Tuesday, October 29, 2019

new catio (cleanup and foundation/floor)

in 2013 i built a fairly utilitarian catio for jack and billy (you can see that post by clicking here).  at the time we were still moving things from staal's place in isleton and i wanted the boys to have safe access to the outdoors during times we were away and also in the evenings after i would get them in for the night (at the time they were allowed to be out on their own during the day but had to come in before dark).  what i built for them was functional but fairly minimal since they weren't spending that much time in it though jack did end up spending a fair amount of time in it once he became an indoor cat after billy died.  it's been gathering a fair amount of spider webs, dirt, and crud in its disuse since jack's passing and i finally decided i'd get started on making something new for benji.  i'm also doing it for billy and jack and have been thinking about them a lot as i work.

here's what i started with...


i pulled the old catio out of the way so i could do some cleanup and painting.









put up some trim (reclaimed chicken tractor lumber) around the window and cat door...




did a little more painting...


then i laid down an assortment of broken and leftover pavers, bricks, and blocks for a floor and foundation.

benji hung out on his long line and kept me company laying pavers





this is pretty much where things are right now.  doing a little thinking on how i want to do the framing and once i get a general idea on that things can move ahead.  to be continued.

Monday, October 21, 2019

apple picking

a few days ago i asked this handsome guy i know if he wanted to go apple picking with me and he said yes...






great flavor and a good haul.  eating, saucing, drying, and sharing.

Sunday, October 20, 2019

venturing out

benji had his first vaccinations a few weeks ago so we've been venturing out a little, getting used to the harness and leash and enjoying the great outdoors.

watching me do a little watering in the kitchen garden and eager to join me outside

stalking the camera

the harness makes it possible for a house cat to get out and experience things like tree climbing

the great outdoors indoors...hanging in the greenhouse

bird watching

looking forward to more adventures together.



Wednesday, October 16, 2019

rise and fall

the sun rises
the sun sets
sit silent with the breath
watching
the rhythmic rise and fall
rise and fall
rise and fall
the mind wanders
then returns
rise and fall
rise and fall
a tear falls
two
rise and fall
rise and fall
the moon waxes
the moon wanes
rise and fall
rise and fall
days pass
months
years
rise and fall
rise and fall
the seasons shift
winter
spring
summer
fall
rise and fall
rise and fall
an old friend dies
two
rise and fall
rise and fall
the wheel keeps turning
rise and fall
rise and fall
rise and fall...