Cats, Contests, Countries and Centuries

CATS:

Bob report:

Mr Robert Redford (the cat one) thanks everyone who has written showing concern and sending Get Well wishes since I mentioned that he had a sore paw. He appreciates every message.

The problem, it turns out, was a rogue claw that had grown overlong and curled back on itself so that it was sticking into the pad of his paw and this had become infected too. One careful manicure later plus a long lasting antibiotic injection and he was on his way home. I was deeply grateful for the 'long lasting' part of the injection. This means that I don't have to risk life and limb by trying to get a tablet into him this morning. He may be elderly but as I said yesterday he's all Alpha Male. He's been Boss Cat around this house for almost 18 years and that isn't going to change. Yes, the vet may have felt she needed to say 'he's getting on - for a cat.' We know that when around 10 is considered 'old' for a cat, his 17 3/4 years make him geriatric - but he's also, 'getting on' with life quite happily - except for the irritation of a sore paw and humans who don't understand when he yells at them to hurry up with the crunchies.

Even last night, with the claw removed, the antibiotics working he set out into the garden to check on things and this morning he patrolled his territory (crossing the road to do so) came back, ate a hearty breakfast and is now asleep with his head on my foot underthe desk. I can hear him purring from here. 'Getting on', but getting on very nicely thank you for a while yet.

CONTESTS

Ciao - Domenico Parrisi here -

It seems the Grooms are back. Theo (The Santorini Bride) is busy organising things over on Anne McAllister's Blog and he's roped Max (The Valentine Bride) and me - Domenico (The Italian's Forced Bride) in to help him again. Apparently he wants to celebrate the birth of his & Martha's baby. Well, yes - and Alicia and I have a baby to celebrate too and Kate tells me that our book was the one that went to #1 on the Waldenbooks listing and it's still in the Amazon bestsellers, 3 months after it came out in February. Naturalamente - it's a great book and a great love story between myself and bella Alicia.

Theo's offering a copy of a great Anne McAllister book - The Antonides Marriage Deal, and Max has persuaded Liz Fielding to hand over a copy of her fabulous new title The Secret Life of lady Gabriella so I have had a word with Signora Kate and persuaded her to offer a copy of one of her new books with another Italian (OK - Sicilian) guy - as a hero. The next book isn't out until June but she says that before you read that you might like to read Guido's story - seeing as they're brothers, these Sicilians - Guido and Vito Corsentino. So one copy of Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride is on offer from me - OK - from Kate If you've already read this one, then Kate will offer you your choice from other boks on her backlist.

So once again you get the chance to win three signed books by three fantastic writers. So check out Theo's - scusi - Anne's Blog - for details of her contest.

Oh yes, and Kate says would I say Ciao to all the wonderful Italian readers who have been visiting recently.

Apparently not only my book has appeared in Italy recently – under the title of Il Paradiso Perduto, but there has also been a two-in-one Harmony Vedo Grande with reprints of The Groom’s Revenge (L'Uomo Dei Desideri) and Wife For A Day (Il Giorno Della Verita'). So benvenuto to all my compatriots.

OK Kate you can have your blog back now.

Thanks Dom!

Finally – COUNTRIES and that CENTURY
I haven’t commented on the growing figures on my Neo Counter for a while. Mainly because I’ve been too busy and to be honest a couple of times while I was away, I missed recording when new countries and new flags appeared. But this morning I logged on and found that the record of the number of countries that my visitors have come from have reached the magical total of 100.

I’m not sure which visitor from which country it was that moved the total from the nearly-there 99 to the final 100 – it was either the Domincan Republic or the Cayman Islands – but whoever that visitor was you are so welcome. All my visitors are welcome – from every country in the world.

Thank you for dropping by and I hope you come back often.