Spicecat

[𐡀 @Xyleniqq]

My neighbor, Ed, was ninety one. Lived alone. Had a cat named Mr. Buttons.

Ed died three weeks ago. Heart attack. Quiet. Quick.

I didn't know him well. We'd wave. Small talk about the weather. That's it.

Two days after he died, there's a knock on my door.

It's Ed's daughter. I'd never met her.

Ed's daughter: Hi. I'm Rachel. Ed's daughter.

Me: Oh. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Rachel: Thank you. I'm here about the cat.

Me: The cat?

Rachel: Mr. Buttons. My dad left instructions. He wanted you to take him.

Me: What?

Rachel: He left a note. Said you were the only person on the street who didn't hate the cat.

Me: I don't even know the cat.

Rachel: Apparently you fed him once.

I tried to remember. Then it clicked.

Six months ago, Ed was out of town. He asked if I'd feed Mr. Buttons for two days. I said yes. I fed the cat. That was it.

Me: I fed him one time.

Rachel: Well, he left the cat to you.

Me: I don't want a cat.

Rachel: Neither do I. I'm allergic.

Me: So take him to a shelter.

Rachel: He's eighteen years old. No one's going to adopt him.

Me: That's not my problem.

Rachel: Please. I'll pay for his food. I just need someone to take him.

My wife appeared behind me.

My wife: We'll take him.

Me: What?

My wife: We'll take the cat.

Rachel looked relieved.

Rachel: Really?

My wife: Yes. Bring him over.

Rachel left. I turned to my wife.

Me: We're not cat people.

My wife: Ed left you his cat. We're taking the cat.

Me: I don't want a cat.

My wife: Too bad.

An hour later, Rachel showed up with Mr. Buttons. He's the ugliest cat I've ever seen. One eye. Half a tail. Looks like he lost a fight with a lawnmower.

Rachel: He's very sweet.

She handed me a carrier and left.

I put the carrier in the living room and opened it.

Mr. Buttons walked out, looked at me, and hissed.

Me: Great.

For three days, the cat hid under the couch. Wouldn't eat. Wouldn't come out.

My wife: Maybe he's grieving.

Me: He's a cat.

My wife: Cats grieve.

On day four, I'm sitting on the couch watching TV and Mr. Buttons jumps up next to me.

Just sits there.

I didn't move.

He curled up and fell asleep.

Now he follows me everywhere. Kitchen. Garage. Bathroom.

My wife thinks it's hilarious.

My wife: He loves you.

Me: I don't love him.

My wife: Yes you do.

Last week I took him to the vet. Spent $300 on bloodwork.

The vet said he's in good shape for eighteen.

I told my wife.

My wife: See? He's going to be around for a while.

Me: That's not comforting.

Yesterday I caught myself talking to him.

Me: You want dinner?

Mr. Buttons meowed.

Me: Yeah, me too.

My wife walked in.

My wife: Are you talking to the cat?

Me: No.

She smiled.

I'm a cat person now.

I hate it.

[Autism care and share @autcareandshare]

As most of you know my role is to help and support parents and carers through the ehcp process, and other things like reasonable adjustments and benefits too, if you need any support please send me a email [email protected]
Kind regards Adam.

[John Dabell @John_Dabell]

Folks are comparing the recent heatwave to the one we had in 1976. I was 8 years old on holiday in Great Yarmouth and I remember there being a plague of ladybirds that summer. They were everywhere! We tried eating fish and chips al fresco but the ladybirds covered them! The British Entomological and Natural History Society estimated that by late July around 23–24 billion seven-spotted ladybirds were concentrated along the southern and eastern coasts of England! I'm certain people wouldn't cope with a ladybird invasion now. In 1976, people mostly shrugged, swatted them away, and got on with it. Today, social media would be full of videos titled "Ladybird Apocalypse!" and "Millions of insects invade British beaches!" There would be endless speculation about climate change, invasive species, government conspiracies and the end of civilisation before teatime!

[East Kent Hospitals @EKHUFT]

Do you work at or visit QEQM?

Thanet District Council wants to understand how people travel to the hospital, as part of a wider project aimed at improving accessibility for everyone who works at, visits, or relies on it.

Take part at https://t.co/v6etRchSMr

[Southeastern @Se_Railway]

We know it’s been a difficult few days with the heatwave and one more very hot day to come. If you’ve had to make an essential journey, thanks for bearing with us. Here’s some words from Tamzin, our Operations Director.

[George The Stourbridge Junction Station Cat @TheStourbridge]

🚨 Official George Hydration Advice 🚨

If your wee wee colour matches my magnificent ginger fur… stop what you’re doing and drink some water! 😹💧

Your kidneys will thank you.

#StayHydrated #Heatwave #GeorgeTheStationCat

[Spicecat @Spicecat64]

@markp8888 Bristol or surrounding area; been rumbling away with thunder and lightening for a couple of hours now. Still chucking it down.

[Royal Mail @RoyalMail]

Moving home?

Remember to redirect your mail ✉️ https://t.co/DgDFRfZ1Hk

[Spicecat @Spicecat64]

Save Freeview TV for Lynette and millions of others who depend on it! - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/mXfJUrq1P6 via @UKChange

[George The Stourbridge Junction Station Cat @TheStourbridge]

🚨 BOX OCCUPATION UPDATE 🚨

Negotiations for the release of the giant cardboard box have once again failed.

My demands remain entirely reasonable:

Treatos
Roast chicken
More blankets
Less work

The box remains occupied.
The cat remains comfortable.
The talks remain stalled.

[VeryBritishProblems @SoVeryBritish]

Everyone banged on about doing “No Mow May” but nobody mentioned the following month would be “can’t bloody mow anyway because it won’t stop sodding raining for three seconds June”

[Simon's Cat 🐾 @SimonsCat]

How to make a new friend...🖤
Teddy's Tale Part 2 - The Shadows

[East Kent Hospitals @EKHUFT]

Congratulations to lead nurse for diabetes and endocrinology Amanda WIlliams, who has been announced as the winner of a national award.

Amanda won the Specialist Nurse Awards: Diabetes Patient Care category in the Global Health Awards.

[The Letter Box Study Group @lbsg1976]

How Postbox Toppers Brought Britain Together - a documentary about the love of crocheting and postboxes bringing joy and togetherness to Britons through challenging times, featuring our very own Arthur Reeder and his Isle of Wight Postal Museum. https://t.co/ZYWopvjODG

[Autism care and share @autcareandshare]

Hi everyone im getting lots of emails from people wanting to join the upcoming webinar on June 3rd on going away with your child, lots of hints and tips for parents and carers, there was a problem with the link yesterday. Please use this link below to register , any problems drop me a direct message kind regards Adam
https://t.co/aKUAbDCbSt

[East Kent Hospitals @EKHUFT]

East Kent Hospitals and Kent Community Health Trust are looking for volunteers for a meet and greet role at the new Thanet Health Hub in Broadstairs.
Find out more at an open morning on Friday, 29 May - contact [email protected] to book a space.

[Autism care and share @autcareandshare]

A few years ago i took Ryan on his first ever holiday to Spain i did lots of preparation and planning for the holiday as I had no way of knowing of he'd get on the airplane, a few newspapers talked about the planning and preparation that I did and I also wrote for the new York Times about the preparation, on June 3rd I'm doing a webinar titled, Going Away with Your Child, lots of hints tips and practical advice the talk is aimed at parents and carers of children with SEND special educational needs and disabilities. If you're interested please send a email here- [email protected]
Here's a link with more details https://t.co/2ZnCbda92w…

[West Ham United @WestHam]

Full-time.

[George The Stourbridge Junction Station Cat @TheStourbridge]

George would like to remind everybody that the weather is going to be really, really warm over the next few days, so please take care of yourselves

Please also remember our furry friends, make sure pets have access to fresh water, shade, and cooler places to rest.

[Sarah Parry @SarahWoods66]

Not my usual tweet but I want a little rant. I got gifted 2 tickets to the Chelsea Flower Show so went with a friend yesterday. We paid for an overnight stay in a hotel, train fares and food. I can honestly say it was AWFUL. It was unbelievably busy with huge numbers of people making it impossible to walk - we were just shoved along by the crowd. I couldn’t see any of the show gardens because the fight to see them was 5 people deep. Even if you did get to the front you were being pressured to move on. We gave up after 3 hours and went to the Chelsea Physic Garden along the road which was a much welcome oasis of calm. The organisers of the show should be ashamed of themselves. Visitor numbers need limiting and I feel so sorry for anyone for whom this was a first time long awaited visit #RHSChelsea #RHSChelseaFlowerShow
@GWandShows @GWandShows @The_RHS