Ninja Cat Toy
Rubberesque, babycloud-shaped,
with nubs on every surface
except inside of boulder marble-
sized oval big enough to fit a paw
through to hold it.
It sports light blue/pastel lime/black
ribbons fashioned as hair or tail
that can be held by claws/fingers
while engaged in solo/joint play.
Now described, let’s verb it.
Sold as a dental cleaner; it’s that
and more. She puts one paw through
the hole, uses an other claw to hold,
purring while she rubs her face;
nubs massage glands in her cheeks.
When I engage, it pendulums over
until she swats and her claw
catches, descends to throaty saws.
When play wends its way down,
happy she sprawls, rests her cheek
on the rubbery, nubbed pillow,
dozing with satisfied grrr.
Besides the laser pointer and catnip, this is Mlady’s favorite toy.
BONUS VIDEO:
I’m happy to report I’m getting back into the groove of burning wood. The load I had delivered has lots of choice kindling in it, which is essential for getting going. Also still had a big box of the resined sticks from before which are really essential. Just one is all it takes with the kindling.
Back in 2018 I wrote a post on The Dao of Starting and Burning a Fire in a Wood Burner. If you’re curious about it, go here.
I have 2 vehicles to move the wood from the large pile in the driveway. One is a Radio Flyer wagon. The other is a wheelbarrow. My system is to load the wagon, and depending on whether the wood has snow or rain on it, either haul it into the entryway room (where Dwight’s Bridge painting and metal cans of bird food are) and let it dry out (it’s just the surface of the wood that is wet btw.) Once the wagon wood is dry, the wagon is lifted up one step and into the house, then into the atrium. If the previous load that has been stacked by the stove is still there, the wagon will sit until the that wood is gone. Once wagon wood is unloaded in the atrium, the wagon is wheeled back out to the driveway wood and the cycle begins again. The wheelbarrow is used for bigger loads and is pushed to the growing stacks under the carport. It’s a system that works well.
The video (not sure if I posted it already?) is of a recent fire in the woodburner.
UPDATE: I finished stacking the cord of wood under/in the carport this morning. So glad to have that part of the process complete. It will stay dry now and if damp will dry out with the wind tunnel going through the carport. I took a pic of it stacked and also one of the awesome kindling that is needed to get a fire started more easily.
Here is one of Mlady playing with her toy.
And a final pic of the feverfew (upper plant) and rosemary, still green and growing through winter outside. I just shake my head and accept it is what it is.
Tao Talk 
very Cool, Li! ❣️
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Thanks, Cindy :)
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I like the little story/poem of Milady playing with her favorite toy. And she is a beautiful kitty! Nice fire going and the crackling sounds so good. :)
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So happy you enjoyed the post, Barbara. It’s that kind of a morning here (well afternoon now.) Hope you are enjoying the holiday season.
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What a sweet kitty. Did you get bombed with snow? We finally got snow! Have a great weekend, Lisa.
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Thanks, Colleen. We got about 6″. Not too bad. You also!
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I think we had 4 or 5 inches! It was heavy and wet. I heard we’ll have rain on Monday! 🙄
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It’s all froze up out there and, as my mom used to say, “Colder than a well digger’s ass.” Just went out and turned on the candycanes.
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LOL! My dad was welder… he used to say colder than a witch’s you know what! 😂
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lol My mom said that also.
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It’s definitely a midwestern saying. 😝
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What a beautiful kitty and such a wonderfully written and descriptive poem/story, Li.
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Eugi thank you. She is good company.
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You’re welcome, Li.
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“Radio Flyer wagon” that was one of the wonders of my childhood. I always seem to have one. Nice poem Lisa! I love the smell, feel, sight, and sound of burning wood.
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They are useful antiques. Son and his wife bought a canvas type wagon for our walks around fmg. That thing came in handy! A side that zips down so it can be used as a seat (which I took advantage of many times lol) and pockets and drink holders on the back. That kind of wagon would never last for hauling wood. I’m glad to know you remember them fondly. Thanks on the poem. Yes, the wood is one of 2 sources of real heat in the house. The other is a hot bath. I keep the mini-split temp at between 59-62.
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That canvas one seems really interesting but no… you need a no frills one to do work. I loved hauling dirt with them as a kid… and what ever I could fit in there.
I said this in the last post about fire but try a potato wrapped in foil!
That should help your electric bills.
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I can see you there as a kid, building cities with your dirt. Thanks for the reminder :)
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What an innovative toy for your kitty.
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Sadje, I knew I would never try to clean my cat’s teeth, per vet recommenation. When I saw this at the store, I thought there’s a fun way to get it done.
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That would indeed be inviting trouble- a hand into the cat’s mouth 😂
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Yet that’s what the vets recommend! No thanks.
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😅😅😅
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How lovely! 🐈⬛
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<3
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Great kitty toy! I wonder if it would work for my dogs?
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Depends on how strong of chewers they are. They might chew it to pieces.
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p.s. They have nylabones for dog dental and Kong make really good chewing toys for them.
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I’m looking for toys to amuse my dogs without having to clean all the stuffing up! Thanks, Li.
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There’s nothing like a fire this time of year. Mmmm.
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Hi Mlady!🤗
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Is it wrong to be totally smitten by a cat? She’s smited me.
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(I think) that’s a silly question.😅
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