Messages from Tom Cat - 2

[agate]

Ralph mentioned having a problem with the elevator, which apparently needs repair. I had forgotten about an elevator if I ever knew of one. He explained that they had had an elevator installed for Cat Dancer.

I don't remember this but it must have been very helpful for her.

[agate]

An update here: I called Ralph yesterday to wish him happy holidays, and he answered the phone right away, sounding alert and upbeat even though apparently many things he relied on are in need of repair, and he's had a couple of fractures (shoulder, hip).

He was adised to get a rollator when he was in a rehab place but he turned it down because he said that outside there is only very tall grass and the rollator just wouldn't work on that terrain. I told him that unless there are sidewalks outside I can't use my rollator either but that it's still very useful indoors. Maybe he will rethink the rollator.

He still has the two cats.

So it was fairly good news from Ralph.

[agate]

I called Ralph again the other day and he remembered me even though it has been a while since I contacted him. The physical therapy and occupational therapy, in conjunction with 3 building inspections in one month, have made my life much busier than usual.

He seemed to be in good spirits, and I was relieved to learn that he has someone who gives him rides for his periodic lab tests, which are 20 miles away.

I ran across an article about his wife, known as Cat Dancer here for many years, that I don't think has been posted before. It is on page 8 of this .pdf file for a newsletter, "The Prairie Enthusiast." Ann and Ralph were active in restoring their land in rural Wisconsin to the original prairie, and Ralph is carrying on those efforts--still there, with the two cats.

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