Homework

First it was the new heat pump. Now it's the hardwood floors. What to do when there are strange people working in your home, making a racket and causing the furniture to be rearranged?

You hide. No more, no less, you hide and hope it all ends soon.

Really? That Can't Be True...

Yup, the Big Guy is turning one of those red-letter birthdays, and boy oh boy, is it a big one. Funny how the party napkins match the cat's Bird-Be-Safe collar. May we all be safe and happy these days!

Yes, No, Well... She's a Cat

Is it wet outside? Cold? More than a bit windy? 

Is it dry inside? With warm, snuggy blankies on the bed? Calm and (mostly) quiet?

Of course the answer to all of the above questions is "yes". But does Luna want to come inside?

Of course not.

Rain, Not Rain

A week ago, Luna's favorite hangout was on top of the neighbor's rain barrel. The dark plastic absorbed the heat; she could see into the yards and down the driveway, just in case that archenemy, The Black Cat was nearby. 

These days, with all this rain, wind and cold, guess who has been firmly committed to the plush cushion upstairs?

Charlotte

I was getting very worried, and even commented on it to a few people who wouldn't think that I was getting (even more) odd. 

But it's been years, literally years, since I have noticed orb weaver spiders hanging out in their (her, actually) large, round webs in the front yard. The last time I remember seeing them was probably in 2018; definitely since before the pandemic. 

Charlotte

But this year, perhaps because of all the rains this past winter, or for other reasons unknown to me, the spiders are back! 

My neighbor named her Charlotte (bless you, E. B. White) because she appeared while we were away on holiday and watched over Luna in our absence. And, no, she did not write, "Some Cat" in her web, but I'm sure she could have...

For a few months we dodged her web each morning, sometimes rearranging it for her in ways that probably didn't make her happy. She finally figured out the problem and positioned the support line from the top on the porch pillar and not at the middle. Brilliant!

I haven't seen Charlotte in a few weeks, so I'm assuming that she has moved on. I'm also hoping that at least a few of her babies will appear here next year. 

A New Fashion?

You can wear it:

Or sleep in it:

Or??? 

The Box

It's 9" by 12", wood, probably pine, and became a favorite snoozing spot starting in September, 2021:

It's still is a favorite spot, even though the fit is a bit tight:

Laundry Day

Who knew that a kitchen cloth that had been rinsed in bleach could be so much fun...

Feline Fashionistas

Birdsbesafe®. Yes, those silly, brightly colored fabric collars that are designed to keep your sweet kitty friend from massacring your sweet birdie friends. And "brightly colored" works. According to researchers at St. Lawrence University, "cats wearing collars killed 19 times fewer birds than uncollared cats.

But really it's all about making a fashion statement. Sebastian, for example, looks absolutely gorgeous modeling the newest design (yup, I made them myself - just as easy to sew as to buy - and shared a few with friends).

Photo courtesy of Judy Chess

And doesn't Luna cut a lovely figure showing off an older model? It's actually, a hand-me-down from Princess, but Luna doesn't seem to mind. 

And Sebastian once again, sporting another lovely design, handcrafted by his guardian, Judy. So adorable.

Photo courtesy of Judy Chess

Available online or from your local sewing machine. 

The brighter the better!

Keep your local birds happy and safe!

Captured!

The most excellent painter, Elsa Gonzalez Zorn, has captured Luna. I don't think anyone else could have done it better. It is beyond perfect!

Time Flies

Luna (aka Leela), August, 2021.

Luna (aka The Furry Troublemaker), March, 2022. 

Foster Fail

 Or Failed Foster? In 2010, when we adopted Princess, we were "failed fosters", all the blame clearly landing smack dab in our laps. But since blame is now considered a bad thing, we are a "foster fail", just one of those things that happens sometimes. And indeed it did just sorta happen. 

Luna sleeping in the laundry pile, Sept. 21st

Luna Doodle (formerly Leela), arrived here in a mixed litter on August 12th. She came out of the carrying crate purring and ready to play, even though she only weighed 12 ounces and was pretty wobbly. The two brothers were much less sure about the whole thing, but they quickly warmed up to the world and were adopted as soon as they were ready (snip-snip).

Luna stayed with us for another week to gain some weight, went in for spaying, and still has to wear the Cone for another few days. So although all those travel-round-the-world- plans are on hold yet again (yeah, let's blame it on the kitten, and not on the state of the world), playing Fierce Feather on the kitchen floor has its rewards.