by the Mischief and Mayhem Crew

Dear friends.   One more short blog as we wind down 2019.  Grammy is taking these last few days to rest, get a few things caught up and spend some time knitting and cuddling us. We, as usual, will be eating, sleeping, purring and creating havoc for Grammy.  Well, you wouldn't want us to be bored or boring, would you?

So, we leave behind the negative things of 2019 and focus on the positives as we move into the NEW YEAR.  

Those are HOME, FAMILY, FRIENDS, HEALTH, HAPPINESS, a little TEASING and a LOT of LOVE for all.
May you all be Blessed with the same.
Love, Whiskers, Mouse, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo  Oh, and Grammy too.

Dear Readers, Friends/Family all...

Our blog will be brief but heart-felt.  We love you dearly and wish you all joy and happiness now and throughout the coming year.  

May you have fellowship with friends and family and the joys of plenty on your plate, all your needs fulfilled and enough to share with those in need around you. 

Merry Christmas from all of us at Mischief and Mayhem Central 
- Whiskers, Mousie, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo.... oh, and Grammy too.

Hello, dear friends. 

Thanksgiving Day has arrived, once more... and so normally we celebrate with family and friends.   Today we are going to be having a quiet day contemplating Thanksgiving and all we are thankful for.... and there is so much - our lives, our comforts, all the wonderful friends we have.   Please enjoy your day and give thanks for all the blessings in your life.  In fact, we should be giving thanks every day for everything.

We promise we'll write a proper blog next week.

From all of us at Mischief and Mayhem Central...Know that we love you, dear friends.

Whiskers, Gentle Mousie, Sweetie, Etude & Rondo

Comments are always welcomed, especially if they are funny.

by Rondo, aka Chatty Charlie

​Is this a misnomer?  Today is Labour Day and yet, we don't know anyone who works on a statutory holiday … so shouldn't it by called non-Labour Day or just Rest Day?   But then, here am I working hard at writing this blog so for me it is definitely a labour day.  *Sigh* 

If I have to write we might as well move to more fun topics. How about we feature a few of our friends?  You know all of us as we posted photos last week, maybe more pictures than you'd want to look at... but hey, we are so adorable, fun and goofy that how could you not want to see photos of us?

So, here we go... a few furry friends met through Grammy's close friends, then many on Facebook and the infinite fun things we all have gotten up to over the years.  

​First off, there is a pair of beauties ... Murphy and Bella, the fluffy sweethearts of Grammy's oldest living friend.... not that she's the oldest but that they've been friends the longest.  These two fluffballs are well-travelled between home and cottage as well as totally pampered. Grammy calls Murphy 'the Murph'.  Silly Grammy! 

Then there is Sadie, the sweetiepuss of Grammy's friend from church.  She lives the good life too. Her only beef is that Grammy trims her claws when she comes to visit. What gives her the right to steal claw-tips?  We agree with her.  Grammy does the same to us... then tosses them in the garbage.  That's not very nice.  If she wants our claw-tips then she should cherish them.  Save them in a jar and put them on a shelf to admire.  She's so weird and disrespectful. I wrote a poem about Sadie and this terrible deed.

As we move into our internet friends, let's mention Nerissa's Life.  Our first blogging friend was Nerissa, aka Nissy.  He was the famous blogger who encouraged us to join the blogging community.  We finally took his advice and wrote our first blog back in October 2014.

As some of you will remember Nissy has passed the baton across to the equally famous ginger, Seville.  This fellow has had a city in Spain and an orange named after him.  I tell you... that's awesome!  You have to check out his blogs. Be prepared for him to take pot shots at his biped family (Peep#1 and Peep#2) especially #1.  Wow, he's tough on her... but so funny. Follow him on Facebook too.  You won't be sorry. 

Then there is our closest group of friends... those with whom we chat daily.  We have had and will continue to enjoy joint adventures with four of these families.  First of these that Sweetie met was Little Boy Cat, a Chef of extraordinary abilities and creativity.   She encouraged him to meet her big sister with whom he fell madly in love.  Soon after Gentle Mousie came out of her shell and blossomed. Amazing adventures ensued ... the first of which was an awesome 3rd birthday party for Sweetie followed shortly thereafter by dates, Cheffy and Mousie together.  Nervous mom, Whiskers chaperoned at first, protective or her wee gentle girl.  The best part of their dates was when Etude & I would sneakily follow them and create havoc.  Those times were delicious fun.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, friends.   There are so many other friends we've met. Far too many to list but we'll mention a few, no photos, but we love them dearly  for their mischief and unique ways to entertain us. 

There are our friends, Team Ginger, whose mom drives us to the vet, Aunty J and another team - Sugar and Gordito, Piper's Pusscats, Pixie Pie and the Speed furries, The Koz Clan Adorapurr including Dora and her family, Clan of Nine, Da Fluffarooniez, Edward Scissorpaws and his family, Lord Fluffington, Bunny Love - Panda Bear and Honey Blossom, Sassy Skye and Cheeky Charlie et al, Keebo, the awesome Mini Kitty, Daisy from Ocean's page, Pumpkin who has since passed on, Toby Murphy O'Toole, and so many more.  

We apologize for any we've missed that you feel should be included.  Remember, we are dealing with a Grammy who at the best of times lacks in brainpower and what little she has has trickled down the drain as the day and blog progressed.   Enjoy!

Comments are most welcome.... we especially love the funny, mischievous and cheeky comments. 

By Sweetie, youngest mischief maker and blogger

Good Monday morning, dear friends.

We were at a loss as to what to write this fine morning.  Since it is our Civic Holiday I felt it was also our civic duty to produce a blog... short though it may be.  

We are going to 'out' Grammy on how she finds names for us. Once upon a time it took weeks of thought, research and narrowing down of names.  As time progressed one look and we had a name.  What can we say?  At least, our names fit us however they came about.

We said the blog may be short.... and now it is.  Grammy's fickle finger hit the X and accidentally closed the blog before it was saved.  She lost the bunny and current furry felines portions.  Well, it may be just as well because she went into the archives and what do you know!  There are blogs already written about our names.   But here is the part that didn't delete.  Hope it doesn't bore you. 

When PussPuss (the first furry feline adopted) came along Grammy spent weeks finding a name for her.  Puss Cat, PC, Pork Chop, were a few of the many names tossed around.  Why names with initials P C you ask.  Well, even Grammy isn't sure of the answer (possibly something to do with her early association with personal computers) but it doesn't matter because her name eventually evolved into PussPuss… and remained there for the rest of her life. 

Malcolm, the little black ball of fluff was named after Malcolm X if you can believe it.  Not that Grammy admired the X man or whatever, but both were black and his name was instantaneous the moment Grammy held him in her hand.  There may have been a little influence from a recently published book about a cat and his companion called Malcolm and I. Not sure but very likely!

He was a little duffer only a few months old and recovering from three worm infestations, had a terrible cough from lung worms and had to be medicated and monitored for another week at the vet then a week of meds at home.  But home he came and grateful to be indoors and cared for he became Grammy's love muffin and constant companion for 18 1/2 years.

After PussPuss passed and Grammy heard of another kitty needing rescued from euthanasia she went to visit him.... this long-haired Norwegian Forest Cat look-a-like stole her heart.  A friend who had seen him at the vet suggested Wolfgang or Wolfy pronounced with a 'V' but at first sight he became Montague... a regal name for such a beautiful boy.  As time went on Montague was shortened to Monty but he never lost his royal bearing ... even at his most mischievous. 

For more stories about these three check out Into The Archives under Categories and read the blogs.

Anyone willing to share how your furries were named please leave a comment.  Grammy would love to read them to us.​

By Etude & Rondo, Canadian Kitties and Proud of it.

Happy Canada Day to all our Canadian friends... and an anticipated Happy 4th of July for those south of the border. 

Today's post will be short.  We boys have planned a day of fun and goofiness.  

First on the list is FOOD.  We must nourish ourselves in preparation for a busy day.

We thought we'd have more of Sweetie's concoctions.  She made lots of variations of Beaver Tails, and Flap Jacks with Maple Syrup, and Cranberry Tea.     

So, time to celebrate with games.

Maybe we'll play:

Pin-the-tail-on-the-Beaver, and some of the games that Grammy played as a little girl... like ...

1. Jacks, Double Dutch, Marbles, Roller skating...but with a kitty twist.... Oh, we can play  Twister too.  This should be such fun.

I think we'll have to use the roller skates as skateboards and maybe do wheelies.  Oh, that should be fun.  

When we get tired of that we'll snuggle with Grammy for a while, then show off our Canada Day gear in a mini-parade. 

*giggles*  Don't we look super-duper?


And what is Grammy going to do?  Probably knit! Really she should clean but she says she's having a lazy day.  So, I guess that means all as normal.  *giggles*​

Comments are welcomed.  Let's keep them fun and patriotic and maybe a little bit cheeky.

By Gentle Mouse, chronicler of family mischief.

Well, dear friends, the end of the year has arrived and it has been a great one. Oh, yes, there have been ups and downs but those downs were minimal: a mini-flood from melting snow that invaded our hardwood floors by way of the balcony/kitchen wall and Grammy catching flu and other viruses... but the delightful ups of those were a proper sealing of the wall along the balcony floor once spring arrived and Grammy getting better.  And while she regained health we got more Grammy time.  Also, she was home a little more this year than in past years and that always meant more cuddles, more snuggles, more 'boys, stop picking on the girls', and more time in Grammy's lap for morning coffee or sitting on the arm of the chair getting pets while she knitted various things. 

It was a year to remember fondly.   So, let's go look at a few posts from this wonderful year 2018. ​

As you all must remember our Facebook page features adventures, poetry by Rondo, Thursday's Cat Joke of the Week and as the year progressed we added in Wacky Wednesday posts and Friends and Family Fridays.  We also had an occasional Somnolent Saturday.  

Here we will share a few highlights from our year starting January 1st when the boys headed to the Virgin Islands for a Beach Party.  You can view the party on our friends' page at Many Claws in St Croix. 

We mentioned Grammy took sick in late February and was ill with Influenza and at least one other virus through March and another in November. Sweetie and I went into nursing mode each time and nursed the old girl back to health with chicken noodle soup, honey/lemon tea, purrs and cuddles. And while she slept we got into mischief with the boys.

With Spring also came Rondo and his poetry in all its beauty, mischief and cheekiness. Here is a sampling of his poetry more of which you can see by accessing the blog category Poetry by Rondo and reading the blogs. 

As Winter Fades. 
As winter fades and eases into spring
It makes me dance and want to sing.
For joyous am I as winter warms
To see the end of nasty storms.

It brings back birds to flit and fly 
Past glass and sill where I do spy 
Them soar on air that oft will swirl
In gusty attempts to make them hurl
To ground. Clever are these birds who soar.
They know their stuff and ask for more.
For it is a joy to be so free
Above the shrubs, above the tree.

They land on branches when sailing’s done
To preen their feathers and fluff their down
To set selves up for another day
And keep the chill of night away.
And as they do, they songs impart
That cheer me up and warm my heart.

As night comes down to hide their nest
I set in to do what I do best.
Find spot to nap and dream my dreams
Of birds aswirl over rippling streams.
And when dawn wakes to early morn
On sill I’ll be to watch the swarm
Leave nests and twigs to swirl and sway.
As on they soar to greet new day
​They sing their songs to Him on high
As past my pane on wing they fly.
And toward the heavens these hymns are sung
​To praise the creator, God and Son.

​Then as the heat of summer arrived in June Grammy was out and about undeterred by it. With her gone we were always planning mischief... as you can see by the following two posts...​

​

We have been posting weekly Jokes since 2017 but introduced Wacky Wednesdays and Friends and Family Fridays around mid-year.  Here we'll post only a Joke reminiscent of our repertoire.  For the others you may visit our page and check out past posts.




​

Then suddenly December was upon us once more... with more mischief, lots of love for you, our dear friends and Christmas wishes for all. Again, all of these can be seen on our Facebook page.

Now we would like to wish you all the best for the coming year.  May 2019 be wonderful for all of you.  

by Rondo, poet in a slump and mischief maker

Good day, dear friends. 
​
This past week has been a bit of a downer.  The old girl has been under the weather which has left us without a topic.  Now I ask you, when aren't we under the weather? Whether rain, shine, snow or whatever we are subject to it 24/7/365 which means we are never without weather. AND it is all around us and above us. which means we are under it.

So what does that have to do with not having a topic? 

Well, I suggest that while she's been under the weather so have we.  AND we've been under the same weather as she has....thus we have a dearth of mischievousness to report on since we've been so busy doing the nursing thing leaving us no time to dream up new mischief, new antics, new poetry.  Absolutely nothing comes to mind for any of us.  How boring!

But boring must end so here goes.

​Christmas is coming and that means good food, presents and all that goes with the celebration.  Grammy has been in touch with a Facebook friend in New Zealand and her cat family... Skye and Charlie and that suggests, or at least we hope it does that there are pressies coming for pussycats.  

Only question is, will sniffer dogs stop the shipment?  The pressies Skye's mom makes have catnip in them, or at least we assume so since they are called Catnip Kickers.  Do those dogs in customs know the difference between catnip and that other stuff that Grammy detests and wouldn't have anywhere in the house or anywhere else on the planet for that matter?  Also, will our import laws allow vegetation from another country into Canada?  Grammy didn't think about that when she was talking to Skye's mom... and we have to admit she was in a state with this virus at the time... so her noodle wasn't working at 100%.  I guess we'll find out. So stay tuned and we'll let you know. 

We think these pressies are another attempt to get Whiskers, Etude and I to exercise.  (Yes, we listened in to the conversation and know what's coming, if it gets through customs)  Skye's mommy makes these kickers.  They are long sticks of cotton stuffed with stuffing, of course, laced with catnip and are meant to be kicked by kitties.  Well, we'll see.  

It's more likely that we'll lick the things into a soggy mess rather than kick them and then snooze for the rest of the day.  Another thing Grammy didn't think about is that Etude and I get overly stimulated by catnip and like to beat up the girls.  Unfortunately if we do, and we might, she'll remove them and put them away.  Again, we'll see. 

What else is happening?  Well, this year Grammy plans to cook 'the bird'.... yes, she has decided we kitties and she ought to have turkey and all the fixings - you know... smashed taters, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, lemon-thyme parsnips, butternut squash, cranberry sauce, gravy (oh, we LOVE gravy) and whatever else she has the energy to make.   Dessert is up in the air at the moment... and we don't really care about the dessert part anyway so....I say, forget about it, Grammy!  Don't waste your energy on dessert. The turkey bird is the priority.  For sure!

Well that's all I have 'nothing to write about' for this week, dear friends.  Have a great week revving up for Christmas.  We at Mischief and Mayhem Central love you.

Comments are welcomed.

Sadly their visit has come to an end....and they returned home yesterday... but when they arrived Grammy received some lovely gifts.  A beautiful mug and plate to be used at breakfast, an Austrian Calendar, cut-outs of cats that are typical of Austria, a few Austrian nativity scenes, Candles which will be perfect for our Christmas angel chime, truffles from Austria, a monetary gift for us - for Whisker, Mouse, Sweetie, Rondo and me.   The only thing with that is we don't get to spend it.  Grammy is saving it to put toward our pending annual visit to Dr Whitecoat.  BUT, we are delighted  with Grammy's and our gifts.  They are amazing and thoughtful gifts.

Well, before they returned home the younger M dropped by to deliver a few more cuddles and belly rubs for us and to leave a few things they wouldn't need or didn't wish to carry back home.  These may seem insignificant to some but to Grammy they were Christmas morning exciting!.  Two bottles, BIG bottles, of Evian water - that Grammy wouldn't spend the money on to treat herself.   Fruit, cookies, snacks, delicious marmalade, ice cream - three kinds (Grammy's delighted). Two lovely post cards of their home town, two Kalanchoe plants.. that Grammy will keep out of our (and especially Sweetie the dirt digger's) reach but is enjoying, some personal products for the face etc. and paper products.  All useful, handy to have and a real treat. ​

Then yesterday when Grammy arrived home from church there were two more paper bags with more things on her doorstep... a couple of gift boxes, a cotton and a manmade fabric shopping bag, paper towels, wrapping tissue, some medical things, more personal facial items, laundry soap, and a miscellany of little things - colourful paperclips among them.

Grammy was overwhelmed at the generosity and kindness of her dear friends.  We had to share this with you on Thanksgiving... one day of the year where we formally recognize our thankfulness for our families, our friends, for our very lives, and every blessing we receive.   Let's remember to be thankful every day... not just this one day a year.  We have so much to be grateful for. 

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving Day, friends.... and may it include all of our friends worldwide.  ​