Chasing Squirrels

I have a bird feeder in our front yard that sits in front of the kitchen window.   I think Rex and Fritz get just as much enjoyment out of it as I do.

Not only do they get to sit inside and talk smack to the birds, but they also get to fantasize about catching a squirrel.

When they do get outside, they will stalk up close, get all wound up, and then give the squirrels a good chase - or not.

It has become obvious that the squirrels really are not that afraid of them, and the cats are much more interested in stalking & chasing versus catching.

I think the whole process adds up to good fun for all.  The cats, the squirrels, and me!    :)

Riding Outside

 It's that time of the year when I put on my plastic fenders, and if the roads are not too icy....

I put on every heavy layer of bicylce gear I have and enjoy some outside time.

I won't lie, there are times when the sun doesn't come out, the head wind follows you everywhere, and you just plain suffer.

Come on long hot dry days of summer!

Christmas Gifts from my Mom

My mother is quite the quilter, and she has made Joey and me numerous fun items for us to enjoy.

Like this beautiful table pad that she gave us this christmas.

She also made a special quilt pad for on top of the filing cabinet in our office for the boys!

If Fritz had thumbs, I am sure he would give it two thumbs up!

Thanks Mom!

Beer Thief in the Neighborhood

We recently recieved an email from our neighbor Brian, about a beer thief in our neighborhood.

Subject: One of You Cat Owners
Has some explaining to do. 

I think it's obvious there has been a cat in the neighborhood stealing from my back yard beer fridge. I would like each of you cat owners to talk with your feline and find out who the culprit is then return the stolen property immediately.

So, I sat down with Rex, and he really didn't have much to say.

Considerations in building a Cat Condo

I have two of the most handiest guys as brother-in-laws - Rich and Ron!

I cannot weld (yet),  and I cannot make a good transmission out of two bad ones (hopefully never). 

However, I know that they are both cat lovers like myself and if they ever decide to make an outdoor cat condo, I wanted to send a couple pointers!

First, height is the most important dimension.  Cat's love to get up high and look down on to the world as it passes by.

Second, a protected place to sleep up high where they will not be mesed with.

Third, a secluded cat box so they can do their business outside but in privacy.

Fourth, a hard floor that prevents them from doing their buisness where you don't want.

The satelite dish was there before the condo, so no they don't have internet or TV.  However, I did think about putting a heat pad in their bed, but Joanne thought we would rarely see them again inside.

I love coming home and seeing Fritz and Rex out there watching the world.  Watching walkers stop and talk to them. 

When Fritz is out there, he will pace just far enough away so you cannot touch him through the fence.  Then as you walk away, he plucks the fence like a guitar string. 

While Rex just let's you pet him, because he feels everyone over four feet tall are his friends.

I also enjoy the opportunity to tell people walking by when it is empty that:

it is a chicken coop

it is an iguana cage

my wife has a pet bobcat

....

Life is full of a lot of small pleasures!

Back at the Gym

When I first met Joanne, she was a member at a gym downtown named ACDP.

It was a great gym and I quickly joined as well.

We both went to the gym in the winter months 4 to 7 days a week, and made a bunch of friends.  Unfortunately the gym changed ownership, made some bad changes, and most of the membership including us left.

So, Joanne and I transitioned to working out in our basement that we converted to a private gym.

Our basement gym works great, but is unfortunately lonely.  No interaction with other people and no group classes to break the monotony.

So, we joined a new gym that most of friends joined after ACDP.

http://www.coloradoathleticclubs.com/locations/Tabor_Center/Virtual_Tour.aspx

It's main attribute is 8 years of friends and acquaintances!

Junko, Yuki, Renae, Jeffrey, Mike, Miguel, Chris, Patty to name a few.

The friends we made in the old gym led us into trying bicycle races like The Leadville 100.  It will be fun to see what adventures they will lead us to next.

Going Outside!

Fritz and Rex LOVE to go outside and run around the neighborhood!

Unfortunately, the cold snap has kept them in all week, which leads to a lot of whining and the occaisional pent up energy smack down.

It warmed up a little today and Joanne said they could go outside if I wiped them down before the came back in.

Fritz and Rex were not the only ones who wanted to go outside!  

Joey shoveled off snow, ran errands to keep us all in food for next week, and I took advantage of a sunny day to drag out the table saw.

It was nice to have a sunny day and a high of 43 deg, but our household is impatiently waiting for the long, dry, sunny days of summer!    :~)

Golden's First Blast of Winter

Golden and the sorrounding plains have been stuck in a Fall drought.   While the mountains to the West have been getting lots of snow, we have had unseasonably warm and dry weather.

The drought was a lot of fun for people who like to ride their bikes outside, but I am sure hard on the trees, etc.

The last two days of 2010 finally brought snow and cold.

Today, on the first day of the new year everyone venturing or living outside is wearing something fluffy and warm. 

A good day to stay inside, catch up on chores, and wonder what will be in store for us in 2011.