StrangeRanger

Rainy Day Activities

It was a dark, rainy day yesterday.  The ocupants of Chez-Ranger were an exclusively in-doors set.  The activities we tok part in?  Simple.  Naps, grazing upon the intenet and bathing.

Maddie settled into her papasan, favored perch of kitties grand and wee, and set about making herself presentable.

Honestly, the way she went at herself, you'd think the Mayor was coming to dinner.  We've reported, in some graphic detail a few posts ago, that this is the season of falling fur.  Maddie, being a fastidious cat, has worked diligently to keep herself neat and, I'm guessing, to soothe the itch that comes with a new coat growing in.  She does, though, obsess on a couple of patches by her tail and really works them over.  The result?  Feline Pattern Baldness:

You should have seen the dirty look she shot me when I asked if there'd been a Sphinx in the woodpile somewhere in her lineage.

These pics are two weeks old and the patches are growing back.  Maybe that means that less fur is growing in, thus less fur is falling out.  Our poor, overstressed vacuum will be pleased to hear that.  And Maddie will be delighted to be back to her full, furry, glory.

 

An Even Dozen

Maddie turned twelve yesterday!  An even dozen of years.  We've only had her for eleven of them, but she's adapted to our strange ways admirably.  Of course, we slaughtered the sacrificial deli-turkey and served it up.  Also picked up a blue door-knob mouse with flashing eyes and realistic (?) squeaky-sound which seemed to be appreciated.  I think the best present, though, was our arranging for the sun to shine on the back of the couch to make her napping more comfortable.

Oh yeah, I like this gift!

You can give me this gift again next year, too!

Another thing Maddie loves is getting brushed.  Really loves it.  She will drop whatever she's doing and come running as soon as she hears me sit on the living room floor.  It pleases her *and* makes me feel good about life.  Win-Win!

We hope you had a good birthday, Maddie.  We're happy you were born.

Wow. Just...Wow.

Had a most(ly) lovely night last night.  LadyRanger and I had a culinary adventure and made Shrimp Etouffe!  It was wonderful.  And yes, as the recipe calls for, we made our own shrimp stock and creole seasoning.

Yes, I know...the tower of rice seems a bit...odd...but I was trying to recreate the effect from the Cajun Catfish Company, the Memphis restaurant that served me my first etouffe.  The proportions of the professional rice tower were much more aesthetic.  If you're ever in Memphis, eat at this spot.  Divine. 

Our home made version was as delicious as could be, and the humans were enraptured.  Try this.  Though there are lots of moving parts each is simple.

The only wrench in the works of the evening was poor Maddie.  She'd seemed to be entirely herself, as seen in this picture:

When suddenly she hopped up and horked up the *most massive* hairball I have *ever* seen.  Longer than a sausage link and at least twice as thick.  Smelled really bad, too.  And this is after frequent brushie sessions...I guess it it really the season of falling fur.  She seems to be pretty much her usual self, though a bit wrung-out and tired, but who could blame her?

Pic taken just this morning, moments ago.  I hope she doesn't have to go through that again.  I keep telling her that if she'd only let me brush her tummy she wouldn't have to worry about things like this, but the tummy is a no-go-zone. <sigh>

 

Catching up

The first several weeks of school are always an adjustment for me.  I go from the (relative) ease of the summer to the hectic life of the classroom.  I know that not all eyes shall weep for me, but it does take me a bit to get into full swing, and my 50 year old knees are *not* making it any easier.  The transition has made cat-documentation (and the resultant blogging) a bit difficult.  I do, however, have a few new pics for you.

Here's Maddie basking in the sun-puddle looking like nothing so much as a great, furry mountain range rising from the fertile plains of a hardwood floor:

In the far distance, you can see the furry tipped summit only to be approached by the hardiest of adventurers.

Highlight of the previous week for the humans?  Getting our new dishwasher rack.  The old one had rusted into non-existence in a few spots, so we shelled out the $$$ and got a new one.  And we are old and responsible enough to think it's *really cool*.  The highlight for the cat? 

The box.  As if you didn't know....

 
Hmmm...what new wizardry is this??
Cover me!  I'm going in!!!  (note:  I learned that cats are not as good at going backwards and they are at going forwards)

Once Maddie had reoriented the box, things seemed much more to her liking.

Cozy yet spacious....kinda split-level....nice flooring, none of that awful '70's shag....easy access to major highways and in a good school zone....I wonder what the owners are asking for it...

I could even have a skylight put in.  I think I'll make an offer!  Get my agent on the phone!

I think she'll enjoy the new place.  At least 'til she sits on it and flattens it.