Blue for Blue

We've been consumed by Cat Drama these past few days so I thought I'd post about something completely unrelated and stress-free: cars. We traded the Grabber Blue in the back for the one in the front. It's new, even faster (although it's hard to tell where we live), and gets better gas mileage. AND it's still Grabber Blue!

Just to keep everyone updated, we are still looking for a loving home for our little Cha Cha. Please keep your ears open for anyone looking for a new fuzzy best friend.

New Border, Stinky Kitty

I forgot to mention the half row of English Peas that I planted last Thursday under the trellis. Today I added some sprouted garlic that I had in my kitchen. Although my original 2011 garden plan called for onion sets, I never got around to buying them so garlic will have to do.

Miss Cha Cha crammed herself into a 12 pack box a while back and looked positively pleased with herself.

Sometimes she spends hours contemplating what it means to be so fuzzy and to have such a big pink nose.

Other times she explores her relationship with her environment: What does it mean to be "in"?

Today it's 68

Now that it seems like Mother Nature is pushing fall weather upon us, I'm starting to reflect on this season's gardening exploits. It was a funny year (again) with an early summer, a VERY hot July, and almost no rain. Now we're near the end of August and it feels more like the end of September. It's been rainy, windy, and no warmer than 70 the past two days. I can't help but think about pumpkins. In fact, I think they're going to come sooner than expected this year as well. When we were out and about looking for cars last week (actually two weeks ago) we passed several pumpkin fields and in all of them I saw orange peeking out from beneath the leaves.

My own squash pursuits failed again this year. First the squash vine borers chewed up my plants and then an army of pill bugs took over the destruction. I pulled out my last plant last week and called it quits. No home grown squash for me. I will need to move my operation to some fresh land for that dream to come true.

Tomatoes have also proven to be a struggle this year. Hot and dry conditions in July really beat up my plants. I got a few Mortgage Lifters a month ago and then the plants began dropping their buds. Now everything is rebounding slightly, but the cool weather may prevent them from doing very much. And once again, the cherry tomato situation has been a disappointment: very few buds have survived and when they do turn into a tomato, they ripen so sporadically that my harvest is usually 1 or 2 half inch fruits at a time. I should also mention that a nice Boxcar Willie tomato that I was waiting for to ripen was stolen at some point. Since I'm doing a little complaining, I mind as well mention that I have some late blight popping up now with a couple green fruits rotting from the bottom up. Two years ago I had more cherry tomatoes than I knew what to do with. Those were the days.

I should mention that the eggplant gave me two delicious little eggplants last week that we cooked up for dinner so it isn't all bad news. The hot peppers are also doing fine and I've managed to give away many of the ultra hot specimens. I've got a happy looking escarole and two happy musk melon plants. Last week I threw in a row of cucumber seeds and peas under the trellis. Maybe I'll get something out of them before frost. Another round of radish and bush beans also went in. I might try some more lettuce if this cool rain continues.

My plans for the fall are to amend the soil and to see if I can't find a way to treat the pill bug situation. I will try to plant garlic at the end of November for next season but other than that, the soil will be thoroughly worked and improved in time to rest over winter. Next year I might do all flowers over the summer. I seem to have the most luck with spring vegetables anyway. We'll see. If I get an impressive late season harvest of tomatoes I might change my tune.

Cha Cha Hard at Work

Eggplants, Peppers, Greens, and Basil

An Armrest Built for Two

Hey, what's touching my butt?

My Babies

Thanks to the cabbage for making the ultimate sacrifice to make way for my new babies: Mortgage Lifter, Box Car Willy, Brown Berry, Mystery Eggplant (forget what type it is), and Poblano Pepper. It's hard to tell from this little picture, but the carrots are nice and frondy in the bottom right, the lettuce is thriving on the far left, and the radishes are making do in the top right. Beets, beans, and spinach are mixed throughout. The eggplant is the big thing in the lower center with the largest leaves. Brown Berry is at the center of the trellis. Mortgage Lifter and Box Car Willie are in the upper right keeping the radishes shaded. The Poblano is in the center but so are some beans so it may be difficult to distinguish between the two at this point.

Here are my other babies, sleeping like babies. At least one of them was snoring right before I took the picture but I won't say who.

All in a Day's Work

Bottling the Homebrew

We made a lovely batch of beer last month based off of a recipe from our beer making how to book. It took a bit longer to carbonate than we expected and we drank the first few bottles prematurely. Now that it's nice and bubbly we have a near-perfect brew. We experimented with different hops and went a little lighter on the malt and came up with something that is very drinkable.

Lap Warming

Mao Mao never misses an opportunity to spend some quality time with Josh when he's working at the computer. She keeps his lap warm and in return he protects her from her annoying little sister. I don't think Cha Cha even knows that Mao Mao hides here.

Sink Patrolling

Sink Inspecting

While Mao Mao is busy warming laps, Cha Cha has taken an interest in plumbing. She's been discovered hanging out in the wet kitchen sink, staring blankly into the depths of the drain, and emerging later on with a damp coat. She is also the first to inspect the shower post-use and has taken Mao Mao's post at the side of the tub where the cold spigot drips.

Ribbon Toy

Cha Cha's second favorite toy is this 3' piece of purple ribbon.

Belated Christmas Cat Photos

The Big December Snow that dumped 8" of the fluffy stuff on us came right before Christmas and sent shoppers into a panic. Cha Cha seemed unaffected.

Mao Mao has a new favorite spot in the living room: a pillow expertly positioned on the couch arm to prevent Christmas tree attacks. Although the tree is long gone, we can't remove the pillow. Mao Mao would be devastated.

The car looked pretty funny after the storm. Luckily the plow plowed all the snow on the other side of the street and we were able to get our bad-ass ride out Monday morning.

Cha Cha's favorite Christmas memory? Ribbon. Everywhere.

Christmas day we all got together for a family photo. I'm not sure where Mao Mao is.

Cat Action

A quiet afternoon on the couch

Cha Cha discovers the great outdoors

Mao Mao inspects one last pumpkin

Some of the Mao Mao Kitty followers ask me how the cats are doing when they don't see them here for a while. Everyone is doing well, looking forward to Christmas in the country, and enjoying the warmth of built-in fur coats. Lucky kitties.

Cha Cha Update

Cha Cha's found a very dirty sleeping spot. I'm not sure how long the plant is going to be able to take the abuse. It's shedding leaves daily. The other problem is the dirt being tracked around. I would feel bad taking away her tropical paradise but I don't feel like vacuuming every night. One good thing: she doesn't use it as a litter box.

Mao Mao is on vacation in the country this week, enjoying her freedom and some solitude. Cha Cha seems a little lonely without her.

Mao Mao and Cha Cha interacting

Mao Mao is curious but a little scared.




Sometimes they eat together.




Cha Cha takes a liking to Mao Mao's window seat.

It's a Cha Cha

We found Cha Cha two weeks ago. We thought we'd take her in, clean her up, and get her to a shelter to be adopted by a loving family. Apparently shelters in my neighborhood don't take in cats, no matter how adorable. So we're going to keep her. She's Mao Mao's new playmate.