Alice, the kitten, now has teeth, but isn't up to eating dry cat food yet. I started her out with meat flavored baby food, gradually mixing in canned cat food until I got her switched over to that, but the stuff is dreadfully expensive.

I decided to make her some homemade kitten food with odds and ends I had in the cupboards. The smell is appalling, just what she and her older brother like. Here's how to replicate my "Fiercesome Glop" as I fondly call the mixture. Be aware, this stuff is nasty. The smell is actually improved after it passes through her digestive tract.


Assemble in food processor the following;

1 can spam
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can tuna (with its liquid)
3 eggs, scrambled
1 slice wheat bread

Process until pasty or until your stomach rebels at the sight of it. Hold breath while spooning it into an airtight container and store in fridge. Use within a week.

Bon apetite!

I remember my mother telling me that when she and my dad were dating, they couldn't afford the price of a phone call, so they would call at a prearranged time and let the phone ring just once. It was their code for "good night and I love you".

In college, during summer break, my husband (then boyfriend) and I wrote often. Out code was to put the stamp on the envelope upside down. We never talked about it until later, and realized we were both doing the same thing. Guess that made it a top secret love code.

With my son, I used to flash the American Sign Language sign for "I love you" to him after he boarded the bus every morning on his way to kindergarten, and he'd flash it back from the window. We still use it on occasion these days, even though he'll be in fifth grade next month.

What love codes do you use?