Our Tree

Friday was quite the sad day in our house. The 70 year old ash tree in our front yard was removed. For several years, I had been paying to treat it to prevent the Emerald Ash Borer. The past couple of years the tree’s foliage was noticeably less and less. The recent windy nights led to several large branches falling. I decided it was time to take the tree down. Norma and Alias loved sitting on my bed upstairs and looking out the skylight to the top of the tree where there usually were a bunch of birds. They also liked looking out the living room’s picture window where they watched squirrels race up and down the tree’s trunk. The noise from the removal scared Alias as he hid under the bed most of the day. Norma diligently watched the man at the top of the tree. Bigger than a bird, this was new for her. Life lost just a little bit of excitement in their daily lives.

I was caught off guard at how emotional losing the tree was. Because the tree was within 20 feet of my house, with every storm that blew by over the years, there was the added anxiety of worrying the tree would topple onto my house, or worse onto my neighbor’s house. Still, watching the crew dismember the tree, branch by branch, pieces of the thick trunk sawed into manageable chunks, it wasn’t lost on me that this was still a living being that had been around for a long time, with a lot of history.

I didn’t have the crew grind the stump away, temporarily saving a little money and afterward I’m glad I didn’t have them do that. Because there’s a nice reminder left behind of my once mighty ash tree.

“Now I’m out in the backyard leaning on a tree/And I have no way of knowing 

Can’t lean too hard that’s my philosophy/Man that tree is growing

Maybe I’ll never grow up to be straight and tall/But you can lean on me, baby, I won’t fall 

Maybe in the deal I can learn to bend/Learn to listen like that tree, baby like a good friend”

                                                                                          -John Hiatt ‘Stolen Moments’

 

Activity Report

It’s brothers hangout time. Meanwhile Norma is batting a bubblegum wrapper all around downstairs.
 

Sun Mates

I don’t know which it is, but either the sun always finds them, or they always find the sun. It’s uncanny.
 

Her Pillow

Norma has found an excellent heated pillow.
 

Help

Theo fell into the jaws of a cat eating box…
 

Guards

I’m guessing they are not going to let me go upstairs without first paying some fee, probably in food form.
 

Big Brother

Theo is making sure his siblings are all set for the night before he tucks himself in. He’s a good big brother.
 

Warmth

Alias won’t join me underneath the blankets (which Norma loves to do) but his favorite spot to sleep during the day is underneath my blankets. He’s quickly learned we don’t pay a penny more than we have to to heat our house.
 

Shapes

Geometrically making sure they fit together like puzzle pieces to cover the entirety of the bed space. 
 

Comfort King

Usually a box is comfortable enough for Theo. Other times he’s the king of comfort, taking advantage of the wicker bunk bed that even when Diego-San and Thompson were around, he claimed as his own.
 

Tangled Up

Alias is offering Norma an extra leg to rest her head on in case her own weren’t comfy enough for a nap.
 

Choice Seat

Alias scored an excellent box seat. He can’t wait until the event begins. 
 

This is Theo

Theo’s go to look is ‘stunned disbelief.’ Here he goes to his go to look.
 

Bubble Boy

Alias is caught in a sun bubble. He’s OK with that.
 

Illuminating

The Timberwolves gave away free thunder sticks to the crowd the other night. I think the team has three new fans.
 

Not Quite Invisible

Norma’s learning her go to hide and go seek spot has some flaws.
 

His Own Box

I told Alias this box was his to call his own. He looks skeptical knowing he lives with other box lovers.
 

Noisily Supportive

I testified remotely in a legislative hearing. Norma, out of reach, meowed at the top of her lungs during most of my remarks. She wanted to let the committee know she supported whatever I was talking about. Luckily I found out the committee chair is a cat person.
 

Here

Theo let me know he took the roll call and all are present.
 

Where Did It Go?

What’da ya mean we lost an hour?!
 

Swallowed by a Blanket

There’s just too much cute in this house sometimes.
 

Her Majesty

Norma has officially claimed the new bed on top of the new cat tree as her own. As such, any of the sun from the nearby windows she claims as her own as well. (Don’t tell her Theo spent some time on top of the cat tree and he and Alias still have plenty sun that gets by Norma…)
 

Guilty

Alias is really hoping he hid the body good enough because he hears the cops are on the way.
 

Late Morning

Unanimously, their favorite part of the day comes around noon when if the sun is shining, the perfect sun puddle appears from the skylight above. It’s usually big enough for all…
 

That’s All

Just the bros hanging out.
 

New Tree

I got a new cat tree and so far all three are enjoying the box it came in more than that tree itself. Last night Norma finally checked out the bed on top. She looks good in it…
 

Vent Huddling

Please dude, turn up the heat.
 

Cleaning Skills

Theo is sharing his years of grooming experience with Norma. Her ears have never been cleaner.
 

Obscenities

Norma assures me this isn’t her flippin’ me the bird but rather just an innocent paw cleaning. I’m not so sure.
 

Handle with Care

Theo has always been so unique, so unlike all the other cats I’ve known… And quite frankly he hasn’t been doing well since his older brothers left him. He struggles to jump up on once familiar furniture, his nose has dripped for a prolonged period, he sneezes lots and throws up too much… I think he’s deaf and he’s certainly more confused than ever although that seemed to be his built in mode from the start. I’m so glad he’s still able to enjoy things like a new box to call his own. 
 

Sunday Night

Just another Sunday night cuddle…
 

Awaiting the Weekend

They are all keeping an eye out for the weekend to arrive. Problem is none of them no which direction it is arriving from.
 

Boxed Brothers

Two headed box.
 

Falling Sky

You’d think they had never seen snow fall from the sky before…
 

Big Brother Duty

Theo is making sure his brother doesn’t slide off the side of the bed.
 

Deluxe Box 3

Alias was the last to reserve his time in the box. The question now, of course, is when it is OK to get rid of the communal box, if ever…
 

Deluxe Box 2

Theo got his reservation in and quite honestly he stayed beyond his allotted time…
 

Deluxe Box

Reservations are needed for sitting in this box. Norma made hers early.
 

The Look

I’ve gotten this look for many years. These days Theo spends much of the day underneath my desk giving me his sweet look as I’m working. I guess he’s expecting more entertainment from me.
 

Perfect Evening

After an exciting evening of chasing the toy mousie and finishing up Theo’s leftover dinner, Norma and Alias are doing what they love doing most, snuggling together. 
 

Ice Cold

This is Alias’ new favorite place to take a nap. It comes with the not so subtle message that the landlord of his house needs to loosen up the wallet and crank the heat up.
 

Our Hang Out

Theo and Alias are hanging out with their sister who’s letting it all hang out.
 

Go for Gold Look

Theo is wondering why my broom, curling shoes and myself are still here and not in China for the Olympics. At least I think that’s what this look means. I confess during our long journey together I don’t think Thelonious Dribble and I have ever completely understood each other but the past two years have created a meaningful soulful bond…
 

Clean Siblings

I’m not entirely clear whose paw she is cleaning but I know for the two of them it doesn’t matter…
 

Contemplation

Norma Jean, my gal with sky blue eyes…
 

The Master

Alias is taking notes on skillful nap taking while simultaneously enjoying a sun bath from his brother…
 

A Quiet Place

Theo decided he’s going to stay double inside this weekend. It’s crazy cold outside and this spot provides more protection against those crazy energetic youngsters. 
 

The Answer My Friend

Alias is warming up to this Bob Dylan guy whose music is heard on a regular basis in our house. Here he’s looking for the answer that supposedly is blowin in the wind.
 

Out of Order

A note about last Thursday and Friday’s posts. The pictures are out of order. Friday’s picture occurred 20 minutes before Thursday’s. I think if Norma knew the sequence of things she may not have been willing to allow Theo to lick the top of her head.
 

Weekly Planner

Tuesday’s plan. Just hanging out (together). That’s also Wednesday and Thursday’s plans.