January 17, 2014 by Born To Organize

Sunbathing in January

Cats loathe the rain. Conversely, they love the sun. Though our freakishly warm temps are anything *but* normal, they’re okay with it. They’ve been sunbathing in the garden and generally loving life.

Winter shadows, summer temps

Beijing faces the sun

Squirrels have hunkered down in other parts of the country. Not around here. This little fella is soaking up some rays from the comfort of a neighboring pine tree. I love the way he drapes his tail across his back for extra warmth.

Catching some rays

Apparently the spinner of this web is on walkabout. All that sun went to her head. Of course I didn’t linger long in-case she tapped me on the shoulder to prove me otherwise.

I wonder where she is?

What do cats, squirrels and spiders have in common?

Stealth mode. They can hold completely still, then move at lightening speed when the mood (or the meal) strikes. You can drop that little piece of trivia at your next cocktail party.

We’ve been so long without rain now that even the rain-haters are talking about it. Meanwhile, critters everywhere are stocking up on Vitamin D.

Have a terrific weekend. Wishing you seasonally appropriate weather in your special place in the world.

August 5, 2013 by Born To Organize

Kitty in Search of a Play Date

Our three kitties love the time we spend in the garden. One by one they join us outdoors. We installed a cat fence-in system over 16 years ago to keep them safe, so they have the run of the garden without the dangers of street-life. It’s been the best of both worlds.

Lindy in repose

When we first installed the system, we monitored carefully for possible escape routes. Our fab felines quickly settled in and we let out a collective sigh.

Beijing enjoying her solitude

Then…Mighty Mouse came along. Mouse belongs to a neighbor, but he prefers life at our place. He’s also the Harry Houdini of the cat world. He knows the ins and outs of our house and garden, and makes himself at home wherever his little paws carry him. Mouse navigates his way into our yard by crossing the neighbors gate along the top of the shared fence. From there he weaves through the Jasmin vine, over the netting and across one of the broken standards we keep meaning to fix.

This weekend he joined us in search of a play date.

Mouse looking up

bird on the fence

Our furry friend listened to the birds rustling in the orange tree for a while, but lost interest when Lindy came outside. He circled her for a game of patty-cake, but she was not amused. Her bent ears sent a clear message of annoyance. Mouse wised up and moved on.

Fun and games

Next up, he tried to engage Beijing. She was busy snoozing, pressed against the warm rock wall, when Mouse slyly meandered nearby. He inched closer and closer, sitting down each time in the dirt. Before he could dangle an inquisitive paw, Beijing stood up, braced her shoulders and vocalized her first warning. Unperturbed, he held the higher ground. ‘I have no time for this nonsense,’ she seemed to say, as she turned her back and returned inside in what I can only imagine was disgust. I found her sphinx like in the entry way, wondering when the intruder would be heading home.

Let’s play!!!

“I’ve had it!”

Slinky avoided Mouse altogether, staying hidden in the side yard till the coast was clear.

I think it might be time to place an ad in the personals: Handsome young kitty, in search of a play date.

Do they have eHarmony for cats?

April 30, 2013 by Born To Organize

Beijing in the Garden

It’s been a rough couple of days. Our aging, arthritic kitty Beijing suffered a ‘collapsing episode.’ I drove her to the emergency animal hospital Sunday night where they immediately placed her in an oxygen tank. In addition to the arthritis and mild kidney disease we knew about, it turns out she has an enlarged heart, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy along with an irregular heart rhythm. Our poor, sweet kitty.

The vet weaned her off of the oxygen and stabilized her overnight. I moved her to our regular vet Monday morning.

The better news is that all three conditions are manageable with medications. She gets to come home in a few days.

I’ve had two sad boys on my hands since sharing the bad news. It will be nice to let them know she’s coming home. The goal is a simple one: keep her feeling good.

Here are a few favorite pics of our ‘Beige’ enjoying life in the garden. I can’t wait to see her lounging there again soon.

Beijing Warms Up: Half in, half out

My Bowl Appears to be Empty

Trying to stay cool

Now that those pesky pumpkins are gone, I can finally take a nap in the vegetable bed.

February 25, 2013 by Born To Organize

Sentinel Kitty: Guarding the Garden

Kung-Fu Fighter, leg at the ready
Guarding the Gourds

There is a terrible rumor going around. You may have heard it. It implies, in unkind terms, that cats do nothing but sleep all day. It’s simply untrue.

I know how these rumors get started. To the untrained eye, there is a kernel of truth. The reality, however is this: they’re on stealth guard. What appears as slumber is a clever ploy. Friends (and foes!!!) tiptoe around them to insure undisturbed sleep. Kitty keeps her eyes tightly closed but ready to pounce at a moment’s notice, all the while keeping a close watch on garden treasures.

The next time you see a slumbering feline, take a close look at what’s nearby. Sentinel Kitty might be guarding the Crown Jewels, or something really important, like Sacred Tulips.

Lindy guards the house plants

Halt! Who goes there?

Slinky Malinki, Stealth Kitty

Crown Jewels aka Tulips

January 24, 2013 by Born To Organize

All’s Well with Slinky

A quick Slinky Malinki update for all who’ve been following along: her labs came back normal! She lost a bit of weight so they recommend a weight check in 30 days. Otherwise, all’s well. =^..^=

We’re doing the happy dance! Thank you for your support

Slinky Warming Up

January 22, 2013 by Born To Organize

Slinky Malinki: Garden Kitty and a Paradigm Shift

Slinky Malinki in the Garden

Slinky Malinki is a character in a well-loved children’s book by author Lynley Dodd. Slinky is “a cat as black as midnight with a kink in his tail.”

Our beloved Slinky is a shiny black cat, too, with a kink in her tail. The resemblance, however, ends there. Dodd’s character is a “thief in the night;” bold and adventurous. Our Slinky spent the last two years hiding in the garden, afraid of her own shadow, and everything else. The paradigm shift happened today.

In recent months, Slinky in the garden finally became a house cat, venturing outside for five or ten minutes a day, but otherwise spending her day asleep at my feet under the desk. She’s come a long way from the cat we first knew. She used to swat and bite, refusing all attempts at affection. Gradually I’ve figured out ways to stroke her chin, avoiding the business end of her claws. As she spent more and more time indoors, I started to wonder if her hearing might be impaired. I would call her with her back turned without a response. Was she hard of hearing or simply aloof? I wondered if poor eyesight might by the reason she swung at me with my hand extended. Perhaps she was once mistreated, learning to distrust human hands.

Slinky Stretching

The Paradigm Shift

We saw the vet today and here’s what we learned: The kitty we thought was three to five years old is probably in her teens. They ordered a geriatric blood panel, the last thing I expected on today’s visit. Slinky is hard of hearing, picking up some sounds but definitely hearing-impaired. She doesn’t see well either and things will likely get worse.

Our wonderful vet was decidedly upbeat. I’m grateful there are people in the world like her. Results from the lab work will be back tomorrow.

I’ve thought about the time we shared in the garden, Slinky and me. She tentatively rounded the corner each day, then kept a watchful eye on the proceedings. Any sudden move and she was out of their lickety split. She ran from my outstretched hand. One day Slinky gave me a gentle headbutt, a clear sign of cat affection. I knew at last we had turned a corner together.

If cats could talk, she would have her own tales to tell. A Haiku:

Slinky Malinki
lived more winters than I knew.
Safe and warm at last.

Slinky Moves In Collage

January 1, 2013 by Born To Organize

Kitty-corner

According to Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary, kitty-corner means

“in a diagonal or oblique position” <the house stood kitty–corner across the square>

Silly me! All this time I thought it meant the garden corner where kitties congregate.

Our kitty corner saw a lot of activity this week. One morning, a stunning Siamese cat appeared, staying just long enough for a picture. I’ve not seen her before but what a lovely. She has a chocolate-brown face and brilliant blue eyes. I wonder what she’s looking at?

Handsome Kitty Drops By

An hour later our neighbor’s cat showed up in the same spot. Kitty should be on the other side of her own cat fencing. She’s found a way to escape the yard, but they never see her do it so they don’t know how. We keep hoping we’ll discover her escape route. So far, no luck. She’s got that “I’m not supposed to be here” look on her face, doesn’t she?

Flash Looking Sheepish

Flash on the Move

There she goes.

In the inside corner pocket of the garden, Beijing likes to drape herself on both sides of the door. She keeps her torso outside for maximum sun, while resting her head on the threshold. This sends a less than subtle message to the resident felines that they’ll have to go around.

Beijing Warms Up

Lindy and Beijing taking sun (Sorry, Lindy, this corner’s taken)

We love our garden’s kitty-corners. Perhaps I should send a note to Merriam Webster to suggest an additional dictionary entry: where cats congregate. What do you think?

December 10, 2012 by Born To Organize

Cats in the Garden: The Holiday Addition

Our afternoon temps were in the mid-sixties (F) this weekend, with skies bright and clear. What a perfect, late-autumn day. I planted tulips, raked leaves and swept the patio, happy to have the time outdoors One by one the cats joined me in the garden. They vie for my attention, while avoiding each others wrath.

Over the years I’ve had a few cats that got along, but mostly my feline companions merely tolerate each other. The current pecking order is as follows: Lindy is ten, and has lived here the longest. She mostly gets her way. Sadly, she’s been terrorizing Slinky, who backs down every time. I’m convinced that if Slinky “stood up to her” things would improve. Before Slinky, Lindy got along with all cats, including the visitors.

Lindy-Lu, we love you

Lindy spies Slinky behind the trellis

Top Cat

Beijing, once a stray, joined us three years ago. She’s an aging cat with arthritis and kidney troubles, but she behaves like a brute and takes no prisoners. She makes us laugh. Beige is always looking for a lap and will settle into one the moment anyone sits down. She’s in love with my husband, and I think she wonders where he goes all day.

Beijing or ‘Beige’…cause she’s neither white nor orange

Slinky is young, semi-feral and just now spending most of her time indoors. It’s been a long process, with a few setbacks. She enjoyed the late afternoon in the garden as well, hiding from Lindy but keeping her eye on me. By evening she came indoors where she is enjoying her new digs.

Slinky takes a bath

Slinky Keeps Watch

I can’t begin to imagine a world without animals, nor my life without felines. Their (mostly) serene presence soothes the soul.

November 23, 2012 by Born To Organize

Black Friday: The Garden Edition

Welcome to Black Friday, the garden edition. We stayed away from shopping centers today, and enjoyed life near home. I walked with a friend on one of our local trails, where we spotted mallards, geese and a stunning beautiful swan.

Our tree is up and decorated, the lights are hung and after a relaxing dinner at home, I lit Bayberry and Cinnamon scented candles. I love cozy evenings with family.

Petals and Blossum are a pair of lucky black cats, staying cozy in their home in Canada. Those kitties assumed, with the legendary confidence of a cat, that they named Black Friday after them. Aren’t they clever?

You can see a picture of the sweet little twosome at Boomdeeada. They work their way in to several posts. Thanks for the inspiration girls.

Black and White Camellia

Black and White Pansy

Black and White Bud

Black and White Allium

Slinky, Unfiltered

Slinky Scratches and Itch

Slinky Stretching

Slinky Walks

September 5, 2012 by Born To Organize

Kitty Bouquet: Catnip on a String

It’s always nice to bring your hostess a bunch of flowers from your garden, but what about the resident cat? Since kitty usually calls the shots in feline-centric households, it only seems fair. I propose catnip on a string.

Not all cats are susceptible to the intoxicating oils of the catnip or cat-mint plant. When presented with a fragrant bunch of greens, about half of all cats will respond. Be sure to offer your gift in an appropriate setting. If kitty drools green catnip all over your hostesses white couch, you probably won’t be invited back.

Hostess Gift
Catnip with a Bow

I hope this is organic

Shall I go ahead and give it a try?

Tasty!

Catnip Bouquet Tutorial

Turn at least 70% of your growing space into a catnip garden.
Pinch a few leaves from the plant once it’s fully grown.
Tie a bow around the bunch (six inches or less, please so kitty doesn’t get tangled).
Deliver to your feline host.

If you follow these instructions carefully, you’ll be invited back again and again. Enjoy!