first yard-time

Just had the the first sunny weekend of the year! We celebrated by enjoying some yard-time.

Theo watching Gromit (a friend's doggy) mindlessly chase the ball

Theo giving me a glare

stalking prey in tall grasses

checking out a kitty trail

pinball

I just got back from the fourth annual Northwest Pinball and Gameroom Show in Seattle. Over 400 pinball and arcade games available for play! It was quite the walk down memory lane. Most of the games had long faded from my memory. I discovered that all my pinball and gaming skills are also long gone!

There was a cat themed pinball game, Bad Cats by Williams.

from original promotional flyer (there were no live cats at the show!)

The art on the backglass depicts an animated anorexic woman in a short skirt hitting a cat with a broom. Perhaps a S&M reference?

I didn't count the number of cats depicted in this game, but there were a lot! My favorite part was the "Curiosity Spin".

I saw another pinball that had a cat reference, Big Game.

A big tiger.

This game had nothing to do with cats, but rather Doctor Who, one of my favorite sci-fi shows from childhood and a show I continue to enjoy in it's newly invented form.

I know what I will be doing again next year! Going back to the show!

the return

yahoo! the sun has come back. maybe summer is near.

no more

no more cold. no more rain. please sun, come back.

lucky May!

I'm wishing May wasn't over just yet.

I just got word that I won the Sam's Club giveaway over at Pawcurious! I'm not exactly sure what I won just yet, but hopefully it is something the kitties will love!

Earlier in the month I won a Neko Flies bug toy from Neko Flies - super-awesome - the cats love these.

I never win contests - which makes me wonder why I bother entering them. But, I guess I can't say I never win them anymore. Even though May is gone, I am wondering if it is too late to buy a lottery ticket...

Getting Willow tummy rubs is a rare treat. 

Getting Willow tummy rubs in your lap is unheard of!

memorial day

from US Naval Institute: Cats in the Sea Services

Memorial Day 2011

Recognizing that not every soldier gets to return to their earthly home.

return of fish toy

One of Max's favorite toys was the Fish Toy by West Paw Design. After Max's death. it took me awhile before I would let the other cats play with Max's fish. The fish is about 6" long. The soft fleece material is made from recycled plastic bottles. There is a little bell inside that rattles and there is a bit of organic catnip inside.

Max hanging out with his favorite fish toy, Oct 25, 2008

Kitten Rose enjoy's Max's fish toy, Sept 29, 2010

Eventually, Theo discovered the fish toy and he destroyed it. Theo has a way of tearing things up. He gutted the fish so he could get at the catnip that was sewn in. I was quite annoyed because this toy had belonged to Max.

Remembering that Rose enjoyed the fish when she was so tiny, the other day I decided to look for a new one. I ordered three so I would have a backup supply. Sadly, they are harder to find now which translates into a higher price.

Theo tearing open the package trying to get at the fish

New fish

Theo loves the fish

Tastes good

Rose is indifferent. She hasn't shown any interest yet in the new fish.