I woke up this morning to a full-scale feline ambush.
Whiskey Kitty was in full pounce-and-dart mode, launching herself across the room like a tiny, furry missile. She leapt onto the bed, biting, nibbling, and generally attempting to dismantle me piece by piece. No hesitation. No mercy. Just pure kitten chaos. Which, as it turns out, can only mean one thing: the cat was hungry.
It took me a few minutes to orient myself to the day. Eventually, I got up, showered, and fulfilled my duties as the household’s primary food dispenser. I even opened a brand-new bag of kitten food, which earned me a temporary ceasefire. Peace restored, at least until the next meal.
Yesterday, my brother floated an idea my way. He’s been thinking about solutions to homelessness and suggested a kind of small village made up of modest architectural structures. The pitch was that I’d pay about $100 a month and be in charge. On paper, it sounds creative and well-intentioned. And I appreciate that he’s trying to think outside the box for my living situation.
But honestly, the idea didn’t sit well with me. When you’re dealing with homelessness, you’re also dealing with higher rates of drug use and crime. That’s not a judgment, just reality. And it’s also exactly what I’m trying to move away from. Stability, safety, and calm matter to me right now, especially while I’m working so hard to quit smoking cigarettes and cannabis. Still, I’m grateful he’s trying to help. The effort counts, even if the solution isn’t the right fit.
Mom has been busy filling out paperwork related to my court case and living with her, and I’ve been doing my best to relax and enjoy something that still feels a little unfamiliar: good living and good company. There was a time when I didn’t have much of either. Now I do, and I’m not taking it for granted.
This environment makes a difference. Fewer triggers. Less chaos. More space to breathe. All of it makes quitting easier, or at least possible. Between kitten attacks, thoughtful conversations, and quiet moments of stability, I can feel myself choosing better ground.
I got this.
by Dan and Bonkers
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