Category Archives: cats

Most of these posts have some connection to two rascals: Andy and Dougy, the Persian cat brothers I’ve had since late summer of 2011. They make me laugh, and, on occasion, say naughty words in a loud voice. They are, however, the joy of my retirement! Earlier ones about Louie the ginger cat lead me to refocusing on my pet cats once I became a two-cat person. I got the brothers shortly after Louie died in August 2011. They were born July 1, 2011, so I had to wait a little after Louie died before they were available. They were rascally kittens, but played well together. One is named after the patron saint of Scotland, St. Andrew the apostle. I wanted to honor my family’s strong Scottish roots by giving him a name connected to Scotland. When I got his brother a short time later, I wanted to give him a Scottish name, too. Friends suggest some horrific ones” Angus, Archibald…and those are just the “A” names! Then I had an epiphany: My name is as Scottish as it gets: Douglas. In a fit of mirth, I decided to name the second kitty “Dougy”! Why not? He isn’t a junior, though. He and I have different middle names.

Post 890: …busy, busy, busy

What a morning! I decided to update my pc to Windows 10 from the perfectly workable Windows 7 that it came with. What a soul-sucking, tedious, mind-numbing process that turned out to be!

I didn’t see any particular reason to do this other than it is free now and probably will cost something to do later. I haven’t explored Windows 10 yet so have no sense of whether it is an improvement or just something one needs to do before Windows 7 no longer is supported by Microsoft.

I still have my laptop to update to Windows 10. Fewer files, newer operating system (Windows 8), and no urgency to complete the job means I can start the process and walk away from it till it completes its course.

=(^+^)=

That noted, let’s get on with the kitty boys update!

Handy Andy!

You know Andy was a very bad boy yesterday. He didn’t coöperate with his tormentor, me, and take his medicine like a big boy. I spent at least two hours trying to catch the little bugger, and he evaded me very effectively each time.

Then, when I headed off to bed, I saw him resting on top of my pc, one of Andy’s favorite perches. I simply walked over to him, picked him up (no struggle!), and walked him over to the chair where I give him his medicine.

Less than five minutes from start to finish, I caught Andy, gave him his medicine, and set him down on the floor for his kitty treat for being a “good enough” kitty. (He wasn’t a really good kitty, after all!)

Andy doesn’t take his medicine with grace…

It wasn’t all tedium this morning, however. The boys and I had lots of fun with their favorite Neko wand toy. I wore them out with play, and they are taking their morning naps now. Of course!

=(^+^)=

Post 889: “C’mon, Andy!”

You may think Andy’s on the job here, guarding my pc and making sure I don’t open any naughty websites…

“C ‘mon, Andy!”

What’s actually happening is Dougy just stopped by and invited Andy to come down and play their little wand toy game, the one with the rules I can’t discern.

Quite an improvement over yesterday, when Andy and Dougy were having a tussle!

Post 888: Watch out, Dougy!

Andy’s feeling his oats today. Dougy better get your “A” game on because Andy’s waiting to chase you!

“Where is that rascal?”
Andy wants to romp today!

Careful for what you wish, Andrew!!

“Uh oh…!”
Andy realizes something too late.

The boys had their tussle. A little kitty fur was pulled. There was some serious chasing going on. Dougy had his “A” game on and Andy got more than he planned for!

(Don’t worry! They made up and are being nice to each other again.)

Post 887: Caturday again! What a fast week it’s been….

We don’t plan on stressing ourselves much today. It’s Caturday and Caturday is meant for fun things.

Andy and I, for example, will get some skritching done if nothing else~!

Andy and I know how to have a good time on Caturday!
Dougy will get his share later when he stops by.

886: Dougy is on alert…

Something caught Dougy’s attention this morning when he was hiding in his favorite box.

Waiting for prey to walk by.
Dougy is a predator!

Hark! Dougy hears something that piques his interest.

Hark! Dougy sees something that piques his interest.

Why, it’s a paper towel tube!
Dougy is on top of it in a flash!

Post 885: cat tree lazing…

Dougy loves the cat tree. It’s his command post for lots of fun kitty snooping. Yet he can climb into the tube for a snooze when things tire him out!

Dougy can see me at the computer. from this perch.

Dougy can watch me at the computer from his perch.

But what's happening outside the window is more interesting.

But outside the window is more interesting today.

Post 884: dark kitties of the corn…

I sensed a presence. A chill descended on the room and I felt a compulsion to flee…or scream…or, well, to skritch someone’s chin…!

dark kitties of the corn

Post 883: la-la-la…

002
It’s one of those days, I fear. I don’t have any big plans other than to bank some money and that check I got in yesterday’s mail. It would be a good day to clean house or wash clothes. I’ll see how things develop.

Post 882: welcome mail…!

I’m no different from you: Most of my mail is junk mailers and magazines.

Today was different, though, and my mail contained a couple of items I was really pleased to get, neither expected.

Clutter in one place is art in another.

Awhile back, Jim M., one of the people I follow of Facebook, offered this drawing to the person who wrote he or she wanted it. I said I’d like to be considered from those who wrote they were interested.

I was the vice president of Nebraska Ornithologists’ Union back in the late 1980s and the symbol of that organization is a burrowing owl. I mentioned this connection to Jim, then Jim selected me to get the drawing. I was and am delighted! So are Jim and Sandy, his wife and artist, because they are trying to relieve some of the clutter in their small Manhattan apartment by sharing it with others! Brilliant!

Jim and Sandy? Probably not, but I like to think it is!

The thumbnail ink sketch with watercolor is a bonus I think. I don’t recall this drawing in the offer. I love the whimsy of it so I’m delighted Jim sent it, too!

The other thing that came in the mail was a $50 check to relieve part of a large debt someone has with me for a telephone bill. She left town, leaving me with a $449.39 telephone bill since I’d co-signed for her so she could have telephone service. I wrote about it in the post I headed “a hard lesson”.

To her credit, she finally started paying me $50 a month in July, and now is $100 closer to having me off her back. Others predicted I’d never see a cent toward the bill so anything she pays me is well appreciated.