Sharing

The big scratching thingie is one of Siren's most favorite nap spots.

Isadora came around 

After what seemed like hours of staring Isadora made a move

After what seemed like hours of Isadora sniffing the scratchy thingie and Siren not looking at her ...

... Isadora tempted fate

Neither one of them was pleased with the situation but no one wanted to be the first to move on.

Eventually they both left.

You might notice a stream of drool coming from Siren's mouth. He does get drooly a lot because of his meds but usually he wipes it away. Since Isadora required his full attention he just ignored his drool.

I posted some pics of Hope over at The Photo Blog

My Fair Lady

All she wants is a box somewhere ...

There are beds and kitty-abodes and mats and tree houses all over the house.

Yet ...

I finally got her to look up once she was assured that her box was safe

The Help

My closets have needed to be cleaned out forever. Change of seasons is usually a perfect time but this year winter seems to want to hold on while spring is tentative and now summer just wants to blast on through.

Saturday it was raining and 40 degrees F
Tomorrow it's supposed to near 90

How does one dress?

Layers I suppose

I started closet cleaning this weekend.

Isadora helps. 

She gets very insulted if I move her so she is the perfect excuse to walk away and leave the closet for another day.

Exhausted Cats

Maybe it's spring fever. Maybe they can understand the late news and are as distressed as the rest of us. 

Whatever the reason, Siren and Isadora have spent the past few nights/early mornings rampaging.

They run the length of the hall at warp speed.

They knock over their water bowl and dance - yes, dance - in the puddles.

Isadora tries to get under the area rug; it's heavy and rubber matted underneath so when she fails she scratches at it as though she were digging her way out of an underground bunker. Siren enjoys watching this. He doesn't help, just watches.

I know it's coming to an end when they chase each other around the backs of the sofa and love seat. They weave in and out, intentionally not catching each other. It's just the chase that matters.

Then it's time to rest up for breakfast.

Isadora uses the last of her energy to settle into the clothes hamper.

Siren curls up in one of their homes.

Have a safe and happy weekend everybody.
My thoughts are with everyone in and near Boston.

The Cats Are Not Amused

I posted a few 'during the middle of the snowstorm' shots over on the photo blog.

We were all asleep when the snow plow came through and then just stopped behind our house with its yellow lights flashing. It was just before 5 AM Saturday morning. The room filled with light and there was a dull rumbling sound.

Siren and Isadora went from being sound asleep to running up and down the hall and then stopping to stare at the windows and then run again.

Siren listens to me more than Isadora does so I did convince him to stop. I sounded ridiculous as I tried explaining the situation to him. He hunkered down into his 'I am made of stone' position and just stared at me.

Isadora went to her favorite recliner in the corner.

When the plow started up again with a belch and a rumble and then a huge thump as the plow blade hit the ground Isadora had enough.

She threw herself against the wall, moved her recliner, and scattered all her toys.

Remarkably everyone else in the house slept through it all.

We got about a foot of snow and never lost power so all in all it was no big deal although Siren and Isadora would not agree.

Hope's Christmas Wrap-Up

I thought I'd share some photos from Christmas with Hope (sounds like a Lifetime movie) to start the New Year.

at uncle john's house in brooklyn on christmas eve

doing a move she calls 'ninja barbie'

her favorite doll from aunt lauren

just plain joyful

working hard to open the gift she got for the cats

a little exhausted

 Isadora likes her gift

Siren celebrated his 10th birthday on christmas day

Happy New Year everybody!!

Open Letter To My Cats

Dear Siren and Isadora,

You know I love you very much and I'm sure you love me too.

Yet sometimes love is not enough.

What a clusterf**k of a weekend you two handed me. I know it stinks to have health issues and that at times you're uncomfortable. It makes you difficult and grumpy; trust me, I get it.

Of course you'd feel better if you took the pain meds without gagging, shrieking, hissing, and flailing about with all claws extended. Just a suggestion.

Your vet and all his assistants are the best there is. Siren, you're like Norm from Cheers; everyone knows your name. Unfortunately it's followed by get the heavier gloves, maybe we need sedation and I think we need more people in here. You have made German Shepherds cry and Pit Bulls hide. Children think you're a bobcat.

Don't get too full of yourself Isadora; you're no picnic either. Knowing that you freak out in small carriers I got you one big enough for a large dog or 2 cats - god forbid you should just share with Siren. Of course not. The carrier weighs a ton Iza, and you're not exactly a tiny girl so thrusting yourself around like a crazed dancer doing a bizarre Merce Cunningham routine does not make it easy to transport you. Neither does sticking out your paw and digging your claws deep into my carrying hand. I do appreciate the pain though, it balances out the pain in my back and ankle.

You are always going to need meds. You will visit the vet once a month forever.

Let's work together eh?

No more hiding in the coils of the sofa.
No one is trying to kill you.
Wherever we are I will stay with you and I will always bring you home.

Can I get an Amen

Thanksgiving

After my town survived Hurricane Sandy it seems even more important to be grateful.

I'm grateful for the safety of my family.

I'm grateful for the people who always show up to help

I'm grateful for Siren and Isadora. They brighten any day and love unconditionally.
In their own way of course - they are cats.

I'm grateful for all of you. I realized it again when I couldn't share the storm with you and I worried about you worrying about me.

Most of all I'm grateful for Hope.

And on we go ...

Must Love Cats ... and Dogs

Purina is hosting  America’s Pet Debate  where you can vote for either cats or dogs as America's favorite pet. Vote once each day between now and Election Day and Purina will donate $1 per vote to organizations that provide our veterans with service dogs. Considering that Congress has not approved further funding for the service dog program this is a worthy cause. Check out the links on the debate page. You can also see the 2 "attack ads" run by the candidates. They're running on TV as well. I love the cats portraying dogs as slobs who spread germs and the dogs showing all the ways that cats get into things.

At the moment cats are leading by about 20 points.

Isadora is pleased by that but she has an issue to share with you all.

Hi everyone. I've been feeling better and enjoying my top perch by the window.

That is I was enjoying until ...

The envious one appeared, coveting my view and wishing to disturb my comfort.

I can be nonchalant for only so long

 He is getting on my last nerve

 Mom usually tries to let us work things out

 But I'm tellin' ya, I'm getting agitated

And I will rip that ear off if I need to

Mom says just settle down; that's fine for now but I'm sleeping with one eye open

thanks for bearing with my whinging in the previous post and for all the supportive comments

Isadora is much better. Siren not so much but he is eating a bit and he's comfy.
As the vet says - we play the hand we're dealt.

And on we go

Life Is ...

... not a box of chocolates I'm sorry to tell Forrest Gump. Not this week.

It's more like ...

a traffic jam and an oncoming truck.

The unseasonably warm and humid weather this week has made me hazy. And grouchy.
I'm always grouchy when I'm spritzing.

The cats have not had a good week. Siren's meds are not working long enough but to increase the frequency would cause other issues. We've been working on more nutritional and holistic treatments but if you know cats then you know that the smallest change to their routine is very stressful to them. Isadora goes to the vet this morning. She's been hiding and crying and I'm not sure why.

My battle with the bank over a mortgage modification based on my huge drop in income heats up next week and I'm not looking forward to that.

I haven't seen Hope at all this week and if there was ever a need for a good shot of Hope it was this week. She's been going to after school activities and to her aunt's house since their new baby is due any day now. I'm thrilled that she's so excited but I'm also selfishly wanting my time with her.

I feel a long series of whines and bitches coming on so that's enough for now.

Oy

Big Birthday Day

Three August 4th Birthdays 

My dear friend Sylvia

photo is one of the many custom headers created by a friend just for Sylvia 

Sylvia always has a kind comment to leave along with hugs for Hope - and me. Her posts are full of beautiful photographs and uplifting quotes.

Happy Birthday Sylvia

Today is also President Obama's birthday. My wish for him is re-election and a Congress that gets its head out of its ass.

Last but not least is Isadora. I believe she's 4.

A lot of folks who adopt prefer to celebrate the day they bring their new family member home but I like birthdays.
The assumption was that she was born some time in early August so I decided she should share with Sylvia and Barack.

Cake

Catnip

For Everyone

Some Summer Stuff

It is so freakin' hot. Triple digit heat index expected today.


I haven't been feeling all that perky this week.

Isadora loves it when the laundry piles up

She discovered by getting stuck in the hamper that she must wait for the clothes to reach critical height before settling in

I took a drive down to the beach early one morning before the temps reached sizzle

Good heavens were people being crucified!

The well part of my mind assumes banners for some summer something

Stay cool everybody

Those Cats

that's what my granddaughter Hope calls Siren and Isadora. as in "what are those cats doing?" and "those cats are fighting" and "those cats won't play with me"

At the moment we are in one of those magical time periods where both Siren and Isadora are doing well. I've been waiting for this since I last posted about them back on April 26.

I'm going to let those cats fill you in

You home for good Iza?

So, she's the sick one and I have to be locked up too?

we put a screen door on my extra room so those cats could be contained without feeling isolated

You're like a freakin' shadow, I'm never sure where you are

Holy catnip! I don't want to see that.

If you let me out I swear I won't hide for 3 days. Really I won't.

Iza? You asleep? I'm up here if you need anything

A few days later the saga continues

You have that I'm going to scoop you up look on your face Mom

Of course I'm not trying to escape

Aw hell Siren, she's taking you. I won't mention that your carrier is smaller

Oh, and your towel is pink

Of course I feel imprisoned. Doc said I have to come in every 3 weeks.

Stop sulking Siren, you're home and I'm home and there's roast chicken

And on those cats go