Monday off

Woke up nice and early, with weather-appropriate energy levels. I had a leisurely coffee while Ziva sat under her spekboom, then she came back and I shut her in with the Mip Mips. The gardener arrived just after eight, so I could give him his lunch money before leaving myself.

The pet shop didn’t have the super worms the birds need. They’ll get sometime tomorrow and will message me, then I can collect and deliver on Wednesday. I tried a different Spar for a change and was pleasantly surprised by their fresh produce and bakery selection. They even have a good bread, and cheaper than the one at Newton Spar!

Back at home I saw a message that the Sparrow had died. The Starling is doing well, though! I had been looking at a water fountain for the cats, and they had the exact one I had been looking at, at a much cheaper price – so I got one. I’ve just washed it, assembled it and now I want to switch it on and see how my felines like it! Now, who in my home is the leader? Earl? He LOVES plumbing!

Yep! He sat down in front of it, watched it for a while and then gave it a try. Mewthos joined him, and the two of them sat in front of it watching the water run for a whole minute! Then Ziva came in, drank a good fill and that’s it. It’s a welcome new feature!

  

I’ve cleaned the bathroom, closely supervised by Earl and Mewthos. When I cleaned the kitchen floor, Mewthos went right in, inspecting tile by tile as I cleaned. Then he came to tell me that he’s happy! I did a good job! Now Lady Jane is inspecting the new bag I put in the waste bin – it’s not white! She’s not pleased.

I cleared out the litter corner, then started vacuuming. Got a bit carried away and vacuumed the whole bedroom … I would have continued but Rose saved the day! And she thought the water fountain was cute! And she confirmed the Mewthos decorated my back with a lovely long red line. He insisted on seeing ‘what mommy doing?’ by jumping on the stove, so I put him on my shoulder a la Parrot Earl while I made my coffee. Only – he is not that experienced, so he lost his footing and decorated my back.

After a lovely visit, I emptied the sand box, cleaned it and laid my 4 layers protecting the carpet: newspaper, black bags, newspaper again, throw. As I’m refilling the sandbox, Mewthos climbs in and starts scratching – apparently he’s desperate, and the litter box in the bathroom is not an option. Nor is the garden. I ended up carrying sandbox with Mewthos scratching for a spot through to the litter corner! Never a dull moment!

Packed my lunch, had dinner, bathed, sitting at my desk when suddenly Lady Jane and Mewthos come in at high speed, as if being chased! Who’s doing the chasing? Earl? Seriously? Ziva goes to investigate – sees Earl and her tail goes bushy. Earl is in spitfire mode (bushy tail, arched back, scampering sideways). What’s happening here? They’ve now all gone out and down into the garden. They better resolve whatever it is quickly, as it’s getting dark and I want them all inside.

I’ve shut Mewthos and Lady Jane in the bedroom – Earl is still outside playing. Under Ziva and Shadow’s supervision. Not a single one of the cats is inclined to listen to me calling, or inclined to come back inside. Poor Mewthos and Lady Jane don’t know what they’ve done wrong – so I’m going in there and will feed them a treat.

It’s nearly eight before Earl decides to come back inside – no sign of Ziva, though. So I shut the front door and let the Mip Mips play in the lounge. Earl is very affectionate – needs reassurance that he’s still loved.

None of the Mip Mips are crazy about the mousse anymore – that’s a treat for Ziva now. They prefer adult cat food – that’s their preferred treat. Will stuff them in an hour, just before I go to bed.