July & August 2002

Will is getting back to full health, and the farm is mysteriously "up straight" in relation to the jobs anyway ...well, at least it was at the start of the month

There has been a lot of mending in sheds going on, Mum is busy at work, Dad's Mum has started working at Tescos ( I would not normally be interested, but you can buy cat stuff from there apparently!) Other supermarkets are available though!

I forgot to mention there was a street party at Dad's parents (where the other farm is) last month, Will went but did not have a lot to report, other than there were a lot of other dogs there, and the other farm cats "Ginger, Spice and Moby" were all there too.  However, there has been much crop walking here so I have been out and about checking what is happening - it's really good weather and things appear to going well, weather - wise!

I've also been helping to mend a trailer - it is a wooden potato trailer and it took ages - I suspect this is because everyone else were amateurs - unklike me!  I've been to the cattery again as Mum and Dad had a very late booking to Madeira where they got a "sweet" apparently it is spelt "Suite" - very unexpected......of course, if this was me, or if I was travelling with them - they would be assured of suites and preferential treatments.  Will stayed at the other farm whereas I went to see the lovely Barbara again and then Dad's parents had a week away in the Isle of Wight............

.............and so to harvest time......The Barley combining went well (that is the crop that looks furry in a field) and then it rained, and rained, and rained some more....I do not think that the sheds or the corn stores have ever been more cleaned out and ready!!  And, when it is not raining, then the moisture levels in the crop are just too high - combining only started properly on the 28th August - a bit late I think!

"Better late than never" and "Lie gently in the dark and listen to the rain"  of course, for poor homeless animals and people it is hard and a bad thing, for me, I am okay if I am inside ....I don't think I would have shared this thought with the farmers though

But we're really all celebrating that Will is back to his normal self - yay!

A rare photo of a combine in action this month!

May and June 2002

Wow - so much to report, some good, some very, very, very bad.............

I got home from the cattery and Will seemed to be a bit under the weather, saying he was tired and achey - and even though we were working in the big shed, he seemed to be wanting to sleep in the armchair.  I just thought (as we all did) that it was just a passing thing...Dad said to Will that he would have to take him to the vet if he did not feel better in a few days....and then something really terrible happened

On a Sunday, Will was so ill that we phoned our vet - they were not open, but they share an emergency weekend cover with a vets in the next town - so it was the other vet's turn to cover.  Mum & Dad took Will into the vets and the vet said, "He really is a poorly dog, we could put him to sleep now?" but it was decided to leave Will at the vets, and the nice vet would try to do all he could, starting the drugs immediately to try and help Will.  Mum and Dad were understandably upset, I did my best to try and help them, but we were all so worried about Will.

The next day, the vet called and said they had operated on Will and he had a tumour the size of a grapefruit on his spleen (whatever that is!) and it was odd that it could not be felt or seen from the outside.  Anyway, they removed it, Will stayed at the vets to recover and have more drugs, and I did my best to look after Mum - I am normally in the house on my own if Will is at the other farm, and everyone else is at work, but I felt really, truly alone that day and Will was in my thoughts and cat - prayers.

Two days later, the vets called and said, "Can you come and pick Will up please? He is trying to bite the veterinary nurses"  Obviously, this is not good news, and certainly not good behaviour, but we a sign that he was feeling better!  "He is certainly a feistly old dog", said the vets when Dad went to collect him.  Will has spent the rest of the month recovering - he won't be told though, he still tries to jump up at tractor steps, and down them - even though everyone is lifting him in and out - he is not supposed to be on the farm, but howled and howled to be out and about.  He says it makes him feel better and he knows how his body is doing.  I am so very relieved to have him back and getting fully recovered, "One true friendship is worth a richness beyond words, and impossible to overstate"  

I think I may have taken Will for granted, but I won't in future, and am just so grateful he is okay"  I've read a quote which says, "There is a quietness, a contentment at the heart of all that is - beneath the noise and bustle, the excitements and the terrors" and it is so true.

In other news - the cattle at the other farm have gone home, we've been grading potatoes (again!)  Mum and Dad have had some friends over to a meal at the Jolly Farmer (pub down the road) and taken one of their friends to see his first ever football game at Lincoln City (Mum's dad supports them!)  When they were all back for coffee here, I made a point of being a good host!!  Well - naturally!!!

William Woof Dog - to give him his full title (that I made up for him!).....he doesn't mind really, he said!

March and April 2002

It started off less cold, but windy ....and as we all know, wind can send a cat mad .......In fact, I think that I live in the windiest place on Earth (well at least in this village) so I am surprised that the humans are not mad too!  I have been doing the traditional mad-cat-wind thing of chasing about - leaping on random people and things in the house and garden (in fact, I had a "coming together" with an ornament, but the least said about that the better - as there were witnesses, I could not even act innocent and blame Will) and also, I have been "disconcerting the humans" by randomly and intently staring at doorways or our of windows with my ears down - it never fails!  Most amusing!  "Don't count the days, make the days count" - well it keeps my days entertaining!

Later in the month, we had snow, so I reverted to only going out to use the toilet and check on the farm - there is a real beauty in the way everything is so white and peaceful, but it is better viewed from inside.  Out on the farm, they have been repairing discs (noisy, cold, and boring to watch - so I didn't for very long!) and grading potatoes - an old armchair has made it into the shed so there is something for me to perch on (or sleep) whilst I am watching - although, to be fair, I think I am well versed in this task already, there does not seem to be too much to it!)  

I have had a chat to some rodents, and tried to talk to an owl - but he declined to talk to me ...how very rude!  I've also seen a grey cat around a bit, it was too cold to exchange more than a few words (and experimental hisses!) but he lives a few doors away - and is none too fond of Winter either!  Mum and Dad have been on a last minute break for a week so I have had another trip to Barbara at the Cattery - I love it there - it is a home from home for us discerning cats, and I get a) some catnip spray b) chats to other cats c) listen to the radio to hone my knowledge...I can't work out how to turn the one on at home when no one else is there!) and d) cuddles with Barbara - what's not to love!

However, roll on Spring I say! "The grand essentials of happiness are, something to do, something to love and something to hope for"

I know it is sideways, but it is still true in this house!!!

January & February 2002

Apparently, some animals hibernate during the Winter months, which means the go to sleep from say, November to February - I think there is something to be said for this as an idea -  I would very much like it, but I am not sure I would like to miss out on catching up with everything!

Being inquisitive by nature, some may say "nosy", but that would be unkind - I have taken to exploring next door's garden.  They have a lovely garden, and this time of year, their dog - Meg - is not about there so much.  The other day I was looking behind the shed/summerhouse in their garden, but then when I wandered round to the front, I saw the door was open - I've never been in there before (and since all property is technically feline owned anyway) I went in.....shed are so fascinating, all that stuff, and all those smells - the wood from the building etc - not to mention the spiders!  They're so interesting to watch - also to chase - but the way they make their webs and the speed they move at in relation to their size, "Find beauty and interest every where you look in life"   But disaster struck, and the door blew shut in the wind leaving me trapped in there......I didn't panic (if I was a human, I would have made a nice cup of tea and sat down to think about it!)  As there was no-one else in the garden, there would have been little point in wowling and meowing at the window, so I just curled up and went to sleep.  But, because I was sleeping in the window I was spotted by Gordon and he let me out - I did "tell" him that I hadn't messed anything up in the shed, and he said, "Aslan, what are you doing in here, cat?"  Of course, I was lucky - I could have been in there for days or weeks .....IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO CHECK NO ANIMAL IS IN A SHED OR GARAGE BEFORE YOU LOCK UP ....ALSO, IF YOU CAN PROVIDE A BIT OF SHELTER TO A POOR/NEEDY.HOMELESS ANIMAL THEN THAT IS A GOOD THING, AND VERY GOOD KARMA! 

Back in my house, I spoke to Will - he has been at the other farm mostly as that is where the work is being done - but I have "assisted" Dad when he has been working on the computer (he does not seem to like my paws on the keyboard though, for some reason) He has cunningly managed to coincide the coldest time of year with doing some costing for bidding for more land, and also updating the farm and spray records - can't blame him though - and it does mean that I often get a spot of tuna for lunch - genius!  I've been out occasionally though, no snow (yay!) but some frost, but this makes it easier for me to check over the fields, I don't like it when it is wet and muddy....but frost is just cold, so I come in and jump on someone's knee to warm my paws up, or else go to my boilerside bed.....or someone elses's bed.......I have it sussed I think!!!  As the saying goes - "one could view a grapefruit as a lemon that saw a chance and took advantage of it"

Happy Valentine's Day - 14 February

November & December 2001

Unsurprisingly, the news is still full of the terrorist attacks, and I am trying t keep up to date with what is being said.  Will and I watch the news most evenings but I think he sleeps through much of it.

On the farm, the Winter Wheat has been drilled, and they have had the Grain Assurance Inspection which means that they are harvesting and storing correctly.  The good news for me is that one of my favourite farming activities is taking place - ploughing.  I am still fascinated by how the silver plough fins turn the soil over, and that a load of birds turn up from no-where.  They are often seaguls with their distinctive cries - this amazes me as we are nowhere near the sea!  But I love watching all birds (I know I could catch one if I wanted to but I would rather watch the way the swoop in and out, and down to the soil)  It is colder here and a bit frosty so I have started to keep an eye out for other places to go to on the farm if I get caught out and am unable to get back to the house in time (if it is showery or too windy) - the cold weather means I am seeing less of my cat friends and aquaintances - but I am happy with my own company (and Will's, and the humans!) "Peace is the rarest form of happiness", as they say 

Mum has had a few days off work again, but has been in and out doing different things - but she still had time for me - of course!  The floor in the kitchen is still wet, so that means that the flooring cannot be relaid, so it is not ideal - however, it does mean that I get to keep my bed in the back porch near the boiler!  I am also an expert in finding the hot pipes under the carpet elsewhere in the house and laying on them fully stretched out - well, when there is not the sun, you have got to do something haven't you?!    Mum has also helped for a bit with the bagging of potatoes here on this farm - I was there for a but, but it gets a bit boring to be honest, so I made my excuses and left (!) Dad's Mum has been made redundant (this means that her job has finished) from her other job at Freemans - this is a catalogue place (apparently, catalogue has nothing to do with cats!)  and Mum's Mum phoned up one evening in a panic because the roof of her shed was being blown off (it has been very windy) so Mum and Dad had to go over and sort it out.

At Christmas, Mum and Dad's friends Ian, Clare and Stuart came over, then there have been other friends in and out over the break - and also Christmas day lunch was here - Dad cooked it - he did really well and Will and I got some too.  Mum's Mum, and Dad's parents and Aunt were here - and so was George - sadly Rachel and Andrew (George's parents) could not be here as they were in hospital with their niece - this is away from home and they wanted George to have a "normal day" but they came over later.  I've sent (as we all have) my best wishes, hopes and prayers to their niece - and I would like to wish everyone "Peace on Earth" - I have read a famous piece which says, "May Peace, and Peace, and Peace be everywhere"  Happy New Year everyone xx

okay, so it is not a Christmas picture, but this is a Sunrise on a Winter morning on the farm (I am just out of shot on the fence on the right)

September and October 2001

The harvest is finished - yay!  And, it all went well with minimal amounts of breakdowns which is good - this means that the focus is now on potatoes, and the "grading line" is now set up in the shed over here.  It is very, very noisy when it is running, but when it is quiet (stopped for the day, and I am on my own) it gives me the chance to get a different perspective on the inside of the shed and from a different angle.  I am fearless when it comes to heights and being a detective

Something really terrible has happened in the "human world".  Being a cat, I won't really pass comment but this is just too momentous to let it pass without mentioning.  There has been a terrorist attack on America and 4 planes have been hijacked, 2 of which crashed into the World Trades Centre buildings.  Mum was working in Kings Lynn today, and (they do not have the tv or radio on) she found out as one of her colleagues, Jo, was phoned by her Mum.  Back home, Mum and Dad have been watching the news and reading the papers - I am shocked and horrified, and my thoughts are with all those who have lost someone.

Back in the farm life - things are continuing as normal, and I have to say, "sometimes it takes a major event to make you evaluate your life and appreciate just how lucky you are"  It has started to be quite showery here - this normally happens when I am on one of my tours of the farm, often at the furthest away point from the cat flap, so I have to be quite creative in finding somewhere warm and dry (I like the forklift truck's seat and the old armchair cushions that live in the shed best - in fact, I am doing my best to make the as furry and as comfy as possible for me!)  

In the house, there has been a problem (small in the context of everything else) in that the washing machined has leaked - the day after new flooring was put down - the machine was disconnected and reconnected to allow the flooring to be done (I would imagine that this fact and the leak are connected!) Unfortunately, it was on a weekend, so the humans were having a lie in (!) thus by the time it was discovered - ie me jumping on the bed and woawing in their faces for some time - it was very wet.  The floor is now up, and the concrete underneath is wet through - there are driers and heaters in the kitchen but it is cold and wet under my paws and my food and bed have been moved to the worktop in the back porch (don't panic about hygiene though (!) no food is prepared here and I know that I am not allowed on the worktops in the kitchen or the utility)  The back porch worktop is best for me though as it has the best view from the window and the door - and if I can wangle staying here until winter, it is also under the boiler...."always make the best of any situation" that is one of my maxims.  

On the farm, the potato lifting continues and they've been lifting the neighbours' potatoes at the other farm.  I do appreciate the versatility of this vegetable, but I do wonder if they could grow something more "cat appropriate"!! .............a field of catnip would be great for starters!

this little figure lives in our kitchen - it is an important reminder to try and have a sunny, happy disposition (and it also looks like me!) 

July and August 2001

So, I have decided to do two or three months together in one post, or maybe as a "season" - there is much for me to wander about (aka supervise) as well as honing my knowledge....also, being a cat, it is important that I fit in as much sleeping as possible during the day - that's often when we cats have our greatest ideas!....I wonder if the same is true of humans?

Speaking of sleep, I again managed to make my Mum jump during the night - it has been so hot here, and with them living in a bungalow, and their bedroom only having windows where the two large side panes open (not smaller portions of windows at the top) they've been leaving the side windows open ...........sufficient for me to jump in and on to the bed!  Made them wake up though (an element of surprise is always good!) .....well, in my defence, how was I supposed to know that humans have a design fault with not being able to cat nap / sleep with one ear open like us superior beings?!

With it being so hot on the farm, they have been irrigating at the other farm.  Will tells me that this is where water is pumped out of dykes and on to the fields/crops (it is all legal!) They cannot do that on this farm as there are no water sources - and as a consequence, some of the crops are starting to look a bit thirsty and not as healthy as they could. 

 That aside, this is my favourite time of the year - I like to be up and about and on the go - I am out several times in the night (if the window to the bedroom is not open, then I come in and out of the cat flap) but I like to be out and about for dawn breaking......"Each Morning that you wake up is the first day of your new life" and "Every day is a fresh start and a new beginning, that is why it is important not to start the day with the broken pieces of yesterday"

I've also been busy inspecting (and digging!) the garden, and checking out the sleeping opportunities/locations next door.  Dad's folks have gone on holiday to Devon, and the work on the farm started off with cleaning out bins and sheds in preparation for the wheat - but there have been two sort of farm related disasters 1) when the combine harvester started, there was a problem and the auger broke (that is the long pipe thing that sticks out the side and transfers the combined crop to the tractors running alongside it) and 2) Dad has lost his mobile phone in a field and can't find it!   I don't really understand this obsession with humans and their phones - it is all very strange.

As for me, I have been "in charge of" making sure the farm here is under control, the rodent population is not too huge, and that there are no strange or new occurances - eg missing machinery or rust patches on the sheds.  A new cat has moved into a nearby estate and we have exchanged a few words - I think she is finding it a bit strange living in the country but I have assured her that she will soon get used to it, and won't be able to imagine living back somewhere where it is all built up. .....I know that I couldn't.  It is different here though, because it is so flat, and there are so many fields, it is like the sky goes on forever and you can see for miles in any direction - I quite like that though - it certainly helps me keep my tabs on my territory!

Me investigating - I can't always persuade Will to come with me, so just as well I am happy in my own company eh?!