Weekend Open Thread

It’s another Caturday, and our conversation cat for the weekend comes from reader James D., who writes:

This is my sweet, now 10-year-old Dottie. She has been featured a couple times on Cutetropolis and happens to be a bit pudgy. When she chooses to rest on the tiniest of scratching pads, the effect is humorously exaggerated.

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”Maybe a little less tuna would be a good New Meow’s resolution …”

(Actually, she does in fact enjoy a gentle rub of the tummy! A treat for us both!)

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”…then again, it’s all-the-more forbidden tummy to taunt my owner with.”
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42 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread

  1. Amyliz January 11, 2020 / 8:41 am

    Dottie is lovely, what a sweetheart! Experiencing our first major snowfall of the winter today. I have to admit that my Christmas tree is still up! I took off the ornaments but left the lights on; I have a touch of s.a.d. and I need the light therapy this time of year!

  2. AJ January 11, 2020 / 9:47 am

    Such a beautiful kitty. And she’s not pudgy, she’s rubenesque. That tummy is very tempting, I’d want to blow gentle raspberries into all that foof.

    Trying not to catch the bug that’s going around and it may be futile, starting to feel a little under the weather today but I’ll try some tea with honey. That seems to cure most anything. Can’t be sick, got too much going on this weekend. Basketball watch party followed by cheering on my hockey team today. And maybe a thrift store or two. Then off to the farmers market tomorrow. Plus try to clean and do some projects around the house. Time to get the water for tea started and put my rear in gear. Toodles all!

  3. N. Fritz January 11, 2020 / 11:03 am

    My plans fell through today (oh, darn…) so I am following two sled dog races online and writing postcards and in my diary. can’t say I’m heart-broken at this development!

    Dottie reminds me a little of my Echo. Echo wasn’t as fluffy or (ahem) pudgy, but she did have similar markings!

  4. allein 🐾 January 11, 2020 / 11:14 am

    Happy Caturday, everyone. Dottie’s not fat, she’s floofy.

    Going to see Little Women this afternoon. Not much else going on.

    • dubravkamcvmd January 11, 2020 / 12:28 pm

      I saw Little Women last weekend with a friend and neither of us saw what the big feminist difference was. Curious what you think.

  5. Duckie 🐥 January 11, 2020 / 11:31 am

    It’s Saturday!
    Miserable wet slushy weather, BUT hubby’s not out in it.
    After several tries, we have concluded that Duckie will be staying with his friends at my neighbour’s. There’s no point in all the unnecessary stress, for all of us. I’m ok with that.
    Freaking cold week coming up. I plan to stay indoors and play with fabric.
    Job change for hubby. Current boss has withheld raise and benefits because she expects him to be too loyal to the company to ask for benefits. I won’t go into detail, but there’s gonna be legal services involved.
    Tomorrow is a snow day, and I’m doing homemade shepherd’s pie.
    Have a great weekend, everyone.

    • allein 🐾 January 11, 2020 / 11:40 am

      I don’t understand the mindset that says an employee should be loyal to a company that gives them nothing.

      Sorry Duckie won’t come home after all 🙁

    • AJ January 11, 2020 / 12:10 pm

      I haz a sad about not getting your namesake back. Thank goodness for visitations. And boo hiss to your hubby’s boss, tell her that Christmas is over and being a Scrooge is not in season any more. My hubby’s gone thru that himself with company expecting him to wear a gazillion hats but not give him any support or a raise or a title reflecting his varied duties PLUS his superior taking a lot of the credit. Well left that job, got a better one with a $20K raise AND his previous supervisor has been found out to be a lazy bum so they asked (hypothetically of course) that if previous boss is fired, would he be interested in coming back to run the place. Ain’t karma a b?? Hope all works out for your hubby Duckie.

    • Tara January 11, 2020 / 3:48 pm

      Sorry about Duckie, Duckie. Playing with fabric sounds wonderful!

    • Kar January 11, 2020 / 5:54 pm

      Ummm. No. Even if it was my family business, I would expect them to suck it up and pay for my benefits. Definitely check with your legal resources.

      Loyalty goes both ways.

    • debg January 11, 2020 / 2:04 pm

      That unicorn is a jerk. Hilarious.

  6. SoccerSue January 11, 2020 / 11:53 am

    I love Dottie’s tummy floof, and I’m getting in line behind AJ to give it gentle raspberries! Torties are so beautiful.

    We’ve recently clued into the fact that our cat, Lahara, has become almost completely deaf. Should have realized something was up when she didn’t react much to the NYE fireworks, but I thought she had just become more mellow as she’s gotten older. Anyway, we’re now finding other ways to communicate with her (kitty sign language, haha!) and planning for the fact that when she goes out in the summer now, it’ll have to be on a harness and leash. That should be interesting.

    Heading to my mom’s today to help her with a couple of projects, and then making sure we’re prepared for what will either be snowmageddon, the big freeze, or possibly both in the upcoming week here in the Pacific NW. Luckily I’m getting my Jeep back from repair today so I’ll be able to get to work and back, and we had propane delivered last week so we can run our generator if we lose power.

    Duckie, I’m sorry you couldn’t get your namesake back, but glad you’ll still be able to visit.

  7. Jan B. January 11, 2020 / 12:04 pm

    Happy new year, everyone! I have a lazy day of napping, doodling, napping, reading, napping… you get the picture. I await with fingers crossed the snow that they’ve promised for next week; hopefully I’ll get a free day out of it!

    I didn’t get this uploaded in time for last week’s thread, but here’s Lily already bored with the new year. I got her a new toy though, so she’s bouncier today.
    2020-01-04 11 16 52

    • Faye January 11, 2020 / 3:28 pm

      Lily is so languid.

    • Tara January 11, 2020 / 3:37 pm

      What a beauty queen!

    • Kar January 11, 2020 / 5:56 pm

      She’s a little possessive. Lucky you.

  8. allein 🐾 January 11, 2020 / 1:44 pm

    How do I be this relaxed?

    “This was SUPPOSED to be a swimming lesson for this husky. “

  9. debg January 11, 2020 / 2:16 pm

    Dottie is beautiful. And a pudgy cat offers a little more to love!

    Duckie, sorry about your bird news. Hopefully hubby’s job situation will lead to happier times for you.

    Soccersue, I’d like to know more about kitty sign language.

    Jan, Lily’s beauty never ceases to amaze me.

    Last week–the first 5-day work week in a while–was kinda rough, so I’m relaxing with an online color theory class and some spinning experiments. I’d like to jump right in to the online dyeing classes I’ve found, but next week and weekend involve a lot of upheaveal, so that must wait.

    Wednesday: crummy old refrigerator going away (with a rebate for me!) and electrician coming to see why my basement kitchen light doesn’t work
    Friday: installation of new exterior door and the last four windows on the first floor. I have to move lots of stuff around and corral frightened kitties. It will not be the best day off ever.
    Saturday: installation of new soffits, fascia, gutters, and downspouts.

    Unfortunately, my employers do not count MLK Day as a paid holiday; that would have been really convenient for next weekend. Fortunately, they do appreciate me and say it not just in words but in a nice pay raise. They’re also contributing shipping costs to Australia for an employee joey pouch charity drive. Our shop manager is putting it together, so that people can knit, crochet, or sew pouches. Duckie’s and AJ’s stories remind me that I’m lucky to do a job I love at a place I enjoy.

    Hugs to you all! Stay safe from the weather and stay healthy.

    • SoccerSue January 11, 2020 / 4:45 pm

      Deb G- I’m really just making stuff up as I go along. Using a big “come here” sweep of my arm when I want her to come to me, then bending down and moving my hand in front of her to lead her to where I want her to go (with varying degrees of success- she is a cat, after all. I’ve been following it with treats so she’ll have some motivation). Waving my arms to get her attention (we’re going to try blowing a whistle, since she seems to still be able to hear some high frequencies). And trying to remember to stomp on the floor when we come into a room. I’ve scared her a couple of times when I thought she knew I was behind her.

  10. allein 🐾 January 11, 2020 / 2:33 pm

    Just seen on facebook (but can’t find image to link):

    anonymous said:
    My cousin and her wife just got 3 kittens name Spoon, Fork, and Knife and when I asked my cousin’s wife why, she grinned and said “They’re Catlery.” 🍴😸🥄

    • Faye January 11, 2020 / 3:17 pm

      Hahahahaha.

  11. Faye January 11, 2020 / 3:27 pm

    Late to the party today because… I turn 68 today. Slept very late. Then napped!

    Items have begun to arrive for my art studio: first a big dog gate so that both room door are open and accessible to Millie and I but she can’t roam the house. This way she can join me at will.

    90% of others’ items are out. I removed curtains to let in the beautiful light. Finalized a floor plan! Now waiting for tax refund for drafting chair, tv, ac, dog bed. Very excited.

    I would be smooshing my face into Dottie’s belly if she lets.

    • Tara January 11, 2020 / 3:39 pm

      Happy Birthday Faye!

    • N. Fritz January 11, 2020 / 3:55 pm

      Happy birthday, Faye!!

    • dubravkamcvmd January 11, 2020 / 4:17 pm

      Happy Birthday! I’m staring down 70 on the 18th. Very grim.

    • Jan B. January 11, 2020 / 4:27 pm

      Happy birthday! I just turned 55, so not feeling too grim yet! 🤗

    • Duckie 🐥 January 11, 2020 / 4:36 pm

      Happy birthday, Faye!

    • Debg January 11, 2020 / 7:02 pm

      Happy day, Faye! Kisses to sweet Millie too.

    • Kar January 11, 2020 / 9:01 pm

      Happy Birthday!!!

      I hope that this is an amazing year for you!

    • fkaWaldenPond January 11, 2020 / 9:05 pm

      Happy Birthday Faye! May this year be all about letting the beautiful light in!

    • AJ January 11, 2020 / 9:55 pm

      Many happy returns and may this be your best year ever!

    • allein 🐾 January 11, 2020 / 10:03 pm

      Happy birthday Faye!!!! 🎂

    • Emsthemonster January 12, 2020 / 2:08 pm

      Happy Birthday, Faye!

    • Faye January 12, 2020 / 6:34 pm

      Thank you everyone!

  12. Tara January 11, 2020 / 3:47 pm

    Hi All,
    I’m back on the east coast where it is weirdly warm today. Mid 60’s in Philly! Had errands to run on bicycle and even though I tried to dress appropriately, came home a sweaty mess.

    Boy howdy, Dottie is gorgeous! Pudge and all.

    I’m spending the weekend trying to get over what ever the little illness is that I came down with in CA. I don’t usually get sick, but I’m not surprised since I’ve been peddle to the metal since the beginning of December. I just hope I did not leave the germs in my dad’s house. He is so susceptible to anything. I’m trying to clean and prep for the spring. This means put away Christmas decorations – do SOMETHING about my un-usable studio (at the moment anyway), and prep for the two spring classes I’m teaching.

    Happy weekend all!

  13. Laura January 11, 2020 / 4:38 pm

    Hi, all. Dottie is lovely, chubbiness and all! I am very partial to torties, having been wel trained by my Emily. Tortitude is hilarious!

    We have discovered that Yoofi’s hyperactivity is caused by anxiety. After the scratch she got a week ago at the dog park that split her skin open on her back about an inch in diameter (greyhound skin being really thin and stretched really tight), once it scabbed over the vet said we could put Melody’s old Thundershirt on her — and virtually instantly, she became a calmer, well-behaved girl! So she is happily wearing the shirt, and we are very happy that she is happy. It’s a remarkable change!

    Duckie, I’m sorry you can’t keep Duckie, but at least you have visitation Rights. I hope that helps. And I won’t bore you with the stories of bad bosses in my hubby’s and my pasts, but karma can work very quickly and effectively. Good luck with the legal steps! And be patient — that’s mandatory when dealing with the law!

    Otherwise, it’s a quiet week. I’ve been reading and knitting. Everybody and your furry family members, have a great week, okay?

  14. Puddleglum January 11, 2020 / 6:25 pm

    Happy new year everybody (is anyone else having trouble wrapping their minds around this whole 2020 thing?)! I finally managed to get my Christmas stuff down today, and then to repel the impending “blah” after all the sparkly was gone, I re-arranged all the living room furniture. It’s nice. Cricket is snoring on my feet, David Bowie’s on the radio, I’ve got a nice glass of wine going and I just might finish reading “The Silmarillion” today for the very first time (sob). I’m a happy camper. Happy weekend to all…

  15. taofeld January 11, 2020 / 8:16 pm

    Dottie thanks you all for the flattering comments, but is mortified that I submitted these pictures without her permission in the first place:

    • fkaWaldenPond January 11, 2020 / 9:06 pm

      Ahhh don’t be shy pretty Dottie, you deserve the attention!

    • Faye January 11, 2020 / 10:44 pm

      Awwww. Nice belly.

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