Instead, this end-of-year yarn will be somewhat different in tone, topic and timbre. In fact, as years go, I think I'll be pretty glad to see the back of this one! No, it's been fine most of the time, it's just that right towards the end we received a visit from an old acquaintance, which means that my usual Yuletide excitement has been assuredly tainted by anxiety. Because that's what giardia brings with it. (BTW, Giardia is a tiny germ that causes the diarrheal disease giardiasis) Now that I think of it - maybe the shitshow that is giardiasis is actually quite fitting for the end of the year, because in some cultures the nativity scene always includes a defecating man - the Caganer, as he's known in Catalonia, for example. So - some might say we're having a right proper Christmas😉 Admittedly, I have not witnessed most of the feline diseases under the sun, but from what I have seen, giardiasis is a bitch. And it's mostly because of the anxiety involved. Y