Weekend Open Thread

We’re having open thread on the patio today, because reader N. Fritz is introducing us to a new friend who leads a life of danger.

This is Ramses. His human is my bf’s sister. Ramses shows up in our garden sometimes, and now that Mutz (rhymes with “puts”) is no longer a rival, we try to make him feel welcome. Shortly after this photo was taken, a neighbor reported that Ramses darted across the busy street in front of our house and “may” have been hit by a car. We’ve all spent a couple of nervous days until this afternoon, when my bf’s sister reported that Ramses was alive and well. Phew!

A cat with orange fur and white patches on its belly stands on an outdoor platform among clay pots
What! I’m fine, chill.
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15 thoughts on “Weekend Open Thread

  1. AJ March 28, 2026 / 8:39 am

    Oh Ramses, you handsome boy, stop giving your humans heart failure. Hopefully he stays away from busy roads in the future. Remember you only have nine lives, and may have used one up wth this adventure.

    Semi groggy this morning. Since about 4:30ish am, I had a silly bird tweeting constantly outside my window which made sleeping difficult. Now that I’m up, they’ve decided to stop. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Thanks, I guess?? Time for some tea, to help get me motivated. Breakfast and haircut this morning, then finally a chance to check out the newest library store which is across the street from my stylist. Every time I got my hair cut, I wanted to go but always had something else to do afterwards. And with the store being on the other side of the city from me, it would mean a special trip so I’ve been just waiting. Now the dang bird is back at it. Don’t ya know it’s still dark?! Go back to bed! Tomorrow is who knows, I’ll figure it out after grocery shopping. Oh, if you get a chance to see the movie, Project Hail Mary, go. I was originally skeptical but it turned out to be a pretty decent movie. I won’t spoil things but they made some interesting (in a good way) choices on the alien’s look and speech. I found it less sci fi, but still involving science, and more of a buddy/friendship movie. If anyone remembers the movie Enemy Mine from the 80’s with Lou Gossett Jr as the alien, and Dennis Quaid, it’s similar. Have a good weekend all!

    • allein 🐾 March 28, 2026 / 9:06 am

      I’ve been getting woken up by something running in my neighbor’s place. Not totally sure but I think it’s the guy below me, who I have never seen, let alone met (the guy who was there mentioned a while ago that he was thinking of selling, and it seems he did a few months ago). Up until a few weeks ago it was very quiet, and other than this noise, which may be a washing machine or something?, it still is (and I’ve never heard this noise before at any time of day). But who does laundry at 5:30 in the morning multiple times a week? Maybe I can spin (no pun intended…okay maybe a little) it into a positive and finally become one of those people who gets up early?

      I haven’t seen the movie but I did watch this video recently, which you may find interesting.

    • Alice Shortcake March 28, 2026 / 9:32 am

      I was going to ask if any Cutetropolitans had seen “Project Hail Mary” as I hope to see it next week. I remember “Enemy Mine” very well!

      Some good news on the health front: it seems that I no longer need to have blood tests on a regular basis, so the autoimmune hepatitis medication must have been finally sorted out. Hurrah!

      The weather is definitely improving so I’m thinking of using my brand-new bus pass for some days out. It’s a bit early for the seaside but there are many picturesque places nearby.

      • AJ March 28, 2026 / 10:29 am

        Yeah for good news!!!!! And enjoy your adventures with the bus pass.

  2. allein 🐾 March 28, 2026 / 8:41 am

    Good morning, Ramses. I’m glad you are okay.

    I need to clean things. My kitchen counters are starting to look like something out of an episode of Hoarders (without the crusted-on dirt and mold and such). And change the band on my Fitbit. The silicone band is causing a red spot on my wrist, on the outer side where it gets the most pressure when I sleep on my left side (which I normally do). Hopefully the leather band I got is less irritating.

    The dogs were…invisible? Stan can guard my stairs any time. (Never mind that I don’t have stairs in my condo. I have an exercise step…he can guard that.)

  3. Georgiana March 28, 2026 / 9:07 am

    Good morning everyone!

    I know how you felt when Ramses didn’t show up for days, I was sure that “The Princess” the cute little cat that I fed must have been hit by a car when she stopped showing up every morning for more than a month, but no she’s fine.

    I went to a thrift store on Wednesday and bough some night shirts and even after washing they still had a weird smell, a little like perfume but not and I’m very sensitive to smells.

    I read on the internet to soak them in white vinegar and water, and wash them again, I did but they still smelled.
    Other remedies were to put the clothes in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer or to hang them outside, I did both at the same time as it’s still below zero here so I hung them outside yesterday morning and left them there all night.

    I’ll leave them there today and I hope it works but if not, do you have any other tricks to get odours out of clothes?

    Hope everyone has a good weekend.

    • AJ March 28, 2026 / 10:21 am

      I have the same problem with clothes from thrift stores. Sometimes it takes a few washes and hanging out in sunshine before the smell dissipates. I’ve also had success when washing with sprinkling a couple scoops of borax (or even baking soda) directly in the wash cycle plus vinegar in the rinse, and doing an extra rinse. Also wash in as hot a water temp as the type of fabric allows. Another trick from professional costumers is to spray vodka diluted with a little water directly on the clothes and let air dry. I haven’t tried that but I have used unscented Febreeze or generic fabric refresher to help get that scent out. Good luck!

      • Georgiana March 28, 2026 / 10:51 am

        Thanks I heard about the vodka thing but I would have to buy some to try it, I will if I have to.

    • Debg March 28, 2026 / 10:38 am

      If you’ve got clothing that is dry clean only, try Dryel. The system includes a big zipper bag that holds the garments and a cleaner sheet; everything goes in the dryer for 30 minutes. Much cheaper and much more environmentally friendly than the dry cleaner.

      • Georgiana March 28, 2026 / 10:54 am

        Thanks I tried Dryel before on a winter coat and it worked but I never buy dry clean only clothes anymore, too much trouble.

  4. Debg March 28, 2026 / 10:29 am

    Ramses, I wish you could live the protected life of an indoor kitty. You’re such a handsome fella!

    I too am headed out for a haircut. My hair is so short, it needs a new cut every 6 weeks or I feel like the Shaggy Dog. The visit before last, I dreamt that my hairdresser somehow worked magic and I walked out with *longer* hair. We’re still laughing about that one.

    Was supposed to go to No Kings but I have to kick this bronchitis before my trip to Arizona, so I’ll stay in this weekend. If you’re protesting today, have fun and stay safe.

    It sounds like people are feeling better and living with better weather. Good! Keep it up! Hugs to you all.

    • allein 🐾 March 28, 2026 / 10:32 am

      This is why I keep my hair long. I haven’t had it cut since last July…I’m too lazy to have short hair.

  5. N. Fritz March 28, 2026 / 11:09 am

    Hello all and happy Caturday! We were all so relieved about Ramses (his sister, Isis, fell fate to that same busy street years ago). We miss Mutz, but are always happy to have Ramses visit and share some kitty love.

  6. Duckie 🐥 March 28, 2026 / 11:44 am

    Good morning, all. And especially to you, Ramses.
    Things are looking up, now that the weather is better. I’m managing to get out every day for a walk, and am definitely feeling much better. The atmospheric river has finally decided to go away, and any rain we get now is gentle.
    Did my taxes yesterday, and REALLY messed up. Apparently I owe almost $200 on no income! I am looking forward to seeing how they clean things up.
    I’ve begun spring cleaning, and am surprised at how many little feathers I keep finding. I swear, the tiny blue menace has flown back from the Rainbow Bridge just to moult here.
    Speaking of feathered creatures, I’m illegally feeding the wild birds here, and am continuously charmed by the phoebe birds chirping on my deck.
    Lots happening in the next few months here, much of it potentially good.
    Hope everyone has a great weekend.

    • allein 🐾 March 28, 2026 / 12:09 pm

      I once found a bit of Pablo’s fur poking out of my office chair at work. It was months after he died and he’d never been in my office.

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