Sparklewood Morning

Tankene's trilling, scratching, watching-

Chubby's thinking, staring, wanting

Sinatra's trailing, swirling, washing

MaaMaa's brushing, combing, fluffing

Kitty's purring, purring, purring. Asleep.

Purrs Tankene

Blake and Barbecues

Did you barbecue this weekend? Blake visited and my family barbecued Turkey hotdogs. Blake hardly chased me at all. I must say when MaaMaa took him to school this morning, I sighed with relief. Little boys are full of the "dickens. " Now I rest in sunny Sparklewood. Purrs, Tankene

Black Widow Spiders

MaaMaa came upstairs one morning and found the Black Widow Spider that lived in the eves had landed in a white bowl. For two months the spider had artfully woven a tapestry to catch bugs. She captured termites and other small creatures that slipped into the old house at Sparklewood. Never once did she display aggressive behavior or try to bite me. The night before Papa and MaaMa decided it was time to capture the spider and take her out to the old garage. So what a surprise to see her! MaaMaa put out a knife as a life line and she crawled onto it. Gingerly the front door was opened and the spider let loose. We hope she is safe somewhere far away because Black Widow Spiders are considered poisonous. Now the web is gone and so is the spider. Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Sea & Ski

It is hot outside and the air is fresh with Spring. I sing of the bounty of cherry blossoms blooming; the air scented so sweet. I smell Sea & Ski as I pass the lawn at lunch and I think back to slathering that lotion all over me when I sat by my swimming pool baking in the sun with aluminum foil around my head to get a " better " California tan. Woe was I a fool to think the sun would make me beautiful. As an almost-- older lady I bear witness to sun damage but I still love to sit in the sun. Now I wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to shade my face and eavesdrop on the young--Its 82 degrees in the shade. Ha Ha Ha

Sweet Peas

At twilight of St. Patrick Day's Eve-- the trees hold roosting birds, nesting squirrels and the raccoons climb down the redwoods in search of tidbits, skunks eat at the cat dish. The moon is a bright sliver of light above your head. Pull out your old lamp, slip on your gardening gloves, quietly open the door and go out in the arriving night's air. Plant Sweet Pea seeds in the soft, cool earth. If you truly believe as we do, you will see the flowers enhanced by the power of this Irish Saint, St. Patrick. Long about May you will be the recipient of magic as you gaze at abundant blooms and your senses inhale heavenly perfume.
Aye' the blessings of being a good Christian Cat-Living me young life at a place such as Sparklewood and following the ancient ways of Ole' Wood and Wee Woman ( MaaMaa).
Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Crunchy Squirt

A crazy pix.

Crunchy Squirt, the baby skunk, ate so much food last night that there was nothing left for his brother or sister. I think we should rename this hungry critter. Sparklewood's attractions continue with more Raccoons and a funny scratching sound in the ceiling.Any ideas for a good name for our ravenous skunk? Purrs, Tankene Ice Mist

Baby Skunks

The two baby skunks appeared earlier in the evening; hungry as piglets. They were gobbling up the Friskies like it was candy. Her are two pictures that look alot like my Skunk-kits. Purrs, Tankene

Monday Meows

I was hissing and running from window to window and who jumps up to the screen but our neighbor's big tom cat, Keiko. He seems to think that Sparklewood is his new home. Poor MaaMaa  comes home to three outside cats meowing for food even before she opens the door and is greeted by me, Chub, and Princess Sinatra meowing for food. Papa says she gets more of a welcoming committee than the Queen herself. What happens at your house when you come home? Purrs, Tankene