Conference misery::feline

    Karen...I think the quarterly newsletter would be wonderful
    especially for those who can no longer get updates via the Notesfile.
    
    If I ever do leave the company...I would want to be in contact with
    the wonderful folks I have met via this file.    
    
    Sandy 

    Karen,
    
    I love the idea of a newsletter!  I'll even volunteer to help out with
    it; I have a BA in English, and I'm just over the hills from you
    (Fresno).
    
    Write me offline, if you want to discuss it.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    I'll be more than happy to help also.  I'm already publishing one
    newsletter and this one would be great fun!
    
    Karen

    Okay, folks on the address list send me (by Snail mail to my house,
    not email -- my address is in the list, of course) one
    page or less of items of interest about your household and I'll do
    something about mailing out copies as a newsletter.  My ambitions may
    go higher in terms of editing, etc, later.
    
    Let's make this quarterly to start with, so anything I receive by
    November 30th goes out in the "December newsletter" and so on next
    quarter.  Better not send me original photos of pussycats since I don't
    want to worry about stuff getting lost in the mail -- so use the rule
    of thumb that you send it, it's gone forever.  
    
    However, we might try Xeroxes of photos.....
     
    I'll put this info about what and when to send stuff in the regular list
    mailing for future reference.
    

    What are we going to call this newsletter?  Feliner Notes?  ;^)

    Who's going to pay for shipping all the newsletter's out?  Karen
    shouldn't be stuck with paying postage!

    How about with our first article we send Karen...we also all send
    a few bucks for the shipping/handling charge!!   
    
    Sandy

    There are only 10 or 12 people on the address list so far.  My budget
    can stand that strain :-)  Actually, self-addressed business size
    envelopes would be a time saver, but they aren't necessary.
    
    I always liked Meower Power, sounds good to me.
    

    Well, all you folks in the queue for Beth's newsletter, remember, if
    you don't send me your address, you're out of luck, except for Mary,
    of course.  Which reminds me, Mary pls send me your address with the
    photo, so I can send you a copy of the newsletter.
    
    So far I have addresses from the folks below --
    
        Michelle Cantoni
        Jan A. Cordes
        Nancy Cross
        Nancy Diettrich
        Karen T. Fahel
        Karen Fallon
        Jill Kenrick
        Karen Kennedy
        Karen Kolling
        Sandy Merritt
        Valerie Rossi
        Steffi Russell-Pencovic
        Debbie Sargent
    
    

    Karen,
    
    If you don't/won't have access to Feliners, I am more than willing to
    do quarterly summaries of the goings-on for the newsletter, to keep
    former feliners updated.  I, too, currently publish a newsletter (for
    the S.F. district), so I'm sure we can get something great going!
    
    Also, I am willing to send $ for a subscription to "Meower Power" at
    least to cover the cost of photocopying and postage.
    
    Best,
    Michelle

    What I currently have in mind is sending it out snail mail, since the
    idea is to connect all feliners, outside as well as inside of DEC, who
    want to receive it.  And, alas, we'd have trouble with getting pix
    on line, and so on.  I'm a little nervous about copying stuff from it
    to FELINE, unless the writer says that's okay, just as I'm only sending
    it to people who are on the address list, since I think there are
    privacy issues here.
    
    If I'm still with DEC, I'll post a reminder message
    in FELINE each quarter that the "info to copy" is about due;  if I'm
    not, I'll ask you to;  offline folks will have to remember (except I'll
    put directions in each newsletter, so that should help the next one.)
    
    I think that the folks who've volunteered to help in editing might
    instead work on their one page input (okay, if it's truly glorious,
    like a big story about a shelter of something, more than one page)
    until I get used to the mechanics of this and see how I can coordinate
    it.
    
    Looking forward to the first issue!
    
    Oh, there will be a section of people's quarterly news, and there will
    also be the separate address list.  The latter has some "permanent"
    info in it like cat names, intro info, etc. of a paragraph or so
    with each address, so let me know what the text you send me is for,
    since, of course, the latter can be edited.  Otherwise, my powerful
    intelligence will attempt to deduce this.
    
    

    p.s.  outside the U.S. is okay also, so you furriners, don't hesitate
    to send in your addresses.
    

    Karen, I just xeroxed a photograph of Chubs and it came out pretty
    well!  Perhaps rather than asking us to send in real photographs, we
    could send in xerox copies instead?  I think it would be nice for the
    folks on the east coast to see the west coasters and their cats and
    vice versa.

    I'd only take up one page of the newsletter with pictures of my six,
    but someone like NDC would need a dz pages for her and her 30+ crew! (:
    
    

    But Lynne, the trick is to get the cats (and you) all in one picture!

    RE: .16
    
    I've done it!!  It sounds amazing, but I actually DID get a picture of
    me with all six cats a few years ago!  It was absolutely amazing, but I
    actually did it!  With Sweetie, Pita, Tabitha, Silver, Michaela and
    Seasea!    Believe me, it was tough!!
    
    RE: the pictures .. Cheryl, now try making a copy of that copy.  They
    don't come out as nice.  It'd be best if we actually sent Karen the
    pictures.
    
    Holly
    

    Yes, I'd rather have folks send Xerox copies as opposed to pictures. 
    Of course, you can send actual pictures, but then the Post Office might
    lose them (or I might, especially any of Beth :-)
    
    Ah, then I read the msg about copies of copies.  So, use your own
    judgement.  Please don't send anything that you care about losing.
    

    Karen, what if we sent a SASE with our pictures if we wanted them back? 
    Or would that be too much of a problem?
    
    I also like the idea of "Meower Power" for a name.
    
    Karen

    Re; what if we sent a SASE with our pictures if we wanted them back?
    
    That's fine, as long as you indicate that you want the pictures back,
    and they are pictures that you won't miss if the post office shreds
    them or some such.  Your name on the back of the pix will help me keep
    them straight.  Also the puss' name if you send more than one pix.
    

    By the way, if anyone knows of someone who left DEC before the last
    couple of days and who'd
    like to be on this list, they think, please send me mail.   I already
    have Jill Meier thanks to somebody or other (I'm too wiped out to go
    back and look for the "donor name").  Thanks.
                      

    I recently let made color xerox copies on a CANON-500 from color slides
    lo letter-size white paper. (They can make smaller, too). Theyre great,
    and the method seems fine. Better than a 18*24 cm color photo!
    
    Nat

    Folks who've volunteered to help edit (and anyone else) might put on
    their thinking caps about cover designs and stuff and Snail Mail the
    ideas to me.  Thanks.
    

    O.K., I give up....What;s Snail Mail?

>>>    O.K., I give up....What;s Snail Mail?

	.NOT. e-mail, of course....as in US MAIL

    I thought she was talking about Interoffice Mail because that's the
    ultimate in snail mail around here!

    Ah, I said Snail mail (i.e. U.S. Mail), since we still don't know if
    we're about to suddenly disappear out here in the next couple of weeks.
    

    How 'bout using a miniature version of the t-shirt design for the
    newsletter logo?  Can we get a copy of that?
    --Michelle

    Could we use something similar to the cat done by Boynton?  I'll
    attempt to draw you a picture.  :^)

    Re .28
    
    Sure!  Let me know if you want it and I'll send one out....
    
    Lynne

    Okay, folks, time to start thinking about your tidbits for the offline
    feline newsletter.  They're due in by December 1st, but since
    Thanksgiving vacation comes this month, there's not all that much time
    available.  Send me:
    
    1.  Updates for your entries in the address list (changed
    address/phone info/the small blurbs that identify you for folks
    who can only remember the names of cats :-)  This type of info
    can be sent anytime and will make it into the next issue.
    
    2.  One page or less writeups for the front "news" part of the
    newsletter -- cat doings, shelter news, interesting tidbits about
    whatever crosses your mind.  Cat pix if you think they will come out
    okay when Xeroxed -- don't send anything that you will mind the Post
    Office losing.
    
    Also designs for the title page -- I'll use what I get for each
    newsletter in the order received.  Beth is this quarterly's cover girl
    if her Mom sends in a pix.
    
    If you send me this stuff in email, pls put Feliner Offline Newsletter
    in the Subject field.  Folks in the address list have my home address
    if you prefer U.S. mail.  Don't use the DEC interoffice mail, as that's
    probably against company policy.  Thanks.
    
    If you don't have a clue as to what the offline newsletter is, it's
    basically a set of home addresses and news that circulates quarterly
    among folks who've sent their address in;  it's started up since we
    don't want to lose touch with SERPed and TFSOed folks, but, of course,
    it includes the still employed folk as well.
    
    

    Feeling really down today --  our group is going to be TFSOed in the
    December 7th layoffs.  We don't know yet whether it will be a
    "60 day plant closing" or the regular one-week TFSO notice.  If
    it's the latter, my email will probably disappear instantly on
    the 7th, since that's the way things seem to have worked here in the
    past.
    
    So, if you're sending me items for the offline newsletter and you plan to
    send them by email, be sure they get to me well before then.  After
    that, please send them by U.S. Mail.  Also,
    Mary, it would be really neat to have both Beth and Blue on the cover --
    don't forget to send me the pix and I also need your address so I can send
    you a copy of the newsletter (let me know if you want it in the
    public address list or not.)
    
    wah.  sniff.  Well, at least my furries are doing okay, except for Holly,
    who has an infection on her chin that is being treated.  I'll realllly
    miss FELINE and all of you.  sniff.
    
    Here are the folks currently on the list for the offline newsletter; 
    if anyone wants to be added, just send me email with your name, address,
    optinal phone number, and a few "id" words about yourself or your cats:
    
        Jo Ann Cordes Brown and Ken Brown
        Michelle Cantoni
        Judy Chaisson
        Yvonne Colaianni
        Cheryl Coleman
        Jan A. Cordes
        Nancy Cross
        Nancy Diettrich
        Kirk Dowsey
        Zoltan "Nat" EGYED
        Crystal Estes
        Karen T. Fahel
        Karen Fallon
        Joan Hoffman
        Lori Johnson
        Jill Kenrick
        Karen Kennedy
        Karen Kolling
        Lynne Mandile
        Sandy Merritt
        Jill Meier
        Michele Peluso
        Cheryl Rawden
        Roslyn Reed
        Valerie Rossi
        Steffi Russell-Pencovic
        Debbie Sargent
        Holly Taylor
        Dian Wilde
    
                                         

    Karen,
    
    I'm so sorry that your group is getting tapped this go'round!  It's so
    hard to believe that Digital can continue its business with such
    drastic downsizing.  The way Digital is going right now, you may be the
    lucky one.
    
    Can you try to get transferred to another department via one of the
    "internal only" req's?  Or are they not even giving you that option?
    
    Sending best wishes for a wonderful new opportunity your way. 
    
    Michelle

    Re: Can you try to get transferred to another department via one of the
    "internal only" req's?
    
    I did that about a year ago when WSE was downsized.  Right now, there are
    about 0 reqs available locally.
    

    Oh Karen...I hate to see this happen.   You are such an inspiration
    to the notesfile...you are one person that helps lift everyone when
    they are down.   You have often come to the rescue for all of us!!
    
    I pray something happens and you get to stay....but if not...please
    please stay in touch.  
    
    What a bummer...
    
    Sandy

OHMIGOD!!  I just read this!!  Gee, Karen, I'm so sorry!!  We're gonna take
a big hit on 7 Dec. as well and I just might be joining you in the unemployment
lines....I'll be the one covered in cat fur.....

    We'll miss you, Karen!  TK and I will never forget the second chance
    you so graciously helped give him.
    
    Sending lots of good luck and best wishes your way.
    
    Purrs,
    Roberta
    

    Karen,
    
    You will really be missed.  Your help has been invaluable (I remember
    so much your coming to my aid when I took in Sophie off the street).
    I hope that the "forces that be" will intervene and you will be able
    to find something within DEC before the 7th....
    
    I'll keep my fingers crossed....
    
    Nan

    Karen,
    
    I wish  you and your cats the best. (I just keep wishing that I'll wake
    upo and everything that I heard today will be a joke.)
    
    THE FIRM and Deb

    Karen, I have just read your note.  I am very sorry that you will be
    leaving.  It seems that the people in this notesfile keep dwindling
    away!!  What are we all going to do?!  Life truly is changing from what
    we have known over the past few years.  At least the file will remain
    and hopefully be able to help people that need it and know where to
    look.  Hopefully you may find something else in the company if that is
    what you would like.  Change is scary, but it can also bring about many
    good things.  Keep your chin up!
    fondly,
    Karen and all her kitties, btw, in case you don't get to read it here: 
    We will be introducing a new member of the family soon....
    Fewsee's Minnie Pearl of Moonsta!!!  A champagne mink Tonkinese female! 
    This kittie will be the start of Jimmies own breed!!  (He is very
    excited and has not let the thought rest for over a year!)  Now I will
    have to coordinate AQUA EYES as well as INDIGO EYES! 
    karen, who says there's never enough cage curtains.... 

    In regards to note .40, I made the mistake of writing from someone
    else's system. OOPS
    Karen

    Here it is, not counting Thanksgiving week, there's about one week
    to the deadline for items for the offline newsletter, and have I received
    any tidbits?  Nooooo, my mailbox is empty.  no pix of cats, no cat stories,
    no "I have a job now, I'm an astronaut", no "I'm still unemployed, but
    I grew a 210 lb pumpkin in my spare time", no "here's a description of
    the <x> shelter", no nothing.  Not even cover art.  sigh.
    

    Oh Karen...I'm truly working on it...but I'm a tad slow!!!  You
    will receive mine within a week...promise!!!
    
    Sandy

    With December 7th looming, this seems like a good time to remind people
    of the existence of the offline feliner's address list and newsletter.
    Folks who want their address on the list, which is only distributed to
    other people on the list, should send me email before the 4th.  After that
    I can be reached at (415)325-6407 (n.b., California time).  The
    quarterly newsletter will be coming out in a couple of weeks (Mary,
    where's them pix of Beth and Blue?)  And how is Blue doing?
    
    

Oh, gosh golly!!  I've been so $%&* busy trying to save my butt!!  I'll write
up an article and get those Beth/Blue pictures on the way....I'm at "high risk"
so I've been trying real hard to stay alive!!

Mary

    
    This may not be Blue's note, but since the previous two suggested it,
    I am already in love with Blue and Beth. First thing every morning
    I look into this file just to get updates on these two exceptional 
    cats. 
    Mary, is it possible to get photo copies of their pictures through
    Inter office mail, or how could I get a copy of the news letter?
    Without ever seeing a picture of either one, I have these mental 
    images of each and would love to relate these stories to actual
    faces...:-)
    
    Shaw

    Re: .46 how could I get a copy of the news letter
    
    See .44
    

    I'd also like to encourage folks who wind up with email addresses,
    either because they subscribe to Compuserve or one of the other
    email services or because they wind up at companies on the net, to
    send me their email addresses for teh address list as well.  I'm
    planning on having a section on how to send mail between inside
    DEC and outside in the list/newsletter.
    
    All these good people going, I don't know whether to sniff, sniff
    or become mad as a hornet.
    

    I just tried to imagine a sniffing hornet... :)
    
    [But, of course, you are right. :( ]
    
    Nat

    I have the first quarterly offline newsletter assembled and
    tucked into addressed envelopes.  It will go out as soon as I get
    a chance to get to the post office, possibly tomorrow.  It's complete
    with pix of Beth and Blue Tamir as the cover cats.
    

    I found my newletter waiting for me when I got home yesterday from NY. 
    Thank you, Karen.  I was surprised to see that the pix were not Xeroxed
    but the real thing.  Beth is so cute, and Blue is gorgeous.  Karen, if
    you are going to continue to send the newletter out, we really should be
    reenbursing you for the postage.  Maybe we should have a subscription
    rate that would cover the postage.
    
    Steffi
    

    
    I agree with Steffi, that we should cover Karen's cost. 
    
    Shaw (who is anxiously waiting for his copy to see Beth & Blue :-) )

    What Steffi and Shaw said.
    
    Beth and Blue are adorable; although, Blue doesn't look very happy
    about having his picture taken.
    
    I'll try to write something up for the next edition.  And, Karen, you
    should let us contribute to the postage at least.  How often are you
    planning to put this out?
    
    Michelle

    I'm planning to do it quarterly.  Assuming I'm employed, sigh, the postage
    probably isn't worth the effort of everyone's sending it in.  I also
    wasn't sure if there would be a number of future issues -- there weren't
    many notes in it from folks this time.  If it turns out to be a steady
    thing, folks can just send in whatever they want towards postage.
    
    Mucho thanks to Mary for the gorgeous pix of Beth and Blue.  Now
    who's pusses will be on the next cover?  Remember I can Xerox one set
    of pix if anyone wants to
    send that as opposed to a whole set.  I found when experimenting with
    Cheryl's logo that which quality of copier I used made a large difference
    in how well the copy reproduced, so those of you who have tried to
    Xerox your pix and had disappointing results might be pleasantly
    surprised at how well they can copy.
    
    I'd like to know how well the pictures of Beth and Blue survived the mail;
    I considered putting in cardboard to protect them.

    karen, my newsletter made it 3000 miles to new hampshire in perfect
    condition, so that's a good sign.  
    
    maybe chubs would volunteer to have his shaved picture in the next one. 
    that picture is really a scream!!

    My copy reached Hudson, Ma in perfect condition also. I'm going to try
    my hand at an article for the next one too. 
    
    Thanks so much for all the work in getting this thing out. I really
    enjoyed the newsletter, and the "Beth and Blue" pics were wonderful!
    I'm going to put them in an album, along with any other feliner's
    feline pics I may get in the future.
    
    Now, what shall I write about? Oh, I don't know, I'll think of
    something! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    My pics made it to Middleboro, MA in perfect condition, too.
    It took my hubby a few seconds to notice that Beth was a little
    "different".....(8  Blue looks good!   Let's make the next newsletter
    chock full of pics and stories!
    
    Lynne

    
    Karen , 
    
    Thanks so much for my copy. It made it, and I just love the pictures
    of Beth and Blue. 
    
    Shaw

      I got mine today!  Made it all the way to Mass. in perfect condition.
    It's wonderful, I was really impressed with the work done.  I gasped
    when I saw the pics.  They are gorgeous,  the famous kitties I read
    about all the time come to life.
      I think everyone may have waiting to see the first issue before
    writing.  I know that now that I have seen one, I will surely be
    writing.  I will also try to get my Gang's pics. in there too.  No one
    has ever seen pics. of them since I never made it to any of the
    meetings.  And I sure want to see more kitties since I have never seen
    their pics. either!
      If there is a problem with postage in the future, possibly each of us
    can take a turn paying the costs.  I wouldn't mind.  I mean if someone
    is unemployed, we surely don't expect them to pay for postage too!
    I will volunteer to pay next quarter if we decide to go that route.
      My guys got a kick out of the newsletter though.  I read to them
    about Beth and Blue and showed their pics.   Told them they were lucky
    kitties indeed!
    
      keep up the great work, it was really enjoyable!
    
      Denise

    I received mine Monday night in perfect condition as well.  Karen,
    thank you so much for all of your time and effort.  I will send you a
    check for any postage for the next year.
    
    Denise,
    
    I think you're right about everyone waiting to see the first issue.  I
    honestly didn't think I had anything to write about, but now I'll "put
    my thinking cap on" and see what I come up with about my gang.
    
    I'll also see if I can find some piccies to send.  
    
    
    Holly, Kyra, Silver, Pita, and Tabitha (and mom's six!)

    Mine was waiting in the mail for  me when I returned from 5 days away,
    visiting family for Christmas. What a nice surprise! 
    
    I really enjoyed the newsletter and the pictures. Thanks for all your
    work!!!
    
    janetb.
    
    ps - It was in great condition.

    I got mine a couple of days ago, and the picture were purfect, too.
    Because I live in Maine, and have never made it to the "outings", it
    was nice to see the other felines I have read about. Sometime in the
    near future, I would like to submit a picture of my two. Karen, if 
    you need money to help with postage, please let me know. Thank-you
    for the newletter, IT IS GREAT!!!!!
    
    
                      Crys   (mom to Miskey and BeeGee)
    
    

    Guinness record ... As I stated in another note, my copy made its more
    than 10 thousand miles to Hungary in a 1st class condition. It was my
    xmas morning present. I showed it her in DEC Hungary around, and some
    people promised stories which I'll share. One of them, a guarantee
    case, for a cat ate an Apple mouse... HI!
    
    Nat

    Great job on the newsletter Karen...I truly enjoyed reading it and
    love the pics of Beth and Blue!!!
    
    I'll have to try a different macine to try and photocopy my
    pictures...I tried it once but the pics came out terrible!!  I'd
    like to include a picture of Van Gogh after his operation with
    his poodle shaved haircut!!!
    
    I also promise to write up an article on the Pat Brody Newsletter!!
    
    Sandy
    
    

         Great work, Karen!  My copy arrived over my Christmas/New Year's
    vacation and it was wonderful!  Love them pictures!
    
    					- Andrea

    Sure, write up stuff and send it to me at any time.  I'll put it in whatever
    issue of the quarterly comes out next.  I especially want that story about
    the Apple mouse :-)  People sending in pix would be great also -- I'll
    use them on the cover in the order received.
    

    RE: the apple mouse:
    
    was that one of the logitech mice for MACs that look like a mouse? (I'm
    not joking, they are available at Leachmere)
    
    Karen,
    can you post the non-pictoral part of the newsletter?
    
    Deb

    Re: can you post the non-pictoral part of the newsletter?
    
    Here it is, except for the address list.  This probably won't be
    possible in the future, since I'm getting handwritten input, as
    offline folks survive without computers:
    
                                                            December 1992
    
    
    
        Welcome to the first quarterly edition of the offline feliners'
        newsletter.
    
        Hopefully I'll format future editions more gloriously.
    
        Send me your news items/pix about yourself, your cats, shelters,
        whatever.  I'll Xerox pictures for covers if people want to send
        individual ones;  don't send any one-and-only-copies of pictures
        that you would regret losing, in case the post office loses them.
        (If you've tried Xeroxing a picture yourself to see how it would
        come out, and had disappointing results, it's worth trying a
        better copier.)
    
        (my name and address)
    
        Feliner quarterly updates, in alphabetical order:
        -------------------------------------------------
    
        Karen Kolling
        -------------
    
        Is it my fault no one earlier in the alphabet sent in an update :-)
    
        Well, things are very commotional, since my group is being TFSOed. So,
        I'm looking for a new job, and am up to my gills writing cover letters
        and all that.  My last day at DEC is February 5th.
    
        Sweetie is doing very well with his diabetes;  it's controlled
        completely by diet now, no insulin shots.  The vet is phasing back in
        the steroids that Sweetie has to take to control an allergy that
        causes lung damage, and monitoring his blood sugar level, since he
        thinks the steroid contributes to the blood sugar problem.
        
        Holly needs a lot of attention, since the combined commotion of a new
        house being built next door and Mom running around with job stuff is
        causing her some upheaval.
        
        Little Bit is doing okay.
        
        Little Grey Kitty, my outdoor stray, looks healthy and glossy.
        
        I'm spending "quality time" with them all, to our mutual benefit.
    
        Merry, merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone.
        
        Sandy Merritt
        -------------
        
        Hello Friends from the Merritt Household,
        
        Well this quarter has brought good and bad news to my household. The
        good news is that we celebrated both Dewey's and Van Gogh's Rescue
        Day in November.  Both of these babies were just about on their
        death-beds when we rescued them....so their rescue day has a very
        special meaning. We will also be celebrating Abby's Rescue day in
        December and J.C's in January.   
        
        For those that remember Van Gogh's story...I just wanted to update
        you to tell you he is doing GREAT!!  The old man plays just like a
        kitten and loves his food (any food!!)  He still insists on beating
        up any kitty is sight...so he is still living in his room with 2
        daily romps around the rest of the house. (without other cats around
        of course!!)
        
        The sad news is that we have had to lay to rest my Sasquatch (Sass)
        who was the terminally ill kitty who we took in knowing he did not
        have long to live.  Sass had a huge cancerous tumor on his face and
        after three visits to three different vets....we finally accepted
        there was nothing medically we could do but spoil him rotten until he
        started to suffer. Sass stayed with us for 6 wonderful weeks and was
        treated to daily catnip, shrimp, crab, sardines, tuna and sliced
        chicken which was his favorite. We miss him so...but both Ernie and I
        feel really wonderful in giving him love before he went on his way!
        Dealing with a terminally ill kitty brings out strengths you never
        knew you had....the big guy taught us alot!
        
        Well winter is coming upon us which kind of scares me to death. And
        the reason for this is winter normally brings more stray cats to my
        neighborhood....which means more in my household. (sigh!) We are
        already seeing a new beautiful thick coated gray male and a gorgeous
        big black cat with beautiful gold eyes! I'm praying that have a
        home....but only time will tell!!  Stay tuned...I'll probably be
        introducing them next quarter.
        
        Have a wonderful happy holiday and give all your four-legged cats big
        hugs from the Merritts!!   We miss many of you in the feline file!!!
        
        Sandy and Ernie (Poco, Barkley, Angus, Chloe, Dewey, Abby,
                         Bogie, Van Gogh, J.C. and Daisy (the bird!)
        
        Mary Tamir
        ----------
        
        Hello Feliners!!  Greetings from Mary's Home for Wayward Cats.....
        
        First of all, meet Beth!!  Isn't she just gorgeous??  She's the best
        little cat in the whole world!  As you can see by her photo, she's 
        lost both her eyes, but that doesn't slow her down a bit!  The world
        is her playground and she just loves life (and she loves her Mom--who
        feels the same way about her!).  Life with Beth is always fun - she
        is a bundle of energy and is always getting into some trouble.  Her
        latest trick is drinking out of the toilet bowl....she figured it
        out all by herself and it's fun to watch her.
        
        The rest of the clan, Honey, Chauncey, Julie, Robin, Biff, and Mikey,
        are all doing well.  Biff still wants Julie dead and Julie wants Biff
        in jail, but other than that, things are "normal"!!
        
        So, who is that gorgeous blue point Himalayan, you ask??  Well, meet
        Blue.  Blue came into my life (and home) on October 15 when he was
        struck by a car.  I found him on the side of the road and rushed him
        to my vet.  There are lots of details about his accident and owners,
        but let's just say that his owners were not able to care for him and
        released him to my care.  Blue had his pelvis fractured in three
        places, and seemed to be getting worse by the minute.  On October 17,
        my vet suspected something was wrong with his heart and recommended
        that he be transferred to Tufts Veterinary School where specialists
        could try to save his life.  Blue has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a
        condition that causes the heart to enlarge.  We feliners have lost
        several kitties to this disease over the past few years.  The outlook
        for Blue is "cautious optimism"...he's on medication (and will be for
        life) and he's doing well on it.  He came home to my house on October
        20 and has been confined to a small cage so that his broken bones
        would have time to heal.  On December 1, he was x-rayed by my vet and
        his pelvis is healed well enough that he no longer needs to be
        confined to his cage! He is a very happy, and very lucky, kitty!!  He
        loves to sleep on my bed and he loves to crawl under the covers--he's
        a normal kitty!
        
        December 11 will be my last day at Digital, after nearly 24 years.
        Looks like I'll be spending alot of time with my eight cats!!!!
        
        I wish you all a happy and healthy new year!!
        
        Mary, who is CONVINCED that eight is enough!!!!
        
        
        Dian Wilde
        ----------
        update on the wilde house gang:
        
        Human Dian is working as a programmer-for-hire - currently working at
        ABB in Santa Clara through the end of the year or more.  After that,
        I will find other work somewhere.  The gang of four, feline variety,
        are all doing well with the exception of Missy Hana who is suffering
        a slight bout of inflamatory bowel.  She is being medicated daily
        and has acquired a new mission in life - avoid that pill!  It gives
        us both exercise in the mornings.  Sadie, the dog, is being a happy,
        spoiled rotten, center of attention as usual...some attention which
        is administed to her tail by Dilly-cat is less than desirable, however,
        and Sadie and Dilly are still discussing this one occasionally.  Dilly
        is always very sorry - but, being a cat, she just cannot always
        resist the wagging tail.  Being a happy dog, Sadie is always wagging
        her tail....so you can see where the conflict arises.  I love it
        when big Sadie puts her head down in front of Dilly on the couch and
        looks at her with this exasperated expression as if to say, "you're
        biting my tail again - I WISH you wouldn't!"...and Dilly looks
        sweet and innocent, as usual.  Oh well, they always remain friends
        so I let them work it out.
        
        I am buying a P.C. and will be getting an e-mailbox somewhere soon
        so my msg center will be stable...even if my work location is not.
        Next January, I will buy my VAX so I can work at home more.  There
        is life after Digital, it is just a little lonlier.
    

    By the way, folks who truly want to read the newsletter ought to be
    on the distribution list :-)
    

    I'd like to get on your distribution list for the newsletter.  
    
    Thanks,
    Sarah

    Re: I'd like to get on your distribution list for the newsletter.
    
    It's sent out U.S. Mail, so send me your address off line.  Also add
    any short id note you want to be included in the address list (people
    usually list their cats names or somesuch, since most of us remember cats
    better than people :-)
    
    Until about the end of January, addresses can be emailed to me at
    OXNARD::KOLLING;  after that, to:
    
    Karen Kolling
    1032 Forest Avenue
    Palo Alto, Ca. 94301
    
    p.s. KC's cats will be the cover kitties for the March issue;  she has a
    nice long letter for inclusion also.  Keep them pix and notes coming.
    

    Could one of the moderator's modify the title of this note to include
    the word "newsletter"? Thanks!

    Cheryl,
    
    DONE!
    
    Holly
    

    Send them notes!
    
    Send them pix!
    
    (Probably the final reminder since we close down in few days -- the offline
    newsletters will be only as good as the inputs - I have pix for the March
    issue and a few notes, but that's it.  (I'll queue up cover pix for following
    issues as they, hopefully, come in.)
    

    I've signed up on one of those systems that lets you use email out on the
    Internet, so after we go down the tubes this week, I can be reached by
    email at these addresses (I assume;  I haven't finished connecting up the
    terminal and modem I bought out of our surplus pile to see if this is
    really working):
    
      From simple VMS mail:
    
            DECPA::"[email protected]"
    
      From an ULTRIX system:
    
            [email protected]
    
    I'll be at OXNARD::KOLLING for the next 1-2 days, so let me know if you try
    to send mail to the addresses above and have trouble.
    

    sniffle, sniffle.  I'm about to really logout.  The DECPA::"[email protected]"
    address I posted in the previous note does work, but I don't yet have
    my terminal and modem working at home (I'm missing a cable), so I
    won't actually be able to read mail offsite until I get this
    straightened out.  Gosh, I'll miss all you folks, stay in touch thru
    email or U.S. mail or the phone.  (And some neat writeups for the
    next newsletter have arrived in the past few days.  Think about
    sending pictures of your babies for up-coming covers.)
    
    Karen :-(
     

    The Newsletter deadline is approaching.  If you have something to
    share, please forward your note to Karen Kolling in the next week or
    two.  (address is in the previous reply to this one)

    I believe Karen's address should be:
    
    	DECPA::"[email protected]"
    
    Just a minor correction.
    
    Jan

    
    thanks Jan....I deleted my note so I don't screw anybody up!!
    
    Sandy

    
    I got the newsletter last night. 
    
    It was terrific!
    
    L-

    I got mine last night too! I loved it, but it made me relalize that
    I'll be expected to put in an article on the Silver lining Memorial
    every quarter! 8-0  I think I can handle it though! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    
    I got mine too, what a nice suprise when I went home last night.
    However, can anyone read the cover photo's. My copy, I can sorta
    figure there is a tiger cat on the left corner and parts of a couch?
    But where are all the others .... :-)
    
    Shaw
    

    Well, I can make out three cats on the couch. A tiger, a white and
    black, and a black and white. I'm assuming the big dsark spot in the
    very back is maybe a black cat that blends into the shadows.
    
    Hope that helps a little. BTW, I see those cats from left to right in
    that order. ;-)
    
    Yonee

    
    I think that dark spot in the back is a Burmese?
    
    Anyway, I could read the "Memorial" plaques in the bottom picture....

    Ok, so your eyes (and memory) are better than mine! ;-) Actually I
    forgot KC has a Burmese. You're right. I can make out the top line on
    the memorial plaques, but not the second line. My arms are getting to
    short to read the fine print these days! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    Yes, that tabby is Mr. Misha, doing one of the things he
    does best -- sleeping!!! It was nice to see him and hear
    he is doing so well.
    
    Mary-Michael

    Jo Ann Cordes Brown now has a Compuserve account.  You can reach
    her at:                                             
    
    		  nm%decwrl::"[email protected]"
    
    I'll forward this information on to Karen Kolling so that the address
    will appear in the next issue of the newsletter.
    
    Jan

    Can you please add me to the newsletter list?  I have just been TSFO'ed
    and would love to keep at least some bond to the wonderful people and
    cats in this file.  I have been an occasional noter, but a faithful
    reader, and would love to still keep in touch.

    Since I live in Portugal, it seems only fair to pay for the post
    expense, etc..  Since I don't know for how long I'll keep this account,
    please inform my husband (LISVAX::TEIXEIRA or CARLOS TEIXEIRA @XIP) of
    how much this will cost, etc.

    My home address is:

    Praca Projectada a Avenida da Liberdade
    4 - 7A
    2830 Barreiro
    Portugal

    I wish you and your felines all the best of luck for your future life!
    Eduarda

    I'll forward your address to Karen Kolling and ask her to add you
    to the list.
    
    Jan

    Jan,
    
    Can we still add names to the list for the newsletter?  I tried 
    sending a memo to OXNARD::KOLLING and it wasn't listed.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Marilyn
    

    Marilyn,
    
     You can still be added to the newsletter list I believe, but you need
    to write to Karen Kolling at this address. She's no longer with DEC.
    
    NM%DECWRL::"[email protected]"
    
    Hope this helps! It's the complete address I use to write to her.
    LOve,
    
     Yonee

    Folks,
    I got mail from Karen, and she had her address as
    [email protected], 
    that's with only one k at the beginning. 
    As she seemed to receive my mail, now I really don't know which (or
    both) form is good...
    Can anyone nearer to her try to find out?
    
    And xcuse if I say things all know (except me...)
    ...then teach me!   :)
    
    Nat

    Hi Nat,
    
     Well, I sent her mail either last week or the beginning of this week
    using the address I entered here. Maybe both work? I have my address
    listed like a distribution list, as I can never remember the whole
    syntax to mail outside the company. I'll have to do a test mailing to
    her, and I'll enter what the results are here.
    
     Thanks for entering the difference Nat. But did you have to make me
    think so early in the day? ;-) 
    
     Yonee (who's just about to go get her second cup of coffee)
    
    
                                                     

    Either 1 K or 2 KK"s will work!!!!   I stay in touch
    with Karen on a regular basis...so if you can't
    reach her electronically just let me know and I
    can get a message to her.
    
    Sandy

    Sandy,
    
     SHOW OFF!!!!!! ;-) Thanks for the info. I write to her quite a bit
    too. That's why I was a bit confused there for a while. No surprise
    there I'm sure! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    Thanks for the information.  I dashed off a note to her and hope that
    I can get on the distribution list.  Sounds like a wonderful piece of
    work and I look forward to getting a copy of the one next quarter.
    
    Regards,
    
    
    Marilyn
    

    I just heard back from Karen, and as we already figured out, either
    address will get to her. One auto forwards to the other.
    
    Anyway, I asked her when the next deadline is for news artivcles for
    the newsletter, and she said she'd like to have everything by a week
    from tomorrow. E-mail is fine to send her stuff. (except pictures of
    course! ;-)  )
    
    I'll be submitting an article abot the Silver lIning Memorial, and how
    awesome this file is! 
    
    Love,
    
     Yonee

    I just received a memo from Karen and am in the process of sending 
    her some information.  I want to send some pictures to her (for the
    next newsletter) ... hopefully I can make it by the deadline.
    
    Just out of curiosity.  Is CAT FANCY magazine aware of our NOTESFILE
    and the support system we share globally?  Would make for an 
    interesting article wouldn't it - or would it be against corporate
    policy to "talk about" it?
    
    My veterinarian's have all expressed their gratitude for this NOTESFILE 
    and have thanked me (in person) for all the support and nice things 
    that have been said about them.  We DO make a difference.
    
    Marilyn
    

    Thanks for all info. And forgive the confusion I did with my question.
    
    (BTW, I have now 08:56 AM and slowly go to fetch my THIRD blackie this
    morn...   8*)  )
    
    Nat

    Nat,
    
     You are welcome to confuse me anytime! ;-) Of course these days it
    doesn't take much for sure! We did get to the bottom of the address
    mystery though! ;-)
    
    Yonee

    Sorry for not responding sooner, I have been in training for most
    of the past week and couldn't get into the file.  Seems like most
    of the questions have been answered already.
    
    As for Cat Fancy...I'm not sure that they are aware specifically of
    this file but they recently ran an article on the internet newsgroups
    (Compuserv, etc.) that focus on cats.
    
    I vaguely remember someone in this file submitting an article way 
    back a few years ago but do not know what became of it.
    
    Jan

    Karen just sent me a note to let me know that the Offliner Feline
    newsletter will be in the mail by the end of the week.
    
    Enjoy reading.....
    
    Sandy

    Oh Geeze! And I was going to send her some stamps and cash to help out!
    Oh well, relief after the fact is all right I guess! ;-) Can't wait to
    get it!
    

    
    Likewise, drat - I was going to send some pictures of the kittens, I
    guess it will have to wait until next issue...
    
    len.
    

    Karen Kolling just sent me a note asking everyone to send
    their "news or season greetings" for the next off-line newsletter 
    to her by Dec 20th!!
    
    She is in need of some updates/pictures this quarter!!!
    
    Sandy 

    I keep seeing references to an offline newsletter.  What is it and how
    can I get put on distribution?
    
    Marilyn

    Marilyn,
    
     The offline newsletter is a newsletter that we started a while ago,
    when some of the FELINErs got TFSO'd, but wanted a way to keep in
    touch.
    
     We send articles to Karen Kolling (who puts it all together and mails
    it out for us, and who is a former FELINEr, and sends stuff via the net
    once in a while) either via snail mail, or her E-net address, and she
    compiles and copies and all the rest, and mails it to the list of
    subscribers.
    
     To subscribe, all you have to do is get in touch with Karen, either by
    snail mail, or electronically, giving her your home address, and E-net
    address, and if you like, a short blurb about your furfaces. This will
    also be included in the newslewtter alond with all the other
    sibscriber's addresses. Hence, how we can all keep in touch, even
    outside DEC! Oh yeah, include your phone numbers too.
    
     I'll send you Karen's address through E-mail if you're interested.
    
    Love,
    
     Yonee (who knows this note will be moved, but what the heck, right?)

    Thanks, Yonee.  Since I haven't been TFSO'd (whatever the heck that
    actually stands for) so far anyway, I'll hold off on the newsletter for
    now.
    
    Marilyn

    Could somone spell out TFSO for us ninnys!
    Karen

    
    
    	If memory serves...
    
    	Transition Financial Support Option
    

    Then there is the obscene translation... that I got into trouble, in
    another file last year, for putting in.  So I will hold my tongue this
    time!!!
    
    M-L

    You mean all these acronyms at DEC actually STAND for something?!! 8-}
    I htought it was just a way to confuse people! ;-) 
    
    I used to know, but I forget. I can't even remember the 'vulgar' one
    that was made up by the employees! ;-)
    
    
    Sorry! I guess I'm lucky I remember the acronym at all! 8-}
    
    Yonee (or was that TSFO?)

    What it stands for, seems to be clearer now. But
    
    WHAT THE HELL DOES IT MEAN?
    
    (except that you get fired?)
    
    Nat

    Karen Kolling just sent me mail and asked me to remind you that the
    latest addition of the newsletter will be out soon.  She asks that you
    send any articles, etc, ASAP, either e-mail or snail mail.
    
    Steffi

    Some of you may have gotten this in mail.  Thought I'd post it for
    those who didn't receive it.
    
    Jan
    
    
    From:  JULIET::DECPA::"[email protected]" "Karen Kolling" 24-MAR-1994
    14:37:12.48
    To:	   distribution:; (see end of body)
    CC:	   [email protected]
    Subj:  feliner newsletter

    Hello, FELINE folks.  This is a message with two purposes:  (1)  I'm 
    checking to see if the email addresses in the FELINE offline newsletter 
    are valid, or if they bounce, and (2) it's to solicit notes for the next 
    edition which I'll be putting together in a week or two.  I only have a 
    note or two for it, so I'm thinking that perhaps this should be the last 
    issue, unless I get more notes by then.

    I have one or two cat photo sets for future covers, so if this is the 
    last issue, I'll include all those in the issue.

    Email a note (DECPA::"[email protected]" or [email protected]), write
    (1032 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301), or the sun sets in the west :-)

    Karen

    %%% overflow headers %%%
    To: [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected], kolling,
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected], [email protected],
        [email protected]
    %%% end overflow headers %%%

% ====== Internet headers and postmarks (see DECWRL::GATEWAY.DOC) ======
% Received: by mts-gw.pa.dec.com (5.65/13Jan94) id AA26555; Thu, 24 Mar 94 14:30:18 -080
% Received: by mail-relay-1.mv.us.adobe.com; id AA27316; Thu, 24 Mar 94 14:24:44 -0800
% Received: by univers.mv.us.adobe.com (4.1/SMI-4.1) id AA02133; Thu, 24 Mar 94 14:25:07 PS
% Date: Thu, 24 Mar 94 14:25:07 PST
% From: [email protected] (Karen Kolling)
% Message-Id: <[email protected]>
% To: distribution:; (see end of body)
% Subject: feliner newsletter
% Cc: [email protected]

    I just received a note from Karen Kolling and she said she has
    been very busy lately and apologies for not getting the off-line
    newletter mailed yet.  She said it will be in the mail after
    this long holiday weekend.
    
    Sandy
    

    Karen asked me to remind everyone that the FELINERs newsletter
    is still in existance.  If there's anyone who wants to be added
    you can send to Karen at the address listed in 369.116 or send
    to me and I'll forward the mail to her.
    
    Jan