Home late last night after six days away, equal to the longest trip I've taken so far. My normal cat sitter is incredibly busy launching a new business, so I enlisted a friend who lives nearby, who was able to stop by with his laptop and spend time with the kittens for a few hours a day.

I thought I detected a bit of a grudge from Franklin when I first came in. He didn't do his usual dramatic flop on the floor, demanding belly rubs and love. He seemed a bit out of sorts and not sure quite what to do with me. But still, there he was clawing at the window of the front door, excited as ever to see me (or is it just someone) coming in.

But after his usual frenzied exploration of the bedroom, he settled in happily at my feet for a night of happy sleep between my legs. With Daisy purring up by my shoulders, all was right in the house again.