RIP Norris

My beautiful furbaby Norris has died. He was hit by a car as he was coming home from his normal evening jaunt in the field across the road. I was never happy with Norris's adventuring but he would have been stifled if I kept him inside all the time.

Norris was always determined to explore his surroundings from the day I got him. He discovered how to the use the cat door when he was only 8 weeks old. He would also climb the patio wall to sit atop the fence and watch the world go by. He was my snuggly purring baby when it suited him but other times he was off discovering new delights - often bringing them home for me to enjoy too. Over the course of one week he captured three large mice (or smallish rats) and a weta.

Norris purred continuously. And loudly. I only had him 7 months but it felt like I had known him for ever. He brought me so much pleasure and love and I will miss him.

His sister Molly has climbed onto Norris's favourite spot between the keyboard and my chin and is lying here purring as I type. Does she know the grief I feel? What a comfort she is - and she must be missing him too.

Some of these photos capture a little bit of his character ... I shall never forget him. RIP Norris

The blogger returns

It's been almost four months since I last wrote. I haven't forgotten about my blogs - just circumstances have made it very difficult to write. Even now, I am struggling as Norris has decided to settled in his favourite position - my chest. He is perched between the keyboard and my chin, making typing extremely awkward. Thankfully I am a touch typist and computers allow us to correct typing errors as we go.
So, what has been happening over the last 12 weeks or more? Apart from a family wedding, it's been pretty much life as we know it, but for some reason I have been unable to write. Even my much loved garden has got away on me and partly finished quilts have languished in the sewing room. However, to give myself some credit, I did finish one quilt for a grandson's birthday and have made a tunic top for myself. I have also finished a very small knitted garment for a pending grandchild who could arrive any day now.
Norris and Molly have had their visit to the vet and can no longer reproduce. They coped very well and Molly is due to have her stitches out in a week's time. I will post more about their antics in another blog.
I can't actually pinpoint any particular reason for my "blog block" except perhaps Facebook and a silly game called Farmville. Nothing wrong with the game at all but the developers keep coming up with new things just as I decide to stop playing. There is plenty of life outside of Farmville but I also really enjoy the interaction with my friends who also play. I think I have now found a healthy balance whereby I can still enjoy the on line interaction as well as continue to challenge myself in real life.