2021 In Pictures

One thing that has come out of the last two years is discovering the charms of our local Nature Center. I'd taken the kids out there for special events a few times when they were younger, but I'd never spent time there as a way to center my mental health. In many ways, these few acres have helped me keep my sanity through this insane time. 

 

We added Silver to the Jones clowder. She was gifted to us by the local Momma Cat. 

Little Black is another of her kittens from a previous litter that decided to hang around. 

 There was moon light.

And the squirrel we rescued and released. Peanut's injuries were worse than we at first thought, and he didn't make it through the summer, but we were able to give him some extra months. 

And my trips to the Nature Center continued throughout the Fall. 

And we ended the year with a visit from my daughter, who wasn't able to come home last year because of the pandemic. Having her here was the best present. 

Cats on a Shelf

We have a fence around our back yard, partly because of the neighbors, and partly because we have a pool. But we weren't thinking when we put it up-- my garden is on the other side. Which meant I had to walk all of the way around to get to the garden. Yup, poor planning on our part. Anyway, my husband put in a gate last summer and built a little shelf on it. I didn't even notice, which shows how observent I am. But the cats did. We have a bit of a cat problem in our neighborhood-- namely a Momma Cat that is very prolific. (I really should dig up some money and take her for a little trip) 

Needless to say, this a daily occurance. The particular cats just change from time to time. 

Desktop Dump 1

I've been a bit absent for a while. Life stuff. But I've saved all kinds of things on my desktop, so I'm just going to do a few dumps this week. Because I can!

The Clusterf*ck That Is

Oi, what a week! The Twitter feed has been oh so active. 

And This Week's Public Service Announcements.

Free Entertainment

 I love my back yard. It's fenced in on two sides with the garage on the other side, so it's rather private. And since I like to plant things, it's rather green. And I have a tame squirrel. He's very good entertainment for Pip and Squirt!

 With the (momentary) return of beautiful summer temperatures, we've got the windows open. I'm not the only one that's happy about that!

He's a little skittish, but he comes up on the porch when I'm sitting in my lawn chair. I feed him popcorn and strawberry tops. Once in a while, he brings a friend. The other one isn't quite as tame, but we'll get there!

Merry Christmas!

The daughter's home, the cookie orders are all delivered, the presents are wrapped and the turkey is brining. Just one more day at the grocery store, and then hopefully the madness will end! (Working retail seems to take the magic out of the season.)

Now, if I can keep Squirt kitty out of the tree. He just this morning discovered that it might be fun to play with. (I imagine it's because there are presents under it now.) The tree may come down tomorrow night!

Merry Christmas, all!

Morning Coffee

When you hear noise from the other room and go to investigate-- and the culprit stayed at the scene of the crime! Yup, that's how my morning is starting!

Morning Coffee

This shelf is over the kitchen sink and there is a tree full of birds just feet away. I fought for a year to teach the kits to stay down. I fold, I concede. They win.

Caturday

Pre-Christmas-- Squirt offering to help with the wrapping...

And helping with the clean-up after the festivities.

Whilst Pip couldn't give a rat's ass about any of it. 

Halloween Is Over

I've always loved Christmas, but right at this moment I think I would be happy to just skip it. Oh, I'm sure I wouldn't, but I would love to keep it very simple. Which may happen. I'm sure Squirt is going to see a Christmas tree as one big kitty toy, so we may not even put one up. The same goes for most of my holiday decorations. Cat toys, all. And the gift giving is going to be, by necessity, limited. I think I'm just dreading cold weather, to be honest! I used to love this time of year; cuddling up with a throw blanket and a cup of hot chocolate and a book. I'm dreading losing my lounge chair on the deck in the sun with a cold beer in my hand.

Where was I going with this? Oh, yeah. I just ran out to Dollar General for fabric softener and there is Christmas stuff all over the place. I'm surprised they weren't playing Christmas music! Let the holiday's commence!

Morning Coffee

 Life things are fairly tense at the moment, doing their best to make me crazy. But these two are always consistent--into everything, running through the house like a herd of elephants, watching the squirrels (who are extremely active right now--they're a show of their own!) and then sleeping so they can do it all again.

I've survived every bump in the road so far, I'll survive this one. The fact that it's my daughter's bump, not my own, probably makes it feel worse.

But, once a parent, always a parent. I don't think I was adequately warned back in my 20's before I decided to get pregnant!

So, deep breath, brain storm, and back into the fray! And always with a smile on my face!

Morning Coffee

The kittens are  going to be a year old soon and it's been fun watching them grow and develop such different personalities. Squirt, the tabby, is very playful and affectionate, while Pip here is more reserved and quiet. Which is why it surprised me this morning when he joined me at my desk and tried to wiggle himself into his old spot. He doesn't fit quite as well as he used to, but he made it work! He's been rewarded with much ear scratching--maybe he'll join me more often!

Morning Coffee

When you have pets in the home, you are never alone! Even when you need to be. I needed the printer, but I waited until he woke from his nap. Yup, I'm that kind of kitty mom!

Morning Coffee

The reason that my husband wanted to get two kittens was for this very reason--the hope that they would be best friends. And they are. They play, they run, they groom each other. Maybe not even as "clingy" as a single kitten would have been, even though they are both very affectionate with us. They are about 10 months old now, but I imagine they will always stay like this. Ornery and sweet!

Morning Coffee

I think they can see into my soul!

Morning Coffee

He doesn't understand why I get to be outside and he doesn't. After what happened to our last two kitties, he's just going to have to wonder-- and watch from the window!

Morning Coffee

Copy Cats-- because what one does, the other has to do, also. Which is good. That's why I got two kittens instead of one, so they would bond and have each other. 

Morning Coffee

I could get more work done if I didn't have so much help!

Morning Coffee

It's amazing how much the boys have grown since we brought them home Christmas week. They have been a joy and since we adopted them from the Humane Society they were extremely socialized and they bonded with us quickly. They seem to have reached their "teen years", though. Sleep all day and play all night!