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Sun. 31 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
I've just heard that our friend the 'custard lady' is going to rescue another cat, so that's really good news, particularly for that lucky cat! I hope she remembers to mention what she told me about there being no calories in custard eaten straight from the pot, that was a really useful piece of information. Came in handy today too, as one of the folks made a trifle, which naturally means custard in the pot. They left it to cool off again, which is when I make my move, and I do so love custard when it's still warm. I'd had at least six good licks before I got caught, which is well worth being shouted at. There are only three things I'll risk a telling off for, and that's custard, cream and prawns!
Sat. 30 March 2002 ~ by George
I came my closest yet to actually catching one of next door's pigeons today, it was that close. No, closer than that, it was this close! The daft thing flew down onto the ground under where our folks hang their secret nut store (the one that always gets raided by those sneaky sparrows), which was only feet away from where I was crouched in the grass. It was pecking away with it's back to me, so I managed to crawl round behind the weed-border without being seen, and then I pounced. It was a brilliant pounce too, but the pigeon heard me at the last second and made a flap for it. I was within a whisker, honestly, next time... I celebrated my almost-victory with a particularly satisfying roll in the muck!
Fri. 29 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
What a fantastic day today was, easily the warmest of the year so far. I stretched out on the garden bench after breakfast watching the seagulls high up in the sky, (best place for them I say), the smell of freshly cut grass wafting over from next door, and the sound of... George throwing up! He'd been eating grass, but unlike me he swallows whole blades of grass, not just bite size bits. As a consequence, he generally chucks the whole lot up a few minutes later. What gets me is that he seems so proud of it. He was going on about these birds he'd seen on telly last night, who protected themselves by projectile vomiting at their enemies. He thought they were really 'cool' and reckoned his little performance was easily as good as theirs. Honestly George I said, is there no beginning to your talents?
Thur. 28 March 2002 ~ by George
The folks topped up the pond water today, which means I got to play the 'grass snake game'. Of course I know it's a hosepipe really, but games wouldn't be games without a little imagination, (and luckily I've got one of those). I chased it for a bit, pounced on it a few times, then sat on it while the pond filled up. I tried to spot our tadpoles, but they were hiding. There were a few frogs sunbathing in the grass bank, (waiting for me to play 'plop goes the frog' with them I expect, but I fooled them today and didn't bother.) And then guess what, I spotted the first newt of the year! I like newts, they're very smart, almost as smart as me. You have to be quick to spot them though, they nip up to the surface of the water, suck in a bug, and nip back down again, all in the blink of an eye! They're probably why the water level was low, Gemini says they drink a lot.
Wed. 27 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
I have apologised to George for not being around to write the diary yesterday, but I had a better offer, and I thought he could cope, (wrong!) I said to him, we're supposed to keep notes each day, so we don't forget, and do you know what he said? 'Where am I supposed to keep a pen and paper, I don't have pockets!' Fair point I suppose. I would have explained to him about making mental notes, but that would have been asking for trouble. What was my better offer? Oh yes, well it was my old mate Poppy Kitten (I must stop calling her that), I spotted her lounging in a lovely little sun trap in her garden, and decided to join her and catch up on a little 'girly gossip'. I stayed longer than usual, due to the fact that she has different food to us, and there was plenty spare for guests!
Tues. 26 March 2002 ~ by George
Oh dear, this is a lesson in why we shouldn't leave it days before we update our diary, I can't for the life of me remember what we did on Tuesday. Not that I should have to remember as it goes, because strictly speaking it's Gemini's turn, but she's nowhere to be seen. Scarpered I think you might say. Anyhow, Tuesday, hmmm, now lets see, we must have done something interesting, surely. I know we had some cheese, but that won't make the papers. I can just imagine it, 'hey come here, you've got to read this, Gemini and George had some cheese today, don't they lead such exciting lives!' Not likely. Did it snow maybe? Nah. Did I catch any mice? Definitely not. Maybe it was just a leap year, and we leapt right over Tuesday, yep, that must be it.
Mon. 25 March 2002 ~ by George
It's around this time of year that I start seriously rolling in the muck. I don't do it so much in the winter, mainly because I like to roll in warm muck! It's a bit like having a dust-bath, if you know what I mean. I'm lucky being mainly white, because all the dirt shows up much better on me that Gemini. Our folks, one in particular, always moans at me for doing this, and grabs the brush out of the cupboard to give me a good going over. I don't think they realise, one of the reasons why I roll in muck in the first place is that I like the brushing bit that often follows. I love it the most when they brush really hard, especially when I'm in the kitchen, because the floor's smooth and I slide along it when they brush! Then they pull me back and brush again, and off I slide again, superb fun!
Sun. 24 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
Ah yes, the perfect Sunday. Sunshine on the patio, stretching out on the bench catching the rays, watching the folks do all the work! They decided to have a bit of a clear out in the pond, now that the frog spawn has all 'hatched' (it gets a bit overgrown when it's left alone for a few weeks). They laid the excess weed alongside the pond to let all the tiny water bugs get back in the water, so my job was to nose through it for anything interesting. Another spot of sunbathing, after which me and George had a three course dinner! Our starter was a prawn each, plus the juice from where they've defrosted, followed by a second starter (yes, two starters, that's very posh you know), of half a seafood stick each, then for main course we had regular cat food, (well you can't have everything). We even got prime position for a nap on the freshly changed duvet after that, so as I say, pretty much a perfect Sunday. Not hard to please, us cats.
Sat. 23 March 2002 ~ by George
Well you could have knocked me down with a feather this morning, I went out to the pond to have a frog spawn snack, and it had gone! All of it, totally gone. I thought I was at the wrong pond for a moment, or in the wrong garden, or in a parallel universe, but no, it had completely disappeared. Thankfully Gemini explained, the black dots had turned into tadpoles and swam off into the weed, and the fish had eaten all the left over jelly. Oh right, charming, they could have saved me some, couldn't they? Selfish things, fish. That puts and end to my frog spawn diaries then really, well that's unless the folks can get a good photo of one of our tadpoles. They haven't succeeded yet though, tadpoles are secretive sorts, don't like a lot of publicity, bit camera shy. You can hardly blame them though, I mean they're not very photogenic, unlike me!
Fri. 22 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
I had a bit of an 'exotic' food day today. There was the usual stuff at mealtimes of course, but with some unusual bits in between, (sometimes I think the in between bits are better than the meals). This morning I was in the right place at the right time, i.e. down by the pond when one of the folks came to feed the fish. I love those little pellets the fish have, they just melt in your mouth, and if I ask nicely, they always give me a few. Tonight was my favourite though, I got to lick the plates when the folks had a take-away curry, dee-licious! Vegetable Biriani it was, yummy scrummy in my tummy! Given the choice I would have preferred something with prawns in, (just a small hint for next time). Or, do they do a fish pellet flavour curry? That would be truly exotic!
Thur. 21 March 2002 ~ by George
We had our intruder in again last night, the one who sprays up our swingbin (please note Gemini, eating frog spawn can hardly be described as disgusting in comparison to doing that!). I'm sure the culprit is that 'new cat' Gemini's been getting so matey with, although I haven't got proof yet. But never fear, Inspector George is working on the case, and Inspector George always gets his man! (or in this case his cat). What really annoyed me this time was not just that he'd sprayed up our bin, but he managed to spray all over my Wiggly Waggler too, what a cheek! (In case anyone's wondering, my Wiggly Waggler is my best toy, or at least it was, but now it smells of, well, you know.) Since my best toy is now recovering from it's ordeal, I had to resort to pulling the used tea bags out over the kitchen floor and playing with them instead.
Wed. 20 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
Sometimes when it's a bit cold, I do garden patrol from the kitchen window. It's not as effective, but at least I keep warm and still know what's going on outside. The best time to do this, is days like today when the folks have used the cooker and then put the lid down over it while it's still warm. I can stretch out over the cooker lid with a lovely warm belly, and survey our territory. I watch a bit, then doze a bit, then watch some more. I don't think people realise quite how much goes on out in their gardens, keeping tabs on that is always left to us cats it seems. The thing is, it takes real staying power to be able to lay staring out of windows as long as cats can, it's a skill, one that I practise often for hours on end. Practise makes perfect, just like me!
Tues. 19 March 2002 ~ by George
Have you ever noticed that sometimes things happen that humans see as disasters, which us cats see as exciting opportunities. One very such thing happened today. As far as our folks were concerned, the flood of water that came from under the sink and went all inside the cupboards and over the floor was something of a disaster. It meant however, that they had to take the base bits of the cupboards out, to mop it all up, thus creating a perfectly cat-sized gap underneath. Geronimo! In we go! I squeezed in first of course (Gemini took a little longer due to her 'fat fur') and had a good nosey round. There weren't any mice unfortunately, only a few little spiders, but on the plus side, it was lovely and mucky, and as you know, rolling in the muck is one of my favourite things. Gemini's face was covered in cobwebs after, so I licked them off for her, what a hero I am!
Mon. 18 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
There's this gang of pigeons who live down the road from us, racing pigeons they are, and today they started practicing their flying techniques (probably for their next race). Me and George sat out on the bench watching them go round, and round, and round again. George wanted to know who they race against, and why, but I didn't know the answer to that. I'll have to ask Marmaduke Cat when I see him next, he's bound to know. Then, get this, George suddenly asked me if I wanted to know what they did when they won a race. I stupidly thought he actually knew something useful that I didn't, so I said go on, tell me. They do a 'flap of honour' he said, and fell about laughing! In case you're wondering, yes that was his idea of a joke. Thank goodness the folks came back tonight, I don't think I could have stood much more of that.
Sun. 17 March 2002 ~ by George
I'm getting a bit bored with this being in charge thing, I mean when we're left in charge, what exactly are we in charge of? I mean we've always been in charge of the garden, and the house come to that, so what's new? There's no folks here to be in charge of, so that just leaves the frogs. Yes, that must be it, we're in charge of the frogs. In that case here's the latest photo (frog spawn diary part four). As you can see, the black bits inside are getting bigger. Gemini says those bits turn into frogs, but then she's got a wild imagination sometimes, (she's been living with me for too long!)
Sat. 16 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
If George can get away with writing hardly anything for his diary, then I think I'll jolly well do the same, and join him out in the sun. It's a bit quiet without the folks I must say, but next-door lady is doing her best to fill in. Not only did she give us a huge breakfast, but we got treats too. Our folks better watch out, if they stay away too long, I might move in next door!
Fri. 15 March 2002 ~ by George
Right then. When the folks are away, the cats will play! And they needn't think I'm sitting indoors writing diaries while they're off enjoying themselves, oh no. The sun's shining, and I'm off to check out the frog spawn situation. Ha, see, I'm quite the little rebel aren't I? I like this being in charge lark.
Thur. 14 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
The folks got their 'big bags' out today, which we know form experience means that they're going off somewhere. We've got used to this over the years, although it sometimes means we get shipped off to the cattery, which I'll never entirely understand or enjoy. I don't see why they can't take us with them for a start, I mean we are experienced travellers after all. Having said that, I still prefer home to anywhere, so it was a great relief when they said their farewells and left us here to look after the place (you can't beat a couple of good guard-cats.) George panicked of course, said we'd starve because we haven't worked out how to open the cat-food cupboard. I know the score though, and sure enough 'next-door lady' came in at tea time to do the honours, (it's only fair, after all we are the security patrol for their garden as well as ours). The folks could learn a thing or two from 'next-door lady', she feeds us twice as much as they do!
Wed. 13 March 2002 ~ by George
I had a bit of an indoor day today, as outside had decided to have my two least favourite weathers, wind and rain. I don't like rain and wind much either, and they were out there too. Unfortunately for the folks I had a lot of energy to use up (where does it all come from?), so I was a bit of a nuisance one way and another. I know it's hard to believe of me, but excess energy does funny things to a cat. I tried the carpet ripping thing (I read on our Forum about another cat who ripped up carpets, and it sounded like fun), but I got told off for that. Then I had a 'scrabbling in the bath' session (which I'm allowed to do as long as no-one else is in it), and finished off by attacking the ten-armed green-leaf monster on the office windowsill (which I can't knock over now, since some sneaky human put blu-tac under it's bottom). Nope, still had energy left, only one thing for it, watch out Gemini, here I come...
Tues. 12 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
It was my turn to help in the office this morning, and I was jolly glad I did too. We had some more photos through from one of the rescue centres, of cats to go on our Top Cats page, and they had the cats smells all over them! This doesn't happen too often, as most centres have their own techno-cats who send the photos by email, so getting them in the post is a real treat for me. I checked each one out before it went on the page, it's almost like meeting them, so I made sure to rub my smell on them, for when they get sent back. After that I had a go at George's 'magic drawer' trick. It didn't go quite to plan this time, as one of the folks decided to interfere (they thought I was stuck, me? as if!) so when I pushed the bottom drawer out, they had their fingers in between the two drawers, and well, I think you know what's coming. Well it wasn't my fault, honest!
Mon. 11 March 2002 ~ by George
The folks have been getting our garage in order recently, and I think today was the final phase. It was probably the most exciting phase for me, as it involved lots of old cardboard boxes. What I hadn't realised until today was that there were even more boxes inside other boxes inside the first boxes, and inside those were some of the biggest spiders I've ever seen. They soon turned into some of the biggest spiders I've ever chased, finally becoming some of the biggest spiders I've ever eaten! I wonder why they don't make spider flavour cat food? Or frog spawn flavour come to that. Someone's definitely missing a good marketing opportunity with those two. They could put 'as eaten by the famous Big Bad George' on the label, or would that be too silly?
Sun. 10 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
I've just seen yesterday's disgusting photo of George eating the frog spawn, and would like to apologise to everyone who reads this diary, (and we know there are at least three of you!) I hope it didn't put anyone off their dinner. It nearly did me, but I've quite a strong stomach thankfully. It's obviously not very filling stuff though, because when the folks gave us a few of their prawns today, George nipped in while I was busy chewing, and nicked one out of my bowl! I have to give him full marks for his cheek, (I'd have done the same given the chance). Still, I managed to get my own back later, by hoovering up half his biscuits while he wasn't looking. Well, he can't go stealing my prawns and expect to get away with it, I've got my reputation to think of!
Sat. 9 March 2002 ~ by George
Here we are then, part three of my frog spawn diary, and what a lick-tastic day it's been. The sun came out this morning, which makes the spawn sort of warmish on the top, which improves it's flavour no end. Gemini reckons I shouldn't eat too much of it, in case it upsets my tummy (very delicately put, but what she really meant was it might make me puke up all over the place!), also she's worried that if I eat it all, we won't get frogs next year. Honestly though, there's so much of it, the bits in my tummy won't make much difference! Here's me having my mid-morning frog spawn snack!
Fri. 8 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
My friend New Cat (I haven't found out his name yet) came round to play today. Or at least he tried to come round to play. One of the folks was eating their breakfast out on our garden bench, which is something he hadn't bargained for. He leapt up onto the fence from the other side, froze when he saw them and promptly leapt back down again! Hhhhm, maybe he's a scaredy cat, in which case he might not be worthy of being my friend after all, (I know George is a bit of a scaredy cat, but that's different, he's family!). Later on, the dreaded lawn mower came out for the first time this year, I do hate that thing, so awfully noisy. I like the raking and sweeping bit that comes after though, I'm good at supervising that bit. I haven't found a pile of grass yet that is brave enough to step out of line while I'm guarding it.
Thur. 7 March 2002 ~ by George
I spent some of today helping out in the office. My parallel cat was there, in his parallel office (the one through the mirror), so we gave each other a friendly headbutt and sat on our office sofas admiring each other for a while, (he's got a sofa just like ours, amazing isn't it?). I helped out with re-arranging some paperwork on the desk, but I don't know why I bother really, the folks always re-arrange it back where it was before I started. I had a fantastic scratch and stretch session on the landing. I don't know if other cats do this, but it's one of my favourite excercises. I stretch out full length on the carpet, then dig my front claws into it and pull myself along. I can pull myself right across the landing in about three stretches, it's a sort of cat-yoga thing!
Wed. 6 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
There's been a new cat hanging around our road for about a week or so. I wasn't sure of him at first, so I chased him off a few times. Tonight though, I was out on patrol and he was there, so I was impressed that I hadn't frightened him off. He's tabby and white, and not very old, about two I'd guess. Anyhow, George was staying in (too cold for him, he said) so I decided to give 'New Cat' a chance, and it turns out he's OK. He likes a chase, knows when to keep his claws in, understands that I'm the boss, and doesn't spray up our bushes, so he's alright as far as I can see. The folks had gone out, and me and New Cat were still chasing round our tree when they came back, so we ran and hid under next door's car. I hope they didn't see us, I wouldn't want them thinking I'd invited another cat round. I mean they might feed him! They might feed him some of my food! Friendship's one thing, but food is quite another.
Tues. 5 March 2002 ~ by George
I think I've discovered where our mice live. I caught two of them last Friday, so I just know there's more where they came from. There's this hole at the side of the path in our front garden, and I'm sure it's bigger than it's ever been before. It's certainly big enough for mice to get in, unfortunately it's not big enough for me to get in. I can get my snout down inside as far up as my eyes, or my front paw and half my leg, so I'm ready when they are. I spent most of this afternoon waiting by the hole ready to pounce, but nothing appeared. I'm no quitter though, so if the mice are reading this, don't think you're safe! I would have liked mouse for tea, but we got a new kind of cat food instead, which was almost as good. No ears though, you never get ears in cat food, shame really.
Mon. 4 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
Since Cheese Sandwich Man put the new cupboard in our kitchen, our battered old sideboard has been 'relegated' to the garage. This move has prompted our folks into action, to finally put the garage into some sort of order. Over the years, it's gradually been filled with heaps of relegated stuff, empty boxes, rusty paint tins, bike tyres, and just simply rubbish! It's a fantastic playground for me and George though, so they better not sort it out too well. So today was excellent fun, I went and helped with the sorting out, supervising the empty boxes mainly. Well, they might not be completely empty for a start, there could be something worth saving,chasing, or eating in there, who knows? As it turned out I found several things worth chasing and eating, spiders! There were some huge ones too, deee-licious! (much tastier than George's frog spawn)
Sun. 3 March 2002 ~ by George
I know some of you rather liked our photo diary of the pond last week, so I've decided to keep you up to date with the frog spawn progress this year, (that's unless I eat it all, we'll see how it goes). There's tons of it now, and our frogs are still making more of it every day. I ate some of it this morning, and the folks caught me in the act, and have put the picture on my page! Gemini still says it's disgusting stuff and she wouln't eat it even if there were prawns inside! Anyway, here's part two of our frogspawn diaries, (I picked this close up photo, because it looked the most delicious!)
Sat. 2 March 2002 ~ by Gemini
I'd just got used to having unfinished bits of kitchen cupboard all over the place, with all its extra places to sit on or hide in, then today Cheese Sandwich Man comes back and sorts it all out! I shan't complain though, he's put the work surface just where the morning sun comes in, and there's plenty of room on it for me to stretch out on. Maybe the folks had it put in just for me to sunbathe on, yes I'm sure that's what it's for, how very thoughtful! Now that the weather's warmer, George has started to comes out on boundary patrol with me, (he wimps out when it's cold, he's such a lightweight). We must look quite a formidable security force when we patrol together, I've seen cats twice our size turn tail and retreat at the sight of us, even the Ginger Thug thought better of coming into the garden today. He was halfway through the hole in our fence, saw me and George there and went into high speed reverse!
Fri. 1 March 2002 ~ by George
I am the greatest! I am the greatest! I couldn't wait to do this diary, it's been such a brilliant day. No, not just the day, it was me who was brilliant! Guess what I caught? A mouse? Oh come on, this is Big Bad George we're talking about here, no, I caught two mice! The first one was before breakfast, so I ate that straight away and only left a bit of it's 'insides' for the folks to find, (they don't eat mice I've discovered, so it's pointless saving them any of the tasty bits). Then this afternoon, I caught another one, easy peasy, I'm so clever I amaze even myself. This time I thought I'd take it indoors to entertain the folks for a bit, so I carried it into the living room and chased it round the settee! I thought they'd be delighted but they weren't. They tried to catch it, but I was too quick for them, I grabbed it and they chased me outside. Well it was my mouse, and if they want one, they'll have to jolly well catch their own.
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