Ivy’s New Toys
Ivy has two new toys that came in the mail from Amazon yesterday. One is a mouse that squeaks when she paws at it.
The other is a toy with balls in it that she knocks round and round. From the time I put that thing together she has been crazy about that thing. It only cost $6.99. So if it keeps her happy then it was well worth it.
Here it is on Amazon and here is a link to it if you want one for your cat. There were bigger ones as well.
She hasn’t played a lot with the mouse. I can’t seem to find one that she likes as much as she liked the first one. She still plays with what’s left of it, which is fur and plastic.
I wish Charlie played with toys. I’ve given him many over the years as well as bones to chew. He would never play with the toys or chew the bones. Maybe that’s why he has no teeth.
Yesterday I met my daughter for lunch. She chose our favorite Chinese restaurant, Chopsticks, which is not far from me. Afterwards I drove another mile to a TJ Maxx store.
Somehow I’d never made it to a TJ Maxx, so I wanted to check it out. I found the galvanized tray you for $7.99. As you can see I put my coffee and sugar container in it.
I’m kind of into storage containers/trays right now. For some reason I feel the need to get all organized. When I clean my apartment, I like to pick up a tray or a container of things rather than pick up a bunch of little things.
Makes for faster and more efficient cleaning!
It is overcast outside right now. Earlier when I got up it was sunny. I wonder if it’s going to rain again?
My two big cucumbers look awful. They’re big but yellow. I haven’t picked them yet. I think maybe all the torrential rains we’ve had was too much for them.
Anyone know why cucumbers turn yellow before they’re actually ripe?
This is my second tomato. The first one I ate sliced on a veggie burger the other night.
When I went outside to take photos this morning the air was so humid it fogged up my lens. So I had to take photos through the patio door.
My daughter said yesterday was the hottest day of the year so far. Sure felt like it too.
I’ve never had a cat that plays as much as Ivy does. I’m glad she gets a lot of playing in, because otherwise she’d be bigger than she is. She does a lot of running and jumping in the air too.
Speaking of which…
From the book I’m reading titled: What Your Cat Knows:
It’s amazing how cats can squeeze through the narrowest of gaps. This is due to their flexible back (which has five more vertebrae than our own) and the lack of a proper collarbone.
Not only does this mean that they can wiggle through tiny gaps, but their body can rotate more easily in the air. This helps them twist as they fall, so they are more likely to land the right way up. This maneuver is called the “righting reflex.”
When a cat falls off a wall, for example, his back is likely to be pointing to the ground, so he will bend his body and twist his head around. This is followed by his front legs twisting and then his back legs, which results in the cat righting himself in mid-air.
He will ensure that his front legs hit the ground first, followed by the back legs, and he’ll arch his body too as this helps to absorb the shock of landing.
The tail is also involved, moving around and keeping the cat level in the air. The cat will raise his tail vertically to stop forward movement and assist with the landing.
How interesting. You learn something new every day.
Well, I guess now I know how Ivy jumps into the air and twists around and all that crazy stuff she does.
In reference to the difference in cats and dogs, I believe this pretty well sums it up: dogs have family; cats have staff.
I love both cats and dogs but currently only have one thoroughly spoiled dog. I really enjoy your blog. It’s the only one I follow. I wish my thumb was as green as yours !
Ivy is a happy camper, always..lol..!!! So cute. Glad you found TJ Maxx .. I do not usually shop for clothes there, but find they have nice prices on home needs or decor for fun… love the Tray. I am liking using trays these days also..just seems to look organized with a tray display..as I am bad to love little decor items/collections…Have a peaceful Sunday..
What a a cute toy that little ball thingy is for Ivy. I wonder if my one remaining cat would play with it.
I euthanized my dear Rhoda cat yesterday. I feel like I won’t ever get another pet after her sister is gone. I just can’t stand the tho’t of having to go through that again. Rhoda was such a sweet, affectionate kitty. I am already missing her so much.
It was a beautiful sunny day here today and I went on a long country drive. It was unintentionally longer than it should have been as I missed the first turn-off on the way to my nephew’s. But, not being shy about asking directions, I got myself there in a roundabout way. His little boy just turned six and I was invited to the party. Late as I was, I enjoyed seeing him and his family and my sister and husband who are grandma and grandpa. A bit of an adventure but not unpleasant. Glad it wasn’t raining!
Made me smile to see Ivy enjoying her new toy. She’s a beautiful girl. It’s stormed all day here in SC but my grass was beginning to brown from lack of rain so I’m pleased to see the rain. The information on the cats back was interesting. Makes sense now how they are so adroit and elegant when they are moving fast and slow and mid air, too ! Nice you had a visit with your daughter. I LOVE t. j. Maxx. I’m going maybe later to hunt for sheets to but for kiddos who are going to a church camp and parents can’t afford to buy single sheets. I don’t go to this church but a friend of mine does and she told me about these four children who lost their mom to cancer. They are living with relatives ( about 15 people) in a trailer. In SC there is a lot of poverty. As a retired teacher who raised a son in my own from the age of 35 I know how hard things can get. To help a child makes my day so I’m more than pleased to shop for sheets so these kids will be prepared for camp and not feel different. My friend told me these kids come to her church and they are such happy siblings. The church helps with scholarships so they can go for a week or more off into the mountains. I can’t imagine the fun they’ll have going swimming, camp fires, singing together around the fire, s’mores, hiking, arts and crafts and the freedom to roam about like we did when we were little. Hope your weekend is good and I can’t wait to see new reports on your furry babies. Stay well.
If your cucumbers are yellow and big, they are probably too old. Cucumbers need to be picked before they get actually fat. They are too watery when they get big.
I agree. When they are yellowish white on the outside you waited too long to pick it.
Very cute & colorful toy Brenda. If I still had cats, would buy it. Years ago, we had 3 catties! All at the same time. Mollie & Muffee were found strays roaming neighborhoods. Both were ill. We got them (boys no less!!) very healthy. Then, after our pooch Nikki died at 13, from cancer, eventually we rescued Martini. She was like 4 months old. Same beautiful shades as Ivy! I love pet stories. We are about to adopt/rescue another (older) pooch. Our sweet girl Gidget passed recently. She is greatly missed by everyone. I cry for her.
Your book on cat behavior sounds really interesting. I wish my cats liked toys as much, or half as much, as Ivy does. Today Binko was swatting at loose thread on the bathroom rug. That’s his idea of a toy! I was in a TJ Maxx yesterday looking for a baby shower gift. I didn’t buy anything there. I ended up at a little garden shop, of all places, where I found a cute vase shaped like a unicorn for the baby’s room. Ive bought Christmas gifts there too. Who would think of a garden shop for such gifts? But the owner has a good eye for interesting things. Have a pleasant weekend!
Ivy is so cute. My Annie doesn’t play with toys much. I guess she never learned. I keep thinking I might get a kitten and hope that Annie will learn to play. It has been so hot and humid, welcome to summer.
My older cat,Bella,(7),is declawed.We were living at a friend’s and she was tearing her furniture.
Anyway,I was always afraid to get another cat until Buddy desperately needed a place…that was when I noticed that when they get into a tussle,usually follows a grooming session or a zoomies episode:),she spins herself around and uses her rear claws,I was actually quite surprised the 1st time I saw her do that…
I was always told their whiskers are their “feelers” for judging if they will fit somewhere.
Hope Ivy enjoys her new toys,she’s so cute!
I love your Ivy…and Charlie too. Your stories about them always make me smile. Have a wonderful weekend. We are headed out this afternoon for our Great grand daughters 2nd birthday party. Should be fun, she is a cutie pie, and such a sweetheart…Weather here is 70 degrees, and no sign of rain till “maybe” late tonight. The party is outside, so looks good! hugs from WI, Bonnie
My dogs liked the rawhide chew sticks and, very rarely, a squeaky rubber toy that looked like a t-bone steak, but otherwise the only toys they played were old socks I tied in knots and rubber balls. Sometimes they would play tug the sock with each other, but more often they wanted to play with me. One of the dogs would carry over one of the socks and plop it on my lap or at my feet and then look at me expectantly with a doggie grin. I could never resist, even when I was very tired. When they wanted to play ball, they would hunt one up from under some piece of furniture or outside in the bushes somewhere and plop that at my feet, LOL. I swear they would play all day if I had had the stamina, but I rarely lasted for more than 5 minutes. They loved it when I would “chase” them when they had the ball or sock in their mouth, dodging this way and that, so fast on their feet and there would be clutzy me trying to keep up. Cats appear to not have to (or want to?) interact with humans as much as canines do. Canines want to please us, cats want us to please them!
I have a black and white kitty just like yours. The most hyper cat I’ve ever had that also loves to play. I wonder if it’s a certain breed? Anyway, I have a ball-type toy like this and he loves it as well. Happy playing!