what goes up must come down

Have you ever climbed a tree?  I have.  Actually, I've climbed my fair share of trees.  I figure, if the peep is gonna grow 'em, I may as well climb 'em.

Climbing trees can be a lot of fun.  This is how you do it.  First, you stake out the desired tree.  Then, you watch the tree from afar, making sure that there's a clear path between it and you.  You crouch down low and wiggle your bum, always keeping your eyes trained on that tree.  You have to be sure it doesn't move.  Usually, a couple more bum wiggles are in order then, all of a sudden, you take off.  You race toward the tree, still keeping your eyes on it, and leap up into the air.  Then you climb...  all claws out now...  climb and climb and CLIMB.

Oh, what a thrill it is.  A real adrenaline rush as you make your way into the uppermost branches of said tree.  Suddenly, you're up higher than anyone else.  Anyone else in the world!  You can see for miles...  okay yards...  but you get the picture.  It's an amazing feeling.

But then comes the crash.  No, it's not about falling out of the tree.  Although, if the branch you're on happens to break I suppose you would crash.  But put those nasty thoughts out of your mind.  What happens is this.  You look down.  You realise just how high up in the air you are.  And you realise, what goes up, must come down.  But how do you make that happen?

Usually, I wait a little bit.  Never know...  a peep just might get the big ladder out of the garage and come fetch you.  Or better yet, maybe call the fire department?  Usually though, a cat has gotta get down from the tree all by himself.  It's tricky but definitely can be done.  After all, as I said, I've climbed my fair share of trees and have always managed to extricate myself somehow.  I'm not stuck up in a tree right now!  Don't be so silly.

Personally, I like to come down backwards, very slowly and with both eyes closed.  Once I'm about a peep's height from the ground, I'll sneak a peek and then jump the rest of way.  Quite often, there will be a peep standing there, arms stretched out, calling to me to jump.  I've thought of jumping into their arms but then I figure, why make myself beholden to a peep?  No, best to just jump straight onto the ground.   What I am considering though is to ask the peeps to stack soft landing things below all my favourite trees.  I could do that.  That wouldn't make me too beholden.  Plus, it would stop the complaints when I land in peep #1's flower beds.  Hey, that would make her beholden to me.  I like that idea.  Yes, I like it very much.

I can't believe I won an award!

Can you believe it?  I won an award!  It's called the Liebster award and was given to me by my friend Mario from Mario's Meowsings.  I can't believe it!  I actually won an award!

I didn't even know there were such things.  I mean...  sure...  I've seen the stuff on TV with the red carpets and whatnot.  But those are for actors.  Very rarely do you see a cat at the Oscars.  And that's wrong...  don't you think?

Come to think of it, the first peep has won a few awards at her garden club.  They have these flower show shindigs.  But I never get invited to those ceremonies.  And that, too, is wrong...  don't you think?  I mean, really!  It's not like I don't help her with the gardening.  I dig.  I dig things up.  Sometimes I might even fertilise a plant or two.  Obviously, I'm a great helper in the garden.  Perhaps those ribbons she gets should be for me!  

Well, anyway, I'm just so darn tootin' pleased with my award that I had to publish a special post thanking Mario for thinking of me.  Below this post, you'll find a link to his blog.  And if you're looking for my post, "spit and polish" it can be found just below that.  You've gotta check it out.  My sister Constance was really pleased to have her picture appear in my blog this week and wants EVERYONE to see it.  She's a very pretty girl.


Anywho...  I must now find five blogs to award the Liebster award to myself.  That's right!  The fun isn't over.  I won and now I get to find five more winners.  Oh, what a great day!!!

Mario's Meowsings: Catching Up Time on Awards - Liebster Award

Mario's Meowsings: Catching Up Time on Awards - Liebster Award

spit and polish

The other day, the peeps went grocery shopping.  They brought home my favourite flavour of cat food, of course.  They wouldn't dare come home without that.  Didn't see many treats in the bags but that's okay as we've still got a good supply from Christmas.  Santa was very good to us.  Which is to be expected because, well, we're very good cats.

What I did see, however, was a whole bunch of laundry supplies.  There were two big bottles of cleaner stuff and two smaller bottles of softening stuff.  Really, I don't know why they bother.

Here's my problem with the laundry business.  I know, from watching television advertisements, what the basic principles of doing laundry are.  And I know, from watching my peeps, that even with all the bottles of cleaner and softener, they still can't seem to do as good a job as we cats.  I mean, REALLY!

My sisters Constance & Beatrice are the perfect examples.  So is my Auntie Blossom.  They're all calico cats - and that's why they're the perfect examples of good laundry principles...  not because they're better at it than me.  As calico cats, they all have white, orange & black.  Let me tell you something...  their whites are white, their brights are bright and their black never fades.  This is exactly what all those commercials on television claim their products will do.  This is exactly what the peeps set as their goal.  And yet, we cats always seem to be able to do it better.  Imagine that.

Then there's the softening business.  My coat is pretty soft.  Softer than any clothing my peeps own.   Softer than anything - anything at all - my peeps own...  except maybe for those two plush micro-something blankies peep #1 put on the family room couch.  They're pretty soft.  But I digress...  My coat is definitely softer than any clothing of the peeps.  That's a fact.

And we cats do all this with just spit and polish.  No bottles of cleaning stuff.  No bottles of softening stuff.  Just our own spit.  What's more, it's not just our laundry we're doing.  It doubles up as shampoo and conditioner, too.  We're so smart.  But then...  we're cats...  so of course we're smart.  Comes with the territory.

I've been trying to encourage the peeps to wash their clothing as we do, ours.  So far, no takers.  Apparently, they'd rather go to store and buy bottles of stuff.  Quite frankly, that money could be spent on us.  I know I said Santa brought us lots of treats but...  well...  you can never have too many treats.

gotta love a shoe

Turns out, the car needed a shoe!  Could you believe it?  Who knew cars wore shoes in the first place?  I know I didn't.  But apparently, cars have brakes.  Knew that.   And brakes, well, they wear shoes.  Didn't know that!  So, if you're wondering about my peep's car...  well, the car's shoe broke and jammed up the tire and that's why it wouldn't turn.  Or something like that.  A lot of this is just gobbely-goop to me.  Only repeating what the peep said.

But this whole shoe business interests me.  My sister Mason and my brother Seville are both really into shoes.  They love shoes.  Not just any shoes though.  They love peep #1's shoes.  They're always snuggling up to her shoes.  They rest their heads upon them.  They cuddle them.  Once, Mason put one on!  Well, kind of...  she was lying down and stretched her leg out and slipped it into the shoe.  She thinks she's Cinderella or something.

My peep once broke a shoe.  Came right apart at the side.  It's no wonder...  I saw the peep wearing them outside, walking through puddles and whatnot.  Anyway, when the shoe broke, she gave it - and the other one that sort of matches but it wasn't a perfect match 'cause it was kind of opposite to the broken one and remember, it wasn't broken.  Anyway, she gave both shoes to Mason.  But guess what?  Mason didn't want them!  No interest at all!!!  Apparently, shoes are only good if they're being worn by the peep when not cuddled.  Peep #2 says, the first peep must have "stinky feet."  I laughed so hard when I heard that.  Almost fell over on my tail.  Mason says that that's not it at all.  She just likes to feel close to the peep...  and her shoes.  I don't know what Seville's deal is.

PS.  The peep said that if I wanted to use this picture, I had to mention that the little bits of white stuff on the carpet are the remnants of our last toilet paper roll attack.  Yeah, I was in on that one.  That was a good one.  Lots of fun.

wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round....

So, the peep had a dental appointment today.  Don't know why she has to go to a special doctor for that.  My doctor does all my dentistry work.  And, as you know, I've got that cute little fang that protrudes over my bottom lip.  And you know I take good care of the fangs.  Anyway...

The peep had to cancel her appointment.  Why, you may ask?  Well, the car wouldn't go.  Well, it would go...  but one of the wheels wouldn't turn properly.  I'm not an expert on cars - I actually try to avoid them at all costs - but I'm pretty sure that all four tires are supposed to turn...  just like the song says...  you know...  "the wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round."  The song isn't, 'three of the wheels on the bus...'  Sorry 'bout that.  My mind was wandering.  Which is more than the car was doing.  Anyway...

This huge - and I mean HUGE - truck like thing arrived to take the car to the car doctor.  Another kind of doctor!  But in this case, it was warranted.  My vet doctor doesn't treat cars.  The truck was so big, my little car was able to fit right on top of it.  Wow!  I've never seen anything like it.  I watched from the living room window because quite frankly, things that big are a little scary.  Good to have a thick pane of glass between it and me.  Very good, indeed.

So, for a day at least, I'm car-less.  My feelings regarding this are somewhat mixed.  I absolutely, without a doubt, hate going in the car.  The only place the car ever takes me is my doctor's office.  And, as you can imagine, I'm not overly thrilled with that sort of thing...  even if I do take pride in my fangs.  But on the other hand, the car is used to pick up bathroom supplies like kitty litter and food.  Mustn't forget about the food.  The car is really important, when you think about it.

There's plenty of food and litter in the house to hold us over until tomorrow.  We'll be fine.  Don't worry about that.  The peeps are pretty good at bringing in the supplies.  But as soon as that car is back, I'm sending them off for more.  There's no need to take chances on the food supply.  No need at all.

nevertheless...

Woke up to a light dusting of the white stuff this morning.  It wasn't that cold...  but cold enough for the white stuff.

My brother Rushton went outside first thing...  of course.  He came in for breakfast and then went back outside.  Rushy really likes the great outdoors.  I think it's 'cause he looks a bit like a lion and his middle name is Tapio which, I'm told, means 'King of the Forest'.  He's taken the forest thing to heart.  For the life of me, I don't know why he has the middle name that means king.  I mean...  I'm the one with the blog!

 Anyway...  when Rushy came back in after his second outing, he was looking for a snack.  He stood up on his hind legs, placed his front paws on peep #1's hip (yeah, Rushy is a BIG boy) and gave her that look of 'butter wouldn't melt in my mouth'...  although it actually would...  I know, 'cause Rushy is a big fan of the butter.  About then, peep #2 walked into the kitchen and said, "he has already had breakfast."

The first peep looked down at Rushy's sweet, angelic face and answered, "but he was out in the cold.  He got hungry again."

Peep #2 humphed and replied, "he chose to go out in the cold."

"Nevertheless..."  was all the first peep said, before preparing a little dish for my brother.

This is why peep #1 is our favourite.  We cats have her wrapped around our little claws.  We can get away with MURDER.  Quite literally, too.  All of us have caught a mouse or two in our time although the practise is frowned upon.  Usually the peep gets to us in time and takes the mouse away to release it back into the great outdoors.  Hmmm....  I wonder if that's why Rushy likes being outside so much?
 
If I had my way, we'd have breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, supper and finally, bedtime snacks.  I haven't managed to get that schedule past the peeps, though.  Not even peep #1.  But a cat can dream, can't he?

could Sheldon be... a cat?

Okay, my peeps watch this show called The Big Bang Theory.  Actually, I watch it too.  I love the character named Sheldon.  I think...  just maybe...  he could be a cat.

As you know from my last post, I have a spot.  Sheldon has a spot.  He's always saying, "that's my spot."  I, too, will say, "that's my spot."  It's a very cat-like thing to say.

Have you every noticed how Sheldon has to do things in threes?  When he knocks on a door, he always does it three times?  Personally, I don't knock on doors.  Much easier to just sit there and stare until a peep comes along and opens it for me...  but, I do sometimes do things in threes.  When I'm preparing to get all cosy in my spot, I'll often spin around three times before settling down.  I'm not the only one in my house who does this.  I've seen all the other cats doing it.  Never seen a peep do it, though.

On an episode I watched just the other night, I saw Sheldon fall asleep while sitting up.  I DO THAT ALL THE TIME!  It's a very cat-like thing to do.  On the other hand, I can sleep lying down, too.  But so can Sheldon.  And like Sheldon, I have a regular bed time.  Okay, maybe he has just one a day whereas I have several but... still...  there's a similarity there.

And I must make mention of his intelligence.  Sheldon is very smart.  Very, very smart.  I'm very smart.  And I'm a cat.  Cats are always smart.  Coincidence?  I think not!

Lastly, is Sheldon's understanding of the laws of physics.  I, Nerissa, DEFY the laws of physics.  Cats do this all the time.  We can jump, like, ten times our own height.  Ever seen a peep do that?  Don't think so.  We can get into places that leave peeps simply dumbfounded.  My sister Constance can squeeze into the teeny tiny spot under peep #2's writing desk.  No one knows how...  she just does it.  Quite often it's when the peeps are trying to take her to the doctor but that's besides the point.  The point is, she does it and no one knows how.  Another defiance of the laws of physics.  And don't get me started on balancing...  I can balance on anything and everything.  I am the balancing act king.  I can balance on the branch of tree, the arm of a chair or the leg of a peep.  There has got to be physics involved in that.

Yup...  the question must be asked.  Could Sheldon be...  a cat?

that's my spot!

In my house, all we cats have favourite spots.  Personally, I'm very fond of the floor in the family room, at the west end of the coffee table.  That's currently my favourite spot.  I've had others.  I'm sure there will be more. 

Rushy is really into the bottom shelf of the television stand.  Thank goodness peep #1 didn't put it together properly, leaving that extra space.  Yeah for the peep!  My sister Constance is lovin' the green kitty carrier at the moment, which is odd,  because that's the thing used to take us to the doctor and she'll never go into it then.  Tobias & Blossom are enjoying the couch in the family room.  Toby, at the east end, and Blossom at the west.  Occasionally, Blossom allows Snowdrop to join her.  But only if she asks really, really nicely.  My auntie Primrose loves the little nest next to the television stand.  Usually, she curls up in it but sometimes she'll stretch out alongside.  Just depends on her mood, I suppose.

Sometimes, more than one of us will want the same spot.  CAT FIGHT!  You see, very rarely will two cats fit into the same spot at the same time.  It's a law or something.  I think it has to do with physics.

Spots are important.  I have my favourite spot.  But even if I'm not in my spot at the moment...  that doesn't mean someone else can use it.  My spot is not up for rent.  It's MY spot.  Auntie Primrose is very particular about this issue.  No one...  and I mean no one...  not even me...  is allowed in her spot.  Her spot is her spot.  I understand.  My spot is mine.

Hey...  you, over there...  THAT'S MY SPOT!

the crow show

I, Nerissa the cat, may have a blog... but the crows...  well...   they've got their own show.  It's broadcast live, every day, December through March...  inclusive.

I love the crow show.  It's great fun.

In my backyard, there is a large oak tree.  Actually, we have quite a few oak trees but this particular one is situated just so.  Perfect stage for the...  you guessed it...  that's right...  the crow show!

My peeps set the stage.  They'll put out old bread and whatnot, down on the ground, below the oak.  Then, sometime between eleven in the morning and two in the afternoon, the crows arrive.  I think there are seven members of this particular acting troupe.  You have to see them all at once in order to count them, 'cause quite frankly, they all look alike.  But I'm pretty sure there are seven.

First one arrives and perches on a branch of the oak.  He (or it could be a she because remember, they all look like each other) caws and caws.  He's quite loud.  Must have gone to a good theatre school as he projects very well.  Then others arrive.  Soon the whole troupe is present.

Then, one at a time, the crows swoop down and grab a piece of bread.  They'll fly back up and across the yard to eat it before returning for another.  Sometimes they'll do a little extra almost upside down circular kind of thing in between the main swoops.  Sometimes, they cross one another in mid-flight.  Oh, it's a great show.  Between the cawing and the acrobatic swooping and such, it's quite entertaining.

The best seat in the house is the kitty condo in the family room but there are a couple of window sills available...  the cheaper seats.  And of course, when weather permits, there's outdoor seating.  I quite enjoy the little rooftop outside the kitchen window.  But the railing on the deck is also quite comfortable.  You don't want to get too close, however.  I don't know if you've ever noticed or not but crows are BIG.  And sometimes they poop.  In mid-flight!  Don't ever sit in their flight path.

Oohhh...  look at the time.  I've got to go.  It's almost time for the crow show to begin.  Mustn't be late!