A bit of light-heartedness…

I’ve been struck down with a winter virus - and have spent most of today in bed. Consequently, I’m not up to a long post - so I thought I’d share an interesting discovery with you all instead.

I found last week that the shower bucket seems to have an alternate use in this household…

Now, this didn’t really surprise me, as Goblin has been drinking out of showers since he was a kitten. No matter where we’ve lived - I’ll always catch him drinking water out of the shower recess! I have no idea why - maybe the water is fresher, maybe it feels more like drinking out of a pond… does anyone else have a cat that does this?!

Wishing you all good health - it’s always when you’re sick that you really appreciate it

No, I’m not a crazy cat lady!!

Today I drove up to the local shopping centre, as my housemate needed my car to get his new elliptical trainer home. While I was there, I remembered that I had run out of milk and wet cat food for Gob. I also didn’t have any bags on me. ‘No problem’, thought I - ‘I’ll just get a tin or two to tide him over’.

But when I got to Woolies, they were having a sale - 20c off each tin! So, of course, I bought six of them - and my three litre bottle of milk.

The first strange looks I got were inside the shop - I didn’t have a basket, so I was just balancing the six cans in one arm while carrying the milk in the other hand. The second look was from the checkout girl when I said “Oh, I don’t need a bag thanks!” (how could I face you all in light of my No Bags Challenge if I took one?). So, once she had scanned them, I took a moment to precariously balance my cans once again (luckily there was no-one waiting in the queue behind me!) and off I went.

Every person who walked past me in the shopping centre did the same thing - their eyes flicked to my arms, then to my face. By the time I got outside, I had a grin - they had all looked at me as if I was crazy! And given the fact I was carrying the cat food and milk - well.

I had my suspicions confirmed when I reached the car, and Cam (housemate 1) said “you look like a crazy cat lady!! Why didn’t you just get a bag?” And of course, I had to update him on my Challenge and that I couldn’t let myself or anyone else down.

So, I have stuck to the challenge so far - no bags taken from any shops! And I’ve gotten a bit of amusement into the bargain. Let’s see how the rest of the month goes.

Does this ever happen to you?

There I am, home after work, with my computer on my lap… but not for long, apparently.

And again the next morning…

I only ask - who is in control here?

Gobbolino

Yes, it is a weird name for a cat… unless you have come across the book Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat (Kingfisher Classics), and its sequels.

I thought I should introduce him, as he has been and will be mentioned here from time to time. And so, here is my cat - variously known as Gob, Gobby, Goblin, Goblitino - ( I could go on but it would probably get embarrassing…) in one of his favourite spots on the balcony. And in one of his most *ahem* dignified poses.

He is currently snuggled up to me on the bed, making it rather awkward to type; but any of you who have a cat will know the dilemma - awww, he’s so sleepy and cute, how can I disturb him?

Ah, the sacrifices we make for our pets

But, seriously, my cat has brought happiness and entertainment into my life more times than I can count. There is just some need in us humans to have these animal companions, a warm little creature who depends on us for food, shelter, love and attention. It’s nice to know that whatever else is happening - especially in our relationships with other human beings - that there is always that little trusting critter at home ready to sit on your lap or wag its tail.

Spraying for freedom!

I had lots of plans for the garden today, but unfortunately we are being assaulted by fierce cold winds at the moment. We managed to re-pot our lovely new trees, and also to spray some possum deterrent around some sacrificial basil and tomato plants. We already have ‘the cage’, and we were going to build another one as we need more room for our ever-expanding potted vege garden, but I suggested we try this first, as it will be a lot less hassle than building another cage and having to get into it every time we want to harvest anything.

So, we shall see how our sacrificial plants fare over the next week, and if the possum gives them a miss, we’ll go crazy potting out all our poor tomato seedlings that are getting sick of their little pots. I’m hopeful that it will work, as my poor cat, Gobbolino, who usually loves the balcony (where we sprayed today) was hesitant to even go out there at all.