Ophelia the Cat Listens to the Sea

Yesterday while I was out running errands with Elise I stopped by the store to grab some dog food. While there I perused the cat toy section, looking for something that might entice our lazy cat Ophelia. She is so lazy that she spends all day every day on our bed. Her activities include moving from the foot to the head of the bed or running to the basement to eat and/or go to the bathroom. I have been trying to find new ways to engage Ophelia, but she will have none of it. So there I was shaking cat shaker things, rubbing my fingers across cardboard cat scratchers, waving little cat wands---then it hit me, it's all a total scam. I set down the weird wand thing that had, no joke, torn pieces of cardboard, fuzzy faux fur and string and I decided to make some weird thing to dangle in front of Ophelia's face all on my own.

The I had a stroke of brilliance, we set the bar for brilliance fairly low, and I decided to include Cordelia in the project.



I gathered supplies: yarn, a piece of mystery PVC. The PVC piece has no known use, but Eric and I are pretty sure that the moment we toss it the house will flood and the only solution will be the random pipe thingy. Anyway, I decided to employ the pipe as our cat wand. I had Cordelia practice tying knots. Some of the yarn we frayed. I balled up another piece of yarn, it was all very simple and took about 20 minutes (19 of those minutes were 4 year old knot tying minutes).



Then, my second stroke of brilliance hit. I made it Cordelia's chore to go in and play with Ophelia three times a day. I hoped this would help Cordelia to learn to control her wild movements around our ancient cat. I handed Cordelia the cat wand, gave her instructions on how to engage a cat in play. I also revisited the usual rules like don't run at her, move slowly and calmly, pet her from head to tail not the other way, etc. They were off. Cordelia was delighted when lazy Ophelia casually swept her paw at the string, encouraged I left the two to bond.





A short while later Cordelia came downstairs and breathlessly said to Eric and I, "I tried to read Ophelia a book, but she didn't seem interested. She just looked at the closet." We laughed and explained to her that cats don't care about books. She wasn't discouraged. She already had a new idea and was running up for round two before we could finish our explanation.

A short while later she came down and proudly announced that Ophelia was listening to the ocean...as in Cordelia was holding a seashell up to Ophelia's ear.





We also later learned that she had put a crown on Ophelia and played her some guitar.

Long Suffering, Mostly Lazy

Last night Cordelia took "care" of Ophelia. Look at that cranky cat face. When I walked in on this scene my initial thought was to feel sympathy for Ophelia, this kind of encounter happens pretty much every day. Then I realized she could just walk away, instead that cat is so lazy she would rather have a four year old tuck my running socks under her head. She was covered in pillows, but beneath those pillows were toys (hard and soft variety), blanket, clothes, and a Ninja Turtle. Cordelia told me that it was all stuff Ophelia needs. 

So, I didn't really help Ophelia out of her predicament. Instead I just took the four year old out of the equation. I looked back at that cat and I swear I heard her whisper (in Roseanne's voice, that is what I think her voice would sound like if she were human),"You will be sorry you left me here."

And I was. A short while later as both girls were drifting off to sleep Ophelia started in on her loud meowing, waking the girls up. She gave me a triumphal look as she shimmed off to her food bowl. She also "accidentally" missed the litter box. She opted to poop one inch from the box. I am sure she was smug about it too!

Then, at an unholy hour she paraded through the house meowing and, I am pretty sure, she said,"next time you won't leave me covered in toys!" And I won't.

Don't worry, by the time the sun was up all was forgiven and she was comfortably snuggled up against my feet. She was exhausted from her mischief and will spend the next 900 hours sleeping on the bed.

Strep and a Cat

Well, I told you I'd turned a corner yesterday. Then I hit publish on my post and my fever skyrocketed in one milisecond, or whatever. Anyway, I had to face facts. I was five days into a fever over 100F and it was time to bite the bullet and get some help. I went in and a throat swab was done. The nurse was impressed with my medical history ( I got to teach her about Meckel's diverticulum) and the doctor was impressed with tell tale white pustules in my throat.....yep. I have strep.

When I left the doctor Eric, who had been starting to feel ill went right in and got a test. Strep. Since Cordelia is on meds for her recent bouts of sinus infection and bronchitis she was in the clear and we're keeping our fingers crossed for Elise.

Anyway, the meds are starting to kick in. While I still feel like I am running at 60% I am much improved and the best part is that there is no fever!!!!

So, let's take this opportunity to check in with our elusive cat Ophelia.







I hope to be back in blogging form tomorrow!

I will no longer be contagious later today! Weeeeeee!

Scenes From Lately

I have several odds and ends photos that haven't made their way into a blog yet. I am constantly taking photos and often thinking blogging thoughts as I do. These are a few photos that have been taken recently, but didn't make it into a blog all their own. Today is their moment to shine.

Napping Bumblebee

Bumblebee finds the weirdest places to snooze. Sometimes she'll wedge herself between the computer cabinet and the couch, other times she'll spread out across the center of the floor on her back with her toes pointed. Recently she decided that she would stick her head under the credenza. She had been eyeballing me as I was cooking dinner. I am not sure why because I [almost] never give her food whilst I am cooking.

Spring Storm

This is a photo from one of our recent spring snowstorms. I was inside, warm and cozy, looking out as the wind was blowing sideways. I love how blue it was outside. Just beautiful.

Ophelia in a Box

What is a move without Ophelia stealing a box? She loves to sleep in boxes. It's kind of her thing. She will go bolting through the house, making Bumblebee whine nervously, and then dive into her box. If you begin to wonder just which box she has laid claim to you need only take a look at the thick layer of cat hair in the bottom.

After Spring Storm

Finally, here is a photo from just after another recent spring storm. Our spring storm trend is one day of mild to moderate blizzarding followed by 50+ degree weather. This photo was taken on a warm day after the storm. The snow had yet to melt, but the shadow of this tree, thick with buds, looked so beautiful creeping across the white ground that I had to get a photo.

How to Endlessly Entertain Two Cats and a Basset Hound

Ophelia (far left) and Mia (right) on alert for any Sergei sightings

I previously blogged about the little mouse who likes to scoot around our patio. We named him Sergei. Anyway, we hadn't seen Sergei for a while and we were wondering if he had moved on. We were wrong. A few days ago Sergei decided to taunt all of the critters in my house. Mia and Ophelia took up position by the sliding glass doors to watch the show.

Sergei speeding by.

Sergei began taunting the animals from a distance, speeding by like a little lighting bolt of mousey fury.

Bumblebee watching from a safe distance

Bumblebee became interested, mostly in the activities of the cats, but the cats were a bit too intense for Bumblebee to feel comfortable enough to approach the window. She took up her post on the couch where she could watch the cats and see Sergei zoom by. Mia would tap the window each time Sergei ran by and Bumblebee would whine.

Ophelia and Bumblebee, heads in motion as Sergei makes a pass by

After enough time had passed Bumblebee decided she could take a front seat to the action. Sergei even made an approach to the window, directly in front of the audience. I think their little cat and dog brains nearly exploded from excitement.

Sergei hanging out in the corner. Yes, I know I need to sweep my patio.

Finally it grew too dark to watch the animals watch Sergei. We closed the blinds, but Ophelia has been on watch ever since.

Saturday Morning is...

Saturday morning is waking up at 6:38 even though I vowed to sleep in until 8. Eric manages to sleep in until 9! Bumblebee whines and runs in circles as I wander to the light switch. She waits for the first morning cuddle which is the best way to start any day. If you have never sat crossed legged on the floor while a basset hound tries to sit on your lap (she is huge and it is ridiculous), then you, my friend, are missing out.

Saturday morning is the first rays of lavender morning light peeking through the blinds.

Saturday morning is the light hitting the tree tops as it rises over the city buildings. Wrapping myself up in a jacket, hoping not to run into a neighbor because I am pretty sure I have a little sleep in my eyes, while waiting for Bumblebee to do her morning duties (doodies). You can thank me later for not photographing that.


Saturday morning is Bumblebee falling asleep on the couch after a trip outside and a good breakfast. Mission accomplished.


Saturday morning is Mia taking up her new perch under the lamp. Meowing for food as I pass by.

Saturday morning is Ophelia demanding that I adore her. I do.

Saturday morning is orange juice. I love orange juice. For some reason my whole day feels incomplete if I don't start it off with a good cup of OJ.


Saturday morning is a big breakfast after Eric wakes up. I make scrambled tofu, half of a cinnamon raisin english muffin, two slices of soy bacon and some kiwi.

Saturday morning is coffee in the big mug.

Saturday morning is italicizing my words because it feels like the thing to do.

One Cat Two Souls: Ophelia vs. Angela

We adopted Ophelia before Eric and I were married. I was volunteering at a no-kill animal shelter in Portales, NM . While in the cat room she would approach me, reach up my leg and meow until I would pick her up. Once in my arms she would roll on her back and let me carry her like an infant. She would use her little kitty paws to pull my face to her, jealous if I gave attention to another.


Poor Eric didn't know what he was getting into when he told me that I could pursue his landlady and see if she would let him have a pet. I couldn't have one as I was living in the dorms (a cold chill runs down my spine as I recall the horrors of dorm living). So, I relentlessly pursued his landlady and was able to charm her into letting Eric adopt sweet Miss Ophelia.

When Eric picked her up I was not able to go with him. He picked me up from work that day and she was in her carrier. I pulled her out and immediately submitted to her eternal dark powers. That first evening we got the first taste of the two sides of this cat. She has dual personalities and we have learned to accept it.



Let me explain. There is Ophelia, also known as Loaf. She is fat, greedy, demanding, rude, cranky, and generally unpleasant. She will hiss if you enter her personal bubble. She can alpha roll Bumblebee. She eats all of the food. She flops her jelly rolls wherever she pleases and lets us know when we can or cannot approach.

Then there is the other personality; we call her Angela. She comes to us in the night with a gentle meow, a little kitty kiss, and endless purring. She loves and wants to sit in your lap, she affectionately grooms her sister Mia. She will tolerate Bumblebee. She coos and cuddles, rolls and plays like a kitten.


So, naturally we were initially a bit disturbed by these sudden shifts in personality. We never know which cat we would be dealt. Over the years we have learned to quickly react to whichever cat we are dealing with. Should we back off or dive in? Both Ophelia and Angela have their charms and too much of either has us missing the other personality. Will we be loved or snubbed? Maybe we are gluttons for punishment, but I suppose that is really the best part of this adoption, we received a two-for-one at the shelter.