8 wonderful years

 "Lynn, it's my 8th anniversary today. I try to remember

how it was before, but I really am only interested in today."

"Is that really me back then? I must have grown up."

And maybe a bit out, Precious. But that just means there is

more of you to love.

She gets into the sink today only to drink. She can get

her front paws in, but she'll never get herself in to lie down.

When we brought Precious home, she spent 3 days straight

laying at the foot of the bed on a thermal cat blanket. She'd get

up to eat a tiny bit, potty and go right back to bed. Even

though we were strangers, and who knows how much tossing

and turning we do at night, she slept right there for nearly

72 hours.

Then on the fourth day, she did her usual routine of eating

some and potty. But she did not go back to bed.  She looked

up at me in my recliner, jumped up on my lap, gave my face

a complete inspection, turned around and laid down on my

legs. She started purring and was there for a few hours. I was

so amazed, but I think she was just recuperating from the trauma

of being abandoned and unhappy with the stress of the humane

society.

I'm glad to say, that starting right then she was a new girl. Unhappy

when she had her first of 3 vet visits soon after. But forgiving when

she came home.

"I just knew you were going to be good to me, Lynn. It's a good

thing I can't keep track of time, or I'd be sorry so many years

have gone by."

I am sorry that 8 years have passed. Where does life go?

I am getting old older and wish it would just stop on a  good

day and remain there for just an extra week or two.

Santa delivered

"Santa brought me just what I wanted, Lynn!" 

"I can never have enough sacks to lay on."

Maybe you can pick out Precious's scratchy 

post in the top right of the above photo. It is

actually a cardboard tube wrapped in sisal

(coarse rope) and on the table leg, so no tip

overs of a free standing post and it is well

used this way.  Had to tip the table over to 

install this and every couple years, it has to be

turned upside down to even out the rope as it

gets scratched so much. 

"How did he know what size bags to bring?"

"How did he know where I live? And the paper

shopping bag from the bike store.  We can play

frog on it all evening long. Just get ready to

flip the frog, Lynn."

Precious is easy to please.  Me, I wonder how

many sacks I can have on the floor at one time. 

Just like having stepping stones in the house, but 

hey, she's happy and no one is coming here to visit

during these times. No pressure on my part to keep

every thing picked and and put away.

As for my gift, I woke up Dec.25 to 10 inches of snow,

and 13 degrees (-10C). It was to be 1 to 2 inches, but I

guess St. Nick needed more for those reindeer of his.

I spent a few hours just shoveling snow and part of it

was to clear paths to the bird feeders as you can see here.

Happy New Year from Precious and Lynn

Christmas Traditions

"Lynn, let's decorate the tree with the Fancy Feast Kitties."

I have mostly cat related ornaments for the tree. Most are

the Fancy Feast ones I was able to get from 1997 to 2012.

You had to have dozens of can labels and a bit of money,

so I saved every label off every can of food Seney would

eat. Not that she usually ate a whole can! She was so 

picky and finicky her entire 20 years. 

When Seney died on Christmas Eve, 2012 that put

an end to tradition.  However Precious and I have

our own tradition of getting them all out and putting them

on a much smaller tree, as the years go by. Basically,

I believe Precious would rather have them for toys,

but that isn't likely to happen.

"Don't let Santa know I'm under the tree skirt.

I'm hoping to see him come in with my favorite

treats and wacky weed.  I've been very very good."

Merry Christmas to each and everyone. I have

truly enjoyed doing the blog this past year. And every

one of you who have visited are in my prayers for

a wonderful new year ahead.  Lynn

 

Take sun where we can get it

She's a sun beam seeker.

Winter is here, not it's worse yet, but cold. And Precious

seeks out any sun ray she can find in the late afternoon

when the sun is coming in the front west facing window.

On days when it isn't too cold, after the sun warms up

the front door and porch, I'll open the door for a bit. Not

energy efficient, however, I think I can take the furnace

running a bit more for her pleasure.  It is certainly short

lived as the sun goes behind the bare trees across the road.

Then it is daylight a while longer but quickly too cold.

"Gosh, Lynn, were are the butterflies and humming birds?

They've all left me and now I just have dry leaves blowing

all about the yard! I'd love to catch them!"

We had a "snow incident" the next morning. Just ask me what

that means! It used to be called a snow storm when it was inches

deep, now the weather girl ( I know, don't call her a girl)

uses new terms for old weather patterns. And yes, I consider her

a girl, she looks too old to be my granddaughter, and so young

she'd could be the youngest child, if I'd have had kids.

 

Trip to the Orphanage

"Tell me all about it Lynn. Was it like I 

remember?"

I finally finished 5 cat beds and took them in to the Humane

Society for Christmas gift. I was very glad to see the changes

they have made recently. When I went in June, to drop off all

the toys and treats that were Precious's, I did not go inside. This

time there was only one visitor car in the lot, so I put on my mask

and went in. 

The above is the 'community" play room. They only put a few cats

in here at a time, and ones that they know they get along well. It

used to be full of cats, as this was just one of the 4 man size "cages"

that all cats had to live in. Regardless of how well they got along or

not.  Very stressful for cats to live like that. No wonder Precious

was less than 5 pounds at 14 months old. She was too shy to fight 

her way to the food and water bowls. Like so many cats.

I took some pictures of the cats and older kittens.

They keep the really small kittens in the basement

until they are fostered out or old enough to be introduced

to older cats.

I was really glad to see they have replaced 3 cage rooms

with individual cat cages. I believe that is better for the

cats. Not 15 cats using one litter box, that just can't be

cleaned often enough or group food dishes they may

end up fighting over.

"Gosh Lynn, I wish I had had my own cubby, with

private powder room, Limoges china dishes, and 

Eider down bed."

Well, Precious, I won't burst your wishful thinking

bubble.  Not all was just like that, but it certainly

was so much better.  And without the community 

bathroom, the house smelled so much nicer.

Of course, I would have brought 1/2 of the cats home

with me if only I could. One reason I do not go in to

see them when I drop things off and make a donation.

Too heartbreaking. But this is a no-kill home and they

do have a very. good adoption rate.

"I'll sleep better knowing the orphans are safe

and warm and I helped make the beds. But a good

thing, Lynn, you did not bring me home a mate!"

Pause for the paws

 "Hey, Lynn, let me smell your paw."

Precious always has to sniff my hand many times a day.

I really don't know if she is inspecting me for cleanliness

or to see if I have been holding back of some flavorful

food. When she won't otherwise give  me the time of day 

(and she knows certain times of day!), 

 if I put my hand out she'll just spend minutes going

over it.

I thought I'd put out just a couple warm weather pictures, as

there are no summer temps now.

If you can make it out, this kitty is often on the bike

path at a farm I ride by. I have been seeing him since early

this Spring when he was so tiny. And friendly now, 

but not so I can get off the bike and pet it or get a better

picture. I love cats. They have dogs too, and not unusual

to see them with the cat. But as you can see,

 no dog picture!

A Hackberry Butterfly.  Their caterpillars only eat the

leaves of a hackberry tree, which here is related to the 

elm. I really do not see these often so I do not believe we

have many hackberry trees in the area. They are beautiful

in a subtle way with their more brown like wings and only

about 3 inch winch span.

One more for the road. A peacock at a lovely garden I

visit once a year about 40 miles north of home.I had

ridden my bike the 40 miles, all on Rail Trail. And

had a great time seeing the plants and flowers. He was 

very interested in my walnuts that I had for a snack.

However, it did not peck me and I didn't feed it.

"Well, Lynn, that wasn't your usually scary wildlife.

I'd love to taste some peacock for supper and chase

the butterfly if I could. 

Good thing you did not touch that outdoor cat. I really

would have given your hand a once over and a bite!"

Oh no, snow!

 "Lynn, where is chippie? Why is the patio so shiny and yucky

looking?"

Poor Precious. We have had days and days

of rain. So dark and boring and of course, chippie

is under the patio eating his stash. Why come out for

more in this? He'd need a rain coat.

I'm glad it is late November rain and not early snow. I

know our northern neighbors are dealing with much colder

and whiter weather.  I've already seen the influx of winter

birds. They say the most in 20 years due to food shortage

in Canada for them.

"Well, gosh Lynn, how do you think I feel? 

No sun puddle to lie in and chippie hiding

from me! You've got nothing to complain

about."

And then December first came with 6 inches

of snow.

"What does this mean Lynn?  Where's my

chippie?  Dig 'im out, save 'im!"