Since the plant must drain, the closure of the drainage hole(s) by its roots must be seen as trouble. It does appear the plant is crying out for a re-potting and since it is causing problems, the need to wait until spring sunshine is not what it should be waiting for; re-pot now. Make sure the soil drains well...but does retain some moisture. For that, possible use of a heavier than usual percentage of peat moss might be considered. It holds on to moisture longer and mixed with any of the good mediums....vermiculite, coarse sand, perlite and potting soil/mix the plant might do better. Repotting of course is going to show what extent the roots are in. If you are considering a total re-soiling, then I suggest you remove all the old soil, wash the roots clean and inspect for any sign of damage there. A barrier between the drainage holes and the soil will prevent somewhat the reoccurrence of the roots making it to the drainage holes. Stones of size, or shards of clay might be used. I like the broken clay shards because they leave important spaces so that water can drain well, yet block the path of soil that can plug up the hole. Go up one size only...repotting to a pot too large for the roots---even tho they have expanded--can cause future problems. Its alright to remove what roots are superfluous. Ferns, generally all, like their water and they can sometimes drop a measure of debris that makes the plant or the floor its sitting on, unsightly. But, in winter, even ferns don't grow all that much and need less water. A constant vigil by testing the soil dampness is one way to avoid underwatering/overwatering. Ferns too appreciate light....just not direct light. Give your plant more than usual at this time but give it a filter when the time comes the light intensity resumes. Mid February is the time we usually allow that plants begin to start growing. Its the time that geraniums and their ilk, come out of their cool storage to resume their voyage to summr sun. Until April tho, the sun takes its time to come up to light that influences greatly plants in windows and on window sills. Common sense should prevail. When it does begin to put on new growth in earnest, the time to begin feeding can resume. Fertilize every 3rd or 4th watering.

It's a Giant Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar. It is camouflaged to resemble a bird dropping, to fool predators. I have attached a link for you to compare. Here is a link that might be useful: Giant Swallowtail

I'm still conflicted as to what to do! While the cat STILL hasn't eaten on the curassavica plant, and hasn't moved to the droopy syriaca plant, or touched the tuberosa shoot I plopped in the dirt. Yet, it remains active, moving around the plant. It also looks better than in has the last few days; before, it was kind of dingy looking, like it was jaundiced or something, not it's typical bright pretty colors. Now, the color seems normal, yet, it's still not eating. I may give it until the morning to decide if I should euthanize or not. I guess I keep hoping that if it's going to die on it's own, I'd rather have it happen, instead of forcing it...

When my kitten lost her playmate :(, she did the same thing to my existing 9 year old cat. She was totally trying to bond with my older girl (who wanted nothing to do with her). She would get up on the bed with her and inch herself slowly up as close as possible. My old girl would hiss and run if she got too close, so the kitten would try to be sneaky and settle into a spot that she thought she could get away with. Sometimes my older cat will sleep in the back of the closet and I'd find the kitten in the doorway of the closet sleeping, just to be close to her. It was a total love thing, and yes, it seemed like she was stalking her all of the time! After I mustered up the strength to get her a new playmate, she lightened up on my old girl some. But she still loves her! I hope yours get along really well at some point. I still have issues here, like my older cat will run from the kitten and the kitten will chase her, thinking she is playing! I have a bit of jealousy too, because the kitten will always want my older cat's spot if she's sitting in my lap. Lots of growls around here!