Still low

I had a terrible night, just could not get to sleep. Around two I got up again and made myself a cup of Chamomile tea. That seems to have helped, but I continued to keep waking up for no apparent reason. As a result it was very, very late when I finally did wake up. It was Lady Jane biting my calf that finally woke me.

I kept the Mips indoors at first, as I meant to get some groceries – but the headache I woke up with, and the low energy levels changed my mind. It’s overcast and cool, but the sun is promising to clear the skies and blast down after noon.

Tensions between Ziva and the Mips continue – I just had to shout at Ziva to let Mewthos come in! She hissed and clawing at him. After that he needed an extensive cuddle session.

To ‘get rid of’ him, I went outside – and he gladly ran downstairs! I saw Lady Jane exploring round the back – with Rose’s tom guarding her way back! She carefully stalked in a wide circle around him, and when she was back on the grass, he chased her! Ha ha! Just chased, he didn’t attack her – just made sure she knew she wasn’t welcome there! As he stalked proudly back home, Shadow appeared. She’s been staying with the neighbours on my side, rather than with Rose – who misses her!

I suppose it must have been very confusing for poor Shadow! She first ‘stayed’ with the neighbours on my side, who were feeding her. When they went away, she visited Rose, who took her to be spayed – after which she very happily claimed her new home! Which was a bit difficult, since she would attack Rose’s geriatrics. A week later, Ziva made her disappearance and Shadow was placed with the kittens! Though Rose visited daily, she may have thought it punishment? Then, when the kittens were old enough, she was denied sleeping upstairs and loved downstairs. This time she did not attack her cats. Instead, she went out all day but came home every evening, staying the night. And then Rose went away for a week – Shadow just looked at me the first night, and turned around. The next evening she saw again that it’s just me - and turned around again. Rose’s cats were also confused that I would keep coming into their home, filling their food and water bowls. They were very good about it – on days I was home, I let them out all day with the door hooked ajar, and on days I worked I could only let them out for a few hours in the evening. But they always either were or came inside, when I came to feed then and lock up. I would pet them, and give them what attention they let me, without pushing. Her tom did not take to the change, though, and by the time Rose came back he had lost a lot of weight – and even her home-coming didn’t simply alleviate his stress. She had to take him to the vet, since after her return, he didn’t keep food down. He’s fine now and put on a bit of weight again. Back to normal. Both Rose and I told her cats what would happen – that she’d go away – and when she would be coming home. So much for cats being ‘aloof’, eh? When Rose came home, it took a few days before Shadow would visit – and then, after a few nights, she didn’t come home to Rose at all anymore. She is – once again – at the neighbours next to me. I see her every now and then, sitting in the driveway by the fence.

Sigh, and now Ziva attacked Lady Jane! Ziva is lying in the doorway like a guard dog – denying entrance to all cats! Even shouting did not deter her from clawing at Lady Jane, I had to get up and pick her up (which she does not like!) just so Lady Jane could come in! I give her as much attention as I can – but she insists on staying on the floor, so I have to bend to rub her tummy! If I settle down on the floor next to her, to give her attention, she walks off.

Romeo came for a feeding session again – I got a closer look today, and he’s actually quite thin. His fur is quite fluffy, which is why he seemed well-fed. I’m really not keen of feeding another cat – my finances have nowhere near recovered from the first couple of months of the kitties, all that special food and all those vaccinations! And all prices are going up tomorrow – courtesy of the VAT increase. As I said before, a lot of prices have gone up already – some way more than the 1% VAT increase. My salary stays the same, though.

The weather stayed overcast all day, with breaks in the clouds letting the sun through on occasion, but now it’s looking dark enough for rain, again. At least it’s nice and cool – neither hot nor cold. And I didn’t feel immobilized by the heat. I got a few things done, just basics, though. Nothing worth mentioning.

When it got too dark, I lured the Mips inside and played with them for a while. It was a bit unusual, Mewthos selected the glove, but showed very little enthusiasm for play. I got a toy for each, this time – Lady Jane selected her favourite: the purple fluff thing. She threw herself into play with her usual abandon – but Mewthos was not very enthusiastic. He also came for more cuddle sessions throughout the day, than he normally does.

Eventually Ziva showed up – with a Gecko! Lady Jane went nuts – I tried to hold her back, to give Ziva a chance to examine her prey, but I could only hold her for a minute or so. She went absolutely ballistic, needing to examine the moving thing. Mewthos also went for it – poor Ziva stood no chance!

Lady Jane, although the tiniest of my Mips, is undeniably the Alpha! She explores furthest in the garden, spends loads of time in the tree, loves to walk on my shoulder, and is when she wants attention, does not take no for an answer. She is also the most curious – she wants to see everything I do, understand what I’m doing, and tries to help. Ziva and Mewthos are very alike, though. Both cry for attention, both prefer to be on the ground with me bending down to rub their tummies, and they both like to sleep by my feet on top of the duvet – whereas Lady Jane burrows under the duvet just because it’s what I do. She doesn’t like being under the duvet, so she only burrows from the feet to my face, gets some attention, burrows back to my feet, stays there for a while and then climbs out. Ziva, however, stalks off if either the Mips or I get too close for comfort. It’s quite discouraging seeing her get up and stalk off just because I’m stroking her lovely soft fur!

Relationships are still dynamic, with the Mips still growing and finding themselves, finding their place. Add to that Ziva’s role changing, from mother to … what? And she’s on her own now, she no longer has Shadow showing her or being there for her. The Mips are still quite selfishly demanding, still try to nurse, and very rarely do I see either Mip grooming Ziva. I also rarely see them grooming each other, lately – and instead of giving each other attention, they each come to me, one after the other. Sigh, I somehow need to find a way to direct them to each other. I sometimes wonder whether integration would have been smoother, if they weren’t one family! I hope they find their places and settle down soon – I truly dread having to move them! I am going to have one heck of a time, trying to keep Ziva indoors in the new place for three weeks! And that’s an understatement.

Depressed

Not a very good night, I kept being bitten on my calves – and the strange thing is, I have a feeling it’s Ziva? Well, I woke up really late, which kind of depresses me.

Over coffee – with the Mips and Ziva out – I’m really getting depressed. I’m also feeling kind of dizzy. I meant to go to Convention today, but I just don’t feel up to it. No reason to worry – I get like this at this phase of projects: depressed, anxious, demotivated, and questioning my life. In some ways this really is a shit job. It’s a job, not a career. I never know where I’m going next. Worse: I never know IF I’m on the next project. Nor do I know WHEN, so I usually start packing … and spend the ‘waiting’ time in a half-packed up flat – not really living, just kind of hanging-in-there.

Sigh, Mips are keeping me busy – Lady Jane needing intensive cuddling, Ziva needing attention and Mewthos getting attacked! Shame, he’s lost a fluff of fur and is shaking. Not for long, though. A few minutes later he’s back down for another spat.

I’ve decided to go into the garden – that always gets me out of the depression or slump. I’m just very grateful that I don’t suffer from chronic or clinical depression – I’m grateful to know that it’s just a mood and will pass.

After yesterday’s rain, today is sunny and hot! Too hot to stay in the sun for more than a few minutes. There’s shade already alongside the building, so I’m tying up my Carnations as best I can. They’ve been creeping along the ground, rather than standing up proudly. They are still blooming – and smelling wonderful! And then there’s still the problem of the Cosmos: despite the extensive transplanting by myself and our gardener – there are still hordes on the path!

Well, gardening lifted my mood a bit. Now it’s getting dark, I’m back upstairs and feeling depressed again. I’ve eaten, had some Orange juice, treated myself to chocolate – and still feel like I could just go to bed and sleep till Tuesday! But that wouldn’t really be fair to my Mips – can’t expect them to be stuck inside so long! They’ve just come in, and I’m now waiting for Ziva to join us. Then I might go to sleep – till tomorrow.

Rain!

Good night and an early morning! Coffee and off to work – Mips let me leave without needing to be bribed. There was nothing to do at work, so I spent the day on Bored Panda. It started to rain when it was time to leave – this time, however, I did not get drenched. The downpour only started after I was in my car.

Back at home Ziva was waiting for me, as usual. Since it was raining, however, she waited for me upstairs and didn’t come to greet me at the garage as usual. The rain upsets the Mips, though – they go out, come in, complain about being wet.

I think I may have a teeny problem with our dynamics here at home. At one point, Ziva stood inside the gate hissing and batting the Mips to stay out, not letting them come in! I have a feeling, she may be feeling a bit neglected – not that I truly neglect her, just that she feels it. So I’m making an effort to give her some special attention – the Mips demand all the attention they want, Ziva doesn’t. I gave her a few pieces of biltong – and none to the Mips. They didn’t notice. Now I’ve got Ziva on the chair next to me.

Drying off Lady Jane is a bit of a challenge, snigger. Have you ever tried using a white paper towel to dry off a cat that goes ecstatic at the sight of white paper? She keeps trying to shred it!

When it stopped raining, Romeo showed up for supper! No friction from or towards my Mips.

Leisure & Chores

I woke up very early, but turned over and went back to sleep. Next wake up was much later. Turns out, that was a good thing – I had to go to Makro for shopping, and it turns out they only open at nine on Wednesdays! They have some irregular opening times – eight, eight thirty, nine … what’s up with that?

Inside the place is a mess – pallets blocking every aisle in the food section. And the one aisle that’s pallet free is blocked by a picker. I specifically went to get cigarettes before VAT increased – but I see Makro has already upped their prices, even though the receipt claims VAT is still at 14%. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re planning a campaign of ‘no change to prices due to VAT increase’. Sigh.

I had to bribe the Mips with a sachet treat so I could leave again. Fortunately I could get more at Makro – what I couldn’t get was dry food! And their bulk wet food has also gone up in price – substantially! More than the 1% VAT increase. I’m going to check what it costs at Spar nowadays. When I asked about the dry food I was told by a merchandiser “Supplier problem” … the way it was said was kind of smug and triumphant – I wonder what that was meant to convey?

Back at home, I let the Mips out! They had a good run in the garden and regular cuddles upstairs. When I went downstairs to chat with Rose, they quite flew down the stairs! Romeo is also around – he attacked Mewthos and earned himself a smack from me for that. When I went back upstairs, I found Mewthos twirling the blankie! I’ve no clue what that is all about, but he looks at me with such a forlorn look when he twirls – which I just don’t understand. He gets loads of loving and attention, so why twirl? I’ve got weird cats!

Well, I did the laundry, the dishes … I think that’s as much as I want to do today. Don’t need to do much more, anyway. The weather was kind of nice – overcast, not too hot, not too windy – pity I wasn’t in the mood for gardening.

Dull Tuesday

I had an intensive cuddle session with Mewthos on the bed, he loved every minute of it! He is such a big cat, and such a loving sweetie pie. Lady Jane also got a bit of loving, but she had got plenty attention earlier, and lay at the foot of my bed. Whereas I had pulled Mewthos to within easy reach. Eventually he moved to snuggle his sister. They both seem to have taken to going to sleep now, when I do – rather than zooming around. I carried Ziva through to the bedroom, but she went back to the chair next to mine in the lounge and slept there.

I had two distinct and extremely strange dreams. So strange, they woke me up. The first one was just your ordinary dream, when suddenly my mum walked in – large as life. My heart literally skipped a beat and jolted me awake. It was not so much a dream as a memory – when she came to visit me at work one time.

The other was an image of me standing on a sheer precipice – about three, maybe four storeys high. I was standing right at the edge, looking down into clear waters, where I could see large boulders deep under the water. Someone next to me jumped into the water, on top of a boulder – and even though he naturally went quite far under the water, did not hit the boulder and bobbed safely to the surface in due course. It was my turn to jump, next ... Now, in real life, even a video of that would turn my stomach! I don’t do well with heights – I can’t even look down from my porch top to the ground, which isn’t even two storeys! And has a strong wall. That precipice was at least twice as high, and I was standing barefoot looking over the edge!

That grey mark on Mewthos’ nose is really pronounced this morning, I’ll have to try and clean it off tonight – if it doesn’t clean off, sigh ... vet? Again? Oh, Mewly!

Got a few things done at work, it got very, very hot, though. I spent most of the day on my own, though – it was quite dull and the hours just dragged along.

Back at home I was absolutely ravenous. So was Romeo, apparently – my coming home seems to say ‘way to food bowls opened’ and he comes in and chomps away. He’s sort of trying to fit himself into my family – making friendship overtures. Mewthos ignores him now and he ignores Mewthos. Lady Jane is not so accepting, and there are some spats – Romeo tried to assert himself, and I had to intervene. I’m sorry, but she’s MY kitty, and nobody spats with my kitty without consequence! Ziva also hisses at him – and again, I’m not permitting Romeo asserting himself over Ziva.

As I’m downstairs chatting with Rose, Romeo comes strolling nonchalantly out of her flat! Licking his chops self-satisfied – he’s evidently been chomping her cats’ food as well! I do wish I knew what’s up with him – does he or doesn’t he have a home? And if he does, his people have some explaining to do – how can they keep a male and not neuter him? I mean, I was quite ignorant with Mynx, too – but I did neuter him! I also got him vaccinated. And why aren’t they looking for him? I mean, he’s gone most of the day? Weekends, too! I’m seriously considering trapping him and having him neutered.

I’ve started daily play sessions again with the Mips – I lift Lady Jane into the toy drawer and let her select. She usually selects the fluffy rat tail and runs off with it. If I let them play with it alone, they bring it to me and mip at me until I get up and re-join the party. I made the mistake of engaging in some paper towel play with Lady Jane – and got scratched as a reward! She just gets too enthusiastic and after all, the game is shredding paper, so …

Ziva is – as always – still outside, with her Romeo! Half past seven she sits outside, meows to be let in. She wants some attention, and then starts climbing the scratcher! Seeing her play is always still a pleasure, as it still is a rare sight. Overall she prefers to keep her paws on the ground – she doesn’t like being picked up, and when the scratcher was so wobbly, she avoided it.

Working Monday

Woke up much earlier than yesterday, with three cats snuggling my feet. Ziva went out as soon as I let her – quite eagerly. The Mips went ballistic in my flat – repeatedly jumping on the kitchen counter, kitchen window sill. Both of them. While I was having coffee, Mewthos dragged my pyjama pants through to the lounge – I have no idea why? Or could it be that they are beginning to associate “Work” with “home alone all day”? Like I said, I’ve been making a point of telling them on such mornings, that I have to go to work.  I now distract them with a ‘treat’ while I get out the front door.

I’m always a little upset by their apparent indifference to my home coming. Ziva greets me at the garage, and lollops around my feet all the way – flopping down, rolling around for belly-rubs. She stays with me – after the essential food bowl inspection – until she’s had her fill, whereas the Mips first go outside ... then stroll back for a bit of a ‘Oh, it’s you’ just sort of hanging around without showing real interest. Now, I KNOW they are happy to see me, and I always express my happiness to be home with each and all of them – but they seem to feign indifference. It’s only their initial response to my home-coming and doesn’t last long, but still.

So, today, I tried a bit of a different approach – I stopped at the door to greet the Mips. No change. They did, however, come running for cuddles when I was in the garden soon afterwards! Our gardener has made a new bed, along the west wall. Rose had planted the odd geranium along there, and the garden disservice would randomly mow some down. So now there’s a bed, with a border of rocks. Rose has emptied her entire stock of cuttings she’d been keeping in her courtyard, as she’d decided to go from green to multi-colour – she’s put Alyssum, Cosmos and such colours in there now. Our gardener also relocated all Alyssums from the garden into the bed. He likes beds. My planting Gazanias in the middle of the grass always upset him, he’s never given up the hope that I’d let him transplant them into beds one day.

Romeo showed up as well. Rose says he’s been around most of the day, even dared to explore her lounge – until her tom chased him out! He came upstairs again, helped himself to all the food that was out – he cleans out the wet food bowls very nicely, I must say! Then he sort of hung around in the kitchen. He no longer attacks any of my cats, but there’s still a lot of tension. He started caterwauling in the kitchen! I sent him out – not chased, just sort of moved around so he got the idea. He went out … and when I stepped away from the door, tried coming right back inside! Eventually I shut him out – and he caterwauled a bit, but it quietened down fairly soon.

Lady Jane is quite fearless! Earlier she chased a Hadeda in Rose’s garden! Actually ran up to the bird in attack mode! I’m glad he flew off, and didn’t kebab my kitty! Yesterday she also approached Romeo quite fearlessly – he actually backed away! Today, it was also Lady Jane who approached Romeo. Well, not counting Ziva, since they seem to have an understanding. There’s the occasional spat, but mostly they get along. I’m still wondering what’s up with him – does he or doesn’t he have a home?

Well, upstairs, I found my pyjama top in the lounge as well. Since it is white, and now has a hole in it – I’m quite sure that was Lady Jane! What is it with her eating clothing? Cats are carnivore – they don’t need fibre! Yeah, I know, that’s not the ‘fibre’ nutritionists mean, anyway – just had to put it out there. But seriously – why EAT bits of my clothes? It’s not clawed or just a tooth gone through – there’s an actual piece missing. A small piece, this time – but the purpe top she actually ate quite a lot! Yeah, I know – I really do have the weirdest cats!

Oh, and Mewthos has some sort of patch on his face – it’s a little grey patch just over his mouth. Looks a bit like half a mustache. He’s had that for a while now, it feels a bit rough, but not sore. And none of his whiskers have fallen out – I’ve no idea what it could be. I’ll ask the vet when he goes in for his snip – if he still has it then.

What I didn’t get around to, is taking the rubbish out. I didn’t exactly forget – I just didn’t feel up to it. Well, I’ve done everything else that needed doing – even re-filled the sandbox … which was greeted with an enthusiastic drop followed by equally enthusiastic covering by Lady Jane. Followed by Ziva, and I’m pretty sure Mewthos got a turn as well. Getting the new bag of sand was a bit tricky, since I keep them outside the front door – I open the door and three felines come running! All wanting out! Not such a good sign, is it? Does this mean when I get a place where they can come and go at their leisure that they’ll go out every night? Ah, well, not something to worry about today.

Ah well, everyone is napping now, so hopefully I get a chance to sleep soon, as well.

Romeo and Juliet - Day 2

I couldn’t get to sleep – again, and woke up very late – again. Let the Mips out and they had a good run around. Took a turn downstairs myself, though it’s funny kind of weather – windy, sunny, overcast, all in one.

Around noon the Mips came for their cuddle and nap … Ziva closely followed by her Romeo. Who chose to come inside today, inspecting the entire flat and now it sounds like he’s having a good meal in the kitchen. Ziva and Lady Jane are watching his every move, Mewthos is less interested. At least he didn’t try attacking Mewthos again.

For myself, I’m just sort of drifting around – which is starting to get on my nerves. So I’ve started clearing up the lounge which should get me out of the slump at least. Well, it’s a start.

I made the mistake of leaving the door open too late, again – but then Romeo chased them home and I could close the door. Well, Ziva was in as well … and Romeo caterwauled outside the door again. I opened up and she went out again. Romeo did go through to the kitchen earlier, again, and stuffed his face. Again. I’m beginning to wonder if he’s a stray, after all. Apparently he’s not been neutered – and he’s way past the age where he should have been.

Strange. I thought it was Ziva coming home for the night, opened the door – and in strolled Romeo! Straight to the kitchen for a good crunch-chomp. On his way out he stopped to give me a sniff. Ziva behaved like that when she was wearing me down for her moving in. He did go downstairs without even a hint from me, though. So, maybe he does have a home to go to?

Well, I’m waiting for Ziva, again. Then bath, followed by bed. I just wish she’d show up soon – it’s no use calling her, she won’t come until she’s good and ready. It was a lot easier when it was just Ziva – I could just leave the door ajar, although that is visible from the street, which is not safe. Later, I could just keep the fanlight open – she can come in through that … but with the Mips? Can’t have them trying to jump out through that. And what if I move to a ground-floor place with a garden? Will I feel comfortable with the Mips going out at night? Mynx never did, though he could. He’d sleep all night with me. Well, that’s a problem for another day.

Ziva finally came in and I could shower. With three cats in attendance! As I was drying off, Ziva and Mewthos explored the bath and Lady Jane was under my feet. Now I’ve got Ziva on the chair next to me, Mewthos on the other chair and Lady Jane lolloping around somewhere.

Ginger

I don’t know why, but I woke up late again this morning. I wasn’t in the mood to rush out to shop, so I let eh Mips out. They went out for a stroll, and then Ziva and Lady Jane came for a lie down upstairs. I was hoping Mewthos would come up as well, so I could sneak out to shop.

Suddenly there’s a loud caterwauling coming from downstairs – same as last night! So I unlock the gate and go down to look – turns out, my family is making a new friend! Those noises are coming from the ginger cat, which has been popping around lately. He looks young, a bit older than the Mips. Beautiful ginger striped fur with shining green eyes! Rose came out to check on the noise as well, and we stood watching the lot of them making advances.

Ginger stayed behind the gate, The Terror was under the spekboom watching the whole scene develop, Mewthos, Lady Jane and Ziva were eagerly looking at Ginger. Lady Jane is the first to make advances, but Ziva bats her out of the way and goes forward. Mewthos is keeping an eye from my side of the garden. Ziva advances cautiously and there’s a spat or two when ginger declares ‘too much, too soon’. Eventually Ziva sits on the wall with ginger in the garden beneath the wall – and I carry both Mips upstairs, shut them in and go off shopping.

I come back to find Ziva at the garage as usual – with her new friend! They both follow me along the path, up the stairs …and that’s where things have stood since then. Ginger sitting outside on the steps, Mips just outside the door, Ziva just inside. There’s some talk, no fighting, though – but also, no further advances made by anyone. Well, ginger is creeping bit by bit closer to the door. And every now and then he makes those noises, like a loud murmur: Mrrr, Murrarr, Mrrr. Almost as if he’s asking permission to enter.

 

Ginger outside

  

My family sitting inside watching Ginger

He looks fine, well looked after, so I have no idea why he’s hanging around my place looking for … what? Friendship with my family? He’s definitely not scared of humans.

Two hours later and Ginger has moved inside. He’s had a spat with Mewthos, another with Ziva. I’ve had breakfast, a chat with a friend … and now I’m trying to decide what I’d like to do. Oh, and on closer inspection, it turns out that Ginger’s eyes are blue, not green!

Isn't he a gorgeous cat? Amazing blue eyes!

I went out into the garden – managed to get past ginger without scaring him off. He keeps my felines indoors, so I took advantage and started working on a patch of grass near the gate. But it’s so overgrown, and so quickly – I came back upstairs and googled a pet friendly weed killer. Strangely enough, salt and vinegar was suggested – kind of funny, like I’m making fish and chips. Well, I covered the patches with both and hope that it’ll work. Oh, I could pour boiling water – that should kill them instantly. And the salt and vinegar will keep more weeds from coming up.

By that time, the Mips and Ginger come downstairs. There’s a lot of noise, occasional spats … and I’m just walking away. Right now I’ve got Lady Jane on the chair next to me, Mewthos by the door, Ginger halfway down stairs meowing at Ziva who’s sitting on the wall.

 

Romeo and Juliet, eh?

Well, I’ve tried the garden – it’s too hot in the sun and too cold in the shade. One of those days.

Well, after a good long chinwag with Rose and her daughter – watching the romance develop between Ginger and Ziva in between – the weather changed. It was overcast, and cool enough even in the sun, so I went into the garden. It’s amazing just how much of that Kikuyu has invaded my beds already, again! The Mips came down – and Ginger attacked Mewthos! So I chased him and made it very clear that attacking any of my family will not be tolerated!

 

Rose's tom is keeping Ginger in his place

Mewthos napping in the shade

Ginger around the corner lookup up at Lady Jane

Lady Jane keeping a distant eye on Ginger

The first Nasturtium is getting ready to bloom!

Ginger getting more adventurous, coming inside ... Mewthos is not happy

While I gardened, the Mips played – with the occasional check-in “What mommy doing?” At one point I worked at the bed where the cornflowers had been – and Lady Jane dug a hole, turned her back on me, and did her business. Right there, in my bed, right in front of me! Cheeky minx! But it does explain why the Cosmos our gardener transplanted there aren’t doing too well.

It was good to see Mewthos follow Lady Jane up the tree! First time I’ve seen him that high up since his accident. Well, okay, so he turned around at the first fork and went back down – but he did run up!

When I left, Ziva and her Romeo where nowhere to be seen. The Mips followed me – one after the other – and I’ve shut the door. Not making the same mistake I did last nigh, again! Oh, and when they went into play-mode, I lifted Lady Jane into the toy drawer (she’s been dying to get in there for ages!) and she promptly selected a toy and ran off with it. When they’d got bored with it, I repeated the procedure and Lady Jane selected a different toy.

Eventually Ziva came home – with her Romeo in tow! He started caterwauling outside again, so I opened the door again. He’ll keep the Mips inside and I can get some more fresh air. I decided to do the dishes, halfway through Ziva leads her armour outside – funnily enough, she settles on the wall of Rose’s courtyard, which is right outside the kitchen window! Just to be safe, I close the door, before the Mips decide to go wandering as well!

After the dishes, I fried myself dinner – rump steak. Halfway through that, Ziva comes strolling in! Her boyfriend seems to have gone home now, I don’t hear him outside. I’ve packed all toys away and the Mips have settled down … somewhere. Lady Jane is in the chair next to me – I better go look for Mewthos. Found him – taking a leaf out of his mommy’s book, curled up on the bed!

Getting time for me to curl up on the bed as well!

An idea

Very bad night. I went to sleep, all the Mips joined me, cuddling and sleeping – absolutely no reason I should not go to sleep. And then my brain said “Hello! Here’s a great idea – it’s here, it’s now, and you better get busy working on it right now!” I did for a while, and then tried to shut it off. No success. I ended up having two more cups of Chamomile tea in desperation – no luck. My getting up to make myself tea just re-activated the Mips – who started zooming around the lounge and kitchen.

It was past one when I finally managed to fall asleep – and, as a result, had a very hard time getting up this morning! I’m not impressed! I was so happy finally getting back to a routine I enjoyed, getting out of this wake-up-late misery. Ah well, thank you brain!

Oh, and just for laughs: When I woke up I found Mewthos trying to nurse on Lady Jane! I kid you not! He was nuzzling her tummy looking for a teat! When he saw me looking he started washing her instead – as if that would fool me! He is such a baby!

So, what is this great idea my brain tossed out so late at night, I hear you asking? Well, one thing that’s been nagging me is that I don’t really like to vent my frustrations with the shopping experiences on this blog. It just adds ugly, and accomplishes nothing. Well, it relieves my mental constipation – but that’s not what this blog is for. I’d like to keep it real, but positive. So the idea was about a separate outlet for just that. The ‘work’ the idea needed was to develop a concept where that would be constructive, not just venting venom.

At work I did some research. And, of course, the feisty little lady from that TV Program came to mind. You know the one I mean? Short, blond, feared battle axe going to any length to get a complaint resolved? Yeah – I could not think of the name, either, though her image was as clear as a picture in front of me. I once saw her in real life, when she stormed into Telkom’s NNOC (National Network Operations Centre) in the late 90s. I just could not remember her name, or the name of her show! Until I stumbled across it in a discussion-thread! Isabel Jones! Yeah, remember her? And now, all that’s available about her, are the news articles announcing her death! How sad is that? Oh, and I had always wondered why she seemed to have ‘sold out’ to make infomercials – the linked article answers that!

Anyway, rather than start my own platform, I’d prefer to join an existing one. There’s always HelloPeter, I’ve always got results when I logged a complaint there – as a last resort. But I found some reports that the site will take down a complaint if the company, against whom the complaint is lodged, request it. Without explanation or even responding to the complainer’s request for explanation.

Well, I need to do more research, and work out the details. The bonus, however, would be that from hereon, every disservice – rather than resentment – will become copy! As in: material for the platform. Which will make me feel loads better! A positive outlet for my frustrations – win-win, eh?

Back at home Ziva greeted me as usual – she now comes into the garage once the car is turned off! I’m afraid I couldn’t give her attention since I had to answer an urgent call from nature. Upstairs I found a half-eaten bird … first a wing, then its kidneys … and just outside the gate, what was left of the bird. Sigh. Mips went enthusiastically at it! Had a quick over-the-wall chat with Rose – it’s too cold for her outside (me, too). Mewthos insisted on playing with the bird – right at my feet. He kept dropping it on my foot! When I stepped back, he clawed my trousers, pulling them back towards the bird! Oh, and for some reason Ziva decided to make a grab at my cigarette! She just jumped up and with both paws grabbed at my hand – no claws. Same way she catches birds. Weird!

I considered spending some time in the garden, but it’s too cold even for me. I’ve even had to close the lounge window – front door is next. Could be the lack of sleep. Oh, and I’ve made the appointment for Mewthos’ snip – on Thursday, 12^th April. That was the earliest appointment I could get, and they only do them on Tuesdays and Thursdays – yeah, I know, they did Lady Jane on a Monday. I don’t know. Whatever.

Shame, my Mippies are wishing I’d come outside, so they can romp in the garden – with me upstairs, they prefer to stay close to me. Including Ziva – although she’s sitting on the wall outside. But I am ravenously hungry, so I’m waiting for my dinner to finish (steamed potatoes), then I’d like to either bath or shower, then grab a book and retire for the evening.

Ah, crap – I made the mistake of leaving the door open, just because the Mips were napping on the chair. So when it started getting dark, they reactivated – now they’re out playing and not coming in!

Well, Lady Jane came in and I can always keep her busy with a cuddle session – she ALWAYS loves cuddling! She’s also getting much better walking along my shoulders – not a single scratch this week! She’s learning to keep her claws in and trust me to not let her fall. Eventually even Lady Jane has cuddled enough and she’s moving towards the door again – so I sweep her up and put her in the bedroom. Then I go downstairs to look for Mewthos. I find him walking about in the fence with The Terror on one side and the ginger on the other! He’s having fun, but lets me pick him up and carry him up and in. Not long afterwards, Ziva comes strolling in – heads straight for the food bowls. Then there’s some howling – cat variety – going on outside, and all three of mine are sitting by the door listening attentively … like fans at a concert!

Memory Lane

For once, all felines came to sleep when I went to bed! Lady Jane burrowed under the duvet to warm up my feet for a while, but then settled outside with Ziva and Mewthos.

As a result, I woke up at a reasonable time – around seven. I start telling them that I’m going to work today, so they may learn to associate the word ‘work’ with long absence during which they want to stay inside. Ziva went out and by the time I was leaving had not come back – I guess I left earlier than she anticipated. When I got to the door, Lady Jane stuck a hopeful nose out, but when I carried her back to the chair and explained that I must work, she didn’t sneak out between my legs. Mewthos had settled on their chair for a nap.

Someone once told me, that in his opinion, photography is anti-social. Well, when you are spending quality time with someone, who is focused exclusively on photogenic scenes – he’s quite right. Or, if you go for a walk in idyllic scenery – only for the photo’s. I’ve lived without digital camera’s most of my life – and there aren’t many photo’s of me. I bought the digital camera, cheap, four years ago – and there still aren’t many photo’s of me, he he. I’m not a selfie-taker. I would take photo’s of socials – like work parties. And then I started going on photo-shoot walks and drives – the architecture in East London fascinates me! I spent hours walking along the beaches – sometimes with, but often without my camera. Of the most amazing event I experienced in East London – being surrounded by jumping dolphins and whales – the only photo’s are of water ... the ocean. See, my focus at the time was on the experience, not capturing the perfect shot. Other times, I took loads of shots trying to capture the enormous power of the ocean, when a wave brakes on a rock. Trying to get a shot at just the exact moment when the spray is at its peak! While I sit there, my focus is on the waves, the ocean, getting a feel for it – so that I can snap the shutter at just the right moment. And sometimes I get so enthralled, I forget the photo!

I’ve taken loads and loads of photo’s of all the different flowers and blooms in my garden – I’ve also taken loads and loads of photo’s of the Mips and Ziva. But a lot of the ‘perfect’ images, are in my head. I’ve described them in this blog, and I can re-read the blog and that image is right before my eyes, as if it was happening right now. Like the time Mewthos jumped into the swivel-bin head first. Or Quizzy Lizzy in pink feather heaven – when I got her that pink feather duster and she tore it apart and sat there surrounded by pink feathers with a big grin on her face! Or Lady Jane looking out the window asking “Mip, Mip?” when I thought I could sneak out to visit Rose. Or Earl, having climbed up the curtains sitting smug but scared on top of the curtain rails in my bedroom! Or Ziva, after she had inspected my flat, sitting in front of me with a face that seemed to say “Ok, your flat has passed inspection, now: feed me!” I could go on and on – see what I mean about loving to stroll down memory lane?

Back at home Ziva greeted me with a roll-around at the garage – as usual. It is lovely to be greeted with such enthusiasm. Every day! Rose was outside, but on her way indoors, since the wind had gotten too cold for comfort. I gave weeding a try – and sitting on the ground, the wind doesn’t reach me. I cleaned up one side of the path for a ways – with a lot of help and curiosity from Mewthos. He would paw at the ground to see what I was doing, and then roll on the path in front of me to give me something to do – scratch his tummy! Even with me sitting near the garage, neither Mip went towards the road. At one point all three inspected the rockery, but when Ziva went her way, the Mips stayed very close to me.

Later, I cleared the grass around that little lonely bush of Alyssum growing near the overturned tree. Mewthos came again to inspect – and when I’d cleared some weeds around the bush, he used the hole for … business. Then got very busy covering his … business. Lovely!

I also cleared the grass around Rose’s Geraniums in the hope that this will spare them from getting mowed down tomorrow. I also cleared the grass around some of the cosmos next to the path as well as around the planter – it had grown an inch during the week! Not that that will stop them – we’re talking about a ‘service’ that mowed down my Iris in the middle of the bed, but leaves any grass growing close to the garage wall or any other ‘inconvenient’ place.

Upstairs, I picked my pajamas's off the passage floor and fed my felines tinned pilchards. The mini’s love it, but Ziva is being fussy. So I sprinkled some catnip over it – which made her rather agro. She went for the Mips a few times before retreating into my bedroom. Mewthos has some ‘bully’ characteristics – like his growling, when he’s got hold of a treasure. He also pushes Ziva away to take her food – I have to intervene. Lady Jane doesn’t let herself be bullied – but then, she’s his sister.

Ziva’s position is a bit different: she’s his mommy, she looks out for her kittens – takes responsibility, and when I started feeding the Mips mousse she wasn’t allowed to eat until they finished. It’s kind of like the older-sister syndrome (makes it sound so modern, calling it a syndrome, doesn’t it?). Like with my little sister. I’d be told to let her win at games because she couldn’t take loosing – I never minded loosing, though. Or when she destroyed my hated needle-work macaroni-belt – three times! And my mum supported her declaration of innocence and forced me to re-do it. My mum knew my sister was lying – and let me pay the price. Because I’m the older sister. I have a better sense of right and wrong, so I’ll do better by Ziva. And Mewthos isn’t really mean – just a bit selfish, yet he is open to learning. When I push him away from Ziva’s bowl, he tries again, maybe a third time, but then he gets the message and accepts it. In my family, everybody has equal rights. And everybody deserves respect.

I think I have an idea regarding the pooping around the flat. It’s possible when the Mips watch me scoop their poop out of the sandbox, one of them started thinking that maybe they should try pooping somewhere else, where it doesn’t mean work for me. Hopefully whichever Mip it was, realizes some time that I never scoop up any poop in the garden – that would be helpful!

Anyway, I’ve made my cup of of Chamomile tea, soon it’s time for bed.

Releasing demons

Woke up lovely and early – just after seven. Despite a very bad night, I just could not seem to get to sleep. I couldn’t sleep in part because I have no plan for tomorrow – and this ‘drifting’ is not something I’m comfortable with. I’ll be moving sometime this year, and there are things I want done before I move – only, I’m not clear on what exactly I want done. And that’s bugging me.

Another thing keeping my mind spinning are some demons in my head. One issue in particular, which I can’t write about here. It’s a horror story, which is on-going, and there is nothing I can do. I’ve considered writing it in an anonymous blog, but this would be just a single entry. Maybe one day I’ll write it out as a fictional story. For now, I’ve written it out in my diary. And it has been a great relief. So much of a relief, that I don’t have anything left in me to put the rest of my demons on paper.

So, I tried some household chores – and found out that a Mip decided to crap in my laundry basket! Yikes! I’ve had to hand-wash those items before I could start the machine! Doing a pre-wash cycle, though – just in case.

I thought about spending some time in the garden today, but while I was putting my demon on paper, the weather turned. It’s overcast with a promise of rain. Mips have been driving me completely bazonkers all morning – Lady Jane was in full-blown cuddle mode, refusing to leave! Half. An. Hour! Non. Stop. Lady Jane cuddling! Followed by Mewthos mewling for attention. Followed by Ziva bringing in a grasshopper – which the Mips took away from her!

I just took a walk through the garden, with both Mips and mommy in tow. And I found more places where Alyssum is in bloom! I considered spending some time in that part of the garden, which is covered in massive weeds – would be fun, but it’s already drizzling. I wandered down to my beds, and there are loads of Nasturtium, Alyssum, Cosmos, Vieruurtjies and those lovely wild Lilies sprouting everywhere. The path could do with weeding again – but … what’s the point, now? I won’t get to enjoy the rewards of my labour at all, now … well, plus it’s drizzling.

Mips and even Ziva were napping peacefully, so I thought I’d be able to sneak out and visit Rose. Yeah, that didn’t work out. As I’m downstairs, Lady Jane calls me – standing with her feet inside and her head out the window! Going “Mip, Mip?” Well, back upstairs, open the door and the entire horde come running happily down the stairs joining my visit with Rose, coming plop, plop, plop over the fence and exploring her garden.

I spiced up the rice dish with some fresh ginger (well, I freeze it when it’s fresh, then grate the frozen ginger into dishes), some peri peri oil and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Oh, and pepper, paprika and curry. Now it has tang and bite! Yum! And on a coolish day, like today, it’s the perfect meal!

Oh man, Mewthos just brought in a wasp! Seriously! It ended up under the shading and when I lifted the shading, I found another pile of poop! Why? Who is pooping in every dark corner of my flat – and why? The litter box is cleaned daily! What’s the problem, here? Well, I cut out the pile out of the shading, collected the dead grasshopper, squished the wasp and collected that as well.

Eventually the Mips settle down and nap again, so I figure I’ve got a chance to make lunch for tomorrow. Only … Lady Jane goes into another one of her cuddle-frenzies. There’s no other way to describe it, she goes nuts! Mips at me, jumps up at me – as I’m standing at the counter making my butties she first jumps up my leg, crawling inside my shorts; and when that doesn’t get her her will, she grabs them and nearly pulls them down! While I’m holding, hugging and cuddling her, Ziva comes strolling in – so I open another sachet and divide it by three. Finally I’m ignored and can finish packing my lunch!

Oh, and with Ziva indoors, I can also take a bath! I’m ignoring Ziva, though – she’s got her ‘let me out or this will get noisy’ face on.

I opted for a shower instead, and all the Mips came to investigate. First Ziva crouched under the towel holder, then the mini’s came in one by one. When I was drying myself, Lady Jane jumped into the bath for a thorough investigation. Afterwards, Ziva put on her ‘I wanna go out’ act again, fought with both Mips, slouched around the flat and made a lot of noise until I gave her some catnip. Yeah, that act of hers is really, really annoying!

Mips are in nap-mode now and Ziva slouched off into the bedroom. So I’m going to grab a book and join her.