StrangeRanger

Miracle on Linoleum

Well, it's the 28th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice.  I have never been a hockey fan, and I didn't actually see the famous game at the time, but it has become etched in my mind.  This was just about the last of the real American Dream Teams...you know, the real amateurs, not the cocky multi-millionaires that can't really claim our respect and affection?   For those of you too young to remember, this was an era where the brazen manipulation of the rules by the Soviet Bloc countries was an article of faith among American.  It was widely rumored that the Soviet Hockey Team was actually the East German Womens Swimming Team.  (you never saw them in the same room at the same time...coincidence?  I think not...)  The feeling of Hope, even more than the feelings of amazement and pride, that came from that game, that game where 20 hard-working college kids led by an abrasive and brilliant coach faced down the best professional team in the world, lifted the spirits of much of the nation.  In honor of that game, in honor of the sacrifice of time, sweat and effort by those young men, we got up a couple of games of Cat Hockey on the kitchen floor.  Here Ivy, old and wise in the ways of the world, takes on the role of Herb Brooks:

The legs feed the cat boys, the legs feed the cat!

In our next game clip, Maddie shows moves that Mike Eruzione himself would envy:

Okay, I know...the sound quality is not what it should be, but I promise to improve...

This would not be a proper celebration of the anniversary should I not include some footage of the actual event.   Here are two clips.  One is of Al Michaels famous "Do you believe in Miracles?!?" broadcast, and the other is of a different, but just as breath-takingly enthusiastic, announcer.

Curt Chaplin, an ABC Radio Network reporter did this play by play. 

Hats off to those who inspired us!

Snow Day!

We had an absolutely lovely Valentine's Day here at Chez Ranger!  We received a quite unexpected SnowDay! 

Looked out the window wednesday night and it was really pouring down!  Most surprising.  I know this doesn't count as "real" snow to many of you, but for the southeast?  Take my word for it.  My local school district had us on a two-hour delay, but then went into full-panic mode and switched the delay to a flat-out cancellation.  I got to stay home from school with Lady Ranger and the cats.  Had a nice fire going on the hearth, hot coco and lots of purrs from the felines.  Both Maddie and Ivy spent some serious time sniffing at the air coming in under the doors so Lady and I figured that we might take them outside (on their leashes) to explore.  Maddie is, after all, a Maine Coon Cat, born and bred to handle the winter in the great northern woods and Ivy, though a stray, is a veteran of the outdoors.  We harnessed them up and off we went!

I.  Am.  Not.  Happy.

Turns out that Maddie, who has previously not minded the snow at all, has turned into a Weather-Wimp.  She hopped up on the the brick wall and did her very best to avoid all patches of snow.  Took her about three minutes to decide to head back in to the warm kitchen and get her treats.  then it was off to the bed and the thermal blanket for a restorative, warm nap.

Ivy, who'd been watching out the screen door all the time, was next.  She trundled about the dry porch for a mo, and then, typical of a cat with outdoors experience, headed for the cover of our hawthorne bushes.  She sat under one, and took in the view:

She sat and looked about for a few minutes, then came out of the bush, toddled purposefully through the snow and made a beeline to the back door.  Once inside she went straight to her fleece-covered couch, had her treats and settled in for a restorative, warm nap. 

I think this has put the kibosh on any other intentional wanderings in the snow.  Anyway, both our girls are currently warm, well fed and napping.  What more could any of us want?

Oh, and it was 64 degrees yesterday, and it should be in the 50's today.  I think we've had our winter....

Same Sun,

Different Window.  Maddie and Ivy have been enjoying the recent temperate, sunny weather.  What's more, they've each found windows to enjoy it from.  Ivy has rediscovered her window by the printer:

Ivy loves to sit up here and let the sun warm her old bones.  Of course, in hot weather, the open window provides a breeze that can soothe a warm tummy.

On the other side of the house, Maddie has taken advantage of a couple of boxes we've been too lazy to break down. 

We'd set them up for Ivy, but Maddie is more interested in this side of the house.  At least, with the whole house betweent hem, they can't get a fussy with each other.

Not Cat Opera....

...but Opera Cat!  There we were, just sitting around of an evening, tooling about on the 'net and enjoying the sight of Ivy, sound asleep:

I'd been cruising Youtube and had found some concert footage of The Flower Duet from Lakme.  Now, I'm no opera maven, or even a casual fan, but this piece is wonderful.  I cued it up and LadyRanger and I were transported.  The interesting occurence, though, was that within seconds of the music starting up, Ivy kicked in with a purr.  Another clue to her old life, perhaps?  Or maybe she's just a cultured kitty.  Perhaps her late night yowls are her arias??

Anyway, if you're so inclined, here's the video.  Sumi Jo and Ah-Kyung Lee.  This might just be what heaven sounds like.  Ivy seems to think so.

Maddie's reaction?

Oooooooo!  Solo Meow!   What?