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I read a campus novel and our cat is missing.

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Ryan has been missing since yesterday. L got sick last night. Cold, blocked nose. Hardly any of us slept properly.

Mom and I planned to go to this one cafe I've been telling her about. But a total shutdown is announced starting today (19th April 2026). This is the thing. A normal, peaceful day is a rarity here.

Anyway, I finished Stoner today. A novel by American author John Williams. Originally published in 1965. Genre: Campus novel. 

Started reading it a few days ago. Took it slow.  This is probably the first time I've read this genre. It's unexpectedly good. Nothing special though. It's the simplicity I enjoyed. 

An ordinary story about an ordinary, quiet man, born at the end of the 19th century, who became an English professor at Columbia University, Missouri. The book starts with his early life on a farm with his parents, his time at university, his married life, his life on campus as an English professor, his becoming a good teacher, and finding love, and more. His life is mostly spent on campus. Outside, the world has seen through both world wars. He sees its impact in the university, in the people who matter to him. And so and so, the book goes.

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I rescued a kitten a few days ago. Brought it home. Ever since then, our cats are making themselves scarce. I think they don't like that there's a new one. Ryan hasn't come back. He is a sickly cat, was already showing signs of weakness. He rarely leaves home. Even if he goes out, he's usually back soon. But he is not back this time. I can't help but think something happened to him.

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