some updates from Minneapolis

This week, Minneapolis had its 14th largest snowfall since records began in 1884. (Or, if you prefer video news.) It was 6pm last night before I saw the first snowplow drive down my block. I moved my car back into its usual location immediately afterwards. In this photo, you can see 2 large snow piles about 2 meters to the left and right of the sidewalk intersection. Each pile is up almost to my armpits. The snow drifts by my front and back doors are up to the main deck (5th step) now.

The cat food and water kept getting buried under snow. After hearing one friendly (the only one I've succeeded in petting so far) orange tabby male howling one night near my front door, I finally propped my porch door ajar, so cats could get inside the porch to eat and drink in dry conditions. I've seen at least 4 different ones so far. The poor things have a hard time navigating the snow. I've seen them. When I step in fresh areas, my foot sinks with snow up to my knees. It must be exhausting to leap above walls of snow taller than you are. I've created easier paths in my front and back yards for them to walk across my property.

It makes me sad that some neighborhood cats will not survive the winter. Our traditional cold season is still ahead of us in February. Or, perhaps a worse fate, these cats will bring litters of new kittens to the same hardship. When humans domesticate a species, they really should be responsible for their wellbeing, especially in climates those animals aren't adapted for. The local AHS does provide spay/neuter services for people who want to catch and release on their own initiative. I don't have a trap large enough for a cat, and I doubt I'll spend money on that expense until I find a job. These events make me think of my own cat, petting her comfortably on a warm electric blanket in bed, many years after she nearly died on a cold night (not this cold) outdoors when she was a kitten.

It wasn't an easy drive, but I made it last night to the free clinic for my 2nd monkeypox vaccination. This time, I had them use the other arm, since the original is still bruised from the first vaccination, a month later. I continue updating that thread with photos.