Chin Kisses

Norma loves to rub her nose against my chin. This is what she looks like coming in for the landing.
 

4th of July

Kenta is hoping for a fireworks free Independence Day. I’m not sure he’s gonna get his wish.
 

Fetch

Alias is an amazingly talented fetcher. He had a favorite toy mouse that we played fetch with many nights the last few years. I always put it away after we were done so we wouldn’t lose it. Then because I rarely accessed where I put the toy mouse, we stopped playing (plus Norma and Kenta started to get in Alias’ way to fetch the thrown mouse). 

Alias found this red mouse in the toy box that is the same size as his other favorite mouse. He brought over to me last night and we played fetch for 10 minutes and fetch later again in the evening, and fetch later again right before bedtime. I woke up early in the morning to the sight of Alias with his toy mouse in mouth as he dropped it by my pillow. I was too tired to play so I put it underneath my pillow.

The next day I asked Alias where his toy mouse was forgetting where I put it. I told him I hoped he hadn’t lost it. And then yesterday I found the toy mouse under my pillow. My bad. I shouldn’t have blamed Alias. And we had another fun evening/night playing fetch.
 

Quality Time

Last night, like many nights, I had a hard time sleeping. I woke up after midnight and Norma heard me stirring around so she hopped up on my bed and rubbed her face against mine and quickly hopped back off the bed. An hour or so later Alias hopped up and we snuggled for a while. A little while later Kenta hopped up (I don’t think he’s ever done that at night) and I plopped him on his stomach and stroked his fur as he purred away. 

In the morning, I paid the price for not sleeping as I was extremely tired but I’m glad last night was a unique night for me and my housemates. I like how each has let me know their preferred method of bonding.
 

PURRRRRRRRRRR

Kenta’s got the loudest purr this house has had since my original housemate, Mr. Max (who drooled when he purred). And he purrs often.
 

Scary Moment

Norma scared herself (and me) yesterday. She choked on a morsel of dry food. It took her more than a few seconds to spit up the food. She skipped the rest of her meal and acted as timid as I’ve ever seen her act for the next hour. Later, I fed her some wet food and she snarfed it right down.
 

Dream

I had a dream about Theo last night. I still am grieving and missing him, surprisingly more than any of my other late cats. He had such a unique, steadfast, quirky, and idiosyncratic personality. He was the last steady part of my life pre-pandemic. Theo had such a sweet soul.

 

Tempting Me

It was hard to go to work yesterday morning. Just as I was about to leave, Kenta plopped himself next to me on the couch and lay on his back exposing his belly. I rubbed it and he deeply purred. I don’t think he likes my new work routine.
 

The Best Bro

If Alias was a mean brother, he’d pounce on Norma’s exposed belly. But he’s a mellow brother and calmly enjoyed his sister’s every day quirkiness. 
 

Obeyer

We had an excessive heat warning over the weekend. We were advised to stay indoors. Norma obeyed and was glad she did. I, on the other hand, went to a Twins baseball game. It was as advertised, hot and humid and kinda unbearable. 
 

Their Brother

Either Alias has a serious hygiene problem that my limited nose can’t detect OR both of his siblings love taking care of him. He definitely is a lovable fellow.

Attention Here Please

Alias decided not to let me work on my iPad. He was quite adamant about it. 
 

The Birds

 A couple of months ago we had three large crows in the backyard that absolutely drove Norma crazy. She squeaked a little peep every five seconds. Yesterday we had five very large crows in the backyard. Norma was still concerned about the invasion but she was a little more calm. Alias was curious about the crows but not as agitated as his sister. Kenta really couldn’t have cared less…

When Your Little Brother Outgrows You

Kenta loves to smother Alias with love. I think the key word might be ‘smother.’
 

Gilbert

 I met Rep. Hortman serving on a board together. She was a tremendous leader, humble and dedicated to making our state better. And her love for Gilbert shines through in these pictures. This has been a horrible few days.

Daredevil

Kenta enjoys a life on the edge.
 

Daredevil

 

Norma’s life is a high wire act that all of us appreciate.

New Routine

I started my new job last Thursday. I worked half days both Thursday and Friday. Monday was the first day I worked a full day. I didn’t get home until after 5 p.m. My housemates were used to lunch being served between 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. So they were pretty wound up when I got home. Kenta was extra friendly. I guess he missed me.
 

The Student

Kenta is learning a lot from Norma. That it’s important to stretch before and during a nap.
 

Norma and Me

I had a nice day with Norma yesterday. I woke up and she was sleeping by my side. It made it hard to get out of bed. When I did lift the sheets, her little nose poked out. We sat like that for another five minutes. Later in the morning she sat with me again. She loves to lick my chin and she did that several times. We’ve been spending more alone time recently and I think we both enjoy that.
 

Perfect Fit

It was like this bed was made for Alias.
 

I’m Impressed

Norma is very smart. One example is I have to carry Kenta upstairs when he’s done with his meal so he doesn’t help himself to his siblings’ meals. I close the door behind us. Norma has learned the door doesn’t latch shut so she can push it open. But she also knows it doesn’t work the other way around. She can’t push it open from the other side. And she can’t push other doors in the house open. 
 

Tolerance

Norma doesn’t seem to mind Kenta’s foot in her face.
 

Teamwork

Alias urped up his breakfast yesterday. I got most of it cleaned up but went to grab a rag with soap water to deep clean the carpet. When I got back Kenta had taken care of the rest as he sat there licking the carpet. Teamwork I guess.
 

Changes

Our routine is about to change… I’m ending a one year medical leave and starting a new job that’s located within walking distance of our house. Norma, Alias (and Kenta) have never lived through a time when I wasn’t home most of the day. I’m sure they’ll do just fine.
 

Vogue

Kenta’s stretch pose is perfect. Check out how he impressively includes his floofy tail.
 

Family Full of Belly Rubs

Norma has joined her brothers as enjoying a good belly rub. When she’s under the covers with me during the night and morning, she stretches out and I rub her belly. When she’s sitting in her tree, she’ll flip over and squeal for a belly rub. I guess I personally don’t understand the appeal of a belly rub.
 

Tanning Bed

It was a good day to work on their sun tans.
 

Bobblehead

 Norma and Alias are checking out their newest housemate.

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Yesterday morning, I woke up to the sound of someone walking on the papers and pens on my desk. This is one of two places my housemates are not allowed (the other behind the TV with all the wires). The ashes and clay paw prints from those that lived here before are on the shelf on the desk. I immediately hollered for Norma to get down. The sound continued so I opened my eyes but without my glasses I can’t see very far. I again scolded Norma when I realized the culprit was much bigger so I scolded Kenta.

He immediately leaped off my desk. I learned that he knows his name. I know Norma knows her name because one of the most commonly yelled phrases in our house is, “Norma, no!” I’m pretty sure Alias knows his name because he often meows when I call out his name. It would be interesting to know if they know each other’s name. And of course, I’m just known as the food guy.

I apologized to Norma for blaming her for something she didn’t do. And of course, she immediately hopped up on my desk.

 

Cuddles

The past couple of chilly mornings meant waking up next to Norma, who was cuddled under the blankets next to my side. It made getting out of bed extremely difficult because we don’t spend a whole lot of alone time together.
 

Warmth

It’s been unusually cool the past week with temperatures not climbing higher than the low 50’s so the space heater has been on most mornings. Norma and Kenta always take advantage of the warmest place in the house.
 

Time To Eat

Alias lets me know when it is meal time. He walks across my laptop keyboard or sits in front of the screen. His persistence is like clockwork. 
 

Sibling Hug

Norma got hollered at for knocking my glasses off my desk. Alias demonstrated his allegiance by comforting his sister.
 

False Alarm

Norma was concerned when the Civil Defense Sirens blared. There was a tornado warning in our area although the more severe weather was north of us.
 

Not the Best Deal

 

I don’t think Norma got the better end of this deal.

Changing

I think Alias is beginning to think Kenta has gotten too big for the snuggles/smothering. 
 

Private Joke

Norma cracks herself up sometimes. 
 

Clean Boy

I think Alias is the cleanest cat in the house. Both his sister and brother love to groom him and he’s very diligent in grooming himself.
 

Not a Fan

The Timberwolves, our professional basketball team, are doing surprisingly well in the playoffs. But they’ve had their moments of bad basketball. Norma gets alarmed when she hears me yelling at the TV. She isn’t used to me getting that riled up.
 

Roll Call

All present and accounted for.
 

Tragic Morning

We had a tragic morning yesterday. Kenta evidently saw a flying bug that he was chasing all over the upstairs leaping on things like my desk and TV stand that he knows he shouldn’t be leaping on. I never did see the bug but Kenta was determined to catch it. Eventually running full speed he leapt up on Norma’s favorite perch and it came loose. I can’t fix it, it’s a stripped screw holding it in place. So Norma lost her favorite perch (Kenta enjoyed the perch too).
 

Fighting Moves

Norma and Kenta were wrestling yesterday. Kenta stood up on his hind legs and Norma pushed his chest with her two front paws causing Kenta to tumble over backwards. It was a brilliant move and hilarious too. I praised Norma for her savvy given that she’s half his size at this point.
 

Two of His Favorite Things

Two of Kenta’s favorite things in the world: sun puddles and Alias.
 

Speaking His Mind

Alias has become quite the talker. Every morning after breakfast, I’ll be starting work upstairs and hear Alias bellow several minutes. The first time he did this I went downstairs to make sure nothing was wrong. But since he does it every day, I guess it just is him getting things off his chest. 
 

Generous Guard

Kenta is guarding the upstairs. I didn’t know what the password was but he let me by when I rubbed his head.
 

Upside Down Perspective

Norma loves to look at things in a different way then the rest of us.