Meet Audrey

 Meet Audrey

I know that I shouldn't name a cat that someone obviously dropped off at the end of our long driveway because they thought no one would notice until they were out of sight (which is true, of course), but this is such a sweet little cat, it seemed that she was at least deserving of a name. We think she is young, and we've already observed her hunting abilities, for she actually caught and ate a red squirrel, leaving only the bushy tail as evidence.

 I think the resemblance is in the eyes.

Do you see it?

(source)

Mr. Cranberry, the man who does not want to be tied down to animals, is the one who immediately started feeding her and giving her water. We're not quite sure what we're going to do about Audrey at this point. She rubbed up against the outside glass of the patio doors, and when Tuppence saw her, she became as a cat possessed, trying to kill the cat on the other side of the glass. I think there was enough reflection on that side that Audrey hardly noticed and went on being sweet natured as Tuppence went on trying to kill her.

At this point, we don't dare have the door to the screen porch open, or it's pretty certain that we'd have a huge cat fight and screen shredded to bits.

IF we keep Audrey (and you know it's harder to part with a sweet cat you've already named), we would have her spayed and then somehow, very slowly, introduce the two cats separated by doors and walls at first.

Anyway, that's the exciting news here at Lake Woebegone.

 Cornfields and bins

Other than that, it's been the beginning of the colorful northwoods for which NW Wisconsin is famous (among other things like serial killers, beer, and brats). I think peak color will be in a couple weeks, but we're getting a nice preview of coming attractions.

 Sumac and birch against a blue sky

What did I tell you?

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Strawberries and a Dog and a Cat

Strawberries finally arriving

Second week of July

I really need to read the UW Extension brochure on raising strawberries. This is the second year for these plants, and they're in two nice, pretty-much weed-free rows because I have strips of carpet on either side of the rows. We had a satisfying crop of berries until it got really hot, several days (it seemed) in the mid nineties. Then the berries seemed to stop. There are a few, but they're marble sized. Once they're completely done bearing, I need to figure out what to do for next year, whether it's transplanting the smaller berries and tilling down the row of older berries or what. I love having strawberries and I hate weeds. Hate may not be a strong enough word.

 

Just a handful, 

but a couple days later, about 5 quarts

They're not huge and beautiful like the ones in the store, but the taste is amazing!

 Some small, some big, but all sweet and delicious!

I checked with those who frequent Hometalk and one of the responses to my question about getting bigger berries informed me that my strawberries might be too close together (which they are!), and that they need to be fertilized twice a season (which they've not been). So, I think I have some good information to take into next year's crop.

Blind and deaf little Misty

The update on Misty is that since the photo above was taken, she is completely blind and almost totally deaf, never leaves the kitchen except when I take her out on lead to the great, scary outdoors. Right now she is lying on the cool kitchen vinyl floor. I try to spend several petting segments with her each day, for that seems to be the only time she interacts. She still usually raises her head and sniffs the air when someone comes into the house, so we know her olfactory receptors are working. 

Until a couple years ago, Misty spent summer afternoons running and leaping through the alfalfa field, chasing butterflies. She loved it! Now her world has become much smaller and she confines herself to the kitchen, except when I take her outdoors. Even then, she wants to get her business done and get back to the safety of the house. Misty is a sweet little girl, but something tells me that this (probably) 13-15 year old dog isn't going to make it another winter. Maybe she'll surprise us. I hope so.

Tuppence, in her favorite spot:

Lying next to me on the chair, watching TV
'Endeavor' - PBS Masterpiece
Check it out!

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Catnip

Right now the house looks like Santa's workshop (with the maid obviously off on holiday). There are boxes, soaps, baskets, etc. lying everywhere, it seems. So as I walked in and out of the house (several times) this morning,  I was oblivious to the branch that was hanging in plain sight on the cookstove.

What??!

Oh yes.

Hmmm. Yep, that was Kevin's doing.

Catnip.

And what would we need catnip for, you might ask? Making tea?

Nope.

Tuppence loves that little ball filled with catnip!

So while she was taking a morning nap, I stuffed some catnip into the ball, then threw it onto the bed where she was sleeping.

...'And they're OFF!!!'

'Mmmmmm. Smells wonderful!.'

She spent the next several minutes holding that ball, batting the ball, cuddling the ball, licking the ball, and tossing the ball into the air.

'Mine! And you're NOT taking it away from me!'

I tried taking it away for a second because it was about to roll off the bed.
That was NOT a good idea. Those little claws are sharp!

And now, after a good amount of exercise, she will probably get back to her nap.


Okay, that's enough of this monkeying around. Santa's workshop needs tidying up!


Hope you have a great day!

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