by Whiskers, Matriarch of Mischief
Good morning, dear friends,

Grammy had one of her rare, and we mean few and far between, almost sleepless nights.  Well, what do you expect when you nap in your chair all afternoon, Grammy?

Fortunately, she hadn't disturbed our sleep through the day - which happens more often than not - so we got our requisite 18 hours in.  As a result we three, Mousie, Sweetie and I, Whiskers, kept her company through the wee hours.   

Where were the boys, you say?  We left them sleeping in the bedroom, Etude under the duvet, Rondo in the marshmallow bed and tippy-toed out to join Grammy on her armchair.  She was in it, we were on it, Sweetie and Mousie on the arms and I in her lap as is my due as Matriarch of this motley crew.

At first we thought we'd just snuggle with her and purr her to sleep.  That didn't work!  The old girl had her nose in a 12th century historical novel full of intrigue and murder and was nearing the end.  Eyes wide, reading voraciously there was no way she was going to settle down too quickly.  At least until the end of the book.  So, we gave up that idea hunkered down and had a wee nap in her lap, draped over her elbow, snuggled against her shoulder and waited her out. 

BUT, as soon as she set that book down we were alert and ready to go.  Not often we girls get to have a natter without masculine interference.   This was a treat and we were taking full advantage.  Coffee pot had been brewing so we poured her a cup, dressed it the way she likes and set it before her.   After a sip she said, "So, what would you like to chat about girls?"

We were so excited the questions just tumbled out our mouths.  They were coming so fast Grammy was having difficulty answering them all.

Are boy cats really made of puppy dog tails?  Yewww, That's gross.  Did you know caterpillar hearts are long and thin and run perpendicular to their length? Why can't Whiskers eat Mousie's food?  Why are the boys bullies? Do you love girl kitties best?  You don't?  Equally?  Huh!  Can we get another girl kitty?  Why is your bed so small?  Is kitty poop precious?  Why do you scoop and bag it then?  Where does it go? Can I have a treat? Can we sell the boys? What is the meaning of life? Why are bananas yellow? Why is your hair grey?  Why don't kitties turn grey when they get old?  How old are you really?  Who's Methuselah?  Why is our food in tins but you have to cook yours?  Can we taste your food?

Finally Grammy's eyes glazed over, coffee forgotten and dozed off.  Mission accomplished.

Have a wonderful day, friends and Stay home, Wash your hands and Don't touch your face.

Comments are welcomed.

By Mousie, chronicler of mischief and mayhem... and Grammy's good girl.

Good afternoon, dear friends.
Well, we have entered another week of this turmoil.  If only people would be smart and considerate of others .... and this includes those in power! Get real, people.  Let's get this under control NOW rather than later.  And a shout out of appreciation for those on the front lines - essential services, medical, suppliers, truckers, support workers, neighbours and friends... all helping where they can.  We applaud you. Stay safe.  Stay healthy.

Enough said. I know I'm preaching to the choir here and those that need to hear it won't be reading this anyway.  Now on to our blog...

So, today I'd like to talk about my goofy brothers.  Yes, Rondo and Etude.  Those furballs have been totally loopy in their attempts to entertain Grammy and their friends.  That's you, our readers.   They dove into the storage room, found a trunk full of old clothing and costumes.   Why, you ask?

They decided to disguise themselves to go shopping for groceries for Grammy and 'to work'.  I have to say, their 'work' is monkey business, not where they earn money.   They had planned to go on an adventure across the border but it's been closed and Grammy stopped them when she caught wind of their antics.  Well, after they got back from grocery shopping they went back in and found more outfits. 

They were having so much fun we decided to join them. Then, when our friends heard about it they began to send photos of outfits they found in their family trunks.

We hope you get a giggle out of the 'fashion show' and some other 'stuff' we found.  Oh, and read the comments at the bottom of each photo.

Lastly, a Happy Birthday March 27th to our friend Third of Muddy Waters fame.

Comments are welcomed. In fact they are encouraged.  We love reading them.

by the M&M crew - Whiskers, Mousie, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo.

Good Day, dear friends.

Times are chaotic and there is so much going on in the world right now. We have chosen to stay calm and while concerned, not panic. Grammy too! 

• She had called in our regular order for food and Whiskers' meds earlier in the week to have them delivered when the vet's supply came in Friday. 
  
• A gem of a neighbour picked up a few groceries for Grammy - nothing crazy, just a few necessities and
  
• another friend will pick up a package of *giggles* TP, of course. What else, in these crazy times.  That is, if or whenever he finds it. 
  

Otherwise our household is okay.  We have everything we need for a couple of weeks, possibly well into April.  Hopefully by then the craziness will settle back to normal or a new normal.

As Grammy says, Be safe, stay calm and have faith sanity will return.

Now, why did we have others do the running around? Not because of the pandemic but because Grammy was put on a steroid regimen for her fatigue and pain and then told to stay home to protect her immune system.  That means we have Grammy 24/7 for the foreseeable future.  Yahoooooo!  Lots of lap time, snuggles, grooming, more snuggles and cuddles BUT,

The downside is.... the camera is never turned off.  When it is on the charger she knits ... and what did she knit yesterday?  Two hats!  Just ask Sweetie what she thinks about that. *giggles* *scowl from Sweetie*  Or maybe better not to ask!

So we'll tell you... She's got her knickers in a knit, or is that a knot?  Whatever the term is the little miss is not amused. 

Oh my!  I wonder if she's related to Queen Victoria.  She used to say that a lot.  "We are not amused!"    Well, we all think she looks adorable in the hats but we daren't say so.  The look she gave Grammy!  It's a wonder Grammy is still alive and kicking.

So, as we said, we have Grammy to ourselves.  So far she's cooked a stew, a meatloaf - enough for  a few weeks,  a rice pudding and plans to make granola.   We caught her looking up knitting projects.  Oh no!  Not kitty sweaters!  Please, NOOOOOOOOOOOO!

When she settles down to rest we plan to cuddle up with her; when she sits in her chair at the computer or knitting we'll take turns to slink into her lap, settle in for the duration and nap or more likely steal the mouse or nibble the yarn and needles.  We do like to be paws-on!

So, looks like we have the old girl to ourselves for the foreseeable future.  Let's hope she knits gowns and hats for the hospital, not outfits for us.  Our fur suits suit us just fine.

Well, I guess that's all for today, dear friends.  Stay safe, check on your neighbours, elderly family and friends.  Help where and how you can.  AND smile even if you are home alone.  It will lift your spirits and someone else's should they see it.

We love you.
The M&M Crew at Mischief and Mayhem Central

Comments are always welcome.  Keep it light and full of mirth.

By Whisker, Matriarch of Mischief and Mayhem

Well dear friends,  this one is going to be short.  Why?  Well, as you know we've been on hiatus for a few days.  To put it mildly, Grammy is lacking energy.  Sounds like she just wants a time out, don't you think? Slacker, Grammy!

Oh Mousieeeee! Any chance you'll take dictation for me?  Silence!  Guess she's sleeping. 

Okay, Brrr!  If I must I'll take off my mittens and do my best on the keyboard.

OH WOW! It's actually quite mild.  Who knew?

The boys said it was a delightful day yesterday - low to mid 40s - and said I could remove my ear tuques. I'm not quite there yet. They look at me like I'm nutso!  Did you notice how warm it was, friends?  I thought not!  But, it is interesting how low 40s is quite chilly in the autumn but delightfully warm leading into spring.  Funny that! But I don't trust those boys.  No, I don't.

Now we hear from Aunty L  that today might reach mid to high 50s.  Well, actually she said the temperature could rise to 15 C. Same thing! Can you imagine?  This is amazing and welcomed if true. But if so, I might require a grooming to remove excess fur so I don't overheat. 

Oh Grammyyyyyyyy!  Where is she? Oh, there you are.

GRAMMY!  Put the Furminator, Comb, Static Brush and Wire Rake on standby!  I may need a good going over!  *shivers with delight*  I do love a good groom.

Oh, that Grammy! She's such a downer! She told me not today, and maybe not until next week.  And... don't pack away those earmuffs yet... that this is just Spring teasing us. Soon the temperature will drop once again.  Like I said, Grammy's such a downer!

We were so looking forward to windows open, bird song filtering in and the beginning of blossoms budding on the trees.   Well, time will tell.

Oh, speaking of such things you may want to check out Rondo's poetry.  It is under the category Poetry Etc. by Rondo.   Or you can just click on the blog here Spring! Oh how I long for it!  

And one last thing... this week we'll get to see the full moon. Last night, 5 days before,we took a snap of the moon. Looks pretty full to me.  Check it out below.

On that note, this old girl is going to stop typing.  Time to crawl into my fluffy, soft, marshmallow bed for a nap!  Move over Mousie!  Make room for Mummy. 

See you around friends. 

Comments are welcomed.  Make them funny, won't you?

By Mousie, blogger of family mischief.

Good day, dearest Friends.
Here we are once again at the beginning of the week and wow was last week eventful!  Not so much for Grammy but for us.  Well, maybe for Grammy because of us but otherwise, not so much.  Oh dear.  I'm getting too wordy for words. *giggles*  I'd better tell you what happened.

I don't know if you saw Rondo's post on Facebook where he usurped the marshmallow bed when the girls vacated it to get cuddles from Grammy but that's when all this started.  Yes, it began with Rondo the Usurper.  Oh no!  Am I using that word correctly?  Let me look it up.  BRB (in text speech - Be Right Back).

Okay, I'm back.  So this is the definition of Usurper - a person who takes a position of power or importance illegally or by force.  So that fits.  Rondo took our marshmallow bed, crawled in and settled down ILLEGALLY.  That marshmallow is important so Mummy Whiskers has a soft bed to sleep in for her achy tummy and joints.  (of course, I use it too but that's okay.  I'm tiny enough mummy can join me and we cuddle together).

The fact we weren't using it has no bearing on the matter.  NO, it doesn't!

Okay, so Rondo, proud of himself, posted the picture on Facebook and got a gazillion 'likes' and 'loves' and a message from his sweet Rosamund whom he now calls Rosy.  Awwww!  Isn't that cute?  Oh puleeeease. I remember when he and Etude used to tease me until my fur stood on end about my sweet Cheffy dearest. *shakes head and tisks*

And Rosamund, whom I shall call Rosy too because it is fewer letters to type with these fuzzy paws commented.  You want to hear her cheeky response?  I thought so.  Well, here it is.... "Oh can I come share it with you Sweet Cheeks?" Lovingly, Rosamund.   Such brazen cheek! calling him Sweet Cheeks when really he is BITEY BOY and condoning and offering to take part in his naughty behaviour too!  What is the younger generation coming to?  I ask you!

You all know that I'm one to let these things slide *giggles*  well maybe not! But life's too short and there was fun to be had if she came to visit and so just this once I shut up. Rondo, eager to see her suggested she 'borrow' her brother's hoverboard (climate controlled, of course) and come north from St. Croix.

Well, Frodo was having none of that.  His hoverboard!  He drives! And any way, she needs a chaperone, doesn't she, Mommy Person?  Say yes, please! 

So, they both headed out, swung by Alabama. BAMA girl, RAINA joined them on her hoverboard and bearing north-east they picked up the Muddy Waters bunch.  You know who we mean... Yes, Third, Mitzy Meow Meow and my Cheffy dearest.  *swoons slightly then gets a hold on herself*

RAINA never fails to have picnic baskets ready to go at a moment's notice and always filled to the brim with all the Southern comfort foods you can imagine ... and I'll leave them all to your imagination.  Cheffy brought a humongous Carrot Cake with Creamed Cheese icing - so moist and delicious and a serving of Halibut cheeks for me.  Oh how I love that guy.  *giggles*

Okay, so this is when OUR adventure truly began.  Four hoverboards zooming in across the city to land on our balcony.  The silly kitties dropped off the food baskets and Rosy, Third and Cheffy then took off again with Etude and Rondo.  Why, you ask?  So they could buzz the cop shop just across the road.  There they were - RAINA, MITZY and FRODO, Etude and Rondo... 5 hoverboards zooming in low over the grassy rooftop, swinging right and right again until they were westward bound through the parking lot.  One pass, round again, Two... then on the third pass.... oh no! You're too low!  LOOK OUT!

I was watching from my perch on the kitty condo. Ooops!  Ohhh that was close!  Where did he come from?  When they finally landed somebody's toupee was snagged on the underbelly of a hoverboard.  HE shall remain nameless.  They all better hope he who lost it didn't see them land on our balcony.

Grammy!  If the doorbell rings, DON'T ANSWER IT! We'll take care of it. you need to just relax, Grammy. SOMEONE get Grammy a hot milk! NOW! 

Okay.  Then we had another delay while everyone gave smoochies and hugs all round, the boys - a few slaps on the backs... macho boys and all that.  You know the type.  *Rolls eyes while typing*   

Well, Rosy wanted to check out the marshmallow so the girls disappeared into the bedroom oohing and ahhing to their hearts content at mummy in her marshmallow bed.  Well, actually they were oohing and ahhing at the bed, not mummy but we won't disillusion the old dear.   Maybe we should get her a hot milk too!

Suddenly, there was another commotion on the balcony.  Oh no!  Now what! Well, you know Mitzy.  Chief instigator Mitzy had joined Rondo, Etude and Frodo.  What were they up to now!  I'd better check.

The balcony was full of snow, packing snow, no less.  And lots of it!  And there were squirrels in the trees below.  Too tempting to pass up! AND such perfect targets!  Once mischief is afoot all caution is thrown to the winds. Not another thought about the cop shop or anything else, for that matter.

The snowballs were hurtling down and oh, look out!  Acorn missiles were bouncing off of the boys and Mitzy.  Those squirrels were marks-squirrels.  Imagine!  Then, suddenly there were startled wails of toddlers and moments later Sirens!!!!!!!  SIRENS!  Oh, HIDE!  Hurry!  Get inside and shut the door again!

We scampered inside and found out later that the tots on the daycare playground below our balcony were frightened by the avalanche of snowballs  and acorns and someone ... yep! some spoilsport called the Cops.   I tell you! 

Oh dear. I forget what I was going to tell you.  Nevermind!

Fortunately, Grammy was still asleep after her warm milk and we all hunkered down to chat and some - names to be withheld to protect the guilty - snuggled on the sofa and in the arm chairs. KNOCK AT THE DOOR!  Shhhh, don't make a sound.  *STOP Giggling, Mitzy!  Shhhh! Finally whoever was at the door left.  WHew, that was close.  Best keep a low profile for the remainder of the visit guys.

Mummy Whiskers and I NEVER left our Marshmallow Bed.  No siree!  We weren't chancing those miscreants USURPING our bed again.

Oh, and as they left to return home Frodo did the responsible thing.  He dropped the toupee onto the cop shop driveway!  Hope they can't get incriminating paw prints off it.

Well, that's all for now.  But please comment.  We love to hear from our readers.