I was watching TV the other day on Mom’s lap (Dad was fixing the plumbing), and she started laughing her head off. Okay, not literally. But she did rewind the PVR to look at a commercial several times, then paused it for Dad to see it too.
I had been sleeping, but when I finally lifted my head and watched it I could see why she would want Dad (and me) to see it. Tell me if you think this looks familiar. It really could be me and Dad. And THEY got PAID!
Well, I was going to post over the weekend, but Mom was pulling off all the buttons on the keyboard of the Mac so I couldn’t get on it to post. Then she said something to Dad about needing a new keyboard.
Come to think of it I think I saw her standing up, grabbing her coffee from beside the computer screen and then cursing as it slopped all over the keyboard. I tried using it when she skulked away to find Dad, but the Q, W, A, and S weren’t working at all. She finally set me up on the lap top this evening.
Radar and I had a little chat on Sunday (my weekend warrior day) about Halloween. He explained that his parents don’t let him out for a couple of nights in the lead up to the big night because he’s a black cat. Wonder if Mom and Dad will let me out on the weekend?
Mom was busy carving out more of the orange things and then making me pose in front of them. She also did another “photo shoot” which was okay because I got lots of treats for doing tricks. This Halloween event sounds good. Mom keeps referring to trick-or-treat and children coming to the door.
Will Anna and Adam come over and give me treats if I do tricks?
She woke me up from an evening nap to take photos. It was spooky with only the candles. You don’t really get a sense of how spooky because the flash went off, but just imagine …
Me and my new red bell
It’s almost like having a bicycle. The new bell Mom put on me is like a small cow bell, and there’s no escaping its clang-clang-clang when running along the kitty highway through the backyards of Island Park Drive. It’s also got a small round red bell, which I would much rather have because I can make the ball get stuck and then catch as many birds as I’d like to. But it’s given me freedom today, so I won’t complain.
The day started off most excellently. Dad cooked up some breakfast. The smell of bacon wafted through the main floor, and I thought I’d died and gone to cat heaven. I watched as Mom slurped down the gooey egg yolks, followed by crunching strips of bacon. I sat, longingly, on my chair in the dining room hoping she would lean over and feed me a bite. Through my intense staring I managed to communicate my desire and was eventually served a bit-sized piece. I may have been a bit aggressive. The next samples were served on Mom’s plate, which allowed me to lick some of the remnants of egg yolk along with the crunchy bacon bits. Keep reading →
… or that’s what I thought I was going to be. I’d had my first weekend adventure when my parents hosted Firkinfest. Mom had let me be free so that their guests wouldn’t get tripped up on my tie-out cord.
Me in front of my big screen TV
But Dad decided that I could have a big screen TV instead. And I have to say the picture is magnificent. Dad needs to clean it a bit better but it’s much better than the small picture I used to have.
So, no outdoor freedom this weekend. Very frustrating because Manxie had come by earlier in the week to talk to me. I was looking out the TV room window and I could smell her. I could hear her, rustling around in my garden below. Then Dad opened the front door so I could sit in the front room. I jumped onto the arm of the bench that Granddad had built me to see Manxie. Still I couldn’t see her. I could smell her still. And it was strong. Like she really needed to see me.
All of a sudden, there she was picking at the storm door screen. Together I think we could break a hole so that I can escape.
It’s amazing how much can change in a year. I really didn’t think Mom’s drunken scribbles from the Royal Oak would ever amount to anything. But look at the transition.
That’s me up on the fridge. We’ve got a great new kitchen now.
Look way up ...
Alas it seems my outdoor freedom was only temporary. Dad says I’m only allowed to wander on my own when they’re home and out in the backyard. How fair is that?
But at least he does take me for walks every day. This evening I even got a bonus one. I was napping in my basket (it’s getting a bit chilly in the evening so I like to cuddle up in the blanket) when all of a sudden I heard Mom calling out asking if I wanted to be an outdoor cat. I jumped out of the basket, almost knocking the top off its base getting to the back door.
But there was Dad, holding on to the leash. Guess it’s not quite the weekend yet. There I was thinking I’d finally have my first night out on the town ….
We walked across the street over to the new development where the school used to be. St. George’s I think it was called. This evening most of the fencing had been taken down. We didn’t realize until after we’d snuck through an opening. It was great. I got to poke my nose around all the new houses under construction and dig and scratch in fresh sand. The workmen are there all day but it’s hard to see much of the progress from my vantage point. Maybe Mom will bring the camera next time so that I can post the neighbourhood changes.
I left some presence and wondered if I’d smelled Manxie as well. On the way out I raced Dad up the steps of what he called the “model home”. We both looked through the glass trying to get a glimpse of the inside. Then Mom rang the doorbell and we raced back down the steps.
After that Dad carried me by Rudy’s and up the next street. It’s the street where I saw the crazy sideways raccoon last fall. He wasn’t there this year, but a large dog leaped out from a front yard and startled Mom and me. Dad quickly picked me up and Mom positioned herself so that Dad was always between her and the dog.
Soon I could see the path back to the house. Several dogs came out of nowhere along the path and a few cyclists. I’m not sure that I’m ready to be an outdoor cat. I know I’m supposed to see better at night, but I’m getting a bit old and the eyesight must be failing a bit.
I noticed it last night when Mom gave me some nip and then started playing with me. We have a new game. I lie on the window bench and she throws a tinfoil ball up in the air so that it lands close to me on the bench or just within my reach. I then swat the ball as hard as I can and watch her fetch it and throw it again. Sometimes I like to hide it and wait to see if she can find it under a cushion or underneath me. Then I protect it by swatting at her when she tries to reach for it. Great new game.
Well must get back to my blanky in the basket. And a few rubs on the head from Dad.
While Mom and Dad were busy entertaining people during Firkinfest, I was able to become an outdoor cat, at least temporarily. Mom let me outside, with just the new jingly collar on once a few of the guests had arrived. Not sure if she’s trying to get rid of me, so I didn’t stray too far.
After an hour of wandering around the neighbourhood and finally being able to use the kitty highway, I came back and went from chair to chair in the backyard.
Me stared down Manxie
Manxie and I had it out over who rules the roost, while Radar looked on, saying that there’s plenty of space in the neighbourhood. He also warned us of the pscyho racoon family, pointing out to me that it’s the same family that lived in our dormer.
So this morning, Manxie and I were at it again, trying to re-draw the boundaries between our two yards. Mom broke up one of our scraps, and seemed pleased that I eventually came home when she whistled. I guess that means she does love me.
Maybe I can bring the laptop outside and blog from there.
