Moderately calm day with most residents being home biddies.
TC lurked out of sight until a familiar car drew up at which point he made his presence as obvious as he could, with food very much in his mind.
Butch and Sundance had the same idea, although they have got confused about what food they will eat so are living on biscuits until they can decide. But they got to say hello.
Peter Sellars has a bit of a personal itch problem involving alot of sprays and is being kept indoors until she can be certain of her standing in the world. She is spending alot of time looking out the window.
After dark, however, more started to happen as the fox went rampaging after rabbits making a ruckuss and everyone kept home, apart from Butch who thought he would take in the evening air. This he did for a bit and then home did seem a less fraught place with all the rabbit stuff going on out there. Making sure he was going in to 'company' other than his brother, he opted for the front window, larger field of vision there......
Monday, 17 September 2012
Friday, 14 September 2012
14th September 2012 - Mole revision
Several months ago, TC held a masterclass for the residents of Felicity Terrace in the art of catching moles. Showing the reasons for his 'Yoda' nickname, he watched calmly as his students were each allocated a molehill and he taught them to 'wait'. A cat as a hunter who cannot 'wait' is less efficient and more hungry. Too much noise is made not 'waiting'. His best students were Mad Millie, ever competitive, and the two youngsters, ever keen to learn and alert enough to know when to listen to their master.
Today a new molehill appeared.
But the cat sitting beside it was Cardboard, a cat from outside the Terrace whose size and strength indicates good hunting prowess. Cardboard often sits. He sits for so long that he looks like a cardboard cut-out. Sometimes he sleeps under an oak tree nearby. Today he sat by the molehill. He has learned to 'wait'.
So has the mole.
Today a new molehill appeared.
But the cat sitting beside it was Cardboard, a cat from outside the Terrace whose size and strength indicates good hunting prowess. Cardboard often sits. He sits for so long that he looks like a cardboard cut-out. Sometimes he sleeps under an oak tree nearby. Today he sat by the molehill. He has learned to 'wait'.
So has the mole.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
4th September 2012 Warm again
So hard to know what to do! First it gets cold. Then wet. Then warm then wet. Now warm again. What is a cat to do?
TC stopped worrying and just flopped onto the path. Behind him the jackdaw was in the apple tree. Did he care? No! Warm, muggy and fur matting, he didn't need to be bothered about anything more than minute by minute coping.
The jackdaw, on the other hand, was having a lovely time. Just right, the apples were ripe but not dropping! Eat your heart out woodpecker, I can peck my fruit where it grows, I have no need of telegraph poles or dead trees! Juice flowing from the flesh of the fruit, bitter as it is.
The nuthatches have both moved back to Felicity Terrace together, but have decided life is far simpler if you just go to the bird table for food, maybe the green hazelnuts gave them indigestion, anyway they have gone big time for peanuts for quite a few days. Still being flamboyantly ostentatious but not much attention paid to the old tree now.
The fly bag is smelly and filling up. Yuck. This seems to add to its attraction in fly quarters. More yuck.
Indoors The Spider is finding competition building up. Fly numbers are down, the fly paper has worked well and maybe the bag too. She needs to build up her elbows to surpasse the other spiders that moved in.
Butch has had a mellow day. Long lie followed by a genial stand-off with TC. Given the day neither had the inclination for more than 'look' training. A few random wanderings and then off to look for craneflies, after finding a dessicated frog on the path. Wonder where that came from?
TC stopped worrying and just flopped onto the path. Behind him the jackdaw was in the apple tree. Did he care? No! Warm, muggy and fur matting, he didn't need to be bothered about anything more than minute by minute coping.
The jackdaw, on the other hand, was having a lovely time. Just right, the apples were ripe but not dropping! Eat your heart out woodpecker, I can peck my fruit where it grows, I have no need of telegraph poles or dead trees! Juice flowing from the flesh of the fruit, bitter as it is.
The nuthatches have both moved back to Felicity Terrace together, but have decided life is far simpler if you just go to the bird table for food, maybe the green hazelnuts gave them indigestion, anyway they have gone big time for peanuts for quite a few days. Still being flamboyantly ostentatious but not much attention paid to the old tree now.
The fly bag is smelly and filling up. Yuck. This seems to add to its attraction in fly quarters. More yuck.
Indoors The Spider is finding competition building up. Fly numbers are down, the fly paper has worked well and maybe the bag too. She needs to build up her elbows to surpasse the other spiders that moved in.
Butch has had a mellow day. Long lie followed by a genial stand-off with TC. Given the day neither had the inclination for more than 'look' training. A few random wanderings and then off to look for craneflies, after finding a dessicated frog on the path. Wonder where that came from?
Saturday, 1 September 2012
1 September 2012 Autumn with green leaves
Some years autumn sweeps in with russet leaves in the latter part of September following a late flourish of warmth and berries. It seems that this year autumn has started barely as August has finished. In a cat world this doesn't really mean much, a world dominated by sleep and by food is fairly resilient, but patterns of possibility change.
Mad Millie has turned mildly indecisive. Her moulting seems to have finished, so she is getting her feisty argumentative streak back into play, but her approach towards Butch and Sundance was decidedly hesitant. She knew she had tormenting fun ahead of her, but still she wasn't utterly sure it would go her way. And in the end she decided against the foray completely and sachayed off.
Peter Sellars has taken to table tops. Nice warm wooden ones. In the sun is best but in the shade is jolly good, too, thanks. She watched Mad Millie's sachay with curious relief, no need to stand HER ground required, odd though.
Butch came past and Peter Sellars hissed and growled. Sundance came past and Peter Sellars looked. Interesting. Both boys went off into the hedgerow after a morning of peaceful sleep.
In the dead tree the nuthatch was tapping. In the same place. Where the tapping was happening there were green tufts.
The nuthatch was also tapping at a hazelnut trapped in wood. Not just a game for the woodpecker after all.
The hazelnut looks green....early autumn then.....
The Spider is 'complicated'. It has been a good season but she may have miscalculated. She appears to have had some children and they are now taking her food. That was a bit of an accident and will not do! She needs to work on getting them into a different area.
Mad Millie has turned mildly indecisive. Her moulting seems to have finished, so she is getting her feisty argumentative streak back into play, but her approach towards Butch and Sundance was decidedly hesitant. She knew she had tormenting fun ahead of her, but still she wasn't utterly sure it would go her way. And in the end she decided against the foray completely and sachayed off.
Peter Sellars has taken to table tops. Nice warm wooden ones. In the sun is best but in the shade is jolly good, too, thanks. She watched Mad Millie's sachay with curious relief, no need to stand HER ground required, odd though.
Butch came past and Peter Sellars hissed and growled. Sundance came past and Peter Sellars looked. Interesting. Both boys went off into the hedgerow after a morning of peaceful sleep.
In the dead tree the nuthatch was tapping. In the same place. Where the tapping was happening there were green tufts.
The nuthatch was also tapping at a hazelnut trapped in wood. Not just a game for the woodpecker after all.
The hazelnut looks green....early autumn then.....
The Spider is 'complicated'. It has been a good season but she may have miscalculated. She appears to have had some children and they are now taking her food. That was a bit of an accident and will not do! She needs to work on getting them into a different area.
Friday, 31 August 2012
31 August 2012 First tinges of autumn...
The air now has a slight chill in it and at last the flies are fewer. There is a black German wasp keen on the raspberry flowers, but thankfully the normal wasps have kept everyone safe from trouble. The German wasp just minds his own business.
But.
Fun to be had!!
Autumn means GAME!
Autumn means craneflies!
Flick, twist, pounce and TC, with all of his body in a Sumo wrestlers flourish, is there! Munch. In touch with his inner kitten he lies languidly in the sunshine and then, whoosh, flick, twist, double paw stab and he is on the next one. And this is just the beginning of the season. How will the fixture be? He grabs a straying fly just because that is his mood.
Above him on a dead tree a nuthatch returns from months of absence. Hard to be sure he has been absent, until his incessant reminders that he has not been around because he is making all the noises he usually makes and no-one has heard.....then it is clear he can't have been around. The noises have been missed. Even if he has not been missed. Tapping, tapping, tapping. Gentle because he hasn't found the hazelnuts yet. (The squirrel has by the rustling)..... Oh. Peanuts. OH Peanuts, how I have missed peanuts. He flies there and stakes his claim. Looking around inviting trouble. No trouble. He flies off. And back. I am BACK! Then goes off and sings his I Am BACK song. In the depths of the bushes because that way he can concentrate and not be conflicted by peanuts.
But.
Fun to be had!!
Autumn means GAME!
Autumn means craneflies!
Flick, twist, pounce and TC, with all of his body in a Sumo wrestlers flourish, is there! Munch. In touch with his inner kitten he lies languidly in the sunshine and then, whoosh, flick, twist, double paw stab and he is on the next one. And this is just the beginning of the season. How will the fixture be? He grabs a straying fly just because that is his mood.
Above him on a dead tree a nuthatch returns from months of absence. Hard to be sure he has been absent, until his incessant reminders that he has not been around because he is making all the noises he usually makes and no-one has heard.....then it is clear he can't have been around. The noises have been missed. Even if he has not been missed. Tapping, tapping, tapping. Gentle because he hasn't found the hazelnuts yet. (The squirrel has by the rustling)..... Oh. Peanuts. OH Peanuts, how I have missed peanuts. He flies there and stakes his claim. Looking around inviting trouble. No trouble. He flies off. And back. I am BACK! Then goes off and sings his I Am BACK song. In the depths of the bushes because that way he can concentrate and not be conflicted by peanuts.
Wednesday, 29 August 2012
29 August 2012 Less flies...
The Spider sits poised. Both front legs feeling the tension on the web. She has spent much of the day on repairs and is waiting for more prey. She has been waiting for a while. The fly paper waits less digestively, but again less action. There is some buzzing but it is random and not so busy. And not so near.
Out on the path a cluster of snails meet in the centre. Shells upward.
Butch and Sundance have had a genial day, a late lunch followed by some soggy hunting. Butch climbed the oak tree and then made a random descent. Sundance manages such an elegant dismount, but big Butch bends the branches too far and always slips off the end at the last moment. With a shake and a look round he trotted off for further insights into life in the hedgerow.
Bristling Millie strode past. She continues to be concerned about the scoring system, did she get the recent point or did Butch? And earlier, what about TC. Confident of her Marcus and Matthew, the others were getting less amenable.
A blackbird pecked at a rotting apple with determination. Sundance was mesmerised until Butch moved off. Now where is he off to? Better make sure he knows where he is this time....
Out on the path a cluster of snails meet in the centre. Shells upward.
Butch and Sundance have had a genial day, a late lunch followed by some soggy hunting. Butch climbed the oak tree and then made a random descent. Sundance manages such an elegant dismount, but big Butch bends the branches too far and always slips off the end at the last moment. With a shake and a look round he trotted off for further insights into life in the hedgerow.
Bristling Millie strode past. She continues to be concerned about the scoring system, did she get the recent point or did Butch? And earlier, what about TC. Confident of her Marcus and Matthew, the others were getting less amenable.
A blackbird pecked at a rotting apple with determination. Sundance was mesmerised until Butch moved off. Now where is he off to? Better make sure he knows where he is this time....
Tuesday, 28 August 2012
28 August 2012
Being a bit cooler, the dynamics are shifting back to a different character. No longer the need to keep in cool spots, TC and Mad Millie shared a peaceful few moments in the sun within 10 feet of each other before skipping off to do some derring do.
TC had a plan to hide, so he sat behind a small tuft of grass. His face was hidden. There is quite a bit more of TC than his face, so he realised that this camouflage wasn't working well. He moved off, pretending it was an experiment.
Mad Millie has gone back to flouncing, all moulting now under control.
So she flounced a bit.
Peter Sellars sat watching, one front paw in front of the other front paw. Ready. For a hiss. She had had a hiss at TC earlier and true to recent form, neither could work out who had won.
There is a need for better scoring on Felicity Terrace.
TC had a plan to hide, so he sat behind a small tuft of grass. His face was hidden. There is quite a bit more of TC than his face, so he realised that this camouflage wasn't working well. He moved off, pretending it was an experiment.
Mad Millie has gone back to flouncing, all moulting now under control.
So she flounced a bit.
Peter Sellars sat watching, one front paw in front of the other front paw. Ready. For a hiss. She had had a hiss at TC earlier and true to recent form, neither could work out who had won.
There is a need for better scoring on Felicity Terrace.
Monday, 27 August 2012
27 August 2012
Oh. Autumn approaches. This is hardly fair, where was summer?
Nights are cool, loads of slugs and snails still out on the town. Hamish seems to be eating the wrong ones.
Water keeps running out of the sky. Feet get wet that way. More slugs come. More flies come. Not what August normally has.
The bag is full of flies. But there are still more. Where do they come from? There are spider webs everywhere, outside windows outside doors on bushes and on trees. Loads of big fat spiders.
Mad Millie chased Butch, he dodged into the pots and ran a good angle on her and then POUNCE and a hiss and off he went, aloof and alert having won a sort of a point. She looked confused, was the point hers or his?
The woodpecker was training the Great Tits. Well he thought he was training them, they thought he was giving them free food at a new bird table. Hazels. Wedged into the crack of the telegraph pole. Tap tap tappity tappity tap. Nut cracked. NEXT! Tap tap tappity tap. Bits left while he was gone, in went the tits! Oh yes! This is the life, much fresher than peanuts! Lots of mess at the bottom of the pole, but who cares!
Nights are cool, loads of slugs and snails still out on the town. Hamish seems to be eating the wrong ones.
Water keeps running out of the sky. Feet get wet that way. More slugs come. More flies come. Not what August normally has.
The bag is full of flies. But there are still more. Where do they come from? There are spider webs everywhere, outside windows outside doors on bushes and on trees. Loads of big fat spiders.
Mad Millie chased Butch, he dodged into the pots and ran a good angle on her and then POUNCE and a hiss and off he went, aloof and alert having won a sort of a point. She looked confused, was the point hers or his?
The woodpecker was training the Great Tits. Well he thought he was training them, they thought he was giving them free food at a new bird table. Hazels. Wedged into the crack of the telegraph pole. Tap tap tappity tappity tap. Nut cracked. NEXT! Tap tap tappity tap. Bits left while he was gone, in went the tits! Oh yes! This is the life, much fresher than peanuts! Lots of mess at the bottom of the pole, but who cares!
Friday, 24 August 2012
Thursday, 23 August 2012
23 August 2012
Bit cooler today so everyone up and out early on. Not alot happening on Felicity Terrace. This did mean that Peter Sellars had a very good time soaking up the sun and indulging in dust uninterrupted. Her old confidence is coming back, it is in every ripple of fluff and flurry. She even sat on the top of the table outside today!
Mad Millie snaked her way through grass and undergrowth, after a hard day out in the middle of somewhere.
All spiders are fattening but there is little dent being made in the fly population. A bag has appeared on an old unused bird feeder which they seem to like, hard to tell if it can dent the numbers. Sometimes they are like some zombie horror movie "And Still They Come!"......................................... Indoors the Spider is taking a rest after 15 flies. The competition with the fly paper is over, it has won. Its technique was its trump card. No digestion required, that was the key.......
What is a spider burp like??
Mad Millie snaked her way through grass and undergrowth, after a hard day out in the middle of somewhere.
All spiders are fattening but there is little dent being made in the fly population. A bag has appeared on an old unused bird feeder which they seem to like, hard to tell if it can dent the numbers. Sometimes they are like some zombie horror movie "And Still They Come!"......................................... Indoors the Spider is taking a rest after 15 flies. The competition with the fly paper is over, it has won. Its technique was its trump card. No digestion required, that was the key.......
What is a spider burp like??
Wednesday, 22 August 2012
22 August 2012
Thistle down! Butch was chasing thistle down! How could he! Flies, mate, flies. Mountains of flies but he goes all flexible for thistle down! What a let down! Not for him, of course, he had alot of stretching to do, it was flying high! Just goes to show the inner kitten is still present in the teenager.
Sundance was confused. With blood on his paws he had managed something, but didn't have it and was cross and complaining alot. He was very keen to tell the story. At length. And repeat it to whoever was in earshot, whether they wanted to listen or not.
Mad Millie just sat and licked her lips.
Sundance was confused. With blood on his paws he had managed something, but didn't have it and was cross and complaining alot. He was very keen to tell the story. At length. And repeat it to whoever was in earshot, whether they wanted to listen or not.
Mad Millie just sat and licked her lips.
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
21 August 2012
Paths and stones. Of course grass too. This is life. Paths and stones have dust and history. Grass even in dry weather can be wet. Eugh!
In the grass is a stone. Each cat has a reverance for the stone and an affinity for it. Even Mad Millie, although she likes to keep low-key about it. Today it was Peter Sellars and she revelled in it! Oh yes! Prospect and refuge all rolled into one! Firm footing for a fast take-off if needed. Warm on a cool day from the sun. Cool on a warm day in the shade of the stool that is often there. TC has a history with that stool. Magic tricks and the stool, making a large cat be small! Both Butch and Sundance stretch their full length across the stone and do extra stretches to get their limbs from one side across to another. They meet there sometimes, sniffing a hello.
Peter Sellers has another place she likes that is SO different to the stone. She has found herself a 'safe place'. Under a rose bush near to the stone. She has made a space just her own shape. All vegetation has gone from this space it is cool and dry and she feels good there. Actually she doesn't really like to move from there....
Marcus went for the walk with Davison and JLo tonight. Mad Millie stayed behind, actually JLo didn't do much walking, she hitched a ride. It may be cooler, but a cool dog always hitches a ride where she can.
In the grass is a stone. Each cat has a reverance for the stone and an affinity for it. Even Mad Millie, although she likes to keep low-key about it. Today it was Peter Sellars and she revelled in it! Oh yes! Prospect and refuge all rolled into one! Firm footing for a fast take-off if needed. Warm on a cool day from the sun. Cool on a warm day in the shade of the stool that is often there. TC has a history with that stool. Magic tricks and the stool, making a large cat be small! Both Butch and Sundance stretch their full length across the stone and do extra stretches to get their limbs from one side across to another. They meet there sometimes, sniffing a hello.
Peter Sellers has another place she likes that is SO different to the stone. She has found herself a 'safe place'. Under a rose bush near to the stone. She has made a space just her own shape. All vegetation has gone from this space it is cool and dry and she feels good there. Actually she doesn't really like to move from there....
Marcus went for the walk with Davison and JLo tonight. Mad Millie stayed behind, actually JLo didn't do much walking, she hitched a ride. It may be cooler, but a cool dog always hitches a ride where she can.
Monday, 20 August 2012
20 August 2012
Flies. Pounce.
Flies. Pounce.
It's hot, now what. Pounce.
The whole of the Terrace is perplexed. Well even more than that, but that's hearsay from here. Which way to pounce? How do you choose when there are so many? Apart from the cats, who is getting to the problem? The birds are eating peanuts, bread and caterpillars. The spiders are slow to process their catches, so the help is appreciated but there is a big job to be done.
Sundance is doing his bit. Pounce! Double twist and a backflip! Were both paws together? Will he get the top marks?
Butch is aware but aloof. His fly catching is a private feast.
Peter Sellars catches from a sitting position, which requires quick wits and an agile neck.
Mad Millie is onto better things. Marcus and Matthew are keeping up with her wishes.
The Spider has a cousin who lives further up the row, out of doors. She has got a bit bored of the constant fly diet and has decided to augment it. This is quite serious as an endeavour, she has roamed far for the delicacy in spite of opposition from everyone else. Near her wall is a bed of cabbages. Well nearish. The cabbages have caterpillars that are lush and juicy and she has collected herself a meal of four of them! To do this she has gone across a roadway and a lawn to a coldframe and then taken them each back across the lawn and the roadway. To sit in her web. That is lunch, supper, breakfast and lunch sorted. Not much cabbage left so no-one will miss them. And there are anough flies around to keep for later....
Flies. Pounce.
It's hot, now what. Pounce.
The whole of the Terrace is perplexed. Well even more than that, but that's hearsay from here. Which way to pounce? How do you choose when there are so many? Apart from the cats, who is getting to the problem? The birds are eating peanuts, bread and caterpillars. The spiders are slow to process their catches, so the help is appreciated but there is a big job to be done.
Sundance is doing his bit. Pounce! Double twist and a backflip! Were both paws together? Will he get the top marks?
Butch is aware but aloof. His fly catching is a private feast.
Peter Sellars catches from a sitting position, which requires quick wits and an agile neck.
Mad Millie is onto better things. Marcus and Matthew are keeping up with her wishes.
The Spider has a cousin who lives further up the row, out of doors. She has got a bit bored of the constant fly diet and has decided to augment it. This is quite serious as an endeavour, she has roamed far for the delicacy in spite of opposition from everyone else. Near her wall is a bed of cabbages. Well nearish. The cabbages have caterpillars that are lush and juicy and she has collected herself a meal of four of them! To do this she has gone across a roadway and a lawn to a coldframe and then taken them each back across the lawn and the roadway. To sit in her web. That is lunch, supper, breakfast and lunch sorted. Not much cabbage left so no-one will miss them. And there are anough flies around to keep for later....
Sunday, 19 August 2012
19 August 2012
Clear skies. Well mostly. Thunder and rain too. Under clouds. Then warm, muggy clear skies. What is a cat to do?
Miaow!
And.
Miaow!
And lick and roll and lick and Miaow!
It's too HOT! The path and its dust got alot of rolling. Sundance has an affection for Feverfew, which is intriguing and novel.
TC went off to find proper cool, the house was a) too warm and b) too full of stupid flies.
Mad Millie laid low.
Matthew went off for an explore and ended up sharing in the group complaint....Miaow!
Peter Sellers was feeling more frisky and went off into pastures further than normal in the heat of the day. She did turn round and go home quite quickly, so nobody missed her.
Butch went to see where his brother was.
Sundance kept asking everyone where his brother was.
The Spider has been keeping up with her 5 a day, although translating the instruction to mean fly protein.
Are the slugs out tonight? I don't know but it's starry and bright! Hamish!!!!!
Miaow!
And.
Miaow!
And lick and roll and lick and Miaow!
It's too HOT! The path and its dust got alot of rolling. Sundance has an affection for Feverfew, which is intriguing and novel.
TC went off to find proper cool, the house was a) too warm and b) too full of stupid flies.
Mad Millie laid low.
Matthew went off for an explore and ended up sharing in the group complaint....Miaow!
Peter Sellers was feeling more frisky and went off into pastures further than normal in the heat of the day. She did turn round and go home quite quickly, so nobody missed her.
Butch went to see where his brother was.
Sundance kept asking everyone where his brother was.
The Spider has been keeping up with her 5 a day, although translating the instruction to mean fly protein.
Are the slugs out tonight? I don't know but it's starry and bright! Hamish!!!!!
Saturday, 18 August 2012
18 August 2012
The answer to the question about how everyone would cope with more normal August temperatures came immediately. A great deal of whingeing!
TC kept going out and coming in and going out again, very untogether with his world.
Butch had a lie-in, but then whinged all afternoon.
Sundance had an early start but was then very taken aback that it didn't protect him from the warm all day and had a mega-whinge.
Peter Sellers helped put the washing out, sitting in the shade of the apple tree and then skipped about complaining she was hot. Eventually she hid under a rose bush and refused to budge. Until Matthew came to say hello at which point she asserted herself roundly, not realising that Mad Millie was behind him. Mad Millie looked a bit bemused and ambled past, also choosing not to bother with the normal walk with Davison and JLo (and fluffy friend) a couple of minutes later. Marcus also 'passed' on the walk. Butch made a move to do some assertiveness training with Peter, but then decided she was in the wrong mood and went off looking for anything to cover the embarrassment of changing his mind.
Hamish has been letting the slugs off lightly and they have become heavyweight thugs. Let's hope he isn't planning on opening a slug farm and selling them on, they are now almost all of them over 10cm long and while most plants have evidence of feasting, some have disappeared altogether.
TC kept going out and coming in and going out again, very untogether with his world.
Butch had a lie-in, but then whinged all afternoon.
Sundance had an early start but was then very taken aback that it didn't protect him from the warm all day and had a mega-whinge.
Peter Sellers helped put the washing out, sitting in the shade of the apple tree and then skipped about complaining she was hot. Eventually she hid under a rose bush and refused to budge. Until Matthew came to say hello at which point she asserted herself roundly, not realising that Mad Millie was behind him. Mad Millie looked a bit bemused and ambled past, also choosing not to bother with the normal walk with Davison and JLo (and fluffy friend) a couple of minutes later. Marcus also 'passed' on the walk. Butch made a move to do some assertiveness training with Peter, but then decided she was in the wrong mood and went off looking for anything to cover the embarrassment of changing his mind.
Hamish has been letting the slugs off lightly and they have become heavyweight thugs. Let's hope he isn't planning on opening a slug farm and selling them on, they are now almost all of them over 10cm long and while most plants have evidence of feasting, some have disappeared altogether.
Friday, 17 August 2012
17 August 2012
With warmer, brighter weather, there were quite a few butterflies, bees and hoverflies augmenting the fly population today. The buddleias even managed some visitors, which hasn't been that common a sight this year. The flies were of course dominant and serious onslaughts to their presence have not been made so far from any natural source. The Spider, while doing her best, is more inclined to treat her prey as an Irish publican would treat a pint of Guinness. Slowly. This cannot deal with volume trade, although she is fattening with her new enriched diet.
On the roof of the shed a young robin practiced his Blackbird sun-worship technique, but couldn't hold the splayed wings and the pant for long.
Mad Millie has been very calm of late. This may mean a scheme hatching or may mean she also is moulting, but instead of driving her mad it has driven her sane..... Her saunter is currently free of sachay and sway! Very disconcerting. Davison enjoyed his trip out, not staying long enough to get overheated. What would they all do if this was normal August weather!
Sundance started his day very early, so was free to go European and thoroughly enjoyed his siesta.
On the roof of the shed a young robin practiced his Blackbird sun-worship technique, but couldn't hold the splayed wings and the pant for long.
Mad Millie has been very calm of late. This may mean a scheme hatching or may mean she also is moulting, but instead of driving her mad it has driven her sane..... Her saunter is currently free of sachay and sway! Very disconcerting. Davison enjoyed his trip out, not staying long enough to get overheated. What would they all do if this was normal August weather!
Sundance started his day very early, so was free to go European and thoroughly enjoyed his siesta.
Thursday, 16 August 2012
16 August 2012
Sometimes life on Felicity Terrace is in the raw. Most often for vulnerable, anonymous, prey. Today was one of those days. Teenage Butch pretended it wasn't him, but Sundance was not home and the mess was everywhere. The poor vulnerable prey had no future. Butch decided discretion was a good plan and went to charm his way into appreciation while his mess was tidied up. Watched by an inscrutible TC he went off to look for further adventures. Before he got a cuff round the ear for being found out. TC (aka Yoda) prefers his pupils to be masters of their craft. He did not spend hours of his time when Butch and Sundance were kittens teaching them the art of stalking and dealing with prey for them to ignore his wise musings at will. His new teaching is intended to be the art of standing ground under attack and wilful munching is not in his teaching plan.
Butch needs to learn.
Butch needs to learn.
Wednesday, 15 August 2012
15 August 2012
Teenage angst has hit Felicity Terrace. Butch has been gone for another 40 hours and it is hard to think he could even turn up with a blonde rinse and tattoos. His brother was far from impressed by this latest escapade and sat harrumphing at him and the world for being so thoughtless. He, sleepy after so long out and about, slept and then looked for methods of getting shot of loose and itchy fur while it moults.
Peter Sellers felt more settled by the cooler air and ate a hearty breakfast, mowing down various household ornaments in her enthusiasm to join back in with the world.
TC kept low. Matthew roamed gently. Mad Millie wandered to and fro, aimless.
A slug, bloated, wandered across the grass looking for loot.
The rain fell, the sun shone and out came Butch for a sojourn into the outside world. Aching to lose some loose fur.....
Sundance wasn't impressed and kept back just to show how unimpressed he was.
Peter Sellers felt more settled by the cooler air and ate a hearty breakfast, mowing down various household ornaments in her enthusiasm to join back in with the world.
TC kept low. Matthew roamed gently. Mad Millie wandered to and fro, aimless.
A slug, bloated, wandered across the grass looking for loot.
The rain fell, the sun shone and out came Butch for a sojourn into the outside world. Aching to lose some loose fur.....
Sundance wasn't impressed and kept back just to show how unimpressed he was.
Tuesday, 14 August 2012
14 August 2012
Summer at peace. Warm days and clammy air. Some were out and about from early hours, returning late. Some were not, staying cuddled to anything cool. Temperatures have been warmer, of course, but this has been a cool dank summer and anything warmer than that has fur to contend with. Moulting has not been what it usually is this year.
TC went outside briefly. Peter Sellers refused to. Both Butch and Sundance went off to find cool shady places far afield. Matthew went for a brief sojourn round the back of all gardens.
The woodpecker tapped confidently at the telegraph pole.
Peace.
TC went outside briefly. Peter Sellers refused to. Both Butch and Sundance went off to find cool shady places far afield. Matthew went for a brief sojourn round the back of all gardens.
The woodpecker tapped confidently at the telegraph pole.
Peace.
Monday, 13 August 2012
13 August 2012
It's raining again! Immediately after all the indoor-festing of the Olympics, Felicity Terrace is quiet due to indoor-festing from the rain. Still technically drought. Miaow!
Both Butch and Sundance low-key today. Butch is turning nocturnal, so was 'resting', Sundance just bemused at his brother at the moment. He did spend a few hours out and about and then came back announcing his arrival to the world. This did not gain much response, so he decided to go off again and try later, passing Peter Sellars on his way. She had been enjoying the cooler day and skipping about in the grass. Seeing Sundance she stopped and hissed, he pretended to look confused. And wandered off, nonchalantly. And then it rained. Again.
The Spider was confused. She had caught two large flies at once and started to juggle them. Thank goodness for the well-built trampoline. That would save her losing one of them. Score so far was not good, the fly papers were winning and she had ground to make up.
Both Butch and Sundance low-key today. Butch is turning nocturnal, so was 'resting', Sundance just bemused at his brother at the moment. He did spend a few hours out and about and then came back announcing his arrival to the world. This did not gain much response, so he decided to go off again and try later, passing Peter Sellars on his way. She had been enjoying the cooler day and skipping about in the grass. Seeing Sundance she stopped and hissed, he pretended to look confused. And wandered off, nonchalantly. And then it rained. Again.
The Spider was confused. She had caught two large flies at once and started to juggle them. Thank goodness for the well-built trampoline. That would save her losing one of them. Score so far was not good, the fly papers were winning and she had ground to make up.
Sunday, 12 August 2012
12 August 2012
A calm and sunny day, a bit subdued after yesterday and with car boot sales car boots being loaded up everyone was keeping a low profile.
At lunchtime Butch and Sundance went off together. Sundance was not letting his brother out of his sight, although this could have been more to make sure he was in on the adventure than any intent to keep him grounded. They spent some time playing with sticks and beings in the bushes and headed off further after being told off by the blackbirds.
Peter Sellers was aware of the fuss about Butch yesterday and yet not sure how far 'going missing' would mean. She had been adventurous in her younger days, but tried out the end of the Terrace as an option for current adventure. This was quite far and she turned round quite as soon as she got there and opted for the safer variant of alternative house exploration, until she got to the front windowsill to see humans outside and then got flustered. Safely returned home her adventurous spirit lasted all of five minutes and then she was unceremoniously given no choice. Probably for the best, that way she got food. And the challenges of the wild would keep for when she had a better idea of how far she could go to be classed as missing while still being safe. And not locked in. Apart from at home.
Marcus took the evening air when all was peaceful and before the barbecue, and then retired indoors.
The Spider digested.
All was still.
At lunchtime Butch and Sundance went off together. Sundance was not letting his brother out of his sight, although this could have been more to make sure he was in on the adventure than any intent to keep him grounded. They spent some time playing with sticks and beings in the bushes and headed off further after being told off by the blackbirds.
Peter Sellers was aware of the fuss about Butch yesterday and yet not sure how far 'going missing' would mean. She had been adventurous in her younger days, but tried out the end of the Terrace as an option for current adventure. This was quite far and she turned round quite as soon as she got there and opted for the safer variant of alternative house exploration, until she got to the front windowsill to see humans outside and then got flustered. Safely returned home her adventurous spirit lasted all of five minutes and then she was unceremoniously given no choice. Probably for the best, that way she got food. And the challenges of the wild would keep for when she had a better idea of how far she could go to be classed as missing while still being safe. And not locked in. Apart from at home.
Marcus took the evening air when all was peaceful and before the barbecue, and then retired indoors.
The Spider digested.
All was still.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
11 August 2012
Butch did not come home last night. He had become a missing cat-person. Much of the day was spent concerned for his well-being, although the weather was clear and fine, so he had a bit of cover from that.
Sundance was missing his brother. Loudly. He went out looking but did not come home. Out in the field he engaged with the search party. Calling. He was keen to show he knew his patch, so showed off his favourite places. This he may regret later. Each tree he ran up. He got a good vantage point from higher spots. Still calling.
Then he found something to chase. A fly! Both paws to the fore and off he went. But what works indoors doesn't always work outdoors, especially when you have a brother to find. He ran up a fence post. A tall fence post. Uh-oh, that's a bit high, now what? This one mastered he did another, just to show he could with confidence. A third he taunted with possibility, but there was only the point of a game and this search was serious....
All ditches covered, the next task was to wait for dark and see if Butch came home. TC chased Mad Millie, just for the sport.
The woodpecker tapped at the pole.
Dark came.
Slugs came out. Food for Hamish, yeah!
After hours of darkness, Butch came home. Hello, how is everything, where is supper? I feel tired, but food would be nice.
So lovely to know he is safe, so frustrating to have not known he was safe all along...
Sundance was missing his brother. Loudly. He went out looking but did not come home. Out in the field he engaged with the search party. Calling. He was keen to show he knew his patch, so showed off his favourite places. This he may regret later. Each tree he ran up. He got a good vantage point from higher spots. Still calling.
Then he found something to chase. A fly! Both paws to the fore and off he went. But what works indoors doesn't always work outdoors, especially when you have a brother to find. He ran up a fence post. A tall fence post. Uh-oh, that's a bit high, now what? This one mastered he did another, just to show he could with confidence. A third he taunted with possibility, but there was only the point of a game and this search was serious....
All ditches covered, the next task was to wait for dark and see if Butch came home. TC chased Mad Millie, just for the sport.
The woodpecker tapped at the pole.
Dark came.
Slugs came out. Food for Hamish, yeah!
After hours of darkness, Butch came home. Hello, how is everything, where is supper? I feel tired, but food would be nice.
So lovely to know he is safe, so frustrating to have not known he was safe all along...
Friday, 10 August 2012
10 August 2012 - 2
The Spider had the planning in the bag....she had been awaiting the big catch and the planning won out...8 flies and she was still ready for more. These were big flies, too.
Meanwhile down the Terrace Sundance had been sleeping. All morning. Flies buzzed round his head and were ignored. Lunchtime came and he awoke to his lack of responsibility. Sort of. He had lunch. And a fly. Then he decided outdoors could herald new opportunities and went to greet them. Slowly and calmly. And not flies. Water, thanks, nice stinky water... A yawn and a ponder and an acrobatic leap and he was gone.
Peter Sellers came out to say hello to the day. She wasn't too sure she was enormously happy, it was a bit warm and she hadn't sorted out moulting properly, but some good grass stalks would be nice. Next to the vegetables were some grassy fronds, they would be OK. But how should she get there? On the grass (mown) or on the slabs (smooth)? Slabs. And no cracks. Oh yes! Sorted! Uh oh, now do I go back indoors or further? FURTHER!!!!!! There is a tree to use as a scratching post, got to get there. Just focus. Oh yes!! This girl is cruising! Check right and left. Yes still on a winner!
Supper? Now? Now I have got here??? Now what to do?
Eat. Daddy, food, please......
Meanwhile down the Terrace Sundance had been sleeping. All morning. Flies buzzed round his head and were ignored. Lunchtime came and he awoke to his lack of responsibility. Sort of. He had lunch. And a fly. Then he decided outdoors could herald new opportunities and went to greet them. Slowly and calmly. And not flies. Water, thanks, nice stinky water... A yawn and a ponder and an acrobatic leap and he was gone.
Peter Sellers came out to say hello to the day. She wasn't too sure she was enormously happy, it was a bit warm and she hadn't sorted out moulting properly, but some good grass stalks would be nice. Next to the vegetables were some grassy fronds, they would be OK. But how should she get there? On the grass (mown) or on the slabs (smooth)? Slabs. And no cracks. Oh yes! Sorted! Uh oh, now do I go back indoors or further? FURTHER!!!!!! There is a tree to use as a scratching post, got to get there. Just focus. Oh yes!! This girl is cruising! Check right and left. Yes still on a winner!
Supper? Now? Now I have got here??? Now what to do?
Eat. Daddy, food, please......
10th August 2012
The Spider has woven an intricate web. Up to Olympics standard with bouncy trampoline and guy ropes galore. She has taken days to build it and the scene is set. The fly invasion continues with hundreds of flies milling really close. She has yet to catch one and is looking tired and confused. Her feet test the tensions on the guy-ropes. All is good. Local fly papers are catching them. She needs to review her web design.....
Thursday, 9 August 2012
9th August 2012
Mad Millie and Matthew rush full pelt out of the house. Matthew has put a paw wrong and she isn't having it. Fast track sprint causing a commotion. TC is having a sit and think and is interrupted. He looks up as they go past and jumps at Mad Millie. This is his terrain and she is disrupting it. She is put off, but later his chin is cut. He may not have had all of the laughs in this one, as is usual with how she goes about life. A flouncy flick of the tail and a sachay of the hips and she has made her point, in spite of his superior weight.
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
8th August 2012
Most cats keeping indoors out of the rain, so a quiet day. Plans for this evening looking more promising, TC keeping a good eye on Butch and Sundance to make sure he doesn't miss a chance to sneak biscuits. The days of training the kittens may be numbered as they grow up.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)