Blue Monday

Mewthos came for an intensive cuddle session after I’d gone to bed last night. He came to explore by my face, I held open the duvet and he crawled under it just like Mynx used to do. Only, Mewthos settled in the crook of my body, by my hips, instead of in my arms, like Mynx used to. He stayed for quite some time, getting stroked and his tummy rubbed.

Then, he and Lady Jane activated again. I had to get up after I heard a loud clatter in the kitchen! They had knocked the scissors, held with a magnet pouch, off the fridge – again! Now, if those scissors fall onto one of them, that could be ... not just dangerous, but even fatal! So I moved them from the side of the fridge to the door.

This morning I woke up feeling as if I had been run over by a steamroller during the night! Every muscle and ever thing that could ache, ached. The scar on my stomach felt as if needles had been stuck alongside it, and the muscles around the scar were equally painful with every move. I was curled up close to the wall, which was very uncomfortable. The Mippies were having a lick-fest by my feet – all three of them.

With the pain in the muscles around the scar, getting up was very strenuous. It reminded me of the days after the operation, when I could not use those muscles at all, but had to find a way of getting upright using pillows and my arms. After I finally managed to get out of bed, I had a coughing attack. A bad one, which is rare even though I smoke more than a pack a day. I struggled to breathe while at the same time coughing – my eyes were watering like waterfalls!

It took a while for everything to settle down so I could go to work. I let Ziva out, and she came to say goodbye when I left (she usually sees me off and welcomes me home). I didn’t even have to bribe the Mips to sneak out – they are beginning to understand ‘I have to go to work today’, I hope!

At work, we’re kind of stuck. I’ve managed to push through one item – but we’re still waiting for project management to let us know which quote they’ll accept, before we can even start making arrangements! I’ve added the list of what’s involved AFTER they’ve given an answer – just to give them an idea that it’s not: they answer, and poof: Job instantly completed! It’s taken three weeks just to get this carnet container removed (they’ll collect tomorrow), and we’ve been working on the other four containers for over a month now. According to the current schedule, I’ll be the only one left on site next week, as the site manager is booked on a flight back to Germany on Monday.

There’s nothing to do now but wait for answers, so we decided to call it a day. Back at home the gardener has done a great job – as always. He cleaned up under the cactus – but unfortunately pulled out and threw away all the little cacti which had started growing there. There are still more and he won’t throw them out again. We discussed also that all the Tecoma under the cactus and the hibiscus must come out – there’s no room for all three, so one will have to go. Except at the top, by the fence – they can grow there. There are also a lot of succulents in between the Tecoma, they don’t get tall at all, just spread beautifully along the rockery underneath the cactus and the hibiscus. I told him he’s welcome to come to work next Monday. With Friday and next Tuesday being public holidays, he may need to go to one of his long-standing regulars on Monday – or maybe he will need the income. Being casual labour, he doesn’t get paid if he doesn’t work – he doesn’t get paid public holidays. So, if he wants the income, he can come work for me – the choice is his.

The Mippies are still attempting to investigate the garden next door to Rose’s – where The Terror lives with two doggies. Mewthos stood looking over the wall for a bit, but changed his mind and didn’t jump. Maybe he saw a dog, maybe it was me calling him back. Lady Jane also took a look – only she investigated the hole under the wall, which she used yesterday. She also turned away without going through.

Romeo showed up as well, went upstairs for a long chomp, chomp, chomp. I always have to get up and leave the stairs clear for him to go up to eat, and again to let him pass when he’s ready to leave. That always brings to mind the excerpt from the Terry Pratchett novel ‘Going Postal’ and later ‘Making Money’ where the lead character learns to open the door and move the furniture so Mr Tiddles, the Post Office Cat can do his punctual round. If furniture is in his way, Mr Tiddles will stand with his head against the obstructing item until someone moves it for him.

As it was starting to get cold, the Mips moved upstairs – kind of telling me that I must come inside, so they can get their cuddles and hugs! They haven’t run around nearly enough for my liking – although Lady Jane followed Ziva out of the gate towards the road at one point! She would not listen when I called, and Ziva was being contrary and curled up for a lie-down just outside the gate. I had to go all the way to the gate to get Lady Jane back to safety!

Well, we didn’t let the Mips wait very long – as it was getting cold. Upstairs I spent some time with each – still trying to get them to do cuddling together instead of one after the other! Then I started dinner. I’m making chicken all-sorts – adding all sorts of left-overs to the chicken stew. Two bananas, a pack of cherry tomatoes, a mango, some lentils, some ginger … all sorts. Oh, and the Nürnberger sausages left over from Saturday’s breakfast. It’s nearly done – I wonder how it will taste?

Ziva came home quite early as well, rushed to the food bowls then sat by the door wanting to go out again. So I gave her attention instead.

Lady Jane is a really naughty little one! She just dashed across my lounge table, upsetting everything on the table, and when I called in dismay, she hid behind the curtains! While Mewthos came to see why I’m upset – giving the impression he was to blame! This is not the first time she’s caused havoc, then hidden away leaving goofy Mewly to face the music!

Well, that was an interesting taste collage! I’ve never cooked bananas before – I must say, it was quite tasty! I’m looking forward to another serving tomorrow night! I distracted the Mippies with a tin of tuna in jelly – only to see they ate less than half of it! Sigh, I had even spiced it with catnip!

Ziva and her Mips are still going to be a lot of trouble before they all accept each other. Note to self: Never keep any kittens, if the mother of same is staying. She’ll walk past Mewthos and simply swat him – for no apparent reason. She’ll stretch herself across a doorway and hiss and swat at any Mip trying to cross. Whether it’s the front door and she’s keeping them from coming in, or the passage. On rare occasions she’ll play with them – though I can never tell whether she’s playing or fighting. Since there is no mewling or crying, I’m optimistically hoping it’s play. And once they are all inside for the night, Ziva retreats to the bedroom – like she’s saying “I don’t want to be in the same room with that mob!” At night they sleep apart, mostly. Occasionally a Mip is allowed to snuggle with Ziva, but for the most part, she keeps her distance. And yet, in the mornings, they are usually all three huddled together either washing each other or watching me to see how soon I’ll open my eyes. I fear Ziva may fear she’ll be neglected, so I make a lot of effort to give her attention while she’s home – being such a wanderer, that’s not an awful lot of time.

Well, I’ve cooked, eaten, cleaned out the litter box, packed lunch – now I get a bit of time to play before it’s time to go to bed. Hopefully I’ll have a better night than I did last night!