Noll's Heavy Heart

Our Nip Patch is an old patch.  And, we've been caught up in the care and demands of both humans and fur babies.

Uncle Keaks' thyroid condition had been treated successfully for sometime.  Last year, right before Christmas, the disease was winning.  With therapies - a liquid vitamin supply, chondroitin, baby food and lots of stinky goodness - we kept pace with the disease.

His little heart didn't.

For seven months we danced the dance.  He was loved, comforted and ate to his heart's content. 

Twenty-one years, he brought forth his sweetness and light.  Squeaker's little candle went out the morning of June 28, 2014.

We will always remember the day his little whiteness and light came to us.

Noll Presents Penny's "Stinky" Poem

Thoughts on a Stink Bug Duly Met!

 

A Poem of Renown

by Penelope Pinfeather

 

Stinky stink bug on the wall,

Come down closer,

Closer crawl.

 

A little closer.

Lower is all

I ask of you,

to lower crawl.

 

Below I sits

with open paws

Green eyes flickering,

flexing claws.

 

Stinky stink bug on the wall

Cats divine Patience over all!

 

We may not meet this very night,

Yet this I know is true:

 

I know of "You!"

 

So bide your time,

Stinky stink.

Live awhile on high.

 

 For soon,

soon will follow

from your safe corner hollow,

your downward journey nigh.

 

To meet Patience

wrapped in fur;

 

And a most purrfect

and excellent end!

 

The End

(of my poem & my muse formerly known as stinky stink)

 

 

Noll's Christmas Wishes

 

 

 

We wish you a "Merry Christmas!"

 

We wish you Health, Happiness and Love.

 

May your stocking be overflowing

with Kindness & Comfort

and STINKY GOODNESS!

 

May the Star - with a tail as long as a kite -

 guide you to all things good in the New Year.

 

Blessings to all from the Nip Patch.

 

 

And many thanks for your purrs for our little old man, Uncle Keaks.

He is feeling much better =^..^=

Noll Blogs for Peace

 

 

It's that time of year again.

 

Time to blog for PEACE.

 

Let this be the time that PEACE

 

Enters every corner of the earth.

 

 

Noll's Nip in the Air!

 

 

Brrrrr.....

According to the calendar, Autumn, has yet to arrive.

 

Let Moi just say,

Fall is definitely here!

 

Time for some morning blanket snuggling. 

 

Someone bring me breakie in bed!!!

Noll Finds a Penny!

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found a "Penny" tonight.

 

She was facing heads up.

 

So I tickled her tummy,

 

And picked her up.

 

Just like found treasure she was!

 

Too big for my pocket,

 

Impossible to spend.

 

So I kissed her 

 

and laid her back down.

 

She is a "Penny" for my thoughts:

 

I think I'll keep her!

 

 

 

 

 

Noll's Mancat-o-pause

 

Well, "Bust my buttons!" as I turn the corner into middle age, I have discovered some of my whiskers have changed color.  I have dark amongst the white!

And, in my furs, I have notice some wild, darker hairs sprouting here and there.  Especially on my stripey legs!

Bizarre!  Are my hormones in flux? 

Am I in "Mancat-o-pause?"

Any of my other mancat friends wake up to find strange things going on with their facial hair and/or furs?

Noll....Posterized

How's this for a pin up?

 

It's OK.

 

You can gaze "lovingly" into

my eyes for hours.

 

I won't blink ;)

 

 

Noll's Ode to Spring

 

 

 

 

 

Ah, Spring!

The air is sweet.

(Just like me.)

 

The birds they tweet.

(I "tweet" with my Twitter account)

 

The grass is green

A nipping I've been!

 

Time to take it all in

 

=^..^=

 

 

 

 

Noll's Rainy Day

 

The falling rain outside my window

taps a rhythm that matches each breath.

 

Such a slumbering day,

 

for cocooning.

 

Noll's Dirt

 

 

After a long, snowy winter,

Nothing quite compares

to a good roll in the dirt

recently rinsed

in April rain!

 

 

Unless, of course,

it's a good roll in the Nip!

That's a good thing no matter the season.

 

 

 

 

Roll Baby Roll!

 

=^..^=



Noll's Nip Nursery

My evening constitutional was brightened by the discovery of nip babies growing in heretofore uncharted soil!

The first wee delight was growing out of an old stump.  (My Own gardens as organically as possible!)  This old maple stump is used as a base for a flower pot. 

Lo and behold, a little seed must have been dropped, complete with avian fertilizer, in the most advantageous of spots.  Impeccable aim, Mr. Goldfinch!

 

Next, I found another wayfaring baby keeping the pink primrose company.  I am happy this little one is growing by my favorite snooping corner. 
The taxis bush holds such wonderful alien smells. 

It is here, I put on my Flehmen Response face =^..^=

One more reason to open my mouth and inhale deeply! 

 

 

 

Noll's Glimpse of Spring

 

 

The sun is shining.  It warms my fur.

 

Today, Spring is with us.

Besides Rascal's grave, the crocuses are blooming.  Bright colors amidst gray stone and brown earth.

 

Sunday, Winter returns. 

 

 

Noll Says "Until We Meet Again."

Eric's and Flynn's blog http://twodevoncats.blogspot.com/ was one of the first that we followed.  I loved to hear about their outdoor adventures

 over there is beautiful Devon, England.

 

Today, we learned that Eric has ventured past those verdant fields to Rainbow Bridge.  I am sure the Rainbow there just got a little brighter. Although, here, the world is dimmer.  Run free, orange and cream love. 

I hope when it is my time, you will be the first one to greet me.

 

Love,

 

Noll

 

graphic by Ann of Zoolarty

http://zoolatry.blogspot.com/

 



Noll Plays Hide & Seek

Hide me.

Seek Me.

Find and Keep me!

 

Peek-a-Boo Nollie,

knows how to play.

 

This purrfect game

on a cold winter's day.

 

=^..^=

 

Noll Celebrates Penny's Gotcha Day

One year ago today, us old boys were gifted with a wee little princess. 

 

Prin-cess.

She has taken over our kingdom.  Our domain.  Our mancave. 

Ladies first! 

She is first to the morning & evening stinky goodness.  Not by decree, but by sheer wiggling & jostling for position.  She excels at it!

The pink bed box is hers anytime she would desire it.  Not by decree, but by bugging the poor sod who might be nodding off within its soft, comfy surround.

Our cat tree.  Did I say "Our?"  Sorry, I misspoke. 

My catnip.  My premium "Noll's Nip!"  She has been introduced to the finest nip this side of the Mississip!  And she LIKES it!  When the nip napkins go down on the floor, she flits from napkin to napkin like a honeybee before settling on one. After you, your royal highness!

Oh, but she is cute. When she meows, she goes "Meh-meh" in the tiniest of voices.  Her calicoeness & tabbyness are sublime.  Pretty little kitteh.  She plays hide & seek with us.  She wrestles us like a flea on an elephant's....well.  She is tiny & we are big boys. She plays incessantly. There is every  manner of toy - laser, feather, mousie, ball - for her amusement!  And, she is often amused :) What a mouser she is.  In her first year of life, she has exceeded my thirteen years of mousing!  Everyday, we watch the birdies, the chipmunks and the red squirrels together. She attends Tiggy's twice daily insulin shots.  Nurse Penny!  Not because she "helps" or holds Tiggy's paw, but because she favors the chicken treats Tiggy receives. (She has them trained to give her Tiggy treats as well!) She follows My Own from room to room like a puppers-dog. Kissy. Kissy. Mommy's Penny-Poo-Poo. She walks on a leash just like Moi! 

 

Happy Gotcha Day Penelope Pinfeather.

We are glad you are here =^..^= (most of the time!)

Noll's Handsomeness Takes Us Into the New Year

 

Happy New Year

 

Here's to Another Year of Looking Great!

 

 

 

 

Noll's Napping is Contagious!

Seems imitation is the most sincere form of flattery! 

 Or is that "cattery?"

 

Anyways, here's is the little old man, tucked under the same blanket I frequent. 

 I caught him right before he succumbed to slumber. 

 

Happy napping Uncle Keaks =^..^=

Noll's Nap

 

I spent a lovely length of time out in the sunshine today.  The warm weather was both a surprise and a delight.  My furs lapped up the beams.  I sat beneath my purple plum so long I missed my afternoon nap.  So, I turned in early. I tucked myself under the soft blanket. "Night-night."

P.S.,  My Own loves my carmel-colored ears.  She kissed them as she turned out the lights.   

Noll's Photo Hunt

I captured Penny as she was about to

help herself to some chicken treats.

Doesn't Penny look like

the kitteh on the container?

 

 

 

I captured my cousin, Sephora,

about to let her catself *out-of-the-bag!*

 

 

 

I captured brother, Tiggy

 in a dreamy, lovey-dovey mood.

 

 

 

 

Noll on Penny's Leap

Stretch little one!  How forlorn your white mittens look reaching for the thistle sock, way up high. 

You are so low to the ground.

But, you are part grasshopper!  

In one upward bound, she managed to bridge the distance between ground and limb, latching onto the thistle sock.  She is a force, that Penelope Pinfeather.  Good thing that goldfinch had fast reflexes!

Noll Blogs 4 Peace

November 4th is Blogblast for Peace Day.  Created by Mimi Lenox, this day is dedicated to thinking about and promoting peace today, tomorrow & always.

Here is our Peace Globe for 2012.  Dona Nobis Pacem everyone!

 

Follow Mimi on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/BlogBlastForPeace/app_153284594738391#!/MimiLenox?fref=ts

 

 

Noll the Hunter

As My Own cleaned

our sand boxes and throw rugs, 

...and shampooed the bathroom carpet

 (OK, sometimes we gets turned around and

perch over the sides of our boxes),

I was busy cleaning up under my purple plum.

 

More and more holes appear,

Tunnels linking patches of herb and flower.

Signs of nibbling.

Smells like mischief.

I know what lurks nearby!

I have the patience to outwit.

 

When she came to check on me,

I surprised her with my prowess!

She asked me, "Is that the mousie that has

been chewing holes in the finches' thistle sock?"

 

Not that I asked.

I do not suffer interlopers

tunneling through my violets and catnip.

I just takes care of business.

 

She scooped me up,

proceeding to lavish me

 with chin skiritches,

and baby names.

 

Yes, I rock!

 

And now, I dine

on some flaked skipjack tuna:

My well earned reward.

=^..^=

 

Noll on the Hot Seat

Noll on Penny's "Snowball"

 

She recently brushed Uncle Keaks. 

There was quite a bit of furs:

Pure as the driven snow!

So she fashioned it into a furs snowball,

That was as white as Penny's mittens!

 

=^..^=

Noll on Change

Change is, they say, inevitable. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

When change walks hand in hand with aging, the bad claws at the good.  

In a matter of days, we watched Uncle Keaks wither.  One moment robust.  The next, shrinking in body and spirit.  In the same short span of time, Tiggy started fading like a shadow falling into dusk.

The Nip Patch became a Geriatrics Ward.

Many trips to the vet.  Repeated blood work.  Needles and insulin for Tiggy.  Pink pills crushed and liquefied, syringed into Uncle Keaks.  Medications twice a day.  All in an attempt to stave off what appeared to be the inevitable; to bend change to our will.

We walked along side this new reality for many weeks.  The way of progress painfully slow. The guilt of not truly seeing the bad changes sooner bubbling up.  We asked for your purrs. And you sent them. You have our gratitude.

One day at a time, the healing increased.  Tiggy, lame in the hind legs with a raging blood sugar, began to walk on his toes again.  His muscles grew strong.  Once again, jumping was possible.  Last month, he ran and chased Penelope for the first time!

Tiggy is wrestling again.  Of course, he still loses to Moi.  But in the ring with Penelope, our little sister, he triumphs.

The grand patriarch, Uncles Keaks, is back to plowing through his food. His thyroid is under control. He has gained back two pounds.  In less than a month, the medication will cease.  He plays, purrs, walks in the garden. His yellow eyes glow.  His mancatliness untarnished!



 
We embrace this good change and hold it, ever so tight. 

Noll's Easter Greetings

Happy Easter from Noll's Nip

=^..^=

Noll's Purrs Request

It appears old age has finally caught up with Uncle Keaks.  Our nineteen year-old patriarch has been lethargic for the past week refusing all manner of stinky goodness.  Only Cat Sip, a little Fancy Feast gravy and a couple syringes of cod liver oil have passed his lips.  Most unlike him.

Squeaker, July 2011

My Own took him to the vet this afternoon.  He is in for observation.  Please send purrs his way.

Noll's Tree for Two

First, I had to share

my "Hello Kitty" plate with Penelope Poo-Poo.

Now I find, I must share

 my purple plum tree with Big Bird.

Will this sharing thing NEVER end?

Noll Finds a Little Nipper in the Nip Patch

Talk about a birthday surprise! 

Look what arrived

on My Own's 54th

day of birth.....

A handful of kitteh!

She landed in my Nip Patch.

With me, unawares...

I will not share.....I do not care,

 if she is cute.

She eyes my chair.

Plays with my toys!

She's too much bounce for us old boys.

Did I mention

She was served stinky goodness

 on my "Hello Kitty" plate?

There she goes again,

putting on her 'lovey' look.

Getting all comfy.

"Chirping" like a bird.

She's a calico with tabby colors.

My Own coos....

"She has touches of burnt sienna,

and streaks of sepia on her cheeks"

(Oh bother!)

She runs like the wind!

There is no surface

she hasn't tried to scale.

Narrow window ledges, rails.

She has sharp teeth

and razor-like nails!

I HAVE felt them on my tail!!!!

Penelope Pinfeather is her given name.

Already, she has nicknames:

Princess P.

Little Miss Henny-Pen.

Min-Pen.

Sweetie Face.

 Penny Poo-Poo.

Penny Poo-Poo...Now, THAT name fits ;)

Noll Has His Cake...

It's Sunday.

A day of rest.

The sun is shining.

We have homemade chocolate cake

with rainbow sprinkles.

Did I mention we have cake?

Noll on Nipping Etiquette

Apparently, there are conventional rules of social behavior

 where nipping is concerned.

Who? Knew?

Purrsonally, I believe this is all disinformation. 

However, I have been commissioned to write about nipping etiquette;

to enlighten efurryone

and (hopefully) ameliorate my bad manners. 

Right!

My Own says Tiggy always displays absolute decorum and disposition

regarding the proper enjoyment of Noll's Nip. 

Here we see Tiggy, gentleman mancat,

poised neatly on the edge of his nip napkin. 

 "The edge." 

Neatly. On.The.Edge! 

No fuss, no muss.

Note, how Tiggy fully enjoys his treat without making a mess of things,

or losing his self control. 

****Nipping Etiquette****

Rule #1:  Keeps your nip napkin neat.

Rule #2:  Keeps your feet under control.

Rule#3:  Keeps to the edges.

Rule#4:  Keeps your nip ON.THE.NAPKIN.



And THIS is what a failure

to abide by the rules of Nipping Etiquette looks like!

Should one forget the four aforementioned rules,

politely & contritely & immediately

exhibit remorse.

THIS is the proper stance to undertake following a

breaching of nipping etiquette:

=^..^=

(Of course, I prefer such an "exhibition" to rules!)

Noll on Charity

Once a year, the closets are turned inside out;

the wardrobe and stacking trays too. 

 It is an interesting time. 

We hears funny comments like,

"The cleaners shrunk my clothes." 

  I especially like to climb into the spaces

 created by this annual, end-of-the-year ritual. 

You can always count on Uncle Keaks

 to do quirky things;

Like a square dance

in a rectangular pine wardrobe.

Three times round, and out he goes!

My Own & her family

might make the donation decisions,

however, my role in this endeavor

 is the most importantest!

I console the gently-loved clothes.  

I snuggle under them, giving comfort.

I rest my Nollie head

upon them one last time. 

Before they are packed up and spirited away

 to a place known as "Goodwill,"I impart a hair or two for remembrance.

Then, I gently pat each one and whisper: 

"There, there, you will find a new home."