I saw these quotes on a TV segment and thought them noteworthy and I feel that sometimes we need to be reminded of such important cautions from wise men.
"We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all of our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." - James Madison
"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religous people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." - Samuel Adams
"A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, which shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of the laborer the bread he has earned. This is the sum of good government." - Thomas Jefferson
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Winter Has Arrived
Some interesting developments in Kittyland since the cold weather has come. Obviously not the bitter freezing cold of places north, still for a kitty used to nightly lows in the mid to high 60s those low 40s and mid to high 30s nights are quite uncomfortable.
I have allowed Hairy to spend the night a couple of times lately and while she's so far been a perfect house guest, sleeping all curled up on my jeans or else all stretched out on a couch with that long belly hair standing almost straight up while on top of some old Tee Shirts I put there for her to lay on, sometimes when I get up in the middle of the night she will be ready to go back outside.
I should also note that when I go to the kitchen for a drink she doesn't budge. But when I make myself a snack here she comes for her one too. How she always seems to know I'm getting food and not a drink I don't know. Fortunately I have some cheap kitty treats (Pounce) and also her and Blackie just love cheese. So far Munster and Provolone to be exact. Brownie could care less about cheese unless it's in the 9 Lives Tuna & Cheese can. Go figure!
Meanwhile Blackie mostly takes his sleep either right on the front porch or just beyond it. That said, 2 nights ago he decided to try out Brownie's litter box with the Yesterday's News brand litter that nobody here in Kittyland seems to care to use for anything other than bedding.
So Blackie was laying in Brownie's "bed," if you will, and here walked Brownie from the back yard. Blackie jumped up and headed for the porch, thinking Brownie would be upset. Nope. In fact later, when Brownie didn't come to bed Blackie went back to the box and then later Brownie came and laid in the box too, fitting as best he could. You see Brownie is a bit large and will take up the whole size of the box all on his own.
Now last night Blackie decided to sleep in a cloth & padded yellow chair in the carport. This is of interest to me because when the kitties first started hanging around that's where either 2 or all 3 of them used to sleep, no doubt huddling together for body warmth. In the time since they almost never sit in that chair at all. Personally were I a cat that would probably be my spot to sleep because with it's design is is fairly protected from 3 sides, plus the carport protects from the wind in at least 2 directions. But to each their own, I guess. As a reminder when she's sleeping outside Hairy likes to sleep on a brown plastic padded chair that's open all around. But she used to like the yellow chair and was the last to abandon it.
Also worth mentioning Brownie seems to be trying to get into the utility room every time I'm by the back door. He almost never tries to get in by the front door. And of course Hairy tries to get in any way she can, any time she can. In fact yesterday afternoon I saw Hairy on the security cams sitting on the back door step. So I went to the window, which sits close to the ground, to waive high. That night I head this cat meowing and scratching by that window. It was Hairy begging me to open the door and let her in, which I did.
Then later in the night I opened the front door thinking Hairy wanted out. Again, since I have yet to find a cat litter they would actually use to relieve themselves I have to let her out to use the bathroom the old fashioned way. But then Blackie seeing the open door thought he'd come in and check things out for himself. He made a slow walk around all the living room, hall, and kitchen and then as I opened the front door walked out on his own with no hesitation. I don't think Blackie would ever adapt to full time indoor life, but it's nice to see that he has some manors at least and I am now more inclined to letting him sleep in the utility room in a pinch during especially bad weather.
Looks like I am coming full circle. I was never too much in favor of having cats in the house. When I was growing up mom used to have 1 or 2 cats at a time and would never let them outside for fear that they'd run off and get lost, injured, or bring back rabies or something despite having been vaccinated. Today I care for 3 cats which stay outside, aside from Hairy's visits, which just wandered my way one at a time and became their own family of sorts and seldom stray too far from home. And after all the grief mom's cats sometimes caused here I am thinking about letting these guys share my house. Well life just works out that way sometimes. LOL
I have allowed Hairy to spend the night a couple of times lately and while she's so far been a perfect house guest, sleeping all curled up on my jeans or else all stretched out on a couch with that long belly hair standing almost straight up while on top of some old Tee Shirts I put there for her to lay on, sometimes when I get up in the middle of the night she will be ready to go back outside.
I should also note that when I go to the kitchen for a drink she doesn't budge. But when I make myself a snack here she comes for her one too. How she always seems to know I'm getting food and not a drink I don't know. Fortunately I have some cheap kitty treats (Pounce) and also her and Blackie just love cheese. So far Munster and Provolone to be exact. Brownie could care less about cheese unless it's in the 9 Lives Tuna & Cheese can. Go figure!
Meanwhile Blackie mostly takes his sleep either right on the front porch or just beyond it. That said, 2 nights ago he decided to try out Brownie's litter box with the Yesterday's News brand litter that nobody here in Kittyland seems to care to use for anything other than bedding.
So Blackie was laying in Brownie's "bed," if you will, and here walked Brownie from the back yard. Blackie jumped up and headed for the porch, thinking Brownie would be upset. Nope. In fact later, when Brownie didn't come to bed Blackie went back to the box and then later Brownie came and laid in the box too, fitting as best he could. You see Brownie is a bit large and will take up the whole size of the box all on his own.
Now last night Blackie decided to sleep in a cloth & padded yellow chair in the carport. This is of interest to me because when the kitties first started hanging around that's where either 2 or all 3 of them used to sleep, no doubt huddling together for body warmth. In the time since they almost never sit in that chair at all. Personally were I a cat that would probably be my spot to sleep because with it's design is is fairly protected from 3 sides, plus the carport protects from the wind in at least 2 directions. But to each their own, I guess. As a reminder when she's sleeping outside Hairy likes to sleep on a brown plastic padded chair that's open all around. But she used to like the yellow chair and was the last to abandon it.
Also worth mentioning Brownie seems to be trying to get into the utility room every time I'm by the back door. He almost never tries to get in by the front door. And of course Hairy tries to get in any way she can, any time she can. In fact yesterday afternoon I saw Hairy on the security cams sitting on the back door step. So I went to the window, which sits close to the ground, to waive high. That night I head this cat meowing and scratching by that window. It was Hairy begging me to open the door and let her in, which I did.
Then later in the night I opened the front door thinking Hairy wanted out. Again, since I have yet to find a cat litter they would actually use to relieve themselves I have to let her out to use the bathroom the old fashioned way. But then Blackie seeing the open door thought he'd come in and check things out for himself. He made a slow walk around all the living room, hall, and kitchen and then as I opened the front door walked out on his own with no hesitation. I don't think Blackie would ever adapt to full time indoor life, but it's nice to see that he has some manors at least and I am now more inclined to letting him sleep in the utility room in a pinch during especially bad weather.
Looks like I am coming full circle. I was never too much in favor of having cats in the house. When I was growing up mom used to have 1 or 2 cats at a time and would never let them outside for fear that they'd run off and get lost, injured, or bring back rabies or something despite having been vaccinated. Today I care for 3 cats which stay outside, aside from Hairy's visits, which just wandered my way one at a time and became their own family of sorts and seldom stray too far from home. And after all the grief mom's cats sometimes caused here I am thinking about letting these guys share my house. Well life just works out that way sometimes. LOL
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Brownie the House Cat?
Some of my readers will remember the post where I first started letting Hairy come in the house for a visit. Of course now she thinks every time the door is open it is an invitation for her to enter. The other day I was working out back and one of the kitties slipped in the back door, which leads to my utility room.
Well I didn't think it such a big deal at the time. I thought if they took a look around to satisfy their curiosity that would be the end of that. After all, except for the washer and hot water heater it's pretty Spartan in there at the moment. Nothing else in there really so I let all three of the kitties come in. But man was I ever wrong to do that!
So yesterday afternoon I went out the back door to swap out the batteries in a solar yard light that were weak and there was Blackie taking in the sun. But when I tried to go back in Blackie had his mind made up he wanted to come in with me! After a few minutes of coaxing I was finally able to enter.
Then that night I went out to check on the lights and there was Brownie. Now he too wanted in - and he wasn't taking no for an answer! Try as I might the second I touched the door handle he was right there by the door trying to squeeze his head in and using his paw to try and pry the door open. After about 5 minutes I gave up and walked around to the front door. The irony here is that Hairy then bolted in the door herself! LOL
It wasn't especially cold. I was just wearing a tee shirt and shorts. And fortunately Brownie and Blackie, so far, have only shown minor interest in entering through the front door. So I guess the moral of the story is never never bring an outside only cat in to the house for a look see.
If they would just get used to using a litter box for it's intended purpose instead of as a bed I could see letting them stay in the utility room when it gets especially cold or during a hurricane. But no how, no way are Brownie and Blackie ever going to be house friendly. That's just not in their personalities.
Well I didn't think it such a big deal at the time. I thought if they took a look around to satisfy their curiosity that would be the end of that. After all, except for the washer and hot water heater it's pretty Spartan in there at the moment. Nothing else in there really so I let all three of the kitties come in. But man was I ever wrong to do that!
So yesterday afternoon I went out the back door to swap out the batteries in a solar yard light that were weak and there was Blackie taking in the sun. But when I tried to go back in Blackie had his mind made up he wanted to come in with me! After a few minutes of coaxing I was finally able to enter.
Then that night I went out to check on the lights and there was Brownie. Now he too wanted in - and he wasn't taking no for an answer! Try as I might the second I touched the door handle he was right there by the door trying to squeeze his head in and using his paw to try and pry the door open. After about 5 minutes I gave up and walked around to the front door. The irony here is that Hairy then bolted in the door herself! LOL
It wasn't especially cold. I was just wearing a tee shirt and shorts. And fortunately Brownie and Blackie, so far, have only shown minor interest in entering through the front door. So I guess the moral of the story is never never bring an outside only cat in to the house for a look see.
If they would just get used to using a litter box for it's intended purpose instead of as a bed I could see letting them stay in the utility room when it gets especially cold or during a hurricane. But no how, no way are Brownie and Blackie ever going to be house friendly. That's just not in their personalities.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Those Darned Kids
Well Blackie had a bit of excitement yesterday. Some young kids visiting the neighbors seemed to find nothing wrong with wandering around my carport looking for trouble. Hairy stayed by the bench and either didn't attract their attention or were not the focus of their interest at any rate. Then they proceeded on to my front door where Blackie was laying, minding his own business.
Now mind you the kitties aren't easily bothered by dogs, opossums, ducks, or much of anything (outside of thunder) until it seems to be a threat. But Blackie took off running as these kids approached. Oddly, as I sprung up from my chair the kids took off in the opposite direction. I'm not sure why. I don't recall a parent calling for them but like Blackie they seem to have gone into hiding themselves.
About an hour later Blackie came strolling back to his spot by my front door and all was well again in kittie land. Hairy basically stayed where she was through the whole ordeal. She's pretty easygoing and friendly. She just loves attention from anyone. This got me to thinking of something I'd never before considered. I wonder what I'd do if some brat kid like that harmed one of the kitties? Or really what could anyone do for that matter? I don't know. I just don't know! Especially if I were already in a bad mood I'm not sure what I would do.
I considered going out to have a nonthreatening talk with the kids, but decided against it out of concern that they would instead consider it an open invitation to come and use my yard whenever they cared to, which I do not want them to do. Besides trying to get the landscaping going some of their friends have been caught on camera throwing rocks at Blackie and Hairy. Honestly I was almost tempted to return to sender, if you know what I mean? ;-)
I mean I'm not a bad person. I don't HATE kids, though all that rambunctious squealing and knack for finding trouble does get under my skin. Still, when I was younger kids kind of liked me. But I just don't remember kids both back in my day or even years ago being this unruly and they certainly didn't curse like a drunken sailor on a 3 day pass.
So I'm in a quandary. Common sense tells me to make peace to avoid a war. I am reminded of the poet's words, "good fences make good neighbors." LOL
Now mind you the kitties aren't easily bothered by dogs, opossums, ducks, or much of anything (outside of thunder) until it seems to be a threat. But Blackie took off running as these kids approached. Oddly, as I sprung up from my chair the kids took off in the opposite direction. I'm not sure why. I don't recall a parent calling for them but like Blackie they seem to have gone into hiding themselves.
About an hour later Blackie came strolling back to his spot by my front door and all was well again in kittie land. Hairy basically stayed where she was through the whole ordeal. She's pretty easygoing and friendly. She just loves attention from anyone. This got me to thinking of something I'd never before considered. I wonder what I'd do if some brat kid like that harmed one of the kitties? Or really what could anyone do for that matter? I don't know. I just don't know! Especially if I were already in a bad mood I'm not sure what I would do.
I considered going out to have a nonthreatening talk with the kids, but decided against it out of concern that they would instead consider it an open invitation to come and use my yard whenever they cared to, which I do not want them to do. Besides trying to get the landscaping going some of their friends have been caught on camera throwing rocks at Blackie and Hairy. Honestly I was almost tempted to return to sender, if you know what I mean? ;-)
I mean I'm not a bad person. I don't HATE kids, though all that rambunctious squealing and knack for finding trouble does get under my skin. Still, when I was younger kids kind of liked me. But I just don't remember kids both back in my day or even years ago being this unruly and they certainly didn't curse like a drunken sailor on a 3 day pass.
So I'm in a quandary. Common sense tells me to make peace to avoid a war. I am reminded of the poet's words, "good fences make good neighbors." LOL
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Love That Pepperoni!
As I sometimes do when having a store bought pizza I pulled most of the pepperoni off and cut it up into kitty sized pieces. Blackie was so happy he did a little dance the minute he saw what I had for them.
The other day I was at the grocery store and picked up a so-called trial size 2-pak of 9 Lives Select and the flavor was strips of shredded beef with a lot of gravy. This is probably their best favorite so far.
In my experience most cats seem to want to go for the gravy first and this product seems to be a good recipe for that reason. In fact Brownie will sometimes refuse to eat a cake form of canned food even if you break it up well. Still, at $.45 a can as a so-called trial promo I don't know if I would pay much more than that. It's a matter of economics. If 3 cans a day are $.33 each that's roughly $30 a month. At $.45 that comes to just over $40, so the cost difference is about the cost of 2 bags of Good Life dry food which is their dry preference so far. Now I've seen some of the better name brand can food selling for $.90 a can and have wondered who has that kind of money? Then again those owners probably have just one cat and may only offer can food sparingly.
It rained off and on last night. Blackie remained camped out by my front door most of the night and is there now. Meanwhile Brownie and Hairy are usually content sleeping in their litter boxes filled with Yesterday's News brand litter, which of course they never use for that other thing. I have yet to get them to actually use a litter box for their bodily relief and it's becoming a problem.
Frankly, for all my efforts to landscape the front yard it smells like cat poop and it's not always so easy to find and remove, which of course is a bit disappointing. And they're not being consistent about where they go. Previously they would go at a spot by the side of the house, which worked out fine since nobody goes by that spot much. Now they go just about anywhere there is dirt. But upon further reflection maybe it is because I am doing a lot of digging lately and they feel the fresh dirt smell is an open invitation, especially since I'm using a lot of composted manure. Still, that doesn't explain why they also use the back yard now too but that could just be because they are hanging out there more often with the change in the weather.
The other day I was at the grocery store and picked up a so-called trial size 2-pak of 9 Lives Select and the flavor was strips of shredded beef with a lot of gravy. This is probably their best favorite so far.
In my experience most cats seem to want to go for the gravy first and this product seems to be a good recipe for that reason. In fact Brownie will sometimes refuse to eat a cake form of canned food even if you break it up well. Still, at $.45 a can as a so-called trial promo I don't know if I would pay much more than that. It's a matter of economics. If 3 cans a day are $.33 each that's roughly $30 a month. At $.45 that comes to just over $40, so the cost difference is about the cost of 2 bags of Good Life dry food which is their dry preference so far. Now I've seen some of the better name brand can food selling for $.90 a can and have wondered who has that kind of money? Then again those owners probably have just one cat and may only offer can food sparingly.
It rained off and on last night. Blackie remained camped out by my front door most of the night and is there now. Meanwhile Brownie and Hairy are usually content sleeping in their litter boxes filled with Yesterday's News brand litter, which of course they never use for that other thing. I have yet to get them to actually use a litter box for their bodily relief and it's becoming a problem.
Frankly, for all my efforts to landscape the front yard it smells like cat poop and it's not always so easy to find and remove, which of course is a bit disappointing. And they're not being consistent about where they go. Previously they would go at a spot by the side of the house, which worked out fine since nobody goes by that spot much. Now they go just about anywhere there is dirt. But upon further reflection maybe it is because I am doing a lot of digging lately and they feel the fresh dirt smell is an open invitation, especially since I'm using a lot of composted manure. Still, that doesn't explain why they also use the back yard now too but that could just be because they are hanging out there more often with the change in the weather.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Just a Few Lines
It's been a while since my last entry so I thought I should post something so that my regular readers don't begin to think I've abandoned the blog.
Blackie has taken up a habit of venturing too close to the street sitting just a few feet from the country mailbox. I called out to him last night while sitting in my easy chair, doors closed and windows shut, TV blaring and told him not to sit so close to the road. Remember I have day/ night home security cams. He actually heard me! He got up and promptly walked over to my truck and laid down under it. See! I told you he was wise. That's about as good as any protected spot. LOL
He is also going across the street more often when he gets bored. He sits there staring at my house of all things, I think in hopes that it will prompt me to come out and give him some attention. It only troubles me because those neighbors and their guests drive in very fast with little regard for small creatures or children and with his permanently hurt paw Blackie is far from being as fast as a speeding bullet anymore. Not like Brownie or Hairy with their emergency breakaway speed. That said, when I do come out he immediately comes trotting out like a trotting race horse to meet me. It's actually kind of funny and heartwarming at the same time to see him coming at a fast trot to meet me. Still, I worry because last week the construction crew poured concrete and it looks like my temporarily dead end road will soon be reopened to thru traffic. I'm worried the kitties may be getting too accustomed to strolling across the road and get seriously hurt.
Now with the cooler weather the kitties have taken up daytime residence in the back yard from time to time. This is the time of year Floridians live for in many respects. Toasty warm but not too hot under the sun while most of the rest of the country suffers from cold temperatures and high heating bills. Today is as nice of a day as anyone could really want and a Saturday as well. I often hear the oldtimers around here talk about "The Florida Way of Life" and how things were almost old South slow around here not many years ago, even in business dealings. It is a day like this when you can truly appreciate the phrase. What a perfectly beautiful day to do absolutely nothing. Just kick back, enjoy a beverage of your choice and watch the kitties watch nature. I think we all need days like this once in a while just to stay sane.
So as I pop the top on another cool one please know that having been raised in the Midwest I am not rubbing it in, although nationally today is not so bad for most. But sometimes it is hard to dwell on the slushy, sloppy, snowy when you're enjoying paradise with your favorite kitty friends by your side.
Blackie has taken up a habit of venturing too close to the street sitting just a few feet from the country mailbox. I called out to him last night while sitting in my easy chair, doors closed and windows shut, TV blaring and told him not to sit so close to the road. Remember I have day/ night home security cams. He actually heard me! He got up and promptly walked over to my truck and laid down under it. See! I told you he was wise. That's about as good as any protected spot. LOL
He is also going across the street more often when he gets bored. He sits there staring at my house of all things, I think in hopes that it will prompt me to come out and give him some attention. It only troubles me because those neighbors and their guests drive in very fast with little regard for small creatures or children and with his permanently hurt paw Blackie is far from being as fast as a speeding bullet anymore. Not like Brownie or Hairy with their emergency breakaway speed. That said, when I do come out he immediately comes trotting out like a trotting race horse to meet me. It's actually kind of funny and heartwarming at the same time to see him coming at a fast trot to meet me. Still, I worry because last week the construction crew poured concrete and it looks like my temporarily dead end road will soon be reopened to thru traffic. I'm worried the kitties may be getting too accustomed to strolling across the road and get seriously hurt.
Now with the cooler weather the kitties have taken up daytime residence in the back yard from time to time. This is the time of year Floridians live for in many respects. Toasty warm but not too hot under the sun while most of the rest of the country suffers from cold temperatures and high heating bills. Today is as nice of a day as anyone could really want and a Saturday as well. I often hear the oldtimers around here talk about "The Florida Way of Life" and how things were almost old South slow around here not many years ago, even in business dealings. It is a day like this when you can truly appreciate the phrase. What a perfectly beautiful day to do absolutely nothing. Just kick back, enjoy a beverage of your choice and watch the kitties watch nature. I think we all need days like this once in a while just to stay sane.
So as I pop the top on another cool one please know that having been raised in the Midwest I am not rubbing it in, although nationally today is not so bad for most. But sometimes it is hard to dwell on the slushy, sloppy, snowy when you're enjoying paradise with your favorite kitty friends by your side.
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