Cheeky

On February 19, 2022 By CarynIn Cats

Very fuzzy photo of a black cat sitting on top of the trap

My eldest and I set up the live traps to start catching the feral cats in the woods. Five of the cheeky things came and circled all around the traps, even managing to steal some tuna (in oil) without springing a trap. One even sat on top! We eventually caught one, and our neighbor caught one so we had two to take in for the TNR (Trap Neuter Return) program. We are only allowed two a day, so this was a good result.

Even better was that they were both tortoise shell and thus both female. I’d like to get the boys out of the baby making business too, but this was a definite reduction in the possibility of more kittens. The poor things were very scared. Neither one made a peep the entire time in our care. As instructed, we checked on them every hour, and we were able to change out pee pads without any attempted escape. In the morning, we set them free in their territory. It seems strange to let freshly neutered felines out into the woods, but they wouldn’t take any water from us, so most likely wouldn’t eat either. The shelter said they will probably hole up for a couple days before venturing out again.

Cozy and quiet in an internal closet, waiting release

Another skein down

On February 18, 2022 By CarynIn Craft

I have finished a full skein on my Grandma’s blanket. This time I was able to estimate how much yarn was left a little better so I only have a small bundle, rather than enough to make a ball.

I also laid out the blanket as it stands, and I can’t immediately tell where Grandma stopped and I picked it up, so that is a relief.

I think I will take a picture after I finish each skein, just to have progress notes.

Frisky

On February 17, 2022 By CarynIn Cats

The trail cam caught a photo of what could be a cat fight, but I suspect is more amorous in nature. I’m fairly certain that these are the two cats I kept catching being frisky in the meadow. Hm. I’m working with our neighbor to start TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) with the local cat population. I’ve borrowed some live traps from one of the the local TNR groups, and I’ll start taking in cats two at a time. That is the theory anyway.

Notch

On February 16, 2022 By CarynIn Craft

I’ve added a notch to the whorl of my student spindle. I make these from a 5/8” hardwood dowel, a cup hook, and a toy wooden wheel. Using a belt sander, I shape the ends of the dowel slightly; the top to accommodate the screw-in cup hook and whorl, and the bottom to make a point so it can be used also as a bottom whorl spindle. I read that beginners should also look for a spindle with a notch in the whorl to help hold the spun yarn in place. That is easy enough to add with two quick cuts with a small saw and some progressive sanding starting with 120 grit and working down to 400 grit. I had to test the new feature, as you do, so spun up some Shetland wool. The notch lines up to the back of the hook to help prevent the yarn from spinning around the whorl. I am past that learning hurtle, but I can see how this might help a beginner, so I’ll continue to add the notch.

Small amount of two-plied Shetland wool made to test the notch in the whorl

Squatters

On February 15, 2022 By CarynIn Cats, chickens, Coop, Fungi

I’m glad the hardware cloth on the top of the runs is sturdy since the neighborhood cats like to sit on it like fuzzy toadstools. I took the picture with the black cat up and Sophie looking on (I pretty sure she taught them all the trick). My husband took the one of the big white cat, who truly looks like a fungi. The chickens don’t seem to be concerned about fuzzy death from above, but did let out concerned noises when my husband approached. So there we go. The cats have found a place to watch chicken TV without disturbing the inmates.