Merry Christmas

Wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays

From the Foodie Family to you.

See what a difference it makes using the different settings on the camera?

The first picture was shot with the auto setting - no flash.

The second shot was with the night time setting - no flash.

Minx is watching his Christmas present:

five neon tetras.

And now the space under the tree is clear for him once again.

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And as for me?

Did I get my Christmas wish?

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Nope, still there.

Swimming with the Fish

Soon after our dear Midnight passed away, the Foodie daughter asked - once again - if she could have an aquarium. Now, given the fact that our Middy was an industrious and single-minded cat, an aquarium filled with little swimming bits of goodness was a very bad idea. The dear kitty would never have rested until he had gotten his teeth on those small tidbits.

However, we were now a Middy-less home and I relented. Of course, I added the caveat that the daughter had to pay for the aquarium, fish, etc. and take care of the thing. (Silly mom! What was I thinking?!)

In early April the daughter and I went out and got her 20 gallon aquarium kit. She decided on a Pirates of the Caribbean theme for the aquarium.

We followed the instructions as closely as possible and allowed the aquarium time to "cycle". I still don't know what that means.

Fast forward six weeks (and six dead Glofish(tm) later). We are kinda, sorta getting the hang of this thing. In that time I have realized that

1) we are actually taking care of the aquarium, not the fish,

2) it is very easy to kill small fish

and 3) I am much more involved in this process than I ever meant to be.

Minx likes to watch the fish. Happily, he isn't too keen on getting to the little snacks.

This past week the daughter brought home three "Mickey Mouse" fish (or Platyfish). These fish are very peaceful (read: shy) and spend most of their time trying to blend into the background.

Then this past Sunday I got an unexpected duty. My dear daughter informed me that while she was out with friends I was to babysit my first great-grandchild - otherwise known as a baby fish, or fry.

Ah, isn't he/she cute?

Unfortunately, the fry have to be separated from the other fish as the fry are apparently considered to be quite the tasty snack by their parents.





Now, that is a face that only a mother could love!

Life with Minx

We are all still settling in here with the new cat and he constantly amuses and amazes us with his particular personality quirks.

I still can't but help but miss my dear Midnight who was my constant companion and lap-warmer, but Minx certainly is a joy in his own way. The foodie daughter likes the fact that Minx is not a one-person cat like Midnight was, even if the new cat and the boyfriend regularly face off over the daughter.

We have learned that Minx is highly inquisitive and is more than willing to boldly go where no kitty has gone before. The cat is even willing to explore bath tubs and shower stalls.

We have also discovered that Minx loves anything with feathers on it.

Minx also likes to watch the fish in the aquarium. He doesn't even mind when we kill the fish in the aquarium. Um, it's a learning curve?

Minx at play in his kitty cubicles.







No, Minx! You're supposed to go through the fabric tunnel, not around it!









"Why are you always flashing that thing in my face?"








Minx has found another feather toy.

Minx loves to sleep with his "daddy".

Heck, Minx just likes to be with his "daddy". Period.

Now, whenever we open the freezer door, Minx comes running. He is expecting us to drop an ice cube for him.

Minx loves to play with the ice cubes. They slide so nicely across the wood floors.

Nice Minx.

NEWS FLASH!!!!!

The Foodie Daughter just sent this picture to me...

Who says cats don't like baths? Well okay, as long as the bath tub is dry...