By Gentle Mouse, Weather Watcher and Cheeky Mischief.

Well, dear friends.  

Here I am all snuggled in my condo, tuque on and mittens at paw.  Note my own personal heaters - one beside me on the ledge and the other under my laptop so it doesn't freeze up on me.  *giggles* 

We thought the cold a few weeks ago was bad.  Now it's cold, snow blizzardy AND we can't get rid of Grammy for the day.  Ooops!  Scratch that.  We are stuck with Grammy at home!  Oh no!  That sounds bad too.  

Okay, let's try this one.  Today is a day where Grammy must stay home and we will all cuddle up together with blankets and pillows and just snuggle and nap in toasty bliss.  Yes, that sounds better.   We might even let Grammy knit between naps. 

Oh GRAMMYYYYYYYYYYYY!  Put on a fresh pot of coffee for yourself, hot apple cider for us and bring kitty treats.  Sweetie and I are piling up the blankets on the sofa while Rondo and Etude pile up the extra pillows from the bedroom.  We should all fit, don't you think?  We promise to shift over for you.  MORE PILLOWS, BOYS!!!

By Sweetie, blogger extraordinaire and intrepid defender of the family.

Good morning, Friends.  I'm in much better humour this week.  Boy, I was out of sorts last Monday.  Not a good look but then, it doesn't happen often.  Thank you Mousie for taking over and saving the day.  

Speaking of Mousie...

Today will be short once again, but we couldn't miss such an auspicious day. 

Tomorrow, August 10th, is Gentle Mouse's birthday.  Yes, the wee old dear is going to be 11 years old.  In cat years she's pushing high 50s.  Not over the hill like Grammy, but approaching the apex.  

We must say though, that she's becoming braver as the years go by.  When she arrived here as a teenager back in 2011 she was a shivering, quivering, terrified kitten.  No, I didn't see this.  Grammy told me.

Fortunately, she had her mother to comfort and protect her.  Whiskers, unlike little jelly legs, was brave and excited to have a new 'home'.   She took to Grammy immediately and unbeknownst to her had decided they weren't moving on to other digs.  Whiskers immediately adopted Grammy as her new mom and Mousie's grandma.  End of story.  *giggles* Grammy had no say in the matter.

Okay, so back to Mousie.  Last year, having lost her mom and protector of ten years Mousie determined she had a choice.  Either brave up and integrate with the rest of us or live a lonely life in the bedroom.   Fortunately, Grammy and she bonded and slowly over time she has come out of her 'shell' so to speak.  It seems Grammy has replaced Mousie as protector.

She joins Grammy while she knits, watches the telly with her and sleeps on her pillow at night. Grammy is a great companion for kitties who, unlike me, don't get into the yarn, chew on knitting needles or hair, or use her as a springboard.  *giggles*  (Yes, I'm incorrigible.)  

AND while Mousie is 'on alert' when someone knocks at the door, she no-longer makes a mad dash for the bedroom or behind the sofa.  

So, won't you all join with me as we wish our wee Gentle Mouse a very Happy Birthday?  

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Gentle Mouse!

By the crew at Mischief and Mayhem Central - Sweetie, Etude, Mousie, Rondo

Hello, friends.
We are almost a day late posting our blog this week.  This is the sequel to last week's blog where we shared Grammy's volunteer knitting.    This week it is all about knitting for her friends and clients.   

You'll see an array of different items she's made... some from patterns, other created out of an idea in her head.   We must admit sometimes those 'out of her head' creations were a bomb and had to be undone, redone and sometimes undone and redone again.  And sometimes they needed to be scrapped completely.  Others were a smashing success.  We aren't going to tell you which is which other than one...

A shawl cardigan that took 10 years or more to make... that was started before most of us were born... that sat in a bin of knitting 'stuff' for many years... that was brought out on numerous occasions and worked on and unravelled again and again. 

The back and sleeves knitted up like a charm.  The front panels were the main challenge and the reason it sat unfinished all those years.  Finally, with help from a local knitter and numerous YouTube videos the fronts were figured out and completed.  Once they were done and the basic cardigan was assembled Grammy started the shawl collar.  Unfortunately, it took three attempts with a final add of extra stitches to get the shawl to sit correctly along the front and bottom and...

Eureka!  Perseverance prevailed.  It was finished and the birthday present delivered - 10 years late but delivered nonetheless.

What we will say is this.  Grammy is happiest with knitting needles and yarn in hand and one of us curled up beside her or snuggled into her shoulder.   She practically purrs in contentment which gets whichever of us is the snuggler purring too.  A virtual purr fest.  *giggles*  Sometimes we wonder of anyone in adjacent condos can feel the vibrations. 

Okay, without more ado... here is the video. Enjoy. 

Love from the M&M crew and Grammy too.

Comments are always welcome.  And orders are too.

by the Mischief and Mayhem Crew - Sweetie, Etude, Gentle Mouse, Rondo

Today we are sharing a little of Grammy's story and her volunteer knitting.

Grammy D is our dear old Grammy at Mischief and Mayhem Central.  She took up knitting again after the turn of the millennium... but had been a knitter and crocheter in her early years.  Other occupations kept her busy during those early years too... calligraphy, stained glass and flower arranging being just a few of them but working with yarn was her passion.

This love of using the hands all started when she was a toddler watching her own Grammy (aka. Nana).  Nana was never idle.  She started her morning with a cup of tea, buttered toast, a set of knitting needles and yarn.  She knit socks for Grammy's dad, and mittens for all the grandkids in between helping care for those same children.  Grammy D's own mama knitted for her own babies as they came along but then life got too busy with such a hectic household... 3 then 4 generations all under one roof ... there wasn't enough time in the day for such 'idle' occupations.

Well, Grammy D from now on we'll just call her D, a young adult, took a course in knitting and crocheting, picked it up quickly and began teaching it a year later at a community high school.  At the time she preferred to crochet focusing on handmade blankets, baby outfits until finally a bill-paying career took off and all else was set aside.

It wasn't until illness side-lined D and her idle fingers were itching to be active that she began to crochet again.  Crocheting soon became difficult with an arthritic thumb so she switched to the gentler activity - knitting.  The rest is history.

To start us off we have a slideshow of projects Grammy D has knitted as a volunteer for a local hospital.  All made for the Adult Cancer ward and the hospital's NICU.    Only a small sampling of the items is shown here.  In addition, I, Sweetie, added in my doggy friends that Grammy knitted for.

Each hat for the cancer ward has been made unique by using different coloured yarn combinations and stitch patterns.  An attempt has been made to make the gowns unique.  Different stitch patterns were created for the neck, sleeve cap and/or skirt of the gowns and the  ribbon colours vary.    Click here to watch the video slide show.

We'll share Grammy's knitting for clients and friends another time. 

Enjoy!

By Sweetie at Mischief and Mayhem Central

Hi, friends. 
One of our feline friends recently passed on.  Murphy (or the Murph as Grammy would call him) was a respectable 20 years old.   May 22, 2001 - June 10, 2021   He is survived by his sister Bella and Mom and Dad who miss him so very much.


We have few memories of him.  Grammy and Malcolm spent time caring for him, Bella and Granddad while Mom and Pop were on vacation a couple of times.  

But then, back a few years ago - about 5, we think - we all went to visit Aunty L and stayed for about a month.   Grammy was having some work done on her condo and so we were trundled off to visit and enjoy our 'summer vacation', so to speak.   Well, it was an adventure. 

We girls took it all in stride but Rondo and Etude were freaked out when they were housed in a separated room from us girls. You ask why we were separated?  Well, we had different diets and Grammy thought it would be easier for Aunty L.  It might have been, if not for our brothers, the fraidy cats. 

There was a stranger cat outside their glass door.  Who was this bold fellow staring at them through the window pane?  Yes, it was Murphy... the mancat of the house... and we were intruding on HIS domain.   And yes, our big brave brothers who outweighed the Murph by a good 7 or 8 pounds each... were intimidated.  SO, it ended up all five of us hunkered down in one small room and were all fed the girls' food.  Not so convenient for us girls but hey, we managed.

The big memory of that vacation was Mousie's adventure.  She managed to sneak past Aunty L and got into the nether reaches of the basement.  Poor Aunty L was so upset and worried that she feared Mousie had gotten outside.  Fortunately not.  The little mischief was roaming around the furnace, plenum and pipes.  Grammy went over to help look for her, thought she could hear footsteps on the pipes and decided to spend the night on the bed with us instead of upstairs in a comfy bed. Sure enough, in the wee small hours she heard scratching at the entrance to the furnace room. AND our wee adventure-cat Mousie had resurfaced.  She was hungry, thirsty and tired and headed straight for the food dish and water bowl before curling up for a long nap. 

Well, this morning's blog is really about Murphy so why don't you settle back and check out our video here.  

Just one more thing... the Murph will always be in our hearts. 

Created and written with love, Sweetie. 

Comments are welcomed.

 Sweetie and Mousie, loving sisters (sometimes)

Well, friends.  I, Sweetie, mentioned last week that the boys would be turning 10 years OLD, ANCIENT this month.  *giggles*  Well, it is only 2 days away... and Rondo and Etude will be over the hill.  That is.... if they can manage to get up that hill.

On a side note:  Those chubbos, Rondo and Etude, whom we love so dearly and just cannot resist teasing, have grown from 100 grams as newborns to their highest 7.7 kilograms and 8.2 kilograms respectively.  That is 80 times their birth weight, give or take  They have come down to a respectable 6 kilos for Rondo, and 7.25 for Etude over the past two years and we are very proud of their progress.  For those of you in pounds and ounces that is around 13 and 16 lbs.  Chubby, short-legged, cobby-bodied Etude has some to go but hey, he had further to go to begin with. 

Okay... so back to the birthday stuff.   Yes, the Over the Hill part.... remember?

So Wednesday, it will be 10 years since those balls of fluff were wee scraps of fur.  I  wasn't here at the time as I'm younger, but Mousie tells me they were noisy right from the getgo - squealing for momma's milk, and scrapping with each other for the tastiest nipple.  It was quite a battle at times.

*Mousie pipes in:  They were AWFUL little pipsqueaks! but then, so was Sweetie when she came along! *giggles*   Glad I was perfect.

Sweetie:  Hey! I suppose you were a quiet little squeaker!  Huh!  Doubt it! We're supposed to be on the same side, Remember?  Girls against the boys? 

So back to those boys....
Their poor momma.  They sure were hard on her.  Despite this she was a perfect, loving mom.  She bathed, nursed and disciplined them as needed.  Well, momma Fidelia  lived to tell the tale and has now 'escaped' to a good home as have the sibs - Musetta and Scherzo.  Grammy still keeps in touch occasionally with their families.

And the boys?  They can be sweet one moment, bullies, the next, and 'fraidy cats two seconds later.  And above all, they are ALWAYS HUNGRY - or so they lead Grammy to believe.  

Between the two of them they keep Grammy on her toes!  And that is quite a feet!  *get it - feat!  Oh, I'm just so on the ball today...*giggle* ... you know!  Ball of the foot?    Okay, I'll stop now.

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you what Wednesday will bring as Grammy is on hiatus at the moment but we hope there will be some kind of birthday bash - at least Cake and Ice Cream would be a good start.  In the meantime, here are the boys... over the years.

by Sweetie, purrsonal trainer and mischief maker

March is here, dear friends and with it comes a need to shake off the winter lethargy, wiggle our butts, shake our tails and start a movin' and a groovin'!  I know that'll be no problem for our wee Mousie.  She is often seen chasing her tail and scampering between bedroom and livingroom, kitchen and litterbox ... but those boys!  They are another thing altogether.  Sedentary, sleepy and slumbering sloths, they tend to sleep away their days - Kind of like Grammy when she isn't knitting.

What's that, Grammy?  I sleep all day?  Well, of course I do.  I patrol and keep you and everyone else safe all night while you all sleep.  BUT, to get you in shape I'm willing to give up my naps.  *Adjusts halo* 

Well, it's time to light a fire under all three butts and get them out of their beds, chairs or whatever they hunker down in and into a routine.  And that is my job.  I must say, it isn't an easy one.  No siree.  It is definitely a challenge with those three.

So, here's the plan.  Empty Grammy's cupboards of appliances, and anything else that is hard and uncomfortable.  You know the things I mean - Kitchen-Aid mixer, blender, food processor, slow cooker and anything else I can find.  If I put them on all surfaces where the boys might nap and Grammy's chair and bed they'll have no place to sit or lie down to nap.  Then drag them into my fitness gym to start exercising.  

That might take some work though.  They can be stubborn, especially Grammy.  Yep, She's bigger than me and feisty, but I'm determined.  *giggles* 

So, here goes... *Scampers into the kitchen to gather appliances*  Oomph!   This mixer is heavy.  *Drags it to the sofa.*  Exhausted she lies down on sofa beside it and falls asleep.  

Etude and Rondo giggle and creep quietly onto the sofa then Etude whispers. Whew!  That was close, Rondo.  

Well, folks.  I think we are safe for today.  She's out.  Enjoy your day.   

by Rondo, the singing poet and mischief maker

Not much to say this week.  Grammy has been busy with appointments and knitting. That leaves us free to sleep, and eat and nap and eat and sleep some more.   Unfortunately all that sleeping and napping has left us bereft of a topic. 

So, Let's introduce you to a few special friends - you know - the significant others.  Kind of appropriate since yesterday was St Valentine's Day, don't you think?

Well, we'll start with the girls, then Etude and end with me.  How's that for being gentlemanly?  Pretty good, I'd say!

If you've read any of our past blogs I'm sure you know Mousie's love is Little Boy Cat.  She calls him Cheffy or Cheffy dearest.  We call him LBC or anything he wants if he'll cook for us.  Oh yes, He's a chef extraordinaire.  Unfortunately, he's passed on but our wee Gentle Mousie still dreams about him.  We hear her deep sighs in the night.  She will love him to the end of time.

Sweetie has a beau named Monty.  He's not on Facebook too often and she misses him.  Fortunately another friend, Frodo, steps in and is like a big brother if you know what I mean.  Just a really good friend.  He brought her fresh frozen shrimp for Valentine's day so she wouldn't feel left out.  And we helped her eat the shrimpies.  *giggles* Glad they were frozen.  Those little footsies would have tickled on the way down our throats otherwise.  Thank you, Frodo... for that and for escorting my special someone to visit today.

Etude has had a girl for ages. If you remember, I wrote a poem about them a while ago.  You can check it out here.  RAINA is her name but he calls her his sweet butterfly or hummingbird... whichever fits the occasion.  She's a wild thing but has an amazing voice and even more amazing cooking skills.  Southern Comfort Picnic Baskets are her specialty and they are sent regularly to supplement our meager diets from Grammy.  Good choice, brother.  Keep those Picnic Baskets coming.   

Sorry, we don't have a link to share RAINA's lovely voice and she doesn't have her own page but, she loves trips in balloons.  Etude arranged two heart-shaped balloons to take them (and us) up for a ride yesterday.  What a time we had.   Young love.  Isn't it grand?

Last on the list is my sweet Rosy Posy.  She's an island girl... Virgin Islands, that is.  She calls me Sweet Cheeks.  Isn't that just so sweet? 

*Etude shouts "Saccharine! as in sickly sweet."*    Oh stop that Etude.  You're just as mushy with RAINA, you old dog, you!  *Etude blushes* I am not a dog!  Then why are you blushing? Ohhh, the mushy part.  *giggles* 

Back to Rosy.  Like RAINA, she's a wild thing... but hey, she loves me.  That's all that matters.  And a little wildness is good.  It keeps me on my toes.  She's always up for an adventure and she adores my singing.  What more could a debonair young fellow ask!

So, that's all for today.  Enjoy the photos.

We hope you, dear friends, have had a great weekend.  Hugs.

We enjoy your comments, so keep them coming.

by Mousie, 'giggling all the way' blogger

Good morning, friends.  I'm having a great giggle today even though the topic at hand isn't really funny.  But my imagination has run wild with this.

Firstly, you all know that Etude has suffered from PTSD since Grammy's accident last August.  As we've mentioned before, he clings to his brother or Grammy like Velcro. AND despite the fact the ol' girl rubs topical Gabapentin to the inside of his ear flap to calm him.  Still, he chews the fur off his legs when Grammy isn't watching.   He looks pretty goofy from behind  with  his pink 'udder' swaying side to side.  It is whitening as fur regrows but still looks ridiculous.  *stops typing to roll on the floor laughing*  Add to that his bare spindly legs and it is totally hilarious.  *stops to giggle again*

SO, like the helpful kitties we are, we decided maybe a onesie would be the answer.  Great idea, don't you think?   So, we've passed the task to Grammy to find a onesie for a sixteen pounder with long sleeves and legs.  Oops, I mean, a onesie with long sleeves and legs for a sixteen pounder.  

Well, she went searching and found the greatest onsies. - pink flowers for a pink tummied boy, or covered in llamas or bunnies, or maybe even bumble bees or dragon flies.  Oh, no, those are too much.  Go for the flowers, Grammy! 

Then, the image *giggles uncontrollably* of Grammy trying to dress him in it was too much.  Can you see it?  Grammy wrestling with a slippery-furred dude with claws like knives and razor sharp teeth?  *suddenly sobers up*  but then I thought, what if that makes his PTSD even worse?  Can't take a chance.  KITTEN WHISKERS

Oh, too bad! Thought we had a solution.  I guess Grammy and Rondo will just have to put up with velcro-cat clinging to them.

Well, that's it for now, folks.