StrangeRanger

Speaking of Japan (rare non-cat post)

A friend of mine was given this mask several weeks ago.

It reminded me of Noh masks (something I'd picked up in my varied semi-academic wanderings).  I did a little web-research and I think it might be a tengu mask.  I am probably quite wrong, but that's my first guess.  Anyone have any idea what it actually is?

It had this on the inside:

I'd love to know what this says, and I'd be most grateful to anyone who can translate.  I'd be happy to send a pic of Maddie or Ivy or both to the wonderful human who increases my knowledge on this.  Though I'd never know if you're telling the truth or not.  ;)

Probably says "Inspected by 12" or "One size fits most" or something mundane like that...

Maybe it's for an asian production of Cyrano. 

Go ahead.  Amaze me!
 

Easy to translate

Thanks to the wonder of the Internet, I have a friend in Japan.  Good guy named Peter.  He's living in Sakurai in Nara Prefecture (I *think* that's the proper translation) teaching English.  From my own experiences in the elementary classroom, I can imagine how demanding that is.  Anyway, he likes to hit the mountain trails around Sakurai for a little R&R.  On a recent expedition, armed with only a camera, he was confronted by these little guys:

Even though I speak no Japanese at all, I think the translation is easy.  "Feed Me!  Take Me Home! And Feed Me!  oh yeah, and you can feed them, too. "  When Peter and his girlfriend went back the next day, no sign of the tykes.  This is, though, a very popular trail, and it's certainly possible that someone had already nabbed these little bundles of cute.  I certainly hope so.  Thanks to Yukie for posting the video.  Good luck to the cats.

Wistful

This is the first Halloween in years that we haven't had Ivy representing the wee-black-cat demographic.  It's made for a modestly sad day or two.  We smile wistfully when we are reminded of her spooooky presence. 

 Boo!

Maddie, for all her magical self, just isn't the same inspiring feelings of Halloween-y-ness.

 I don't get it...

We're happy we have Maddie, but we surely do miss Ivy.
 

8 Years

Thursday was the 8th anniversary of Maddie coming to live at Chez-Ranger.  Pretty much non-stop pettin's and moochies since then, I must say.  I'd never had a mammal as a pet before Maddie showed up.  Never entertained the idea of having a cat 'cause I'm allergic to 'em and Maine Coons (markedly less allergic to them) cost $$$.  I'll *never* fathom what made Maddie's previous family give her up but it was a gift from <insert higher power of your choice here> to find this year old Maine Coon in our local shelter.  Sure, she hissed at me when I put my hand in the cage to pet her, but I'm used to that reaction when meeting females for the first time.  We've gotten along famously since.  I hope you enjoy this little Maddie-palooza.

<sigh>  I know.  I'm a sap.  I'm just glad there are other folks out there like me.  Thanks for dropping by.

Astute Commentary

I have no brain today.  Thus: a meagre post.  Enjoy the pic.

No brain today??  You say that like it's different from every other day.
Thank you dear.  I love you too.

Fleh.

Swine flu has been going around school.  While I have managed to avoid the major funk, a sinus infection seems to have set in.  Whee.  Doc-in-the-box here I come.  Meanwhile, Maddie gets to be Nurse Kitty.

Right!  I'm scrubbing!  Prep the O.R.!  Time for Surgery!! 

Surgery?  For a sinus infection?

Absolutely!  Time to start cuttin'!!  And don't worry...I have the sutures ready to go!!

Um.  Well.  I think I'm feeling better dear.  Thanks anyway. 

 

Taking it easy

A beastly-busy week here....blogging will be some older photos of Maddie.  I trust you won't mind the reruns....

Here's a pic of Maddie *not* taking it easy:

 She's having fun with some variation on string.  Always seems to light her up!

Now, here's a pic of her taking it easy:

I'm going to emulate the latter pic.  Have a good week, all.

Revolution Number 9

Tuesday was the celebration of Maddie's 9th revolution around the sun!  Happy Birthday, Maddie!

Maddie started the day with a wedge of Laughing Cow cheese (her favorite!) and had a dinner of sliced deli turkey (her favorite!).

 And where might the dessert fork be?

There was also some scampering and grabbing and kicking and clawing with her new mousie-toy-on-a-stick.

WooHoo!  Got it! I AM FIERCE!!!!

We tried it as a hat, but no go on this cat in the hat...

<ahem>  this sorts not well with my fierceness, knave.  I know where you sleep, y'know...

Right...after we got that figured out, there was more playing.  And then, of course, there was napping.  Maddie is, after all, a senior cat, now.

 

Balderdash!  I'm as young as I want to be, and as fit as a kitten!  Now, cease thy blathering and let me dream.

Happy Birthday, Maddie.  And many many many happy returns of the day.

A New Toy and Some Catnip

We decided that Maddie hasn't had enough stimulation recently.  When we saw a new design catnip-mousie, we figured it might work.  A new toy and some catnip on the Alpine Scratcher really seem to do the trick!

I hope you'll forgive the less-than-sterling video quality.  The star-power of the cat should, I hope, compensate a bit...

Sleeeeeeeeepy

Ranger is sleeeeeeepy.  Maddie is sleeeeeeeeepy too.  Only a few pictures today.  But, since the pictures are of Maddie, I presume I'm forgiven.....

 

 

See?  Nothing but sleepy.  We're off to dreamland, now....zzzzzzz