Tortoiseshell cats are named for their distinctive coloring – a combination of patches of black, brown, amber, red, cinnamon and chocolate. The size of the patches varies from a fine speckled pattern to large areas of color. The term “tortoiseshell” is used for cats with brindled coats that have few or no white markings. Cats of this coloring with larger areas of white fur are called calicos. Sometimes, these colors present in lighter versions such as lilac or cream. Torties with this lighter coloring are called dilute torties. Occasionally, the typical tortoiseshell colors are also seen in a tabby (striped) pattern, and these cats are sometimes referred to as “torbies.”
Tortoiseshell cats are almost exclusively female. Tortoiseshell and calico coats are the result of the interaction between genetic and developmental factors. The occasional and very rare male tortoiseshell cat is the result of a genetic mutation.
In addition to their distinctive coloring, torties also have a reputation for unique personalities, sometimes referred to as “tortitude.” They tend to be strong-willed, a bit hot-tempered, and they can be very possessive of their human. Other words used to describe torties are fiercely independent, feisty and unpredictable. They’re usually very talkative and make their presence and needs known with anything from a hiss to a meow to a strong purr. These traits are stronger in tortoiseshell cats than in calicos – it seems as though these traits are somewhat diluted with the addition of more white to the color scheme.
As of the writing of this post, I share my life with Amber*, and those of you who’ve followed this blog for a while have gotten to know her in her Amber’s Mewsings posts. You will soon be able to read all about Buckley in Buckley’s Story – Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher. The photo above shows Buckley in the front, Amber behind her.
Prior to Amber and Buckley, there was another tortie in my life. Virginia was the first office cat at the animal hospital I managed. She was my introduction to torties, and my love affair with this particular type of cat began with her. She, too, had the “tortitude” I so love about these particular cats.
Do you have a tortie or calico in your life? Does she have “tortitude?”
*Sadly, Amber passed away on May 13, 2010, after a sudden, brief illness. I now share my life with Allegra and Ruby, two tortoiseshell cats who have their own columns here on The Conscious Cat, titled Allegra’s World and Ruby’s Reflections.
Photo ©Ingrid King, all rights reserved
It’s 12:05 am and I just got home.
A girl told me it was snowing at her house (just east of Manheim) at 8 pm.
That’s 8 miles from me.
When I left work at 11:40 nothing was happening.
All the way home nothing until I turned off for my house.
The next 3 miles it got worse till my road which was totally covered and getting slick.
Got home, put my animals in the barn and came inside.
Now sitting her with Stirfry on my lap, a beer (Blue Dog) and chicken I can finally relax.
Looks like things were busy here.
Jay I am glad you made it home safe. I came home from PGH early today. It was getting touchy.
Right now Pittsburgh, Hempfield Twp, and all of W. Pa is in a mess. It is headed straight at you.
Now is when I am wishing for a plow. Well, no, not really, this to shall pass.
Good thing you got your critters put away, by 3 or 4 AM it might have been to deep for them.
Stay safe.
Thanks Bernie, just went thru all the mail and FB.
Looked outside. 1/2 ” on the deck but realy comming don.
It’s 1 am and this beer really kicks my butt.
8% alcohol and I’m not a drinker.
It’s 1 am and going to bed.
Hope tomorrow is better for you and me.
Goodnight Jay. You have put in a hard day’s work. The weather we will just have to live with.
Cover Stir and Pumpkin, the weather is going down quite low tonight.
That is really something, Bernie! At this rate, she’ll turn into the new team mascot yet!
Wow, you guys have been busy while I was away!
I hope those of you in the path of this latest storm will be safe. It looks like we’re still in our magic snow hole and will only get a dusting to maybe an inch.
I don’t know Photoshop, either (it’s on my list of things to learn), so I won’t be of any help making the Steeer – Stirfry cyber meeting happen.
I love Bernadette’s blog post about Steeler and shared it on my Facebook page. I just checked Steeler’s page and she has over 8000 views!
Ingrid I think Bernadette should have quite a bit already. I arrived home in the heavy large flakes on what seemed like greasy roads.
I just checked Steeler and she is up to 10000+. I have no idea where these are coming from now. I do know early on my granddaughter had texted her college friends to go to Steeler. Right now I think it must be tell a student and tell a student etc. One is a student at Cal U. another granddaughter is a phycologist at Slippery Rock. After that I can’t understand the fascination.
I am going to check out Bernadette’s post and your Facebook. I still need a plow!!!
The next time I need votes for something, I’m going to enlist your granddaughter’s college friends. Way to go, Steeler! She’s going viral!
Ingrid, I spoke to Kelly and she said she had texted some of her college friends. Her response was hey grandma, it works.
I do think we underestimate the power of college kids.
Ingrid, do you think we could pull off running you for Pres using the power of the Tortie Nationwide. Good thought. We could solicit all colleges, and what college kid does not like to up one on the other.
Bernie, I’ll pass on being President, but the next time I need votes for The Conscious Cat, we’ll get the college kids involved!
Ingrid, darn, a Tortie in the White House would have made Boots take a back seat, never to be heard of again.
She is now over 13,000. This is not all kids, I pretty sure. The Station had her on their web page late last night or early this am again. I think that is where this fervor is coming from. People are curious. But hey, we will take it.
Hey folks I have not seen Glen on here lately. I wonder how Kasey is doing now. I hope we hear an update from him soon. I miss hearing about his adventures with here. Hope all is well with them.
I too miss Glen and Kasey.
Wish I had an address to write to.
Jay I agree, he and Kasey have been MIA for awhile. Hope all is well with them.
We have winter weather warnings right now. It is not nice. Winter be gone already.
Thanks for the comments, Kasey continues to do quite well.
She is growing her fur back whereshe was shaved and her behaviour is such that you’d never know she had any medical treatment.
It has been quiet here, she hasn’t done too much unusual except to glare indignatly when a snow plow goes by, the noise doesn’t scare her, it is more like mild anoyance.
We have had some snow here, not as much as we can get and it was -5 F on Monday. The dealer might deliver tghe new motorcycle in the next few days, not that it will be going anywhere, soon.
No news is sometimes good news, and I always find it surprising that an arbitrary virtual political border can change the spelling of a word like “behaviour”, but kitties are the same all over. I’m sure Kasey heard more than her share of big vehicles, and I don’t guess you’ll be riding any time soon.
Yeah, Kasey was exposed to welding rigs, 50 tone cranes and pneumatic tools to name a few items at the compressor site, I don’t know why the snow plows get her annoyed. They do make a particular scraping sound that carries, perhaps that’s it.
The motorcycle will stay in hibernation likely until mid April because at least 3 things have to happen;
1.) Snow has to go
2.) Temprature needs to be 40 F+
3.) Need the spring rains to completely wash the salt off the roads. (Very corossive)
Glen I am sure Kasey could care less about the noise. However now that she has had the comfort of a good and loving home, she may be a little put out by the recurring noise.
If you had a bike here, you might have to wait a long time to ride. This weather is the worse.
It is really good to see you back here. We missed hearing about Kasey and you.
The plows have just passed my home. What a mess we have here still.
“she may be a little put out by the recurring noise.”
Good description, that’s exactly what it looks like, she doesn’t look the slightest bit afraid, just “put out”.
I saw the ice report at work today, some of our work is on Lake Erie, the lake is getting pretty well ice covered, hopefully that will shut off the lake effect “snow machine”.
Glen I will be so glad when those lakes freeze over. We are getting nailed today. The place is a mess. The roads are a mess. I said it before, damn finger lakes freeze already.
It is always great to hear about Kasey. Glad to know she is showing herself as if nothing was wrong.
Folks I went to Pgh this AM and there were these little sleety balls falling. Made for cautious driving. Just got home about 3 and we are now getting those large flurries. Hope this storm fizzles out. I HAVE HAD ENOUGH WINTER ALREADY.
And the stores already have beachwear on display.
I would love to see ya get those tickets.
Don’t supose a skybox wil have a litter box. You will have to tell them to supply one.
Also Steelers favorite food.
And all the Torties do look alike – EXCEPT EMMA.
Definately The Year of the Tortie.
Jay wouldn’t that be nice. But there are no giveaways on the pics. But there should be. A skybox is always nice, but we would all be in Miami, and I wouln’t mind being on the 30 to 40 yard line.
Oh it is nice to dream. First we have to have the Jets meet the Torties so they will be playing very scared. That would be called an advantage for us.
Tortie family Steeler has become one of the best pics on WTAE U LOCAL. She has been viewed by over 3000 people so far. THAT TORTIE look is mesmerizing people. To view her go to:
http://www.wtae.com/bestofu/index.html
That should bring up their page, scroll down to pictures and WAM there she is. The Torie Pride on show.
Everyone knows a pretty cat when they see one.
Definately should be the official cat for the Steelers
Jay my granddaughter told me some of her friends said they never seen a cat like that before. So now our Torties’ are getting the recognition they deserve. I wish we could have had Stirfry and her on the same pic. Can you imagine what that might have been like. Now of we would have to consider a blood bath, either between the Torties or between the Torties beating us up.
Whispers: Photoshop…..
Probably the only way. Don’t think it would be a playdate.
Just what I was thinking, Ingrid!
Ingrid, first I don’t know how to do Photoshop. Dummy me.
Jay thanks for the pretty cat compliment. But we all know that our Torties all look alike. So we all have very interesting cats. I think it is amazing, that this is the YEAR OF THE TORTIE.
Just so you all understand there is nothing to be had by the Steeler picture, only pride. But WOW a dozen tickets to the SB would be nice. Then after, family, I would have you guys pick a straw.
“Oh but that is just wishful thinking, sigh”.
She has 7301 this morning!
Way to go Steeler.
Most famous cat in Pittsburgh.
Jay she is not famous. More like people are saying “What kind of animal is that.” Let us face it they are different.
It is just fun to watch the number changes. Wonder how these folks have the time.
Bernadette I didn’t believe you until I got home and checked her out. The fascination is truly amazing. Has to be college kids. But Torties are getting recognition.
Like I whispered back at Ingrid, I don’t know photoshop. I wouldn’t know how to, if it hit me in the head.
But you have friends who do know PhotoShop…
Bernadette if you are asking I am saying any friend that wants to go ahead. If you need permission than you have it. She is my Steeler. So since I don’t know photoshop help yourselves. No strings, not one. Do what you like. I don’t do photoshop so help yourselves. I release any claim to it.
Wish I could help. I know hardware not software.
But I have a friend who does.
I’ll check with him.
Jay no, never, ever any more playdates. It would be like the battle of the Titans. I don’t want to be in the middle of that one.
Jay I have the Photoshop software, however, I have switched systems so it is no longer compatible with my Mac. It is good for Windows, but Mac requires different software. So since I didn’t use the photo shop before, I don’t see myself getting it for the Mac. I am still learning the Mac. Brain matter needs to be kept sharp. This system as you probably is run by Safari. Most others are Windows. But the security on Apple is so much more advanced. Not always running patches. I will know better as I use it more. I will say it is much more sensitive than Dell. Takes feather touch and I find my spelling is showing mistakes.
Bernie! This should have come with a spew alert! Now I have to go clean tea off my keyboard, I was laughing so hard at the visual of Steeler pulling a plow. I think Jeff Valdez quote applies here: “Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.”
Ingrid, I can dream. Knowing the power of Steeler, I realized she would not go out to start with, and I would be pulling the plow. I can’t get Steeler to move away from the sweeper, while I am trying to clean, what was I thinking.
Steeler definately would have that plow on you Bernie.
Like Ingrid said , I almost feel oof my chair on that visual. Scared Pumpkin.
And I love that quote about cats and a sled.
And they are onlt calling for a few inches of snow on Thursday night.
They are calling for up to 8″ by Friday AM here. I hope you don’t get it. Maybe the mountains will break it up for you. For us we are ahead of the mountains.
Yea Ingrid comes up with some real good ones. She had me laughing also.
Just saw they are calling for 2 – 5″.
Hoping for the low side.
My roofers just showed up at 8:45 this morning.
The storm is coming from Ohio and will start around 5 pm.
I work 6 till 11 so it should be fun.
The Noon news just said 2 – 5″ but 5 – 8″ above the Turnpike.
I live 1/8 mile below the Turnpike but still in the same valley.
I HATE WINTER !!!!!!!!
just gassed up the snowblower just in case.
Bernie – it should be hitting you around now.
Get those bandages ready and hook up that plow.
Very light flurries began about ten minutes ago, about the same way the storm began last week. When I went to school at Edinboro State College, we got as much snow as Buffalo, much more than Erie only a few miles away, and all the “good” storms began this way. I like snow, it’s pretty, and we really have no choice…
I don’t mind being snowed in, when I have nowhere to go. It seems everytime it’s snowed this winter, I’ve had somewhere to go. Tomorrow, I’m headed to Philadelphia and need to drive 20 miles into DC to the train station. We’re supposed to get 1-3 inches overnight, which here is like Pittsburgh getting 10-30.
On another note, my wife made soup yesterday, and Brooke expressed her desire to have some. Against my advice, no soup was shared. Later in the afternoon, my wife tripped over Brooke and went sprawling. Coincidence? I think not. (Neither was hurt!)
Harry, seems like Brooke was saying “next time feed me what I want and no one will get hurt”.
Glad everyone was ok.
Bernadette, I know we can’t do anything about the snow but I prefer to watch it on TV when it’s in Buffalo NY.
Hope that is all you get, better yet less. Just returned from PGh and my email is full of replies from CC. I hope to get to each of you. Pulling that plow is really hard work. I am getting to old for that.
Harry I agree wholeheartedly with Jay. When a Tortie wants soup, give it to him. They will find you and hurt you. Even if she clears the room later. Harry, maybe a good time for a trip. Your wife was right to want to let Brooke taste test the soup. I am glad to hear she did not get hurt. Tell her to give Brooke soup tonight if she still wants some (1 tablespoon, and she will quit) and all in your home should be safe.
Have a safe trip.
Ingrid I think we should add, Torties are more conniving and smarter than dogs. I have been outwitted by this Tortie for quite some time now.
Hi Tortie family. Well Steeler and I are getting set for another ice/snow storm.. Calling for up to 8″ in some areas. Well there goes my PGH trip tomorrow. Being out in heavy traffic is not cool. So anyone east of west and east of me is going to get hit again.
I wonder if I made a small plow if Steeler could be convinced it is a toy and she could run back and forth on the sidewalks.
Birdfeeding at my house is definitely Cat TV. And like Bernadette, I went out on the deck yesterday and refilled the feeder, risking life and limb to keep Miss Allegra entertained 🙂
What we do to keep our Torties happy.
I risk like and limb with Steeler just being beside some days. I don’t really have to go out the door for that.
Harry, glad to see ya back.
Sorry everyone is sick. Lot of that going on.
Enjoy your pen show. I had some old ones when I was a kid.
One had a lever on the side to draw in the ink.
No idea what happened to those.
Bernie, those are Ligers and Tigons depending which was the mom and which the dad.
The liger is a cross between a male lion and a female tiger. It is therefore a member of genus Panthera. It looks like a giant lion, with diffused tiger stripes. Like tigers (and unlike lions), ligers like swimming.
A tigon is the cross between a male tiger and a female lion.
Known ligers exist due to human influence, either by deliberate human intervention, or by humans putting lions and tigers in enclosed spaces together. In natural conditions tigers and lions generally do not inhabit the same territory – the two species coexist in the wild today only in the Gir forest of India although their respective ranges used to intersect in Persia, China and perhaps also Beringia. Even where they do coexist, there have been no confirmed reports of interbreeding, though there are long-standing claims that this has happened.
Ligers grow much larger than tigers or lions. This is because female lions and male tigers transmit a growth-inhibiting gene to their descendants. Being the offspring of a male lion and female tiger, the liger does not have the growth-inhibiting gene and grows much more. They will grow constantly through their lifespan until their bodies can no longer sustain their size
http://www.liger.org/
some cool pics
and here are other hybrids
http://webecoist.com/2010/02/23/animal-hybrids-the-half-lives-of-10-curious-creatures/
Jay some of the pics were a lot like the show I watched. The ligers were really huge. They also said survival in the wild could not be accomplished. So the story was this happened on an animal compound. I still think man had something to do with that.
Crossbreeding for strength of a different species leads me into the arena of body enhancing drugs used by so many athletes and has snowballed down to kids in schools. So this is disturbing to me.
On one level I am very interested, on the other I have a problem with it. Shows me on the fence.
Oh well, I still love our mutant ninja Torties. However they came to be. I would’t mind a dwarf leopard.
Jay that is really a lot of knowledge of the cross breeding. What happens when their bodies can no longer sustain their size.? Those were some big cats.
I read that they would not survive in the wild. The body of the Liger would not be as graceful as the smaller lion or tiger and have trouble hunting. Also the coloring would not fit the environment and stand out. Evolution does have it’s purpose.
Not imagine what evolution was thinking when the Tortie evolved.
Remember, torties are mutants.
Bernadette bite your tongue. A Tortie will hear you.
Jay evolution was thinking “payback” to humans. Make them love them and then own them. A far right conspiracy.
Well, it did work.
Stirfry certainly is loved.
Never thought of bird feeding as Cat TV but to them that’s the same as us watching dancing with stars.
I used to feed birds and chipmunks.
They disappeared.
I think I was just feeding a feral cat at the same time.
And Bernie, thanks for the comment on my critters.
They are all spoiled.
Jay sounds like you were feeding the birds and chipmunks to fatten them up so the feral cats would have a good meal.
No thanks needed on your critters, they are really beautiful. Last evening I watched a show where they showed zebra mule. That was one interesting looking mule.
Bernie, look on my FB photo folder marked “horse auction”
It shows a couple zebra mules.
With they were mini’s
Ok Jay I will check it out. I know the show was interesting. It showed crossbreeding causing hybrids as they are referred to. It showed lion/tiger bred in the animal compound. They had a name of it, but I don’t recall what they did call it. The animal expert on the show, claims these crossbreeds cannot reproduce. I have my doubts about that.
There is a pic of a tigercat on CCFB, I think that’s where I saw it. I did remark on the beauty of the cat. I did look into that and found out they were bred down from leopards and tigers to get down to this beauty. They are in Canada. After reading that, I was not so pleased about it. It is a beautiful cat, but the crossbreeding to get to that point is disturbing.
Harry you have been silent for awhile. Your input is missed. Did you find a good home for BeiBei or is she still sleeping on your daughter’s bed? How are Booke and Sabrina doing? I hope no blood bath battles.
Kitten I am glad to see you are back safely. However, it would have been nice if you had transferred some of that warmer weather back to the East with you. Welcome home and I am sure Emma was glad you are home, that is unless she was spoiled rotten while you were away.
I read on Harry’s FB page that BeiBei was adopted and has her forever home.
A couple that was at the adoption event got her.
Thanks Jay, I haven’t been on Harry’s FB for a while. I will have to start checking those out more often. I looked at yours and I really do enjoy your pictures. You have some real winners there.
Sorry I’ve been scarce, everyone here at home (but me) is sick and I’ve been slammed at the office besides. I’m taking off Thursday for a continuing legal education class, Friday and the weekend going to Philadelphia for a fountain pen show, and am not prepared for the next law school class besides. Been up ’till well after midnight and still not getting it all done.
I did post of Fb my volunteer email telling BeiBei’s story, with photos. If you go straight to my wall, you’ll see the link. She’s in a great home, we miss her but it’s really absolutely for the best. We need to work on our own domestic issues. She did open the door to more fostering, something we gave up when we kept Sabrina. We’ll see…
Harry good to hear you are out and about. Sorry to hear family passing a bug around. Keep it down south, please. When you are not so rushed, let us hear an update on the Sabrina/Brooke feud. Have a safe trip.
Tortie that does tricks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uWFuhs_8Zo&feature=player_embedded
Jay that tube video gives Torties a bad name. Are you sure that is a real Tortie or an Angora that went awry?
A normal cat with a Tortie paint job I think.
Stirfry would tear my arm off before doing tricks.
She would have me begging.
That is what I was thinking when I saw that video. I could just picture Steeler shaking hands, with all claws extended. Stir could take off the handshake with one good bite. I am not buying that as a tortie. One of our cat experts on here needs to look at that cat and give us their opinion, whether or not it is a Tortie.
I watch the CBS news tonite and saw 10 vehicles slide down a street into parked cars and yards. Course the news crew sets up a camera instead of closing the street.
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/01/18/icy-conditions-cause-many-accidents-across-area/
a video of the street Fallowfield Avenue in Beechview
Jay they would have had to shut down the whole city. All roads were blackice. Tonight it is supposed to turn to snow after the rain.
Did you get hit with the black ice? We can thank Ingrid and Harry for the black ice last night and early AM. That is the southern storm. This one coming at us now is coming in from the WNW and much colder air. Steeler just looks out the window by the door. I still wonder what color she sees. She is looking thru red glass with etched design in it. I often wonder if she sees red snow falling or what. Whatever she seems to be mystified by it all.
Usually my street is piled with cars, right in front of my house, like you saw on Fallowfield. Sixth Avenue is really steep at the top, plus it starts out with a curve so drivers can’t see what they are getting into when they turn onto it from the top. It’s also the only two-way street on the hill because they are all so narrow and many people use it as a cut-through. I saw some people go downhill unexpectedly quickly, but no accidents.
Cookie and I went outside this morning, and even though it was icy and frosty–it cleared up before dawn and there was frost on top of the ice–even as the sun came up I could feel the air getting warmer. I fill bird feeders and water bowls and can always find something to photograph, and Cookie stays outside with me. She has to go outside every time I do and won’t take “no” for an answer. She’s even gone outside when the temperature was in the single digits and snow was falling, though she asked to go right back in after giving me a hard look about not making it warmer for her comfort. She can’t move very fast but I keep an eye on her. She’s always gone out in the garden with me because she figures it’s her job to keep an eye on me, foolish human that I am, but some falling branches took down parts of the wire fence I have around my yard and she wandered out without realizing, then later wandered out with full intention. I miss not having a kitty out there with me, though, and Cookie is the perfect companion.
Bernadette, only a dedicated animal lover would venture out into the freezing rain, ice and snow to feed animals to attract them. I hope you get some great pictures. Hummers will be here in early May. By the way I have a Bluejay that thinks the doorbell light is a toy. It pecks at that darn bell sometimes around dawn and at times it rings. Try finding out who is on your back porch at dawn ringing your doorbell, that is not nice.
When spring comes I always get among other feathered friends, the black and white checkered woodpeckers who also like to peck my doorbell. The light on it attracts them. So I put a piece of white tape over it. I can’t tell you how many bells have been changed because the birds keep pecking the plastic push part of the bell.
Well that’s county living.
Bernie, I have no choice, I have to keep Cat TV running and the birds play the starring roles in that day-long performance. The blue jay and the woodpecker are too funny! Who knows what gets into their little avian heads? Giuseppe has a buddy in a male goldfinch who comes to cling on the edge of the window and looks right in at Giuseppe. I have a blue jay who thinks he owns me–Cookie is fine, but when I bring friends out onto the deck he makes warning growling noises. A male cardinal, probably the one I’m photographing all the time, is the ringleader out there. He sits in the forsythia in any season and makes his loud “chip! chip!” noise to tell me I’ve forgotten to keep the feeder full, then when I do fill the feeder he lets the neighborhood know. I can’t wait for the hummingbirds–I have to keep four feeders going because they are so territorial.
I had about 1 to 2″ snow with sleet on top that made a thick crust.
Used my snowblower with tracks on it. Did the top of the driveway and didn’t touch the bottom 30 feet. That has stones and I did not want to break a shear pin.
By 3 pm it had warmed up to around 40 degrees.
Sounded like rain outside with all the ice melting off the trees.
The top of the driveway was just wet from the melted snow. I shoveled the bottom part and hopefully my roofers will be back tomorrow.
P.S. – Thanks Harry and Ingrid for that icy storm.
Bernadette I keep 4 hummers feeders going also. I just love to watch them dive-bombing intruders.
Sitting on the swing, eventually they just come right up by the swing to eat in a friendly manner. However, I have had them fly like bombers when family or friends would try to sit where one of the feeders. One actually flew right thru my daugher-in-laws long hair. She couldn’t believe it. Now she feed hummers on their land.
I also have a large trough my older son built in the back yard, with a roof over it. Putting birdseed in that draws a little sometimes a lot of birds. Unfortunately it also bring raccoons, groundhogs, and deer at night. So it is wiped out before AM.
Steeler can’t see any of these things because she can’t get up to the windows. I put one hummer feeder from the gutter, to hang down in front of a window so she could look up and see the little birds. Funny how she got really bored with that really quick.
I even have to cover the mirrors on my jeep, because the cardinals and the orange colored orioles keep fighting it (what a mess they make on my jeep).
Quiet on her today.
I had snow and ice overnight and I saw Harry had the ice storm down south.
Bernie and Bernadette, how are things in Pittsburgh?
The only time I left the house today was to skate down to my mailbox to pick up the mail. Working from home definitely has many advantages, and Allegra wasn’t complaining, either (except about the lack of sunny spots).
Jay, my area got hit but good. School buses sliding off roads, cars, trucks and even PennDot trucks had sliding problems. Steeler and I stayed in. Around 11AM the sun came out and it went up to 40. Right now raining again. No skating for me. I am homebound.
Pittsburgh was hit really bad also. That is Bernadette’s territory. The news showed how bad it was this early AM down there. Even a police car was sliding down the street sideways.
Ingrid I waited until late afternoon to go down to my mailbox and paperbox to pick up mine. I decided I wasn’t that interested in seeing what was in the mail.
Hi y’all, I’m home! Haven’t caught up yet but wanted to say hi. And there’s this:
http://www.moderncat.net/2011/01/16/guide-to-housecat-coat-colors-and-patterns/
Cool poster or free jpg download from the link provided on moderncat. Pretty cool.
Will be back after a good night’s sleep! Can’t wait to curl up with Emma =)
Hi Kitten, welcome back
How was the West coast?
And why didn’t ya bring some warm weather with you.
Bet Emma’s happy
Jay, you really do move quickly. I agree with you. Tortoiseshell cats should be the official cat for the Steelers. I check out the Steeler site and send him a back up. Try to help. Now we have to make those NY Jets run out of town by the Torties.
I sent an e-mail to Burt Lauten, he is the Public Relations/Media Manager for the Steelers.
I asked him if he would like to make the Tortoiseshell cat as their official cat.
After that maybe Pa will make it their State cat and I don’t see a green and white one to compete with Philly.
Today Steeler is the most talkative then I have ever heard. She has been at it for the time she socked me on the jaw this AM. She sleeps then up and crabs at me (I think). But this has been ongoing all day. I don’t know who put a burr under her saddle.
The other thing that she has started recently, and I just caught on to it, is whenever she goes in her litter box, she starts crabbing at me. I never paid much attention to the timing of it. But it is clear now that if she uses the box once, she comes after me to clean it. I guess this is happening because if I pass the box at any time, I automatically clean it out. Well the old girl has come to expect, no demand, that it be cleaned immediately. Go figure. Maybe I can toilet train her.
Allegra polices me after I clean the box. It’s like she doesn’t trust me to do the job right.
Speaking of litter boxes, I’m currently working on switching from a clay based litter to World’s Best Cat Litter (corn based). The last time I tried it, I filled one box with the new litter, and left the other one with the old litter. Alllegra never used the box with WBC in it except to explore (I saw kitty prints in it), so after a while, I gave up. But I’d really like to switch, so I’m giving it another try. This time, I’m mixing it in gradually. So far so good. Stay tuned.
Jay, I don’t think I converted that many into Steeler fans, I think if we have to support that team now because our Torties are on show.
Ingrid, Jay and Harry your imaginations are astounding. You folks will soon be making signs Torties for President. The Torties got a lot of attention yesterday, in Steeler Nation. I hope more people will recognize how unique these little gals are. Steeler and Stirfry did their best to get the word out. I checked again this AM. Steeler and Stirfry are the only Torties on the TV website out of hundreds of cats.
I am proud of them. We should have everyone upload a Tortie on the TV web. If Hearst owns your local TV stations they may have the format to upload Tortie pictures for the games. It is usually under the Teams name then kids/pets. Check it out. Maybe we can show Torties in a really good light.
According to Steelers superstition, both of you will have to have your torties at the ready and wear the same clothes you were wearing yesterday at every Steelers game from now till the end of the season. We’ll see how much torties like to conform to silly human games!
Bernadette, Steeler and Stirfry will be wearing their coats of gold and black. As for what I was wearing, uh uh, I’ll pass. Let the Torties carry the tradition. For them it’s all natural.
Steeler was so into the game yesterday, she said if my Mommy keeps yelling at my team I am really going to get angry. I have to keep leaving the room.
Steeler must have spent an hour or more grooming herself, I guess she thinks she is going to the Super Bowl.
Stirfry will be wearing her natural Steeler colors, nut I have to wash that shirt as it is covered in cat hair.
A blue shirt that has orange and white from Pumpkin and black and gold from Stir.
And this is a work shirt.
Can’t have that in the Deli.
Sorry, Jay, a few locals in another discussion just read the rulebook on that and you’re not permitted to wash the lucky shirt, only hang it outside to freshen it up a bit. Guess you’ll just have to get another deli shirt!
Bernadette you are right as always. But Jay, if you don’t wash that shirt, just where exactly is that deli, we don’t want to use?
Bernadette, I can not say if I will get to watch another game as I work every weekend.
But I will not wash the shirt but leave it on the chair where Stirfry sleeps.
And Bernie, I am at the Walmart in Ephrata where they serve cat hair cheese. 🙂
Bernadette, Steeler, Stirfry and all Torties will keep their same coats on. I for one, well not so much. It does appear you convinced Jay not to wash his work shirt. (not good)
Jay, it is for sure, cat hair cheese is off my shopping list!!
I can see it now: the next Budweiser commercial will have a bunch of torties pulling the cart with the beer barrels.
Most certainly not. The next commercial will have a bunch of torties in cowboy hats, driving the horses and cart, and using a whip.
Harry a whip. All they need to do is make those ungodly sounds and those horses will fly.
When I read Harry’s comment I right away thought of that Tortie roar.
Bernie’s right. No horse would stick around to find out what type of wild animal that was but know it is a meat eater and they could be lunch.
That beer wagon would be a blur.
Jay, Torties chasing the Clydesdales is a hoot to even think about. If I not mistaken horses will break at the sight of a mouse.
Can’t help you on Pumpkin and Stirfry’s cat hair. You have take for them to give, and they are showing you they love you, or don’t be late to feed them, one or the other.
Of course. What was I thinking. The torties will drive the horses and the cart. In fact, the horses will bow to the torties.
Ingrid it is good to know that Steeler is not teaching me any differently than Allegra. I guess these two want a clean potty also. I use clay based. She went right for it. Never any problems. I think I will stay with what she is good at using.
Now you got it on the horses and the Torties power. That power also goes without saying to the previous statement here.
Ingrid if that happens you will see this little grandmother running behind the cart with the beer barrels. Those Torties pack a wallop.
Bernie, I think you and Steeler have converted a lot of people into Steeler Football fans.
Tortie Power will take them to the Superbowl.
Jay Tortie power is definitely going to be needed. I think we played the best team yesterday. But I am pretty sure if we make it thru the next rounds the Steeler will have to play the New England Patriots and then we will need all the Torties Power we can muster.
Steelers had 1327 views so far.
Guess being a cute cat and #1 Steelers fan has something to do with that.
Jay I think having a bunch of college kids did a lot for that number. Friends with kids in College had their kids get on her. Found out the AM. Those kids can be dangerous.
Found this on the Pittsburgh newspaper site
Tortie Love
http://www.purrspectives.net/torties/
Jay, Stirfry is on the home page of thepittsburghchannel.com I hope you get to see it before they take it down. Great picture.
too late but she is getting recognition outside of my little town.
Torties better get the proper respect now
We won that game for them.
I was glad Cindy was safe too. 2 years ago her flight was 7 hours late.
I slept in the airport. Damn uncomfortable. No reclining seats. Felt like a homeless man sleeping on a bench. Should have put a tin cup out.
Jay I know what it’s like sitting or trying to sleep in the airports. Did much air travel.
Stirfry and Steeler were the only Torties listed on the cats tab on the TV channel. The others were a mix of all the others. Just 2 great Torties out of all the cats.
I’m so happy for you, Bernie – and I have to admit, those last five minutes were very exciting. Even for a non-football fan. I used to watch a lot of football when I first moved here twenty-some years ago (Redskins fan back then, even had season tickets for a couple of seasons), then I lost interest. But if the Steelers go all the way, I promise to at least watch part of the Superbowl 🙂
Ingrid, all you need to do is wear black and gold on game day and all will be well.
Bernadette I wil take the wearing of black and gold. I will take knowing that today Ingrid watched a portion of the game. I wish I had seen the TV web page showing Steeler. So far, like I just told Ingrid she had over 500 views. LET’S GO STEELERS
Bernie, it always shows the most recently uploaded images, and when I checked (very late) there she was because she was the most recent. By morning others had uploaded, so I was the only one of us to see it–just had to tell you about it though!
Bernadette, Jay’s Stirfry is on the home page now of thepittsburghchannel.com and it is ferocious
looking.
Ingrid by the way, did you see birds falling all over Heinz Field? Maybe you will get into Steeler football, you after all, have inspired many people to have a Torti. Black and gold and worth their weight in gold.
We could have our own Tortie Bowl here – Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl wouldn’t know what hit them.
And our Torties would kick those clydesdale’s butts
Ingrid, Torties vs Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl, we don’t want to eliminate the puppy population.
WOW 10 minutes of smash mouth football and you are showing your tenacity.
Jay now Clydesdale’s could be a better Bowl. Wonder why no one thought of that yet!!!!
Probably because the horse owners would be embarrassed to see 1500 lb. horses running away from 10 lb. cats.
Beer sales would plummet
Ingrid watch you are already part of the way there. Allegra is the Steelers team colors. Watch part of the SB if you can. If not just know I am LOL at the thought of you watching the game.
Steelers post on the TV web, last I checked she had over 500 views. That is fantastic.
Ingrid, I always watch the Superbowl.
Just for the commercials and the halftime show.
But now I have a team to cheer on.
I picked up Stirfry just when they last scored.
Scared her off my lap just now
Congrats Steeler !!!!!!!
Way to go Steelers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Guess those torties really are good luck! I don’t even have a TV and I don’t care for sports, but I can tell from reading the wrap up it was one fierce game.
Bernadette it is a great game. Thanks to the Power of Jay’s Stirfry and my Steeler there are birds (Ravens) falling all over Heinz Field. Way to go Steelers. Onward and upward we go.
I’ve always had more fun listening to everyone talk about it than actually watching the game. Of course, now we have to let the world know about tortie power!
THE TORTIES have come into their own. Steeler could care less. She lays back as if to say “what’s the big deal, I can catch a mouse”. Today has been fun.
Jay out Torties did it. Every little bit helps. Raven falling all over Heinz Field!!!
Just got home at 11:45
Her flight was delayed 1 hour.
She said something fell off inside before take off.
I said better inside than outside.
Got her home at 11 and now me.
Bernie, our cats together would raise hell but apart and cheering on the Steelers they did it.
It was so close and when they were behind I was worried.
Called Stir to me for that extra Tortie Power and it worked.
You have to mention that to the paper that they have us to thank.
Endorsement to come. I’m thinking free cat food and catnip toys.
Jay if out Torties don’t get the loyal recognition they deserve the Steelers might be in big trouble without their support.
Jay by the way, I am glad she was the flight was safe, and your friend is back safe.
Nail biter right now
This is when I just stare blankly at the screen Steeler of course says what’s the deal be quiet. I’m sleeping.
I can’t believe I’m actually watching the last ten minutes of the game – I’m so not a football fan. The power of the tortie. Go Steeler! I mean, Go Steelers!!!
Same here Ingrid
I have always been working when the games are on and until Steeler informed me of the error of not cheering for her team I never followed any team.
Watching the last 3 minutes then heading to the airport.
Ingrid it is a great game. We won. Jay and I both had out Torties pulling for them. I would say we won the game for them. Thanks form all Steeler and Steelers fans for watching the last 10 minutes.
Excuse typo’s – trying to watch game and type
Totally understood.
GO STEELERS !!!!!!!!!!
Waiting with Pumpkin on my lap for the Steelers game to start..
Soda and chips ae ready.
Not sure where Stirfry is.
Jay you should have put Stir’s pic on the TV lineup for the Steelers. Our Torties can beat those birds.
I did
http://ulocal.wtae.com/_Stirfry-HissJPG/photo/12664700/62962.html
Jay, I just seen her. Great pic. Hey Tortie friends got to the url on Jay’s post and post comments and rate her 5 stars if you have time. Steeler is on there also. Bernadette left me know that Steeler was on the Home web page for our TV station. I did not see it or I would surely have copied that.
Where you are there, look for Steeler also, page 5, 6 7, and vote 5 stars for her also.
Have to go, play resumed.
Go to see Steeler
http://ulocal.wtae.com/_Steeler-/photo/12659122/62962.html
and
http://ulocal.wtae.com/_cat/photo/12658693/62962.html
Jay can you believe that. Stir and Steeler pulled that game out. Tortie Power.
I had a long night yesterday but learned from the cats that a catnap helps.
Going to do some shopping and at 4:30 will be watching a Tortie sponsored game.
Then off to Harrisburg Airport to pick up a friend.
And the weater outside is great. No snow yet and the temp is 33 but feels warmer as no wind and sunny.
Very busy day – especially since Brooke wouldn’t come in to help. I’m glad to have work, but wish it was spaced out a little more evenly. Meanwhile, Brooke has her orange and black tortie nose out of joint right now – she KNOWS there’s another cat in the house. Got a desperate call from one of our board members on the way to the adoption event tonight – a pathetic shaved white Persian at the shelter was out of time and they were hoping we’d take her – incredibly affectionate (a “love sponge” was what they said). I swung by on my way to the event (with the understanding that I would only go in as far as the lobby…) BeiBei is her name, and for a bald, ugly cat, she’s as sweet as they come. She’s sleeping in my daughter’s bed right now. And everyone else is camped outside her door. Fortunately (because I could keep this one, and I don’t even like Persians) there was a wonderful couple interested in her tonight, and I think/hope/wish that they will call tomorrow and come back for her.
Harry I am glad Brooke left you get some work done today. A new “temp. addition” to the family. Congratulations. I hope you do find a good home for BeiBei. Your daughter may end up taking after you even more and decide she wants to add to the mix. Hopefully Sabrina and Brooke will calm down a bit, thinking “Hey he got another one. We have to behave”.
Leopard with tortitude?
There was a series of pictures on the internet recently that were taken a few years ago showing a leopard killing a good sized crocadile and dragging it off.
Made me think of Kasey 😉
GLEN I think Kasey could take that crocodile. Recently a video was streaming on MSNBC news of 2 cats in Florida, taking on 2 alligators and actually scared them back into the water. Maybe if you google it you will see there was 1 boy and an adult paying not attention. The cats took care of the alligators.
Quiet evening here tonight. Steeler’s asleep, tired from watching all the snow being shoveled.
Steeler is snoring and in such a deep sleep, I wonder what they dream about.
I had that video on my FB page a while back.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sAF8gMN9c0
look like it could have been a Tortie
I bet the leopard learned that from Kasey.
Kasey would have made a pair of boots for you.
Glen,yea, what Jay said.
Tortie friends, the local TV station is uploading pets/kids pics relating to the Steeler Team. I put Steelers pic up. She is on the station web page, I don’t know if she will make it on air. They are showing as many as they can before the game. If the Steeler’s win they will draw from these pics for the next game. So if any of you want to post your Tortie, with some sort of Steeler gear, go to http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com and look for the link on the lower portion of the page.
Have fun with it. Our Torties carry the team colors naturally.
Love the photo, Bernie! I hope Steeler makes it on the air!
Jay while Steeler stayed in her nice warm bed, while I worked to clear my jeep of the huge snow on it and froze my self. I had knee high boots, which were not high enough, so I put a white tall kitchen trash bag on each leg then put the boots on. Tied a string on each bag and around my waist. Otherwise I would have had snow up so high boots were worthless.
You mentioned your son referred to Stirfry jokingly when you could not find her a home, about the chinese noodle remark. That is strange, Eric, my son, who is almost your age suggested, jokingly I send Steeler to the chinese restaurant for noodles.
He has a Facebook page you might like to read sometimes. Eric Sherwood, go from my page.
Sounds like your going to fit in well under that bridge. Already dressing like a homeless person.
I was the one that joking said to Josh about giving her to the Chinese when I could not find a home for her. I am so glad that her home was with me.
And she does like to be picked up.
WhenI ask if she wants to go outside to look around, she will jump up on the drysink beside the kitchen door and meow. I pick her up and hold her in my arms while she looks around and smells the air. On days like this I can feel her shivering. when I take her back in and put her down she turns around and meows again. Then hisses.
Jay Steeler thanks for the kind remarks about her. The pic you said smiling is actually a pic before I decided to keep her. She was good at showing a loving personality before she had a home. She still is. I decided if the rest of you folks could hold your Pets than today is time for Steeler to feel that there is more to this than just her getting what she wants. So today, while having coffee and she was treating me with the lets play around the chair rungs, she was purring really loud, I reached down and picked her up. I held her close and she kept purring and looking around at things she could not see from the floor. When the purring stopped (46 seconds, I timed it with the microwave) she wanted down. Well that was a good start. I am going to try to do this as often as she will cooperate. Purring is good, show of teeth, I will wait.
I had another 2 inches or so of snow this AM. Cleaned it off (mostly) left Steeler in charge and went to Pgh. Long drive, roads not to bad. Interstates not bad. County roads, well I posted a pic of my road, it you can make out where it should be. This AM around 5 the plow came thru. Early morning wakeup call. So off to Pgh I went.
Yep, I guess I did look like the homeless person last eve. I hope they have found shelters. This weather is not what you want to be in for a long period of time.
I’ll let Eric know who you are.
It 12:19 Sat morning.
Did not get home from work till 12:10
my hours today were 3 – 11 but cleanup took longer as we were short handed.
Bernie – great news that Steeler gave you 41 seconds. Thats a start.
My Mom’s cat does not like to be held but loves to be brushed.
Told my brother to brush her, pick her up and keep brushing. She will get used to it.
Like Steeler, Stirfry purred like crazy before I took her in.
The stopped. But yesterday she did purr for a minute realized she was then stopped. So now I know she didn’t forget how. Usually it’s a low growl but she’s pushing her face into my hand for scratches.
So you warned Eric who I was.
Jay, So Stirfry does purr. She just isn’t in the mood to do so. At least not on demand. I picked Steeler up again, it’s best when she is purring loudly then she is ok for a minute. She really did check out the fixtures that are up high, where she can’t see. She looked all around and then down it was.
I did let Eric know I had told you to ask. I don’t know if he contacted you. By your last sentence I take it he contacted you. Hope it went well. Of course, as Mom, I got the 3rd degree, and assured him this was a good group of people. In addition to liking cats, you were a hard working outdoorsman with mules and other critters.
Her purr shocked me as it’s real quiet and so unlike her.
I didn’t get on FB yet so don’t know.
1st thing I do when comming home is put my critters in the barn, come in the house and look for 3 cats. Food and water for them. Set up my coffee maker for the morning.
hoing to bed
falling asleeo withh Stitrfy on my llap
nite
Bernie, that’s wonderful that Steeler let you hold her, even if it was only for 46 seconds. It took a long time before Allegra would let me hold her, and she’s still not a lap cat. She may never be, and that’s okay, but I, too, pick her up when she’s relaxed and cuddle her, and she lets me do it for longer periods of time each time. I think the key is to watch for when they’ve had enough and let them go just before they reach that point so they’ll always associate being held with something good, not with struggling to get out of our arms.
Also, I sent a friend request to Eric.
He will know it’s me by Stirs photo.
Since he knows Steeler he should not be to afraid.
Kitten, was your uncles farm in Narvon?
Up the road from Ephrata (East).
And Emma is a very smart cat.
CC is where all the wild ones hang out.
“Damn lakes freeze already.”
We’re saying the same thing about Lake Erie, here, the freezing shuts the lake effect “snow machine”off.
Wise folks think alike.
Kasey, yet another sound.
Kasey has a very wide voucabulary; basically, everything but a “normal kitty meow”.
Besides snoring, she makes a self-comforting noise, sometimes, while sleeping.
It is a repeated;
OOOOOOO………..Coooooooooooo……..OOOOOOO………..Coooooooooooo
Over and over for a l o n g time.
Last week, she parked under my wife’s home office desk and commenced the sound.
When my wife came out for a break, she just looked at me with a blank sare and repeated OOOOOOO……….Coooooooooooo
…and added, please move her, she’s driving me nuts!
Glen, love it. Kasey is helping your wife with her vocabulary. Steeler doesn’t meow either. That is unheard of. I did not know if anyone has the ability to move a Torti when they have found a comfortable place to lie. More like move the desk. It is so glad to hear she is behaving normally.
The sound is so even and repedative, it sounds like an electronic recording, not something made by a cat.
Actually, I can move her without problems but that is likely due to our relationship, I think she views me as “mother cat”
Glen I have heard sounds come from Steeler that can only be defined as out of this world. So Kasey has a vocabulary that only you can understand. Don’t forget you are her security blanket. Although it sounds like she likes being around your wife also, and this is a good thing(I think). I just came in from cleaning 2′ of snow off my Jeep. Steeler is an indoor cat and when I opened the sunporch door to go out she turned around after a look out and said “your on your own here and into the house she went”. So much for buddies no matter. I wanted to see if she would go out in the snow. Well huh not her.
If Steeler views me as her “mother cat” and I do believe she does, but she draws the line at deep snow and cold. Smart cat.
The best news we keep hearing is that Kasey is active and behaving “normally for her”. She had us all worried. It is something she will let you move her. Not here.
Kasey doen’t go outside, either.
She had her fill of our harsh Canadian winters, when she was younger, she used to hunt in the rural area beyong the fence of the compressor facility where she lived, I think she was sometimes left outside at night there in January and February. We can get up to 12″of snow there on a bad night and see 0 degrees F, not a good place to be outside.
She doesn’t “do “winter any more and has no desire to go out, even in the summer but she does fuss if she knows I am just outside. Apparently, it is OK if I go away, but I am not supposed to be out, just out of reach.
Glen I know how Kasey is behaving then, the part about going out, “you”. I mentioned here some time back that when I get ready to leave the house, “go away” Steeler senses it and lies in lengthwise in front of the door, as if to block me in. But as you said, like tonight, when I just go out around the house she doesn’t act the same. She turned around tonight and went back to her kitty bed and when I came in she was curled up in a circle”have to look for her hear”. I walked past her and she let out this noise, like hey I’m down here say hello. I reached down and petted her and she was fine. Outside is not an option for her. It was just that she was at me to go with me, but as soon as she felt the cold, I am not even sure she saw the snow, she jetted back to the warmth of the house. I had to go out to clean off the jeep. Don’t know why, it’s snowing here again, while I am cleaning off the jeep. You folks up in Canada are sending us some snow by way of the finger lakes. Damn lakes freeze already.
I don’t know why the expression “dumb animal” is used by some people.
Shows who’s more intelligent.
Not the one that went out into freezing weather to move 2′ of snow.
But the one that stayed in a warm dry house.
Jay, I think our cats know their stuff. Kasey, Stirfry, Steeler all stay where it’s warm and dry. While Tortie servants go out shovel snow off steps, paths, vehicles then drive around driveways so we can drive out ok. All the while it is still snowing. I know the answer to who is dumber. Guess
For those of you whose heads haven’t exploded yet trying to follow Bernadette’s wonderful posts on genetics and colors, I came across this chart today: http://www.catforum.com/forum/36-cat-chat/139027-guide-housecat-coat-colors-patterns.html
Cool! My book has this in bits and pieces and it makes it SO easy to understand. Well, after a lot of studying.
Ingrid, my head was spinning already with Bernadette’s in depth explanations. Now you bring up this one and lo and behold, Bernadette responds she already has this in bits and parts. Bernadetter must have been a Tortie in her past life. Sharp as a tack and never forgets.
Stir is a smoke tortie ?
I think
Jay so you made it back from Hrgh. Took a look at your recent pics of Stirfry & you outside. Now how did you get to let her hold her that long. No way could I hold Steeler, she would claw me to bits. A smoke Tortie, you think. I don’t know, such deep coloring.
I tried to tell Brooke this morning that today was “Take Your Tortie to Work” day. She gave me a look that suggested today was “Bite the hand off a human” day, and we compromised on me going to the office by myself…
Hahahaha! It’d be great to take a tortie to work, if only to get revenge on everyone that ever annoyed me. Probably be arrested for carrying a weapon without a permit, though.
So I’m getting ready to take off for San Francisco for the weekend. Have a good friend coming in to house- and cat-sit. I wonder what kind of cats they have out there on that other coast? Don’t know if I’ll be online or not…hug a tortie for me while I’m away!
Did Emma approve this trip, Shannah? Have a great time!
I have a carry permit.
My old one said “any weapon”
Guess they never thought of a Tortie.
West coast probably on has “normal cats”
Emma probably told you not to pick up any strays.
You’re a wise man, Harry.
Wise decision.
Funny how both those National Holidays fall on the same date.
Coincidence, I think not.
Going to the Harrisburg Farm Show with a friend.
Be back later tonite
Have fun while I’m gone.
Lucky you!
Jay when you get home read the post by Bernadette at 5:15. When I told you earlier I felt Bernadette was one of those people who could read a book once and retain everything in it and repeat it back whenever. Well If you read her post, she basically confirms that she has that ability.
What a wonderful way to learn and retain so much. I knew by the way she was so in depth with explanations to Harry about genetics etc and coloring that this woman is brilliant. Now I have no doubts. What a wonderful woman.
And now I feel even dumber.
I am learning a lot about cats and due to having a Tortie realize the will never be understood.
But finding out why she is the way she is has been fascinating.
And also finding out they attract nice people.
Yea me too. But just knowing Bernadette is out there so full of info and so friendly is awesome.
Wow her knowledge of cats and so much more is astounding. Now I know why Harry deferred the answers about coloring to Bernadette.
This site really does bring nice people together while introducing each other to our unusual cats.
Thanks, Bernie, I’m blushing, and my cats are rolling their eyes.
Bernadette get a pic of the rolling cat eyes.
Bernie, I was referring to the “odor control” portion of the discussion 🙂
Just checking. It seems we are coming up with some strange and/or unusual topics. I would be planing several more best sellers if I were you.
Steeler has an alert for this Saturday. Caution is to be exercised this Saturday because there will be falling birds (ravens) littering Heinz Field.
Do you think I should be ready on Mt. Washington with my camera pointed into Heinz Field?
Bernadette put the camera on auto video. Then sit in a comfy spot, turn the TV on around 4:30 and watch the birds fall on Heinz Field. The event should last about 3 hours. You have a perfect ringside seat. If I can be of further assistance on the birds littering Heinz Field, please let me know.
Oh don’t expect the cats to take an interest in these birds. They are not their type.
These birds can be extremely quick and have a bad attitude. I’ll be taking in the bird-fall in my heated recliner with my tortie Mona on the back of the chair, her tail softly tapping my head from time to time. She’s oblivious to football, but there’s no better way to watch the game.
Welcome to our little band of tortie lovers, Myron! Sounds like we have another tortie who’s a Steelers fan here!
Myron, welcome to Tortie land. I and my Tortie named “Steeler” will be watching the game from a nice soft recliner too. These falling birds will be an exhilarating event!!. Make sure you have your halftime snacks ready ahead of the. Steeler and I will make ours early so we don’t have to rush to see how many birds are still to be picked up on the field. Enjoy
Ingrid, your blog goes far and wide. I get the feeling form Myron and Mona’s wording he may be a bird lover.The word “extremely quick and have a bad attitude” may be the give away. However Myron and Mona, Steeler and I accept you, bird fan (uh) or Steeler fan.
I’m preping for the superbowl now. Mona already sports Steeler colors. Our tuxie Sam just needs gold to go with her blackfur to be right in sync with the Steelers. The two gray and white kitties need terrible towels to lay on (we have them) during the game. We’ll send those Packers packing!!
With all these torties, and the other kitties on terrible towels during the game, how could the Steelers not win!
I am located halfway between Lancaster and Reading Pa
Ephrata is the nearest city (going to Walmart in 30 minutes and that is off the 222 exit to Ephrata.
My nearest town is Hopeland or Mt Airy (1/4 mile either direction)
I am surrounded by State Game Lands and love the country.
Like Bernie – if the snow comes down the roads are shut till the main drag gets done.
Bernie, do you have a leaf blower?
I used mine to get all the snow off my car. It’s rated at 200 mph, but all I know it get the light fluffy snow off the car, deck and driveway. Even used it on the metal roof panels the roofers left for when they come back.
Easier for them to find and get more work done for me.
Maybe you can try that on your Jeep and walkway.
The deck always has nails popping up to catch the shovel but a barn broom or leaf blower is faster.
Jay no leaf blower. I was thinking of using the water vac as a blower. It has a reverse blower on it or whatever it is called. Then again, I can call the car wash to see if they are open and if they are, I could clear a spot on the windshield then drive down and let them clean it off with their high power washer thingy.
Be careful that your car doesn’t freeze if you do.
Door locks, doors and trunk from the water.
If you ever get change get a cheap leaf blower. Wish you were closer. I think I still have my old one. I bought the Toro cause I can vacuum up leaves for my friend. She does hers. I let mine fall where ever they want. Or my animals eat them.
I know some stuff but am dumb as a rock on others. Sci Fi I know.
Guns to me are like cats to Bernadette. People call me for that info.
When I need cat info I go to Bernadette, Harry or Ingrid. They are my experts. Like you I never knew what a Tortie was but when people found out I had one they warned me to watch out. Off to the Internet for Tortie info and here I am.
Jay, strange, but that’s exactly what I did when the vet said I had a Tortie. I acted like ok, I know that. As soon as I got home, I hit the internet to read about them. That’s how I found the messy beast url. There is a lot on them. Now Bernadette is amazing with her vast knowledge of cats.
I had a leaf blower, but it was gas and It never wanted to started, I ended up with a sore shoulder.
So I gave it away. I know if I drive thru I have to run the vehicle for a while so nothing freezes. on it. Do you know how high a Commander is? I am 5’2″ stretching.