questions

Should Smokey really be sitting on a bag of chips in the pantry?

And why does our pantry make us look like junk food junkies?

for all you cat people out there

there's still time...

...for a November blog post! (Looks like I am now in the once-a-month blog club!)

Anywhoo... got some snow right before Thanksgiving. Here is Soots experiencing his first snow:
(And yes, he is wearing his leash and asks you not to make fun of him for that.)



Luckily, C&D made it home for Thanksgiving -- which kept the "Thanks" in Thanksgiving for me!

Stay tuned for December's post! :)

fourth of july flea market

Part of Longview's yearly 4th of July celebration is a flea market with lots of vendors lining the lake. I enjoy poking around but don't usually buy too much (although historically I have had a bit of a weakness for bags/luggage -- go figure). Anyway, this year I found a "Cat Sitter" DVD for $3.00. The maker of the DVD basically just lined up small animals (gerbils, birds, fish, etc.), turned the video camera on, and let it roll. I thought Soots and Mr. Tumnus (who is here visiting) would probably enjoy watching it for a few minutes, but they went absolutely NUTS for it! Here is one shot of Soots:



Best $3.00 spent ever. Although if Soots ends up shredding our tv screen, it will be the worst $3.00 spent ever.

(picture taken by Christina)

Soots the Jungle Cat

Our lawnmower was broken and we finally got a new one... but then the weather was rainy so it was difficult to get out and cut the tall grass. But Soots didn't mind -- he enjoyed playing fierce jungle cat. (He says to ignore the leash part.)

monday

On Monday when I am doing this...


(googled the picture, so it's not actually me!)

and this...



Soots and 'Grandma' get to do this...



and this...

The Saga of Soots

Wow, it has been almost a week since I last posted. It has been a busy week. On Monday morning Soots seemed listless, and he didn't perk up during the day. He didn't want to eat or drink. (While we were at work my mom kitty-sat.) We ended up taking Soots to the vet after work that day. (I reached the after hours number of our veterinarian's office for some advice. The vet called back and offered to meet us and open up his office to check out Soots. We have always been loyal clients anyway, but that REALLY sealed the deal!)

Soots had a fever and was a little dehydrated -- probable upper respiratory infection. They gave him subcutaneous fluids, started him on an antibiotic, etc. After a couple of days Soots perked up. He is now playing like crazy and eating like a horse.

Whew!

It's official!

His name is Soots! We all deliberated a l-o-n-g time and considered many, many names. But seeing as this name had popped into a dream of Christina's AND the kitty's nose & paws look like he got into some soot made it destiny. :)

He was incredibly good on the 3 1/2 hour ride home last night, then settled right into bed.



We have been playing and exploring the house today.

Christina and David did an excellent job of finding this kitty at the shelter!

Guess who we are picking up tomorrow!

Or would that be "Guess whom..."?

In any event, it's the new über-cute kitty, who is currently hanging out at Christina's with Mr. Tumnus!



(Christina took the pictures earlier today.) Tumnus and the new kitty look like brothers!

The new kitty does not yet have a name. We will wait to name him until we see him "in person" -- and get input from Christina and David. I've been trying to think of some preliminary ideas for names, but have come up short. And the "cute cat names" websites aren't being that helpful either, although "Raymond Purr" did make me smile. :)

new kitty's a comin'...

... so stay tuned for details!




(photo taken with David's cell phone)

Remembering Marble

As most of you know, we had Marble for over 16 years. Today I gathered pictures of him to do a slideshow video. I set it to Al Stewart's Time Passages which worked really well. Only it didn't work well for Mr. Stewart who is reaallllly picky about copyright issues. Sheesh. (I would have happily paid but that wasn't an option.)

Soooo... the alternate soundtrack isn't as good, but it works.

Song #1 is Carole King's Brighter (because Marble made our world brighter). Song #2 is the Grass Roots' Glory Bound (because it is upbeat, I like the Grass Roots, and I guess one could say Marble is glory bound).

Anyway, we all love and miss Marble -- he was a one of a kind cat.

mr. t

Mr. Tumnus might be thinking, "Oh man, I have to go to work tomorrow."
Or maybe that's me.

our marb-meister

Since he pops up here from time to time, my blog friends probably all know Marble. Santa brought him to us as a kitten...



...and he is now over 16 years old. His health has significantly declined in the last 2 weeks, so Christina and David were able to make a quick trip home this weekend to check in with him one more time...



We love Marble so it's a sad time, but we're glad he has had a long, happy life.

the picture says it all

last day of winter break

'tis the season

Wow, even Mr. Tumnus and Marble are exhibiting some good will and a little peace on earth...

Will it hold for 2010?

mr. tumnus' new apartment

It has been a summer of moves! First my mom moved from her house into a condo, then Offspring #2 moved from his 'slanted floor' college apartment into a nicer (and level!) one.

This past weekend we helped Offspring #1 move from the Apartment of Darkness and Mold up two flights to the Apartment of Sunshine and Happiness.

Mr. Tumnus likes this one better too. He can monitor the comings and goings in the parking lot.



If he wants to take a break from his Guard Cat duties, he can snooze on his Stairway to Heaven.



Playing "Heh, heh, just try to get me out from under the bed" is good entertainment too.


(pictured: Offspring #2 & his girlfriend Tien)

purrrr-meow-purrrr

Here's an interesting tidbit from Current Biology. Researchers conducted an acoustic analysis of cat purrs and found that hidden within mealtime purring (so-called "solicitation purring") is a high-pitched meow. This hidden meow is reminiscent of a cry which signals urgency and exploits our "sensitivity to acoustic cues relevant in the context of nurturing offspring".

I think Mr. Tumnus uses this purr quite effectively when he wants to be fed. Marble, however, doesn't bother with the solicitation purring and goes straight for the mealtime howl. This is also quite effective, albeit more annoying.

took a break from the attic...

...and played around with Marble's picture.



Do I have to go back up to the attic now?

It's Tuesday...

...and Marble could care less.

It's Monday...

...and Mr. Tumnus reminds you that no matter how busy your day might be it's important to take time to stop and smell the roses (or carnations or daisies).


photo by Offspring #1