Norma Trying Her Best

I long for the days when watching Norma roll up in a mat amused me to no end. 
 

My Tiger

This is Alias’ ferocious look I gave him a grade of B+/A-. Your thoughts?
 

Smart Guy

Kenta melted my heart one more time. He loves learning from Alias and Norma. From almost their first day with me, one of the most adorable things about Norma and Alias is when I’m at the top of the steps, on my way down, and they are at the bottom of the steps looking up. They race upstairs as fast as they can as if to get away from me as fast as possible even if they are innocent. Kenta, for the first time ever did the exact same thing yesterday. 

Question

Alias has a droopy right eye. Norma has a droopy left eye. Mirror images or merely we're all damn droopy in our household?
 

Harrowing Weekend

It was another tense weekend in the Twin Cities with another Minnesotan killed by federal border enforcement agents. I had a ticket to the Timberwolves afternoon basketball game. I wondered if I should still go. The killing didn’t happen downtown where the arena is, but the whole thing felt a little bit like the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing in 2020.

They ended up postponing the game to Sunday so, 24 hours later, I had an hour to kill before leaving for the game. I lay down on my bed. Alias joined me and took his place when we take long naps together, on the top of my legs facing my feet. Norma shortly after joined us taking her usual spot between my feet and Alias. Surprisingly Kenta joined us too. He rarely does but he took his place horizontally on my chest with his fur in my nose and mouth. So I pushed him down a bit and the three of us settled in. This made me want to stay home and I knew the three of them would appreciate that. But the hour passed by quickly and I decided I didn’t want to waste a ticket so I began to move my housemates off of me. 

The Timberwolves got clobbered. They did have a nice moment of silence before the game for Saturday’s victim. Who knows where this charged political atmosphere is going? Thankfully, the three of them continue to teach me. We just have to enjoy our in the moment daily time together. That’s all.

ICE

It's supposed to drop to 20 below zero tonight. I'd like to think it's Mother Nature sending a message to the federal ICE agents that have made Minnesota a scary place to be that it's time for them to leave. My housemates just hope I'm home as much as possible so the space heater and my lap are available for warmth.
 

The Name of the Game

Over time, Kenta’s nickname has become “Kenta-bean.” I’m not sure why. Kinda sounds like kidney bean, but if I were to choose my favorite bean it would be the soybean. Kenta bean rhymes with Norma Jean so when we do morning roll call it would sound natural… Alias, Kenta Bean, Norma Jean…

I’m not sure I’ve ever shared how Alias and Norma got their names… I adopted the two from my boss’ family who were fostering them, their four siblings and their mom. The 10 year old daughter named the two Billy and Norma. Keeping Norma, Norma was a no brainer. It fit her, I wanted to honor the work my boss’ daughter did, and I liked having an older sounding name. Billy wasn’t going to work however. I always thought if I adopted a female cat, I’d name her Billie, after Billie Holiday who I love. I still reserve that option. I could have named Norma “Billie” and kept Billy Billy. 

But to honor his name, and always wanting to name a cat after some Bob Dylan reference, I landed on Alias, Bob’s character’s name in the film ‘Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid.’ One of Bob’s few lines in the movie when asked about his name replies, “Alias anything you want.” So by naming Billy “Alias” I could call him anything I wanted. He’s definitely grown into his name perfectly. 

It’s Cold Out There

Smothered brother.
 

Apppreciative

Norma is an equal opportunity appreciator. She has seen these two do the very difficult work of covering my feet around the house (oh the smell alone!). She is thankful for their service and for doing something she would never do.

Three Day Weekend

How do we plan to spend the extra weekend day? Just like the previous two, lots of time snuggling. Another successful holiday.
 

Leader of the Pack

Kenta is leading our household weekend activities. This is what he plans to do nearly all weekend.
 

I Miss Brian Wilson

“Love and mercy that’s what you need tonight. Love and mercy to you and your friends tonight…”
 

The Nightly Look.

This look means, “OK, I’m ready for dinner… OK, I’m ready for dinner… OK, I’m ready for dinner…”
 

Slllrrrrrppppp

Kenta is fond of his brother.

Rough Week

It’s been a really difficult week in the Minnesota. Never good when we are in the national news. I appreciated my housemates more than ever this week. We spent a lot of cuddling time together. That is, at this point, what it’s all about. 
 

A First

I’ve never taken a picture of meal time before. Their favorite times of the day. 
 

Possessed

Often when Norma gets her zoomies, tearing around the room in circles and squealing, her eyes get red making her look possessed. It’s just another thing that makes Norma, Norma. 
 

Good Point

Kenta is confused about why he gets scolded if he knocks something like the TV remote or my glasses onto the floor from my desk but he gets encouraged when he knocks his stuff hedge hog friend, Porky, onto the floor wherever I place Porky. Valid point. 

Bed Stealer

It starts with Alias resting comfortably in his favorite bed. Then Kenta smothers Alias. And then Kenta has the bed to himself.  

Sunday

They napped on my legs making it impossible to get up. And I was OK with that. 
 

Norma in Charge

Just recently Norma’s began eating cat treats. Up until now she’ll sniff them and walk away leaving all of them for Kenta and Alias. Last night I was alone in the kitchen with her so I gave her some treats. She began eating them one by one. Kenta came by and tried to get at some of the treats and Norma pushed him away with her paw and let out a short hiss. Kenta got the message and watched his sister enjoy the treats.
 

Happy 2026!