Cat Tales

This Bugs for You!

It's that time of year again, woohoo. The big , winged, flying, tasty, buggies are here. Mayfly time, aka Canadian Soldier, yummeee!!!

I can gobble these down, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and any time in between.

They come at night, invading our shore, attracted by lights they cover the deck, the side of the house, the ground , they are all over. I can barely keep up.

Cheers!!!

*headbonks*
Sparky

I'm a nose licker too!

I know, I said I like to bite noses, but I've come to like given em a lick now and then too. Bow, he's bite worthy, but when it comes to my Dad I like to lick his nose. I like to sneak up on him while he's sleeping. I do this as early morning as I can. He seems to be sleeping soundly and paying absolutely no attention to my needs. I get awful hungry by morning and no one seems to care all that much. Now how in the world can they care when they are sleeping, this seems to be the real problem. So it's my job to make sure everyone is awake and aware of my need to feed!!!

I like to lick the end of my Dad's nose. It seems to wake him up every time and sooner or later he gives in, gets up, and gives me a little bit to eat. He is soooooooo easy.

Just remember,

Lick em like you like em!!
Sparky

I bit my brother on the nose and I think I like it.

Now, don't get me wrong, I love my big bro Bow, but sometimes he gets on my nerves. Everykitty and I suspect doggy needs their space. I have this personal space violating range of about two feet. You enter you could get bit, enter at your own risk. Bow=repeat space violator. I have always given him a good swat in the past, and I must admit, have used his nose as my own personal punching bag but I have never bit him until just recently.

I was minding my own bee's wax, kitty nappin' on the couch, my Dad was watching this thing they call hockey on the talking picture box, and bro Bow was snorin' in front of the place with fire. A pretty pic if I do say so myself. Then this serene picture, my blissful sleep, was violently interrupted by a huge head the size of bull moose, rootin' underneath me and lifting me up in the air. I wake up a bit cranky, I know, hard to believe, this time being no exception. I found Bow with his nose underneath me lifting me up in the air, that was enough, I coiled, swatted at him rapid fire, opened wide, and bit him on his nose. This series of defensive maneuvers had no effect on the intruder as he kept rootin around underneath me. Finally the big lug found what he was looking for, a piece of popcorn, gobbled it down and departed. Come to find out, my Dad was eatin' some popcorn while watching the game. He usually shares some with Bow. He throws and Bow catches, this time one got away and landed right next to me and Bow went a fetchin', the rest of the story you know.

I promise to work on my bite, next time I'll bite him like I mean it, hehe.

*headbonks*
Sparky

Outdoors is Now Indoors.

We now have a tree that moved right into our house!! I could hardly believe it. It's like right in the middle of the big room in our house that has the talking picture box. I circled it, sniffed it, nibbled on it, brushed my back against it, and yep it's a tree. I hope Bow doesn't catch on as quick as I did because he does weird things to the base of trees, hehe. (sometime remind me to tell you how Bow can make snow turn different colors) My Dad and Sister like it too, they even stated dressing it, they put all sorts of these little pretty, shining looking things on it. Some look like little people, they put colored balls on it too, little ribbons and bows, and they also put on lights. There are lights all over it, green, blue, yellow, red, white lights, it looks really pretty! I've been staring at it thinking about climbing it, when I was looking at all the pictures in the kitty photo contest I saw kitties sitting up high in indoor trees, it looks like a lot of fun!!!

My Dad and Mom went away again, I was left alone and I was soooo sad, but a nice person checked on me each day and made sure I had food and water, so that helped a lot, but I was still scared. It wasn't all bad though, if fact it was sorta fun having the whole house to call my own, I hopped up on all the things I usually get yelled at for. I owned dat town!

Mommy came back all sore in the leg again but this time she was smiling, I couldn't figure it out. She didn't have any of those funny tubes sticking into her arm this time either. She still has that funny looking thing that she pushes around but now she doesn't hop, she walks on two feet. I was soooooo happy to see her and my Dad. They were happy so see me too, they both hugged me, and I couldn't stop meowing. My Mom told me she has a new knee, I was so excited even though I don't have a clue what a knee is but it sure made her happy. I think everyone should have a knee along with the happiness they bring.

My big sister came home too!!!! It just keeps getting better and better, I really missed her and she missed me too, she held me, hugged me, and kissed me too (right on the nose). She made me feel warm inside. She is home from the place she went to to get smarter. I guess she has a new friend their named Dean, he sorta sounds like that Santa character because he has a list too and I think he also checks it twice. My sister's name is on both lists, yea!!!!! And my Dad was right, goodbye isn't forever.

Now back to this tree that moved in, everyone started putting these bright colored boxes under it, they have little pieces of paper on them with names. I think a couple of them have my name on them, my Sister told me so, I think she learned how to read at that smart school she was at. I really wish I knew what was in those boxes she called presents. I sniffed em all and one smells really really yummy.

Merry Christmas to all and may they all be as bright,

*cheekrubs*
Sparky

Poor Mommy

I don't know what happened to my Mommy. My Dad and my Mommy went away and when she came back home she was really sick. My Dad helped her to bed where she has pretty much stayed the entire time ;(. My Mommy usually walks on two feet, but at times she use to walk with a limp and sometimes her knee would swell up like it had wet kitty litter in it. Now she hops on one foot when she must get out of bed. She uses this goofy looking thing that she holds herself up with by her hands and it helps her hop.

She also has these tubes that hang down from a long metal pole. There is a small bag of liquid on top of that pole that drips down and it goes right into her arm, ewwww. She sure is one sick Mommy, I feel so bad for her. I sometimes go hop up in bed with her and cuddle down by her feet. I wish I could do more to help her, I feel so useless.

My Daddy told me and my brother Bow that Mommy will get better and that we should try to help out as much as possible. I try not to be as needy as I once was and my brother Bow tries real hard to do the same.

My poor Mommy sure does look sad sometimes when she doesn't know I'm looking. She keeps on a happy face when she knows me or others are around but I know she is in pain and that makes me feel very sad. I wish i knew what to do to make her better or take away her pain.


Sad Sparky

End of Days?

I 'm not real sure what happened. The days are getting shorter and shorter. I was a little scared until my Dad told me that it goes along with the change of seasons and it's nothing to worry about. My Dad says this time of year is a real trip, or to be more exact a good fall. The leaves on the trees are also changing colors and beginning to fall, I guess this is where they get the name from.

My favorite birds are also gone. These little birdies with the long noses zoom around the yard at really really fast speeds. They can hover in mid air too with their little birdie wings flappin' so fast they almost look invisible. We have this bird feeder hanging from the front porch especially for them. These silly little birdies fight over what is inside it. They have mid air battles and sometimes dive bomb me when I'm sitting on the porch minding my own business, so what if I'm lickin' my lips. They like to drink the bird juice that my Dad puts in their feeder. They use their long noses like a straw! These birdies also like to suck the juice out of bright colored flowers too. My Sister , when she was young, use to call this stuff "connector". It sure must be sweet because these little guys get one awful sugar buzz, they be mighty hyper. I've enjoyed watching them all summer then about 3 weeks ago they must of got really hungry because they sucked the feeder down dry. They did this over and over again for about a week long period then all of a sudden they were gone. My Dad says they were loading up with juice for their long trip south, some fly all the way to South America, now that's one long trip!

I also like that the days are not as hot. The colors of the leaves that are left on the trees are really pretty too. The whole outdoors smells different. There is a crisp cool feeling most days. My Dad also told me that fall will be over soon and then come something he calls winter where the days are even shorter yet. I think this is when all the white stuff comes. He assured me even though that the days get shorter that they will not end and before I know it they will start to grow longer again.


*headbonks*

Sparky

Goodbye isn't forever

It was a very sad day for me, my brother Bow, and our purrents. My sister left today for what they call college. I heard that they can make people smarter if they go away to these places. I don't understand why she had to leave, I thought she was smart enough as is.

I've sensed for awhile now something was about to happen and so did Bow. My sister started packing up her things weeks ago. I didn't know why she would be doing this. Then the last day or so I watched her pack some of her favorite things. Bow watched too with these really big and sad doggie eyes, he would just lay there watching her I suspect with the same empty feeling that I had too.

I will miss her soooo very much. I will miss the way she cuddles me in her arms. I will miss curling up to her when she is sleeping. I will miss the scratching behind my ears, the chin rubs, the belly rubs, and the back scratching. I will miss the way she holds me in her arms and rocks me like I was a little baby kitty. Gee, I miss her already.

Bow and I watched as my sister's belongings were carried out of our house and packed in the truck and car, she sure had a lot of stuff!! Finally my sister held me and gave me a kiss. She went over and gave my brother Bow a kiss and hug. She said she would miss us both very much and then she said goodbye. My big sister was crying as we watched her walk out the door.

I felt really sad and my tummy started to feel funny. My eyes started to well up and I didn't want Bow to see me like this so I went and hid under the kitchen table. I snuck a peek over in Bow's direction and I think his eyes were watering, he looked really sad too.

My Dad told me and Bow that it was ok to be sad that she was leaving. He also said that we should be happy for her. He likes to think he is this big tough guy but he is really a softy, he cried too. Dad also said that our sister will be back for holidays and school breaks and that she will never ever forget us. He said that the love we have for each other will not fade with distance and time. He said that goodbye doesn't have to be forever, just until we see each other again.

That made us feel a little better, but I still miss her so.

*tearingeyes*

Sparky

Monkey!!

Eek, there was a monkey on our side deck. Well at first I thought it was a monkey but since I have never really seen a monkey I was only guessing. My Dad held my leash taunt and warned me not to go any nearer. To my surprise though he called the monkey a porcupine, shows ya what I know, heehee.

My Dad hurried me back into the house and made sure my brother Bow stayed put inside where it was safe. I jumped up on the cabinet under the window so I could at least watch what the monk...., I mean porcupine was doing. Boy, it sorta looked like a big pin cushion and was scary lookin'. My Dad tried to shoo him off the deck but porky worked himself into a corner, started making some funny noises, and twitched his tail in my Dads direction. My Dad said those things sticking out from all over it's body were quills and he uses them as a defense mechanism. If you get too close they stick ya and are real hard to remove!!!

Well, the monkeypine stayed until nightfall and lumbered away sometime during the night. It was a pretty frightening experience, I hope he doesn't decide to visit again for quite sometime.

*headnodsandeyeblinks*

Sparky

Alien Invasion

Bugs, bugs, bugs, and more bugs, everywhere bugs!!! We have been invaded!!!! When I awoke this morning they were everywhere! They must of came in the dark of night, I think they are attracted to any light source. The whole side of the house, windows, around the yard /street light were covered with em.

It's that time of year again, the annual invasion, the perennial cometh of the May Fly, aka Fish Fly, and or Canadian Soldier.

Now I really really like bugs, in fact, I love eating a good mosquito when I can, a fly now and then, they make for a nice light snack. When I awoke this morning and saw the windows covered with these big tasty treats I almost coughed up a fur ball with excitement.

I tried to get at them through the glass of the window, that didn't work, I pawed at the screen and meowed to no avail, with them on the outside me on inside, ack.

A little later on I espied a slight movement near the inside of our screen door. I immediately went into kitty stalking mode and I crept wearily towards the door. I hid behind the chair nearest the screen door and peered around the corner of it. Silhouetted was the distinct shape of the alien, it had breached the inner perimeter. I approached in stealth mode, my cloak of near invisibility fully engaged. To my surprise the big bugger didn't move. I got within sniffin' distance and surprisingly it smelt quite good. Never a kitty to pass up a free meal I thought what the heck and pounced. I held my snack between my front paws and gave a lick followed by a nibble. Ya know something, it tasted pretty good. I bit right into the rest of it and gobbled him down, yummmm-mee!!!

In fact...

I like bugs,
itsy bitsy bugs, tiny bugs, small bugs,
medium size bugs, big bugs.

I like bugs,
Ooowie, gooey, slimy bugs, crunchy,
yummy, tasty, munchie bugs.

I like bugs,
crawlin' bugs, walkin', flyin', bitin',
suckin' bugs, but not so much stingin' bugs.

I like bugs,
I sniff-em, lick-em, taste-em, gnaw-em, nibble-em,
chew-em all up and swallow-em.

On second thought,
I love bugs!!!

*head bonks*
Sparky

...and bears, oh my!

Holy smokey, I could hardly believe my little kitty eyes! I was snoozin' on the back of my favorite chair which is strategically located in front of my huge picture windows facing the Big Lake. My Daddy yelled something, I thought he said hair and wondered if I was shedding more than usually. My brother Bow started barking and ran to the door, I looked up and glanced out the window and guess what to my sleepy eyes did appear, a bear!!! A big, furry, black, scary looking Ursus Americanus, eek. The big ole bear was walking down the beach about 40 feet from the house.

My Dad, kept me and my brother Bow inside the house while he grabbed his camera and ventured outside. I was a little worried for him as I was trapped inside the house unable to protect him had the bear decided to turn on him. Bow is all bark and no bite so he would of been of no use, doggies, go figure. The bear seemed to want nothing to do with him and continued walking down the shoreline until he finally disappeared out of sight.

My Dad got a few pics of the bear, he estimated his size to be around 400 lbs. He was much bigger in real life than he appears in the pictures. He posted one of the pics above.

I think I will stick with chasing bugs, mice, and chipmunks. After seeing the big critter up close I want nothing to do with a bear!

*head bonks*
Sparky

Everyone needs a dog

I love my brother Bow. He is one big doggie weighing in at 144 lbs when he was lean and mean and in shape. He weighs a bit more now and is far from lean or mean. Bow is the undisputed (for now) King of the Castle, Ruler of the Kingdom, yada yada yada.

Big Bow was lying on the floor next to his doggie pillow looking so cute and adorable for a big lug. I looked at him with my big admirering eyes. He looked so cute for a doggie I had this urge to kiss him, ewwwwwwww. I don't know what came over me. Our eyes met and I was compelled, drawn to him, it was like I had no control of myself or my emotions. Our eyes still fixed on each other, I slowly walked over to him. I slowed even more as I neared, my heart was going pitter patter. I looked Bow in the eyes and he mine, as I inched nearer I gently touched my nose to his, yes, I Eskimo kissed a DOG!!!!!

He looked at me with great dog bewilderment and a loving affection. It was one of those special moments that demanded more. As I stood there a few inches away with a fixed gaze, I slowly raised my right arm up sorta like you would do to gently caress one's cheek, sorta. I cocked my paw back and let Bow have it. 10 or 15 rapid fire shots up along side his snout, heehee. Whose King now, heehee, Bow to say the least was not thrilled. He let out this big bark that I swear rattled my ribcage. I gave out my best meow and turned tail and headed for the highlands, well under the kitchen table, Bow followed barking.

Those dogs must not be the smartest of the animals as he fell for the whole thing hook line and sinker. It takes a lot to get that doggie dude to play around but I think he liked it and finally he chased me. Maybe next time I will follow up the kiss with a head bonk then a combo, rights and lefts, heehee.

*head bonks*
Sparky

I hate Ducks

..and so does my Dad!!!! My Dad seems to hate those bad duckies as much as I do. He started raising his voice, hollering even, at those darn ducks. I watch them out the window as they swim around and stick their heads in the water. My Dad watches them on this big box looking thing in our house. Now I hate all birds but really like the taste of their wings and I guess so does my Dad!!!! He loves the wings and hates the ducks. He became outraged earlier when a duck that they call tea-moo put a black thing past one of his beloved wings. He said the wings lost, what did they lose, the rest of the bird? That would be more convenient, birds without wings could not fly and then I'd have a better than even chance at getting one, yippee!!!

Ducks, wings, bill, feathers, tail, heck , I like the whole bird.

*headbonks*
Sparky

That's just perfect

It was pretty exciting around here yesterday and today. My big sister did something special though I am not sure what it is.

She is what they call a pitcher on a high school softball team? My Mom and Dad came back yesterday and were really excited about something my sister did. They said her team won some game. I like games and hope maybe they will invite me to play next time. They referred to her doing something, what was it, darn, oh yeah, it rhymes with kitty litter, a no hitter. I guess this is something special. Then on top of that they said she threw a perfect game. They were all giddy with this news. My sister came home and I gave her some extra long cheek rubs to show her how proud I was of whatever it was she did.

Then today my purrents were all excited again. They were looking in this paper that was folded up, I snuck up on them and took a peek and to my surprise there was a big picture of my sister in it throwing what looked like a yellow ball. I guess this is something special too.

Maybe someday my sister will throw that yellow ball around again and I can go chase it, now that seems like it would be fun.

*headbonks*
Sparky

Oh Deer!

I had some type of fun today! I was sitting on the back of my favorite chair looking out the window (yes, planning my next escape) to what did my cat's eye appear, "twas a deer!!! I blinked a few times, stretched my neck, and peered out towards the water not believing what my cat eye's were seeing. There was a big ole fur bearing creature, much much bigger than those pesky chipmunks. I live on the shores of the big lake they call Gitchee Gumee and first thought it may have been a log, they sometimes floats by, nope it was deer!!! The big ole deer was swimming in the water, I didn't know they could swim, sheeeesh, I sure hope they can't climb trees too.

So this seaworthy deer got closer to shore and finally found his footing in the shallow's bottom and emerged from the water. About this time my big brother Bow spotted him too and started barking like the crazy, mad dog he is, heehee. Bow wanted a piece of the deer really bad. I started to meow at it to show that I am no slouch either. The deer must of heard my meowing because he looked really really scared and ran down the shoreline, lickity split.

Bow finally calmed down and stopped barking, he had this look about him like he was a real tough character showing that deer the what for. I let him think he was all that, though I knew my meowing and evil stink eye was the real reason that deer ran off like he just wolfed down a big bowl of deernip.

*headbonks*
Sparky

Brother Bow

My new bro Bow sure is big even for a doggie. I've been sorta scared of him since I was introduced to him. He sticks his big head and nose into things including "my space" and business. A few times I thought he was going to try to lick my nose so I cock back and let him have a paw upside his snout, oh, about 150 times, rapid fire. It didn't seem to dissuade him much, I think he thought I was playing. He finally lets out a woof and I scurry away, he is a silly dog.

He likes to lay in the doorway of my purrent's bedroom blocking my entry. I let him get away with this for awhile until last night when I finally said enough already. I found if I time my leap just right I can bounce right off of him using him as a springboard, one hop on and off his side and I'm up and over. He doesn't even move, he just sorta gives out a sigh.

I am really beginning to like my big bro more and more each day and I think he likes me too, heck, I could eventually come to love the big lug.

Great Escape: Part Deux

New day, new adventure. My purrents had company today. This man came into my house, I think they called him a plumber, is that like a graper? Anyways, he left the door open for a little bit and a clear shot to freedom. My Mother became frantic again and called my Dad. They again started to search the yard for me using what appeared to be a grid pattern, heehee. They looked for me under the deck where I hid out yesterday but I was not there. They looked under the big spruce tree, nothing. They walked down the road making those funny noises again and calling out my name, to no avail. I was nowhere to be found.

When the search turned up nothing they came back into the house. I felt really bad that I caused them to fret and worry so much yet again. I felt so bad that I decided to come out from under the bed where I had been hiding the whole time.

They were sooooo happy to see me that I got some cheek rubs and my Dad gave me a head bonk. It's nice to know I am missed so much by so many. I just may have to keep this game up, they love me, they really love me, and love me some more everytime they keep finding me whether I was really gone or not!!!

Escape!

Boy did I get in trouble today, but it was so much fun, heehee. My Mother left the side door open for a little bit and I made my great escape. I had sized up the joint for sometime now and knew if I timed it just right I could scurry right out the side door to freedom, so I did!!!!

I ran as fast as I could into the yard towards a big spruce tree. I had seen birds there out the side window before, they are pretty big birds too, but I wanted to let them know they were in my territory and I'm the boss. My Dad said they are Quail whatever that means. I hid under the spruce tree but the birds must of sensed my presence and were scared to show, Quail, pfft, I think they're more like chicken.

Well I waited under the tree for awhile then decided to go check out the side deck of the house. I found a break in the lattace and crawled right through. I could watch the side of the yard from there and no one could see me or did they know I was there.

I heard my Mom and Dad calling me and watched as they searched around the yard calling my name and making these lame, weird, mayowwww sounds, silly humans. I didn't make a peep, I just watched them act silly.

After a couple of hours it started to get a little chilly under the deck and I was getting hungry too so I decided it was time to leave but to my surprise I could not find my way out. I started to get a little scared. My Dad came out once more and called my name this time I answered back. My Dad got down on his belly and finally saw me hiding under the deck. He called my name, he got one of my toys and dangled it near me, and finally put out some food for me too, but I was too scared to move. I couldn't believe the fix I had got myself into.

My Dad laid there for about an hour trying different things to coax me out but I froze and could not move, I was getting really scared.

Finally my Dad broke away an opening in the lattace big enough for me to crawl through but I still could not move. He then left and all of a sudden it started to rain, water started coming between the boards in the deck. I moved closer to the opening my Dad made as the water got closer. I then spied the hole and ran through it into my Dad's waiting arms. Whew was I glad to be out of there!!!

My parents were none to happy with me and I could tell I gave them quite a scare, I do feel bad about that. It was fun for awhile but awfully terrifying at the same time.

I'm glad to back inside the house and I can still look out the windows, though I didn't get to confront those birds I did leave my scent letting them know this is my territory!!!