Hey, Can Opener. You need to find another weatherman. I don’t like this one’s reports.
The Rain is here again. Time to get creative.
Once again it’s raining constantly. As if that wasn’t enough, its also freezing cold. There goes my hunting plans. I’m convinced that the rats and mice in the neighborhood have orchestrated this debacle just to torment me, only I can’t figure out quite how they managed it.
But boy, when I do figure it out- they’re going to pay!
Meanwhile, I have to find less appetizing ways to entertain myself until the rain stops and the sun comes out again. I can only play so many tricks on Sushi- (she’s got no sense of humor)- and the Can Opener only plays with me for a few minutes at a time before she darts off to do something else, so I’m connecting with some of the neighborhood cats to get some fresh ideas.
Hey- This idea promises to be fun!
Maybe I’ll just start hunting for Bigfoot-
Well, What do you know! I found him!
Well, that was short-lived. Now what am I going to do?
It’s been a while since I’ve counted my blessings. What about you?
The Can Opener says that everyone’s having a hard time no matter where she looks. And I overhear all the troubling reports that she hears (even without watching “the news”)- most troubling, especially is the shortage of baby formula- but also the looming ‘food shortages’ and all the other bad stuff.
I’ve also noticed that my human has been making a point of giving thanks and singing praise when she hears these reports. While it won’t change the things going on around us, what it does do, is change her perspective and lifts her above discouragement and and worry- and it keeps her blood pressure and stress under control too.
I’ve decided to start cultivating a thankful heart too. The Can Opener says a thankful heart isn’t automatic. You have to cultivate it. Like you would cultivate a garden. I don’t know exactly what “cultivate” means, but I get a feeling it means you practice being thankful. She says everyone has SOMETHING they can be thankful for.
Like breathing. No matter how bad things look, there are two things you can be thankful for if you’re reading this.
1.) You’re alive. That’s a definite plus. 2.) You’re breathing – (which is another plus)- 3.) you’re reading a blog post by the sweetest Siamese cat in America (whether you realize it or not).
See? Three reasons right there! Now let’s see if I can think of another reason;
There’s rain- POURING. While I hate the rain (it cramps my style)- the human loves it because it means less wildfires and it’s watering her garden and keeping my lovely back yard nice and lush and green.
But I’m most thankful that the Can Opener and Sushi and I have a place to call home so we don’t have to be out in the wet, cold weather. I’m thankful for my kitty treats, and food, and that the Can Opener is stocking up on our food- just in case.
I’m even thankful for Sushi…. (almost)- okay, I’m trying! I guess I am thankful for her, because she keeps the human distracted while I get into the butter.
The Can Opener is always brushing her and I get jealous. But she says she has to.
I’m also thankful for the big, furry pink blankie the grown critters got our Can Opener after the Backup Can Opener went to heaven in January. I melt into it and sleep so comfy- and I’m thankful that our human is doing better and isn’t overcome with grief. She’s getting counseling and is doing research on colon cancer- she has some plans she isn’t talking about just yet. Hopefully they’ll work out for her. Because then she’ll be even happier!
Make the rain STOP!! There’s birds out there that need caught!
This rain really cramps my style!
It has been raining all. day. long! I tried to be a patient kitty, just watching the raindrops incessantly falling from my perch on top of the Can Opener’s desk- but after counting over 156,700,439 (and a half) raindrops, I finally gave up and decided to pick a “fight” with the Can Opener’s toes. Unfortunately, she never sits still long enough for that to be effective, so I have to look for another victim…. and here she is- all cozy on the couch, covered up with the Can Opener’s robe…
Thanks for my new robe, Human. You’re not allowed to use it anymore.
So, like any other cat in its right (bored) mind, I crept up to the couch, right up to the spot where Sushi’s tail was hanging (uncovered) over the edge of the couch, and gave her a quick, SWAT! (FOUR times in rapid succession).
Unfortunately, neither Sushi or the Can Opener had a sense of humor about it, and Sushi got mad and actually MOVED! Wow. Never thought I’d see that happen.
So finally, (probably just to save my life)- the Can Opener finally stopped messing around in the kitchen, got her 13th cup of coffee, and that dang phone of hers, and sat down and played with me in the rug.
It went something like this… (with Sushi glaring at me for daring to wake her up)….
After I went psycho for twenty minutes (Mom said I made Sheba look sweet and calm)- I was finally tired enough to eat a boatload of fancy feast and half a bag of treats. But again, the Human spoiled my day by saying “no- you don’t need that many treats.” I said I did. She said I didn’t.
I think we argued. She won, this time. But not for long…
Yesterday and the day before were sunny and warm- the neighbors were working in their yards and visiting (outside) again, and Sushi and I were enjoying the sun.
The doorstep was warm and cozy so Sushi was enjoying her ‘sauna.’ It felt really good on her side after those 4 shots at the Vet’s office…
I went next door where the Can Opener and her sister were talking about plans for the garden while Sheba kept chasing me away when I tried to go sit with them.
The lilac tree is blossoming, and cherry blossoms were flying through the air like snow. I love those- Just like with falling snow, I chase the blossoms and try to catch them when they fall. The Can Opener gets a kick out of watching me do that.
However, she didn’t get a kick out of my threatening the duck couple that came moseying into our yard…
* My goodness, what delicious, I mean, adorable little dinners, DUCKS! *
It was sunny and warm and perfect the last couple of days- and this morning I was all eager to go outside and find my little fillets- I mean, FRIENDS again (just to say hello, really!)- and then the Can Opener opened the door and all of a sudden, it’s Noah’s Ark all over again!
But the funny thing is, if ducks don’t mind water and rain, why didn’t they come back? I just can’t understand it!
I’ve been digging around looking everywhere- but he’s still not home.
January 1st Chemo
The days have seemed to all blend into one very long day. At the other hospital where the cancer was found and diagnosed, visitors were allowed, so our Can Opener was gone for hours every day staying at the hospital with the Back-up Can Opener.
But a new blood clot (and the same old misery with pain and struggling to breathe), sent him back to ER the day after Christmas. This hospital doesn’t allow visitors – So from the time he was admitted the day after Christmas until the 1st- our Can Opener wasn’t allowed to visit him.
Bleeding and two more transfusions later, the blood clot couldn’t be taken care of yet. Blood thinners aren’t a good idea when bleeding continues elsewhere. And surgery in this case, wasn’t an option.
After several failed attempts to stop the bleeding, they decided to attack it by attacking the tumor- with Chemo. It started Jan.1. Finally, after calling repeatedly every day, to get permission to visit when he said he was nervous about the chemo, they finally allowed our human to go see him. Today it is finally done. (First dose).
When is he coming home, human?
The Can Opener hasn’t been getting much sleep- so Sushi and I have been working overtime (without pay), to keep her distracted. Sushi does it by proving herself to be a true feline, leaving her presents in the floor (hairballs). I do my part by attacking her feet the second she kicks her shoes off, walking on the laptop, and hopping up on back of her chair at the desk.
She keeps herself busy when she can’t be with him at the hospital, and she’s been praying a lot. Along with all their friends and family.
We see her get her workout mat and put it down and Sushi and I immediately warm it up for her by sharpening our claws on it, and I help coach her. But nothing feels normal. She still works out to manage her stress and stay healthy- but we don’t like that he’s not here. Neither does the rest of the family.
The Tiny One’s new Princess shoes
And the little Critter turned 5 yesterday, and her Grandpa wasn’t able to be here for her birthday or see her in her Princess outfit. She knows he’s in the hospital, and she knows what’s wrong. But she’s only 5 so she doesn’t “know.”
Tomorrow is the Can Opener’s birthday and she was so busy today, that Twilight decided to get her attention and make her play. She had been making some Christmas gifts for the little Critters and it was raining, and too cold for Twilight to go out.
Then Mom -(aka. The Can Opener)- decided to take a break. So she got a cup of coffee and sat on the couch to brush and groom me before she got all wrapped up in her projects. I love it when she grooms me, because she puts me on her lap, tends to my eyes, checks for itchy areas, brushes & cuddles me, then feeds me treats.
When she was done, I climbed down from the couch to stretch out in the rug for a nice, long nap. And that’s when it happened.
That little Albino Flea had decided to kick the golfball to the Can Opener before she had the chance to get up and go back to work, and I just happend to be laying in the rug between her and the Can Opener, so the next thing I knew,…
Yesterday the Can Opener tried to clip my claws. She got clipped.
I’m keeping my claws, Human. Trust me.
That psychotic albino flea gets bored and keeps pretending to snuggle up with me and groom me only to turn around and SWAT the fleas right off me trying to make me play. I’m telling you, one of these days….I’m going to swat her clear to the moon!
She’s got it coming… I can’t even enjoy a nice, long, nap on a rainy day without her pouncing on me. And now the Can Opener is insisting on trimming my claws. She got two done before I decided it wasn’t going to happen- not in this lifetime!
Oh, come on, Sushi- I’m not THAT bad….
Okay, well, maybe sometimes- but I can’t help it if it‘s raining and I get bored!
Okay, fine. Then I’ll start attacking the Can Opener so she’ll play with me. Geez! You sure have an attitude!
We had sunshine for a tiny bit- but it didn’t last.
Go to sleep, Twilight. You’re keeping me awake.
I tried to go out first thing when the Can Opener woke up. But it was soaking wet, and cold outside, and the rain was still pounding. I had a change of heart. Sushi was occupying the Can Opener’s lap, so I knew she wouldn’t play with me, and the Backup Can Opener is still not feeling well, so I kicked my golf ball around a little, shredded some toilet paper, then ate, and decided to take a nap.
The sun came out for a little bit later, so I went outside- but soon the heavy clouds gathered overhead and blocked out my sunshine and I got RAINED ON! I kept waiting for the rain to stop – but it obviously had no plans of stopping, so I ran in to get sympathy from the Can Opener, then helped her in the kitchen -(I have to snoopervise)- and I was the first to taste her yummy coconut flour blueberry/banana muffins-(except she wouldn’t let me have any of the chocolate chips). That sure was a tasty muffin!! I hope she doesn’t notice the accidental scratches I put on her new muffin pan while I was trying to snatch that muffin…
I don’t think she noticed. She was too busy working on the muffins, cleaning up, taking care of the Backup Can Opener (fever goes away, then keeps coming back)- then cooking, and doing other random stuff.
I know I don’t have to worry about Sushi telling on me, because she slept through the whole thing. Now that it’s pouring rain even harder, I think I’ll go back outside just to keep the Can Opener wondering what the heck I’m doing. I can’t let her think she has me figured out, you know.
Today was not a fun day. Our Weatherman turned on the rain again. Remind me to send him a hairball.
Fortunately for me I came inside just in time…
To prevent the human from putting clean sheets on my bed. I had everything rumpled up just the way I like it, and she had the nerve to take advantage of my outdoor escapades to rip the sheets off and start opening windows to “let in some fresh *freezing* air.”
What the heck is wrong with you humans? It’s raining! Time to run and hide under a bush someplace, but wait- it’s WET! Then, I charge inside dripping wet and dart for the nice, warm bed, and all my cozy, rumpled sheets and blankets are gone- being drowned in the washer.
She had a folded set of clean sheets in her hands when she came back into the bedroom to finish carrying out her dastardly deed, but luckily I was able to hop on top of the comforter she had draped across the end of the bed, to let the water drain off my paws. I gave her a look that told her not to mess with me, so she finally decided the sheets could wait, and I got a good nap.
I think I’m going to send that weatherman a big, fat hairball.
The Can Opener and Sushi were just flat delighted to have those two – legged Critters back here today. I don’t know what’s wrong with them. For a pair of Critters that were sick last week, they sure as heck seem ready to take on the world. Or, at least my little patch of it anyway.
And of course, Sheba had to help them ruin my nice, quiet sunbathing session.
When the Tiny Critter wanted to get on the little slide, Sheba decided it was HER turn.
Then they ran toward the swingset armed with Outshine Bars ready to drip on everything they touched. I stayed out of the way, safely under the bush.
Look! There’s Sheba!
I thought if Sheba was in her right mind, she’d steer clear of them too- but apparently Sheba is as crazy as a flipping loon. The next thing I knew they were squealing with delight while Sheba chased them and climbed all over the swingset swatting at them and chasing the big Critter who kept teasing her.
Then Sheba had to prove her ownership of the swingset- by climbing all the way up to the top to try to snag the Big Critter’s hair. They all thought she was playing- but I think Sheba had sinister plans…
Then, as if right on cue, it suddenly started raining- (no rain in the forecast)- and they had to go inside. I could’ve sworn I saw Sheba give me a paws up as they hurried in out of the rain.
Nice Plan, Sheba. Maybe you’re not so crazy after all.
How to Train your Humans 