverbs

1. A day without sunshine is like night.

2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture most people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

19. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Today is

All is Ours Day

Buddha Day; Buddha's Birthday, Japan a/k/a Vesak

Cosmonaut's Day

Draw a Picture of a Bird Day

Grand Ivy Day

Hana Matsuri, Flower Festival, Japan

International Bird Day

National D.A.R.E. Day

National Empanada Day

Sealing the Frost, Guatemala (Cuchumatan Indians ritual to protect their corn from frost)


Birthdays Today:

Kirsten Storms, 1984
Patricia Arquette, 1968
Julian Lennon, 1963
Kofi Annan, 1938
Shecky Greene, 1926
Betty Ford, 1918
Sonja Henie, 1912
Mary Pickford, 1893


Today in History:

Sultan Baybars conquers the Krak des Chevaliers in Syria, 1271
The first Jewish congregation in the US forms the Shearith Israel synagogue in NYC, 1730
The first fire escape, a wicker basket on a rope and pulley system, is patented, 1766
The statue Aphrodite of Milos (Venus de Milo) is discovered on the Aegean island of Melos, 1820
John D. Lynde patents the aerosol dispenser, 1862
William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons, 1886
Auguste Deter, the first person officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, dies, 1906
The last meeting of the League of Nations is held, 1946
Hammerin' Hank Aaron hits his 715th home run, beating Babe Ruth's record, 1974