Isn't she a beauty? Snowball stopped by the other day for a snack and a snuggle. Chuck was in the middle of hanging a mirror and couldn't stop so she made do with me. After eating half a bag of treats and snuggling with me for 10 seconds she was on her way.
It has been an up and down week weather-wise. Some days it does feel like Spring. other days not so much.
I thought this Starling looked like he was step dancing!
Chuck finished the Master Bathroom and we are quite pleased how it turned out. We lucked out with our new mirror. We visited our local hardware store thinking we would have to place an order for the mirror and wait a few weeks but when we got there we had a surprise. The kitchen and bath guy said he had just received the mirror we wanted from the company to use in a bathroom display. He told us to take it as it would save him from having to hang it! It ended up being about half the price of what we expected so another bonus.
So home it came with us and was put up. So nice to have a mirror again after a few weeks without one. We just couldn't decide which one we wanted.
The farm that this barn is on is up for sale. This is the first time in the 31 (on and off )years we have lived here we have seen this. Whenever we have driven by I haven't seen anyone in the barns. Yesterday when we drove by the barn door was open and someone appeared to be cleaning out the barn. Aaahhh, you know where I wanted to be!
This little house below has been deteriorating for all the time we have lived here too. Up until a couple years ago it was still lived in.
This morning's sky. We are to get a mix of snow and rain overnight. Phooo, March is going out like a lion!
Yesterday afternoon Miss Kitty came in to visit for awhile. She is always very good except if there is noise. She panics if the radio is on or the dishwasher. I was reading and Chuck was upstairs listening to music with his headphones on so she was happy to stay in. After a bit Sweet Pea and Punkin came by for a snack. Usually Sweet Pea comes in but I didn't think it was a good idea to have both of them inside at once. Sweet Pea loves everyone but I still am not sure of Miss Kitty. She sat and watched them have their snack then asked to go out. Everyone said hello to each other and off they went. From what I have seen of Punkin, Sweet Pea must now be fixed as Punkin wouldn't tolerate another unfixed male around him.
Chuck is heading back to work full-time next Monday for approx. 4 1/2 months. We both have mixed feelings about this, great money but being contract he has no time off and no benefits. But it seems many companies are working this way now.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Robin
Gee, Snowball had it rough, having to "make do" with you instead of Chuck. :-D
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right about Sweet Pea being fixed!
I wonder what treasures were in that old barn. Anything horse-related? That's what I'd love!
Nice capture of the birds, as always, especially the cardinal. They're such striking birds. I think I'd have to go to Lemoine Point to get any bird snapshots. Maybe when Dad is here. Though it probably will be pretty mucky. (And when does tick season start?)
I'd be pretty fed up of it all where I in Chuck's shoes too. He could make decent $ as a "sub-hub," as I heard it put the other day. A substitute hubby, i.e. handyman. LOL.
Hi Kim, Snowball did not stick around long once she saw Chuck wasn't around! She visited again yesterday and as soon as she saw Chuck she charged right over to him.
DeleteChuck said he would look everyday as he is driving to work to see if they put anything out in a freebie pile at the old barn.
It would be lovely if you and your Dad got to Lemoine Point.Wear your rubber boots, you would be fine. I wouldn't think tick season would be started yet.
Chuck is pretty fed up with the work situation. This contract would probably be the last. I know he could make good money as a sub-hub. A few ladies in our neighbourhood asked me if I would lend him out! As a handyman I mean! ��
Stay warm today Kim!
It is so sweet how the neighborhood kitties come visit you! It would be very interesting to peek around in the old barn, wouldn't it? I found a small old fashioned rake out in our woods the other day. The wood handle had partially rotted, but the metal teeth were in perfect shape. Trying to decide on something fun to do with that part!
ReplyDeleteHi Marcie, I do love the neighbourhood kitties coming to visit but sometimes they all come at once. Yesterday no one came all morning and then within 15 minutes they all came. We had to shush Snowball out the front door as she and Miss Kitty do not get along.
DeleteYou just never know what you will find in the woods. When we lived in Nova Scotia I found an old bench. We used it on our deck there and then when we moved back to Ontario it came with us. It lasted about ten more years before finally falling apart.
Love to see what you do with the rake!
Have a good day!
I'll try to remember to post when the rake becomes something other than a artifact! :D
DeleteHello, love the cute kitties. Your sky shot is beautiful. Wonderful variety of birds, the cardinal is a favorite. It seems like companies no longer want to pay for any benefits. I hope the pay makes up for the loss. Have a happy day!
ReplyDeleteHi Eileen, glad you enjoyed the photos. I do love the Cardinals too although I do have a tough time getting clear photos, they move so quickly!
DeleteChuck I believe receives a dollar an hour more than the other electricians but it nowhere near makes up for the benefits the others receive. Companies do anything to save a few dollars!
Have a nice day!
Gorgeous photos! I am curious about your in-and-out cats...do you TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) any of them? And what is your secret on getting them to come inside? I invite our 'O' Cats inside all of the time; the most I've been able to get is a quick in and out again in 3 seconds. Any tips are welcome, thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, the only cat I am 100% sure is a stray is Punkin and a Smokey (a newbie). Punkin I can pet on the head and Smokey I can't get near. The others all appear to be fixed with a number of them being owned. I know you are frustrated not being able to get your two inside. I do like you do and feed them on our back deck. Miss Kitty took the longest. I just talked to her and fed her treats. Not having any cats of our own there is no threat in our house. Snowball and Sweet Pea just sailed into the house as they are someone's pet. Miss Kitty is crashed in her basket as I type this!
DeleteEnjoy your day!
Beautiful kitties. Our neigbour kitty Ollie has figured out that I'm working from home most days now - and he comes by for some food and cat nip regularily. Normally I don't let in the house (Rupert doesn't like him). But Rupert was upstairs sleeping, so I held the door to see what Ollie would do. He sauntered right in like he owned the place! He ran out when Dave came around the corner and spooked him though.
ReplyDeleteContract work is tough. And sadly more and more companies are doing it. My job is permanent, but I've had several recruiters contact me lately. The pay is more, but they are all contract positions, and I just can't take the chance.
Hi Valerie, isn't it funny how sociable some cats are! Glad Ollie is coming to visit you. Miss a Kitty is a little hesitant when Chuck is around too. She mostly comes during the day when he is at work but yesterday she went right over to him and rubbed up against his leg.
DeleteChuck had been fully retired and was at home for a year but his old boss kept phoning offering him the contracts. Chuck enjoyed the work so has taken a few contracts. But it isn't fun going almost five months with no vacation time and heaven forbid you get sick, you lose pay. We are debt-free with two pensions so Chuck's working days are coming to an end shortly!
Take care.
I'd be in that barn too, if I could! I'll bet there's some neat treasures in there :)
ReplyDeleteLoved hearing the latest about the kitties. I love how you describe their personalities.
I hope you have a great weekend!
rue
Hi Rue, it was killing me to drive by that barn! What could be in there???? My Mum and I stumbled upon a Garage Sale way out in the country where the man stated " Just have a look in the barn and if you see something we will work out a price". Chuck and I were just visiting my parents in Ontario from Nova Scotia but that didn't stop me. Mum and I came out with a couple boxes each. I slipped a few things in my carry-on to take back to Nova Scotia and left the rest stored at my parent's until we moved back a year later. Crazy, I know!
DeleteGlad you enjoy my stories about the cats.
Have a great weekend too!
You do have some cute kitty cats that come by for a visit. Are they strays or locals who have homes, but like visiting with you? That old barn looks like a grand place to visit. There's probably some very interesting things tucked away in there. It's been more than a decade since I took early retirement, so I am really curious about contract jobs. What kind of work? Are employees laid off and then rehired as contract employees?
ReplyDelete"Are employees laid off and then rehired as contract employees?"
DeleteHmmmm... You don't know the "why" of no benefits, contract employees? Interesting. Perhaps you will read my comment, below. It will fill you in.
Gentle hugs,
Luna Crone
Hi Robin, I think most of the cats are owned with Punkin and Smokey being strays. According to a neighbour Punkin has been in the neighbourhood for years. I believe others are feeding them too.
DeleteChuck is an electrician working on a Royal Canadian Air Force Base. The full time permanent electricians are retiring (and sadly in two cases dying) and being replaced with contract electricians. No benefits, no vacation or sick days but receiving a dollar an hour more than the permanent electricians. Thankfully we don't need the money so are not dependent on this kind of job. Chuck has a few injuries from his time in the military that makes his job choices rather slim.
Take care Robin!
So are these kitties, strays? Or do they have homes, and just are outdoor cats? It certainly sounds good, that one of them has been neutered! It is so sad, to have un-neutered cats running around, making more unwanted kitties. -sigh-
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!!!!
So sad to see homes deteriorating....
Companies using contract employees, thus avoiding having to pay OBAMA CARE insurance. Yes Ma'am! That's life... :-(((((( Until Congress will write a good replacement.
Come on Congress!!! Get off your duffs. You have had years, to do this. Bahhh-humbug...
Hi Luna, I believe most of the kitties are neutered as most of them are owned.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the photos!
I always wonder why homes are just let go. Someone must own them!
Being Canadian our health care is paid for. Thankfully we have drug plans, etc from Chuck's 31 years in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Enjoy your weekend!
Hello Robin, I am so glad that the work on the master bathroom is done. I'll bet it is wonderful! I absolutely love your photos here, birds, spectacular scenery and beautiful cats! I have had cats all my life, my first one when I was 6 years old (I am 60 now), and they do not like noise! I don't, either, as I am a HSP (highly sensitive person), so I totally understand them. Your posts always bring me sunshine, so thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I too am glad the bathroom work is done. Chuck updated three of the baths with the fourth not requiring any updates.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed the photos. I do so love taking them!
I had my first cat at 5 and always had one up until 2 1/2 years ago. Our last cat Sam died way too young and it just broke my heart. I don't know if we ever will have another cat again.
Thanks for your kind words about my posts. I know my grammar and punctuation isn't perfect but that's me!
Take care!
all the kitties are so pretty, glad you got a few me times with snowball. the whole world of work has changed drastically. I am so glad we are both retired but do feel bad for the ones who are still working. I would be lost without the bathroom mirror.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandra, the kitties are all beautiful. Poor Punkin is rather beat-up looking being a tom.
DeleteYou are so right, the working world has changed so drastically. My Mum and Dad both stayed in the same job with the same employer for 30+ years. My siblings have changed their jobs so many times I have lost count. Chuck did stay in the same job for 31 years as the pension would be very good.
It wasn't too bad without the bathroom mirror, we have a few more bathrooms? ;)
Have a good day!
a trout N tuna filled thurzday greetin two ewe snowball, punkin, sweet pea & miss kitty...hope thiz day findz everee one doin sooooper grate N we hope yur week oh end iz total lee awesum az well :) N joy snax, cuddle time & hope full lee good weatherz ☺☺♥♥
ReplyDeleteHi Trout Towne! All the kitties had a good day with lots of snuggles and food. The weather today isn't very good so Miss Kitty is here with me snuggled down in her basket. The weekend is supposed to be warmer.
DeleteHave a good one!
Looks like all of the kitties have you pegged :)
ReplyDeleteThey sure do! Must be some kitty grapevine that let's them know where there is a soft touch.
DeleteTake care.
Snowball is beautiful. So kind of her to make do with you; she must have really suffered. I want to be in that barn, too!
ReplyDeleteHi Mitchel, Snowball is a beauty! She definitely prefers Chuck. I took some photos yesterday of the two of them, I will share them next post.
DeleteI laid awake last night thinking about that barn! Can you imagine what is in there???
We have a friend that lives out in the country with a few large sheds and barns that have been in his family for a couple generations. I am trying to get up the nerve to ask for a peek around. I was in one of them a couple years ago. It was filled with old tools. I was bending down to look at something when a HUGE snake slithered out. I was out of there pretty quickly!
I would go back with rubber boots on!
Have a good weekend!
Are these all stray cats?
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
Hi Briony, no they are not all stray cats. Just a couple males. We live right on the edge of town with many farms around so I imagine some may be coming from there. Many of the neighbours have cats and as it is a very quiet, not busy neighbourhood I guess they feel safe letting their cats roam. Not something I would do.
DeleteTake care!
Snowball is a cutie, as are the other cats. Most cats I have seen are! Really enjoyed this post...love the barn. And the bird pics...isn't it amazing just how beautiful a starling is when you really look?
ReplyDeleteHi Rose, all the kitties are adorable, even poor old battered Punkin. As you say I don't think I have seen a cat that isn't!
DeleteStarlings are very interesting looking, love the yellow speckles.
I thought of you when I included the barn photo. You have many spectacular barns in your area.
I hope you and Roger enjoy your weekend!
Snowball IS a beauty! Oh those EYES!
ReplyDeleteHi Dee, Snowball is quite the beauty! I believe she is a Maine Coon. She is humongous! So sweet and loving, I don't understand her owners letting her out to roam though. Once the weather gets better and neighbours are out in their yards I plan on asking around to find out who owns her.
DeleteHave a good day!
You had a stroke of luck with the mirror! You also have great luck winning the confidence of the various cats that come around.
ReplyDeleteApril is almost here and we're all wondering if the weather will finally settle into spring mode! We actually hit 15 degrees today.
Hi Granny Marigold, we did luck out with the mirror! Once we finally decided which one we wanted I wasn't looking forward to waiting for a few weeks for it to come in. We prefer using local businesses instead of the big box stores so we're willing to wait.
DeleteCats seem to trust me pretty quickly, I don't know why! Chuck has been called a "Cat Whisperer" on occasion. They seem to flock to him.
We heard you are finally enjoying Spring-like weather, that's wonderful.
Enjoy your balmy temperatures!
Oh my, Snowball is beautiful!! How sweet! Your photos always make me so happy! I have purchased a few (second-hand) bird-feeding items to clean up and go in my garden space at Jason's. I am so thrilled that springtime is really here! I hope you have an awesome weekend! xo Lynn
ReplyDeleteHi Lynn, Snowball is a stunner isn't she? I hope you post the new to you bird feeding items you have. Would love to see them!
DeleteHave a good weekend too!
I really really want a cat like Snowball! Poppy says if I outlive him, I can have all the cats I want. :) Your pictures are amazing. Your luck finding the perfect mirror, and reduced, doesn't happen often.
ReplyDeleteSorry Henny, see below.
DeleteHi Henny Penny, Chuck says the same thing! I know I would have a few!
ReplyDeleteWe were lucky to find the mirror, I had expected to wait awhile!
Take care and have a good weekend!
Cats are such fun to photograph. I surely do miss my house kitty, but Hubby says cats belong in the barn where they can hunt for mice. :~) We have three of those and a new stray that roams around looking for a home. ~~~~ Enjoy the mirror!
ReplyDeleteHi Chip Butter, cats are wonderful to photograph, no vanity just their natural beauty.
DeleteWe did luck out with the mirror didn't we?
Have a good weekend!
Yes, Snowball is a beauty. How funny that she prefers Chuck. The starling does look like he's dancing. :) I enjoy your bird pictures.
ReplyDeleteWhat happy luck you had with the mirror!
Hi Annie Bear, Chuck seems to be a magnet for cats. He loves it though!
DeleteI am glad you enjoy my bird photos.
Enjoy your weekend!
Snowball is such a beauty. 🐱 But I love all cats and in their unique ways they are all special and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI hope things work out well for your husband's work.
Have a wonderful week.🌞💟🌼
Hi Geraldine, Snowball is a beauty that's for sure.
DeleteTime will tell how well Chuck's new job works out!
Have a good week.