Mewly Mewthos

A much better night for me. Although I was up again sometime – I’m guessing around midnight? Both Mips lay stretched long like a border keeping me kind of imprisoned. While I was up, I went to Ziva, who’s curled up on one of the chairs. As I’m going back, she gets up and follows me – and I’m thinking “Oh? You just need a special invitation to come sleep with me?” Ha Ha! No! She went to the food bowl, then called Lady Jane off my bed to come share her chair instead! Nice family I’ve got there, eh?

Ah well, I slept quite well until Mewthos woke me – after the alarm went off. The water fountain was making a noise … turns out my duvet had soaked up most of the water during the night and it was nearly empty.

Ziva went out most of the morning, and back inside, then out again. It had rained during the night, and is still drizzling on and off. I took the Mips to the vet, she removed Mewthos’ bandage – now I just hope he’ll walk normal soon. Both got their final booster shots, they’re clear for another year now.

Back at home, Mewthos gives his leg an extensive cleaning – but he is not putting his weight on it. The swelling has gone down considerably, and he had been putting his weight on it yesterday. I’m hoping that it just feels a bit strange still, and when it feels normal again, he’ll be romping around normally, too.

No romping from Mewthos, yet – while Ziva and Lady Jane play in the garden, he’s sleeping on my chair! I finished the scratching post – well, I’m still deciding whether to add some shading or not. Lady Jane enjoys the self-scratcher, walking up and down scratching herself! Ziva is not showing much enthusiasm – yet.

  

I'm quite impressed with myself :)

Mewthos evidently wants to go into the garden, but not without me. So I decide to do some gardening. Since it has rained, I bring extra black bags to sit on – Mewthos reckons that’s a great idea and claims it for himself! He’s not his usual, exuberant self today, which could be either the shots or the weather. Lady Jane is quite herself, though, spending a lot of time in her tree!

 

Mewthos and Lady Jane like to keep dry. Ziva is a bit tougher

Ziva’s fur is getting darker, it’s gotten so much darker that it’s really hard to tell her from Shadow. I’ve mistaken her for Shadow and vice versa. And this afternoon, when Rose came up to visit she saw Ziva sitting on the wall and asked her “Shadow! What are you doing up here?” I kept quiet – it took her half a minute to realise it was Ziva, not Shadow!

Back upstairs, Mewthos has climbed into the box and is curled up sleeping in it. At one point Ziva tried to join him, and later Lady Jane climbed in with him. Unfortunately she climbed back out before I could take a photo. Mewthos has been quite subdued all day, which upsets me, of course. I hope he’ll be his exuberant self again soon!

 

Mewthos hiding

I gave the cats their treat – the Mips were not impressed today, though Ziva was munching happily! And right afterwards the whole tribe go zooming exuberantly through the flat – including Mewthos! Excellent timing – Not! I want to go to sleep, and they want to play. Ai, ai. But it is good to see Mewthos’ spirits up!

A murder of crows

Another bad night, though courtesy of something I ate. I was up several times throughout the night, and Mewthos also mewled for attention on a few occasions.

Sunday night I experimented with leaving the bedroom door open over night, rather than shutting all cats into the bedroom. Since there was no incident, I’ll continue leaving the door open. Of course, I feel neglected now, since Lady Jane and Ziva prefer to sleep in the lounge – but I think I will get over it. With the windows now closed, the bedroom is pretty stuffy at night, so I understand their preference. Mewthos, however, hangs on my apron strings – so to speak. I have to put my hand out for him to snuggle on during the night, although he also retreats to the lounge at times.

I’m leaving them to roam the flat during the day, as well. I just have to keep an eye on Lady Jane! She is so fast and so eager to get out the front door! I’m convinced that is how she ended up being shut out on Saturday. I thought I had shut her in the bedroom, but she must have shot between my legs as I was closing the door!

Reminds me of that time when Earl ‘escaped’ and was down the stairs, running happily towards the road so fast, even Ziva nearly didn’t catch him in time! And now, I can open the door and the Mips will only go into the garden WITH me. Well, until evening, that is – that’s when they’ll go with or without me. I foresee some difficulty in winter, when it’ll get dark before six!

Back at home the Mips have been busy with my laundry – I worded that carefully: busy with; as in spread everything – including the basked – throughout the flat! Good thing I don’t bring company home! The sight of all my underwear spread across all rooms is not likely to make the best impression!

While Rose and I were sitting downstairs something really freaky happened: All the crows from far and wide started gathering in the trees next door! I’m not talking two, three or even six crows, I counted at least twenty and I’m guessing there were actually somewhere between thirty to forty crows! All gathering in the same two trees! The Alfred Hitchcock movie ‘The Birds’ came to mind! Neither Rose nor myself had ever even heard of such a large murder of crows gathering, let alone seen it! Until today, at most, we’ve seen five crows in the area, never more. But I could see them coming from far away, just black and white specks, then joining the group. I was worried they might attack the kittens – since I’ve been warned that some crow(s) dive-bombed my bedroom window, where the kittens were sitting. So I moved to where they were playing – Ziva was quite uneasy as well.

I took some photos, but only after the majority had left. They all took off and flew into the same direction – west. Leaving just a few behind. In the photo I count eight birds – so my guesstimate of forty would seem to be on the conservative side.

 

I count eight for sure, and another three maybe's

As it was getting a bit late, Rose and I went inside … but Rose called me back soon afterwards: The Terror was sitting on the wall, eyeing my kittens! So I chased her off, and called the Mips inside. Lady Jane and Mewthos happily followed, but Ziva stayed outside.

Some time later, I wanted to lock the gate and saw The Terror moving in to attack Shadow, who was cowering by the far wall! Down I went to chase her off – but the Mips followed me outside. Both Shadow and Ziva were grateful for my assistance, though. Lady Jane came back upstairs with me, but Mewthos decided he’d rather play some more.

Sure enough, I soon heard feline distress screeching and flew downstairs! The Terror had attacked Mewthos! I didn’t exactly see, because I was watching my step down the stairs to come to his rescue, but from the behaviour of Ziva, Shadow and Mewthos, he was definitely frightened! Ziva and Shadow had their tails bushed – but I don’t think they got involved … I guess they relied on me, since they come off second best in any encounter with The Terror.

I couldn’t see any injury on Mewthos, though – and I must say that it’s thanks to The Terror that I have no problem herding my cats inside now! Mewthos is recovering from the shock, and even Ziva isn’t sitting by the door demanding to be let out again. The Terror is actually working in my favour: I get to be the Superhero to my cat family plus they stay happily close to me when we’re in the garden.

As I write this, I hear sounds coming from the kitchen. Sounds of play, Ziva hmrring (a kind of happy, satisfied short sound). Sounds of my laundry basket sliding across the tiles. I peek over the counter and indeed have the pleasure of seeing Ziva at play with Lady Jane – with, indeed, my laundry basket. As she sees me she sits up and looks at me, so I send her cat kisses, which she returns – then comes for some loving before she goes back to play!

Right, time for the felines to munch, so we’re all ready to sleep!

Normal Monday

Bad night. I didn’t give the cats their evening treat, my head ached too much. I went to bed an hour earlier than normal, too. Poor Mewthos did not understand why mommy behave so strangely! He’d jump onto the bed every now and then and mewl me awake!

I woke up at a reasonable time, but still with a headache. I’d promised to collect Rose this morning – her car is in for a service. I could combine that with my grocery shopping, so that’s a bonus. Back home, I took my migraine meds and went back to bed. I didn’t sleep though – but the cats came to join me. Mewthos stretched next to me along the wall, Lady Jane curled up by my feet – even Ziva came to sit on the bed, though with her back to me!

I couldn’t sleep, so I gave up and got up again. I changed all my gmail passwords – again! Some weirdo keeps using one of my e-mail addresses to open accounts! Whoever it is has no access to my e-mail. Nor am I responsible for any payments – but it is damned annoying! Especially since places like Amazon send mails from ‘do-not-reply’ accounts and give no valid e-mail address. I would have to log into that person’s account – and I don’t have those passwords! There is no unsubscribe option ... it’s just such a nuisance!

Rose doesn’t feel up to managing the stairs, so I go outside – with two excited Mips and an equally excited Ziva running down the stairs so happily, they nearly trip me! And hearing Rose’s voice they happily run to greet her! Mewthos shows her his leg with a sorrowful look. Lady Jane dashes around like a butterfly. I do a bit of weeding in the beds. Ziva digs a hole in and waters my rhubarb! Lady Jane follows her example! Ai, ai!

But the wind is unpleasant for all of us, the Mips even go back inside before us!

It’s nearly seven, so I want to close up for the night – but, as always, when I put the padlock on the gate, the Mips take that as an invitation to go back outside! Lady Jane sits on the wall just outside the gate, but I don’t know where Mewthos and Ziva have gone off to!

As expected, Mewthos doesn’t stay away too long, even Ziva comes back before dark. Tonight I better give my felines their expected treat!

Mewthos, using his mommy as a pillow

Mewthos, using his human as a pillow

Uneventful Sunday

Up nice and early again, though still low on energy. Windows all closed, front door open. The felines go out – but come back soon, as they don’t like to be too far from me, when I’m home. And I’ve got some chores to do.

Ziva went out early, and I used that opportunity to feed the Mips so Mewthos can take his medicine. He feels rather hot, so I bring some water outside to the stairs where he’s stretched out in the shade.

As I get busy with laundry and dishes, the felines come – one by one – for attention. They are such a needy lot! At least, needy is the word I use, when I’m not in the mood for their loving affection!

Mewthos and Lady Jane have claimed my chair, but they kindly allow me to squat at the end of it with them.

The felines approve of extensive napping for themselves – but will not permit that I nap for too long during the day. One my one they come to wake me, until pay attention to them. Mewthos is not so happy today. I think he is impatient with his restricted movement due to the bandage. He also seems to struggle to get comfortable. My poor boy. I drape him over my shoulder a lot, which seems to work for him.

Well, I’ll be … What happened? One minute I’m trying to nap, next minute I’m standing with a bucket washing windows! It’s been bugging me for a long time, I guess I just snapped. It bugs me that I can’t clean them all – can’t reach half of them.

When I hear Rose’s gate, I go out, half-way down the stairs to talk to her. She reckons it’s too windy for a garden visit, so she’s coming upstairs. As I turn my head I see three expectant cats looking up at me! “Are we going into the garden? Finally!” They were not too pleased to see me go back upstairs. The Mips played mostly upstairs, but for Ziva the call of the garden was too irresistible.

I’ve had this headache building all day, so I took some Aspirin. Didn’t help the headache – instead, I can now barely keep my eyes open.

A series of shocks

I woke up at five in the morning from being a mosquito buffet! Why? I had put the fan on, when I went to sleep? Ah! Remember I mentioned thunder last night? In my experience, Thunderstorm = Power failure in the Easter Cape. No power, no fan!

It must have been off for a while, though, since it came back on soon after I woke up. It’s too early to get up, yet, so I just watch the Mips entertain themselves. Ziva is shut outside the bedroom, since she shot out again, when I went to answer Nature’s morning call. And wouldn’t come back with me.

I get up around six. It’s nice and early, wet outside and overcast – so I open the front door to let Mips and mommy play. Just before eight, Ziva does a ‘Lassie’ move – comes to me, leads me into the bedroom, looks out the window. I look out, but don’t see anything. She goes into the lounge, to the window and jumps out of the lounge window into Rose’s garden! She NEVER does that, when the door is open, so I go back into the bedroom … Ziva is by the geranium under my window, not her usual one. And there’s another cat, under the geranium, I can’t see which cat. At that moment, Rose opens her window – so I ask her if she can see which cat it is.

It’s Mewthos! There is no way he could have wandered there – I fear he might have fallen from the window! I ask Rose to open up, so I can go see. Ai ai ai, Methwos must have fallen from my window. His left leg is hurt – he’s limping. I pick him up, but he wants to walk by himself. I pick him up several times until I get him upstairs and into the carrier.

What an intelligent Ziva! I’m very impressed with her!

Lady Jane, Shadow and Ziva are all over Mewthos and me. All worried. To prevent Lady Jane from following, I shut her in the bedroom. Ziva follows me, but stays inside the garden. As I’m driving off, I see her sitting by the gate, looking mournful!

Fortunately it’s eight now, and the vet opens at eight. I sing to Mewthos all the way to the vet – he huddles at the back of the cat carrier. He’s not crying, not complaining – well, not much. He’s just sitting quiet.

The vet is busy with another patient, so I keep talking and singing to Mewthos. He’s just sitting, mostly quiet, at the back of the cat carrier.

Then it’s our turn. Good news first: nothing broken! The X-Rays show not even a hairline fracture. But his leg is badly swollen, so the vet wants to put a pressure bandage on – but can’t, since he won’t let her. It’s painful! So she will sedate him. There’s also some blood on his palate – but it’s not moving, so, again, nothing seems to be broken. I’m guessing concussion? His nose is also a bit bloody, and quite swollen. Poor Goofy! I should come back in two hours to collect him.

While I’m waiting, Quizzy Lizzy arrives! She’s there for her booster shots! Oh boy, is she happy to see me! We have an intensive cuddle session! She is purring up a storm in my arms!

Back at home Ziva is waiting for me at the garage, looks at my car, and looks at me “Where’s Mewthos?” I explain that everything is fine, he’s coming home in a short while. As I come along the path, I’m puzzled to hear a kitten calling. Definitely a kitten, but … who? How? I look up and there is Lady Jane sitting on the top wall by my stairs! How did she get out? I had left her shut in the bedroom? The only way from the bedroom is the same way Mewthos took? Even Ziva won’t jump down there! I am completely baffled! Especially, since she is outside the FRONT door!

For the next half hour, Lady Jane is all over me. I even struggle to phone Rose, to tell her how Mewthos is – Lady Jane is all over my face, my shoulders, just rolling, walking, high-tailing over me! Eventually she settles down and I can start writing this blog.

And then … Lady Jane falls out the window! Fortunately only onto the ledge, the roof over Rose’s porch! No injury – but she can’t jump back up! So I grab Ziva and show her where Lady Jane is. But there’s nothing Ziva can do. So I grab my Jeans and hold them down for Lady Jane to climb up on … Nope. So I try the climbing pole from the bedroom … Nope. At this point two Jehova’s Witness’ approach Rose’s front door, so I call her. As she comes out, I warn her to stay under the roof, in case Lady Jane might try to jump on her! As a last resort, I try the duvet … but Lady Jane, although interested, isn’t getting the ‘climb up on it’ bit. By this time, The Terror’s owners have seen my plight – they have an extra long ladder, which they bring! I’m not good on ladders, but Lady Jane may not come to a stranger, so up I go.

I manage to grab Lady Jane, but I don’t have a good grip, so claws come out. I hand her to Rose, so I can get down the ladder again. Then I carry the wayward Mip upstairs and close all windows!

But now here’s the puzzle: How could Lady Jane get from the bedroom to the front door, if she couldn’t get off the ledge? And if she fell or jumped from the bedroom window – how did she get around Rose’s flat to my stairs?

My nerves are finished! And it isn’t even noon, yet! Two shocks and one inexplicable puzzle – all in less than two hours!

On the way to pick up Mewthos, I also pick up a half dozen bread rolls.

I’m told that Mewthos definitely hit is head. I didn’t get to see the vet, so I don’t know exactly how hard, or how badly. I’m to bring him in on Tuesday, to have the bandage removed – I was planning to bring both Mips in Wednesday for their booster shots. Maybe I should make a plan to take them on Tuesday? Poor Mewthos is really struggling to get about with that bandage! However, that does keep him sitting still for photos, he he. Ai, but he’s been trying to bite off that hindrance – I’ve spent the first half hour doing nothing but discourage him from chewing the bandage off! I think he understands now, that it needs to stay. And he’s already picking up speed again.

Neither Ziva nor Lady Jane showed much interest when I first brought him in. They were napping on one of the chairs, not much bothered about anything. Lady Jane doesn’t understand why Mewthos is so slow, and why isn’t he playing with her? And why does he just topple over every now and then? Shame, poor baby. It’s a completely different balancing situation, so while he’s learning how to cope, he does topple over ever now and then.

Ah shame, Lady Jane is playing with her pink mouse, fighting the daylights out of it – and poor Mewthos just sits and watches. Every now and then he gives me this look, as if to say ‘Why, mommy?’

 

My poor sweet boy!

I’m more worried about his head, though. His nose is still bloody – he won’t let me wipe it off; and I don’t want to add any more stress to my poor baby boy! Both Mips are sleeping now, each on their own chair. Ziva is out – somewhere. It’s drizzling on and off, so she’ll come back wet again.

Ai and now Mewthos hops along to me, sits down, looks at me with those soulful eyes and holds out his bandaged leg to show me! Poor baby boy! For myself, I wish I could sleep as well, I feel on edge and drained – all at the same time. Like I’ve had a series of shocks.

I’m allowed to rest about twenty minutes, before Mewthos mewls me awake. He’s feeling right sorry for himself. He holds out his bandaged leg “Mommy? Look. It’s a lump. Doesn’t move nice. Mommy? How much longer?”

So I open the front door and the weather has cleared – it’s now a warm, sunny afternoon! Mewthos evidently wants to go into the garden – but not without me, so off we go into the garden. Rose joins us shortly afterwards and we enjoy some fun in the garden.

With Mewthos’ leg in the bandage, it’s like having him on a short leash – no worry about him running off after Shadow into the road! Lady Jane also stays very close – stress factor almost zero!

Mewthos quickly finds his feet – so to speak – and even ventures up the tree! He doesn’t get far, of course, but his spirits are not damped by his ordeal! Shadow catches one of her favourites: a grasshopper! A big one! Then walks around looking for a safe place to ‘play’ with it. She eventually settles on the courtyard – which turns out to be a mistake, as Lady Jane takes it off her. Then looses it in the carnation patch! Shadow gets another one, and this one goes to Mewthos. Except, unlike Lady Jane, Mewthos will not share his toy! He growls, hisses and even bats Lady Jane if she comes too close!

Eventually the Mips indicate they’re tired and want to go back upstairs. As it’s getting cold, we all leave. Upstairs, Lady Jane demands yet another intensive cuddle session, then starts an intensive cleaning session before settling down – upside down again!

Then Ziva shows up – but she doesn’t want to stay inside. I don’t want her to go back outside, so, whenever she demands to be let out – I pick her up and cuddle her! Not appreciated! So she tries the window – all of which are closed. Somehow she manages to lure Mewthos up onto the window sill! Seriously! So now it’s his turn for an intensive cuddle session. I am convinced that boy uses the curtains to get my attention! Instead of coming up to me asking, he goes and pats the curtains! Clever – but not cool.

While I’m busy with Mewthos, Ziva continues to complain – I’m sorry, but I’m only one human trying to meet the needs of three cats! So she goes and settles herself for a nap on the chair. Mewthos is happy, he jumps off and settles himself in the cat carrier – until Lady Jane plays him out. Now they are both playing on my scratcher!

I’m having my dinner followed by an early night – with closed windows!

This is that patch of Rainflowers in Rose's garden

Aren't they gorgeous?

Mewthos loves tools! He's a real handy-cat

And now he's a bit handy-capped ;(

Lady Jane batting the heck out of her pink mouse
Mewthos just sits and watches mournfully

One lone pepper actually growing!
It's tiny, though.

Mewhos enjoying himself in the garden.
He's learning to not let the bandage get in the way too much

Lady Jane lost her grasshopper in the carnations
she lets Mewthos help her look!

Look how much longer that bandaged leg is!

My boy!

His poor nose! 

This is about as high as he can get with the bandage

Lady Jane in one of her upside down sleeping sessions

Friday - still hot & humid

As I went to bed, I realized that I had forgotten to scoop the sand box. As I’m pondering whether I could get away with it – after all, I’ve just topped it up with a full load of clean sand – Ziva goes inside, and Lady Jane … outside! So there’s my answer: Her ladyship requires DAILY scooping. Nothing less will be tolerated.

This morning Mewthos decided once the alarm starts going, he’s entitled to augment it – so I’m up wonderfully early! So early, that Ziva went for an outside stroll.

The weather is being an awful tease: humidity and heavy clouds – yet not a drop of rain, yet. And according to the forecast, no rain this morning (humidity 79%); none this afternoon (humidity 84%); less than 1mm this evening (humidity 92%) and about 5mm overnight (humidity 93%).

This is terrible weather, you feel sticky all over and my left knee is playing up worse than it has in years! When Ziva came back this morning, wanting a lot of attention, I dared not go on the floor – for fear I’d do real damage trying to get back up! She stayed in reach, and even let me lift her onto my lap!

I’m reading an article here about people who get kittens, and when they outgrow the kitten look sort of loose interest. I don’t get that. Look at Ziva – she’s no longer a kitten, and yet she plays like a kitten! Ok, not as much nor as long as her Mips – and I’m glad about that! She wants affection – and learning that I’m almost always happy to give her lots of it – she’s happy with me and I’m happy with her! We share our responsibility for the Mips. We take over to give the other time-out. And we’re learning to understand each other! I can’t wait for the Mips to outgrow their babyhood and begin to develop into relatable adults!

I can’t imagine Mewthos ever loosing his adorable cuteness. It’ll change, but he’ll always be my goofy! And Lady Jane! I can’t wait to see what she’ll grow into! HaHa hopefully it involves inside-the-box widdling only!

Back at home I worked on the scratching post. I wrapped rope around the supports – and now it’s less stable. A bit wobbly. The Mips were unhappy with me taking apart this wonderful toy they were busy playing on, though – and watched what I was doing very closely.

I didn’t feel up to going out, so the Mips and Ziva stayed nearby as well. Rose, too, came up for her daily visit. She showed me photos of Lizzy – she’s giving her new mommy one heart attack after the other! Today’s photos showed Lizzy up on the roof!

As Rose leaves, the Mips explore the garden – though not for long. Less than half an hour later, Mips and Ziva are inside, playing happily! No complaints about the shut front door – yet! I’d like to take a quick bath, wash the humidity off – but the Mips and Ziva are playing so nicely together, in and out of the bathroom. I’m loath to interrupt.

Mewthos is terribly interested in what I use the toilet paper for. He is uncomfortably persistent in getting a good look at what I do. And then goes to the sandbox to show me “Look, I don’t have to abuse that lovely fun white play stuff!” I don’t know whether to laugh or just sigh in exasperation!

Well, Ziva is done playing, for now, and demands an intensive attention session. The only problem with that, is that she insists on lying on the floor – and I have to either bend over her, or get on the floor myself. And with my knee playing up in this weather, that’s not helpful.

A warm bath helped my knee, and I feel refreshed, with that sticky humidity washed off! Ziva, on the other hand, wants to go out. Now. I can hear thunder outside – I don’t think Ziva would enjoy getting caught in a storm! Fortunately she gives up after a minute and settles down to nurse her Mips.

Yes, at nearly four months old, they’re still nursing! I don’t think Ziva knows about weaning. We’re guessing she was orphaned very, very young. Either taken from her mother too soon or … we don’t know. She hasn’t learned any mothering, like picking up kittens by the scruff, patience to stay with them when they are babies or weaning. I’m not even getting cat kisses from her! I’ll be sending cat kisses to her – and she turns her head away.

I just got another update about Earl: He’s doing very well and shows every sign of happiness!

Mewthos ventures into Rose's garden

I wake up before seven, which helps, but I’m still late for work. Today promises to be HOT, it is already 34°C and it isn’t even eight in the morning, yet!

At work I’m still dealing with a supplier who simply refuses to listen. As a result, a simple two step transaction has become a drama. First he didn’t listen to WHAT we wanted, and under quoted us – which is why I HE got the job. Then he didn’t listen to WHEN we needed him – and tried to charge us for making an unnecessary trip. Then he didn’t provide an invoice. Two weeks later, and I’m still trying to spoon-feed him just so I can pay him! And I can guarantee you, he is bitching about me being an ‘impossible client’!

Back at home, I try to take care of some things before going into the garden – but the Mips disagree. Garden. Now. Mewthos came up to fetch me today, so I give in. I’m not happy about Ziva and Shadow leading the Mips past the gate, towards the road. Fortunately they don’t stay long, and come back. The next hour or two they stay nearby playing with everything and anything they can. One tense moment, when The Terror tries to ‘join’ again – but this time, I chase her away immediately!

I’ve come back upstairs for some indoor activities – Lady Jane is not comfortable downstairs without me, still. Mewthos also comes up every few minutes … until he doesn’t. When I unlock the gate and go to check, he’s managed to find his way into Rose’s garden, and – just like Lady Livingstone – he can’t find his way back! So I call him to the same spot, bend down the fence, pick him up and haul him over back into his home territory! Ziva was quite distressed over him, and grateful for my rescue. Mewthos, too, is so happy, he came running upstairs with me!

Mewthos is so adorably cute when he comes running! He still has a touch of that puppy waddle (his paws being so big, he hasn’t grown into them, yet) and his long tail straight up in the air, except that last tip forming a question mark! I keep trying to capture that image, but it’s just too elusive. It’s indelibly fixed in my mind, though! It is so completely adorable!

After his adventure, Mewthos and Lady Jane come upstairs – and I shut the front door. Ziva is still out – I’m not happy about it, but she’s been shut in the bedroom all day. Girls just want to have fun!

For a change Ziva doesn’t stay out too late, and I have my family home, safe and snug. I’ve made myself some dinner, and as I’m eating – can you guess what I would like my feline family to do? Yeah: go right back outside and don’t come back until you’re ready to sleep! Sigh. They each – one after the other – demand my attention. Mewthos plays with the curtains, when I deter him, he comes meowing up to my chair, rolling over on his back to get his tummy rubbed! While he’s still in the throes of his need for attention, Ziva demands attention as well!

I’m still trying to teach them to ‘show me’, so whenever they draw my attention I always try to get hints from them what it is they need. Mostly, however, they are content with attention, and walk away happy after a while. Ziva, however, although loving the brushing, has something on her mind. That she wants me to know. It turns out, she is not happy about the water fountain. How do I figure that out? Well, she walked into the bedroom, straight to the ex water dispenser (which I’ve now filled with adult kibbles) but doesn’t eat. Instead she turns and looks at me – with a kind of puzzled expression. I place her by the water fountain – she drinks, but keeps darting me looks. So I go into the kitchen, fill a bowl and set it on the floor. She drinks. Then plays with her Mips. Let’s hope she remembers this ‘Lassie’ move!

I fear I may have an issue with sleep tonight, since I was a tad too generous with the canned food last night – they’ve had plenty left over. Even now there is still some left in the bowl. Wish me luck!

Lady Jane under attack!

Well, the Mips sure have stored up a crap-load of energy overnight! I think they are energy-vampires, because I woke up feeling totally drained of all energy. They have been almost literally bouncing off the walls for over three hours now! I opened the bedroom door and they started zooming – they zoomed over my prone body numerous times (no skid marks, though)! While I’m still trying to find the energy to get up and make my morning coffee.

Needless to say, I didn’t get the cat food, yet. I think I’ll wait for their Siesta, then sneak out to do the shopping.

As I’m getting ready to go, Lady Jane comes for an intensive cuddle session – which involves a lot of high tail in my face as well, I’m afraid. Ziva goes out again, and before I can go, she demands attention as well. I so don’t want to go, and these cuddle overtures are not making it easier for me!

Shopping is unpleasant. Doubly so, since all prices have increased and all staff are hustling shoppers to open an account or get their store’s card. I get plenty of cat food, 3x kitten and 2x adult, but no sand. I also get some coffee beans for work tomorrow. And a replacement LED lamp – one of those that go on when the power goes off. The recent power failure proved that the one I had has expired – yeah, don’t ask. Nothing is built to last anymore, and it’s always great fun to find out something has expired when you need it. They don’t have an expiration date, so it’s always a surprise. Ditto UPS for my PC.

Back at home, Ziva has been busy: she caught a little birdie and started eating it. Fortunately it’s outside, not smearing blood on my carpets. Sigh, until Mewthos decides to bring it in to eat indoors! It’s 30°C and unpleasantly humid. Outside there’s a pleasant breeze, but not enough to counter the humidity!

Rose insisted I must come see her patch of Rainflowers – they are in magnificent full bloom! It really is an entire crowded patch. I’ve only ever seen one or two here and there, but she got lucky and an entire patch have settled in her garden! As I go down, the Mips follow. All the way to Rose’s gate. Mewthos even ventures a step or two into her courtyard. When we come back from admiring the Rainflowers … Rose had left the keys to the gate at her back door in the courtyard! And she has no spare keys! Fortunately I can easily climb over the fence between our properties from her side, walk around into her courtyard and get the keys!

The Mips are now laying about like discarded fur patches! I’ve treated myself to a fruit mix – since the blueberries had furry patches all over! Yeah, in the fridge at the store. You’ve got to be so alert when shopping anything these days! Any way to trick customers is perfectly acceptable. After all, with petrol as expensive as it is, who’s going to come back to return perishables? And so what if anyone does?

Rose called, as arranged, and I came and joined her in the garden. I did some weeding and cleaning out dried plants while the Mips explored happily. Until The Terror attacked Lady Jane! Four of us flew to her defense: Ziva first, she attacked The Terror, even though she is scared of her! Shadow was just a hair’s breadth behind Ziva, I jumped up shouting – poor Ziva thought for an instant I’m shouting at her! Rose also rose to defend our Lady Jane! I chased The Terror right out of the garden – she lay low in Rose’s garden, just out of sight.

I just don’t understand – why would a spayed female attack a female kitten? That attack came out of no where. And for no apparent reason – Lady Jane was just minding her own business. And The Terror is not being mistreated at home! Poor Lady Jane wouldn’t come back into the garden – well, she did let me coax her back down, but she went back upstairs almost right away.

I’ve cleaned a good amount in the garden, the beds are looking much nicer with all the dead plants removed – and a lot of that awful Kikuyu grass had wormed its way under my beds as well.

Back upstairs I shut the Mips inside – Ziva is taking her own sweet time in coming home. Nine o’clock feeding, there’s a surprise: Ziva doesn’t seem to be too hungry? Well, I did fill one dispenser with adult cat food, and she sat down and chomped on that for a while. Well, here’s to another hope for sleep!

Lady Livingstone, I presume?

I woke up sometime in the middle of the night with itching ankles! There are mosquitoes buzzing around the bedroom and they’ve had a feast! As a result I woke up late, yet again. And had to really drag myself out of bed, I am so low on energy! Coffee helped a bit. Ziva was sitting on the top tier of the scratching post looking out the door – I wondered about that. I shut her in the bedroom when I left – and found The Terror downstairs! No wonder Ziva wouldn’t go out!

I was going to just go to Spar tomorrow – but I just remembered that I’m low on cat food. So I’ll have to go in another direction. I’m thinking it might be a good idea to get not only kibbles for kittens, but for one year old’s as well. It could be that Ziva is filling out so much because she’s not getting the nutrients she needs from the kitten food – and is eating more to meet her needs.

Back at home, I’m trying to settle down – but my family has other ideas. I barely manage to sit down when Mewthos comes running upstairs and leads me outside, downstairs to the garden where they are playing under Ziva’s and Shadow’s supervision. When they’re all busy and seem to ignore me, I try to sneak back upstairs, but Lady Jane comes and insists I come watch them play. So I pull up a chair for Rose and sit down in the garden.

It’s been a hot, dry day, so it’s lovely to sit with a cool breeze in the garden. After a while, we notice Lady Jane appears to be missing – no need to panic though, when the mommies are near. I look around and see that she has crawled underneath the fence and is sitting on Rose’s side, on the wall! It’s new territory, and quite high, so she sits and calculates for some time before jumping!

Now – there is no short way to get to Rose’s garden. I would have to either go down the path, walk alongside the road, go through Rose’s gates into her garden. Her gates are locked, of course. Alternately, I can go round the back, through Rose’s flat and out her front door. It’s a really stupid set-up. Rose, however, has a better idea: She picks up Shadow and plonks her over the fence into her garden.

Shadow promptly tries to get Lady Jane to come back. Lady Jane, however, has other ideas. There are grasshoppers in Rose’s garden! And there are so many interesting new plants. And such a lot of new smells! And what’s over there on the far side? She ignores Shadow’s attempts to herd her back home. She ignores me calling her. And now she’s walked around so much going to and fro she’s no longer sure how to get home? The wall was quite high to jump down from, and she didn’t go any of the adult cat’s routes – she went under the fence, whereas the adults climb up a post over the fence.

Lady Jane is finally ready to come back home, but now she doesn’t know how! So I stand by the lower wall, call her until she comes, bend down the fence until I can reach her, pick her up by the scruff and haul her back home. As I lift her to my face – she gets a stern ‘You must learn to listen!’ look. Lady Livingstone, I presume?

After her adventure, Lady Jane stays very, very close by my side!

Mewthos, meanwhile, is mighty curious about Rose’s tomcat – who comes to join her in what he consider to be HIS garden. Mewthos tail and back bush out a little, as does the tom. When Mewthos gets too close, the tom warns him off. At least, he makes little noises, which don’t sound threatening – we’re not sure what they are meant to convey. But Mewthos stays curious and this dance is repeated on several occasions through out our playtime visit.

At one point Ziva goes for a saunter outside the garden. Some time later Shadow also goes for a saunter – I guess they trust Rose and myself to watch the Mips while they take care of adult business.

I have noticed one thing regarding the sandbox, though. In the past, I’d always give myself a one day break after the strenuous job of emptying, cleaning and refilling it. And vacuuming the entire corner, then replacing the three layers of newspaper, black bags and blanket. Since Earl has left, I’ve found that – with only three cats – the daily volume produced matches the daily volume I can scoop. With that, I mean, that the sand kind of clumps naturally – like wet sand does. And when I just fill the scoop and let everything dry run through (without shaking the scoop to speed the sifting), those wet clumps stay clumps and I can scoop them into the daily bag. Since I last emptied, cleaned and refilled the sandbox – now over a week ago – I’ve not had any smells coming from it! Well, not after I scooped it, at least. Nor have there been any more ‘outside the box’ incidents. No, I don’t think Earl was the culprit – I still believe it was Lady Jane, but I would say that large sandbox is just right for one adult and two Mips. As the Mips keep growing, I may start running into trouble again – but at least this week, I didn’t have to go through that major effort of cleaning that entire corner! I merely added another 5kg of sand.

Well, it’s time for the night time feeding – Mewthos and Lady Jane are sitting by the door, hoping for another outing, while Ziva is napping on a chair. I hope sleep is on tonight’s agenda!