all I want fur kissmess

Exhibit A:  We need more gravy and get rid of these gray chunks!

Exhibit B:  Sorry, Purina, but I'm not eatin' these gray chunks.

Dear Purina:

I am a middle-aged, "curvy" feline with a lotta smarts and discriminating taste.  My mom feeds me Fancy Feast Creamy Delights Tuna Feast since she discovered a couple of years ago that this is the only thing I will eat.  But, as you can see from Exhibit A and Exhibit B above, I cannot abide the stuff you put in the gravy.  My mom calls this "meat" but I'm not sure.  Whatever it is, it sux. 

So, my mom wrote to Purina and asked them to share the recipe for the gravy because that's really all I'm interested in eating (Exhibit A & B); but (no surprise) they did not respond.  My mom is a smart one and she always has a Plan B (and C and D) to find out how to make that gravy. 

In the meatime, I am sending this message to you to request that you (a) either take the gray chunks out of the gravy, or (b) put waaaaaay more gravy in and take out most of the gray chunks.  Then, it will be better.

Yers sinseerly,

Ms. Daffodil K. R. Skypants

Annifurrsary

The BEST toy is a kitty tail!!

PATTY:  Sab and I have been together for 35 years and we decided to celebrate by booking the cat room at our local cat cafe.  All the kitties are rescues and are available for adoption and they get to stay in this huge room where they sleep, play, eat, drink, and have pets visited upon them every single day by many visitors and staff, as well as the cat wrangler.  They have a private toilette area and can escape into a variety of cubbyholes when they want "alone time." 

This photo shows only a few of the kitties.  The rest are in the front of the room in a tree by the window (catching some rays) and there are two sleeping under the little white table (lower left).  All the chairs have cat paw socks.  The cafe has three permanent kitty residents who are not up for adoption, one of whom is a polydactal.  When you book a room, you get free coffee and pastries. 

DAFFY:  What do you think?  Should I feel betrayed?  Not really.  I was glad to get rid of them for a little while so I could have "alone time." 

Do you have a cat cafe in your town?  Tell me about it!  xoxo

November snow!

Where'd my furs go!?! 

Why'd you do this to me?!!

PATTY:  So, as you can see, Daffy got a fur cut -- basically her whole back end.  She still looks amazingly beautiful but I worry about her being cold.  However, as  you can see she is intelligent enough to have found a nice warm spot for naps.  Yesterday afternoon she even came up on the bed and climbed onto my stomach and lap and snuggled while I read (Postcards from the Edge by Carrie Fisher which was pretty funny, so I recommend it).  This was a VERY rare occurrence (not the reading; the lap snuggling)!  She has NEVER climbed on anyone's lap for snuggles.  This fur cut has altered her personality a little, I guess.

As is becoming the habit, apparently, when the weather changes her fur starts flying off her body.  We were finding hand-fulls of fluff everywhere.  In the morning the path to the kitchen was covered with big tufts of fur leading to the food bowls . . . a feline Hansel and Gretl twist!  Then all of a sudden, as if overnight. her back end was completely matted and all the mats were like concrete -- we could NOT brush them or comb them out.  She was suffering and confused about what was happening, so we had no choice but to take her to the vet.

That's because unlike normal kitties, she won't let strangers touch her without biting their hands off.  So, not only do we have to pay for an office visit ($53) and grooming ($35), we also need an anesthetist ($50) to administer the sedative.  I realize there are some human females who spend about that much for grooming visits to the salon.  So, am I complaining?  Nah.  We lived with Bhu, the Mat-Master of them all, for 19 years and so I should say we are used to it (but we never really are).

If you are some of the "lucky" Americans who are having snow this week, may I sympathize!  All I can suggest is plenty of hot cocoa.  xoxo

Before it's too late!

Graphic compliments of Ann of Zoolatry!

PATTY:  I love my sister but she doesn't vote.  Why?  Because she doesn't read and so she doesn't know who the candidates are or anything about their values or platforms.  She doesn't know what constitutional amendments or proposals are on the ballot and I'll bet she doesn't even know where her polling place is.  She is, however, registered to vote.  This just makes me so mad and I tell her but she always counters that the issues really aren't relevant to her life.  Of course, she is so wrong but I'm glad she has the intelligence to NOT vote if she knows nothing about the issues.

If you are a person who knows nothing going into the polling place, I have a treat for you.  Wouldn't you rather be informed as you cast your vote?  Here is a link to a site that will tell you what is on the ballot in your city and what those things mean:  ballotpedia.org.  All you have to do is type in your address or zip code and it will show you what's on the ballot so you can be prepared.

DAFFY:  Wish I could vote!  I'd vote for tuna! 

BOO!

PATTY:  Thanks to Ann of Zoolatry (zoolatry@gmail.com), Daffy has fulfilled her dream of masquerading as Katy Perry for Meow-O-Ween!  I mean, seriously, they could be twins, right?  So Daffy is thinking that with this costume she is going to be raking in the treats!!

DAFFY:  Fer shur, no doubt!  Kiss Kiss!!

xoxo

PeeEss:  Today is Bhu's birthday.  We miss him so much!  

Kitty Krack

WARNING:  Addictive substances!!

The User displaying absolutely no remorse and plotting to get her next fix.

Yes, it's true.  The new scourge of suburbia:  PARTY MIX!  The sight of these little packages makes Daffy so excited she gets a little wild-eyed.  She is crazy for them, even though they make her tummy a little dense.  But, as you can see from her expression, nothing is going to stop her from getting more.  NOTHING!  Thanks a lot, Friskies!!

More information about Daffy's skin condition.  Since it was a grooming visit and not a medical one, the vet did not pursue the exact nature of the condition, but the treatment she gave us is called Douxo Seborrhea Spot-on, which is very easy to apply.  The active ingredient is Phytosphingosine 1%.

Heat wave is back today, but at least we got some rain this week!  Hope your summer has gone well!  All I know is that I have seen quite a few monarch butterflies this week, so I'm happy!  xoxo

Potpourri

These giants weigh a little over 2 pounds each. 

PATTY:  So, you're expecting to see Daffy but no can do.  She's snoozing in the window and doesn't want to be photographed.  We had to have a grooming intervention last week ($150 because she has to be sedated), so she has a few "bare" spots on her belleh.  It's just astounding how much she was shedding!  We absolutely could not keep up with it even though we were brushing her at least twice a day.  Plus, we learned she has a skin condition that is causing copious amounts of dandruff so now we have to apply an ointment to her coat.

Instead, what you are seeing here is a mountain of tomatoes that I harvested last night.  These are not the first, as you know, and will probably not be the last but they are GIGANTIC (in both size and flavor).  Also harvested were a few squash and some anaheim peppers.  Here's a photo of some of the smaller, normal sized tomatoes.  Yum, huh?

We're normal and will probably go into a salad or sandwich. 

Yesterday I watched the Sex & The City movie.  Quite possibly the stupidest thing I've ever watched (and I've seen "Meatballs" and at least one other early Bill Murry movie).  How did this series/franchise ever become so popular?

But the big thing for me this weekend is that I have been trying not to think about the big failure I am having at work.  It's BIG.  What do you do when you have a FAIL at work?  Usually, I can fix it; but this time I don't know.  Plus, I have reached a level of IDGAS that is disturbing for me.  Usually I care . . . I really care; but lately, IDGAS.  Honestly, I'm stressed out.  Too much has been assigned to me and I'm not getting any institutional support.  Bear in mind:  I'm part-time.  I'm retired.  I know what you're going to say. 

At least I didn't have to have my belleh shaved, right?!  Have a good week, all!  xoxo

Garden Magic

Love you Bhu and miss you every day!!  xoxo

 PATTY:  First (and furmost) is a photo of our sweet Bhu.  I love this photo of him because you can see dusty on his face.  Wonder where he'd been exploring that day, but look at those eyes!! 

The garden has produced some veggies this year so far and I'm hoping for lots more.  All these veggies scare Sabryin, so he's been on the phone trying to convince his friends they need some of them.  I'm happy to keep (and eat) them all.  

Summer squash, wax beans, and two other types of squash I don't even know what they are!

Tomatoes and peppers.  Salsa here we come!

 This isn't our first harvest; we've been eating tomatoes and squash for weeks now.  There have been failures as well as successes.  Japanese Beetles have overrun the pole beans.  The yellow pear tomatoes seem to have some sort of wilting virus; unfortunate because these are my favorite tomatoes.  And something has taken a fancy to the Japanese eggplants, so we will have no harvest of those this year. 

How does your garden grow? 

P.S.  We do NOT grow cucumbers, so Daffy don't worry.  xoxo

No escape!

I hate fireworks.

Where can we go to get away from the fireworks?

Humans are weird.

PATTY:  No escape from fireworks on the Fourth of July!  It doesn't matter how spectacular the City's celebration is, there are still jackasses in the neighborhoods who spare no expense to purchase an arse-nal (pun intentional) for those one a.m. private shows that keep everyone awake for the rest of the night.  Apparently, blowing up things has become irrevocably associated with loving your country, which also apparently has nothing to do with loving (or even considering) your neighbor.

DAFFY:  The purr-ice of fureedom, as they say.  xoxo

Sergeant Daffy, Squirrel Patrol

Stink Eye for the squirrels!

PATTY:  As you can see, Daffy has found Bhu's window fort and has taken over the Squirrel Patrol! 

DAFFY:  Don't get excited 'cause I'm NOT goin' out there and messin' with no squirrels. 

PATTY:  No problem!  I don't want you out there anyway.  You stay right where you are.  (Love her pretty green eyes.)

Stay cool during this hot and humid June!  xoxo

The Bed Chronicles

Daffy is interviewing for Executive VP of Mattress Inspections. 

I think she's gonna get the job!  She's a natural!

PATTY:  Howdy at the end of May!  Amazing how time flies whether or not you're having fun.  Last month I did not have any fun because (a) it was tax time; (b) auto insurance was due; (c) had to get a new HVAC system; and so on. 

Daffy is shedding like crazy!  She's not a big fan of brushing or combing (or too much interaction of any kind, for that matter) so it's difficult to keep the matts at bay.  She's also found Bhu's window fort and now spends most mornings there snoozing and keeping track of the critter traffic in the yard. 

Hope you're all well and happy!  xoxo

Daffy's Trump Do

Can you see it?

Close up of Daffy's Trump Do.

#1 Gotcha Day!

Oh, Hai!  Has it been one year already?!  Time flies when there's plenty of Tuna noms!

PATTY:  So here we are, one year later and we've only spent about $4,000 so far on our wonderful rescue kitty, aka Daffodil.  Day by day we get to know her a little better and day by day she comes to trust us a little more.  At present, she is drinking sardine water, all happy at the Daffy Buffet we have set up in the kitchen.

Sabryin commented on the lack of posts produced by Daffy and I explained that Bhu was eight years old when he had his first post . . . and THAT was accidental, after all.  It was supposed to be MY blog and he was a guest star; but it turned out he was more interesting than me.  I can't argue! 

What exactly have we come to discover about Daffy?  Well, first, we're pretty sure she is a Maine Coon:  her musical chirping, her fascination with moving water and her need to play with it, her magnificent muff and glorious belleh furs, and her absolutely stout, weighty body!  Second, we know she has feline asthma for which we have to give her a dose of meds every day ($28/month).  Third, she's a little too hefty to groom herself entirely and sometimes when she gets going she actually falls back producing a loud thud (she gives me stink eye when I giggle at her).  Sometimes it takes her two or three tries to jump up onto the bed from the floor.  And she sways when she walks and when she runs she gallops. 

Evidence of Maine Coon-ness.  This would be her after dinner siesta pose.

So join us in celebrating one year of Daffy Love and let's hope for many, many more!  xoxo

Dear Minnesota: Second Notice!!

Daffy's Tip of the Day:  Fleece jammies make great pillows!

PATTY:  Apparently, Minnesota won't take its crappy weather back and we have had s-n-o-w again!  And it is brain-bucking cold, the kind where your fingertips burn even if you're wearing gloves and there can't BE enough layers between your skin and the air.  I should head south, like Ann of Zoolatry; although I hear it's not so warm down there, either! 

Daffy can't wait for the morning when Poppy takes off his jammies and puts on his day clothes.  He has the softest, warmest fleece jammies and as soon as they're off, she jumps up on the bed and kneads her way into a blissful day-long nap.  She'll be up at 4 for her next major feeding.  What a life!! 

Today is Martin Luther King day and I realize there are generations of folks who have no idea who he is or what he did.  "The time is always right to do what is right."  "We must live together as brothers or perish together as fools."  The dream persists in so many of us, but the reality pains our souls.  So, if you pray today, don't pray for health, wealth, success, or romance.  Pray for peaceful coexistence and an end to hatred and the violence it spawns. 

It's also a day off, which for me is not a very profitable situation since if I don't work I don't get paid, so I will be enjoying my sewing mojo, which recently returned.  I've been working on the North Wind quilt using Kaffe Fasset fabrics and just need to design the borders and then it will be a quilt!  Hope you all will have a happy, productive day!! 

xoxo