Flash-weaned Mip Mips

I managed to fall asleep despite Ziva’s continuous nagging. I think she’s missing Lizzy. She kept wanting to go out, then come to the bed for attention, then tried the window, then back to the door, and so on.

I woke up some time in the middle of the night from a nightmare. I dreamed that I had gone into the garden and when I came back up found the whole floor covered in tribbles! (Tribbles are from Star Trek – they are little balls of fur that purr. All they do is eat and propagate.) They were about half the size of a newborn kitten, but my whole floor was already covered with them.

I woke up late this morning with all three Mip Mips snuggled up to me on all sides. I made my coffee and Ziva came back in. When I tried to sneak in the room to get dressed, Mip Mips pushed their way out, so I let them play while I dressed. Then tricked them into coming back (I run the stick along the floor – they love playing!) but Earl and Ziva would not come in. Earl played quite happily by himself and I had quite a time getting him and Ziva into the bedroom so I could leave for work.

Rose was outside when I was leaving, she tells me Lizzy is doing very well. She explored her new home, slept on the bed, ate her food – no troubles!

At work there’s still plenty of the food left from yesterday, so I’m stuffing my face yet again! I’ve selected and edited yesterday’s photos – here they are!

Camera? What is 'Camera'?
I must investigate

Ziva

Lizzy playing with what was meant to be a mouse,
but the 'ears' turned out to look more like fins, so we call it a fish now.

Camera? What is 'Camera'? I must take a very, very close look.
Lizzy

Again with the Camera

Our electrician wants to clear the container and has asked me whether I’d like any of the furniture. He says before anything goes to the local staff, he’d rather use it for a bonfire! Why such a seemingly nasty attitude? Because in all the time we have been here and worked together here, in their home town, they have shown us not the least bit of hospitality! Not a single invitation to a braai (BBQ), not a single offer to show us the sights, not a single thought of reciprocating the hospitality given (such as the site breakfasts, invitations to restaurants, etc). To quote our electrician “They haven’t offered us so much as half a peanut, never mind a whole peanut.” It’s half a miracle they didn’t demand petrol money to attend the Christmas Party!

I’ve had the same experience with my colleagues. When they visited Pretoria, I made the time to show them around, see some of the sights, offered all the ‘local’ knowledge at my disposal. When I came to their home town – nothing. Nada. Not even the question “Do you know where everything is?” or “Can I show you where to find ...?”  All eager to take, but never even a thought of ‘give’. So, yeah, I understand where he’s coming from. Most of the guys who have finished off on site haven’t even had the courtesy to say ‘Goodbye’ – just left without a word.

Anyway, back at home the rest of the Mip Mips are kind of … tame. Like, they won’t get up to quite the usual amount of mischief without their chief instigator, or maybe they’re scared they’ll disappear next? Well, I think the heat may be to blame.

I got an e-mail from Quizzy Lizzy telling me she’s happy and doing well! From her new mommy, of course – with photos and even a video.

 

Lizzy in her new 'pink heaven' home with her new pink feather toy!

I’m itching to write – as in pen and paper – but I don’t know what! It’s too hot to do anything, Ziva is outside – just comes in for the occasional nibble – and the Mip Mips are laying about like furry doormats. Until I get up – then they follow me as if food sprouts where I walk.

Earl is doing his best bird impersonation – comes up to me, jumps up my leg to be picked up and when I do he climbs onto my shoulder and starts wandering around there like it’s a playground! Even walks up and down my arm – without scratching me – then back onto my shoulders. Eventually I’ll bend forward, he walks down my back until he jumps off my lower back.

After sunset Ziva comes back in wanting to bring a new toy inside. No, the gecko stays outside. Then she goes and climbs on her perch – with the Mip Mips trying to follow. By climbing up the curtains. So I’ve closed the fanlights! Ziva is highly upset – the Mip Mips, however, are zooming around like pinballs. Ziva goes on and on and on wanting to go out – I’ve half a mind to kick her out!

I try to take a bath, Mewthos and Earl come to investigate. They jump into the bath before I can open the taps. So I first open the cold water slowly – Earl immediately jumps out, but Mewthos? Stands there and watches the water come nearer and nearer – then the hot water tap rumbles, he gets a fright and jumps out. All cats scatter at the sound – so I close the door and bath in peace!

Interesting observation: Since Lizzy has left, I haven’t seen any nursing. None of the Mip Mips have even tried. When Shadow was visiting earlier, she even growled at Mewthos! At Mewthos, of all kittens! He’s her favourite! It’s like they are being flash-weaned.

Well, that’s all she wrote for today, folks.