Decorating

The cats felt decorating for Christmas was one big adventure. The job took my darling husband and I about four and a half hours. They pounced and prowled though all the stuff, finally settling in to what seemed like a good place to them. I just had to share:

Ornery especially liked her vantage point so that she could attack each ornament as it was placed. My darling husband is about to hang an authentic "safety pin" that was made for me (from a wire clothes hanger) by one of my great uncles about ten years ago. He said they used them frequently around the farm when he was a kid. Using a heavier gauge of wire would enable them to substitute these "safety pins" for the expensive Cotter pins available at the farm implement store.

Ornery's Cantankerous

Ornery has been living up to her name lately. Enough to drive me to something I never dreamed I would do: sending her outside to play. Normally, I don't approve of allowing pets to roam freely outside off leash. They could get hit by a car and be maimed or killed. Not an acceptable option. Unless you've lived with Ornery Matisse. She's a mover and a shaker, let me tell ya! Just look at what happened when I let her outside:



Of course, all that time outside led to some serious separation anxiety on Twinkie's part. She whined and paced from the door to me the ENTIRE time Ornery was outside. Once Ornery came in, it was time for cuddles!

And finally, a nap in my crochet basket, which, by the way, isn't allowed!

Patience

Patience has been feeling a bit neglected lately, so I decided it was time to dedicate a post to her. She just doesn't get into the mischief the others do, and so she gets overlooked. Good thing she doesn't have an eternal soul, huh?


Then again, maybe she's not quite so angelic after all. I brought in the final harvest of zucchini and summer squash, put them on the counter, and went to the bathroom to wash up. When I returned, this is the sight that greeted me. If you look closely, you can see Patience in front of the microwave on the far right. Note that cats are never, ever, EVER allowed on kitchen counters or the table!!! (I snapped the shot, and then went in swinging with newspaper!)


While I'm at it, I might as well add a few of her "baby pictures." These were taken with my cell phone, and so the quality is questionable, but they are the only pics I have, and since I hand raised her from three days old, she's pretty special!


You'd think she was in danger of suffocation, but she would root herself into position after LeeRoy was already settled in for a good nap. He was NOT thrilled about it, but he tolerated her.




Wayne worked nights when she was a kitten, and it wasn't uncommon for me to come home and find them like this:

Another Hole In My Head

I needed a new pet like another hole in my head! Last night while I was walking the dogs, I heard a kitten crying. It sounded like it was coming from the pasture to the east of our house. Glutton for punishment that I am, I went looking. I found her in the sumacs near the cemetery that is across the road and down a bit. She's a calico. I am calling her Ornery Matisse. If I can find her a GOOD home I will probably give her away, since we already have too many critters, but I can't bear the thought of her being mistreated. She is a very sweet and snugly kitten, though quite vocal!

I've never been much of a cat person, and never thought I'd have one, but I always said if I did have one, it'd be a calico. She's just about perfect...

LeeRoy's Debut

This is the longest LeeRoy's hair has ever been. I think it's positively gorgeous, but also messy because he sheds a lot and has to be brushed frequently. The shedding is the worst. His hair is all over everything in the house. I can't stand it. Also, he is miserable in this warm weather, even though we have air conditioning. He will lay on his side with his legs spread out, and just pant. He's not his usual energetic self, either. It got this way because my old clippers were worn out, and I couldn't replace them. Then we got Twinkie, and she plays so rough that I didn't want his skin to be easily accessible. Now he's got his bluff in on her pretty good, and I am not worried about that, so it's time to get rid of the hippy dog look.

He was actually shaking and rolling in this next shot. My camera caught it so perfectly it looks like he's being still!

Being groomed is SUCH hard work! My new clippers kept getting hot, and I would have to stop and let them cool down every ten minutes or so. Once, I found him like this. I thought he looked too sweet.
When I stopped for the last time, cleaned everything up, and went and turned on the faucet to get a bath, he ran and jumped in the tub! This is a dog who usually HATES to be bathed and protests with grunts and whines the entire time. Not today! He's ready to be fresh and clean!!! I just laughed and laughed at him.

My Little Cochin Hen

When I was a girl, I had a hen just like this. She was such a sweet pet. She would come running to me when I walked out the door, and I'd scoop her up, carry her with me to the hammock, lay her on my belly, and she'd stay there as long as I let her. I'd read Anne of Green Gables and pet her. I enjoyed her so much!
This hen has a husband. He's quite gentle as roosters go. Here's a pic of him

Patience

Here is my poor, neglected kitty: Doesn't she look like she lives a hard life? Oh... to be so sad!