By Gentle Mouse, Indoor kitty and happy to be there.

Good morning, friends. 
Grammy and I woke yesterday morning to a pile of snow on the balcony and all the surfaces around us... rooftops, tree branches, shrubs and sidewalks.  The roads were wet but otherwise clear.  Not my favourite time of year.  Well, that made me think back to when I was a kitten with my mummy, Whiskers.

We were outdoor kitties.  Mummy said it wasn't by choice but I'd never known anything different.  I was born outdoors in late summer... but then soon after, the nights were getting cooler.  Suddenly they were downright cold.  Brrrr.  And we were always hungry and I was  scared.  Mummy was too but was brave and protected me.  Once winter set in we had to find shelter.  We searched and searched, then Mummy and I saw an open door to a garage.  Inside she scanned the space and found a spot where we could hide.  Still cold it was at least out of the wind and weather.   

One day a person saw us slipping in and out of the garage.  We were so hungry and were looking for food.  There was nothing but frozen grass.  Yuk!   Well, that person started putting food out for us and closed the door keeping us inside.  I wanted out but mummy said we were trapped.  We would hide until that lady was gone but oh, it was so nice to have food to eat.  Mummy and I snuggled together to keep warm.  This went on for days.  Then one afternoon a wire cage thingy appeared and there was food inside.  Mummy warned me not to go in but I was so hungry.  Then since I was going in mummy followed.  I guess she decided we should stay together. 

Trapped.  Oh silly me!  Sorry mummy.

Later that day someone came, picked up the wire cage and transferred us to a bigger cage with warm blankets inside, gave us more food.   It felt good to be warm and no-longer hungry.   Later a man came, picked up our cage and put it into a van.  I was so scared but Mummy cuddled with me and it was so warm inside that I fell asleep once the van began to purr.  It purred for a long time, moved, stopped, moved some more but I slept through it all.  Mummy stayed alert and made sure I was okay.

Eventually the van stopped, the tall man got out, took us into a building - Grammy's building, as it happened.  Well, when he set us down we were on a soft bed.  I was scared again... there was another person there and she smelt strange. That smell made me sneeze. The lady opened the carrier and I got really scared so I hid at the back of the cage where she couldn't reach me.  Mummy was soooooooooooo brave.  She peeked out, then jumped into the lady's arms, put her paws around her neck, purred and tickled her cheek with her whiskers.  And that's how Mummy got her name. 

Mummy told me later that she'd decided this was our new home and our new Mummy/Grammy. She liked that strange smell and said it smelt like a baby after a bath.   So, we were home.  It took a while before Grammy accepted that she would be a foster failure.  Silly Grammy.  

Oh and I became Gentle Mouse because I was a scaredy kitty but never hissed or spat... just squeaked and tried to scamper away when I was picked up. 

Imagine that!  A snowfall made those memories all come back.  Luckily the family are warm and inside ... the cow kitties, Grammy and me, Gentle Mousie.

Well, that's it for today.

By Etude, chronicler of everything goofy about Grammy

Good morning, friends.
This is going to be short, but I have to share this with you.  As if you didn't know already, GRAMMY is GOOFY! Yes, and I don't mean that Disney Dog Goofy.  She is totally beyond silly... almost to the point of crazy.   And here's why...

Picture this... Grammy takes a shower.  Sorry!  Maybe you don't want to picture that!  It isn't pretty, let me assure you.   *Shudders*  Okay, well, imagine someone gorgeous taking a shower realizes she should remove the band-aid that covers her flu shot spot.  This stunning person then drops said band-aid on the edge of the tub.

Okay, now return to Grammy.  Sorry, it has to be because this gorgeously stunning person wouldn't be so goofy.   So Goofy, standing under the shower, water pouring over her head, opens her eyes and SCREAMS!  Yes, at the top of her lungs.  EEEEEK!
CENTIPEDE!  

Well, of course, we all come running to see what the commotion is all about and are totally baffled.  What is her problem?  CENTIPEDE, she says.  No centipede here, we reply in unison at full volume in an attempt to be heard over her screams. 

There!  Look!  On the edge of the tub!  

You talking about that band-aid?  Yes, it's a band-aid.  They are harmless you silly old goof.   Grammy takes a deep breath and finally calms down.

The joys of living with an doddering old fool with short memory, VERY short memory and blurry vision.  

Well, that's about it for this week... and probably more than you really wanted to hear.  See you next week, dear friends.

Comments are welcomed. 

by Sweetie, intrepid defender of family and mischief maker

Hello, friends. 

Well, the merry-go-round has begun.  Yes, our wee Gentle Mousie keeps Grammy on her toes.  Grammy thought she had a reaction to her glaucoma meds. So, after a call to the vet, stopping the meds for a few days they had to trek off to see Dr. Whitecoat once again.

It turns out her eyes are inflamed and the tears are not draining properly, thus the buildup of mucus and junk.  And despite being on the meds for a few weeks her eye pressure in the left eye had gone up.   Poor wee mite. 

Not only do we (Grammy, that is) have to administer Mousie's glaucoma meds in the bad eye twice a day but now she needs an anti-inflammatory in both eyes three times a day.  Good luck Grammy.     AND she has to be kept separate from the bouncy, pick-on-Mousie boys.  She is so fragile that any bump on the head could do irreparable damage to those eyes.  Between that, her heart and a propensity for bladder stones the little miss is a mess.

Mousie has to continue to be  confined to the bedroom whenever Grammy is unable to supervise the boys around her.  Such a lonely life, though for the most part she doesn't seem to mind.   Luckily Grammy is home a lot so she joins and snuggles with Grammy while she knits in the livingroom.  Because I'm a good girl I am allowed to join her in the bedroom to keep her company except at mealtimes.  We usually just find our favourite spots to sleep and settle down for an afternoon snooze-fest.  

Night times aren't a problem as the wee Mouse sleeps head to head with Grammy on her pillow and the boys don't dare go near her.  Grammy is quick to react if they try.

So, bi-weekly visits to the vet for the foreseeable future.  

All I can say is, "I'm glad it isn't me!" 

Oh, and as for the rest of us... We are all well and full of mischief. 

That's it for today.

By Sweetie, intrepid defender of family and instigator of mischief

Good morning, friends. 

There isn't much drop in temperature today but when Grammy went out to water the plants it felt a little fresher.  The humidity is supposed to drop this evening.  We can hope.  Then I can sit at the balcony screen and listen to the leaves fluttering.

So, this past month has been busy.  We were off to the vet this month for our annual checkups... Mousie and I.  I got a clean bill of health, though I did lose a pound and was full of poopies.  Mousie on the other-hand, has been diagnosed with Glaucoma in her left eye.  So far the right eye's pressures are normal but on the edge of high so she'll have to be watched monthly for a while.    The good thing is that Rondo can go every other month along with them for his claw trim.    Lucky Grammy.  Monthly trips to the vet.  *giggles*   As long as I don't have to go.

So, now the daily routine includes an eye drop in Mousie's eye morning and evening along with our 4 meals a day.  Play time, snuggle time, and lots of slumber time.

And on to Grammy news... She's managed a year without injuries and her autoimmune issues are slightly improved.  While she is still immune suppressed now the doctor is allowing her to do her own grocery shopping again.  Yahoo!  She's giving it a go tomorrow.  She has to be very careful, keep sanitizing her paws, double masking and stay away from others.  Wohoo, a little freedom! 

And you know what that means for us?  Yes, Grammy out of the house and four kitties with freedom too.  Freedom to get into mischief!  Freedom to nap wherever we wish, on whatever we wish.  AND full access to the refrigerator.  The boys are over-the-moon ecstatic.    Little do they know - the reason Grammy is grocery shopping tomorrow is.... the fridge is almost empty.  Don't tell Etude & Rondo.  I want to watch the look on their faces when they open the door.  *giggles*

Well, that's all for this week.  Have a great one.  Stay healthy.  Stay cool if it's too hot where you live and warm if it's cold.    Love you dear readers/friends.

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 Sweetie, feeling ornery and out of sorts kitty.

Good morning, friends. 

Not sure why I'm writing this blog today except those boys are lazy and said it's a Civic holiday so they are taking theirs and it is my Civic duty to write the blog.  Pffft!  Typical.   Did you hear that Mousie?  *shakes head in annoyance*

Oh, Mousie, I love you, sis. 

Friends, Mousie said she would write the blog since she's had a good few nights rest on Grammy's pillow and is full of pep.  So friends, I hand you over to my sweet wee sister, Gentle Mouse.

Hi friends.  Mouse is in the house and feeling quite rested.  So, I wanted to say this... Grammy has had her 2nd COVID injection with very little reaction.  She felt tired and a little achy that first afternoon and evening but in the morning she was full of vim, vigour and vitality.  So much so that she scooped boxes, cleaned, dusted and set up Roomba to vacuum then did clothing and towel laundry.  BOY, maybe she should have a vaccine every week... *giggles*

Well, with house clean, the next day she stripped the bed and washed bedding including the duvet.  BIG Oooops!  We mischievous kitties had clawed the duvet leaving slashes in the duvet.  Down flying EVERYWHERE!   

Fortunately, only a couple of the batts are affected but time for the iron-on patches to seal up the damage before more downy softness escapes.   So, that is on the agenda for the old girl but not before I get some cuddles.  

Oh, and there is a turkey meatloaf in the oven... and it smells delicious. Dinner - meatloaf, mashed potato and squash.  Sometimes I wish I weren't a kitty, but only for a moment, then I'm glad I am 'cause I get all the attention and cuddles and stuff.

Well, that's all for now.  Grumpy has gone to bed. The boys, likewise.  I'll stay and supervise Grammy while she knits.  I'm such a good and responsible kitty. 

by Etude the Dude, Chronicler of Mischief

Good day, Friends. 

Today's blog is short.  Grammy is struggling with another critter in the condo. No, not bats in the belfry though we anticipate there could be some in Grammy's belfry.

No.  Recently we were treated for ants in the pant-ry but now we have moths and they are giving Grammy ants in her pants.  *giggles*

Yes, you heard.... Moths.

Clothing moths.  Grammy is keeping them under control with frequent emptying of closets, vacuuming of same and everywhere else they gather, sweeping the bases of baseboards and the feet of furniture where they lay their eggs etc. Unfortunately, with all her attempts she hasn't rid us of them and one or two appear every few days.

Fortunately, from the outset Grammy has placed all knitting supplies into plastic bins with highly scented moth deterrent fabric sheets to keep them safe from the critters.  As an extra precaution, before sending something on to a client it gets a two week hiatus in a sealed bag in the freezer - long enough to kill off the critters.

Now, for us, these creatures are great entertainment.  They crawl out from under those baseboards or from nooks and crannies, wings flapping as they walk and gain strength. Then they flit and fly giving us something to chase.  Wohoo!  We love it.  

Poor Grammy, though.  She's seven years older and twice as wobbly as she was the last time she had to deal with them.  Not to worry though.  We'll 'help' her.   And if all else fails - she can call in the handy-dandy Moth Terminator.

Grammy here!  Yes, they 'help', chasing and playing with the critters but not killing them.  That part is left to me.  

Just so you know... It was moths that started this whole blog thing off.  Yes, seven years ago this coming October we had the Moth Terminator visit and do his stuff.   Read all about it here.... Moth Day

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.