Day Three Hundred Fifty One

Tchotchkes, Toys and Tums

I did it to myself. I brought home new cat attractors. Notice I didn't write "toys" - this is because, for every actual thing designed for cats, there is something I do not want them to mess with, which I knew, in fact, they would. Therefore, I tried to distract them from the inevitable by bringing in something for them.

What is the old lady going on about? Is she having a stroke?

I'm fine. Just going round about to get to my point which is, if you don't want cats or small children to play with your stuff, buy them a toy of their own. I'm pretty sure that's the philosophy behind the Happy Meal, kiddie pools and everything Hello Kitty.

When the new fireplace was installed, we emptied the shelves around it. Either I can't remember what was there, or I can't remember where I put what was there. In either case, the shelves have remained empty. Nature and I abhor a vacuum, so I went shopping for things to fill the voids.

I am partial to Home Goods, glass and glass doodads found at Home Goods. There is something about colored glass pieces - I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame. And Home Goods is the place to find them. Oh, and it doesn't hurt that most of the pieces I buy at Home Goods cost under $20!

I know. I know. Why on Earth would I bring more glass into a home where two Abys live?  Well, I'll tell you why. I buy large, heavy pieces, thinking they can't be knocked over. It has worked so far.

Then, I decided to push the stupid envelope. There is a shelf waaay up high which looks so forlorn empty. I found two small glass vases and a glass fish.

Now, let me pause here - I am not into beach décor. No sea shells or rope things for this gal. But this glass fish was so pretty and in my new favorite color -  I had to get it.

 

I was so proud of myself when I put all the pieces on the shelves and, to me, they looked great. And I was sure nobody could reach the glass fish so high on the top shelf. I can't reach it without a ladder. I'm actually getting dumber as I age...

So, imagine my dismay last night, when I saw a tiny cat walking across the mantel shelf. She (do I really need to say whom?) knew that fish was up there and she waited until she thought we were distracted to try to maneuver her way up. She was calculating her next move when I caught her and she quickly jumped down, to plot her next move. 
Nothing escapes an Aby! Let's see how long that fish lasts...

So, back to my original point, I thought I was so smart when I picked up a few new cat cubes. For those unfamiliar with them, I will provide a picture which is far superior to my descriptions this morning. The cubes are made from nylon and they crinkle. All morning I have been hearing strange noises; forgetting the cubes have been added to the background noise.

But I kept hearing something different - sort of a scratching sound. I went around to investigate and this is what my sleuthing uncovered:

Fancy - sound asleep on my desk



Rooney - sound asleep on the couch

Jack - sound asleep on the other couch

Three Rags - sound asleep on the dining room table

Dash - staring at the hutch

Through the process of elimination, I had no other choice but to assume Boo! was the culprit. Sure enough, I found her on the credenza, silently staring into the aquarium.

The noise I was hearing was not Miss Boo! scratching on the outside of the glass. No, it was Copper scratching from the inside; desperately trying to get as far away from his tormenter as possible. I had no choice but to put an end to the "viewing" by enlisting the aid of my trusty can. Ssscat that is. It is activated and doing its job. Well, that is, if its "job" is scaring the bejesus out of me as I walk by, forgetting it's there...