Another year...and what have we done?

Well, for one thing, we saved the big and handsome Manitou from great misfortune (back in February). Here he is caught deep in contemplation, and shortly afterward, realizing he is being filmed, he poses more cheerfully:

Merry Christmas to All and to all a Good Snooze!!

Bandito in a Christmas basket - what more could be cozier:


Unless everyone else is snoozing as well, check out The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Winter Solstice

As the Winter Solstice approaches, and the temperatures dip down to very frigid levels (-17 Celsius here today), it is good to be warm and cozy inside, humans and cats alike. Even better, to be surrounded by blooms and greenery, a reminder of what the solstice heralds: the days will grow longer, and the promise of spring, though lying dormant beneath the snow, grows closer every day.

I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December
A magical thing
And sweet to remember.

'We are nearer to Spring
Than we were in September,'
I heard a bird sing
In the dark of December.
-----
Oliver Herford
(1863-1935)

See what’s going on at The Friday Ark and also at Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

This Way or That?

Longfellow is such a sweetie. He is what one may say a "low-maintenance" cat. He doesn't ask for much: an open door whenever he asks, a pillow or soft human to knead, a bowl full of crunchies he can pick out one by one (he's on a diet, you know! wink-wink), and the possibility of having a bit of leftovers from your plate - he loves tomato sauce! Here we see Sir Longfellow taking the high ground, making sure the evil Timster isn't around to spook him.

Climb aboard The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

The Watched and the Watcher

Ah yes, Longfellow does love to lounge about, tummy up (everyone say "Awwww!"), in blissful oblivion to the ever watchful Timmy, ready to pounce when he least expects it. Actually, Timmy rarely attacks when Longfellow is sleeping, rather, ambushing him around corners and down hallways is more his style. Better still, wack him on the bum as he's trying to step off the porch.

Check out other antics at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Wordless Wednesday - The Cats in my Office

Is It Christmas Yet?

No, Timmy, it's not Christmas yet, but (as Bob Dylan says), "it's gettin' there"! Actually. this picture is from last year's holiday season: Timmy hopped onto the hall table to pose with the Christmas angel. Or so one would think. Truth be told, that clever cat knew darn well a pouch of catnip lay hidden in the drawer!

For those who don't know the story, Timmy was named after Tiny Tim, of the Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol. We saw this poor little guy hobbling on three legs one very cold Christmas, and so we saved him - that's the very short version of the story!

As always, there are more happy "tails" over at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Is this how it's done?

Having watched Longfellow many a time roll over and let it all hang out, Manitou decided to practice the move, and when he finally got it, he looked at me as if to say, "look, I can do it too, and notice how my paws are cutely tucked in!"

As always, there's more to see at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.

Wordless Wednesday: Handsome, Aren't I?

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Ah yes, a question Manitou seems to be posing amid the empty pots and tables that were not too long ago overflowing with blooms and all manner of green things.

See how others are coping with the change of the seasons at The Friday Ark and then Carnival of the Cats on Sunday.