Obstacles or Excuses?...

Fair Warning: Get out the tiny violins or the Charlie Brown Teacher "Waaaaaa Waaaaa" voice. You can take your pick.

My day began filled with good intentions. You know what they say about good intentions, right?  Well, back to my story. I went through my usual morning routine on days when Handsome is away. 

• Get up, morning personal prep, get dressed - check
  
• Air out the dogs - check
• Feed the dogs - check
• Feed the cats - check
• Make my morning cuppa - check
• Catch up on the morning news - check
• Head to the studio to cut out the teddy bears - check
• Run half hour south to pick up Bella's new "attitude adjustment" meds and chat with the vet - check
• Drive back home - check
• Situate the dogs to avoid conflict - check
• Go back to the studio to work on the teddies - ssssscreacchhhhh!
• Hand is hurting burning too much to sew and assemble the teddies 
• Take doctor recommended ibuprofen
  
• Go back downstairs and make another cuppa
• Doze off in the chair
• etc. You get my drift 

I made an appointment a few weeks ago with the ortho/hand doctor. The first appointment they could schedule was for early APRIL. I asked to be put on their cancellation list, and got a call the following week to tell me they had an opening for March 20th. I jumped on it, so that's the soonest I can get in. Now I wait so he can tell me what the heck is going on with my hand. The pain level vacillates between a dull ache to sharp, burning pain. I'm looking forward to learning what's going on with it and then finding out what my options are for eliminating the discomfort. When it strikes, any pressure/use whatsoever hurts like the dickens, so I sit down and ride it out. I pushed through it to finish my products for the quilt show booth, but I don't have that to worry about now, so I try to alleviate the pain by resting it, applying heat or ice, and trying not to bump it against anything. Between my knee, and now my hand, I told Handsome that if I were a horse, the vet would likely put me out of my misery. Gettin' old mature sure ain't for sissies.  

I'm supposed to be on my way to Sewcial Sisters in Larsen today, but Bella is on two new medicines that she needs administered three times a day, and...my hand. I decided to stay home instead. I'm going to try to finish the teddy bears and watch Bella to make sure she can tolerate these new "mood enhancers". They're only until the vet and her staff of experts can figure out what's wrong with her and our course of action. In the meantime, we're trying these meds to see if they'll curb her aggression. Praying they do. We need to help her and take care of whatever is the root cause. 

On another matter, I'll be dropping new items into my Etsy shop over the weekend. I'll also have Square links for direct purchase that I'll post here and in the Brynwood Needleworks Facebook group. I'll also be discounting a few special things, so you may want to check in from time to time. 

I'll see you again tomorrow with a progress report. Heck of a way to start the new month. Sorry. sigh

 

New Hardware...

 

I received my newest hardware order yesterday, and I'm anxious to use them in upcoming bags and other creations. I just love them! They're really high quality and heavy weight, and I love the detail.

Looking at them from top left to right: opossum, fox, mushrooms, Tree of Life, cat, treble clef. Front row:

White owl and Harry Potter's Deathly Hallows symbol. I've already got so many ideas in mind for these. I think you're going to love them!

I sewed today, but stopped before dinner time. My right index finger knuckle is killing me. It feels like a red hot poker in the joint, and even wakes me up at night. I've been taking ibuprofen, but it doesn't always help. I only tell you this so you know why you haven't seen any new finished bags yet. I have an appointment first thing this morning, but I'm hoping to actually finish the bags I started last week.

In the meantime, I'm going to plan what I'll be doing with these just as soon as those bags are finished. I promise the finished products are definitely going to be fun!

Tuesdays With Tag - He's Gone!...

Hi, Everybody!

Well, I've got great news for you. Furgus has gone to a new home, and it's a wonderful story.

Mom was so worried about the feline dynamics in the Compass Barn. This big boy showed up in our yard some time around late fall, but with the extended halfway decent weather, he'd come and go as the girls snarled and hissed him off the property.

Once the weather got crummy, it seems that this guy was more of a homebody than feral cat. He wasn't afraid of Mom, and he never missed a meal time. The girls - on the other hand - were put out to no end. Claudette took to sleepin' on a lawn chair in the big part of the barn instead of her warm bed. Crystal made herself even more scarce. This was untenable for Mom. I mean, remember all the redecoratin' she did in the barn so the girls would be warm once the weather fell in the crapper? Furgus was even usin' their litter box, for Pete's sake!

Well, Mom started payin' more attention to him to see how friendly he might be. Not only was he friendly, he was downright lovable. Every time he heard her voice, he'd bounce out of the barn to see if she might be walkin' over to visit with him.

Mom put up a post on her Facebook page, asking if anyone might want to adopt him. She got three replies. One was for this lady who wanted him for her second house cat. He would be livin' with a dog or two, too. Then, the lady contacted her again and said her daughter, who has her own home was lobbyin' hard to have him. They set a date for a visitation at noon on Saturday.

Wouldn't you just know that Furgus was nowhere to be seen Friday and Saturday? They had planned to come out Saturday noon-ish, but Mom had to tell her she hadn't seen the boy. Mom promised to let them know as soon as he showed up (hopefully at dinner time). As an aside: a nice man wanted a companion for his older cat and we think he would have been a good choice, too, but these ladies had the first option.

Mom kept watchin' the girls, because they move out of the Compass Barn whenever Big Boy showed up. Around 6:30 on Saturday night, both the girls were back on the porch. That was unusual because she'd already put food in the barn for them. When the weather is cold, they then stay in the barn the rest of the night.

Seeing them on the porch, she hurried and put on her barn coat and went into the barn. Like clockwork, Furgus was up on the table stuffin' his face! She went to the table, said hello to him, and scooped him up. He loved that! He cuddled right up to her and she was easily able to put him in our kitty crate. Then she called to see if the lady and her daughter wanted to make a road trip. You won't be surprised to learn that they jumped in their car, and a half hour later were standin' in our garage with Mom.

Furgus came out of the crate to Mom, but he was apprehensive about these ladies. Even though they cooed and tried to pet him, he buried his face in the crook of Mom's arm. He was afraid, but not aggressive with his fear. Eventually, Mom was able to hand him off the the lady's daughter, Meadow. Isn't that a pretty name? Actually, it's a perfect name for the person who would be adopting Furgus. 

After visitin' a little more to make sure Furgus was gettin' used to them, Meadow and her mom put Furgus into the crate they bought with them and put him in their car. Mom was so happy that he had a forever home. These ladies already loved him when they left the yard.

Meadow sent photos to Mom the next day, sayin' that Furgus had spent most of the day on her bed, sleepin'. We said it's probably the most wonderful, safe sleep he's had in months. No fear of predators, antagonizers, or crummy weather. Mom was very happy. 

So the photos we're sharin' today are of Furgus' mom, Meadow, holdin' him for the first time; him sleepin' the first day (Isn't is cute that Meadow covered him with a blanket?); and a day spent hangin' out on her bed yesterday. He's really landed in a great place, and best of all, everybody is happy. Meadow's happy. Claudette and Crystal are happy. Mom's happy that he's in a safe, lovin' home, and Dad's ecstatic that there's one less cat (he's not a fan of felines) on our property. Mom tells people that we have two negotiated barn cats on our property.

I can safely say that this was a happy endin' all the way around. We're just hopin' Furgus didn't talk to any other strays before he left, directin' them to our house. We need a break from helpin' strays. Truthfully, it's a little hard on Mom's heart. She'd keep 'em all if she could...but I'm darn glad she can't. It's crowded around here as it is. Here, I'd hope to be an only puppy all those years ago. Especially since Bella's still raggin' at me these days. I'll just keep my head down and count my blessin's. Not inconsequential is the fact that Furgus will now sleep as nicely at night as I do, and that's a wonderful thing, indeed.

Merry Christmas Blessin's, Meadow and Furgus.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Tuesdays With Tag - She’s Home…

 

Hi, Everybody!

I’ve been bored stiff all weekend. Mom took off with the orange cat, and I haven’t seen her for days. She took me aside before she left and told me to be a good boy ‘til she got back, but she didn’t warn me she was goin’ away for so long. 

Dad let me hang out on the porch durin’ the day, but I got so bored waitin’ for her that I just dozed off. Sun up to sun down, and didn’t see hide nor hair of her comin’ up the road.

Finally, I heard her Explorer yesterday afternoon. I was so glad to see her, I barked to alert everybody else. We all greeted her at the door, except Dad. He went outside to welcome her home. We all missed her. 

Once she gave all of us (includin’ Dad) big hugs, she went out to the porch and called Claudette and Crystal. We knew she needed a kitty fix, ‘cuz we knew she was missin’ the orange cat. She didn’t bring him back home, but knowin’ Mom, she made sure he’s gonna live a great life. 

What I do know is that we’re all glad she’s back home. We missed her like crazy. We hope she’s gonna stay home now. 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Change of Plans…

 

Another “flexible” weekend, as my dear friend, Julie and her husband, Dan decided they wanted to make Trevor their forever boy. They live in Minnesota, as does my sister, Di, so it was decided I’d drive Trevor up to her house, have Julie and Dan meet up with us there, and get in a little sister time. as a bonus. 

We arrived at my sister’s Friday evening and got Trevor situated with his crate in the guest room, and with only a little excitement from one of Di’s cats, had an otherwise uneventful night. No harm. No foul. 

We got up early Saturday morning and I explained to Trevor that I love him very much, and chose a perfect family for him. I freely admit I was emotional all day. I’ve come to adore this sweet boy.

After a short visit, I went to the guest room and brought Trevor out to meet his new family. I’m quite certain it was love at first sight. He was happy to meet new people, and immediately said hi to both Julie and Dan. They have a 17 year old cat at home named Dodger, who I’m sure will soon give his stamp of approval. 

Julie asked me if I’d like to be Trevor’s Aunty and pray for his successful adjustment. I loved that and said “yes”. I managed to get this picture of them before they drove away. Then I went back in the house and cried. 

In just a short time, I’d fallen head over heels for this boy. The thing is, he wouldn’t be able to live in our home because of our dogs, and he was done being a wild boy. He loves the warmth and security of living indoors. So, I loved him enough to let him go. Thankfully, Julie will send me pictures and give me progress reports as they all adjust to having a new family member. 

So far, he’s fitting right in. He has his own room where he can hang out until Dodger accepts him. Then, he’ll also have the run of the house. Dodger already seems to be warming up to him. That little boy knows how to wrap everybody around his paw, and I’m so glad for it. It will make this process go much easier for him. 

I’m driving the four and a half hours home today without the companion who rode shotgun to get here. It will be a bittersweet trip, but I know I’ve done the right thing. He’s going to have a wonderful life, thanks to my friends, and I’m grateful for that. 

I’m going to rest when I get home and stitch later. 

Tag will be to back tomorrow. 

In Gratitude,

Donna

A Quick Update…

 

Trevor found the (nearly) perfect perch in the sun. The Labrador/Corgi booger-smeared window wasn’t optimal, but he didn’t seem to care. I, on the other hand, am horrified to admit how filthy that window panel is, and that I actually shared it with you! (Believe me. I’ll definitely take care of that!)

The great news is that he and I are in Minnesota as I write this. A dear friend has formally adopted him and has asked me to remain his Aunty. Once she committed to be his new, forever Mom, I called my sister to see how she’d feel about a weekend guest, and loaded us into the Explorer for the drive north. I arrived at Di’s house just after 8 pm. 

I’ll share photos and more about Trevor’s new owners on Monday. I’m thrilled that he has a wonderful home and loving people to live with now. 

After they pick him up at Di’s today, she and I will hang out until Sunday afternoon, when I’ll head back home. Check back on Monday for more info about Trevor’s new family. 

I’m so very grateful. 

Donna ❤️

Tuesdays With Tag - Another Squatter...

 Hi Everybody!

Well, it appears we have yet another short-term resident here at the farmhouse. Yep. He's already got a name, too. Meet Trevor.

Yesterday mornin' Mom went out to feed Claudette and Crystal, when she heard a new meow. She turned around to see the girls hissin' and spittin' and growlin' at this cat. He's skinny, and so hungry that he trotted right past the tag team to their food. Mom had an extra can of wet food in her hands, so she put it down for him. He was ravenously hungry. 

The girls wanted to clean his clock, so Mom intervened to avoid feline fisticuffs. She also noticed that he had a nasty wound on his back end, and wondered just what sort of creature had hurt him. She fed the girls their own food, and sprung into action. She ran out to the barn and got the cat carrier, and as soon as he took a break from the chow, she covered him with a towel (she didn't want to get scratched or worse if he didn't like her plan), and he just cuddled into her. She placed him, and the remainin' food into the carrier with plans to take him to the rescue so a vet could see him. (They didn't open until noon.)

She covered the carrier with a blanket to warm him up, and the little guy drifted right off to sleep. At noon, she put him in her Explorer and drove to town. She found out there was "no room at the inn", but they did scan him to see if he had a chip (no), and checked out his wound. Our shelter friend said it was already healin' well, but we could swab some Neosporin™ on it to help it along.

Mom headed back home, and as long as she had her fingers in the carrier door, Trevor leaned on them, and went back to sleep. Even bein' in a car didn't bother him! She made a bunch of calls and sent messages to see if anyone would love to be a new cat mom, but no luck yesterday. She put up a post on FB and has her fingers crossed. 

When they got back home, she pulled in the garage and he was still sleepin' so she just left him there. We think he was havin' the first safe sleep he'd had in some time. 

About an hour later, Mom went back to her car, opened the carrier and Trevor came out, crawled on her lap, started purrin' and went right back to sleep. She stayed there with him for almost three hours. He ate some more, and she gave him water, too.

She put him in the carrier and took him to the barn. When she showed him the litter box, he used it, and crawled right back into the carrier. Last night he slept in the back hallway in his carrier, and Mom will keep tryin' to find a forever home for him.

The lady at the shelter said she should be able to take him in two weeks from now, and he's scheduled for nooterin', rabies shot and a good goin' over. Then he can be adopted out. Truthfully, though...Mom would like to find someone herself who will take him in and give him a forever, lovin' home. We think he deserves that much. He's so dang sweet. I'm mean, look at that face!

This is a hobo sign for a kind-hearted woman. Mom used to have a sign like this, but gave it to a dear friend decades ago. She'd really like one to put on the front porch, but it seems that the cats already know it and are spreadin' the word. We all think we're pretty lucky to be sharin' her with the less fortunate, and we're not givin' up on findin' that home for Trevor.

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then... 

"Been There, Chewed That!"

Completely Derailed…

Then This Happened

The day began with big plans and high expectations. One (little) dog derailed my day. Yep. Tag completely changed my plans.

I was sitting in the kitchen, and glanced into the pantry as Tag emptied his breakfast dish and turned to leave the room. On his way out, he looked right at me, raised his 10-1/2 year old rear leg on our Amish oak trash cabinet, and…!!! He stood there as I asked him (possibly in a loud voice) what he was doing. When he finished, he just sauntered out of the pantry, giving me a “What’s your problem?” look on his way. (I promptly kenneled him, as Handsome came to find out what had me all agitated.)

I explained the inspiration for my ire, and we proceeded to move the cabinet out so I could do cleanup. When the space was cleared, I saw that this had been going on for a while. (Please don’t judge. Who moves a heavy cabinet every week to clean under it?) I was really hacked. Yes, I’d been smelling an offensive odor, but was sure he must have hit the rug, so I kept laundering it like a madwoman.

I spent the next twenty minutes on my hands and knees, cleaning the floor. (Handsome had to help me up when I was finished.) Then, we took the next hour cleaning the cabinet. I didn’t want his scent calling him back to the cabinet to continue his infraction. I didn’t put the cabinet in the old location for the same reason.

By the time we completed all that, I went outside and fed the cats. The high winds last night had them more than a little rattled. I sat and loved on them for a while, fed them, and then came back inside. It was after 1 pm.

With my sewing mojo gone for the day, I went back downstairs, where Handsome and I decided to engage in a little online Christmas shopping. We finished our list, and I went back upstairs, hoping I could sew for a while. Instead, I shifted fabric around, without making any headway.

So, after making and consuming dinner, Handsome and I did cleanup. Kitchen sparkling, I again went upstairs. In light of the hour, I figured I’d start knitting a pair of socks. I knit socks in the round. That means, once the stitches are all cast on the needles, the row is joined, and then you knit around and around to build a sock. 

The yarn that feeds the process should be outside the circle. As you can see, after completing two rows, I realized my yard was inside the circle. As I knit more and more of the sock, this would be a major frustration. I decided to set the sock WIP aside, and will start over the next time I pick it up. That’s how my day ended. 

I’m confident today will be a better day, all around. I remain hopeful that today I shall not be derailed. Wish me luck…

An Incredible Journey...

Crystal Returned!

When Crystal and her beautiful litter of kittens left here last spring, I really never imagined I'd see her again. I dreamed of each of her babies living in new homes, and the mama living in the lap of luxury in her forever home. 

So, you can imagine my shock and awe when I went out to feed Claudette yesterday morning. I heard another "meow" coming from outside the Compass Barn, which I thought was a vocal Leo. Claudette and I both looked toward the sound, only to realize that his sister, little Crystal, was making her presence known.

She marched straight to the table where I fed her as a kitten, and where I petted and cuddled her enough to consider her tame enough to be adopted. She rubbed up against me, making lots of noise, as she pushed her way to the food dishes. She was skinny (her hip bones were showing) and hungry! (Let me add, Claudette was not happy to see her daughter again.)

I went back into the house, knowing that Handsome was not going to be happy with this new development either. I had to explain that Crystal was back, and I had no idea how it happened. I needed to contact the shelter for more insight.

I got a return for my call after 4 pm. I first asked whether or not they had found a new home for Crystal. (They had.) Then, I asked if they had clipped her ear. (They had, because they weren't sure whether or not she would end up a "community cat".) Then, I asked whether or not they'd heard from the adopters, saying their cat was missing. (They hadn't.) Finally, I told her Crystal was back in our barn. She was as shocked as I was! I asked, without wanting specifics, which area Crystal had moved to, and was told that she was placed in my hometown...no less than twelve miles away!

I was told that Crystal was also microchipped, so if there was any doubt, we could scan her to be sure she's "my" cat. I told her I had no doubt that this was Claudette's daughter, and told her what this little cat must have encountered (avoided) to get back to our property. There is highway construction between town and us, as the state builds out a two-lane highway to a four-lane highway. It's highly traveled, and too many animals face this highway and don't survive. In the past week, the coyote packs have been active and vocal. I took Tag out a few nights ago, and their barking started within 50 yards of us. I couldn't shoo him inside quickly enough. The weather has been less than hospitable lately, too.

It's been cold, raining, and dangerous, yet the homing instinct of this small cat motivated her through all of that to come back. I imagined all her vocalizing was her attempt to tell me all about her trip. I told the lady I've been dealing with at the shelter that I am most curious to know when Crystal went missing and just how long she's been on the road.

My contact will be away from the shelter now until Thursday. She's going to contact the adopters to get the answers to some of our questions. She told me they adopted her with the understanding that Crystal was to be an "indoor only" cat, so she must have escaped, but she was wondering why they hadn't called her to say that their cat had run off. 

Last of all, she said they'd take Crystal back to try to rehome her, but she had a huge concern. Usually it's the male cats who will travel greater distances to return to their familiar grounds (usually a few miles), but she was shocked that not only did Crystal travel more than a few miles - she traversed at least twelve miles to get back here. That's a strong homing instinct for a male or female, and she thinks that Crystal would always try to get back here, and perhaps the outcome wouldn't be so positive. She could be harmed (or worse) next time.

I took Crystal and her babies to the shelter initially because I wanted them all to be in warm, dry, and loving homes, rather than the rougher life of a feral cat. Claudette stayed here because I knew she was imprinted on our neighbors' and our properties. I thought I'd tamed Crystal to the point that she'd be happy elsewhere. Boy, was I wrong.

I promised Handsome that there would only be one cat here. Now there are two...at least for the next few days. I don't know how I can send her away again, knowing that if she gets out, she'll try to come back to me. I've got a real dilemma on my hands. I'll have to pray on this one.

Tuesdays With Tag - Chilly Toes...

Good Boy, Taggart

Hi, Everybody!

Well, the weather is a-changin', and it's makin' my feet cold. Mom chopped my toes over the weekend. She even drew blood! It was awful! I even bled on one toe for a few seconds! She said she was sorry, gave me a cookie, and stopped the bleedin', but she's still surprised when I try to tell her I hate having my toes chopped. DUH! At least she didn't trim the fur on my feet. That would be like sendin' me outside without socks or shoes on. I'd be hoppin' around in the frosty grass.

On a good note, she did do somethin' nice for somebody...the cat! Mom didn't cut Claudette's toes. Nooooo. She just saves that for the dogs around here. She and Dad took us to pick up hay from a local farmer, and then Boo, The Kid and I ran around the yard while Mom cleaned up the Compass Barn and set up real warm places for Claudette (and maybe Leo) to stay safe this winter. We were all really impressed.

The Girls and I might be envious if we didn't get to eat and sleep in the house, but we happened to hear a little bit of conversation between Mom and Dad. She said somethin' about the cat comin' in when it's really, really cold this winter. Dad said he wondered when the subject was gonna come up. He didn't say "no", but he didn't say "yes". 

Mom said we'll wait to see how things go once the snow falls and it gets real cold. Claudette is happier outside, and Mom will make sure she's happy and fine if she stays in the barn. I sure hope so, 'cuz I'd be losin' sleep if she's in the house all the time! I think it would only take her a couple of days to establish herself as head of the house. UGH! Keep your paws crossed that we don't have to let her in for the winter. I don't even want to think about it!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!" 

Tuesdays With Tag - You'd Be Impressed...

Livin' The Dolce Vida

 

 Hi, Everybody!

Are ya sick of cat stories yet? I sure hope not, 'cuz I've got a doozy for ya today!

Don't Let The Cute Face Fool Ya

Kitty Puss has sleepin' quarters on the front porch these days, so we all get to see quite a bit of each other. Mom feeds her there (as Leo is sometimes in the barn now), and Mom even goes out at night to say "g'night" to her. It's all very mushy and sickenin' if you ask me.

Stretch Pants

This is why Mom nicknamed her "Stretch Pants". She does this every. single. time. she sees Mom. Maybe it's some secret kitty kurse. Who knows? But, she also sits on the porch posts and meows when breakfast or dinner are late. Seems she's a demandin' diva, too.

She does like the affection she gets from Mom, though. I mean, who can blame her? Mom gives great snuggles. So, Claudette has found a way to say thanks that's a bit more demonstrative than merely purrin'.  It's AWESOME, too!

This cat has taken to bringin' dead mice to Mom. Well, not always whole mice. Sometimes it's just the head, or other parts. I told you it's awesome! Mom gets so grossed out that I can hardly stand it! She keeps tellin' the stoopid cat that it's really not necessary to show this kinda gratitude, but cats will be cats. Next day, there's another one!

In Claudette's defense, we're all thinkin' that these are mice that are already hangin' around the house, and are gettin' ready to move in for the winter. We can't have that! We've had winters where we had to listen to chewin' mice at night. Mom got some mouse repellent that works great (and is non-poisonous and safe around all the other critters), but the cat is our "Perimeter Defender".

I've been hangin' out with her more and more. She's kinda growin' on me, but she gets mondo brownie points for grossin' out Mom. It's a job I'll happily share! Thanks for bein' so entertainin', Kitty Puss. Major awesomeness in my book. Really. I'm sure even you'd be impressed!

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!" 

Tuesdays With Tag - It’s A Wonderful Life…

Brynwood Needleworks - The Girls and Me!

Hi, Everybody!The girls and I have been busy this past week.Cooler weather really winds us up. 
I’m mostly not gettin’ any fetchin’ time on account of my limp. (Heck, I’m starting’ to feel bad for Mom. I kinda know how she feels.) That doesn’t mean the girls are just sittin’ around though. 
They’ve been gettin’ mornin’ workouts for months. Usually first thing every day. I wouldn’t care, except they - and by extension I - don’t get fed until about an hour later. A corgi could die of starvation. It’s almost Cruelty to Corgis! Mom says I’ll live. Right! (I’m not so sure.)
Now that the leaves are startin’ to turn, Mom said we needed to have a new season picture taken. Do you like it? 
I’ve got a full agenda today. First, I’ll wait until right after Mom sits down with her first cuppa coffee to let her know I need to go outside. Next, I’ll come in the house and roll around on the living room rug. (It’s my gentle way of remindin’ her that she needs to haul out the vacuum cleaner.) 
Once she’s ready to start stitching’ it’s gonna get pretty quiet in the house. You know. Like, so quiet you can hear yourself breathe. Right about then, I’ll jump up and start barkin’, which lights up the girls. Mom (and Dad) jump about a foot in the air. That’s so much fun.
By then, it’s time to go outside again, where we also get to chase the cat - except for me. (She loves me.)  All that excitement, quickly followed by afternoon naps. We wake up, go outside, and then start lobbyin’ for dinner. After we eat, it’s time to get back to sheddin’ on the rug, buggin’ Mom or Dad (on general principle), and then catchin’ a few more winks until bedtime. 
The sun comes up, and we start all over again. Of course, there are car rides, visits, and special treats from time to time. There’s nothin’ quite as wonderful as a dog’s life here at the farmhouse. (Bein’ a cat is a close second.) 
I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!" 

I Think She Likes Me...

Brynwood Needleworks -There She Is!

 Hi, Everybody! 

It seems that Kitty Puss has taken a shine to me. She makes herself scarce when the black dogs are out, but as soon as she sees my silky, ginger coat, out she comes. She can't resist me. I mean, who can blame her?

 

Brynwood Needleworks - She Can't Resist Me

 

She's not always sure when I'm tryin' to be friendly, but whenever I play hard to get, she's right on my heels. She comes trottin' to me from the barn, and you'd think she was fixin' to cuddle me right then and there!

Brynwood Needleworks - Hey, You Wanna Play?

 

I mean, she flopped down on the driveway right in front of me. So, bein' the friendly gent I am, I tried a little somethin' different. I commenced to runnin' zoomies around her, and know what?

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Thar She Blows. Run Away!!

She kinda freaked out. She arched her back and made hissin' noises at me. Her tail got all big and fluffy, and I just kept runnin'. I thought she was gonna run for the barn, but nope. She stayed right there. Mom was laughin' out loud.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - And, There She Is Again

 

I felt a little bad for makin' her nervous, so I thought I'd give her a minute to collect herself. I walked back over to Mom and then had a hankerin' for a little grass. I went over to my favorite chewin' spot, only to see herself right in my face again. See? She can.not.resist.me!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Me and My Shadow

 

No matter where I go, she'll be shadowin' my every footstep. Heck, a couple days ago, Mom took me up into the high part of the yard, and yep. That silly tuss came bouncin' right along with us. Goofy cat.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Yup. She Likes Me

I guess we'll just make it official. Claudette really is my cat. I think she's drawn to my strong, but vertically-challenged countenance. It's okay with me. I kinda like her, too.

 I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Tuesdays With Tag - Well, Would You Look At This...

 

Brynwood Needleworks - It Was Bound To Happen

 Hi, Everybody! 

Mom says this was bound to happen. I went outside just to do my business and look who was waitin' for me! Our eyes met, and we checked each other out...peacefully. No fussin'. No barkin'. No hissin'. No fightin'. No problems.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - No Fear

 

Stoopid Cat is actually Smooth Cat. She seems to like me, and she loves bein' close to Mom whenever she's outside. So, we came to a meetin' of the minds.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Coexisting

She can be out where I can see her. She can follow Mom around while I snuffle in the yard. That way, I can be where she can see me, I can see her, and everybody's singin' Kumbaya. We're cool.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Going Back To Their Own Corners

Except for one thing...Boo was lookin' out the back storm door the whole time, and she finally couldn't stand it anymore. She started barkin' at Claudette, and that caused Kitty-Puss to bolt across the yard. She was fine concentratin' on me, but that barkin' startled her. 

 

Of course, once she started runnin', I felt it was my duty to chase her back to the barn. (You'll notice she didn't jump behind the door. She's really not afraid of me.) Yeah. I shouldn't have been runnin'. I limped back to the house and Mom gave me a good scoldin'. Guess Cat's not the only Stoopid one outside that day.

 

Mom hasn't taken any pictures, but Claudette has taken to sleepin' overnight on the chaise lounge on our front porch now, too. She's all the way around on the side furthest from the door we use, so Boo and The Kid have no idea she's there. When we turn off the lights at night, Mom just says goodnight to her through the screen, and Claudette curls up and closes her eyes. She's safe and comfy, and in a nice dry spot if it rains a little overnight. Mom thinks it's sweet. Dad's not a fan. It's cool with me, and what the Labradors don't know won't hurt 'em.

 
I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"

Tuesdays With Tag - She's Got A Lotta Nerve...

Brynwood Needleworks - Do These Flowers Make My Butt Look Big?

  Hi, Everybody!

After a weekend of rain, the sun finally came out yesterday. I asked Mom if I could go outside for a little while, and she was happy to take in a few rays herself. I think I look especially dapper surrounded by flowers, but I happened to spot somethin' while I was enjoyin' a little grass munchin'.

Brynwood Needleworks - Do You See What I See?

Whenever Mom's been outside for a while, she comes back with an interestin' aura about her. Carly is always extremely interested, but I've got a pretty good idea what it is. She's got a feline scent on her whenever she comes back from the barn.

That means, that whenever I go outside, I'm real curious to see if there's somethin' nefarious goin' on over there. Yesterday, I had that feelin' that I was bein' watched.

Brynwood Needleworks - Hello, Fren

I went to take a whiz, and happened to gaze toward the barn door, when what do I see? Well, I remember cats from when I was just a puppersnapper in Michigan. Not only were there lots of corgis runnin' around  where I came from, but there were also CATS! I learned about them from a tender age, and I kinda like 'em.

Brynwood Needleworks - Take That!

So, I ran over to say "hey", but this one ran back into the barn. I'm not able to open the barn door (I'm vertically challenged, and I can't grab the handle - no thumbs), so I figured I'd have to wait to see if she'd come back outside to check me out.

Mom told me to turn around and look again, but once I get somethin' else in my head, I'm hard to convince. If you click on this picture, you can enlarge it to see that, before I'd really turned away, she was back outside! I don't think she's really afraid of me! (I'm not even sure she should be. I mean. I'm friendly.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Seriously?

By the time Mom and I were ready to go back inside, Miss Kitty Pants was already sittin' outside the barn again. Maybe she likes me? Maybe she's waitin' to see if the two black dogs come blastin' out of the house? Maybe she's lettin' Mom know it's dinner time?

 

Who knows? But, I'm tellin' ya. I'll keep runnin' over there when I see her, and we'll just see if she really wants to be friends, or if she's just a tease. One thing's for sure. I'm not givin' up. No, siree. 

 

I'll see you again in seven. 'til then..."Corgi On, Corgi Strong!"