Through the glass...

 

Not talking photography here.  Well, I did get a photo with my phone...

 Murphy and I were out for his morning wandering about the yard.  When we came back to the door, Stella was looking out to see what we were doing.  She is still a "flight risk," even though she has it good here, so there won't be any outside for her until she is big enough for a harness and a leash.

Murphy had a tough morning: he was a pill.  We all have those days, I guess.  Better times ahead.

Another first for me.  First time I've taken a selfie in a mirror.  I was looking to show the shirt, and Joan was busy.  So...

 Yeah, it's a Gerry Bear shirt.  As in Gerry Garcia.  As in: the Grateful Dead.  Music today at Mark's place, with the big group.  One of the charts he sent is for a Greatful Dead song.  I am not a Deadhead.  I have never played a Greatful Dead song.  But, Joan got me this shirt a long time ago from Vine, and I have never worn it.  Today is the day.

Here's a sitting selfie to show the shirt better...

 Hopefully, I won't get stopped by the Police on the way to or from Mark's today... 'cause I think a body cavity search would be in my future.  I am wearing this for the guys today.

I'm guessing Mark picked a Grateful Dead song because Bob Weir passed away a couple days ago.  For those not familiar, he was a guitar player for the Grateful Dead.

 

 

My ears are burning...

 

People talking about you, Jim?

Probably, but that isn't the cause.  Some HOA stuff and phone calls with John, his nurse, the Social Services person at the hospital, and John's niece and nephew.  From before 8:00 am until after noon.

In fact, Joan took care of my noon feeding duties for Murphy and Stella.  Really, I'm still a good cat-Dad, it just took a while to get through all of that.

After the kitties ate, they each laid down for a nap... and Joan and I got out for lunch.  A real sit-down lunch.  Seems like it has been a while.

On the kitty front: around 4:30 I laid down myself.  Didn't sleep, but Murphy did come lay by me.  Not on me.  Not quite touching.  But by me. 

And a real break-through: as I was coming out of the bathroom (no, this won't be TMI), Stella and Murphy got nose-to-nose.  It lasted for a few seconds.  Nobody hissing.  I may have gotten a bit verklempt.  Downright sweet. 

Ups and Downs...

 

Yesterday, there was a good amount of "refereeing"... not speaking of sports.  Stepping between kitties.  Mostly noise.  Neither trying to be hurtful.

And then, this morning...

 Downright sweet.  Of course, that will change in a few minutes.  Then, a moment of play, followed by hissing.  But, no running, nothing aggressive.  The perspective is interesting in that image above: Stella is closer to the camera, so she doesn't look so small.  When you see them side by side, Murph is so much bigger.

I have to laugh as he approaches her: super slow motion.  She will roll onto her side, exposing her belly... "baiting"him to come closer, then the ears go flat followed by a hiss.  Murph will look at me quizzically and say, "I didn't do nuthin'!"

"Can you do nothing a little further away from her?" I ask.

Mutter, mutter, mutter.

 

Sleeping like a baby...

 

Me?  No, I toss and turn thanks to achy bones.  At least it's not like the "sleep like a baby" joke: I cry at various times during the night and wet myself.

As you might expect with the current circumstances, I am talking about the cats.  Right now, little Stella is asleep on the base of one of the cat towers...

 Murphy is asleep on top of the catio...

 That is now - all is quiet.  Downright peaceful.  That was not the case earlier: Murphy was stalking Stella all over the living room.  Joan and I took turns shooing him away from her.  He would get close, she would hiss, and one of us would get between them and chase him off.  He never did anything to her, just got too close for her comfort.

I said, "Let them work it out."  Not easy to do when you see the size difference, but little Stella can be fierce.  He got too close, she pulled out the claws and took a swipe at him.  Murphy backed off.

I had to take a phone call and stepped out for a bit.  Joan was getting dressed and heard some commotion - she stepped out to the living room to this...

 Yes, they were sitting peacefully.  Together in the catio.  No fuss.  No hissing.  Go figure.

 

Ch-Ch-Ch...

 

If you said, "Chia Pet!"... you are wrong, but you still get 10 bonus points for remembering those commercials...

 

It was a restless night.  My brother-in-law John is in the hospital and I am worried about him.  He is the last of my immediate family and has been in my life since I was 9 years old.  After visiting with his nephew, niece, and a nurse at the hospital, I was finally able to talk to him when he got settled in a room late last night.

The morning came earlier than usual, but a bright spot: Murphy came up from the foot of the bed and laid on me.  That is a rarity, and most welcome.  Then, he purred.  Also something I don't often hear.  Very soothing.

I got up and started my new kitty-feeding routine.  It's a bit of an assembly line, so they get fed at the same time.  After that and the rest of my morning routine, I took Murphy outside.  It is ch-ch-ch-chilly: 41º.  January in the desert.  Joan turned on the fireplace - first we've used the heat from that this season.  We've had it on, but just for the ambiance (no heat).

Another bright side: it's a clear, sunny day out. 

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I called John's hospital room this morning; a brief visit with him, then with his nurse.  I got the lowdown and will be checking in later this afternoon.  I made some calls from Steph and Dan's house, so I could put the phone on speaker while taking notes.  Murphy came over with me.  And Tango, their orange boy, sat on my lap while I made my calls.  Nice...

 

Back at our house, Stella was being very active - she loves to play and uses lots of toys.  The tunnel is her current favorite (and has been Murph's favorite and Tango's when he comes to visit)...

  And a rare photo of her holding still - she has a LOT of energy...

 Stella is a typical kitten: a bundle of energy and then a nap.  This morning, the energy part lasted over an hour.  And then she looks like she will fall asleep sitting up.  It's cute.

I believe she is destined to be a princess.  Joan ordered some new food and water bowls for her...

 Yeah, princess pink.  She is a good eater, and it is sweet to see her go back and forth between her hard and soft food.

 

All I want in the whole world...

 

Damn, Jim, are you trying to get another guitar?

I may have used that line at some time in the past.  ;-)

While Joan and I were at lunch, I asked her, "Do you know what I'd like more than anything else in the whole world?"

"Do tell."

Remember after we first got Rufus, and I went to lay down for a nap... and that little boy (he was kind of little at the time) laid by me on the bed?"

"Of course, I remember that - I took one of my favorite photos of it."

 

Then she said, "There will never be another Rufus."

"I don't doubt that," I said "but I hope this new girl will come to be snuggly."

When we finished lunch, we walked back to Discount Tire to pick up our Equinox (it needed two new Tire Pressure Sensor Monitors), then drove home.

Murphy had been a bit of a pill, stalking Stella more than usual.  He was getting a "time out" in our bedroom.  I was chillin' in my easy chair, when Joan came to me, holding Stella: "Wanna hold her for a while?"

"More than anything."

She handed her to me.  Stella wriggled a bit; Joan suggested holding her more on her back, and...

 She is so tiny.  I just want to protect her.  I am also realistic.  That first photo in this post was about the first week after adopting Rufus.  He was estimated to be about 2 years old at the time.  Little Stella is just barely 5 months old (estimated)... maybe in time she will come to be that snuggly.  For now, I am happy to be able to hold her.  The timing has to be right.

 

I Tried...

 

After yesterday morning's success in picking up the new furry kid, I expected more of the same today.  I would be wrong... hissing and growling when I reached in there this morning.  Something different everyday.

Murphy wound up in "time out" after causing Stella to have a hissy fit.  I know the boy is just playing.  I think she is "baiting" Murph: rolling around looking all sweet... then Murphy gets close... and she flips around, ears flat, and a spitty hiss.  Then Murphy is in trouble with his Momma.  Pretty sure I see Stella snickering afterwards.

They can be close to each other with no problem...

 Cute, huh?  Until: "Mom - he's picking on me!"

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