Quiet time

We have been having a quiet fall since the PM's Daddah died.  She has been tired from the trip and there have been complications at fundraising.  So we are all trying to rest and help her feel better.

The PM was able to sit shiva one night when some lovely friends of hers offered to host it; our current annex is too small to hold enough humans to have the service. She was very happy to do this and we are all grateful to her friends who hosted it.

We lit a different menorah this year as things seem more solemn this year.  Normally we light the royal menorah, which is a purple tabby cat with a pink polka-dot bow tie.  This year, we lit a brass one which goes with some brass cranes the PM brought back from her Daddah's house.  Here is a picture:

 

Those are also Shabbat candles burning with them.  We took this picture on Friday night.

 

TTYL,  Happy Hannukah, everyone!

So Sad

The PM got a very sad phone call this morning; her Daddy died.  She had to leave almost immediately to drive all the way across country to be with the rest of her family when they pay him the final tributes daddies receive.

Her father had been in the hospital since October 23 and she had been working  with her brothers on helping to plan a nice, peaceful retirement for him at the age of 84.  However, Friday afternoon, he took a turn for the worse and was moved to ICU.  I guess that is something very serious.  I am afraid I do not understand all this kind of human stuff.


The PM has a very good friend from work who will come to check on me while PM is gone.  Her name is Missy Sue and she actually asked if I would like to stay with her and her two kitties while the PM is gone.  Luckily the PM knew better than to try as I have stayed alone in the past very well.  Mommeh just wanted someone to check on me because she does not know how long she will be gone on this trip.

I am thinking of her a lot.  I sent Ringo with her to watch out and protect her.

Gotchas, minks, butterflies and books of life

The PM and I had another big milestone recently; August 22nd was our 15th Gotcha Day!  After the grand festivities of my jubilation, we celebrated this day somewhat more quietly.  We had haddock, which I must admit was very tasty.

I have not been outside again since the last time I caught a bunny.  I read the PM's feelings very well and I know she worries about what she has been told can happen when I take on rabbits.  But, the Royal Patience wears thin at times and I do wish I could get out for a brief time.

The PM took the past week off from work.  She usually takes a couple days off this time of year to celebrate our holidays:  Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.  Rosh HaShanah is the birthday of the world!  What a fun thing to celebrate!  Some people will actually have  a birthday cake and sing 'Happy Birthday'. 

The PM has not taken off time just to relax in about a year and a half.  She really needed it.  She has had a rough year what with dentists, car troubles and other misadventures.  As she was able to relax, she found herself sleeping much better and much of her pain going away.  I had been trying to tell her that some of that pain was tension, but she didn't see her way to doing much about it before now.  And, of course, when she sleeps better, I sleep better.

Of course, she was at synagogue on Wednesday night and Thursday.  She enjoyed seeing everyone again and catching up with them.

On the first Saturday of her vacation, she swam, napped and rested.  Wednesday, she got a haircut and went swimming.  Today she rested and then came to the coffee shop where she used to hang out all the time.  The rest of the time, she and Ringo were out having adventures! 

One thing they wanted to do to celebrate Gotcha Day was to bring me a mink stole.  They actually went to Mink Creek looking for one.  But there were no minks there, alive or prepared.  They felt very gypped.  Of course, my royal training helped me to be gracious in my own disappointment as I think a mink stole would have been very flattering and warm in our winter times.

They almost brought me a damselfly lavaliere.  The PM and Ringo thought they found one, but when the PM went to collect it, it was gone.   The poor thing was bent in the middle a bit and resting on the ground instead of flying.  We hope it was not in a lot of pain.

The big birds, like the cranes and hawks, have been hiding.  The PM remembers them doing this about the same time last year, and knows that she will see more when migration starts.  However, she is seeing a lot more of the smaller birds like goldfinches and woodpeckers.  Did you know that woodpeckers are thriving as they enjoy eating those nasty little emerald ash borers?  At least one good thing comes out of the bug's presence!

They also say that some of the butterflies have been huge this year!  The PM is finally getting adept enough with her camera to get a picture of some of them now and then.  There is a tiny blue one she loves and a big swallowtail she got some nice pictures of.  She finds it bittersweet to see how tattered their wings can get, yet they keep flying. 

The PM just tried to upload some pics, but it is not working.  She will try to add some more later.

And our wish for all creatures this year is that they are sealed in the book of life for a good and sweet year.

Big Game Huntress!

This is the latest of her many names and accolades that the Princess has collected.  She has caught 4 teenage rabbits this summer and killed three of them.  Rabbits are much bigger than the rodents and birds she has caught in the past and she is justifiably proud of herself.

She is a bit upset with me, the PM, right now, because I recently was informed that cats and rabbits are mortal enemies.  A fundraising friend of the PM's notes that she has witnessed a rabbit eviscerate a cat with its back paws.  I am afraid now to let the Princess out.  The Princess of course, believes she is invincible.

Over the summer, SAS Ringo and I have had many adventures.  Remember this barn?

 

Do you see the sneaky little surprise between the trees on the silo?  Look closely!

 

Nasty spiders!  These were too big and too many for me to handle!  Ringo began donning his spider-fighting gear when I finally got it through my head that these were pretend spiders, not real one.  Panic attack over!

 

Along the way, we have had our usual friendly encounters with songbirds, birds of prey, cranes, deer and, new this year, damselflies and frogs.  We will try to introduce you to some in the near future!



The Princess engages in a piece of gossip....

The Princess was overheard discreetly gossiping with the Queen Bea (Emeritus).  She noted that 'the Mommeh had dedded a spider at work'.  They were both pleasingly amazed at this development as the Mommeh is known to cringe at the sight of spiders and to not be able to move to escape them.

The Princess did clarify that the attack was not hand-to-hand combat or smackdown.  Rather, the Mommeh squirted the spider with cheap perfume and it dropped like a rock!

Princess Treasure feted at Jubilation for 15 years of grace, wisdom

--Fannie Flooff, American Cats Syndicated

Princess Treasure, beloved ruler of the Realm of Capital Drive and Regent of the Stallis Annex, was roundly feted at a tasteful, yet informal, jubilation cookout at Frog Alley.

 In attendance were Princess Coco the Most Adorable, Countess Katie Isabella, Lady Audrey, Royal Musician Mario and Sirs Spitfire and Simba.  Also in attendance was Lady Scamper representing the equine species.  Prime Minister Neora Warmlapp and Sir Ambassador Scout Ringo were also in attendance.  (Please check archives for more information on the momentous occasion of the feline/equine treaty.)

 The Princess was surprised by the sight that greeted her upon arriving at the alley, having been told that her attention was needed to break up a pack of nefarious dogs conspiring with members of the Acorn Liberation Front to patrol the borders of the Realm and to conduct guerilla attacks on the Bird and Butterfly Network.

 The PM and SAS Ringo accompanied the Princess on the ride via UPS.  The peregrine providing transport rode especially quiet thermals, ensuring the smoothest ride possible. 

Imagine her pleasure to see a buffet and hammock swaying in the breeze on Bald Bluff!  Imagine her comfort at seeing lavender and peridot satin pillows in the hammock and artistically arranged around the grounds!  Imagine her delight at seeing the men's obvious pleasure splashing in the sand while netting frogs!

 Upon her arrival, events rolled into action; Ringo cleaned the frogs and put them on to boil.  Countess Katie Isabella stirred the rabbit ragout.  Lady Audrey passed honeysuckle punch and toasted shrew toes.

 As the Princess' toes touched the daisy trail leading to the hammock, an honor guard was formed by all attending.  P. Treasure warmly waved and greeted each member of the guard as she passed.  Upon arriving at the hammock, she nestled against the peridot pillows which accented her eyes and drew a deep breath.

The Prime Minister led the group in a toast to the Princess, recounting her wisdom and generosity through the years.  Mario, Court Musician, lead all in a festive round of 'For She's a Jolly Good Princess' and 'Happy Birthday'.  Princess Coco read a poem she had written for the occasion.

 All passed through the buffet, accepting those generous portions needed to satisfy appetites sharpened in the fresh air.  As the dinner was winding down, hoof beats were heard and shortly Lady Scamper, without ess or tunnel, arrived.  Resplendent in topaz livery setting off her chestnut coat, she whickered her respect to the Princess.

 With a light touch, the Princess settled onto Lady Scamper's back.  Lady Scamper then provided the Princess with a tour of the Realm's boundary, allowing the Princess to ride the perimeter and thank all those who assist in maintaining the safety of the Realm.  In return, Princess Treasure provided Lady Scamper with a head bonk, marsh hay and wetland wheat for a repast.

 After the formalities were finished, the company entertained themselves royalty with pet human impersonations, counting damselflies, and catpiling.  Sirs Simba and Spitfire, accompanied by Mario, ensured the bluff was kept clear of squirrels.  Goldfinches provided bright spots in the trees below in the fading light.

 After a final serving of honeysuckle punch, fond adieus were exchanged and trips home begun.

Pop-up Party for a Princess!

The Princess reached the grand old age of 15 sometime in May! 

The Prime Minister and Sir Ambassador Scout Ringo wondered what they could do to mark the occasion.  They consulted with friends and consulted with the media to see what may be especially pleasing to the Princess.  A surprise Pop-up Party seemed to be the answer.

Remembering the success of the frogs-legs picnic last summer, it was decided that Frog Alley would be a good place to meet; not only are there plenty of frogs, but the alley ends on a hill overlooking a creek and is especially scenic.  Being on a hill, there might be a breeze to keep the insects away.

With that solved, next came the question of the menu.  A frog-leg grill would be lovely if enough were caught, but they did not want to depend on the luck of the catch.  Over Memorial Day weekend, the Princess caught two more bunnies, so it was thought that perhaps she had a taste for rabbit.    A tasty rabbit stew would fill in any gaps left by a shortfall of frogs.

Since this was a surprise, and arranged on short notice, all guests were advised to travel via ess or tunnels if at all possible.  At the same time, a frog-netting contest was announced. 

A special surprise for the Princess would be the attendance of Lady Scamper, representative of the equines with whom Ringo had treatied several years back.  Scamper had consented to providing the Princess with a ride during the festivities.

Countess Katie Isabella and Lady Audrey agreed to meet Sirs Simba and Spitfire in advance to prepare the site.  They found little to be done beyond arranging pillows and setting up the buffet area.  They took time to relax and net a few frogs in preparation for the lunch.

The PM is starting to receive messages that the other guests are in transit!  More to report soon!