Trimming the Tree

Tonight we put on Bing Crosby and trimmed the tree. Iris was a pretty cute stocking stuffer,

and present under the tree,
but her attack on the tree itself has me worried for tonight, when she will probably decide the ornaments all need to be captured, eviscerated, beheaded, and brought to the master. We did take the most problematic ornaments from last year and put them on the mantel rather than the tree, but I doubt it will be enough to stop her.
Despite Iris's potential to wreak havoc on the finished product, we had fun deciding where to put our favorites. Adelaide chose the tree topper from the collection of stars. She is almost tall enough to put the star on top on her own!
I was glad I still needed to lift her up to put it on (and glad I still can).
Now we are fully in the Christmas spirit around here.

Heat Wave

We've been experiencing record heat in Seattle, and in particular in my house. I employ a system of opening and closing doors and windows to maximize airflow but minimize sun and outdoor heat making its way inside, but this is additionally complicated by the lack of screens and lack of judgment on the part of the cat. (As in leaping from second story windows, getting outside but then getting scared and hiding somewhere outdoors for days on end, etc.)

Today Iris must have escaped while I was hanging laundry outside or squeezed through a barely open window. She can't have been out for more than an hour, but in this heat with her black fur she was in desperate shape when she returned. I heard a scraping sound at the back door and opened it to find her clawing desperately to get in. She was breathing rapidly and her little tongue was out and curled to make a tube.

I think she's feeling a bit better now,though she will probably stay passed out for quite a while. I'm hoping this will help her be less inclined to make escape attempts in the future.

Hard at work

A few nights ago I discovered Iris has been moonlighting as a tax accountant while we sleep.It appears she was not happy to be discovered.

Ride 'Em Iris

My cat, whom few have ever seen (she's a hider), in action at her favorite game:

Post-Bedtime Conversation

A: Mom, Iris is in my room.

Me: Okay. Iris, come here!

A: Iris is still in here.

Me: (Making kissing noises cats find irresistible), Iree, come here kitty.

A: She's not coming out.

Me: Just ignore her honey, and she'll leave.

A: Okay.

A: (Quietly) Iris, I'm ignoring you but I still love you.