Kitten Update

The monster (sick kitten) still lives! I have snuck some kitty antibiotic into some tuna juice and maneuvered to make sure this cat got it. It has involved creeping around, holding absolutely still and contortions but these are feral cats - they run! I'm not normally too light on my feet but my body has seemed to sense that I am on a mission and has not betrayed me in my doctoring of the monster. We'll see what happens.

While in a melancholy mood, I predicted two kittens wouldn't make it to adulthood, but so far they all are thriving. Here are the latest pictures.



There are still two gray kittens although they don't show off as much as the black and white kitten does. What you cannot see from these pictures is something I have been unable to capture on my Kodak. These kittens frolic and play - leaping up and sideways, batting at plants and ants and wrestling. It is too far away to document but we are delighted by their antics. The monster doesn't play but now it walks around which is more activity than before. And finally, we are getting tomatoes and flowers! The tomatoes are small right now - here are some of the first flowers.

Sunday Morning Bike Ride, Part II

What would a bike ride be without keeping an eye open for cats!? These pictures were taken on the trike so they are of mixed quality.

Sunday Morning Bike Ride

Sunday morning trike rides are my favorite. Today was exceptional - cool, sunny, quiet and early - but there are others out - mowers, a guy looking to fill some old soda bottles with water and a few cats. I also visited with a few of the residents of Comfort House who sit outside and often smoke. My garage opens into an alley which faces the back yard of the Comfort House. It is a residence for developmentally disabled and some temporary residents - who seem to be assigned there in recovery. One of the regulars told me the story of being taken in chains and cuffs to a county building for a guardianship hearing. He says he was put in a room overnight where all he could see was a door. He went on to say that they didn't have all the information on him and the judge said he couldn't do anything right now so he will have to do it all over again in a few weeks. I am not sure about the accuracy of his reporting but that was the story. He was somewhat neutral about it although I perceived it threw off his routine. The Comfort House is not a bad neighbor. They seem to stick with a schedule and enforce their rules. Some of the residents are friendly and I tend to wave and say hello as I come and go. I rode towards the railroad tracks - that is my favorite ride. I like the industrial landscape. I always loved Chicago for that reason and miss riding the trains and buses taking in the surroundings. Here are some pictures from today's ride. What a beautiful morning!

Not as Surprising

I couldn't resist but to put a few more kitten pics up. They are growing up fast. You might want to click on the pictures to enlarge.

In the wild.

Not really sad.

Find the kittens!

Surprise!

HA! A frog on the sidewalk. Not what you expected, eh? I've got more kitten pictures coming but I've been spending more time outside and less time at the computer. I'll get to them!

Sweet Things

These pictures were taken across the "yard". Click to enlarge.

I love a misfit. My heart is goes out to the ones who struggle - I almost always sympathize. Why blame the victim? These little creatures didn't choose their lot. I know I have to accept that probably at least two of these beautiful kittens won't make it - regardless of their innocence and worth. Life is a harsh mistress who expects us not only to endure but to appreciate. I can hope that perhaps they will migrate to the neighborhood of extra portions and slower moving vehicles. I will try not to fall in love. I will simply watch. Righhhhht...

Berkeley Lives

A rare sight- our friend Berkeley.

More on the Kittens

The Tragedy of Kittens

Pepperdine was pregnant. Then she wasn't. We know it's a cruel world with many peculiarities. We thought they didn't make it or had been killed. Some weeks have passed. Then I heard an animal growl at me and saw its face - its crazy face! It was a kitten - but it ducked back under the shed quickly. I was feeding Pepperdine in the back yard and out tumbled four beautiful kittens. Three fluffy and one short-haired. Fluffy are- black and two grey. The short-haired is black and white. They are just as feral as Pepperdine. I can't get within 15 feet of them. They are wild. I sobbed to consider their hard lives. Dee said that they don't know they have hard lives - it's just life. They don't even know they have worms! Here is a picture of one of the kittens - they are taken from afar and I select the little kitten from the photo. There will be more.