... And then they showed up

Tilly here. Once upon a time, I was the only kitty. I was fat and happy and got all the attention the beans had to give. All the food too.

And then one day in 1994, these showed up.

Dad got them from a lady at work who rescues kitties that don't have homes. This nice lady took in a momma cat who then had kittens. When Dad and Mum went to her house to look at the kittens, there was little Toby sitting bold as brass on top of a cat carrier. (I guess he didn't know then that they were for trips to the vet!)

Mum said "Ooooh, a tigger! That's the one I want." Then the lady said, "There's another one around here somewhere." She reached between her stove and the wall and pulled out a shy little black and white. Dad said, "We might as well take that one, too."

I didn't care too much for these new arrivals and they soon learned to stay away from me. I hissed and growled whenever they came near. I applied a few well-placed swats as well.

The two brothers Toby and Jiggsy kept pretty much to themselves for their first few years. But they didn't keep out of trouble.

The two kitties were big troublemakers around Christmas, when they tried to "help" Mum and Dad decorate the Christmas tree. Here's Mum looking at a strange "ornament" in the middle of the tree. Eventually, Mum and Dad gave up trying to decorate the tree for that year. They said they had the ugliest tree in the world that year -- just some lights scattered randomly over bent branches with cat fur mixed in -- but it was the best one ever.

Troublesome kittens! But still Santa Claws brought them presents. It just isn't fair.

Now Toby is big and brawny and I am old and frail. He's repaying me for my meanness to him when he was young. He doesn't really hurt me -- he just uses his bulk to push me around.

Jiggsy went over the bridge in April. Even I miss him sometimes.

hello, everyone !
I thought you would like these photos. Mum isn't well, so she and Tilly will blog later. It's chilly here, so I am being both a nurse and a furry spread...

Remembering Sept. 11

This is William H. Pohlman. He was a lawyer and assistant deputy commissioner with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, which had its offices in the World Trade Center. Mr. Pohlman died Sept. 11, 2001. He was 56.

Mr. Pohlman was born in the Bronx and lived in Ardsley, N.Y., with his wife, Linda. They have three adult children, Craig, Christopher and Darren. Mr. Pohlman was also a volunteer firefighter and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve.

The New York Times published brief profiles of each of the victims of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. You can read more about Mr. Pohlman at this link.

On this fifth anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, bloggers everywhere are honoring the memories of each of the 2,996 people who died that terrible day. You can find a list of these bloggers and link to the stories of those they are honoring at this link.

We at The Tower Hill Mob honor the memories of all who died on Sept. 11, 2001.

Good evening, kitties and beans,

Toby here. I haven't been feeling too well, so I probably won't chat long. There's nothing wrong with me, I just don't feel like doing much except eat and sleep. Today I had a nice long wash and played with the toys the Feline Oligarchy sent. They are lovely and I'm enjoying them very much. I hold the mouse between my paws and suck on it. It smells like nip! YUM!
Mum is worried about Grandma and Molly. Grandma has been using the Feliway stuff and thought it was working, BUT today Molly bit her again. It wasn't as bad as last time, but Mum and Grandma are upset. Grandma thinks Molly would rather be a barn kitty where she could run around and hunt mice and stuff. That way, if she is antisocial , it doesn't matter. Does anyone have any suggestions? Grandma is going to talk to some ladies from the church to see if anyone wants a kitty who is an excellent hunter and watch cat, but not friendly.
I'm glad my buddy Fat Eric is home. I thought the kitty jail didn't sound too bad until I read his latest adventure. I hope my beans don't get any ideas about world travel. ( Note from Mum- not until we win lotto) . I'm sorry his Mum didn't enjoy the Red Sox, but August was a rough month for them. EVERY August.
I also enjoy reading about Big Eric. For a large boy, he is quite the athlete. I am most impressed. Me, I'd rather nap. Of course, rural life is more physical than I am accustomed to.
It's getting time to check the food bowl and make sure it is FULL.
Good night, everyone!

Hello, everyone.

Tilly here. Our Mum has been ill and busy so this is the first chance we've had to blog in some time.
The beans went to St. Anthony's feast in Boston a few weeks ago. While they were there, Mum prayed for our friends. She prayed real hard for Carol to get a good job and for Toni's eye surgery to go well. We didn't know about Lost Luna then, but we are praying for her,too. There are way too many sick and troubled poodins' and beans out there. C'mon everyone- we need to get our act together and FIX this stuff!
Toby has been a real pain in the hoo-has lately. First, he had to got the vet. heh,heh. Mum tricked him into going into the carrier. He strolled over to see what she was doing and walked right into it! Mum closed the door immediately and he started YOWLING! He's so dumb. Everything was OK at the vet. He just had to get a booster shot. The vet had a hard time listening to Toby's heart as he was purring so loudly. And, Mum says she has to get serious about his diet as he now weighs 18.6 pounds.
His latest problem is that he doesn't like the litter we use anymore. Maybe he just wants a change, but it's driving Mum nuts. I myself am a clean girl and am not picky, but Toby is being a real poop about it. If anyone out there has any suggestions, please let us know. Mum would prefer something organic like cedar or wheat. Dad wants something that will cover smells really good. Toby isn't saying what he wants.
I'm glad Fat Eric is home and he and his family are feeling better. Dad gritted his teeth when he read the description of Red Auerbach as 'some baseball guy.' I don't know what he was talking about, but it looks like the beans had a good time in Boston. I hope so. ( Note from Dad: Red Auerbach being some baseball guy is like Beckham being some cricketer...)
There's a lovely new addition at the Calico Girls. If Flower doesn't want to stay there, she is welcome to visit me anytime.
We are still mourning Trixie. Mum was so sad when she read about it. She cried and is worried that I may be getting ready to go to the Bridge soon. Don't worry Mum, I've got LOTS of life in me yet!
Mum is getting the Stinky Goodness out, so I gotta run. Whiskers up, everyone!
Tilly

Hello, everyone!
This is Tilly. We have been quite busy, but I've FINALLY taken the time to write. Mum just got back from Maine a while ago. She went to visit Grandma and Mollie. She helped Grandma set up the Feliway smelly stuff that is supposed to calm Mollie. Paws crossed, everyone!
Many kitties have commented on the mouse in the glass. Dad did say it made the Guinness taste funny...
We have not found any more mice( Thank goodness for THAT- Mum) so I think we have scared them all away. I think such hard-working kitties deserve extra treats, but the beans are trying to limit the treat supply. We don't see the wood chuck anymore either; Mum thinks he has moved to the neighbor's yard. Lots of nice flowers and veg there.
Poor Fat Eric is back in kitty jail. He is well cared for, but that isn't the point. We were really hoping he could visit. We hope his beans enjoy Boston- it's a wonderful city!
Toby has been pushy lately. The other night he pushed me away from my dish and started eating! Dad had to squirt him with the plant mister. Then Toby ran away since he's a coward. At last I got to eat in peace. Now that Mum is home, he won't get away with stuff like that.
I was watching Mrs. B's video. She is a rubenesque lady who even while she's trying to retrieve treats is elegant.( Unlike the previous sentence.) Mum has heard of these treat balls but has never got one. She thinks she will get one for us. I want people to know I am not the fat one , though. She will also get one for Mollie since she's getting a bit, uh, pudgy.
"Flabskirt" is a good word. Mum laughed when she read that. She calls the one Mollie has a 'dewlap'.
Well, Mum is yawning after her long drive so I think it's time to get her to bed. We are saying prayers for all the beans and fluffies who need it.
Good night and perky whiskers to all!

Hello, everybody!
Inky here. Tilly and Toby are busy eating, so I thought I'd grab the computer and write today.
First we heard that the kitties at kazokuneko.blogspot.com got their Secret Paws! We had never met them before but now we read their adventures daily. We always like to hear of new kitties and beans bloggin'. If you haven't been there, go visit them.
We also met the meowers from Missouri (nels-ed-nitro-xing.blogspot.com). Their Mum sent us a nice email telling our Mum all about the area where they live. Mum enjoyed it very much and will reciprocate as soon as she gets off her butt. ( her phrase, not mine).

The above picture was taken a few nights ago. Dad had worked late so he was in the living room watching TV and relaxing with Mum when Toby started meowing and trying to get up into the cupboard. I was also staring as hard as I could at the same place. Mum picked Toby up, petted him and told him to settle down. Well, Toby did it again. This time, Mum opened the cupboard door to see why we were making all the fuss. In the corner we saw this little guy. YUM!

Well, Dad caught him in a glass and released him Outside. We weren't allowed to play with him or anything... personally, I think the beans should have let us have him to eat, uh, er, PLAY with. Toby got lots of praise and cuddles for being such a good hunter. When Mum realized I had helped she praised me, too.

We have been looking at the kitties with their fat tummies. Mum and Dad will have to take one of Toby as he certainly qualifies.

We won't be hearing from Big Eric and Flynn as they are imprisoned for a while. I 'm sure they are getting excellent care and are getting some much needed rest. We 're still working on helping Catitude getting a job. I have to go now as Mum wants to use the computer.

Take Care and keep your whiskers stiff!

We were tagged by Derby.

Here's the rules:The player of this game starts with "5 weird things/habits about yourself ". In the end you need to choose 5 people to be tagged and list their names. The people who get tagged need to write a blog about their 5 weird things/habits, as well as state this rule clearly, then tag 5 more victims. Don't forget to leave your victim a comment that says "you're tagged!" in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

We're not really sure what we're doing but here goes:
1. Big brawny Toby is a actually a sissy 'fraidy cat.

2. Toby's feet have never touched pavement of any kind.

3. Tilly doesn't meow so much as squawk.

4. Toby once clearly enunciated the words ' muck-muck'. Mum is STILL trying to figure out the meaning of this.

5. Tilly likes to put things away. She once removed the insoles from a pair of shoes and replaced them with earrings.

6. Both kitties snore.

We choose The Calico Girls, Meezer Tails, Timothy Dickens, Fredcat the Famous and Zeus.

Good luck and have fun!

Hello, beans and fluffies!
Tilly here. The Other One is hiding somewhere. He has been bothering me a lot lately. Mum and Dad reprimand him when they catch him, but they don't always catch him. I am an old cranky kitty who needs her sunny spots. Toby gets cross when Mum moves him away from the sunny doorway for me. Yesterday he rucked up the carpet in protest. Too bad- I am both senior and ginger!
I have to explain about being a weather kitty as ol' Numbnuts got it wrong. Of course. *sigh*.
When I play the cello, my leg points in the direction the next storm will come from. Last week, my leg was pointing north which seemed unlikely to my beans, as this is not the right time of year for northern storms. HOWEVER, I was right. What we New Englanders call a back door cold front dropped in from Canada( thank you!) to break the hot spell. The wind switched around and it got cooler. I rest my case. I can also forecast when it's going to rain. When I sleep curled up, with my head upside down it will rain within 12 hours, if it isn't already. Of course, before a big snowstorm, I race madly around the house since ' the wind is in my tail'!
Several kitties expressed an interest in this. I believe that ALL kitties are capable of predicting the weather- they just need to practice and the beans need to learn to read the signs. I was angry when the Calico Girls described themselves as " northern Idaho hicks". I think the Calico Girls would be EXCELLENT weather cats, with a little effort.
I think maybe girl kitties may be better at this than boys, but I urge all kitties to try. Jiggsy was also a weather cat, but his brother Toby is so dumb he couldn't predict snow in a blizzard!
Things are quiet here. The days are warm and dry. Mum says she could take this weather all year.
Grandma's leg is healing nicely. She got the stuff Mum ordered for Molly and is using the drops. She will wait until Mum visits to set up the plug-in thingy. She says Molly seems calmer, but doesn't know if it's because of the stuff or whether Molly is appalled at her own behavior. (Note from Mum: highly unlikely). Dad thinks Grandma and Molly are codependent and should go on Dr. Phil.
We are glad that we didn't have to help rescue Fat Eric. We would have had to dig a really wide tunnel to get both him and Toby out.
We have visited Big Eric and Flynn's website and recommend it to everyone. What's not to like about Gorgeous Ginger English brothers?
Remember catitude in your prayers everyone and have a good evening!
Tilly

Good evening, everyone!

Toby here. Tilly is curled up snoring in the cat carrier. She pigged out on Stinky Goodness a while ago, leaving me only the barest minimum amount needed to survive. So then she had a long slow wash and went to sleep. She's from Maine originally and they have a funny expression. When a kitty is washing the hoo-ha area, the people say,' the cat's playing the cello.' Well, Tilly was playing it tonight. The old time Downeasters say that the direction the leg is pointing indicates the quarter the next storm is coming from. Mum says she has observed this to be true. We cats are very smart!

Mum wants to thank everyone who sent advice about Molly. Molly bit Grandma AGAIN today. Grandma went to the doctor to get a shot and medicine. She's very angry at Molly. The bean doctor was concerned about rabies, but Molly has had all her shots and is an indoor kitty, so Grandma should be OK. Mum ordered some Feliway stuff and is having it shipped to Grandma. We all hope it helps Molly to be calmer, nicer kitty. She very, very smart and very, very pretty, but she's also very, very mean. Paws crossed everyone!

We have a new neighbor. I have known about him for ages as I look out the window early in the morning, but Mum and Dad just saw him this week. It's a woodchuck! They like woodchucks since they don't have a garden. This fellow lives in the no man's land behind our house. Mum and Dad have watched him go into a hole in the side of the little hill. He's getting ready to take a long nap soon. Every evening, the beans watch him nibble the grass and greenery alongside the house. Mum can approach quite silently and get close. She loves to watch him graze on the plants. She says his whiskers twitch and he uses his paws to grab taller plants. Mum says it's just as well she doesn't have a garden as she would let all the critters feed. She saw a goldfinch and two cardinals today.

All this typing has me worn out. I really need to get more nourishment. The bowl is actually EMPTY so I must yowl and meow for enough scraps to get through the night. Stay cool, everyone!

Hello, hello, HELLO!
This is Tilly. I can't believe it's been so long since we blogged. Time flies like an arrow and fruit flies like a banana.
It's still quite hot here and I've been spending most days sleeping under the AC vent. I lie on my back so the cool breeze can waft over what my fellow Gorgeous Ginger Zeus calls my hoo-has.(I don't really have hoo-has, but I do have a hoo-ha area.) It's very pleasant. The Other One comes in to stare at me, but he generally leaves me alone.
Many poodins and beans have asked how I am doing. I want to thank everyone for their concern. I eat lots of Stinky Goodness and take lots of naps, but I still like to sit on Mum's lap and play with the laser light. The beans have been eating lots of ice cream and I get to have lappies after. Dad puts the bowl down right in front of me, so I don't have to exert myself too much. Mum usually keeps the Other One at bay until I'm done. HE HAS TO WAIT! HAH!
Now I have to tell you all about Toby. Remember how he protested about being brushed? Well, now the big wuss can't get enough of it. Every night he gets on the bed, stands on Dad's chest and meows until he gets brushed. As he's being brushed, he purrs and closes his eyes. Sometimes he drools, which is disgusting.After that he stretches out at the foot of the bed and goes to sleep while playing the piano. He snores, by the way.
Cousin Molly has been very naughty. The beans and Grandma went to Kennebunk Maine for a wedding. Grandma did for Molly what Mum and Dad do for us. There was plenty of food, water and an extra litterbox. Molly didn't like Grandma going away, so when Grandma came home, Molly BIT her. Molly has nipped people before, including Grandma and Mum. This was very serious. It's a big bite and Grandma is very angry. She is going to the bean doctor tomorrow to make sure it isn't infected. Mum and Grandma are very worried. Do any beans or poodins have advice for us? We understand that there are kitties that are just plain mean, but Molly is really bad. Grandma was the person who rescued her and she doesn't know what to do. Gran would never hurt Molly, but she is at wits' end.
On a happier note, Cousin Kainui is getting a little brother this weekend. We're so excited! Aunt Mary is really becoming a crazy cat lady,hehehe. First one cat, then two, then seventy-eight...
We have been enjoying everyone's blogs. We wish we were with Fat Eric in Essex and that we could visit Big Eric and Flynn. They really know how to inspect a hay barn!
* sniff,sniff* Oooooh, Mum's getting out the smelly blue cheese I love. Time to look pitiful. Take care everyone !

Hello, everyone,
Toby here. Tilly doesn't feel too well, so she is resting in her carrier. Imagine VOLUNTARILY getting in the carrier. She likes it, though 'cuz it's cool and private. She usually helps Mum at the computer for a while then she needs a nap. Mum spends lots of time on the computer( time that could be better spent with ME) but she doesn't interfere too much so Mum lets her stay. Older kitties need lots of rest and attention. I understand that, but I really don't think it's fair the amount of Stinky Goodness she gets. She gets first dibs and that's just not right! Just because she's old and a girl... I need LOTS of food to maintain my rubenesque physique.
I am sending cooling vibes to my friend Fat Eric. F.E. doesn't have AC like we do and the heat is bothering him. He is more than welcome to visit and lie under the vent like I do. The breeze ruffles my belly fur and it's very pleasant. Every now and then I stretch and maybe have a bit of a wash, but I mustn't strain too much. I need to keep my weight up.
Our cousin Molly, the Evil Tortie from Maine is very upset.(She's ALWAYS upset, but now she has a reason!). The maintenance men where she and Grandma live haven't trimmed the shrubs in front of her window and she can't see out as well. This makes her very mad, she lashes her tail and growls outside. She also tries to get in the living room window, which is a no-no. There was an incident involving a broken Hummel which my Mum and Dad were blamed for. Ever since then, Molly is not allowed at the living room window, only the bedroom. She can still see the hummingbirds, but she can't see the beans come and go too well. She is especially mad 'cuz she can't see the other kitties any more. Grandma has tried taking her out on a leash, but we don't talk about THAT. Molly is a very, very tempermental kitty. That's all I have to say.
The beans are thinking of having a birthday party for Tilly on August 15. She'll be 17 then. I'll keep everyone posted on details!
Stay cool everyone!

Hello, everyone,
Toby here. It's been very hot here. From the kitty blogs we read, it's been hot EVERYWHERE! The Other One and I have been trying to stay cool. We do this by napping a lot. It seems to help. Inky is doing well. Mum likes him because he sits quietly next her computer and doesn't try to type. Dad likes him because he doesn't cost a lot to feed.

Last Saturday the beans went to Boston. They sometimes do this for fun. It usually involves eating, so I guess I can relate. They went to a famous section called the North End. Mum says if she were rich she would like to live there. It is the part of the city where the Puritans first settled, but now it's known as the heart of Little Italy.

There is a store there named Polcari's, which has great Italian coffee and spices. Mum remembers years and years ago, there used to be a big cranky kitty that lived there. It had a basket beneath one of the counters ( so you wouldn't know it was there) and ran the store for the beans. Mum hasn't seen him for years, but guess what? There's a new kitty boss at Polcari's! She doesn't know his/her name or anything, but she got his photo.

The other photos are just what Mum calls 'atmosphere' shots. Mike's pastry is a famous pastry/gelato shop on Hanover Street. there's a similar place across the street called Modern and everone always argues which is better. Mum prefers Mike's because it was the first one she went to and also because once upon a time it also had a resident kitty. She remembers it as being the largest kitty she has ever seen. Of course, living in an Italian pastry shop IS somewhat conducive to growth. I wish Fat Eric and I could live there, at least for a little while. Maybe when his Mum visits the States, he could visit us...

Well, that's about it from here. It's supposed to be hot here so everyone keep cool and remember the kitties who need our prayers and help- Edselsmom and Catitude!

The Naming of Cats

Hello everyone. Tilly and Toby's beans here. Sorry not to have blogged in so long but things have been very busy here.

Let's talk about kitty names. We know that many kitties have several names, some even that their beans are reluctant to admit. At the risk of a visit by the men in the white jackets and a long, involuntary stay in a room with padded walls ($156 per day, crayons included), we are going to reveal all the names we've had for our kitties over the years and the reasons behind them. Maybe others will share as well.

Let's start with Tilly, the oldest. Tilly's main name is short for Attila the Cat. She soon got a last name, too -- Wilkins. Why? We don't know. She just looked like a Tilly Wilkins and the names sound good together.

As she grew up from kittenhood and added a few pounds, we started calling her Pudgy Fat Tilly Cat or sometimes Suet Ball. Tilly won't sit still on your lap -- she keeps pestering for constant head-skritches -- so we've also called her Tilly Wiggles and Agit-Cat.

Tilly Wiggles soon became Tiggly Wiggly and Tiggly Wiggly Dee. During an unfortunate bout with fleas in her youth she was known as Tiggly Wiggly Flea.

Now that Tilly is old and thinning with age, we call her Little Old Tilly Cat. That comes out sounding like Li'l Ol' Tilly or just Lilo.

That's quite a few names for one ginger cat. But Toby has a lot of names, too.

We don't know how we came up with Toby initially. When we adopted him as a stray tiger-stripey kitten, he looked like a Toby -- Toby Tigger. But that was just the first of many names.

We soon found Toby is a curious cat who loves to poke his nose in where it doesn't belong. That led his English grandma to call him a "Nosy Parker", which is something they call nosy people in England, we guess. So now Toby became Toby N. Parker.

Leave a plastic grocery bag on the floor and Toby will root around in it to see what's inside. That led to a new nickname -- Mr. Rooterman. That sounds vaguely Germanic, so we started saying it with a heavy German accent. It became, briefly, Manfred von Rooterman.

When he was covered with mats and had a hutchy (smelling like a rabbit hutch) backside from improper cleaning, he earned yet another name. Matted, hutchy -- Matt Hutchinson. Sounds like an action hero in the movies.

Because of his size, Toby has also been called Biggie, Mr. Biggie, Biggles, Biggles of the RAF and Biggie Boy.

Lately, we've been calling him Tig -- short for Tigger. Toby doesn't care what we call him, as long as we don't call him late for supper.

So that's the full truth about us and cat names. We hope this full confession will lead other beans to do the same. Remember: Admitting a problem is the first step toward recovery.

Yes, we are nuts. But any attempt at involuntary committal will be resisted to the fullest extent of the law.

Well, I'm still not entirely sure about Inky. He seems OK- I'll have to wait and see. At least he doesn't hog the food bowl like some Other Cat I know.
Mum has been acting very strange today. She was lifting our tails to look at our butts! She couldn't tell at first if Inky was a Mr. Inky or a Ms. Inky; she finally decided he was a Mr. Inky who had hoo-ha surgery. Then she checked mine to make sure there no ,uh, klingons IF you know what I mean. Finally, she checked Toby's. She's a bit worried about his hoo-ha area. Ever since it was shaved it has been very clean, but the fur is growing back slowly. Mum is worried that it will never grow back properly and that Toby will be susceptible to colds and drafts. Does any other kitty have a similar experience? I think he is intentionally NOT growing his fur back so he gets extra attention. He's such a wussy boy.
It's going to be very rainy the next few days. Mum and Dad are making preparations to hole up for the weekend with all kinds of snacks and us kittycats. They would like to go camping, but the weather has been too bad.
Last night, the Other One and I smelled the skunk right under the bedroom window ! We could hear it rustling in the grass and then getting into the trash. Dad went out to check, but he came back rather quickly. He and Mum were laughing because they like skunks, but not that close.
Good night, efurryone! Remember Edsel's Mum and Catitude in your prayers- also anyone else we may have forgotten!
Tilly

Hello, everyone!

Sorry I haven't written. It's been kinda hot here so I've been taking it easy. Some of you have asked about Outside. I didn't like it. I had a lovely new blue harness and leash and Mum was very re-assuring, BUT...

I went out, sat on the grass, nibbled some and then I sat next to the door and YOWLED to go back in. I wasn't afraid, I just didn't see what the big deal is all about. I prefer my climate-controlled life, thank you.

I have started sleeping in the cat carrier. It's quiet, private and The Other One leaves me alone. Yesterday afternoon, I got quite a shock. A big box arrived at the house. Mum took it into the bedroom to open. Toby the Waddly One went racing to see what was going on. Well, there was another cat inside! I don't like this! Mum says his name is Inky. He seems quiet and both Mum and Dad have been making him feel at home. Right now, he's sitting on the desk next to Mum. I don't like him. He looks sneaky to me. The Other One likes him although I think that's just because Inky brought treats. That's about it from here. There were big thunderstorms last night, but they were far away so I wasn't too scared.

I want to congratulate all the kitties at the Catlympics for a job well done.

Remember Edsel's Mum and Catitude's Mum in your purrayers.

Good night!

Tilly

A new arrival

Hi, everyone! Toby here. Something exciting is going on today. Mom's got a big box. I wonder what's inside?

Another cat?! I don't recall placing an order for another cat! But wait, there's other interesting stuff in here. Mmmm, tasty treats and little feather-tailed mousies!

Mom says the new cat is named "Inky" and he comes to us from Derby and his family. Oh, that's OK then. Thanks, Derby!

I think Inky will like living here and being part of the Tower Hill Mob. He and I are going to be good friends. Thanks again, Derby!

Hello, everyone!
I am very excited for several reasons. First, Derby has informed us that Inky is coming to live with us. We promise to be good and make him feel at home. We'll send pictures when he arrives.

Second, the catolympics have started! We are cheering for all the kitties who are participating. We will check in with the Calico Girls often to see how things are going. Third and most important, I AM GOING OUTSIDE!!!

It's true! Mum bought a pretty blue harness and put it on me yesterday. I wasn't too sure, but it didn't hurt or anything, so after a while I forgot about it. Mum kept it on so I'd get used to it.
Today we had the remnants of Alberto (whatever THAT is) so we didn't go out. Mum said tomorrow (Friday) it should be warm and sunny so we can play outside. She plans to bring my nice blue blankie so I can rest in the sun. I'm so excited!

Even before going out, I have been very frisky. Mum thinks I am entering second kittenhood. I leap up onto her lap when she's at the computer and help her. She doesn't realize how helpful this really is. It's very important that I get my Tilly smell on it. I like to watch the little moving thing,too. It's a win-win situation for me: either I get to help or Mum gives up and gives me cuddles and sometimes Stinky Goodness.

Well, I am very tired and I want to rest up so I will say good night for now. Sweet Dreams, everyone!

Hello, everyone,
We kitties and the the beans are thinking good thoughts and sending prayers to Edsel's Mom and the whole family. We are also hoping Catitude gets good news about job hunting. Mum goes for a walk nearly every evening when the weather is good. She knows where all the neighbor kitties live and she talks to them. Last night when she was out, she saw a big orange and white(like me!) that she hadn't seen before. She told me about it and we think that kitty would definitely qualify as a Gorgeous Ginger. There is also a large calico who reminds Mum of the Calico Girls- she looks so dignified and managerial. Mum says calicoes and torties tend to be bossy, but in a good way.
Thanks everyone for finally sending us some sunshine. The front door was open, so I spent most of the day in the sunshine that came through the door. This gave Mum an idea. She thinks she might get me a leash and take me outside. I'm nervous about the leash and outside part, but the sun part sounds good to me. Mum says she will stay right with me and not let me get away. I think I might try it.
I have had a busy day, what with the sunshine and all, so I'll say good night. 'Good night'!
Note from Toby: Busy,hell! She's been dozing all day. So have I, but that's different...

Hello, everyone. I haven't blogged in a few days as nothing really new has happened. I have been spending my days sleeping and eating. What else is there for a handsome tigger to do? I have had a fair amount of success hypnotizing the Mum into giving me more food. The Calico Girls are really good at it, too, but the occupational hazard is indeed dozing off. Yowling and squawking like the poor starved thing I am seems to work better with Dad. Has any other kitty noticed a gender preference re getting extra food? I think we need to conduct some research into this so we can maximize food amounts. All this talk of food is making me hungry. I'd better check the food bowl. - Toby
Finally! I thought he'd never get done. He can't go 15 minutes without eating. I think I 'll start calling him 'Waddles'. I can't believe he only weighs 18.5 pounds. He's a big thug and that's no joke!
I 've been taking it easy as befits a girl of my age and ginger dignity. The rain bothers my achy bones, so I spend as much time on Mum's lap or on my blue blankie. I also have a little kitty cup, but I prefer the blanket. It's really big (queen-size, just for me) so I can make nice soft warm nests in it. Mum put it in the doorway to the study so I can hide in there, too.
Today it is raining- AGAIN! The beans are very depressed because of it. So far, the house hasn't flooded, but everything is so damp. The yard is full of toad stools and the plants aren't doing so well. The soil is too soggy. Please, efurryone, send us some sun!
Well, it looks like Mum's lap is opening up, so I think I'll head straight for it. Good-bye!
-Tilly