Instinctually

It's Twozday!

Manny and CB were again up on the refrigerator, just minding their own business...

...when something out the window caught their attention:

An Eastern Gray Squirrel in the yard!

Henry Update:

Henry is either addicted to the churu treats, or he's just being very particular about what he'll eat out of a bowl.

Monday afternoon, I noticed that his eyes are tearing like crazy, so that is a new symptom indicating maybe a bad tooth (he'd had dental in October 2025, lost 2 teeth), or a sinus issue.

If he's having trouble with his nose, then he's not getting the food smells, no matter how stinky!

Thanks for the warm fuzzies, and a call to the veterinarian is first thing to do this morning.

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Let's Hop!

HB Vincent!

Today is the birthday of Post Impressionist artist Vincent van Gogh: 3/30/1853-7/29/1890

 A few sillies that were found on social media:

To be serious, I recommend:

"Van Gogh's Ear: The True Story" by Bernadette Murphy, published in 2016.

An easy read, full of interesting details about what happened on the night of 12/23/1888.

There is also a Public Broadcasting System episode from the Secrets of the Dead series that follows Bernadette's research, and how she and her team uncovered the missing piece of evidence that had solved the mystery of Van Gogh's ear: the actual notebook of the doctor who treated Vincent, with a drawing of the injury.

Just a little cut on the earlobe, or something much more?

If you don't want to read the book or watch the show, send me a comment and I'll tell you what the author found.

~~~

Henry Update:

The panic...yes, I was panicky!...has lessened, since he's being friendly and allowing pets, he sleeps in the bed at night, and so far is making the correct deposits in the litter box.

Saturday evening, he excitedly started on a churu, but backed away from it after about 1/3 of it was gone.

He allowed combing and snuggles afterward.

Sunday afternoon, he snacked from his food bowl, eating about a tablespoonful of wet food.

Thanks for the wishes that he's better; it's making a difference.

❤️

Save a Paw!

 March 29 is Declaw Awareness Day

Don't do it!

A topic that I fiercely believe in; leave those paws alone.

Organizations that are working tirelessly to educate the public and veterinarians about the pain and danger that this procedure does to cats, and others who support making it illegal:

City the Kitty

Alley Cat Allies

The Paw Project

Declawing is a surgical procedure, sometimes inaccurately termed “onychectomy,” which means “removal of the nail.” In reality, more than just the nail is removed. The animal’s toes are amputated at the last joint, which is the only way to remove the nail (claw) that grows from deep within the toe bone. Most people do not realize that bone—not only the nail—is removed.  The cat ends up walking on stumps, can have difficulty digging in cat litter, and the pain will cause behavioral issues.

Most countries never adopted this practice, and those who still allow the surgery are changing their minds.

Why won't a cat lover like Taylor Swift speak up?

More veterinary offices are removing the procedure from their services voluntarily, but this needs to happen sooner rather than later.

Henry Update:

He's not eating, and backs away from food bowls.

He's been hiding underneath a table in the spare bedroom, because he knows I cannot get to him there.

Saturday morning, I managed to corner him long enough to smear some food on his face.

Oh, you should have seen the look he gave me, but at least he had to lick it off!

However, at night, he jumps onto the bed and allows pets and belly rubs.

The Hubby and I are making plans, and I've already volunteered to be the one who gets bitten, as that's what happened when we cornered Henry last October for his dental.

Thanks for the caring words, and I'll keep y'all updated.

More Like Paying Homage

Today is Respect Your Cat Day!

For Caturday, here's Henry before the Great Escape of yesterday, when he was happily napping with me.

He may believe that we'd disrespected him.

I understand that; being shoved into a carrier to be poked and prodded by strangers is NOT at all how royalty prefers to be treated.

Will only apologize for making you scared, Henry; if you aren't well, we need an expert to find out how to help you.

I used Prisma, Corn Filter.

Click on the image above to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Let's Hop!

Uneasy in Easyville

It's Formerly Feral Friday, and Henryville has been a snoozefest.

Henry spends a tiny bit of time playing with toys, then he climbs on the bed to enjoy his dreams in softness and warmth.

However, this human has been concerned as Henry stopped eating his meals, preferring to only lick churu sticks, like those pictured below.

There have been no changes to his food, same bowls as always, and no differences noticed in his litter box depositing.

This began on Tuesday, so by the time this post appears, he's either over whatever it was, or I've scheduled a vet appointment.

Oh, H Man, please eat your dinner!

~UPDATE~

Called the vet's office Thursday afternoon, and was told that if I could bring him in right away, they'd have time to see him.

Whelp...Henry removed 'formerly' from his FERAL!

He hissed, he jumped, he pooped, he growled, and he ran like the wind, and hid like a ninja!

Gotta admire his stamina.

The pic above is Henry perched on the railing overlooking the stairs below, and that's when I called a halt to persuading him into the carrier.

He did NOT go to the vet.

We'll be keeping an eye on him, and hope he'll return to his usual eating manner, and doesn't try to kill me in my sleep in retribution.

❤️

Wildly Loved

Thanks again for all of the birthday wishes.

Received ecards, texts, and messages!

And a few postal cards.

A selection of goodies arrived:

Cats in sweaters scarf in the background

Cat toys (not for me, for the cats!), one being a slice of watermelon

Book marks: Pusheen and a handmade wooden one that reads: This is where you fell asleep

Kitty sticky notes

Not pictured: cat note pads and games

As I can no longer count all of the years on my fingers and toes, it's lovely to have friends and family wishing me felicitations on my natal day, no matter what that number is.

Purchased a gift for myself too: a desktop printer.

Aren't I wild and eccentric?

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

Magical Nature

Walk & Read Wednesday

Some recent nature images:

Beautiful First Day of Spring at Stony Creek Metropark, Washington Township, Michigan.

Turkey Vultures Roosting, on my neighborhood walk.

Spring Clouds and Sky

Mango is a Bengal cat; met her last week while walking, and recently gushed to her human dad over how beautiful and sweet she is.

He said he's got two more cats; I look forward to meeting them.

Some recent reads:

Author: Jess Armstrong

Series: Ruby Vaughn

Book 1: The Curse of Penryth Hall

2: The Secret of the Three Fates

3: The Devil in Oxford

"After the Great War, American heiress Ruby Vaughn made a life for herself running a rare bookstore alongside her octogenarian employer and house mate in Exeter. She’s always avoided dwelling on the past, even before the war, but it always has a way of finding her."

So far, the stories have taken place in Cornwall, Scotland, and Oxford.

Book 4 The Lost Souls of St. Oda's is due out this autumn.

My take: Somewhat cozy reads, with an edge; after all, it's got an American in the midst of the English, and there is a touch of magic!

Author: Anne Bishop

Series: Isle of Wyrd

Book 1: Turns of Fate

"Young detective Beth Fahey begins investigating crimes of the uncanny, only to learn that bargains with The Arcana can change your fate—for good or ill."

My take: Had no idea the rabbit-hole the reader willingly heads down as the real world morphs on Wyrd Island.  Looking forward to the next book.

Author: Simon Garfield

"Explores the history, impact, and ,cultural significance of typefaces, making typography accessible and interesting to a general audience. Published in 2010, it covers everything from Gutenberg to modern digital fonts."

My take: A dive into a part of our world that is rarely noticed, unless you are a nerd *ahem* who insists on 'typewriter' font for the house address numbers.

All of the above were listened to via library audiobooks.

Let's Hop!

Storing Their Energy

It's Twozday!

Manny and Chili Bruce continue napping their way through the colder days.

Really, though...they are cats, and don't need an excuse to snooze!

I try to emulate them, as a fresh retiree, but they don't allow me to wriggle in between.

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

Lemme Fix That

It's PO'Monday, and exactly seven years ago, Celestial Paddy O'Malley decided that my hairstyle needed some help.

Video made on March 23, 2019.

He was such a helpful kitty!

😹😹😹

Let's Hop!

Well Met

Looky!

On Friday, while walking in my neighborhood, long lost boyfriend Sly was out enjoying the warmish temps.

What a lovely gift on my b'day!

His human dad told me Sly is now 17 years old, and only goes outside when it's NICE, as Friday was.

Click on the image to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

Sly granted me permission to use his image for Sunday Selfies.

Let's Hop!

Trees and Tattoos

March 21 is World Tattoo Day, honoring body art and tattooing.

Learn more here: World Tattoo Day

A few sillies below for your entertainment.

For more fun, below is a slide show of my ink.

The first slide is the inspiration art, then the resulting tattoo photo.

March 21 is also the International Day of Forests, a day to celebrate and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

Learn more here: International Day of Forests

For Caturday, I'm posting Vincent Van Gogh's "The Grove", painted in 1890.

Found the image online.

Click on the image to enjoy a jigsaw puzzle.

❤️ Thanks for all of the birthday wishes; y'all are the best! ❤️

Let's Hop!

Spring, spring, spring!

March 20 is the Vernal Equinox!

UTC: 14:46

Eastern Daylight Time (EDT): 10:46 a.m.

Central Daylight Time (CDT): 9:46 a.m.

Pacific Daylight Time (PDT): 7:45 a.m. 

It's my birthday, as well as Brian's Home Blog's human mom's birthday.

Ha ha ha!