Wow, everyone must be having a lie-in this morning. Kitty is just reflecting everyone’s energy level. That will be me later after my day of errands, and dealing with the heat. First breakfast, then haircut, then some thrift store shopping. Tomorrow grocery shopping and meal prepping. And if it gets too dang hot, we’ll go to the indoor mall and just wander or jump in the pool. Stay cool everyone! Also, how is today already August!!!??? Seems like yesterday I was semi-complaining about cool temps and that summer hadn’t shown up yet.
TaraAugust 1, 2026 / 10:15 am
Good Morning – Julius you look very comfortable. Is that belleh a trap? or could one snorgle it?
I’m just finishing the morning routine. Didn’t get up quite as early as normal. I read a very interesting article about small solar panels one can install one’s self. I’m very interested. They aren’t cleared yet for use in Pennsylvania, so I need to look into which lawmaker to encourage to make them legal for use. My electric bill has gotten steadily higher and as the house also has a rental, I am required to keep lights on all the time in the “public spaces.” I’m fine with outside – that has it’s security benefits, but inside in the stairwell, all night? That’s not necessary. Since I was a little kid my grandparents in Germany had technology that the lights would automatically shut off after a certain time. We must be able to do that here. Good Grief. I think I’ll call my electrician and see if he has any thoughts on this. I think I asked before and he didn’t have anything helpful. But it can’t hurt to try again.
Otherwise, today I’m going to crochet some more on my raffia bag, pet and scritch the kitties, clean, and maybe make a batch of Uncle Ralph’s Marinara sauce.
Have a great weekend all!
SoccerSueAugust 1, 2026 / 12:01 pm
Snorgling is rarely tolerated, but one can usually stroke the belleh briefly without consequence. 😁
DebgAugust 1, 2026 / 1:34 pm
I’ve seen those small solar panels! They’re really cool and most of the pushback comes from energy companies, of course. You should definitely be able to find motion-sensor lights or timer lights for the public spaces.
Alice ShortcakeAugust 1, 2026 / 10:18 am
Oh, Julius. I know EXACTLY how you feel.
It’s been another quiet week at the Shortcakery. My hollyhocks have reached monstrous proportions – they’re towering over my single storey kitchen – and are the most dramatic flowers I’ve ever grown, especially so because they’re a variety with multiple petals (Latin: “hollyhockus fluffius”). A few days ago I noticed that one of the many bees that buzz around them all day long had fallen asleep inside a flower. You could almost hear the tiny honk-shues from ground level!
On Wednesday I enjoyed a free day out on the bus to Whitby and tomorrow I’m off to Richmond, an epic (free!) bus journey I’m hoping will be as just as picturesque.
On a Caturday note, Larry the 10 Downing Street cat has yet another new manservant. I’ve only just learned that his old adversary, Palmerston from the Foreign Office, died in Bermuda in February this year – RIP, celebrity moggy.
allein 🐾August 1, 2026 / 10:39 am
I slept in a little; I’ve been awake for a little while, just slow getting started. Later today I’m going to my friend’s brother’s house to meet their two dogs who I will be babysitting for a couple days later in the month (I forget the breeds but they are around 10 pounds each). They are going to Disney; her sister and niece and nephew will be covering most of the week but her sister is taking her nephew and his friends to NY at the end of the week, so her niece will have to be home to watch their own dog. I don’t think they can have the dogs together (she calls her sister’s dog Cujo for good reason; I wouldn’t trust him at all). I also have to pick up my new glasses I ordered last week and stop at the grocery store. It’s the end of the fiscal month again so I have to work Sunday.
That tater tot is just ridonkulous. I can’t help worrying about the health of such an undersized dog (1.5 lbs?!?), but that is still one cute pupper. Also, today I learned that the .tp domain is for Timor-Leste. Huh.
DebgAugust 1, 2026 / 2:11 pm
There’s now a ton of Jimothy merch available online. Some of it supports good causes, too!
allein 🐾August 1, 2026 / 6:14 pm
I will have to send Mike pics when I babysit these dogs. They are ridiculous. I want to take Max home with me. He’s soooo soft. Also he has eyebrow dots.
Duckie 🐥August 1, 2026 / 11:54 am
Morning, all. I’m with Julius.
A little choked right now, because it is supposed to be pouring outside, and it’s NOT. Oh well, at least the breeze is cooler.
A bit of good news: I have lost almost all the extra weight I put on from the prednisone! If I can lose the same amount again, I will be a happy Duckie.
Tater tot puppy would make a great condo pet: it’s not a dog, it’s a Guinea pig!
Quiet day today before an incredibly busy week. Take care, everyone.
GeorgianaAugust 1, 2026 / 1:21 pm
I’m curious what’s that blue box on Julius neck?
SoccerSueAugust 1, 2026 / 2:53 pm
It’s a Tractive GPS tracker. He was an outdoor kitty when we got him, and we live on acreage, so we needed a way to keep track of him. He’s lost it a couple of times (breakaway collar) and I’ve had to go get it (a great way to meet neighbors, btw) but it’s nice to know exactly where he is. And he doesn’t seem to mind wearing it at all.
DebgAugust 1, 2026 / 1:50 pm
Julius, you’re living all our best lives. Thank you. I would briefly pet your tummy and then withdraw, as your mom suggests.
Got up early to run errands and FORGOT TO BUY ICE CREAM. George will be really upset tonight, as he gets to lick the bowl and expects to do so every evening. I can walk over to Target tomorrow morning before it gets too hot, so he’ll only have one night of disappointment. It’s already too warm to make this trip today.
George has gained weight! Waiting to hear back from the vet that this is actually a good sign. Unless my scale is wonky, he was 6.2 pounds last Sunday (up from 6.0) and yesterday he clocked in at 7 pounds. He’s been eating 5 to 6 cans of cat food each day, and this morning he started on steroids. I’ll go bankrupt, but it’s worth it if he’s happy and chunky.
Hugs to you all. Stay cool and hydrated.
EmsthemonsterAugust 1, 2026 / 4:00 pm
I’m so happy to read good news about George!
TaraAugust 1, 2026 / 10:27 pm
The food is worth every penny to have more time with George W. ❤️❤️❤️
Duckie 🐥August 1, 2026 / 3:45 pm
IT’S POURING!
allein 🐾August 1, 2026 / 3:56 pm
Yay! ☔️
Alice ShortcakeAugust 2, 2026 / 2:40 pm
I wish it would rain here. At the moment England is a brown and unpleasant land!
Wow, everyone must be having a lie-in this morning. Kitty is just reflecting everyone’s energy level. That will be me later after my day of errands, and dealing with the heat. First breakfast, then haircut, then some thrift store shopping. Tomorrow grocery shopping and meal prepping. And if it gets too dang hot, we’ll go to the indoor mall and just wander or jump in the pool. Stay cool everyone! Also, how is today already August!!!??? Seems like yesterday I was semi-complaining about cool temps and that summer hadn’t shown up yet.
Good Morning – Julius you look very comfortable. Is that belleh a trap? or could one snorgle it?
I’m just finishing the morning routine. Didn’t get up quite as early as normal. I read a very interesting article about small solar panels one can install one’s self. I’m very interested. They aren’t cleared yet for use in Pennsylvania, so I need to look into which lawmaker to encourage to make them legal for use. My electric bill has gotten steadily higher and as the house also has a rental, I am required to keep lights on all the time in the “public spaces.” I’m fine with outside – that has it’s security benefits, but inside in the stairwell, all night? That’s not necessary. Since I was a little kid my grandparents in Germany had technology that the lights would automatically shut off after a certain time. We must be able to do that here. Good Grief. I think I’ll call my electrician and see if he has any thoughts on this. I think I asked before and he didn’t have anything helpful. But it can’t hurt to try again.
Otherwise, today I’m going to crochet some more on my raffia bag, pet and scritch the kitties, clean, and maybe make a batch of Uncle Ralph’s Marinara sauce.
Have a great weekend all!
Snorgling is rarely tolerated, but one can usually stroke the belleh briefly without consequence. 😁
I’ve seen those small solar panels! They’re really cool and most of the pushback comes from energy companies, of course. You should definitely be able to find motion-sensor lights or timer lights for the public spaces.
Oh, Julius. I know EXACTLY how you feel.
It’s been another quiet week at the Shortcakery. My hollyhocks have reached monstrous proportions – they’re towering over my single storey kitchen – and are the most dramatic flowers I’ve ever grown, especially so because they’re a variety with multiple petals (Latin: “hollyhockus fluffius”). A few days ago I noticed that one of the many bees that buzz around them all day long had fallen asleep inside a flower. You could almost hear the tiny honk-shues from ground level!
On Wednesday I enjoyed a free day out on the bus to Whitby and tomorrow I’m off to Richmond, an epic (free!) bus journey I’m hoping will be as just as picturesque.
On a Caturday note, Larry the 10 Downing Street cat has yet another new manservant. I’ve only just learned that his old adversary, Palmerston from the Foreign Office, died in Bermuda in February this year – RIP, celebrity moggy.
I slept in a little; I’ve been awake for a little while, just slow getting started. Later today I’m going to my friend’s brother’s house to meet their two dogs who I will be babysitting for a couple days later in the month (I forget the breeds but they are around 10 pounds each). They are going to Disney; her sister and niece and nephew will be covering most of the week but her sister is taking her nephew and his friends to NY at the end of the week, so her niece will have to be home to watch their own dog. I don’t think they can have the dogs together (she calls her sister’s dog Cujo for good reason; I wouldn’t trust him at all). I also have to pick up my new glasses I ordered last week and stop at the grocery store. It’s the end of the fiscal month again so I have to work Sunday.
I would like an order of tater tots, please.
Oh, and now Jimothy can clean your glasses.
https://nerdwax.com/products/a-jimothy-raccoon-meme-you-can-clean-your-glasses-with
More of Chopper the sentient tater tot:
Full video
Telling my boss I need an office pup.
Weigh-in time!
That tater tot is just ridonkulous. I can’t help worrying about the health of such an undersized dog (1.5 lbs?!?), but that is still one cute pupper. Also, today I learned that the .tp domain is for Timor-Leste. Huh.
There’s now a ton of Jimothy merch available online. Some of it supports good causes, too!
I will have to send Mike pics when I babysit these dogs. They are ridiculous. I want to take Max home with me. He’s soooo soft. Also he has eyebrow dots.
Morning, all. I’m with Julius.
A little choked right now, because it is supposed to be pouring outside, and it’s NOT. Oh well, at least the breeze is cooler.
A bit of good news: I have lost almost all the extra weight I put on from the prednisone! If I can lose the same amount again, I will be a happy Duckie.
Tater tot puppy would make a great condo pet: it’s not a dog, it’s a Guinea pig!
Quiet day today before an incredibly busy week. Take care, everyone.
I’m curious what’s that blue box on Julius neck?
It’s a Tractive GPS tracker. He was an outdoor kitty when we got him, and we live on acreage, so we needed a way to keep track of him. He’s lost it a couple of times (breakaway collar) and I’ve had to go get it (a great way to meet neighbors, btw) but it’s nice to know exactly where he is. And he doesn’t seem to mind wearing it at all.
Julius, you’re living all our best lives. Thank you. I would briefly pet your tummy and then withdraw, as your mom suggests.
Got up early to run errands and FORGOT TO BUY ICE CREAM. George will be really upset tonight, as he gets to lick the bowl and expects to do so every evening. I can walk over to Target tomorrow morning before it gets too hot, so he’ll only have one night of disappointment. It’s already too warm to make this trip today.
George has gained weight! Waiting to hear back from the vet that this is actually a good sign. Unless my scale is wonky, he was 6.2 pounds last Sunday (up from 6.0) and yesterday he clocked in at 7 pounds. He’s been eating 5 to 6 cans of cat food each day, and this morning he started on steroids. I’ll go bankrupt, but it’s worth it if he’s happy and chunky.
Hugs to you all. Stay cool and hydrated.
I’m so happy to read good news about George!
The food is worth every penny to have more time with George W. ❤️❤️❤️
IT’S POURING!
Yay! ☔️
I wish it would rain here. At the moment England is a brown and unpleasant land!