Friday, July 6, 2018

Friendly Fill-Ins

Who's ready to fill-in the Friendly Fill-Ins? In case you missed them yesterday, you can find them below. Ellen of 15andmeowing crafted up the first two, and I came up with the second two.


1. When it is hot, I _________.

2. I am looking forward to _________ this month.

3. The theme song of my life would be _________.

4. There is no such thing as _________.


Of course, I filled these in myself. Here's how I did!

1. When it is hot, I hibernate.
(I enjoy being outdoors in livable conditions. These hot and humid days of late, though, they're not livable. So, I hunker down inside with the air conditioning as much as possible. My heart goes out to all of the homeless people and animals who are not so lucky.)

2. I am looking forward to reading the books on my to-read list for this month.
(I have some books coming up on my to-read list that I'm really looking forward to. One of them is Clowders by Vanessa Morgan. I bought this book the second I read Melissa and Mudpie's review of it a few months back. I can't believe I'm just now getting to it, and I'm incredibly eager to start it.)

3. The theme song of my life would be "Soft Kitty".
(Part of me feels silly for giving this answer, yet the other part of me thinks this little tune pretty much sums up my life. "Soft Kitty" is essentially a cute semblance of a lullaby that is featured on none other than The Big Bang Theory. If you want to watch a clip of the show in which one of the characters sings the song, just click here.)

4. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
(I'm sure we've all heard questions that to us seem a bit, well, ridiculous. But, when you think about it, we all have different interests and knowledge, and so what sounds like a silly question to one of us might very well be a legitimate query to another. For example, my sister often can't help but roll her eyes when I ask her certain technological questions. Other times she jumps straight to laughing out loud, right in my face. But, that's because she has a keen interest in and grasp of how technology works, and I most definitely do not.)


Now it's your turn!
To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!
You can also click on the badge below to add your link.


You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,
or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.



***

Don't worry, we didn't forget to give you your Eddy fix today. Let's be honest, though, we can't promise much. This girl is just not into sitting still these days. Perhaps that's in part because Eddy is still very, very suspicious of the new kittens, Tonks and Winky. Those kittens just can't be trusted, you know. If they get too close, you have to run away really, really fast. After all, kittens are best enjoyed from afar, or from behind a safe barrier. Honestly, if the kittens get too close, Eddy looks a little something like this:

(The perfectionist in me cringes at sharing this photo.
I hope you all don't mind not getting anything resembling a clear and crisp kitty picture today.
Eddy decided that just wasn't going to happen. As always.)

Now, how about an update on how kittens Tonks and Winky are integrating into the family? Overall, it's going mostly well. Evan, Thimble, and Toby tend to think the kittens need to mature a bit and stop pouncing them, but in the grand scheme of things, they do great with them. Pup Astrid still has to be supervised with them, because they are indeed small, they are still not 100% sure what she is, and they excite her a bit.

And then there's Eddy. When the kittens are out and about playing throughout the house, I still keep a baby gate up in my bedroom doorway, since that is Eddy's favorite room as well as her safe haven. My room is where Eddy can feel safely tucked away from the kittens of whom she is a tad bit terrified. That being said, she does often willingly, and sometimes even eagerly, watch them from the other side of the gate. I have tried offering for her to leave my room and go play with the kittens, and while she sometimes acts like she might try, she then always sort of chickens out and runs back into my room. I occasionally carry a kitten or two into my room for Eddy to sniff them. She's not thrilled with that. She never hisses when I do it, but she often scurries away, sometimes beneath the bed.

Then there's the fact that, a few days ago, I didn't realize Winky's close proximity as I tried to sneak into my bedroom. As I moved the baby gate to enter, the little black kitten darted beneath my feet and right into the room. And where did she go? Directly under the bed with Eddy. All I heard was one hiss from Eddy, which I thought was pretty darn good, all things considered. That being said, Winky was just a little too intrigued by Eddy, who wanted no part of the kitten's antics. So, I lured Winky out from under my bed with her favorite toy and removed her from the situation. Eddy waited a few minutes before coming back out from beneath the bed, and then glared at the kittens through the baby gate for something like an hour.

Eddy is so timid and skittish, the poor girl, and I hope she'll come to some sort of compromise with the kittens. I'm hoping we'll get there. It may take months and months, but perhaps we'll eventually get there. Wish us luck.

Happy Friday, friends!



***
Our Doodle of the Day:

We're not quite done yet with our most recent series of bookish doodles. So, here's another one for you.





***
Our Tip of the Day:

Yesterday, we mentioned some of the benefits of growing cat grass indoors for your kitty. We wanted to offer a couple more tips in this same line of thought. First, you don't only have to grow cat grass in small pots from which your kitty can have a bit of a green snack. Another option is to create for your kitty a cat grass bed. For example, you could grow some cat grass in a larger pot, and some cats will enjoy this grassy environment for napping or playing purposes. Cats' ancestors out in the wild often live, sleep, and even play in this type of grassy environment, so why not our domesticated kitties?

Another option is to create beds or play areas out of artificial grass, which can again give off the idea of a more wild environment for your kitty. Most synthetic grass materials are safe for pets, but you should of course still always double check, or simply look for ones that are specifically designed to be pet-friendly. There are, in fact, artificial grass toys, scratchers, and beds that are specifically designed for cats. Did you know there are even artificial grass potty mats for dogs, or even cats? All in all, artificial grass is not only low-maintenance, but can also have beneficial effects for your kitty. It can offer them a place to play or snooze, all while mimicking grassy environments found out in the wild. If you think your cat might enjoy cat grass or synthetic grass in the form of a bed or play area, perhaps look into setting this up for them.

20 comments:

Pam and Teddy said...

Wonderful fill-ins today.....I do think "Soft Kitty" is a sweet song and I can "hear" it in my head when I'm looking at Teddy sometimes because I just love him so much. I too much prefer being inside when it's as hot as it's been - it's just almost hard to move or breathe out there sometimes although Teddy seems to be in his element out there! As for the adjustments to the household with the new kittens - I guess it just plain takes time. Cats seem to like things "just so" and when something changes, adjusting takes a TON of time. Crazy but true maybe? Have a great Friday and thanks for co-hosting "Fill-Ins" !

Hugs, Pam (and Teddy)

messymimi said...

Hibernating is a great idea, i wish we could go to bed for two months in winter and two in summer, just let all the weather extremes pass us by.

An artificial grass mat for the animals to do their business! That's one i will have to look up.

Unknown said...

I love the Soft Kitty song--it is very relaxing. Poor Eddy...I hope she gets more comfortable around those kittens soon. :)

Marg said...

Fantastic fill-ins. Hope everyone gets used to the kittens soon. I am sure they will, it just takes time and adjustment to have new members of the family. Have a great day.

pilch92 said...

I love your answers! I almost chose Soft Kitty as my theme song too :) I love that song, my great-niece tells me to stop when I try to d=sing it to her ( my voice is that bad). I agree about questions, the only way to learn is to ask.
Eddy is a cutie. I am sorry she is stressed with the newbies. Have you ever tried a calming collar on her? Maybe she would feel less stressed unless she hates collars then it would not be good.
Very cute drawing. Excellent tips too. Have a wonderful weekend! I am off to look up that book, it sounds good.XO

Eastside Cats said...

When at the library last week, I ordered four books from four locations, thinking they would arrive evenly spaced out. Well, they all came in, and so I need to do some marathon reading! Most of the books are ones recommended to me via Goodreads, or from friends. And one of my favorite authors came up with another in her Richard Jury series, so I had to grab that one too! And Manny and Chili Bruce LURV to sniff my library books; they are a comedy team.

Sandee said...

I love all your answers. You do these so very well.

I've a pile of unread books. I need to read more. I've been busy with far too many other things of late.

Have a purrfect day and weekend. ♥

Cathy Keisha said...

Eddy, here's how *I* got rid of a kitty TW wanted to adopt. I tried to kill it. Kitty was gone an hour later. TW axs stupid questions all the time. "Are you OK?" is one of them. As if I'm gonna answer her.

violaetcetera said...

Hibernating through the hot days would be a very good idea. And yes, questions never can be stupid.

da tabbies o trout towne said...

guyz.....we haz mizzed yur postz again, we dinna noe two new joined de crew !! wavez two ewe tonks N winky frum de land oh trout ....happee gotcha day, welcome ta blogland, we lookz for werd ta lurnin all bout ewe both ~~ ☺☺♥♥

ghostmmnc said...

Eddy sounds like a good kitty. I like the photo of her spontaneous reaction. Good idea for a baby gate until they get used to each other. :)

Katherine Kern said...

Eddy, you always make us smile! I love the soft kitty song as well ... I've found myself singing it without realizing it!

Annesphamily said...

Thanks for sharing and for hosting! HAve a terrifici weekend. HUGS

Melissa, Mudpie and Angel Truffles (Mochas, Mysteries and Meows) said...

Love that doodle! It sounds like there's never a dull moment at your house, especially with the new babies :) And I can't wait to see what you think of Clowders!

Feline Opines said...

Hah, hah Eddy, you are following the "when humans wish to photograph you" section of the cat rule book to a T. Never miss an opportunity to ruin a human's photo!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Tucker & The Tribe of Five at Feline Opines

The Island Cats said...

Great fill in answers. We're finally getting some nicer cooler weather...so we hope you are too. And we hope Eddy and the kits start getting along better. One hiss...that's a start!

Suzanne McClendon said...

I agree with you 100%; there's no such thing as a stupid question. I would likely have your sister laughing with my questions, too. I'm not a techie by any stretch of the imagination. :)

Eddy is a busy girl, no time to stand still for a photo. She's got things to do. haha I hope that she'll be able to work things out with the little ones soon.

Your kitty doodle is great. I especially love the curly tail. :)

Have a blessed weekend!

David E. McClendon, Sr. said...

You are right, there is no such thing as a stupid question. I used to start out asking questions in class by saying, "Excuse me, I am stupid but, ..." After class, people would tell me they were glad I asked that question because they did not understand it either. I figured, I was paying for an education. I was going to get what I paid for. One way or the other.

Once I asked a question of the world famous Dr. Porter McLauren in a class with over 500 people. He looked at me with a real look of surprise. His face lit up and he answered the question completely. No one else ever asked a question in that class. I asked a total of two, but I would have asked more if they came up to me. Have a blessed week.

Kitties Blue said...

Another terrific doodle. Eddy's photo is purrfect for displaying her response to the kittens. Poor Eddy. Sounds like how Lisbeth is with Sawyer, so he persists on pestering her, which you'd suspect. Hope things eventually settle down. Love your fill-ins, especially "Soft Kitty." Have a great weekend. XOCK, angel Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, angel Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth, Calista Jo, Cooper Murphy and Sawyer

Dash Kitten Crew said...

I was thinking. Running the photo through a filter would transform it, maybe make it look artistic and fun. Give it a go!