I live out in the boonies. It's cheaper here, but not really when you factor in the costs of travel to get literally anything. Your money is just going into different pockets.
Several theories have been put forward for the origin of the term in a film context. One explanation pertains to the practice of "block booking" whereby a studio would sell a package of films to theaters, rather than permitting them to select which films they wanted to exhibit. However, this practice was outlawed in 1948 before the term became common parlance; while pre-1948 high-grossing big-budget spectacles may be retroactively labelled "blockbusters," this is not how they were known at the time. Another explanation is that trade publications would often advertise the popularity of a film by including illustrations showing long queues often extending around the block, but in reality the term was never used in this way. The term was actually first coined by publicists who drew on readers' familiarity with the blockbuster bombs, drawing an analogy with the bomb's huge impact. The trade press subsequently appropriated the term as short-hand for a film's commercial potential
I'm in southern Manitoba. Our Air Quality Health Index is forecast to be at 10 (very high risk) through the weekend. Right now it's hazy but not too bad, as the smoke drifts by us and into the U.S. For those that are also dealing with this...
From Environment Canada
Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.
As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
You may experience mild and common symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough. More serious but less common symptoms include wheezing, chest pains or severe cough. If you think you are having a medical emergency, seek immediate medical assistance.
People more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution, including people aged 65 and older, pregnant people, infants and young children, people with an existing illness or chronic health condition, and people who work outdoors, should reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors and seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.
When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. When there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Actions can include using a clean, good quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
If you must spend time outdoors, a well-constructed, well-fitting and properly worn respirator type mask (such as a NIOSH-certified N95 or equivalent respirator) can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in the smoke. Even though exposure may be reduced, there can still be risks to health.
Check in on others who are in your care or live nearby who may be more likely to be impacted by outdoor air pollution.
Ya that sucks to be in that situation, but I know it's very easy to fall into that trap. I've put up ads for homes in the past for these guys, but it's hard to find homes for many of them when you live in the boonies. Despite spending a lot of money on them (it's over $220 plus tax alone just to get a female fixed here, plus I blow about $200 a month on food and litter) I give them away for free when I can.
I've wanted to upgrade my 15 yr old pc for awhile, but to me this is more important. (I would have bought some upgrades this spring but a $750 vet bill took care of that.) But if I didn't do what I'm doing, there would be at minimum 8 more litters of cats around to deal with, or a lot more dead cats.
Honestly if it were up to me I wouldn't have had any cats. I'm more of a dog person, my last dog died of cancer a few years ago. But I do love these little assholes and want to help the best I can. When I do find a home for one, it makes me a little sad to see them go, but very happy someone else loves them and that I did my part to help give them a normal life.
Ya I get it. I really do. I'm sure there's nothing I can say or do to change that opinion, but here's my choices...
ignore the strays and let them die. (I live in Canada where the temps regularly go down to -30 to -40c. We have found other cats in the area that had frozen to death, the most recent being just a few months ago. That's a long story all by itself, but someone has been dumping kittens out here in the area. 5 more kittens were just found abandoned nearby several weeks ago, but a neighbor found a surrogate mother for them, and they're doing well)
Bring them to the closest vet clinic (30 miles away in the closest town) where they will be euthanized.
Help them and potentially find them homes if possible. (We are here) I have spent several thousand dollars getting them fixed, medication etc. Several that we've taken in have found new forever homes, and two I have now will also have a new home soon. (The people that want them are moving this summer but can't take them in just yet.)
Aside from my original 5 that I don't let outside, most of them can and do go outdoors, weather permitting. (Ya I know, but they're basically farm cats) I live in a rural area and have a heated shed for them if needed.
If that makes me a crazy cat hoarder, then I guess I am.
I've lived in Manitoba my whole life and am used to the cold, but I never would have tried to pull that stunt during one of our blizzards in the middle of winter without proper gear. These guys were ignorant morons to even think of dropping a family off in those conditions. Our winters can and absolutely will kill you in minutes if you're not prepared.
Just to add to my other comment, It also helps where I live. I have a small old two story house with a basement, so there's 3 levels and lots of little nooks and crannys for them. I have several litter boxes in the basement and on the main floor as well, along with 3 water stations and 4 main food bowls. (Although for wet food and treats I usually have to also break out some dishes so they get a more equal distribution, especially because of Moops (second grey cat down from the top right of the pic) who is very much a food orientated cat, and likes to hoover up as much a he can before anyone else gets a chance.
Not as bad as you'd think. There's some disagreements here and there, but overall they pretty much all get along. The only exception is Jeeves, a black and white cat. For some reason him and two of the others don't get along great, but it's manageable at least.
And proud of it lol! They're my family now. Best part is when I go to sleep I usually have a minimum of 4 of them at any time wanting to sleep with me, or on me. (Bam Bam, the black fuzzy one in particular loves to sleep on my head for some reason.)
I mean, we literally have multiple pictures and video of them... this is akin to saying grass is green.