The end of last week I could have sworn that Spring was well on it's way.





I spent some time in the front flowers beds and even saw some green sprouting.

Goldie was out rolling in the brown grass and trying to bake on the walkway.





The PM was excited that she could go out in just a sweater and sneakers.

That all changed yesterday. We had a storm all day and are looking at about a foot of snow this morning. How depressing. The PM didn't even want to take a photo.

The only good thing about it was that the storm brought a bunch of new birds to our feeders, looking for a bit of respite.

I like birds and not the same way Goldie and Banshee like them. I envy their capacity of flight and their ability to make music.

Yesterday we hosted Fox Sparrows, Song Sparrows, Tree Sparrows, Chickadees, Dark-Eyed Juncos, Grackles and a flock of Red-Winged Blackbirds. The PM had the wee ones on the look out for new birds. The wee lad has his own birdbook and it got lots of use.

We are hoping this mess melts very, very soon.

It was a very long weekend out here in the woods. The folks were real busy and then the PM got a migraine so no visiting our friends.

Then something happened that made me question my mancathood.

This fine fellow is Beary and The Grampie gave it to the PM on the day she was born. He used to be all covered in fur but is now practically bald along with being blind and clawless due to lovin' over the years. He's 38 years old and is treated with respect.

Usually.



The PM noticed that he had been attacked.



Yep, holes chewed in his ear. Suspiciously looking like mouse doings. A mouse could not have been running through the house while I was on duty. As I tried to come up with a more plausible answer, this occurred.

The wee ones were in bed so the PM decided to try some new chips she had bought a few days ago. She opened them up, had one and thought they seemed a tad stale. She turned the bag over looking for the best before date and that is when she saw this.



A hole chewed right through the bag. The hole that seemed to be the right size for a rodent to squeeze it's way into. As this realization dawned on the PM, her gag reflex kicked in as the taste of the stale chip lingered in her mouth.

My little cat brain was spinning. This can't be happening. It must be a tear in the bag, that's all. We haven't had mice in the house all winter.

"You shouldn't be eating chips anyway", I blurted out. "What's wrong with a little mouse pee?" "Everyone eats their pound of dirt, right?"

The PM, looking a tad green, took the bag and poured the chips out into the compost pail. These were resting on the top.



Holy Crap is right!!!!!! My supper even came up a little bit.

How could a mouse sneak in and cause such damage under my nose? I am a hunter for Bast's sake! Was it too many hours spent bird watching and squirrel drooling. Lazily sleeping by the fire every afternoon for months? I must be losing my touch.

I have to make it up to the PM. I am going to hunt down that vermin and make a little rug out of him for her toe.

I hope....

First off we want to say goodbye to our friend Cal who went to the Bridge yesterday. He's running free and full of all the energy of a kitten now.

I'm in trouble today. Well not really me as I was just doing what came natural but the Music Man's in trouble.

Yesterday the whole crew came home from town where they had spent the night working, swimming and going to the Library. It was suppertime and the PM went out to take some measurements around the yard. She is trying to decide what shrubs to order so she was out trudging through the snow mapping out some new beds. It was actually nice out and the wee ones and MM all went outside too. Then Shade and Goldie went out to lay in the front flower beds in the setting sun.

I was left inside. Staring at the fun outside.

The PM knows I will be going out sometime but she wants to try it when it is much nicer, there are no fear of foxes around and she and the wee ones are out doing yard work for hours so she can keep an eye on me. She tried to put the harness on me earlier and I practically strangled myself getting out of it so she knew that wasn't going to be of much help.

Well, the PM was by the pergola and the MM went to go get some gloves inside and he was holding the door open. She yelled, "Watch out, you are going to let Banshee out". He said that was the plan and that I needed to go out at some point. Then as I put a paw on the cool earth he let it slip that he had done this before this winter and that I always just ran back inside.

Well, my little MM, that was then and this is now! I sniffed at the doorway for two seconds then bolted off. The PM was livid and started running after me. I was too excited and ran over snow heading for the open field. The PM got a hold of me while I was smelling a pine cone and tried to take me in. She kept falling through the crust in the snow and twisted her knee, which was already sore from twisting it earlier in the week. I started doing my "hind-legs-pinwheel-move" and caught her twice on the wrist. She dropped me and I took off again. She finally wrangled me under one of the cars and got me when I came out to smell some ice. She yelled "Open the flippin' door!!!!" which the MM did and I was dumped back inside.

I have to say I loved it!!!! I ran around the house playing THoE for the next hour.

The PM's knee hurts quite a bit. She had wanted to get up early and help us blog but she tossed and turned all night and only really got to sleep early this morning. She only woke up at 7. She said we'll have to visit our friends through the weekend. They are going to the wee cousin's bowling birthday party today and the PM doubts she'll be able to bowl as her knee is so wretched.

The MM better be on his best behaviour this weekend.

I am making up for it by being cute and charming.

Goldie said I should do the Honesty meme since I am the newest Sumac Feline. So here we go, my list of things about me, no fibbing allowed.

• I enjoy the broom and the mop.  I followed them around where ever they go.
  
• I am a stinky goodness hog and will overtake Goldie and eat his if he is not quick enough and the PM is looking the other way.
• I like to burrow under blankets.
• Shade and I are still not friends.
• I actually try to be friends with her, walking by with my tail up and giving her a little greeting but she just swears at me.
• I then get annoyed and give her a back-off lunge.
• I will catch that red squirrel this summer as he taunts me relentlessly. I will make a nice hat out of his fur for next winter.
• I tried to eat some of the Tiramisu cheesecake that the PM make for her friends on Friday.  It was cooling on the counter and the PM walked in as I jumped up to snoop. If she had of been 30 seconds later,  a nice chunk would have been in my chompers.
• I used my claws of doom on the PM. On purpose.  I was trying to sleep, she was patting me too much, face to close to mine and it happened. I just wanted to give her a tap but my claws were out and I got her right on the side of the nose. Blood was dripping.  It was a mistake. She tells the wee ones, "Pat Banshee only twice per time and don't have your face too close to hers, she doesn't like that." If she had followed her own rules, it wouldn't have happened. 
• I made up for it by crawling under the blankets with the PM, cat curl in the small of her back. 

We had a very quiet weekend. The family went in town for the weekend and we were left to entertain ourselves.

I tried playing with cars as the wee lad can do this for hours!



Not really a cat activity I guess. I then spent some time cleaning my pantaloons.



Banshee was not impressed with the show.



The family, on the other hand, went down to the cottage and the wee lad actually fed a chickadee from his hand. She landed on his hand and took a peanut. Now that's an activity I can get involved in!!!!!!!!

We also received some awards the last little while which we would like to acknowledge.

Thanks so much Orion and Junior.



It comes with these rules: “When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to said person so everyone knows who he or she is. Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including ones who have no idea who you are because you don’t have 7 friends. Show the 7 random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Weblog.” Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten honest things about yourself. Then, pass it on! “

I am asking Banshee to do this meme tomorrow and she will try to be honest!

Thank you Grrreta,



Elin,



and Lily.

Today is Shade's Gotcha Day!! Yippee!!! Yahoo!!!!! She has been with the PM and Music Man for nine years now which means she is now 10 years old.

Whoa Shade! Into the double digits!

Oops. I shouldn't have said that out loud as Shade gets to choose today's flashback and she picked the one I still have nightmares about. I should have know. Maybe somecat out there will learn from this. Consider it a PSA.

Shade~Goldie is sleeping, resting from his day so I am going to tell the story.

We had another long chat about the winter and how the snow has a thick crust on it due to all the freezing rain. Nothing scary. He was unsure until he saw the MusicMan and the wee ones out there walking on top of the snow too. He got his energy back and he went out with them. I said he should stay in and rest one more day but you know those young Mancats, they don't listen.

As the door was being shut I heard the MusicMan ask, "Hey Goldie, want to go on a crazy carpet ride?" My calls of "No, Goldie!" echoed in the house, unheard and I saw him run over to them.

Our yard has a slight incline and with all of the ice, it was the perfect sliding hill.

I watched in horror mixed in with a touch of anticipation as the MusicMan picked Goldie up and sat with him...on the crazy carpet...with the wee ones...on the top of the slope. The apricot fool had such a serene look on his face it was almost too much to bear, but I kept watching. They started moving, faster and faster, the crazy carpet making a loud, scraping sound in the quiet woods. Goldie's furr face contorted into something unrecognizable, then the flailing started. A blurr of paws, furr and limbs. Then as if plucked off the carpet by the unseen hand of Mother Nature herself, Goldie leaped and made a bee-line for the door, paws slipping out from under him all the way.



I know you shouldn't laugh in those types of situations but I couldn't help it. It was a spectacle to behold. Goldie looking like he had been through the war. I think it aged him a bit.



Goldie, ranting in the background~ Crazy carpet! Yeah, I was the crazy one! They should call it "a death ride"," a ticket to hell", "full speed to broken legs"...

Shade~ I better go, he needs me.

I was hoping this one wasn't going to come up but Banshee has been reading through the archives and enjoyed this one. It was an honest mistake. Any cat would have made it.

Shade~Will you stop staring at me, I am trying to get to sleep.
Goldie~I have to talk to you about something, it'll just take a minute.
Shade~OK, hurry up though. I need my 15 hrs beauty sleep.
Goldie~Did you see me get in trouble today, by a wee one?
Shade~Yeah, it was pretty funny. She's turning into a mini PM.


Goldie~She yelled at me for pooping outside and went around with her wee shovel scooping it. She..she...she called me a dog.
Shade~Hey, don't cry. I am sure she didn't mean it.
Goldie~But don't dogs poop wherever they want to? Going willy nilly all over the place? I thought I had my dig/bury routine down to a science.
Shade~Well....
Goldie~Look at this form, such poise, such strength.


Shade~You know...
Goldie~See, I do one side then do a reverse pivot to ensure complete coverage.


Shade~You poop in the snow.
Goldie~Well yeah, it's fluffy, perfect for digging, like sand in the winter.
Shade~It's like you poop in water.
Goldie~WHAT????
Shade~When the snow melts it turns into water.
Goldie~NO!
Shade~Yes.
Goldie~NO!!!
Shade~Yes.
Goldie~Why didn't you say something?
Shade~You never asked and I thought you were just being your weird self.
Goldie~Snow turns into water?
Shade~Like crapping in a bathtub.
Goldie~Dang.

This post is one of the PM's favorites. She loves the look on my face. I really can be a love pig sometimes.

PM, what are you looking at? Oh, THOSE cats. I agree they are very floofy, funny and entertaining beyond belief but hey, look at what you have right here.



No, right HERE!

Keep your eyes focused over here!



Just a second, I have to tell you about a crazy dream I had.

Ouch the wee one just pulled my fur!

Have I told you how much I love you today?

(I knew that would get to her.)

Shade~

I know there are some curvy cats out there and I thought a review of one of my photo tips would come in handy.

Before this blogging business, I never really paid attention to how I look in photos. Well, I have been studying them recently and will post my findings and tips periodically.

Today is Tip #1.

When you are a slightly rotund cat, you need to be aware of your angles and find out what works best for you. The best idea is to stretch yourself as long as possible to give the illusion of thinness. This next shot is of me reclining on the PM during our relaxing time when the wee ones and Goldie are all in bed. Laying on something that is not flat is also good as you mould into the curves.



This next shot is a classic "taking a bath" shot and really should be avoided. I look like a ball and not in a cute way. Also I am propping my rump up with a pillow and a small toy spoon. This is also not very slimming. If you are going to lie on a uneven surface said surface has to be bigger than you. Finally, stay away from patterns as they bring too much attention to you. I should have been on the plain couch and not the crazy chair, with added plaid throw.



Hope this helps. Practice with a mirror if need be.

Wow! That was a looong week! I am very glad to be back. The PM had a good trip but we were stuck with a very sick Music Man so not so much fun for us. He did remember to feed us so that's a good thing!!

The PM is now sick and we have nothing new and interesting to report. No adventures, no neat photos. So instead of posting a daily snow melt report, we are going to take the week to post some of our favorite posts from last winter

This is my absolute favorite. I haven't had a chance to replicate this at all this winter.

I got it, I got IT, I GOT IT!!!!!!!

Yes, I am great, I used my superb tracking and hunting skills and that sly mouse is GONE!!! I knew if I waited long enough, he'd make another appearance. It didn't last long though. I am sooooo good it scares me, really.

There was just a very small problem with the situation, a slight issue that put a damper on my enthusiasm.



I know, I know, not good.

I am not sure what happened but it has been so long since I got a vile mouse that I may have been a little too zealous with my post kill corpse fling.

As you can see, the mouse ended up IN the wee ones toy basket in the livingroom. The discovery of said mouse was actually really quite funny. Well, to me at least.

Wee one (2 1/2 yrs old)~ Momma, where is my moose?
PM~ Check your basket.
Wee one (2 1/2 yrs old)~(Takes all the big toys out)~ Momma, there's a mouse in here.
PM~Yes, that's what you were looking for.
Wee one (2 1/2 yrs old)~ No, a mouse.
PM~Isn't that what you wanted?
Wee one (2 1/2 yrs old)~ NO, a mouse. Come see.
PM~Ahhhhh! It is MOUSE.
Wee one (2 1/2 yrs old)~ That's what I saaaaaid!

Funny eh?

PM didn't think so. I got the "leave a dead mouse where I can see it right away" speech. They should be happy I am so fierce. What do they want, a house filled with vermin?

Any way, I am happy. MANCAT MONDAY indeed!

Just sitting around, perusing the menu.

Hmmmm.....  Now let me see.   What do I feel like?????

I'll take one of each!!!!!!!!!!

After last week's problems, you think the PM would be on double time blog duty but she told us we are only blogging for two days this week.

WHAT?????

Apparently the PM has a group of friends who used to go on road trips a lot before the babies came. They would go away a couple of times a year to Maine, Montreal or Boston. That hasn't happened in awhile as people started their families and no on has the extra time or money. Well one of the girls is pregnant and she's the last one to have children so they decided to take one last roadtrip. So the PM is off for a few, just the girls.

The Nanny is taking care of the wee ones and we are left with the Music Man. Again. He better not forget our Stinky Goodness this time!!!!!

I was mad so I gave the PM a little bit of a scare.

Sometimes I scratch at the door to be let out and the PM knows I have to go pee. If the weather is crazy or it's really cold she lets me out as she knows I will go out, do my business and rush back in. She doesn't want to have me wondering the yard with the foxes out.

We had just had a storm in the night so the PM figured it would be OK. She didn't realize that it wasn't that cold and we had about 6 hours of hail/freezing rain so the snow on the ground was hard as a rock. I wasn't sinking in at all!

I started snooping and then took off down the driveway.

The PM kept calling my name but I wouldn't come.

She went to put her boots on and had just stepped out into the yard when I came trotting up the walk.

Hee Hee Hee

First off, I want to apologize for not visiting any of my friends the last couple of days. Last minute, on Tuesday, the MM decided to rent a jackhammer to do some work that needed to be done in the basement/crawlspace. The PM said she didn't want to stick around and listen to that all day so she packed up the wee ones and they went to stay at The Nanny's. Not only did we have to listen to racket for three day, we couldn't visit our friends and the MM forgot to give us any Stinky Goodness. The nerve!!!!! The PM came home late yesterday afternoon and it didn't get much better as the wee lad ended up getting the sickness the wee-est one had on the weekend and he was pretty wiped out and I dare say, so was the PM. She did give us some wet food and said she would be helping us visit our friends, Friday and through the weekend. It is kind of slow moving around here but at least I have my whole family back home.

Now back to my post~

Banshee spoke of her "love of clutter" yesterday so today I want to share with you one of my favorite "room to sprawl" spaces.



This is a type of island that The Grampie made for the PM after they bought the house. The top is made for one huge single slab of tree.



The PM finally got it cleared off and that is how I like it. It had been buried under piles of things since before Christmas.

It makes the perfect place on which to bathe.







It is very smooth and the perfect size for me!



It also looks great with my colour of  fur which is always a bonus!