Ailanthus Tree of Heaven

Just for you Sunshine---my friend-

Tree of Heaven also called Ailanthus.

Uncle Chubbs

Perhaps I haven't mentioned my Uncle Chubbs as much as I should. He's a stocky, Ginger Tabby with a short tail and loves me almost as much as MaaMaa. After the power went off Sunday at 1:30 a.m. Sparklewood got cold. I found MaaMaa and Uncle Chub and we all curled up together with the oink blakey ( pink blanket) and kept ourselves rather toasty. Uncle Chubbs licked my ears and gave me love. Don't you think that is a very fine kind of uncle? Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day is almost here.

Sister Kit

My sister, Kit, died on Feb. 16, 2011 from terminal brain cancer. An odd named disease called Oliogoastrocytoma She was only 58 years , younger than me! I struggle with my grief and think of all the people who are also sad today and struggling with loss. I am thankful for my family and friends for their kindness.My friends who gave me encouragement, love, food and flowers and my family who hugged, prayed and cried. Thanks be to God. Oh yes --Tankene, Mr. Chub and Princess Sinatra were the best kittens!! Many loving purrs.

Happy Chinese New Year:the year of the rabbit

Remember the rabbit we found in the rain all cold and scared? Trace talked to Rita the owner and asked her how " Baby" was doing since the big escape. Rita said the rabbit is doing great- fat and sassy. So a happy ending to the story of Baby. If you live near Santa Cruz County, Auntie Heather of Rabbit Haven rescues rabbits and has adoption parties. Super loving woman who has devoted her life to saving rabbits. Do you have any rabbit stories to share? Purrs, Tankene

Sisters

MaaMaa is blessed to have two terrific sisters; one of her sisters has Brain Cancer and is laying in a three person room, in the middle bed, in pain. Today she told MaaMaa, "Just go" after a three minute visit.
This is a sister with a kind heart and beautiful soul. She is the "good" sister who never got in trouble while MaaMaa was out being a rascal. This sister who dressed just like MaaMaa's twin because they were only 17 months apart.Who has a younger brother, Pat and sister Cindy.Great nieces and nephews. A fine sister who lived across the street for thirty-five years and spent almost every Sat. night at MaaMaa's drinking wine, laughing and gossiping. A sister with two beautiful grownup children, a devoted daughter-in-law and two wonderful little boy grandchildren.Her parents are 84 and 80 and still alive. She also has a Labradoodle named Daisy and many good friends. Now in her 58th year, she is suffering so much she is pushing away the ones who love her.
Oh dear, what can I do? says MaaMaa. When someone you love is so ill what do you do?
MaaMaa comes home, pours a glass of wine and sits on her chair. I come over and say," MaaMaa-" and she picks me up and hugs me. She tells Papa, " I think my sister has had enough suffering" Papa has his own troubles but understands and says let us pray.
" Please Dear Lord, end her suffering and have all her angels surround her with love. Be in the arms of Jesus. His love will envelop her like a warm blanket and all her pain will be gone. Please pray a little extra tonight and think of my sweet sister, Kit. Purrs, Tankene

Sneaky Sinatra

  Sneaky Sinatra (and I don't mean Frank) but the princess - Nancy Sinatra has decided that she no longer likes using the litter box. Poor MaaMaa scrubbed Sinatra's cat box, put in fresh litter and rub-a- dubbed the floor that Sinatra used as her new "spot." Help! Tankene

                        I had a bath and am a very clean white Lion.

Tankene's Pink Pumpkin

 

Tankene's Pink Pumpkin or Tales of Tommy Toasty  

      Ole' Wood had settled in for the night, his feet warmed by the crackling fire.Tankene draped his snowy, white coat over wee wife's legs and Mr. Chub's gingery, soft fur covered  wee wife's chest. Everyone was tuckered out and soon snoring songs sang in Tankene's ears.
      Tracy Pasty was nice and snug as paste jars often are settled in for the night. Suddenly there was a loud boom, bang ; thunder followed by lightning.Sounds exploded as light flashed in the darkened room. A  kitchen window crashed open and rain rushed through the curtains and flooded the floor. Poor Tommy Toasty popped right out of the toaster and landed  with a splash in the puddle. Soon- sobbing, sad Tommy Toasty drowned out Ole' Wood and wee wife's snoring.
      Tankene was thinking about his pretty pink pumpkin and Halloween when something very strange happened. Tracy Pasty, a handsome jar of paste, pulled out his trusty paste stick, pasted a pasty trail and quickly slid down the desk leg,  pasting his way towards the kitchen.
     Tommy Toasty, once a crisp, smart piece of toast, quite well known for his tasty toastiness, was wetter than a weasel stuck in a water pipe. His crispiness was shifting shape. Rain continued to pour through the broken window, swirling the curtains and blasting open the kitchen door.
       Tommy let out a tearful pleal, "Help me, help me, help me! Tommy Toasty was sinking fast. Tankene watched Tracy Pasty pick up his pace pasting  a path to the kitchen. Would he  make it to the kitchen in time?
       Tracy Pasty pasted his way through the doorway to the growing puddle and expertly extended his paste stick for Tommy Toasty. Pulling with all his mighty pastiness, he lifted Tommy Toasty out of the water. Tracy Pasty once again used his paste stick and pasted Tommy Toasty all back together.The paste dried out the water and Tommy Toasty was saved!
     The last thing Tankene saw with his golden eyes was Tommy Toasty jumping back into the toaster and Tracy Pasty pasting his way back to his desk. Soon the snoring of Ole' Wood and wee wife was all Tankene heard and he closed his eyes and fell asleep dreaming about Halloween and his pink pumpkin.. Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist
                                 copyright- Trace and Terry Haugen Oct. 22, 2010

Tankene climbs a Redwood

Did I tell you I pushed open the screen and was climbing up the Redwood after a Raccoon when Papa found me? I almost got to go time traveling. I wonder what the Racoons would have thought about a white cat?

Clowder of Cats

Hey Purrfriends, How many of you have heard of a " Clowder of Cats; Poems and Photographs" by Joan Digby. I just laughed when I heard this title. I have heard of a Murder of Crows but never a Clowder of Cats. Kind of sounds like a chowder of cats - (Cat-friends forgive me!) Purrs, Tankene

MaaMaa's Slumber Party

Hey Furfriends MaaMaa, Mr. Chub, Nancy Sinatra and me had a Slumber party. Do you cats like Slumber Parties as much as we do? Purrs, Tankene

Bark and Hide Motel has unexpected guest

Guess who?

Hi i Furfriends.

 I just  received an urgent message from the Bark and Hide Hotel that Miz'  Skunk was visiting again. She has little ones tucked away in the nest but must still be  out for some night life. I hear that that doggone Raccoon was staying at Buggy House not far away- so look out tonight you may hear another ruckus at Sparklewood.

 We are  sending in my Ninja to set things right.

 Purrs, Tankene

Perching with Tankene

Sinatra looking sweet.this is me resting from the chase

       Dear Furr-Friends,   PaaPaa designed and built a high perch on a Madrone  tree that leans against the wall of my living room.The perch is high enough to oversee the whole room. The Princess Sinatra refuses to engage me in play so  I spy on  her, wait for any sign of movement and  pounce down and chase her into the kitchen.Ahh what fun I have living at Sparklewood.. Purrs, Tankene

Mr. Chub

Thanks Fur-Friends. for your advice. MaaMaa  took him to the Vet and it looks like he did have an infection.Mr. Chub seems better today. His tooth doesn't look like it hurts so perhaps all will be ok. I wonder if he chomped down on something that caused the pain? Wait til you see the climbing magic MaaMaa created just for us cats. There's feathers and a perch and lots of places to strectch. Here's a picure of Mr. Chub's ears. Happy MaaMaa Day. Purrs, Tankene

Purrs to Project Purr

 Check out this crazy picture!

double crazy

March rained in with wetness and heavy winds. Papa took me outside and I wasn't pleased. I jumped right back in to the warmth of Sparklewood,  so glad to see my Furfriend, Mr. Chub. Did I ever tell you that Mr. Chub, the man about town, of Sparklewood,  was found abandoned and all alone? He becames best friends with Princess Sinatra when he met her as a tiny kitten in the Rescue Room of Project Purr. Mr. Chub and Princess Sinatra both were rescued by the caring humans at Project Purr, a local feral cat rescue and release program.. Do you support a local rescue group too? Purrs, Tankene

Special Blog Award

Thank you to my dear friend  Sunshine at  http://terragarden..blogspot.com/ for giving me a  Beautiful Blogger  Award.

       I have selected 7 deserving bloggers  to pass on this lovely award.

    samandy007.blogspot.com 

   adventureswithpemberley.blogspot.com

   housepanthers.blogspot.com

   countrywingsinphoenix.blogspot.com     wethreegingercats.blogspot.com,

   catwithagarden.blogspot.com 

   tobersadventures.blogspot.com Each award winner post the Beautiful Blogger Award on your blog, select 7 deserving bloggers and list them on your blog, and share 7 things about yourself.

  7 things about Tankene Ice Mist:   1. I am  descended from Viking cats,  2. Nickname: "Weggie", 3. Double-coated to stay warm during Norwegian winters, 4. Intelligent, playful and very loyal friend, 5. Pure white with a tiny lightening mark on the top of my head - MaaMaa says that is is why I sometimes time travel, 6. Norwegian mythology refers to two Norwegian Forest Cats that pulled Freya's sled; one pure white and one black, 7. Daddy's name is Mainelines  Shalu of Sangha who won Supreme Grand in his show career-- and My Mama's name is Sweeson's Amaryllis of Sangha.

ePurrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Special Prayer to all my Blog Friends

Saint Theresa's Prayer



May today there be peace within.


May you trust God that you are exactly where you


are meant to be.


May you not forget the infinite


possibilities that are born of faith.


May you use those gifts that you have received,


and pass on the love that has been given to you.


May you be content knowing you are a child of God.


Let this presence settle into your bones,


and allow your soul the freedom to sing,


dance, praise and love.


It is there for each and every one of us.

Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Tuxedos & Love

Hello Furfriends, I wanted to introduce you to my girlfriend, Princess Nancy Sinatra, She's tiny girl of only 6 Lbs, born along the railroad tracks, and adopted by my MaaMaa at the age of 14 weeks. She is now 8 years old but as spry as any kitten. She sports a stylish tuxedo everywhere she goes. I like to chase her around the living room but her temper stops me in my tracks. A curling lip and a snarl are all she will give me. Never the less, I sure have fun playing chase. Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

January Blessing- Squirrels

Hi Furfriends, I wanted to report the exciting news that the squirrels are so clever they have squiggled through the very tiny opening in the birdhouse outside. How do I know this? I saw two eyes peering at me from inside the birdhouse. I think the squirrels are pushing the birdseed to the rear of the bird house hoping the Blue Jays and Finches don't see or smell it. How clever are the bushy-tailed scampering squirrels of Sparklewood! It is truly amazing to observe God's handiwork. Nature Blessings! What's new with you? Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

New Year's Feather Jump

Happy New Year to all my furfriends. MaaMaa was on a long,Winter's vacation and stayed home and played with me every day. My favorite new game is " Feather Jump" with a Raven feather. ( pix by Daniel Cardiff) Here's how we play. MaaMaa places the feather on the edge of the towel cupboard, just barely seeable from my angle four feet down on the floor. She says "jump" and I jump up and knock the feather down. We must have played this game at least ten times a morning. My special feather is a large, black Raven's feather MaaMaa found while hiking. Did you know that the Raven is one of the smartest of birds? What games did you play over the holidays? Purrs, Tankene