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Hello there, caturfolk. Pull up your cat and maybe some hot chocolate and share some kitteh chat.
It’s been a tough week here. Sunday night, I got a nagging little headache which woke me up several times. By the time it was Monday morning, I was feeling all sinusy. My right eye was a little bit sore and watery and I had a bleah feeling all day. You know that stage before you are full blown ill and are still hoping you might get over it quickly. Under the theory that a lot of rest would help, I went to bed very early on Monday night but by Tuesday, I knew I had the flu so I stayed home. I slept most of that day but when I did wake up, I was very, very sick. I spent a lot of time off and on the sofa for the rest of the week and though I returned to work, that wasn’t a very pleasant experience at all. I actually feel more or less human again as I write this on Saturday night and hope I’m finally kicking it. I still haven’t been able to get back on the exercise bike though. Maybe Sunday…
Kuroneko hasn’t spent a whole lot of time close to me except when I’m on the sofa because the heat of my fever is uncomfortable and loud noises like sneezing freaks her out. When I’m laying down on the sofa though, she spent some time on my legs, where she could be close without burning up or being sneezed on. That was a great comfort to me though getting up is sometimes problematic. Her resting on my legs brings us to our pictures though.
Kuroneko picture of the week: Neko is nestled on my left
thigh where she likes to be when I’m on the couch.
I finally got her to turn around and look at the camera!
Obligatory cute kitten picture of the week: Who can resist a kitteh in a Christmas tree? via I Can Haz Cheezburger
The Rum-Tum Tugger from “Cats!” I enjoyed this play in Chicago in 1986. It was warm in the theater and I can’t imagine how the performers could be so energetic in those costumes.
I hope everybody has a good week ahead. Merry Christmas to all, or whatever holiday you may celebrate. Please remember to set aside some time to spend with whatever animals share your life.
92 Comments
Hello. I’m still feeling a little bad and my right eye is still all watery so I’m going to be in and out. Feel free to converse though. :)
Merry Christmas to you too, Margaret!
I hope that you’re feeling better real soon!
I saw somewhere in the threads that you were not feeling well this week, Margaret. I am so sorry the bug has had such a hold on you. I was thinking a few days ago how lucky I have been to avoid being sick, and I hope I don’t get this flu, hope you feel better soon.
Thanks for the postnhost. I was up til the wee hours last night decorating gingerbread with a few friends. The cats, who usually never ever bug for breakfast, are totally all feeling massively neglected, and they are surrounding me with a chorale of purring that commands me to pay them some heed.
So it is breakfast time, and when I come back to PUYC, I will put up a link from change dot org about the TSA and pets. Remember Jack who was lost at JFK? We are lucky that Nagi got home safely.
Thanks. It’s not too bad today but my eye will not stop hurting.
It terrifies me to leave animals in the hands of airline employees, I don’t think I would ever trust Neko to the ministrations of the wanking TSA!
Oh hai, no cat on the keyboard, here is the link to the petition.
Also, “Henri, the Worst Noel.”
Hi bg, Nagi rode safely in a carrier with yellowsnapdragon. He was with her the entire trip. She was taking no chances :)
Smart move!
Happy Holidays, firekittehs, and thank you, Margaret for PUYC. Hope you continue to feel better and are able to enjoy your time off work. Did you get a book for your time off? That is one of the really best parts of the holidays – the chance to relax and read.
Wishing all of you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year. Thank you for your friendship and companionship during 2012 and looking forward to 2013.
Here a few shots from around the house while preparing for the kids and grandbaby, who arrive this afternoon.
I’ll shoot some pix of the tree in the evening when the lights show up better. Just lights and Christmas Crackers as decorations this year, the kittens would make short work of my glass ornaments. As yellowsnapdragon wrote to me: Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, Your Ornaments are Historeeeeee :)
This isn’t cat related, but DIL sent me a link to a product on Amazon that I don’t know how I have lived without! Be sure to read the comments, lol.
Banana Slicer
Can’t get the flickr link to work. I’ll try again.
Xmas pix
Back to the scullery. Love you all.
Ohmmmm
Dang, GF, you are meticulous. Love the cats in tree. I have never had a tree in my house, but the cats do get Very Excited when I bring tree parts inside for making a wreath. I found a bag of greens by the sidewalk with a sign, “Make a wreath.” So I brought them home and did same. That is my decorating, and the cats like to help. I also had a few things to wrap, and they usually enjoy that too. I did my best to make a couple of catnip mice for the Seattle Cats, and that was also a good activity, for the cats. The mousies did leave the house with the cat seal of approval. But my mousemaking skills leave something to be desired. You would think it’s easy, but I found it notsomuch. I guess if I were making a dozen of them, I would have figgered it out better.
Hey, also, have we had this link yet? Cat poems.
OMG. Banana Slicer!! Those comments are the best thing I’ve read in a while.
Morning, Caturfolk.
Great pics Om. That banana slicer looks like it would take more effort to clean than it will ever save me slicing bananas the old fashioned way.
hello Margaret,
more wishes than fishes for you to be feeling better. mcat is resting on my feet, I just got a batch of Tassajara Yeasted Apple Nut Bread started as my contribution to a low key pot-luck supper tomorrow evening. 24 degrees sunny, brite white reflecting off the snow. A few snow white clouds. helping with serving and clean-up at a community meal on xmas evening.
Peace and Joy,
I can sympathize, Margaret. I have been sick for 10 days, and finally gave up and went to a doctor who prescribed antibiotics, which I hate, but I couldn’t shake the terrible chest congestion that followed a cold and laryngitis. I’m almost never sick–it seems to have been something making the rounds–my own doctor was so busy he couldn’t see me and his office pointed me to an EMO is the area. Romeo was sick at the same time with a flare-up of pancreatitis, which made life pure hell. I’m dealing with a not-too-clear head and trying to manage his increased medication schedule, including pain injections for him.
I hope everyone and their significant furry ones have a very happy holiday week! Thanks for hosting while you’re still recovering, Margaret.
Caturday!!
Hope you perk back up again soon Margaret.
Merry Catmas Each and Every One
There was *no way* I was going to make a cat travel in the cargo hold of an airplane! I don’t understand why airlines bother to allow pets and then shove them in the freezing oxygen deprived cargo hold! IMO, the real danger is altitude sickness and hypothermia not “lost luggage”.
I adore that ‘man’
It has been cold here this week, and I have not done any leaf raking, gotta get some of that done today. We had a terrible wind storm earlier in the week, and my plastic tomato shack got busted into splinters and shreds. I knew it would happen, but What A Mess.
Pot luck sounds fab for excessMas eve, nonq. Hope Romeo takes a turn for the better, and you too gesneri.
bbl
that first comment in particular, hysterical
LOL. I’m a big fan of Henri, too. But the Christmas episode wasn’t hs best. The Halloween episode was fab, though.
those felties are adorable
I’d buy that just for the title – cause you know they are thinkin’ that
It sounds like even if you take the cat with you, they make you take it out of the carrier to go through security. I guess that did not happen with you. Most of my cats can’t travel since I can barely touch them, much less get them in a carrier.
(((gesneri & Romeo!)))
my fave was the political one :)
Almost doubled my desk space with a hard-wood trestle table that I found at a second hand store last week. Then someone decided the view was better from there and has claimed a spot. I put a little foot stool for mcat to be able get onto the window sill, but the new desk seems to suit her. She has never attempted a single leap up to anything table height or kitchen counter height since we took her in.
Nagi had to get out of he carrier to go through security, but he was amazingly calm. I was so afraid he would bolt and find a place to hide. He let me hold him and let the security agent search us, no problem. Nagi is an extraordinary cat.
Woops. the leaves are not as much fun as you. I had a discussion with my SIL about foxes, owls and kangaroos. I understand foxes are the new owls in the world of decor, but my SIL has just made some fabric designs with kangaroos, and I tried to suggest that kangaroos would be the new foxes. . .a long line of cuteness no matter what the current trend may be.
So it is true. I could never travel, my cats are too freaked, it would never work.
Awww! Wish I’d found that one. That pegs my cute meter.
whew! Kuroneko would never put up with that! She hates me holding her and she would be classified as a weapon if the TSA tried it.
I have a Nagi story this week that would make Richard smile…
So I’m minding my business in the back bedroom when I hear a terrific crash from the kitchen. The kids were accounted for, so I knew it was a cat-tastrophe. I go in the kitchen and there are 3 or 4 glasses shattered on the counter and floor and the cabinet is wide open. Now the glasses that broke are stored on the very highest shelf in the kitchen. How a cat navigated the climb, I dont know, but it must have happened. Now I’m not sayin I caught Nagi in the act…I didn’t see it happen. But in the ten years the other cats have lived with me, we’ve never had glasses knocked out of he kitchen cabinets, and Nagi does have a history with cabinets…
Clearly he is feeling right at home. lol
Yep. I’m starting to see naughty Nagi…
Sounds like Nagi, alright. Richard and I used to comment on how we both seemed to have mountaineers in our homes. Kuroneko somehow gets onto the top shelf in the closet and I have caught her in that little act.
Of interest to people health and cat health, I listened to The People’s Pharmacy yesterday and the topic was the continued use of flame retardant chemicals in furniture and one segment of the show explained the how cats licking to be cleaning household dust from themselves where like canaries in the coal mine for toxic levels of flame retardant in their blood.
Mysterious cat distress in your house? Urethane foam in furniture is still full of flame retardant and it does not stay in the foam. Replacement chemicals where older formulations are banned, are not being released to the public by the flame retardant chemical companies. Good news, there is non-toxic foam, polyester foams are apparently safe.
FWIW nonq.
I love the fox one.
(I sometimes let the wind do my leaves, shh…)
Hey Margaret & Caturdogs:
What’s the hap this morning?
After I whipped up some morning crunchies for the Big Bosses (Diva & Maestro), I took a quick trip to the grocery store to grab up the requisite ingredients for (drum roll, please) whipping up a batch of three-bean chili. I’ve just about got the recipe dialed in. If I include the overnight soaking of the beans, the overall process is about 24 to 36 hours, give or take. I’m already in for about 14 hours and I haven’t even started cooking yet.
I heard that segment on NPR too!! Apparently the researcher’s cat had thyroid problems, IIRC, which her vet said used to be rare but is now common.
oh dear. or maybe she came with her own poltergeist
that’s distressing
Hey Elliott:
I had never seen the The Bobblespeak Translations prior to this morning. Way too cool, so thanks for that.
the wood is so wonderfully warm, what a beautiful setup.
(and no white Christmas here)
Hey Margaret: Although the tune has (clearly and obviously) already been flogged to death, I just stumbled onto this meme of it. Thought you might dig it…
I hope that’s some good chili! (We won’t get into a debate of chili with beans vs without)
LMAO! Thanks. :)
The funny thing was that I was thinking of Richard the moment the glasses crashed. I admit I’m superstitious like that. But…Nagi was noted for his love of kitchen cabinets abd breaking dishes. Heehee.
Actually, I feel somewhat qualified to debate the merits of chili with or without beans. Why? Well…The stock version of this recipe is “vegetarian” and it’s really pretty good that way. However, I have modified the whole mess by adding very lean ground beef. I precook it, drain off the greeezze, and then drop it into the batch. A bowl of the finished product will sustain for hours. Slow-burning carbs, lots of protein, low-fat. And bonus! It bites back.
Le Show just came on the air. Harry’s always good. Go here.
Hopefully, the servers are not too jammed to stream. If so, you can catch up at the archive here.
I’ve had several cats who just really weren’t jumpers, even when they were still youngish. I had one, however, that I suspect had a little Siamese in his background somewhere–kink in the tail and baby-cry voice–and he was a jumper until he got old.
The free for a couple of weeks, podcast from yesterday is not yet on playlist at their website, but the stuff they banned from children’s pajamas, has been in more or less continued use in furniture. 10 lbs of polyurethane foam contains a pound of chemical. Children closest to the dust on your floor, along with pets (not commenting on your house-keeping by-the-way) have highest levels of toxicity.
And the usefulness of the chemicals is moot. Simply changes the gases from burning foam to carbon monoxide (deadly results) instead of simple carbon dioxide which if you were caught in the smoke you might stay conscious enough to find your way out. Diligent HEPA filter vacuuming helps reduce exposure.
Mr has experimented with adding stout to chili, which worked well. I believe I’ve sen recipes that include chocolate. I bet red-eye chilli would be good too since coffee adds depth and complexity to saucy foods.
oh – you are most welcome!
Scary, isn’t it? Who can afford to replace big ticket items like furniture at a moment’s notice?
that’s a fun one, so many good takeoffs
a Renaissance man for today
Feel better, Margaret! I myself have been fighting a wet cough for the past week and a half. Hoping a few nights of really good sleep will finally stop it.
Big round body and short-legged Mcat has about a two-foot limit and even at that she sits up on her haunches and stretches her head up twice to judge it well before attempting any leap. Her favorite chair/blanket is about 18 inches and even then she looks up, studies it and seems to count to three before that short hop.
Hoping you get well soon, also. I’m out for a little while for a short walk, some cold air and sun.
Hello, Peg and Caturfolk. May I insert a wee rant anti-Microsoft? I was reading along in the post and comments when the screen went dark and they computer began shutting down…”do not turn off your computer…” updates! If there was a warning I missed it.
Okay, rant over. I did have a few minutes to realize how late it is, and so if I’m to get anything done I must get to it.
Must say,tho, how sorry I am for people’s being sick, (also (((Romeo)))
Peggy,it sounds like you ought to go to the doc ifyour eye does not improve quickly. So sorry.
I missed you at LLN last night…was going to just say your malaise then might be partly because you’re sick, along with the general unhappiness all around because of our demented “governance.” That’s all I’m going to say here. Except that lately I do find myself sticking to the “social” locations here, like Pull Up Your Cat and Pull Up a Chair, where I’m usually not tempted to lose my temper.
Ah, I’ve been wondering when Nagi would attempt your kitchen cabinets. Do yours go all the way to the ceiling? IIRC, Richard’s had a space between cabinet top and ceiling, and Nagi would be found up there on the top.
Hope those glasses weren’t valuable heirlooms. *g*
I’m going to get started on my pre-departure tasks…including vacuuming (not very “diligent” about it….) and laying in plenty of kitty litter and food for the guys while I’m gone. We had a little playtime this morning…since the weather has cooled it has been easier to get them all playing with toys for at least a little while. Last summer they just gazed at me with supreme indifference as I dangled Cat Dancers and threw catnip toys about.
Oh, and Big Boy greeted me in the dining room this morning! He has not ventured much beyond the DR entrance, but gradually, he’s exploring a little bit at a time.
there’s no good night sleeps here, the cat who is sleeping every so soundly right now, goes in and out the window all through the night. He prolly just comes back in for kibble bites. And usu when I’m at my most sleep deprived, he brings home a live action
toymouse.Will the fluffy white ones be be-bowed for the holidays? Hope you feel better soon.
oh I hate when msft takes it upon itself to restart my computer, I never have all my tabs saved
My cabinets go to the ceiling, so there’s no lair for him on top. I think he must have been trying to find a perch up there when the glasses broke. I admid that there aren’t a lot of high cat seats around here. But…Nagi does like to sit at the big window and watch he birds and other critters. I bet he’d be a good hunter.
Heheh. Gracie may bring me a headless snake to hang on the tree.
…like a garland, not an icicle, if I judge by past gifting.
How the Internet is like ancient Egypt
http://cheezburger.com/6911668480
That’s my biggest pet peeve too. And it’s why I have automatic updates turned off. About once a month I turn them back on when I have time to deal with them.
Wanna know another pet peeve? I just typed out that same comment and when I hit submit, the page said I had to be logged in to comment. I got logged out while I was typing. Infuriating!
Awwww! Feel better, Ellie!
festive! nothing like some fresh snake garland
arrg
Seems like many of us have the crud so consider this a blanket Get Well Soon!
I feel fine, was just talking in general
merry christmas margaret
Merry Christmas Suz.
…As I’ve always said. Heh.
I hope you feel better Margaret, so you and your cat will have a nice Christmas. Also hopefully you’ll get some time in on your exercise bike soon as well (which I’m guessing I see a part of, there in this week’s picture).
My own stationary bike is of a bit different construction: http://pages.teamintraining.org/EtoolsBaseDir/2012/8/6/14/members/2166095/schwinn_207p_recumbent.jpg (not my personal link, but it is the same make and model as mine).
Yeah, I’d rather have a recumbent than an upright but the price was right. Thanks!
Just came back to catch up with today’s remarks. Off with fingers crossed to give Romeo his pain med–sometimes the shots go better than other times! Hope everyone feels better before Christmas.
Poor Romeo! :(
Well, hai there caturpeople! I’m back, having accomplished some of what I intended to accomplish. Got the requirements for the kittehs, at least. I’m feeling bad that Big Boy will have to sleep outside all week. It’s forecast to be cold later in the week.
This is his own decision, of course, but it’s not really a decision; instinct apparently tells him that I’m trustworthy, but that my house is safe only if I am in it. The minute I step out the door, he runs out, too, even if he’s just run in. Poor boy. At least, our winter is not terribly wintry, even in December. I’m sure he’ll be all right, but now that he’s comfy sleeping in his soft indoor bed, I bet he will miss it.
gesneri, I sure hope Romeo feels better soon, and that he lets you give him his meds. Nothing like trying to give a kitteh an injection. Especially if you’re not feeling well yourself!
I suppose everyone has about jumped into their tree by now. I raked and gathered leaves most of the day, the tomato shack got picked up a bit, and I am quite sure the neighbors appreciate it. I told them, “Your yard always looks so nice, and you know me, I always rake for Christmas, whether it needs it or not.” Lordy, swales of leaves.
Tomorrow is luminaria duty. I have to set mine up early since I volunteered to help with the neighborhood display in the afternoon.
I think I will throw some red chili lights on the bushes at my front door, I should be able to get that done. I am not on much of a holiday schedule, like Kris, for excessMas. The bus tours for luminarias go past my house, so I try my best to be a little ready for that.
Sweet, sweet Romeo.
The Christmas tree is one glass ball less decorated thanks to Nagi, who was spotted scurrying away after the crash. He *does* seem to like breaking glassy things.
Kuroneko and I have been enjoying a nap on the sofa and my legs are still asleep.
Thank You very much Margaret.
You’re welcome.
Well, I guess that wraps up another affair of the cat. I hope everybody has a great week ahead and let’s all make sure to let our loved ones know how much they mean to us, regardless of the number of legs they have.
Goodnight.
Hahaha! Over at the Rainbow Bridge someone is chuckling knowingly, surrounded by furry friends.
I presumed you’ve moved everything breakable higher up? And Abner has no interest in dangly Christmas decorations?
Well, I hope Nagi knows how lucky he is.
A very merry Christmas to you and to all the Caturfolk. And a million thanks to Peggy for posting and hosting despite feeling under the weather.