You have my utmost sympathy on the Poison Ivy. *shakes head* It's nasty. If you think it's going systemic, get thee to a doctor ASAP! My family has a history of being seriously allergic to Poison Oak (west coast).

Aww, what a cute little furry critter. Yep, he's probably an ex-mouse by now. A cat I lived with many years ago had a habit of leaving "gifts" on the top stair of the basement stairs. Ick. I was usually something inedible, like a foot or tail.

Congrats on the haul from the Library. :D