I picked up Ringo today but don’t expect a picture anytime soon, as she needs time to regrow hair where she was shaved for surgery to repair her lower mandible.

She is eating like crazy and gaining weight as she is getting a quarter can of Science Diet AD that is thinned with water four times a day. She has gained a pound since entering the vet’s office. Twice a day the food contains an antibiotic to help her cope with possible infection.

She is unhappy because she is confined for the moment in a cage much of the time. I only let her out when I can be with her and make sure she doesn’t try something stupid, like leaping for a high place that she isn’t strong enough to reach. I may be able to let her loose in the bathroom tomorrow. I don’t want the other cats to be able to reach her yet, as they may lick her wounds and open them. It will take time for her to heal.

Epernay to Metz

Distance: 205.0 kilometers.

What a difference a day, or zigging when you should have zagged can make:

The biggest talking point of the stage from Epernay to Metz will be the crash that took out half the peloton with 26km to go. Not only did it force at least three men to abandon the Tour but it caused the likes of Fränk Schleck, Pierre Rolland, Alejandro Valverde, Mark Cavendish and large number of others to lose significant time. The two big pre-race favorites for the general classification – Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins -survived the carnage near Gorze and so too did most of the sprint specialists with the notable exception of Mark Cavendish. While riders like Ryder Hesjedal limped to the finish nursing horrible wounds and moral[sic] that was shot to pieces because they’ve essentially been put out of contention for the yellow jersey even before the first mountain stages, there was still the battle for the prestige of a stage victory taking place up ahead. …

… it will be the casualties that this stage will be remembered for. Tom Danielson abandoned, Schleck, Valverde, and a host of others lost 2’09”; Gesink lost 3’31” and Hesjedal and others lost a massive 13’31”.

In the end four riders have pulled out: Wouter Poels ( Ned – VCD – 126 ), Thomas Danielson ( USA – GRS – 062 ), Davide Vigano ( Ita – LAM – 049 ), and Mikel Astarloza ( Esp – EUS – 032 ). More riders may fail to start tomorrow.

In other news, Peter Sagan managed to win the stage, his third win in this Tour. There was a Category 4 climb at 145 kilometers, Côte de Buxières, and an intermediate sprint, but the crash was the real story today

Fabian Cancellara (Sui-RNT-012) [Yellow]
Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057) [Green] 209 points
Michael Morkov (Den-STB-175) [Polka Dot] 9 points
Tejay Van Garderen (USA-BMC-009) 4 [White]

Team: Sky Procycling ( 101-109 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Peter Sagan (Svk-LIQ-057)
Combative: David Zabriskie ( USA – GRS – 069 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Fabian Cancellara ( Sui – RNT – 012 )
2 Bradley Wiggins ( G B – SKY – 101 ) + 00′ 07”
3 Sylvain Chavanel ( Fra – OPQ – 192 ) + 00′ 07”
4 Tejay Van Garderen ( USA – BMC – 009 ) + 00′ 10”
5 Denis Menchov ( Rus – KAT – 131 ) + 00′ 13”
6 Cadel Evans ( Aus – BMC – 001 ) + 00′ 17”
7 Vincenzo Nibali ( Ita – LIQ – 051 ) + 00′ 18”
8 Peter Sagan ( Svk – LIQ – 057 ) + 00′ 19”
9 Andréas Klöden ( Ger – RNT – 015 ) + 00′ 19”
10 Maxime Monfort ( Bel – RNT – 016 ) + 00′ 22”

The Rest of the Top 30:
[Read more →]

Synchronized Sleeping

ZZZ…zzz…ZZZ…zzz…

[Editor: The now juvenile kits, Weasel on the left and Lutu {Lucrezia also) assume the standard ‘J’ position. Weasel is of the opinion that, if he can’t see you, you can’t see him.]

Friday Ark