The Many Joys of Pretty String

We've told you how fascinated Deer seems by her pretty string. She can actually make sweaters, socks, and mittens with it and just two sticks! Ah...the things humans have to wear since they don't have fur! Maddie loves to watch the string move when Deer pulls on it when she's playing with the string. Sometimes, Maddie can catch it with her paw and, surprise- surprise-surprise, she tries to eat it! She tries to eat everything...but that's a different story!

Well, this weekend, we've discovered even a better use for Deer's pretty string. We've told you before that despite of all of Deer's many redeeming qualities, she does one thing we absolutely HATE all the way down to the tips of our tails: every week, no matter what, she brings out the big, loud scary yellow monster from the front closet and takes it on a walk all through Camp Shorewood. We like it when Macks goes to the front closet 'cause that's where he keeps our most special toy...the bird! But, we know what is about to happen when Deer goes to it...and we take cover even before the beastie comes out!

Usually, we hide in closets.
Sometimes we hide under beds.
Every once and a while we cower in Macks' lap...but he was away this weekend here.

So, we found another good, cozy place to hide: Deer's stash-o-pretty string that she keeps in perfectly cat-sized canvas cubes:





In our most humble opinion, we find that adding cat fur to lambswool, merino, cashmere, and cottons only enhances their value and appearance.

Sharing is caring...

We've worked out a...um... system about sharing the world's most awesome tunnel bed.

Please note, those who do not have an open mind about such things should probably look away:

Feline King of the Hill

From Washie -

I've heard that you humans have a curious tradition of playing a game called King of the Hill on top of huge piles of snow. You may not be aware, but cats have the same type of game. Instead of waging the war on top of snow, we choose a more refined battleground...one of our Christmas presents, a totally awesome tunnel bed!

Always the gentleman, I allowed Maddie first go:

Unfortunately, she was most hesitant to leave her throne:

Ahem, got any New Year's Resolutions, Maddie?

The battle waged on for nearly 30 minutes. My strategy was to let her think I gave up, and then launch a quick strike! I'm sorry to say that it didn't work very well!

What eventually lured her away was the hint of a cat treat from Deer (thanks, Deer!) and I used the clever diversion to my full advantage!

Patience rewarded!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Wild & Wooly!

Winter is here! We had 12" of snow at Camp Shorewood on Friday and both Macks and Deer got to stay home with us. Then we had more snow overnight, a high of only 8 today and tomorrow and more snow for Tuesday! We have 3 weather warnings today: winter weather advisory (for the snow), a winter storm warning (for the blowing and drifting snow) and a wind chill advisory. How often does that happen?

Anyway, it's just awesome! Why awesome, you ask? Well, 'cause the best thing to do when it's wild outside is to grab yourself a human and get to some serious cuddling!





In a pinch, another cat will also do the trick, but it's best to make sure they are CLEAN first!

It's in my nature

From Maddie:

I've heard this human saying that "curiosity killed the cat". Well, now, I don't think it's all that drastic, but - if I do say so myself - we are a pretty inquisitive lot!

I don't think Deer is a very good mouser - or she's gotta find a new place to go mousing everyday - 'cause she never, ever brings any mice home to play with or nibble on! A few times a week, though, she'll bring Macks back little sweet samples from a coffee shop right next door to where she goes all day. They're not mice, but he does seem to like them. Well, a few days ago, she brought home something for Macks and left it on the kitchen table for him. I didn't think anyone would mind or notice if I tried to find out what all of the hubbub was about!

So, in fine feline fashion, I snuck up and snatched the treat and took it into the spare room to conduct my investigation:


It was some sort of pumpkin bread.


It was good.

I ate the whole thing.

I'll start my diet...tomorrow, I promise.

Where in the world?

Hey, has anyone seen my rubber duckie?


You know what they say, "Cleanliness is next to feline-ness!" Don't you think there's a resemblance between Mr. Bubble and Maddie?


Maddie says, "Watch it, buster...bubbles can kill."

Better late than never

Happy Birthday, Daddy! We're one day late in wishing you a very happy day but it's not our fault...honest! Deer has been too busy to help us turn this darn computer on. We can do everything else, but turning this crazy machine on with our most delicate pawz is a bit beyond us at the moment. So, we've decided to work on our dexterity!

Washie has chosen the sink balance beam as his favorite apparatus:

Maddie exercises her right to vote and suggests keeping things the same (aka letting someone else push the buttons):



Deer went away for too many days a little while ago to same place called Orlando for, what she called a confurence...we didn't get that part because she doesn't have any fur!

Then we got really worried thinking that she went to go see other cats but all she saw was some overgrown mouse in a tuxedo and this creepy crawly on a tree by the hotel pool!
We're glad she didn't bring home the creepy crawly, but she should have brought home the big mouse for us to play with and to nibble on!

In other news, it snowed here at Camp Shorewood and we got a couple of inches. It sure is pretty out there. We're hoping it snows as much as it did last year because it makes for the best cuddling and napping weather ever!

Again, Happy Happy Birthday Daddy! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Come visit us at Camp soon, ok?