SUNNY SIDE

After the snow shellacking we got yesterday, Pistachio was delighted to bask in the sun on a porch cleared of snow.

PEEKING IN ON A NEW YEAR

There are some habits that even a new decade won't change. Every night Pistachio one of my outside cats jumps up on the window ledge and peers into the kitchen. It is almost impossible to see him because he is a black cat, but I hear the bell. It's our ritual and regardless of the weather I head out and give him a few treats and tell him to be safe. Usually, I come back in and treat myself to one last cup of coffee and a cookie. Coffee tonight, no cookie....that habit is going to change.

MILK AND COOKIES

Almost every night I venture into my yard to give Pistachio some treats. It has become a ritual of sorts. He jumps onto the kitchen window ledge, a signal that he is looking for his treats. He has become so domesticated (born feral, but now just a real love bug) that I regret not bringing him inside. I tell myself, Slugger (king of the house) would never have put up with an interloper. Now I wonder and assuage my guilt, by spoiling Pistachio with "milk and cookies".

RELAXING

After a long day it is nice to be able to sit in my kitchen and stare out at my garden. Not much in bloom yet, but sometimes the cats really perform. Pistachio seems to love sitting in the birdbath. He'll be surprised when there is water in there.

IN FROM THE COLD

I was playing with a new lens tonight when Sonia brought Pistachio (one of the outside cats) in to the house from the single digit cold. P got to warm up for a few minutes and then started to get skittish. Pistachio who was feral is really just a big mush. He is friendly and tame, but regardless of the weather he likes to live outside. It's a good thing too, Slugger wouldn't want any other cats in his castle.

P THE PUMPKIN

Halloween is definitely Pistachio's holiday. He borrowed Slugger's pumpkin costume for the occasion....everything was too big, except the hat! Slugger was relieved he didn't have to dress up, he just wanted treats. As you can see Pistachio was just thrilled to be dressed up. He sure is the perfect Halloween cat.

THE KIDS

It usually isn't too long after I get home from work that I see Pistachio and his "girlfriend" Hazel hanging out on the patio looking for dinner. Pistachio (red collar) is a sweetheart and has welcomed Hazel into his world. Unlike P who is a real mush, Hazel still is scared of people and won't let me touch her. They were both born feral (different mothers, but the same father I think), but I have had them fixed and made sure they have their shots. Every morning they are waiting for me on the patio and in the evening they look for dinner. Food is a small price to pay for the pleasure I get watching them play and cavort in my backyard. And one day I hope I will be able to hold and pet Hazel as I do Pistachio.

COOLER

Although I don't like the thought of it chilly days are coming. In the evening, just before I head upstairs to wind down I usually go out to see my outside kitties. The past few nights I have found Pistachio in his "house" all curled up. He burrows into the old sweatshirts and towels that I have placed inside to keep him warm. For the entire summer he hasn't been in his house, so I know he too is feeling the cooler evenings. I'll know winter is coming when I see Hazel sleeping in P's house too.

THE CHIP

Recovering from surgery is bad enough, but to make matters worse this weekend a new neighbor (moved in three weeks ago) rang my bell before 9am to tell me that he didn't like my cats roaming in his yard and intended to trap them and "dispose" of them. I begged him to at least tell me if he trapped Pistachio or Hazel (my two outside pets) so that I could retrieve them. He said this was my notice and he would not tell me if they were trapped. Of course I was beside myself. Since Slugger and Pistachio don't get along bringing "P" inside is not an option. Today, a friend took Pistachio to the vet to have him micro chipped. This tiny device can be scanned by vets and shelters in the event a cat is dropped off or brought in to be euthanized. So now as I tend to my knee I spend a lot of time looking out the window to keep tabs on the cats. Sometimes Pistachio is there looking in as he is in this photo (okay I need to wash the window). I have been thinking of that ancient Chinese proverb, "He who dislikes the cat was in his former life a rat". I smell a rat across the street!

JUST A PUSSYCAT

He looks fierce and intimidating, but he is just a pussycat, really. Pistachio spent the better part of the day trying to stay dry. In the late afternoon he was happy to just stretch out on the patio and let out a big yawn. This picture reminds me that looks can be so deceiving.

PISTACHIO

In this photo Pistachio looks like a fierce hunter. In reality, he is a mush... an outdoor cat, born feral but completely socialized now. I've always been partial to tabby cats, but Pistachio is so full of personality that he has helped me to expand my feliine horizons. The backyard is his kingdom. I wish he could come inside, but Slugger will have no part of it and P would miss exploring the yard. I set up a have-a-heart trap to catch the raccoon who tried to come inside last night. So far, Pistachio thinks it is a toy and has learned how to spring it without going in it! Watching Pistachio who jumps in my lap when I sit outside, yet is equally at ease sharing his food with his feral friends has taught me a lot. He's pretty special. I sure hope he isn't in the raccoon trap in the morning.