Sachiko considers it very important to keep on top of the news.
She is, without question, the most dedicated butt-reader in the family.
And, while her choice of reading material speaks well of her determination to stay informed, the sad truth is that–appearances notwithstanding–much of the content is over her head.
Kokoro may be a lady of a certain age, but that doesn’t mean she’s lost her sense of fun.
She’s not about to let Kaja hog the toys when there’s a chance to play with her hoomins.
A certain, carefully measured, application of the “I’m still the boss of you” stare, and the toy was hers.
Of course, being the intelligent lady she is, and possessing the wisdom that comes of applying that intellect over the course of her life, Kokoro knows that victory, however tasty…
…never lasts. Sometimes you catch the toy, true. But it’s equally true that the toy sometimes catches you.
(She’s got that look of martyred patience down, doesn’t she?)
And those rumors that Kaja, lacking said wisdom, had a not-so-quiet chuckle?
Regrettably true.
It was, if not the quietest possible Thanksgiving, far quieter than it could have been.
We all did as little as possible.
Including Her Batshit Majesty, Princess Pointy Bits.
She’s laid claim to the entire condo complex on the landing outside the bedroom. From time to time–intervals measured in weeks or even months–her preferred perch shifts from one structure to another. Lately, it’s been this round condo: well placed to observe everything going on in the front hall, the bedroom, and the upstairs hall.
It wouldn’t do for the junior ruler of the universe to be uniformed about the actions of her subjects, after all.
The cats got their Christmas present a couple of days early.
As one would expect, reactions are mixed. Nor, for that matter, has everyone expressed an opinion. But early returns are encouraging.
Yuki is neutral. He knows it’s there, but hasn’t shown much interest.
Watanuki, on the other forepaw, is enthusiastic.
Very enthusiastic.
Lefty is interested. Cautiously interested.
Especially cautious with Mr. Knuckles watching him. Lefty needs a certain amount of reassurance that he’s allowed to use it.
However, there’s no question about who’s most enthralled by the new playground. That’s Sachiko, paws–and all other body parts–down.
Well, okay, toe beans up, even if the other parts are down. But it’s hard to beat a twenty-beans-up rating.
I had fun last week poking through Sachiko’s old pictures, so for no better reason than that I felt like it, here are a few goodies from the Kaja and Rhubarb Archive.
These photos predate the blog. The Flying Monkeys were about four years old when I started this writing gig, so I don’t believe any of these have been published before. (Don’t feel obligated to prove me wrong. I admit the possibility exists; there’s no need to confirm or refute it.)
Even today, the littermates are largely inseparable. At the age of four months, it was rare to see them more than a few feet apart.
Kaja was the leader–still is–but Rhubarb was an enthusiastic follower for the first couple of years of their lives. He got sedate faster than she did, but throughout kittenhood and cattenhood, he almost always shared her adventures.
Almost.
Not to cast aspersions on Kaja, but her curiosity and lack of forethought did land her in a few predicaments that her brother managed to avoid–though whether it was through intelligence, caution, or simple luck I’m not prepared to guess.
The drama and excitement is non-stop around here, folks. Consider this scene Maggie captured a few days ago.
Something has Yuki fascinated. So fascinated he hasn’t even noticed the stray hair on his nose. The stray hair that will shortly cause him to sneeze so violently that his tail, normally curled at the end, unwinds to lie straight for nearly four seconds!
But who’s that lurking in the background?
Why, it’s Rhubarb, carefully disclaiming all knowledge of where that orange hair came from, much less how it found its way to Yuki’s nose…
Meanwhile, out in the backyard,
MM continues to prove that Carroll’s Alice was a remarkably unobservant young lady.
Koi Scribblings 