Tall Tails

Hello there.  Smitty here.  

My mom told me to be sure and wish you a Happy Labor Day.  She says she read that Labor Day is the "official" end of summer, even if it isn't technically the end of summer.  I hope not because I've been having fun outside.  There is a LOT for a cat to do around here.  For instance, I need to keep the catnip swatted free of bumblebees.  My mom keeps telling me I'm flirting with disaster.

It's true that I am a flirt.

This is my frenemy, Gracie.  I flirt with her all the time.  She growls at me, but I don't mind. That's what frenemies are for, right?

She's getting used to me though.  Sometimes she'll even sit on the same patch of ground with me.

I like it when she comes out because she knows all the BAD THINGS that could hurt a little cat like me.  When she's on alert, I'm on alert.

And when there's nothing there, I stick out my tongue and say, "Neh, Neh, Neh!  Fooled ya'!"

Maybe that's part of the reason she doesn't like me.  But I'm still working on her.  I think she's real pretty, and I tell her so all the time.

  

Last night, she sat in my Mom's lap with me.  These iPad pictures of us are very flattering, don't you think?  

She gets mad when I bite her tail though.  She says a cat's tail is their most personal appendage.

And speaking of tails...I have a serious problem with mine.  It follows me everywhere.  No matter where I go, there it is.  Every time I turn around it's there.

I've tried chasing it and biting it.  It just doesn't get the message.

Even when I run away as fast as I can, it follows.

I mean, what's a cat to do?  Maybe that's how Gracie feels about me.  I do follow her around wherever she goes.  And sometimes I just can't help myself...I have to bite her tail.  Isn't that what she wants me to do?  Who wants that thing following them around everywhere they go.

Yes, there's lots to do outside.  I've been catching mice like crazy.  I caught two yesterday alone.  A few days ago, I caught a bird.  My mom says I should leave the birds alone, and she definitely won't let me bring anything in the house.  I'm not sure why she doesn't like the gifts I bring her.  There's no accounting for some people's tastes.

Sometimes she goes down in her greenhouse to pick tomatoes, but I don't like it in there.  I whine and cry when she goes in there.  I just want her to come back out.  Yesterday, I stayed up on the deck with my protective shield between me and the greenhouse.  A cat can't be too careful.

It's a lot more fun to just stay in the weeds and catch bugs.  And did you know?  Bugs are absolutely dee-licious.  I like mine with a little nip on the side.

And do you see that big weed there next to my tail?  That's a sunflower that a squirrel planted.  My dad says he wants me to catch squirrels, but for now, they're as big as I am! Maybe next summer I'll go after the bigger game.

For now, I'm just going to keep on smelling the flowers.

I hope you're having a relaxing weekend.  As far as I'm concerned, summer can stay as long as it likes.