Aby-a-Day – 15 Juli: Do they miss us when we’re gone? (Monday Mystery)

Do our cats miss us when we’re gone? Alfred and Angel are used to us going away, I was particularly curious how Izaak and Lorelai would react to our being away, since usually when we go off on a trip, they come with us.

Hero the London Lion which I had seen in a shop in Covent Garden, but we were too tired and hungry to go in and look at him. Later, after a rest and some food, I wished I had stopped and gotten the “Lion in a British jumper” because he was wicked cute!

As luck would have it, I found him at the airport as we were leaving!

I introduced Hero to Rory…but she didn’t seem very impressed.

“Really mom? Really? You left us ALONE. For a WEEK. Without taking us with you! And you bring this thing back with you?

“Look at me. My eyes are bigger, and I am way cuter!”

In the end, I am not sure if Rory missed us…or the fact that we take her outside to run.

Meanwhile, the moment we walked in the door, Zak was yelling for his chicken neck.

After he had demolished it, we sat on the sofa and I gave him cuddles. At first, he seemed happy I was home…

…but then…

…I think he remembered how much mommy kisses him.

I have a deep suspicion that he didn’t miss the kissies.

But he did miss me.

So much so that he is clearly contemplating his escape from my dastardly clutches.

Aby-a-Day – 1 Juli: Another Bee Movie (Movie Monday)

When I made the video of Izaak and Lorelai playing with the bumblebee, Björn was making one, too.

It’s kind of interesting, to see someone’s photos and videos taken at the same time you were taking photos and videos…it’s just from a slightly different perspective.

It’s actually kind of fascinating. The exact same scene playing out, the same events…but, different.

Compare the two videos and you’ll see what I mean.

Aby-a-Day – 28 Juni: Unlikely bedfellows (Friday Flashback)

Jacoby used to love sleeping underneath the comforters, especially in cold weather.

One afternoon, five days before Jake died, I came upon the sweetest scene ever. Lorelai had joined Jake on the bed, and was cuddling with the part of his that wasn’t under the quilt.

They hadn’t been the closest of cats, and, of course, we didn’t know Jake was going to die within the week. It was so sweet to see them close.

Aby-a-Day – 23 Juni: “Have you ever held a snake? They are so strong. You can see why there are so many myths about them: they are unlike any other creature” (Silly Singapura Cinema Sunday)

You may recall a few months ago, I had bought some catnip snakes on Etsy. I gave one to “everybody,” which Izaak promptly claimed, and then put one away for Jacoby’s birthday…which never happened.

The other day, whilst tidying up my clothes cupboard, I happened to find Jake’s green birthday snake. I had forgotten about it.

So, I called Zak to come and play with it.

He was all over that action.

Lorelai wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

Zak was not about to share his new toy.

One of Zak’s little quirks is, he loves to roll around on the entryway rugs. I have no idea why, but he does it almost every day…I just haven’t captured it on camera yet.

Apparently, rolling about on the rug is much improved with a catnip snake.

He really likes this snake!

When I posted about the first snake, I lamented not catching it on video. So this time, I made sure to sort that. Here’s Zak in action with Jake’s snake.

Aby-a-Day – 22 Juni: “Keep your eye on the prey” (Swedish Saturday)

On one of our outside adventures, Lorelai saw a pigeon perched in a tree.

It’s kind of hard to see, so I’ve marked it in this photo.

Rory was so intent on hunting it.

(Here it is marked again)

You could see her brain working out how to catch that fat bird.

The pigeon was hard to see up in the branches, but Rory never lost her focus.

At one point, I thought she was going to give up.

The pigeon was still watching her, though.

But suddenly, Rory climbed even higher in the tree!

She was actually as high up in the tree as the pigeon!

I think her idea was to get higher than the pigeon, and then drop down on it.

I couldn’t believe how high Rory climbed!

She really wanted to get that pigeon. I honestly don’t know why the pigeon stayed there so long. Maybe it was curious about the small predator.

I think this may be the closest Rory’s ever gotten to a bird. Impressive.

Aby-a-Day – 21 Juni: Who wore it best? (Fashion Friday Flashback)

Glad Midsommar, allihopa! It’s all downhill from here…

Today is the greatest Swedish holiday apart from Jul, the day when we get the longest day and the latest sunset, and in a country known for winter, this is a big deal. When I posted about Midsommar last year, I included photos of Jacoby wearing the traditional flower crown.

I recently found the floral crown again (it had fallen behind some books) this spring. I was thinking Jake could model it again, perhaps outside…but obviously that can’t happen. So I decided to try it on everyone else, and see who, potentially, could be my next hat model. I started with Angel.

After all, Angel does have hat wearing experience.

She wasn’t in the mood today…

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…this is the best I could get from her.

So, Alfred, how are you at wearing a flower crown? You are a native born Swede, after all…this should be natural for you!

Er…Where are you going?

Oh, you think the top of the balcony tree is a better background?

You may be right. Okay, give me looking off into the distance.

Great! Now give me sensitive and thoughtful.

Awesome! And now…give me the money shot!

Perfect!

Okay. Let’s try the other Swedish Aby. Lorelai, your turn.

Once again, without the crazy eyes?

Okay…better. But let’s keep going…

Demure…demure is good…or it would be if you weren’t so frowny.

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There you go! That’s perfect!

And, now…let’s see how the Polish contestant does. Here you go, Izaak.

Oooookay…could you sit up, please?

And could you lose the attitude?

That’s a little better…keep going…

…better…

Okay Zak, now you just look like a Tribble with flowers.

And…yeah, I think that’s the best we’re gonna get from you today. Thank you!

So, who wore the Midsommer flower crown best?

Aby-a-Day – 20 Juni: “She’s got style, she’s got grace, she’s a winner…She’s a lady” (Thursday Things)

Lorelai is elegant, lithe, and graceful…When’s she’s awake.

Sleeping? Not so much.

And she’s always been that way, actually. The first two photos were taken this week.

But the rest of the photos in this post were taken last July, when Rory had only been living with us a couple of months.

She really folds herself into some interesting positions.

But she seems to sleep deeply, despite her contortions.

Of course, she doesn’t always sleep alone.

Today is also Izaak’s Gotcha Day…last year, on 20 June, I went to Stockholm to collect him. So, sometimes Rory has to share her sleeping quarters with her little big brother.

While he is not quite as…stretchy and bendy…Rory is, he can sleep in some pretty odd positions, too.