They say that a Squirrel is just a rat with better PR as they are both rodents. These days I guess you would say Media Relations instead of Public Relations but MR does not roll off the tongue so easily. Rats have always freaked me out, they make me think of germs and pestilence, whatever that is.

I have a new bird feeder which the squirrels loved. I added peanuts to it to try and entice some bigger birds, but it just enticed more squirrels.

To be fair there have been a few visits from a Southern Boubou and some Olive Thrushes.

And a rat.

Black rats (Rattus rattus believe it or not), also universally known as roof rats or ship rats, are a common invasive rodent species widely established across Cape Town. Unlike the heavier, ground-dwelling brown rat (sewer rat), black rats are highly agile climbers that prefer to live and nest in elevated spaces.

When sitting outside as the sun was setting, I saw what I thought was the baby squirrel peering at me from the tree. I saw small round ears and circular dark eyes looking at me. Next I see a dark body slinking down along the hanger to the feeder and then I spot the long, scaly tail and screamed. Their tails instill revulsion in me.

To align with my ‘All My Relations’ viewpoint, I decided to challenge some of my own prejudices toward Ratty.

Ick #1: They carry germs. The reason they carry germs is due to their environment. If Ratty is living in garbage it is sensible that they get disease but hopefully the ones in my garden do not chill in The Garbage, they dine on peanuts from larny bird feeders.

Ick #2: Rats are associated with disease, largely because they live in sewers and urban areas close to humans. See Ick #1.

Ick #3: That tail. I can do nothing about that feeling.

That same morning I spotted a snail on one of the solar lights at the front of the garden. I ran to get my phone, but by then Mr Snail had moved onto the long frond of the iris plants which dropped him down to the edge of the planter. I had another moment of contemplation of the meaning of ‘All My Relations’. I had an interaction with a snail and instead of tossing him, I just watched him. I think he watched me back.

I know we are supposed to love everyone and everything: those who slither, creep, crawl, walk, swim or fly. I am just hoping that a bird of prey eats Mr Ratty. We will not put out poison to avoid contaminating the eco system but I do not want him ‘contaminating’ my safe place either.

I have had several close interactions with my Robins. It is now just the two babies who I see in the garden, one of which comes right up to me often. One evening they were both sitting in the tree when Lil Robin flew off and when I called out ‘Robin!’ in greeting she did an amazing move I do not know if I have ever seen any bird except a tiny bird do, she used her wings to stop herself and she then hovered in mid air, flapping furiously and then stopped and perched on the top of the laundry dryer, right next to me. Another night I had 2 male sunbirds flashing their gorgeous malachite colours while chasing each other over my head, around the garden, through the bushes and then off, the humming of their wings buzzing along the way. Then I had 2 females do a similar thing. Maybe it is the way they choose their friends?

I watch lizards, butterflies, birds, squirrels, slugs, or anything that graces me with their presence. I have some interesting encounters. Then I had 2 Olive thrushes doing a funny dance. I watched for ages and have been researching what they could have been doing. It felt like a mating ritual as there were two of them but apparently it could be a show of territory marking, a courtship ritual or just shaking off parasites. Oh the many webs we weave.

My weeks are all wonky after publishing my last blog on a random Wednesday, so bear with me if I am all over the show.

I ended up cooking after I posted last Wednesday. I had to change clothes midday as the the heat wave was unexpected. I also jumped on my rebounder after letting the day’s oppressive heat dwindle down to 29℃ from the high of 33℃. I am now doing 12 minutes each time and it is interesting how increasing the time set me back to the leg shakes again. It is obviously doing something!

That night I sat outside to eat as it was the coolest spot once the sun had dropped and the front of the house was in the shade.

I fried organic chicken sausages, microwaved the ready made garlic mash, made up instant gravy and steamed baby broccoli. I fully believe we do not have to make everything from scratch unless we enjoy that. I do not enjoy cooking so it needs to be as accessible as possible.

The next night I chose to do everything in the oven as I did not want to be arsed mincing about in the kitchen. First I roasted some butternut for 12 minutes then threw some cauliflower, parmesan, olive oil and almonds into a second pan and roasted that and put the chops into another pan. I roasted those for 15 more minutes. Norm made himself some chips in the air fryer. It was yummy. I am still catching up with series I missed while my family were here and Norm is working so I ate at my desk.

This is my fave way to eat cauliflower.

We had takeaway on Friday last and I was rather disappointed in the starter. I had Por Piah Sud with prawns (prawns and ‘crisp, fresh veg’ in rice paper). It was not what I had expected and the texture was ooey and gooey and there was not a chance that would be eaten by me. I dug out the prawns and binned the rest. My mains is something I often have, Ba Me Prik with prawns. It was spicy and fresh and yummy.

On Saturday I got up early and had my usual coffees in bed delivered by my hot scot, then I was up and off to get a facial. Norm and I both had a relaxed day. I pottered in the garden and he worked because that is what makes us both happy. You know I mentioned the lovely purple amethyst stones that I was given? I ordered what I intended to be a planter, but it is made of some sort of odd texture. It almost feels like hard Styrofoam. I have decided she is perfect for the stones and also for the mushrooms which are supposed to not get wet. Every time Finn goes by the mushrooms he sniffs them because they started life impaled in a chicken pie at the fairy party.

On Sunday we had a lazy morning. I had a few coffees in bed and then I had a nice scrubby shower and washed and conditioned my hair. Excuse the red face from the facial on Saturday! I had a deep peel and needling so my skin is a bit red from that. I have it done every few months in an attempt to keep decrepit-ness at bay.

We ordered take outs from Massimo’s for dinner. I had the chicken Milanese with mash and vegetables. It tasted delicious.

Monday must have Mondayed so hard it erased my memory because I remember nothing we did!

We woke to pouring rain early on Tuesday. Norm cooked for us that evening because I had meetings until late. He made a salad, fried halloumi and fillet steaks, one of my fave meals. My steak was in 3 small pieces but I was happy with a smaller piece of meat and more halloumi. Apologies for the towel on the floor, it was raining hard when we woke and it was to dry the dogs’ feet.

The groomers came on Thursday and the dogs looked so cute and smelled lovely (for a few hours).

Norm popped to the shops and cooked for us that night. He made chicken sausages, crispy layered potatoes (just popped in the air fryer) and a nice fresh salad.

I have been eating a nutritious breakfast instead of snacking on crunchy biscuits. I have full fat Greek yogurt, sliced almonds and coconut chips. I keep frozen blueberries in case I have no fresh strawberries. The frozen berries almost make it taste like ice cream without all the sugar.

I decided to move the new bird feeder. I ran into it with my head a dozen times and the last time was a hard whack which peed me off so much I moved it. Turns out the small birds prefer it there! (Norm had said it was too close to us but I did not believe him). Kim and I counted about 7 waxbills on there at once.

I was worried that the critters might not find it but the baby squirrel popped in and after having a look around he seemed to sniff it out.

The new fairies and the other bits and pieces I ordered arrived this week. I had ordered a windmill but it was out of stock so the Fairy Lodge was my 2nd choice but I actually think it is perfect for the spot I put it. The clusters of plants surrounding it mimic the same shape. I went on and on about that and how much it appeals to me but Norm could not quite see it but he appreciated that I could (aka he listened and let me waffle). I also ordered the lovely Dinah the Daydreamer on the log & I was given the little racoon and chair.

I ordered my first boy fairies, both of whom are riding animals. First, we have Freddie the Fairy who is riding Ferdinand the Frog. Next we have the Franky the Fairy riding Bernard the Bear. I am going to make a sort of village green in this area, I am awaiting the green AstroTurf from my darling husband. Hopefully that can be my weekend project.

I also ordered the little Cabbage Baby. The fairy who normally lives in that spot is still in the Hospital awaiting a wing repair. I moved the sleeping kitty there because it kept falling in the pond I had him lying by and cats generally hate water.

I also ordered Bexley, the little Fairy sitting on the silver sparkly star.

I was sent these little ducks as a gift as well as a little owl. I adore them!!

Those who know me very well may know that I have an obsession with Big Foot or Sasquatch or whatever you want to call him. When I spotted him on their website, my special interests collided and it stopped my heart for a microsecond. I put him and his piggy back fairy in a variety of places as I want him hidden but still seen. I finally settled on here.

I also ordered a few fairies and a small house to get Amelia started on her own fairy garden. She is so besotted with them! When I saw how crazy she was about mine I decided to let her have her own. They arrived this week and she has set them up just outside her new playhouse. Millie took this photo herself for me.

On Friday Kim came to work and brought his daughter with him as she was too unwell to go to school. She played in the back playroom happily. I sent her and her sister a bottle of bubbles to blow as we had so many.

The weather was bizarre yesterday, we woke to light rain which stopped in the morning but then it stayed cloudy all day and the sun was still shining brightly but it was cloudy?!

This week I had another situation of self-healing. While jumping I had my wrist over-bent while holding onto the balance bar and I only noticed when my hand went numb. Then my foot on the same side went numb. I kept jumping until the timer went off, but I could feel my nerves on the right side pinging away. When I woke the next day my shoulder was in excruciating pain and I could not turn my head. I have had this issue for decades, it gets triggered and then it usually resides in my body until I go to a chiropractor or sleep so deeply that everyyyyything relaxes. This time I made a conscious effort when I got on the rebounder to ‘relax’ that area. I imagined my spinal chord being pinched and then I imagined the pinch releasing, I imagined the muscles and nerves lengthening and relaxing. I could feel it all loosen and when I finished jumping the pain was gone, the shoulder relaxed.

This week Bree’s birthday trampoline arrived and Wes set it up. Bree has been so excited about it. She wants to jump 24/7 and the first night they had to tell her that the trampoline needed to sleep and on her way to the bath she gave it 5 kisses goodnight. I think it will coordinate perfectly with her gymnastics classes which she is loving.

Amelia is doing ballet which she also loves and it does my heart good to know that my grandbabies are living their best lives. We are so blessed.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and week ahead. Until next time, hold those you love close and count your blessings.

Kisses from the Kitten xoxoxoxox