Forget elections, raids, speeches, awards, and even documentary film crews and visitors driving hundreds of miles out of their way to shake hands, leave gifts or flowers, and bemoan the sad state of American democracy.

Today, yours truly will be dealing with something of true and lasting importance — visiting an animal shelter to pick out a cat to replace a trusted companion who died last year after 18 years of faithful and invaluable companionship .

The decision to adopt will be made on the spur the moment — the sense of love at first sight that often comes when one out of an entire litter of kittens comes forward.

The name, however, is an open question. Pixel? Pica? Swamp Fox? KORA? Rosebud? Anyone have any favorites?

— ERIC MEYER