March | 2013 | Steve Tilford

I had a pretty productive day yesterday if I really switch my mindset and judge it on completely different level. I caught 3 cats, which was a haul compared to my normal cat catching history. And that was pretty much what I was doing yesterday, trying to catch cats. Only two of the cats were “new”, one I had already caught before and had its ear clipped. It is nearly impossible telling the difference between some of the cats without looking for the clipped ear. When I took the cats to the vet, Animal Clinic of North Topeka, Dr. Mah asked me if I wanted the ear clipped flat or notched and what ear. I told him to look up what is standard, but it really is important to notch the ears so there isn’t a bunch of redundancy.

I caught a brother/or sister of two of my cats last night. He/or she got carried outside by its mother and I got the other two kittens. I’ve been trying to catch that cat for a couple years now. I assume it’s a he, but I’m not sure. Anyway, I can’t believe how beat the cat looks compared to my cats. It’s a hard life being a feral cat.

I’ve managed to stay unscathed so far. No bits or even scratches. These guys are all crazy wild, so I’ve been careful not to get anywhere near their claws.

Anyway, two cats are getting fixed this morning. I’m not sure if I’m getting them back today or tomorrow, but they put in stitches that dissolve, so there isn’t anything left other than releasing them back into their environment. They are so scared, it is pretty great letting them go. I’m going to have to start up a cat fund if I keep being this successful in the future. It’s never ending.

This just in-the relative cat to my cats is a girl and was pregnant. This is the 2nd time I’ve taken in a girl cat that was pregnant. Makes me feel kind of weird, kind of a ying/yang type thing. On one hand I feel badly that I’ve been part of not allowing some kittens to be born, but on the other, there are so many feral cats around, it doesn’t seem right for there to be more. It’s kind of a lose/lose situation.

It was 85 degrees in Topeka yesterday. I love that part about living here in Kansas. It can be super warm virtually any month. Today the high is supposed to be about half of that, in the mid 40’s. It just gives us all a glimpse of what to look forward to in the very near future.

Yesterday, Bob Sanner from the Lawrence Sports Commission, drove over to Topeka to discuss ways to improve the Tour of Lawrence race that is usually held around July 4th. Man, that guy is an advocate of the sport. He and he alone does this whole weekend of racing. And just because. He likes to ride his bike and thinks that Lawrence is a town that should have a bike race. Next year, July 4th is on a Friday and he is going to put on a Twilight Criterium on Mass. St. before the fireworks display, which is downtown. He thinks, and I agree, that exposing so many people to the sport might be enough to start something big. Anyway, he is one of those out of the spot light guys allow us all to race bikes.

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day. Here in Topeka, they do a parade downtown. I went over there last year and will probably mosey over there again this year. I spend more time watching the spectators than the parade itself, but I do that a lot at many events.

My Tradewind Energy team mates went down to Arkansas to ride and then race the Hell’s Kitchen Road Race. Just another local race I’m feeling blue about missing. It is a very good course and always hard, but a really good time. They moved the finish to the top of the climb last year, which switches up the dynamics of the race. I wish I was there.

I caught another non-fixed cat yesterday, so I’m going to take it to the vet this morning and trade it for my two fixed cats to release outside. They will be very happy to get back to their places. I had the vet give them shots, etc., so they should be better off than they were before. At least that is what I’m telling myself.

KU and K-State both won yesterday in the semi finals of the Big 12 basketball tournament, so they are playing in the finals today at 5. I’m routing for KU and it’s not going to be nearly as fun watching without Bill around. I’m not sure it really matters that much. I don’t think that KU will get a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament even if they win, but you never know.

Then, Milan-San Remo is tomorrow. I have to go with Sagan. How can you not. I can’t see him not getting over the top of the Poggio in the front. And he can descend better than nearly anyone in the race. Especially if it is wet. Plus, he can outsprint about anyone he is with. But, it’s a bike race, so anything can happen.

Okay, I’d better get going. I have cats to attend to.