Well, I had expected to be in bed by now, but a curious thing happened. Tiger-kitten came to the sliding door. They all do, and they are fed each time they show up. There are only 4 ferals left of the original clowder of 12. I am not sure what became of Sigh and Tiger Cat (who is different from Tiger Kitty) but I have not seen them for some weeks now.
Anyways, now that winter has well and truly settled in, it makes me sad to see them outside the glass. They are always invited in, but if they come in, they dart back out before the door can be closed.
I got up to go to bed, and there was Tiger Kitty looking in the door at me. He meowed. So I got some food and opened the door. To my surprise he walked right in.
He seems to have made himself comfortable.
Now I am afraid to go to bed.
What if Freddie begins to try to assert alpha cat status? He can be a bit of a stinker. I think he may be the reason Feliway Diffusers were invented.
Or what if he decides changes his mind and wants to go back out? Or what if he needs the litter box?
Probably just grab a pillow and sleep on the couch tonight.
Today was cutting up the first deer day. Roasts, steaks, chops. All packaged, vacuum sealed and in the freezer.
I cooked the rib cage and will take the meat off the bones and grind it up to supplement the ferals' cat food. I was surprised at the quantity of meat of that. It will make a nice treat for them.
We have more dicey weather in the future and I am keeping a close eye on that. Friday morning, I am off. My granddaughters are both in The Nutcracker. The youngest is a mouse and she is adorable in her little costume. The oldest is in two scenes. She will be an angel and a lemon drop. They are both so excited about this.
I found them nutcracker ornaments for the tree. I also got an angel charm for the oldest's charm necklace. For the youngest I got the sweetest little silver mouse on a chain. I wrapped them today.
It will be a short trip. Next week is as busy week here, getting ready for the toy giveaway. Send out your best thoughts for this project, won't you?
Well, I will be sleeping in my bed tonight after all.
Tiger Kitty just asked to go outside. He spent two hours inside. I wonder what he will decide tomorrow.
I hope The Nutcracker is mercifully short.
ReplyDeleteTiger Kitty looks very relaxed. Rather too relaxed.
You forget, Auntie Andrew that most of us read your blog. We know under that 'Bah humbug' exterior beats a very tender heart.
DeleteGood luck with the toy project. I have a feeling it will be a great success.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem that it might be! It is very exciting. I have a meeting tomorrow. I had an idea, but the woman at the Y has really given this legs. People are enthusiastic. Lots of volunteers. Lots of donations promised. The newspaper is coming. Another newspaper is advertising the event.
DeleteUh oh, and so the enslavement to the whims of kitties begins, or continues! Been there! I believe the toy drive will be a huge success, Debby. One that can be repeated. No such thing as being retired, right? On to love and help the next human or the next animal.
ReplyDeleteThis is not work though. It makes me feel quite Christmas-y every time I think of it.
DeleteI love the power that little cat wielded! Maybe that's a house companion in progress.
ReplyDeleteOh. The cat wielded no power that I didn't give. I am nearly as soft a touch as Auntie Andrew!
DeleteWe had a budgie that would get a charley-horse, and I remember staying up with him for awhile. Not that it did any good with him in a cage and me not. But I felt sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteNow that is hysterical. I have never heard of such a thing!
DeleteTiger Kitty is a beautiful cat. I don't think I could have barn cats, I would worry about them too much if they disappeared.
ReplyDeleteHave a safe trip and have a wonderful visit with your granddaughters.
It is an awful feeling. I can only keep them well fed and comfortable and hope they stay close, but cats gonna cat!
DeleteI'm just glad Tiger Kitty has a refuge when truly needed, thank you Debby ❤️
ReplyDeleteOh, the garage is heated, and they have insulated houses.
DeleteAs I was being allowed to scratch and stroke my own tiger cat this morning, I thought to myself for the thousandth time- these animals really do believe they are gods and we are here to serve them. And who is to say they are wrong?
ReplyDeleteGlen hasn't taken a deer yet this year. It'll happen.
Tim took an 8 point today. the man is quite a happy chappie.
DeleteFinicky cats. What a handful. Just spent two weeks at daughter's in Buffalo and they have a new cat who's not a year yet. She would sit and sleep on my lap if I was having a nap too. Otherwise she had nothing to do with me. When Dan came on Tuesday to join us for Thanksgiving she was totally frightened of him.
ReplyDeleteMy Houdi is a lap cat. As soon as I cough or shift position, he saunters off with a look of disgust.
DeleteHope your toy project goes smoothly and is a huge success!
ReplyDeleteI am afraid to hope but really for a last minute community effort, it seems to be gathering momentum.
DeleteMy oldest granddaughter was a mouse in the Toledo Ballet production of the nutcracker! It was so wonderful. I was just remembering. It was in 2019. The next year the production was cancelled for Covid and the local PBS station ran tapes of the performance she was in. It was so much fun. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOh these kitties. I am a new kitty grandmother. My son and daughter-in-law just adopted little Winnie from the Humane Society. she is just the sweetest.
She is so pleased with her costume. It is her first dance, so this is a very big deal to her.
DeleteI would have been sitting up with Tiger Kitty, too. Maybe it will decide to become an inside cat over time.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the toy drive!!! :) :)
It seems to be gathering momentum.
DeleteSpeaking as a person who has never hunted deer and brought one home, I have to ask what sort of a vessel does one use to cook a rib cage? :) Best of luck on the toy giveaway, such a good thing to do.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jim. I have a huge stock pot. The rib cage was broken into two pieces.
DeleteI have the fingers crossed for a very successful toy swap.
ReplyDeleteI had a meeting tonight. It seems like it would be.
DeleteReminds me of our first few weeks with Pip, our new puppy. Since almost all of his life had been in a shelter, we were pretty sure he wasnt housebroken, so nights were interrupted by giving to take him out, and worrying about what he might be chewing up!
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to go to your own bed after all.
All of them visited inside today. None of them had the slightest desire to stay.
DeleteI hope the play is a great success. Tiger Kitty is destined to be an indoor cat, I bet.
ReplyDeleteI am sure it will be great. The following morning they have the Christmas pageant.
DeleteAll I can say welcome to the world of cats. In/out, up/down. Mollie is moaning about something at my feet at this very moment.
ReplyDeleteOh Thelma! Cats just need to reassure themselves that they are running the show.
DeleteTiger Kitty deciding tonight was the night to walk right in feels like such a little winter miracle. The upcoming Nutcracker roles and those thoughtful ornaments and necklaces for your granddaughters sound absolutely delightful, and it is lovely how you tuck that joy in alongside the busyness of the toy giveaway. Sending all the best thoughts for calm weather, smooth travels and a house full of content cats.
ReplyDeleteHe's got his head screwed on - indoors is MUCH warmer. I am still on NZ time and have spent far too long awake when I should be asleep. Woke on the sofa, with my heated blanket on, covered in four cats!! They know their priorities :)
ReplyDelete