Sweetie's Spa Day

Ya know, it's hard to take a photo
when you are scritching a kitty!

Notice her trademark paw up;
she does that when she's feeling happy

Smooth and luscious fur

And really...there was even more but I let the wind take a bit

Patty's fur doesn't clump like Sweetie's does

Sweetie allowed me to give her a full brush and comb treatment! That pile of fur is all hers, although Mr. O'Malley wanted to model next to it.  To run one's hand down Sweetie's back is like touching silk.  And you know that Patty was treated to some brushies and snuggles too!

I'm off for a long weekend in Minneapolis, Minnesota, so I'll be offline for a few days.  At first, we planned for San Francisco, but there was lackluster enthusiasm (not on my part!).  Finally, we found a location that none of us have been before; time for new adventures!  Here's a partial list of the places we've traveled to:

Los Angeles, California

Washington D.C. (twice)

Houston, Texas

Cincinnati, Ohio

Metro Detroit, Michigan (twice)

Savannah, Georgia

Metro Cleveland, Ohio (twice)

Point Pleasant, West Virginia

Roswell, New Mexico

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Las Vegas, Nevada

Dayton, Ohio

Chicago, Illinois

And future locations may include: San Francisco, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Florida, Arkansas, New Mexico, and of course Britain!  I MUST see Stonehenge with mine own eyes before I pass this earthly plane.

  

The Wizard of Oz, illustrated by Michael Hague

As part of the 2017 Reading Challenge that I am engaged in, I needed to find a book that was previously banned.  So many books could fill this category.   Banned around the world, banned only in USA, banned recently, banned a long time ago?  So, I tried to think outside of the box; what book would interest me, that at one time someone else thought was too freaky?

Imagine my surprise, while searching online lists of previously banned books, to come across The Wizard Of Oz (or The Wonderful Wizard of Oz)!  I have never read the book, and have only seen the 1939 Hollywood film.  Onward to the local library.  The copy of the 1982 book that the librarian handed me was illustrated by Michael Hague, and what lovely illustrations they are!  I especially liked The Cowardly Lion, since he had flowers in his mane.  

The cover

Sleeping off the poppies

Following the yellow brick road

In the Emerald City

For a story written in 1900, it was surprisingly modern, in thought and presentation.  I stayed up late reading to the end, because of course, the book is much better than the movie!  For me, the illustrations were a big part of my reading enjoyment.  There is no rainbow, The Tin Man's story is horrifying, and Dorothy and her pals would not have gotten anywhere without the help of the Mouse Queen.  And The Cowardly Lion was very brave indeed!

Too bad there weren't any housecats in 'The Wizard Of Oz'!

I have read 16 books of the 26 in the Challenge to date.  

HopCat

Bus 'boy' wore this cute tshirt!

I had the pleasure of meeting family for dinner at HopCat, in Royal Oak, Michigan on Sunday.  Check them out at https://hopcat.com/. Watch the 'Inappropriate Cat' video for a chuckle!

The menu is craft beers and hamburgers, mostly.  They have Crack Fries, that one keeps eating as if they were an addict!  Looks like there are multiple locations 'round the MidWest, but of course I was enamored of the cat decor. Too cute!

The Great Bare Spot Saga Continues

Chuck: "Stop trying to take photos of my starfish!"

Chucky's March 18th visit to the veterinarian resulted in his tailio being shaved a little bit so they could take his blood pressure.  Then he developed a sore on that spot, which he licked and messed with until The Hubby shaved all of the way around his tail to affix bandages.

Poor Chuck still has The Great Bare Spot!  Neighbors have even stopped me, to ask 'what is wrong with Chuck's tail?'  Oh, the humanity, and the embarrassment! Not mine...Chuck's!

Our next vet visit is Tuesday, August 1, and the vet can see with her own eyes that Chuck's tail fur is lagging behind.  I actually try to rub the area, thinking that some blood flow might help, but Chuck isn't a bit fan of that action.  He would prefer if we just leave his dang-ol' tailio alone and find something else to do with our time.

Saw The Straw

I replaced the straw in both The Cat Hotel and Mama's House:

The Cat Hotel's lid off, with old straw showing

Bottom floor, cleaned out

Second floor

Mama's House, cleaned out

Mama's House, lid open

Old straw, waiting for sweeping

I get this done twice a year: in the spring and autumn.  Am a bit behind on the 'spring' part, but was glad to see that both shelters are in good shape, and the straw really didn't need to be changed.  I did anyhow, because...why not?

Patty and Sweetie seem to appreciate the attention!

D'AWWWW!

Somecat left me a sweet heart-shaped peeball this morning!

Ain't that just the cutest thang?!?

Chuck Changes The Weather

Notice that this electric plug is NOT plugged in?
See that government-issued tag on the left?

Chuck chewed on that tag, and he pulled the plug on our fan!

How is a person supposed to stay cool in the summertime,
when Chuck pulls the plug on the fan?

Chuck: "I am innocent!"
The Hubby: "I saw you do it, Chuck!"
Chuck: "Darn it!  My invisibility cloak must be on the fritz..."
(Photo of Chuck doctored by Prisma app)

Wordless Wednesday

(Thank you all for the birthday wishes
for Angel and Chuck!  They were gifted
a portion of cat tuna as a surprise)

Happy 13, Angel and Chuck!

"You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you

Yes we're going to a party, party
Yes we're going to a party, party
Yes we're going to a party, party

I would like you to dance (birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (birthday)
I would like you to dance (birthday)
Ooo, dance, yeah
I would like you to dance (birthday)
Take a cha-cha-cha-chance (birthday)
I would like you to dance (birthday)
Ooo, dance

You say it's your birthday
It's my birthday too, yeah
They say it's your birthday
We're gonna have a good time
I'm glad it's your birthday
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you"

Birthday
Songwriters: John Lennon/Paul McCartney

Chucky wears his party hat!

Angel needs a little help with her hat

Feeding Kibble to Snails

 

Yup, I feed the snails on the backyard deck.  I break the pieces of cat kibble up, and allow the snails to eat.  Haven't researched the dietary needs of garden snails, so maybe I'm giving them the equivalent of cookies or potato chips!  It's possible that Patty O'Malley noms these kibble chunks after I've walked away (NOT the snails), but at least I've given them a treat...right?

Re-purr-pussed!

Harley sits and waits

Harley's human says that this birdfeeder was knocked off it's post by a squirrel, and the bottom cracked.  Before she could fix and re-hang it, her cat Harley claimed it.  "MINE!"  Now it's Harley's to do with as she sees fit.

Look out birdies!

Book Review: A Man Called Ove

A Man Called Ove
by Fredrik Backman, Author
Henning Koch Translator
Hardcover, 337 pages
Published July 2014 by Atria Books (first published August 2012)
Original Title: En man som heter Ove
ISBN 1476738017 (ISBN13: 9781476738017)
**Adult language**

Several people had suggested this book to me, but I admit that I checked it out from the library, started to read...and took it back the following day without having finished the first chapter.

I didn't get it.  Ove, a widowed elderly man, gnashing his teeth over any infraction that a neighbor might make, such as parking a bicycle against the side of the shed, or allowed their dog to pee on his paving stones.  And he wants to buy an iPad, making the sales clerk break into a cold sweat when Ove asks for the keyboard.

Then, a few weeks later, "A Man Called Ove" appeared while scrolling through the list of available audiobooks on my library's phone app.  With a shrug, I tapped it into my queue of books.  Guess you could say my curiosity took ahold of me.

And am I glad I went in for that second try!  Hilarious!  Not only does Ove's very pregnant neighbor, Parvaneh, barge into his life while dragging her two daughters behind her, but she interferes with every solemn daily ritual that the old man has come to adore.  As does Adrian, who was a pupil of Ove's late wife Sonja, and Jimmy, an obese fellow who's computer savvy works a smart trick against 'the men in the white shirts'.

Cannot omit Cat, either.  Did you know there was a cat?  No!?!  Cat is as important as all the others, and his opinions of Ove and the three-year-old child from next door will make your belly shake like a bowlful of jelly.

As mentioned, I listened to an audiobook, with a reading in English. The original book is in Swedish, and a movie of the story was also made in Sweden.  Please consider "A Man Called Ove" for your reading list, as I found it funny, a bit sad, snarky as all get out, and one of the best books I've enjoyed so far this year.  Ove is every man, every woman, every one of us who plow through life, trying to do the right thing.

Patty says, "Quit typing and fetch my noms!"

Don't Be Wordless!

***Battle For The Net***

(click above)

Keep the internet neutral!

Wife Check Wednesday

After locking Angel in a closet years ago (she was fine; she slept in the clothes basket), we make sure to do a 'cat check' before we leave the house, or when locking up at night.  

Angel found: Check!

Chucky found: Check!

However, The Hubby once forgot to do his 'wife check' and locked the door when I was still outside with The 'O' Cats!  Imagine my surprise at finding that I could not get back inside.  He had not yet gone upstairs, so he opened the door quickly after my knock.

Nowadays, as I head out to cuddle Sweetie and Patty O'Malley one last time before my bedtime, I've been known to remind The Hubby that I'm going out, and that he'd best do a 'wife check' before he decides to lock up for the night!

Sweetie found: Check!

Patty on my toes: Check!

Do you think he's trying to tell me something?  If I cannot convince The 'O' Cats to come inside, maybe I'd simply live outside with them! Wonder if Alley Cat Allies has a 'build-a-shelter' plan for humans?

Sweet Sweetie

 

 

 

 

Sweetie is just the sweetest!  That is, until Patty O'Malley tells her that she's used up her allotted 'Love-on-the-Cat-Mama' time, and he bullies her away.

Home and Garden Walk

This Saturday, Chucky allowed me to leave home after taking photos him in the sunshine. I attended a Home and Garden Walk in historic Palmer Woods, Detroit Michigan, with friend BG.  I did NOT see any cats, but that was because they were safely behind closed doors. We visited about fifteen different homes.  Thought you might enjoy some of my photos:

I like the way Chuck's black fur is different colors!

Such a luscious garden!

Home designed and built by Frank Lloyd Wright

Wonderful pond at the
Frank Lloyd Wright home

Metal sculptures of goats

This particular home had two beehives in the garden

If you bigify, you'll see toy cars and trucks at
the top of each metal circle
This was in someone's front yard

Fountain and garden

It took a lot for me to keep from jumping in this fountain!

Funky birdhouses

This is a master-bedroom shower,
big enough for a few people, methinks!

Had a lovely time, and now I want a fountain in my backyard too!  I'll leave the beehives to someone else.