Musings on a Small Life

Happy Mancat Monday, featuring the neighbourhood mooches, Jake and George. Below: Jake as I was checking my mailbox...being his usual goofy self! Of course he followed me back to my unit for treats. Below: George being his usual moochy self! My week vacation has come and gone and I'm in the middle of catching up on email and tackling the more "urgent" things first. Drinking no-no coffee (because of the GERD) and trying to get my sluggish brain in gear. I had only one day trip, though that's one more than I managed at the beginning of July! Just to visit friends for the day, catch up in person. Below: One of her neighbourhood mooches, very demanding. (Also very congested there, with a bad URI, poor baby. I'll refrain from commenting on what I think about his human "caretaker".) Sadly, there was another great loss in the Cat Blogosphere this weekend, (so many losses this year, both human and non-human). Beloved Katie of  katieisabella.blogspot.com/ . Sendi...

I don't actually know George's "sibling's" name ("siblings" from different parents), and the little tuxie might actually be a ladycat. H/she is very skittish, unlike George the Moochiest Cat Ever, so it was a bonus to be able to snap a pic of him/her last week. (I had tossed out Temptations, though they're not as food-motivated as George.)     George's pic was snapped this morning. He'd already had two rounds of treats and was looking for a third (not a chance). He's very hard to photograph because he comes too close, too quickly, but I lucked out today.   Jake's been around too, was here this morning when George was on round #2, but I didn't get a pic of him. 🤷   Have a good week, everyone, and take care. I'm on staycation next week, so I think this week will feel long !   

This cutie, who wouldn't pose nicely, was visiting with my adjoining neighbour and her two indoor cats this morning, as I headed out to grab a latté. Very friendly fellow!     Apparently he comes to visit the neighbour's cats quite often. (Through the screen on their patio door.)   As for my fence, this is as far as we are right now:     There were some unexpected challenges in digging down the two and a half feet needed, but after two days of back-breaking work, they managed. So the support posts were put in yesterday (in concrete) and left to cure/harden. The guys are supposed to be back later this morning (fingers crossed, as rain is pending) and I hope it won't be much longer before they get some panels up. I'm looking forward to having a bit of privacy again! (I'm sticking with the legal 7ft height limit, but I wish I had gone with 8ft instead. However, if anyone would get caught and fined, it would be Ms. Goody Two Shoes here, so legal limit it is.)  ...

The two neighbourhood mooches! (Both have homes.)   George yesterday morning, disappointed that he didn't get a second round of treats before I popped out for a quick errand. (Don't feel sorry for him, he got a second round late in the afternoon. Besides, does he even look like he needs more?)     Jake this morning.     Happy Friday, all. For those of us still working, it's "Fri-yay!"

I stepped out of the house this morning, to pop down to the café at the end of the street, and heard a robin singing his "come hither" Spring song. What a joy! Surprisingly, I have seen and heard robins in the area all winter, but it's been a while since I've heard any singing to attract a mate. I know they'll hang around if they have a food source, but our winter has been so brutal, and this is the first year that I've been aware of any staying put all season in spite of the most snow in almost 25 years.     Last Saturday, in desperation for some colour and cheer, I treated myself to two bunches of tulips, along with my groceries. Brought a bit of much-needed Spring indoors. It was plus 7C that day, absolutely glorious. (Never mind that the following two days were minus double digits again!)   Below: George this morning, after his treats. He always has so much to say! (I've seen Jake only once this winter, and not recently.)     Our snow is slowly melting...

George, who has been safely tucked away in his own home, was on my step this morning when I got back with my tea latte. (He's chomping on treats in the snapshot.) Also, there were lots of critter tracks in the swamp on Monday, when I was out for a walk.  Gaahh, I can't wait for Spring! 😆 

Jake and George were waiting for their treats when I got home from my early morning walk. I can guess what they want for Christmas! 😆 Happy Friday! Have a great weekend! 

 

I don't know who this little one is, or even if they're a girl or boy. (Have I posted pics of this tuxie before? 🤔) S/he wouldn't let me get close, but when I crouched down and started chatting, s/he hung around, at a safe distance.  What a cutie! I hope this one has a home! (I would guess yes.) 

Note for anyone new: Jake has a home with one of the neighbours, he comes for Fancy Feast and treats. 

Two handsome mooches at my out-of-town friends' home. (My snaps, I'm heading home this afternoon.)  Mimi/MeMe Vinnie  Both have homes, but both are "overlooked", as my friend put it, in households with multiple animals. They're each very sweet, very affectionate boys! Have a lovely day and weekend! 

I got home a short time ago from five hours of errands in the baking heat, and found the welcoming committee on my doorstep. George was meowing his head off, as he wasn't around early this morning (we had severe thunderstorms roll through last night). So he was insisting that I hurry up with his Fancy Feast.  Jake was more nonchalant, too hot to expend the energy.  He was on my step this morning, before I left at 8 AM, and already had his Fancy Feast treat. Of course I gave him more. 😁 I sincerely hope their humans kept them inside last night, it was intense!  If you're in the middle of a heat wave, stay hydrated and as cool as possible! 

A dear friend's elderly mum passed away in the early hours of this morning. She had been in the hospital for a short time, end of life care. I hope that if she and my own mom meet, in spirit/energy of course, that they share a glass of wine together (so to speak), and raise a toast to lives lived as best they could.   My thoughts and prayers are with my friend, her husband, and her family.💔🙏      But this reminds me that life is mostly about waiting, isn't it? The land of limbo between "milestone" events.    Waiting for a birth, waiting for a death, waiting for someone to call, for marriage, for divorce, for test results, for surgery, to move, to get a job, to be let go from one's job, to retire....everything in between those bookends of birth and death.   It makes me appreciate the days I have even more. Not everyone is blessed to have 61 years on this earth, and it's been my own responsibility to make whatever I've been able to of these years, no m...

Finn, below, is an even bigger mooch than George, which says a lot. Jake came for his Fancy Feast early this morning. A short time later, I found Finn on my step, eating a few bits that Jake had missed.  Then I couldn't get rid of him, probably because I gave him a handful of Greenies and tried to lure him away.  Jake returned, wanting more (he really loves the FF salmon pate I have on hand). He ended up getting trapped on my top step by Finn, who also had returned, and someone's dog on a leash. (The man is nice enough, but seems to be without common sense when it comes to non-humans.)  Turns out that Jake does NOT like Finn! Or dogs, for that matter.  I escaped into the house, in case things came to kitty blows, but Finn finally decided to move on.  Jeepers, all that kitty drama and it wasn't even 7 AM....

George a couple of days ago, snapped through the screen. This was after his Fancy Feast and separate Greenies. I did not succumb to his appeal for yet more and he left, probably in a huff. Bonus: Jake yesterday, after his morning Fancy Feast.